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was a girl by her yellow garb； a fisherwoman； it seemed； for in the prow of
her craft was piled a net upon which the scales of fishes were twinklinga
Martian； obviously； but something more ro… bust than most of them； a
savour of honest work about her sunburnt face which my pallid friends
away yonder were lacking in； and when we had stared at each other for a
few moments in silence she came forward a step or two and said without a
trace of fear or shyness； 〃Are you a spirit； sir？
〃Why；〃 I answered； 〃about as much； no more and no less； than most of
us。〃
〃Aye；〃 she said。 〃I thought you were； for none but spirits live here
upon this island； are you for good or evil？〃
〃Far better for the breakfast of which I fear I have robbed you； but
wandering along the shore and finding this pot boiling with no owner； I
ventured to sample it； and it was so good my appetite got the better of
manners。〃
The girl bowed； and standing at a respectful distance asked if I would
like some fish as well； she had some； but not many； and if I would eat she
would cook them for me in a minuteit was not often； she added lightly；
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she had met one of my kind before。 In fact； it was obvious that simple
person did actually take me for a being of another world； and was it for me
to say she was wrong？ So adopt… ing a dignity worthy of my reputation I
nodded gravely to her offer。 She fetched from the boat four little fishes
of the daintiest kind imaginable。 They were each about as big as a hand
and pale blue when you looked down upon them； but so clear against the
light that every bone and vein in their bodies could be traced。 These
were wrapped just as they were in a broad； green leaf and then the Martian；
taking a pointed stick； made a hollow in the white ashes； laid them in side
by side； and drew the hot dust over again。
While they cooked we chatted as though the acquaintance were the
most casual thing in the world； and I found it was indeed an island we
were on and not the mainland； as I had hoped at first。 Seth； she told me；
was far away to the eastward； and if the woodmen had gone by in their
ships they would have passed round to the north…west of where we were。
I spent an hour or two with that amiable individual； and； it is to be
hoped； sustained the character of a spiritual visitant with considerable
dignity。 In one particular at least； that； namely； of appetite； I did honour
to my supposed source； and as my entertainer would not hear of payment
in material kind； all I could do was to show her some conjuring tricks；
which greatly increased her belief in my supernatural origin； and to teach
her some new hitches and knots； using her fishing…line as a means of
illustration； a demonstration which called from her the natural observation
that we must be good sailors 〃up aloft〃 since we knew so much about
cordage； then we parted。
She had seen nothing of the woodmen； though she had heard they had
been to Seth and thought； from some niceties of geographical calculation
which I could not follow； they would have crossed to the north； as just
stated； of her island。 There she told me； with much surprise at my desire
for the information； how I might； by following the forest track to the
westward coast； make my way to a fishing village； where they would give
me a canoe and direct me； since such was my extraordinary wish； to the
place where； if anywhere； the wild men had touched on their way home。
She filled my wallet with dried honey…cakes and my mouth with sugar
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plums from her little store； then down on her knees went that poor waif of
a worn…out civilisation and kissed my hands in humble farewell； and I；
blushing to be so saluted； and after all but a sailor； got her by the rosy
fingers and lifted her up shoulder high； and getting one hand under her
chin and the other behind her head kissed her twice upon her pretty cheeks；
and so； I say； we parted。
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CHAPTER X
Off into the forest I went； feeling a boyish elation to be so free nor
taking heed or count of the reckless adventure before me。 The Martian
weather for the moment was lovely and the many…coloured grass lush and
soft under foot。 Mile after mile I went； heeding the distance lightly； the
air was so elastic。 Now pressing forward as the main interest of my
errand took the upper hand； and remembrance of poor Heru like a crushed
white flower in the red grip of those cruel ravishers came upon me； and
then pausing to sigh with pleasure or stand agapeforgetful even of herin
wonder of the unknown loveliness about me。
And well might I stare！ Everything in that forest was wonderful！
There were plants which turned from colour to colour with the varying
hours of the day。 While others had a growth so swift it was dangerous to
sit in their neighbour… hood since the long； succulent tendrils clambering
from the parent stem would weave you into a helpless tangle while you
gazed； fascinated； upon them。 There were plants that climbed and
walked； sighing plants who called the winged things of the air to them
with a noise so like to a girl sobbing that again and again I stopped in the
tangled path to listen。 There were green bladder…mosses which swam
about the surface of the still pools like gigantic frog…broods。 There were
on the ridges warrior trees burning in the vindictiveness of a long
forgotten causea blaze of crimson scimitar thorns from root to topmost
twig； and down again in the cool hollows were lady…bushes making
twilight of the green gloom with their cloudy ivory blos… soms and filling
the shadows with such a heavy scent that head and heart reeled with fatal
pleasure as one pushed aside their branches。 Every river…bed was full of
mighty reeds； whose stems clattered together when the wind blew like
swords on shields； and every now and then a bit of forest was woven
together with the ropey stems of giant creepers till no man or beast could
have passed save for the paths which constant use had kept open through
the mazes。
All day long I wandered on through those wonderful woodlands； and
in fact loitered so much over their infinite marvels that when sundown
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came all too soon there was still undulating forest everywhere； vistas of
fairy glades on every hand； peopled with incredible things and echoing
with sounds that excited the ears as much as other things fascinated the
eyes； but no sign of the sea or my fishing village anywhere。
It did not matter； a little of the Martian leisureliness was getting into
my blood： 〃If not today； why then tomorrow；〃 as An would have said； and
with this for comfort I selected a warm； sandy hollow under the roots of a
big tree； made my brief arrangements for the night； ate some honey cakes；
and was soon sleeping blissfully。
I woke early next morning； after many hours of interrupted dreams；
and having nothing to do till the white haze had lifted and made it possible
to start again； rested idly a time on my elbow and watched the sunshine
filter into the recesses。
Very pretty it was to see the thick canopy overhead； by star…light so
impenetrable； open its chinks and fissures as the searching sun came upon
it； to see the pin…hole gaps shine like spangles presently； the spaces
broaden into lesser suns； and even the thick leafage brighten and shine
down on me with a soft sea…green radiance。