NotuntilbackinmyowncellandconsciousnesswasIabletomullthethingoverandrealizethatjustaswasJakeOppenheimer，sowasEdMorrell，sowasI。AndIcouldnotbutthrillasIglimpsedthevastitudeofspiritthatinhabitedthesefrail，perishingcarcassesofus——thethreeincorrigiblesofsolitary。Fleshisacheap，vainthing。Grassisflesh，andfleshbecomesgrass；butthespiritisthethingthatabidesandsurvives。Ihavenopatiencewiththeseflesh-worshippers。AtasteofsolitaryinSanQuentinwouldswiftlyconvertthemtoadueappreciationandworshipofthespirit。
ButtoreturntomyexperiencemOppenheimer’scell。Hisbodywasthatofamanlongdeadandshrivelledbydesertheat。Theskinthatcovereditwasofthecolourofdrymud。Hissharp，yellow-
grayeyesseemedtheonlypartofhimthatwasalive。Theywereneveratrest。Helayonhisback，andtheeyesdartedhitherandthither，followingtheflightoftheseveralfliesthatdisportedinthegloomyairabovehim。Inoted，too，ascar，justabovehisrightelbow，andanotherscaronhisrightankle。
Afteratimeheyawned，rolledoveronhisside，andinspectedanangry-lookingsorejustabovehiship。Thisheproceededtocleanseanddressbythecrudemethodsmeninsolitarymustemploy。I
recognizedthesoreasoneofthesortcausedbythestrait-jacket。
Onmybody，atthismomentofwriting，arehundredsofscarsofthejacket。
Next，Oppenheimerrolledonhisback，gingerlytookoneofhisfrontuppertooth——aneyeteeth——betweenthumbandforefinger，andconsiderativelymoveditbackandforth。Againheyawned，stretchedhisarms，rolledover，andknockedthecalltoEdMorrell。
Ireadthecodeasamatterofcourse。
\"Thoughtyoumightbeawake，\"Oppenheimertapped。\"HowgoesitwiththeProfessor？\"
Then，dimandfar，IcouldhearMorrell’stapsenunciatingthattheyhadputmeinthejacketanhourbefore，andthat，asusual，Iwasalreadydeaftoallknuckletalk。
\"Heisagoodguy，\"Oppenheimerrappedon。\"Ialwayswassuspiciousofeducatedmugs，butheain’tbeenhurtnonebyhiseducation。Heissuresquare。Gotallthespunkintheworld，andyoucouldnotgethimtosquealordoublecrossinamillionyears。\"
Toallofwhich，andwithamplification，EdMorrellagreed。AndI
must，righthere，ereIgoawordfurther，saythatIhavelivedmanyyearsandmanylives，andthatinthosemanylivesIhaveknownproudmoments；butthattheproudestmomentIhaveeverknownwasthemomentwhenmytwocomradesinsolitarypassedthisappraisalofme。EdMorrellandJakeOppenheimerweregreatspirits，andinalltimenogreaterhonourwaseveraccordedmethanthisadmissionofmetotheircomradeship。Kingshaveknightedme，emperorshaveennobledme，and，askingmyself，Ihaveknownstatelymoments。YetofitallnothingdoIadjudgesosplendidasthisaccoladedeliveredbytwolifersinsolitarydeemedbytheworldastheverybottom-mostofthehumancesspool。
Afterwards，recuperatingfromthisparticularboutwiththejacket，IbroughtupmyvisittoJake’scellasaproofthatmyspiritdidleavemybody。ButJakewasunshakable。
\"Itisguessingthatismorethanguessing，\"washisreply，whenI
haddescribedtohimhissuccessiveparticularactionsatthetimemyspirithadbeeninhiscell。\"Itisfiguring。Youhavebeenclosetothreeyearsinsolitaryyourself，Professor，andyoucancomeprettyneartofiguringwhatanyguywilldotobekillingtime。Thereain’tathingyoutoldmethatyouandEdain’tdonethousandsoftimes，fromlyingwithyourclothesoffinhotweathertowatchingflies，tendingsores，andrapping。\"
Morrellsidedwithme，butitwasnouse。
\"Nowdon’ttakeithard，Professor，\"Jaketapped。\"Iain’tsayingyoulied。Ijustsayyougettodreamingandfiguringinthejacketwithoutknowingyou’redoingit。Iknowyoubelievewhatyousay，andthatyouthinkithappened；butitdon’tbuynothingwithme。
Youfigureit，butyoudon’tknowyoufigureit——thatissomethingyouknowallthetime，thoughyoudon’tknowyouknowituntilyougetintothemdreamy，woozystates。\"
\"Holdon，Jake，\"Itapped。\"YouknowIhaveneverseenyouwithmyowneyes。Isthatright？\"
\"Igottotakeyourwordforit，Professor。Youmighthaveseenmeandnotknownitwasme。\"
\"Thepointis，\"Icontinued，\"nothavingseenyouwithyourclothesoff，neverthelessIamabletotellyouaboutthatscaraboveyourrightelbow，andthatscaronyourrightankle。\"
\"Oh，shucks，\"washisreply。\"You’llfindallthatinmyprisondescriptionandalongwithmymugintherogues’gallery。Theyisthousandsofchiefsofpoliceanddetectivesknowallthatstuff。\"
\"Ineverheardofit，\"Iassuredhim。
\"Youdon’trememberthatyoueverheardofit，\"hecorrected。\"Butyoumusthavejustthesame。Thoughyouhaveforgottenaboutit，theinformationisinyourbrainallright，storedawayforreference，onlyyou’veforgotwhereitisstored。You’vegottogetwoozyinordertoremember。\"
\"Didyoueverforgetaman’snameyouusedtoknowaswellasyourownbrother’s？Ihave。TherewasalittlejurorthatconvictedmeinOaklandthetimeIgothandedmyfifty-years。AndonedayI
foundI’dforgottenhisname。Why，bo，Ilayhereforweekspuzzlingforit。Now，justbecauseIcouldnotdigitoutofmymemoryboxwasnosignitwasnotthere。Itwasmislaid，thatwasall。Andtoproveit，oneday，whenIwasnoteventhinkingaboutit，itpoppedrightoutofmybraintothetipofmytongue。
’Stacy，’Isaidrightoutloud。’JosephStacy。’Thatwasit。Getmydrive？
\"Youonlytellmeaboutthemscarswhatthousandsofmenknow。I
don’tknowhowyougottheinformation，Iguessyoudon’tknowyourself。Thatain’tmylookout。Buttheresheis。Tellingmewhatmanyknowsbuysnothingwithme。Yougottodeliverawholelotmorethanthattomakemeswallowtherestofyourwhoppers。\"
Hamilton’sLawofParsimonyintheweighingofevidence！Sointrinsicallywasthisslum-bredconvictascientist，thathehadworkedoutHamilton’slawandrigidlyappliedit。
Andyet——andtheincidentisdelicious——JakeOppenheimerwasintellectuallyhonest。Thatnight，asIwasdozingoff，hecalledmewiththecustomarysignal。
\"Say，Professor，yousaidyousawmewigglingmyloosetooth。Thathasgotmygoat。ThatistheonethingIcan’tfigureoutanywayyoucouldknow。Itonlywentloosethreedaysago，andIain’twhisperedittoasoul。\"
CHAPTERXXI
Pascalsomewheresays:\"Inviewingthemarchofhumanevolution，thephilosophicmindshouldlookuponhumanityasoneman，andnotasaconglomerationofindividuals。\"
IsithereinMurderers’RowinFolsom，thedrowsyhumoffliesinmyearsasIponderthatthoughtofPascal。Itistrue。Justasthehumanembryo，initsbrieftenlunarmonths，withbewilderingswiftness，inmyriadformsandsemblancesamyriadtimesmultiplied，rehearsestheentirehistoryoforganiclifefromvegetabletoman；
justasthehumanboy，inhisbriefyearsofboyhood，rehearsesthehistoryofprimitivemaninactsofcrueltyandsavagery，fromwantonnessofinflictingpainonlessercreaturestotribalconsciousnessexpressedbythedesiretoruningangs；justso，I，DarrellStanding，haverehearsedandrelivedallthatprimitivemanwas，anddid，andbecameuntilhebecameevenyouandmeandtherestofourkindinatwentiethcenturycivilization。
Trulydowecarryinus，eachhumanofusaliveontheplanetto-
day，theincorruptiblehistoryoflifefromlife’sbeginning。Thishistoryiswritteninourtissuesandourbones，inourfunctionsandourorgans，inourbraincellsandinourspirits，andinallsortsofphysicalandpsychicatavisticurgenciesandcompulsions。
Oncewewerefish-like，youandI，myreader，andcrawledupoutoftheseatopioneerinthegreat，dry-landadventureinthethickofwhichwearenow。Themarksoftheseaarestillonus，asthemarksoftheserpentarestillonus，eretheserpentbecameserpentandwebecamewe，whenpre-serpentandpre-wewereone。Onceweflewintheair，andoncewedweltarboreallyandwereafraidofthedark。Thevestigesremain，gravenonyouandme，andgravenonourseedtocomeafterustotheendofourtimeonearth。
WhatPascalglimpsedwiththevisionofaseer，Ihavelived。I
haveseenmyselfthatonemancontemplatedbyPascal’sphilosophiceye。Oh，Ihaveatale，mosttrue，mostwonderful，mostrealtome，althoughIdoubtthatIhavewittotellit，andthatyou，myreader，havewittoperceiveitwhentold。IsaythatIhaveseenmyselfthatonemanhintedatbyPascal。Ihavelaininthelongtrancesofthejacketandglimpsedmyselfathousandlivingmenlivingthethousandlivesthatarethemselvesthehistoryofthehumanmanclimbingupwardthroughtheages。
Ah，whatroyalmemoriesaremine，asIflutterthroughtheaeonsofthelongago。InsinglejackettrancesIhavelivedthemanylivesinvolvedinthethousand-years-longOdysseysoftheearlydriftsofmen。Heavens，beforeIwasoftheflaxen-hairedAesir，whodweltinAsgard，andbeforeIwasofthered-hairedVanir，whodweltinVanaheim，longbeforethosetimesIhavememorieslivingmemories
ofearlierdrifts，when，likethistledownbeforethebreeze，wedriftedsouthbeforethefaceofthedescendingpolarice-cap。
Ihavediedoffrostandfamine，fightandflood。Ihavepickedberriesonthebleakbackboneoftheworld，andIhavedugrootstoeatfromthefat-soiledfensandmeadows。Ihavescratchedthereindeer’ssemblanceandthesemblanceofthehairymammothonivorytusksgottenofthechaseandontherockwallsofcaveshelterswhenthewinterstormsmoanedoutside。Ihavecrackedmarrow-bonesonthesitesofkinglycitiesthathadperishedcenturiesbeforemytimeorthatweredestinedtobebuildedcenturiesaftermypassing。
AndIhaveleftthebonesofmytransientcarcassesinpondbottoms，andglacialgravels，andasphaltumlakes。
Ihavelivedthroughtheagesknownto-dayamongthescientistsasthePaleolithic，theNeolithic，andtheBronze。IrememberwhenwithourdomesticatedwolvesweherdedourreindeertopastureonthenorthshoreoftheMediterraneanwherenowareFranceandItalyandSpain。Thiswasbeforetheice-sheetmeltedbackwardtowardthepole。ManyprocessionsoftheequinoxeshaveIlivedthroughanddiedin，myreader……onlythatIrememberandthatyoudonot。
IhavebeenaSonofthePlough，aSonoftheFish，aSonoftheTree。Allreligionsfromthebeginningsofman’sreligioustimeabideinme。AndwhentheDominie，inthechapel，hereinFolsomofaSunday，worshipsGodinhisowngoodmodernway，Iknowthatinhim，theDominie，stillabidetheworshipsofthePlough，theFish，theTree——ay，andalsoallworshipsofAstarteandtheNight。
IhavebeenanAryanmasterinoldEgypt，whenmysoldiersscrawledobscenitiesonthecarventombsofkingsdeadandgoneandforgottenaforetime。AndI，theAryanmasterinoldEgypt，havemyselfbuildedmytwoburialplaces——theoneafalseandmightypyramidtowhichagenerationofslavescouldattest；theotherhumble，meagre，secret，rock-hewninadesertvalleybyslaveswhodiedimmediatelytheirworkwasdone……AndIwondermehereinFolsom，whiledemocracydreamsitsenchantmentso’erthetwentiethcenturyworld，whetherthere，intherock-hewncryptofthatsecret，desertvalley，thebonesstillabidethatonceweremineandthatstiffenedmyanimatedbodywhenIwasanAryanmasterhigh-stomachedtocommand。
Andonthegreatdrift，southwardandeastwardundertheburningsunthatperishedalldescendantsofthehousesofAsgardandVanaheim，IhavebeenakinginCeylon，abuilderofAryanmonumentsunderAryankingsinoldJavaandoldSumatra。AndIhavediedahundreddeathsonthegreatSouthSeadriftereevertherebirthofmecametoplantmonuments，thatonlyAryansplant，onvolcanictropicislandsthatI，DarrellStanding，cannotname，beingtoolittleversedto-dayinthatfarseageography。
IfonlyIwerearticulatetopaintinthefrailmediumofwordswhatIseeandknowandpossessincorporatedinmyconsciousnessofthemightydriftageoftheracesinthetimesbeforeourpresentwrittenhistorybegan！Yes，wehadourhistoryeventhen。Ouroldmen，ourpriests，ourwiseones，toldourhistoryintotalesandwrotethosetalesinthestarssothatourseedafterusshouldnotforget。
Fromtheskycamethelife-givingrainandthesunlight。Andwestudiedthesky，learnedfromthestarstocalculatetimeandapportiontheseasons；andwenamedthestarsafterourheroesandourfoodsandourdevicesforgettingfood；andafterourwanderings，anddrifts，andadventures；andafterourfunctionsandourfuriesofimpulseanddesire。
And，alas！wethoughttheheavensunchangingonwhichwewroteallourhumbleyearningsandallthehumblethingswedidordreamedofdoing。WhenIwasaSonoftheBull，IremembermealifetimeI
spentatstar-gazing。And，laterandearlier，therewereotherlivesinwhichIsangwiththepriestsandbardsthetaboo-songsofthestarswhereinwebelievedwaswrittenourimperishablerecord。
Andhere，attheendofitall，Iporeoverbooksofastronomyfromtheprisonlibrary，suchastheyallowcondemnedmentoread，andlearnthateventheheavensarepassingfluxes，vexedwithstar-
driftageastheearthisbythedriftsofmen。
Equippedwiththismodernknowledge，Ihave，returningthroughthelittledeathfrommyearlierlives，beenabletocomparetheheavensthenandnow。Andthestarsdochange。Ihaveseenpolestarsandpolestarsanddynastiesofpolestars。Thepolestarto-dayisinUrsaMinor。Yet，inthosefardaysIhaveseenthepolestarinDraco，inHercules，inVega，inCygnus，andinCepheus。No；noteventhestarsabide，andyetthememoryandtheknowledgeofthemabidesinme，inthespiritofmethatismemoryandthatiseternal。Onlyspiritabides。Allelse，beingmerematter，passes，andmustpass。
Oh，Idoseemyselfto-daythatonemanwhoappearedintheelderworld，blonde，ferocious，akillerandalover，ameat-eaterandaroot-digger，agypsyandarobber，who，clubinhand，throughmillenniumsofyearswanderedtheworldaroundseekingmeattodevourandshelterednestsforhisyounglingsandsucklings。
Iamthatman，thesumofhim，theallofhim，thehairlessbipedwhostruggledupwardfromtheslimeandcreatedloveandlawoutoftheanarchyoffecundlifethatscreamedandsqualledinthejungle。
Iamallthatthatmanwasanddidbecome。Iseemyself，throughthepainfulgenerations，snaringandkillingthegameandthefish，clearingthefirstfieldsfromtheforest，makingrudetoolsofstoneandbone，buildinghousesofwood，thatchingtheroofswithleavesandstraw，domesticatingthewildgrassesandmeadow-roots，fatheringthemtobecometheprogenitorsofriceandmilletandwheatandbarleyandallmannerofsucculentedibles，learningtoscratchthesoil，tosow，toreap，tostore，beatingoutthefibresofplantstospinintothreadandtoweaveintocloth，devisingsystemsofirrigation，workinginmetals，makingmarketsandtrade-
routes，buildingboats，andfoundingnavigation——ay，andorganizingvillagelife，weldingvillagestovillagestilltheybecametribes，weldingtribestogethertilltheybecamenations，everseekingthelawsofthings，evermakingthelawsofhumanssothathumansmightlivetogetherinamityandbyunitedeffortbeatdownanddestroyallmannerofcreeping，crawling，squallingthingsthatmightelsedestroythem。
Iwasthatmaninallhisbirthsandendeavours。Iamthatmanto-
day，waitingmyduedeathbythelawthatIhelpedtodevisemanyathousandyearsago，andbywhichIhavediedmanytimesbeforethis，manytimes。AndasIcontemplatethisvastpasthistoryofme，I
findseveralgreatandsplendidinfluences，and，chiefestofthese，theloveofwoman，man’sloveforthewomanofhiskind。Iseemyself，theoneman，thelover，alwaysthelover。Yes，alsowasI
thegreatfighter，butsomehowitseemstomeasIsithereandevenlybalanceitall，thatIwas，morethanaughtelse，thegreatlover。ItwasbecauseIlovedgreatlythatIwasthegreatfighter。
SometimesIthinkthatthestoryofmanisthestoryoftheloveofwoman。ThismemoryofallmypastthatIwritenowisthememoryofmyloveofwoman。Ever，inthetenthousandlivesandguises，I
lovedher。Ilovehernow。Mysleepisfraughtwithher；mywakingfancies，nomatterwhencetheystart，leadmealwaystoher。Thereisnoescapingher，thateternal，splendid，ever-resplendentfigureofwoman。
Oh，makenomistake。Iamnocallow，ardentyouth。Iamanelderlyman，brokeninhealthandbody，andsoontodie。Iamascientistandaphilosopher。I，asallthegenerationsofphilosophersbeforeme，knowwomanforwhatsheis——herweaknesses，andmeannesses，andimmodesties，andignobilities，herearth-boundfeet，andhereyesthathaveneverseenthestars。But——andtheeverlasting，irrefragablefactremains:HERFEETAREBEAUTIFUL，HEREYESARE
BEAUTIFUL，HERARMSANDBREASTSAREPARADISE，HERCHARMISPOTENT
BEYONDALLCHARMTHATHASEVERDAZZLEDMEN；AND，ASTHEPOLEWILLY-
NILLYDRAWSTHENEEDLE，JUSTSO，WILLY-NILLY，DOESSHEDRAWMEN。
Womanhasmademelaughatdeathanddistance，scornfatigueandsleep。Ihaveslainmen，manymen，forloveofwoman，orinwarmbloodhavebaptizedournuptialsorwashedawaythestainofherfavourtoanother。Ihavegonedowntodeathanddishonour，mybetrayalofmycomradesandofthestarsblackuponme，forwoman’ssake——formysake，rather，Idesiredherso。AndIhavelaininthebarley，sickwithyearningforher，justtoseeherpassandglutmyeyeswiththeswayingwonderofherandofherhair，blackwiththenight，orbrownorflaxen，orallgolden-dustywiththesun。
ForwomanISbeautiful……toman。Sheissweettohistongue，andfragranceinhisnostrils。Sheisfireinhisblood，andathunderoftrumpets；hervoiceisbeyondallmusicinhisears；andshecanshakehissoulthatelsestandssteadfastinthedraughtypresenceoftheTitansoftheLightandoftheDark。Andbeyondhisstar-gazing，inhisfar-imaginedheavens，Valkyrieorhouri，manhasfainmadeplaceforher，forhecouldseenoheavenwithouther。
Andthesword，inbattle，singing，singsnotsosweetasongasthewomansingstomanmerelybyherlaughinthemoonlight，orherlove-sobinthedark，orbyherswayingonherwayunderthesunwhileheliesdizzywithlonginginthegrass。
Ihavediedoflove。Ihavediedforlove，asyoushallsee。Inalittlewhiletheywilltakemeout，me，DarrellStanding，andmakemedie。Andthatdeathshallbeforlove。Oh，notlightlywasI
stirredwhenIslewProfessorHaskellinthelaboratoryattheUniversityofCalifornia。Hewasaman。Iwasaman。Andtherewasawomanbeautiful。Doyouunderstand？ShewasawomanandI
wasamanandalover，andalltheheredityoflovewasmineupfromtheblackandsquallingjungleerelovewasloveandmanwasman。
Oh，ay，itisnothingnew。Often，often，inthatlongpasthaveI
givenlifeandhonour，placeandpowerforlove。Manisdifferentfromwoman。Sheisclosetotheimmediateandknowsonlytheneedofinstantthings。Weknowhonouraboveherhonour，andpridebeyondherwildestguessofpride。Oureyesarefar-visionedforstar-gazing，whilehereyesseenofartherthanthesolidearthbeneathherfeet，thelover’sbreastuponherbreast，theinfantlustyinthehollowofherarm。Andyet，suchisouralchemycompoundedoftheages，womanworksmagicinourdreamsandinourveins，sothatmorethandreamsandfarvisionsandthebloodoflifeitselfiswomantous，who，asloverstrulysay，ismorethanalltheworld。Yetisthisjust，elsewouldmannotbeman，thefighterandtheconqueror，treadinghisredwayonthefaceofallotherandlesserlife——for，hadmannotbeenthelover，theroyallover，hecouldneverhavebecomethekinglyfighter。Wefightbest，anddiebest，andlivebest，forwhatwelove。
Iamthatoneman。Iseemyselfthemanyselvesthathavegoneintotheconstitutingofme。AndeverIseethewoman，themanywomen，whohavemademeandundoneme，whohavelovedmeandwhomIhaveloved。
Iremember，oh，longagowhenhumankindwasveryyoung，thatImademeasnareandapitwithapointedstakeupthrustinthemiddlethereof，forthetakingofSabre-Tooth。Sabre-Tooth，long-fangedandlong-haired，wasthechiefestperiltousofthesquattingplace，whocrouchedthroughthenightsoverourfiresandbydayincreasedthegrowingshell-bankbeneathusbytheclamsweduganddevouredfromthesaltmud-flatsbesideus。
AndwhentheroarandthesquallofSabre-Toothrouseduswherewesquattedbyourdyingembers，andIwaswildwithfarvisionoftheproofofthepitandthestake，itwasthewoman，armsaboutme，leg-twining，whofoughtwithmeandrestrainedmenottogooutthroughthedarktomydesire。Shewaspart-clad，forwarmthonly，inskinsofanimals，mangyandfireburnt，thatIhadslain；shewasswartanddirtywithcampsmoke，unwashedsincethespringrains，withnailsgnarledandbroken，andhandsthatwerecallousedlikefootpadsandweremorelikeclawsthanlikehands；buthereyeswereblueasthesummerskyis，asthedeepseais，andtherewasthatinhereyes，andinherclaspedarmsaboutme，andinherheartbeatingagainstmine，thatwithheldme……thoughthroughthedarkuntildawn，whileSabre-Toothsqualledhiswrathandhisagony，IcouldhearmycomradessnickeringandsnigglingtotheirwomeninthatI
hadnotthefaithinmyempriseandinventiontoventurethroughthenighttothepitandthestakeIhaddevisedfortheundoingofSabre-Tooth。Butmywoman，mysavagemateheldme，savagethatI
was，andhereyesdrewme，andherarmschainedme，andhertwininglegsandheartbeatingtomineseducedmefrommyfardreamofthings，myman’sachievement，thegoalbeyondgoals，thetakingandtheslayingofSabre-Toothonthestakeinthepit。
OnceIwanUshu，thearcher。Irememberitwell。ForIwaslostfrommyownpeople，throughthegreatforest，tillIemergedontheflatlandsandgrasslands，andwastakeninbyastrangepeople，kininthattheirskinwaswhite，theirhairyellow，theirspeechnottooremotefrommine。AndshewasIgar，andIdrewherasI
sanginthetwilight，forshewasdestinedarace-mother，andshewasbroad-builtandfull-dugged，andshecouldnotbutdrawtothemanheavy-muscled，deep-chested，whosangofhisprowessinman-
slayingandinmeat-getting，andso，promisedfoodandprotectiontoherinherweaknesswhilstshemotheredtheseedthatwastohuntthemeatandliveafterher。
Andthesepeopleknewnotthewisdomofmypeople，inthattheysnaredandpittedtheirmeatandinbattleusedclubsandstonethrowing-sticksandwereunawareofthevirtuesofarrowsswift-
flying，notchedontheendtofitthethongofdeer-sinew，well-
twisted，thatsprangintostraightnesswhenreleasedtothespringoftheask-stickbentinthemiddle。
AndwhileIsang，thestrangermenlaughedinthetwilight。Andonlyshe，Igar，believedandhadfaithinme。Itookheralonetothehunting，wherethedeersoughtthewater-hole。Andmybowtwangedandsanginthecovert，andthedeerfellfast-stricken，andthewarmmeatwassweettous，andshewasminetherebythewater-
hole。
AndbecauseofIgarIremainedwiththestrangemen。AndItaughtthemthemakingofbowsfromtheredandsweet-smellingwoodlikeuntocedar。AndItaughtthemtokeepbotheyesopen，andtoaimwiththelefteye，andtomakebluntshaftsforsmallgame，andprongedshaftsofboneforthefishintheclearwater，andtoflakearrow-headsfromobsidianforthedeerandthewildhorse，theelkandoldSabre-Tooth。Buttheflakingofstonetheylaughedat，tillIshotanelkthroughandthrough，theflakedstonestandingoutandbeyond，thefeatheredshaftsunkinitsvitals，thewholetribeapplauding。
IwasUshu，thearcher，andIgarwasmywomanandmate。Welaughedunderthesuninthemorning，whenourman-childandwoman-child，yellowedlikehoney-bees，sprawledandrolledinthemustard，andatnightshelaycloseinmyarms，andlovedme，andurgedme，becauseofmyskillattheseasoningofwoodsandtheflakingofarrow-
heads，thatIshouldstayclosebythecampandlettheothermenbringtomethemeatfromtheperilsofhunting。AndIlistened，andgrewfatandshort-breathed，andinthelongnights，unsleeping，worriedthatthemenofthestrangertribebroughtmemeatformywisdomandhonour，butlaughedatmyfatnessandundesireforthehuntingandfighting。
Andinmyoldage，whenoursonswereman-grownandourdaughtersweremothers，whenupfromthesouthlandthedarkmen，flat-browed，kinky-headed，surgedlikewavesoftheseauponusandwefledbackbeforethemtothehill-slopes，Igar，likemymatesfarbeforeandlongafter，leg-twining，arm-clasping，unseeingfarvisions，strovetoholdmealooffromthebattle。
AndItoremyselffromher，fatandshort-breathed，whilesheweptthatnolongerIlovedher，andIwentouttothenight-fightinganddawn-fighting，where，tothesingingofbowstringsandtheshrillingofarrows，feathered，sharp-pointed，weshowedthem，thekinky-
heads，theskillofthekillingandtaughtthemthewitandthewillingofslaughter。
AndasIdiedthemattheendofthefighting，thereweredeathsongsandsingingaboutme，andthesongsseemedtosingasthesethewordsIhavewrittenwhenIwasUshu，thearcher，andIgar，mymate-woman，leg-twining，arm-clasping，wouldhaveheldmebackfromthebattle。
Once，andheavenaloneknowswhen，savethatitwasinthelongagowhenmanwasyoung，welivedbesidegreatswamps，wherethehillsdrewdownclosetothewide，sluggishriver，andwhereourwomengatheredberriesandroots，andtherewereherdsofdeer，ofwildhorses，ofantelope，andofelk，thatwemenslewwitharrowsortrappedinthepitsorhill-pockets。Fromtheriverwecaughtfishinnetstwistedbythewomenofthebarkofyoungtrees。
Iwasaman，eagerandcuriousastheantelopewhenwelureditbywavinggrassclumpswherewelayhiddeninthethickofthegrass。
Thewildricegrewintheswamp，risingsheerfromthewaterontheedgesofthechannels。Eachmorningtheblackbirdsawokeuswiththeirchatterastheylefttheirrooststoflytotheswamp。Andthroughthelongtwilighttheairwasfilledwiththeirnoiseastheywentbacktotheirroosts。Itwasthetimethatthericeripened。Andtherewereducksalso，andducksandblackbirdsfeastedtofatnessontheripericehalfunhuskedbythesun。
Beingaman，everrestless，everquesting，wonderingalwayswhatlaybeyondthehillsandbeyondtheswampsandinthemudattheriver’sbottom，IwatchedthewildducksandblackbirdsandponderedtillmyponderinggavemevisionandIsaw。AndthisiswhatIsaw，thereasoningofit:
Meatwasgoodtoeat。Intheend，tracingitback，oratthefirst，rather，allmeatcamefromgrass。Themeatoftheduckandoftheblackbirdcamefromtheseedoftheswamprice。Tokilladuckwithanarrowscarcepaidforthelabourofstalkingandthelonghoursinhiding。Theblackbirdsweretoosmallforarrow-killingsavebytheboyswhowerelearningandpreparingforthetakingoflargergame。Andyet，inriceseason，blackbirdsandducksweresucculentlyfat。Theirfatnesscamefromtherice。WhyshouldI
andminenotbefatfromthericeinthesameway？
AndIthoughtitoutincamp，silent，morose，whilethechildrensquabbledaboutmeunnoticed，andwhileArunga，mymate-woman，vainlyscoldedmeandurgedmetogohuntingformoremeatforthemanyofus。
ArungawasthewomanIhadstolenfromthehill-tribes。SheandI
hadbeenadozenmoonsinlearningcommonspeechafterIcapturedher。Ah，thatdaywhenIleapeduponher，downfromtheover-
hangingtree-branchasshepaddedtherunway！FairlyuponhershoulderswiththeweightofmybodyIsmoteher，myfingerswide-
spreadingtoclutchher。Shesqualledlikeacatthereintherunway。Shefoughtmeandbitme。Thenailsofherhandswereliketheclawsofatree-catastheytoreatme。ButIheldherandmasteredher，andfortwodaysbeatherandforcedhertotravelwithmedownoutofthecanyonsoftheHill-Mentothegrasslandswheretheriverflowedthroughtherice-swampsandtheducksandtheblackbirdsfedfat。
Isawmyvisionwhenthericewasripe。IputArungainthebowofthefire-hollowedlogthatwasmostrudelyacanoe。Ibadeherpaddle。InthesternIspreadadeerskinshehadtanned。WithtwostoutsticksIbentthestalksoverthedeerskinandthreshedoutthegrainthatelsetheblackbirdswouldhaveeaten。AndwhenIhadworkedoutthewayofit，IgavethetwostoutstickstoArunga，andsatinthebowpaddlinganddirecting。
Inthepastwehadeatentherawriceinpassingandnotbeenpleasedwithit。Butnowweparcheditoverourfiresothatthegrainspuffedandexplodedinwhitenessandallthetribecamerunningtotaste。
AfterthatwebecameknownamongmenastheRice-EatersandastheSonsoftheRice。Andlong，longafter，whenweweredrivenbytheSonsoftheRiverfromtheswampsintotheuplands，wetooktheseedofthericewithusandplantedit。Welearnedtoselectthelargestgrainsfortheseed，sothatallthericewethereafteratewaslarger-grainedandpuffierintheparchingandtheboiling。
ButArunga。IhavesaidshesqualledandscratchedlikeacatwhenIstoleher。YetIrememberthetimewhenherownkinoftheHill-
Mencaughtmeandcarriedmeawayintothehills。Theywereherfather，hisbrother，andhertwoownblood-brothers。Butshewasmine，whohadlivedwithme。Andatnight，whereIlayboundlikeawildpigfortheslaying，andtheysleptwearybythefire，shecreptuponthemandbrainedthemwiththewar-clubthatwithmyhandsIhadfashioned。Andsheweptoverme，andloosedme，andfledwithme，backtothewidesluggishriverwheretheblackbirdsandwildducksfedinthericeswamps——forthiswasbeforethetimeofthecomingoftheSonsoftheRiver。
ForshewasArunga，theonewoman，theeternalwoman。Shehaslivedinalltimesandplaces。Shewillalwayslive。Sheisimmortal。
Once，inafarland，hernamewasRuth。AlsohashernamebeenIseult，andHelen，Pocahontas，andUnga。Andnostrangerman，fromstrangertribes，buthasfoundherandwillfindherinthetribesofalltheearth。
Iremembersomanywomenwhohavegoneintothebecomingoftheonewoman。TherewasthetimethatHar，mybrother，andI，sleepingandpursuinginturn，everhoundingthewildstallionthroughthedaytimeandnight，andinawidecirclethatmetwherethesleepingonelay，drovethestallionunrestingthroughhungerandthirsttothemeeknessofweakness，sothatintheendhecouldbutstandandtremblewhileweboundhimwithropestwistedofdeer-hide。Onourlegsalone，withouthardship，aidedmerelybywit——theplanwasmine——mybrotherandIwalkedthatfleet-footedcreatureintopossession。
Andwhenallwasreadyformetogetonhisback——forthathadbeenmyvisionfromthefirst——Selpa，mywoman，putherarmsaboutme，andraisedhervoiceandpersistedthatHar，andnotI，shouldride，forHarhadneitherwifenoryoungonesandcoulddiewithouthurt。
Also，intheendshewept，sothatIwasrapedofmyvision，anditwasHar，nakedandclinging，thatbestrodethestallionwhenhevaultedaway。
Itwassunset，andatimeofgreatwailing，whentheycarriedHarinfromthefarrockswheretheyfoundhim。Hisheadwasquitebroken，andlikehoneyfromafallenbee-treehisbrainsdrippedontheground。Hismotherstrewedwood-ashesonherheadandblackenedherface。Hisfathercutoffhalfthefingersofonehandintokenofsorrow。Andallthewomen，especiallytheyoungandunwedded，screamedevilnamesatme；andtheeldersshooktheirwiseheadsandmutteredandmumbledthatnottheirfathersnortheirfathers’
fathershadbetrayedsuchamadness。Horsemeatwasgoodtoeat；
youngcoltsweretendertooldteeth；andonlyafoolwouldcometoclosegrappleswithanywildhorsesavewhenanarrowhadpiercedit，orwhenitstruggledonthestakeinthemidstofthepit。
AndSelpascoldedmetosleep，andinthemorningwokemewithherchatter，everdeclaimingagainstmymadness，everpronouncingherclaimuponmeandtheclaimsofourchildren，tillintheendIgrewweary，andforsookmyfarvision，andsaidneveragainwouldIdreamofbestridingthewildhorsetoflyswiftasitsfeetandthewindacrossthesandsandthegrasslands。
Andthroughtheyearsthetaleofmymadnessneverceasedfrombeingtoldoverthecamp-fire。Yetwastheverytellingthesourceofmyvengeance；forthedreamdidnotdie，andtheyoungones，listeningtothelaughandthesneer，redreamedit，sothatintheenditwasOthar，myeldest-born，himselfasheerstripling，thatwalkeddownawildstallion，leaptonitsback，andflewbeforeallofuswiththespeedofthewind。Thereafter，thattheymightkeepupwithhim，allmenweretrappingandbreakingwildhorses。Manyhorseswerebroken，andsomemen，butIlivedatthelasttothedaywhen，atthechangingofcamp-sitesinthepursuitofthemeatinitsseasons，ourverybabes，inbasketsofwillow-withes，wereslungsideandsideonthebacksofourhorsesthatcarriedourcamp-
trappageanddunnage。
I，ayoungman，hadseenmyvision，dreamedmydream；Selpa，thewoman，hadheldmefromthatfardesire；butOthar，theseedofustoliveafter，glimpsedmyvisionandwontoit，sothatourtribebecamewealthyinthegainsofthechase。
Therewasawoman——onthegreatdriftdownoutofEurope，awearydriftofmanygenerations，whenwebroughtintoIndiatheshorthorncattleandtheplantingofbarley。ButthiswomanwaslongbeforewereachedIndia。Wewerestillinthemid-mostofthatcenturies-
longdrift，andnoshrewdnessofgeographycannowplaceformethatancientvalley。
ThewomanwasNuhila。Thevalleywasnarrow，notlong，andtheswiftslopeofitsfloorandthesteepwallsofitsrimwereterracedforthegrowingofriceandofmillet——thefirstriceandmilletweSonsoftheMountainhadknown。Theywereameekpeopleinthatvalley。Theyhadbecomesoftwiththefarmingoffatlandmadefatterbywater。Theirswasthefirstirrigationwehadseen，althoughwehadlittletimetomarktheirditchesandchannelsbywhichallthehillwatersflowedtothefieldstheyhadbuilded。Wehadlittletimetomark，forweSonsoftheMountain，whowerefew，wereinflightbeforetheSonsoftheSnub-Nose，whoweremany。WecalledthemtheNoseless，andtheycalledthemselvestheSonsoftheEagle。Buttheyweremany，andwefledbeforethemwithourshorthorncattle，ourgoats，andourbarleyseed，ourwomenandchildren。
WhiletheSnub-Nosesslewouryouthsattherear，weslewatourforethefolkofthevalleywhoopposedusandwereweak。Thevillagewasmud-builtandgrass-thatched；theencirclingwallwasofmud，butquitetall。Andwhenwehadslainthepeoplewhohadbuiltthewall，andshelteredwithinitourherdsandourwomenandchildren，westoodonthewallandshoutedinsulttotheSnub-Noses。
Forwehadfoundthemudgranariesfilledwithriceandmillet。Ourcattlecouldeatthethatches。Andthetimeoftherainswasathand，sothatweshouldnotwantforwater。
Itwasalongsiege。Neartothebeginning，wegatheredtogetherthewomen，andelders，andchildrenwehadnotslain，andforcedthemoutthroughthewalltheyhadbuilded。ButtheSnub-Nosesslewthemtothelastone，sothattherewasmorefoodinthevillageforus，morefoodinthevalleyfortheSnub-Noses。
Itwasawearylongsiege。Sicknesssmoteus，andwediedoftheplaguethatarosefromourburiedones。Weemptiedthemud-
granariesoftheirriceandmillet。Ourgoatsandshorthornsatethethatchofthehouses，andwe，eretheend，atethegoatsandtheshorthorns。
Wheretherehadbeenfivemenofusonthewall，therecameatimewhentherewasone；wheretherehadbeenhalfathousandbabesandyounglingsofours，therewerenone。ItwasNuhila，mywoman，whocutoffherhairandtwisteditthatImighthaveastrongstringformybow。Theotherwomendidlikewise，andwhenthewallwasattacked，stoodshouldertoshoulderwithus，inthemidstofourspearsandarrowsrainingdownpotsherdsandcobblestonesontheheadsoftheSnub-Noses。
EventhepatientSnub-Noseswewell-nighout-patienced。Cameatimewhenoftenmenofus，butonewasaliveonthewall，andofourwomenremainedveryfew，andtheSnub-Nosesheldparley。Theytolduswewereastrongbreed，andthatourwomenweremen-mothers，andthatifwewouldletthemhaveourwomentheywouldleaveusaloneinthevalleytopossessforourselvesandthatwecouldgetwomenfromthevalleystothesouth。
AndNuhilasaidno。Andtheotherwomensaidno。AndwesneeredattheSnub-Nosesandaskediftheywerewearyoffighting。Andwewereasdeadmenthen，aswesneeredatourenemies，andtherewaslittlefightleftinusweweresoweak。Onemoreattackonthewallwouldendus。Weknewit。Ourwomenknewit。AndNuhilasaidthatwecouldenditfirstandoutwittheSnub-Noses。Andallourwomenagreed。AndwhiletheSnub-Nosespreparedfortheattackthatwouldbefinal，there，onthewall，weslewourwomen。Nuhilalovedme，andleanedtomeetthethrustofmysword，thereonthewall。
Andwemen，intheloveoftribehoodandtribesmen，slewoneanothertillremainedonlyHordaandIaliveintheredoftheslaughter。
AndHordawasmyelder，andIleanedtohisthrust。ButnotatoncedidIdie。IwasthelastoftheSonsoftheMountain，forIsawHorda，himselffallonhisbladeandpassquickly。AnddyingwiththeshoutsoftheoncomingSnub-Nosesgrowingdiminmyears，IwasgladthattheSnub-Noseswouldhavenosonsofustobringupbyourwomen。
IdonotknowwhenthistimewaswhenIwasaSonoftheMountainandwhenwediedinthenarrowvalleywherewehadslaintheSonsoftheRiceandtheMillet。Idonotknow，savethatitwascenturiesbeforethewide-spreadingdriftofallusSonsoftheMountainfetchedintoIndia，andthatitwaslongbeforeeverIwasanAryanmasterinOldEgyptbuildingmytwoburialplacesanddefacingthetombsofkingsbeforeme。
Ishouldliketotellmoreofthosefardays，buttimeinthepresentisshort。SoonIshallpass。YetamIsorrythatIcannottellmoreofthoseearlydrifts，whentherewascrushageofpeoples，ordescendingice-sheets，ormigrationsofmeat。
Also，IshouldliketotellofMystery。Foralwayswerewecurioustosolvethesecretsoflife，death，anddecay。Unliketheotheranimals，manwasforevergazingatthestars。Manygodshecreatedinhisownimageandintheimagesofhisfancy。InthoseoldtimesIhaveworshippedthesunandthedark。Ihaveworshippedthehuskedgrainastheparentoflife。IhaveworshippedSar，theCornGoddess。AndIhaveworshippedseagods，andrivergods，andfishgods。
Yes，andIrememberIshtarereshewasstolenfromusbytheBabylonians，andEa，too，wasours，supremeintheUnderWorld，whoenabledIshtartoconquerdeath。Mitra，likewise，wasagoodoldAryangod，erehewasfilchedfromusorwediscardedhim。AndI
remember，onatime，longafterthedriftwhenwebroughtthebarleyintoIndia，thatIcamedownintoIndia，ahorse-trader，withmanyservantsandalongcaravanatmyback，andthatatthattimetheywereworshippingBodhisatwa。
Truly，theworshipsoftheMysterywanderedasdidmen，andbetweenfilchingsandborrowingsthegodshadasvagabondatimeofitasdidwe。AstheSumerianstooktheloanofShamashnapishtinfromus，sodidtheSonsofShemtakehimfromtheSumeriansandcallhimNoah。
Why，Ismilemeto-day，DarrellStanding，inMurderers’Row，inthatIwasfoundguiltyandawardeddeathbytwelvejurymenstaunchandtrue。TwelvehaseverbeenamagicnumberoftheMystery。NordiditoriginatewiththetwelvetribesofIsrael。Star-gazersbeforethemhadplacedthetwelvesignsoftheZodiacinthesky。AndI
rememberme，whenIwasoftheAssir，andoftheVanir，thatOdinsatinjudgmentovermeninthecourtofthetwelvegods，andthattheirnameswereThor，Baldur，Niord，Frey，Tyr，Bregi，Heimdal，Hoder，Vidar，Ull，Forseti，andLoki。
EvenourValkyrieswerestolenfromusandmadeintoangels，andthewingsoftheValkyries’horsesbecameattachedtotheshouldersoftheangels。AndourHelheimofthatdayoficeandfrosthasbecomethehellofto-day，whichissohotanabodethatthebloodboilsinone’sveins，whilewithus，inourHelheim，theplacewassocoldastofreezethemarrowinsidethebones。Andtheverysky，thatwedreamedenduring，eternal，hasdriftedandveered，sothatwefindto-daythescorpionintheplacewhereofoldweknewthegoat，andthearcherintheplaceofthecrab。
Worshipsandworships！EverthepursuitoftheMystery！IrememberthelamegodoftheGreeks，themaster-smith。ButtheirvulcanwastheGermanicWieland，themaster-smithcapturedandhamstrunglameofalegbyNidung，thekindoftheNids。Butbeforethathewasourmaster-smith，ourforgerandhammerer，whomwenamedIl-marinen。
Andhimwebegatofourfancy，givinghimthebeardedsun-godforfather，andnursinghimbythestarsofthebear。For，he，Vulcan，orWieland，orIl-marinen，wasbornunderthepinetree，fromthehairofthewolf，andwascalledalsothebear-fatherereevertheGermansandGreekspurloinedandworshippedhim。InthatdaywecalledourselvestheSonsoftheBearandtheSonsoftheWolf，andthebearandthewolfwereourtotems。ThatwasbeforeourdriftsouthonwhichwejoinedwiththeSonsoftheTree-Groveandtaughtthemourtotemsandtales。
Yes，andwhowasKashyapa，whowasPururavas，butourlamemaster-
smith，ouriron-worker，carriedbyusinourdriftsandre-namedandworshippedbythesouth-dwellersandtheeast-dwellers，theSonsofthePoleandoftheFireDrillandFireSocket。
Butthetaleistoolong，thoughIshouldliketotellofthethree-
leavedHerbofLifebywhichSigmundmadeSinfiotialiveagain。Forthisistheverysoma-plantofIndia，theholygrailofKingArthur，the——butenough！enough！
Andyet，asIcalmlyconsideritall，Iconcludethatthegreatestthinginlife，inalllives，tomeandtoallmen，hasbeenwoman，iswoman，andwillbewomansolongasthestarsdriftintheskyandtheheavensfluxeternalchange。Greaterthanourtoilandendeavour，theplayofinventionandfancy，battleandstar-gazingandmystery——greatestofallhasbeenwoman。
Eventhoughshehassungfalsemusictome，andkeptmyfeetsolidontheground，anddrawnmystar-rovingeyeseverbacktogazeuponher，she，theconserveroflife，theearth-mother，hasgivenmemygreatdaysandnightsandfulnessofyears。EvenmysteryhaveI
imagedintheformofher，andinmystar-chartinghaveIplacedherfigureinthesky。
Allmytoilsanddevicesledtoher；allmyfarvisionssawherattheend。WhenImadethefire-drillandfire-socket，itwasforher。Itwasforher，althoughIdidnotknowit，thatIputthestakeinthepitforoldSabre-Tooth，tamedthehorse，slewthemammoth，andherdedmyreindeersouthinadvanceoftheice-sheet。
ForherIharvestedthewildrice，tamedthebarley，thewheat，andthecorn。
Forher，andtheseedtocomeafterwhoseimageshebore，Ihavediedintree-topsandstoodlongsiegesincave-mouthsandonmud-
walls。ForherIputthetwelvesignsinthesky。ItwassheI
worshippedwhenIbowedbeforethetenstonesofjadeandadoredthemasthemoonsofgestation。
Alwayshaswomancrouchedclosetoearthlikeapartridgehenmotheringheryoung；alwayshasmywantonnessofrovingledmeoutontheshiningways；andalwayshavemystar-pathsreturnedmetoher，thefigureeverlasting，thewoman，theonewoman，forwhosearmsIhadsuchneedthatclaspedinthemIhaveforgottenthestars。
ForherIaccomplishedOdysseys，scaledmountains，crosseddeserts；
forherIledthehuntandwasforwardinbattle；andforherandtoherIsangmysongsofthethingsIhaddone。Allecstasiesoflifeandrhapsodiesofdelighthavebeenminebecauseofher。Andhere，attheend，IcansaythatIhaveknownnosweeter，deepermadnessofbeingthantodrowninthefragrantgloryandforgetfulnessofherhair。
Onewordmore。IremembermeDorothy，justtheotherday，whenI
stilllecturedonagronomytofarmer-boystudents。Shewaselevenyearsold。Herfatherwasdeanofthecollege。Shewasawoman-
child，andawoman，andsheconceivedthatshelovedme。AndI
smiledtomyself，formyheartwasuntouchedandlayelsewhere。
Yetwasthesmiletender，forinthechild’seyesIsawthewomaneternal，thewomanofalltimesandappearances。InhereyesIsawtheeyesofmymateofthejungleandtree-top，ofthecaveandthesquatting-place。InhereyesIsawtheeyesofIgarwhenIwasUshuthearcher，theeyesofArungawhenIwastherice-harvester，theeyesofSelpawhenIdreamedofbestridingthestallion，theeyesofNuhilawholeanedtothethrustofmysword。Yes，therewasthatinhereyesthatmadethemtheeyesofLei-LeiwhomIleftwithalaughonmylips，theeyesoftheLadyOmforfortyyearsmybeggar-mateonhighwayandbyway，theeyesofPhilippaforwhomIwasslainonthegrassinoldFrance，theeyesofmymotherwhenIwastheladJesseattheMountainMeadowsinthecircleofourfortygreatwagons。
Shewasawoman-child，butshewasdaughterofallwomen，ashermotherbeforeher，andshewasthemotherofallwomentocomeafterher。ShewasSar，thecorn-goddess。ShewasIstharwhoconquereddeath。ShewasShebaandCleopatra；shewasEstherandHerodias。
ShewasMarytheMadonna，andMarytheMagdalene，andMarythesisterofMartha，alsoshewasMartha。AndshewasBrunnhildeandGuinevere，IseultandJuliet，HeloiseandNicolette。Yes，andshewasEve，shewasLilith，shewasAstarte。Shewaselevenyearsold，andshewasallwomenthathadbeen，allwomentobe。
Isitinmycellnow，whiletheflieshuminthedrowsysummerafternoon，andIknowthatmytimeisshort。Soontheywillapparelmeintheshirtwithoutacollar……Buthush，myheart。Thespiritisimmortal。AfterthedarkIshallliveagain，andtherewillbewomen。ThefutureholdsthelittlewomenformeinthelivesIamyettolive。Andthoughthestarsdrift，andtheheavenslie，everremainswoman，resplendent，eternal，theonewoman，asI，underallmymasqueradesandmisadventures，amtheoneman，hermate。
CHAPTERXXII
Mytimegrowsveryshort。AllthemanuscriptIhavewrittenissafelysmuggledoutoftheprison。ThereisamanIcantrustwhowillseethatitispublished。NolongeramIinMurderersRow。I
amwritingtheselinesinthedeathcell，andthedeath-watchissetonme。Nightanddayisthisdeath-watchonme，anditsparadoxicalfunctionistoseethatIdonotdie。Imustbekeptaliveforthehanging，orelsewillthepublicbecheated，thelawblackened，andamarkofdemeritplacedagainstthetime-servingwardenwhorunsthisprisonandoneofwhosedutiesistoseethathiscondemnedonesaredulyandproperlyhanged。OftenImarvelatthestrangewaysomemenmaketheirlivings。
Thisshallbemylastwriting。To-morrowmorningthehourisset。
Thegovernorhasdeclinedtopardonorreprieve，despitethefactthattheAnti-Capital-PunishmentLeaguehasraisedquiteastirinCalifornia。Thereportersaregatheredlikesomanybuzzards。I
haveseenthemall。Theyarequeeryoungfellows，mostofthem，andmostqueerisitthattheywillthusearnbreadandbutter，cocktailsandtobacco，room-rent，and，iftheyaremarried，shoesandschoolbooksfortheirchildren，bywitnessingtheexecutionofProfessorDarrellStanding，andbydescribingforthepublichowProfessorDarrellStandingdiedattheendofarope。Ah，well，theywillbesickerthanIattheendoftheaffair。
AsIsithereandmuseonitall，thefootfallsofthedeath-watchgoingupanddownoutsidemycage，theman’ssuspiciouseyeseverpeeringinonme，almostIwearyofeternalrecurrence。Ihavelivedsomanylives。Iwearyoftheendlessstruggleandpainandcatastrophethatcometothosewhositinthehighplaces，treadtheshiningways，andwanderamongthestars。
AlmostIhope，whennextIreinhabitform，thatitshallbethatofapeacefulfarmer。Thereismydream-farm。Ishouldliketoengagejustforonewholelifeinthat。Oh，mydream-farm！Myalfalfameadows，myefficientJerseycattle，myuplandpastures，mybrush-
coveredslopesmeltingintotilledfields，whileeverhigheruptheslopesmyangoragoatseatawaybrushtotillage！
Thereisabasinthere，anaturalbasinhighuptheslopes，withagenerouswatershedonthreesides。Ishouldliketothrowadamacrossthefourthside，whichissurprisinglynarrow。AtapaltrypriceoflabourIcouldimpoundtwentymilliongallonsofwater。
For，see:onegreatdrawbacktofarminginCaliforniaisourlongdrysummer。Thispreventsthegrowingofcovercrops，andthesensitivesoil，naked，ameresurfacedust-mulch，hasitshumusburnedoutofitbythesun。NowwiththatdamIcouldgrowthreecropsayear，observingduerotation，andbeabletoturnunderawealthofgreenmanure……
IhavejustenduredavisitfromtheWarden。Isay\"endured\"
advisedly。HeisquitedifferentfromtheWardenofSanQuentin。
Hewasverynervous，andperforceIhadtoentertainhim。Thisishisfirsthanging。Hetoldmeso。AndI，withaclumsyattemptatwit，didnotreassurehimwhenIexplainedthatitwasalsomyfirsthanging。Hewasunabletolaugh。Hehasagirlinhighschool，andhisboyisafreshmanatStanford。Hehasnoincomeoutsidehissalary，hiswifeisaninvalid，andheisworriedinthathehasbeenrejectedbythelifeinsurancedoctorsasanundesirablerisk。
Really，themantoldmealmostallhistroubles。HadInotdiplomaticallyterminatedtheinterviewhewouldstillbeheretellingmetheremainderofthem。
MylasttwoyearsinSanQuentinwereverygloomyanddepressing。
EdMorrell，byoneofthewildestfreaksofchance，wastakenoutofsolitaryandmadeheadtrustyofthewholeprison。ThiswasAlHutchins’oldjob，anditcarriedagraftofthreethousanddollarsayear。Tomymisfortune，JakeOppenheimer，whohadrottedinsolitaryforsomanyyears，turnedsourontheworld，oneverything。
Foreightmonthsherefusedtotalkeventome。
Inprison，newswilltravel。Giveittimeanditwillreachdungeonandsolitarycell。Itreachedme，atlast，thatCecilWinwood，thepoet-forger，thesnitcher，thecoward，andthestool，wasreturnedforafreshforgery。ItwillberememberedthatitwasthisCecilWinwoodwhoconcoctedthefairystorythatIhadchangedtheplantofthenon-existentdynamiteandwhowasresponsibleforthefiveyearsIhadthenspentinsolitary。
IdecidedtokillCecilWinwood。Yousee，Morrellwasgone，andOppenheimer，untiltheoutbreakthatfinishedhim，hadremainedinthesilence。Solitaryhadgrownmonotonousforme。Ihadtodosomething。SoIrememberedbacktothetimewhenIwasAdamStrangandpatientlynursedrevengeforfortyyears。WhathehaddoneI
coulddoifonceIlockedmyhandsonCecilWinwood’sthroat。
ItcannotbeexpectedofmetodivulgehowIcameintopossessionofthefourneedles。Theyweresmallcambricneedles。Emaciatedasmybodywas，Ihadtosawfourbars，eachintwoplaces，inordertomakeanaperturethroughwhichIcouldsquirm。Ididit。Iuseduponeneedletoeachbar。Thismeanttwocutstoabar，andittookamonthtoacut。ThusIshouldhavebeeneightmonthsincuttingmywayout。Unfortunately，Ibrokemylastneedleonthelastbar，andIhadtowaitthreemonthsbeforeIcouldgetanotherneedle。ButI
gotit，andIgotout。
IregretgreatlythatIdidnotgetCecilWinwood。Ihadcalculatedwelloneverythingsaveonething。ThecertainchancetofindWinwoodwouldbeinthedining-roomatdinnerhour。SoIwaiteduntilPie-FaceJones，thesleepyguard，shouldbeonshiftatthenoonhour。AtthattimeIwastheonlyinmateofsolitary，sothatPie-FaceJoneswasquicklysnoring。Iremovedmybars，squeezedout，stolepasthimalongtheward，openedthedoorandwasfree……toaportionoftheinsideoftheprison。
AndherewastheonethingIhadnotcalculatedon——myself。Ihadbeenfiveyearsinsolitary。Iwashideouslyweak。Iweighedeighty-sevenpounds。Iwashalfblind。AndIwasimmediatelystrickenwithagoraphobia。Iwasaffrightedbyspaciousness。Fiveyearsinnarrowwallshadunfittedmefortheenormousdeclivityofthestairway，forthevastitudeoftheprisonyard。
ThedescentofthatstairwayIconsiderthemostheroicexploitI
everaccomplished。Theyardwasdeserted。Theblindingsunblazeddownonit。ThriceIessayedtocrossit。ButmysensesreeledandIshrankbacktothewallforprotection。Again，summoningallmycourage，Iattemptedit。Butmypoorbleareyes，likeabat’s，startledmeatmyshadowontheflagstones。Iattemptedtoavoidmyownshadow，tripped，felloverit，andlikeadrowningmanstrugglingforshorecrawledbackonhandsandkneestothewall。
Ileanedagainstthewallandcried。ItwasthefirsttimeinmanyyearsthatIhadcried。Iremembernoting，eveninmyextremity，thewarmthofthetearsonmycheeksandthesalttastewhentheyreachedmylips。ThenIhadachill，andforatimeshookaswithanague。Abandoningtheopennessoftheyardastooimpossibleafeatforoneinmycondition，stillshakingwiththechill，crouchingclosetotheprotectingwall，myhandstouchingit，I
startedtoskirttheyard。
Thenitwas，somewherealong，thattheguardThurstonespiedme。I
sawhim，distortedbymyblearedeyes，ahuge，well-fedmonster，rushinguponmewithincrediblespeedoutoftheremotedistance。
Possibly，atthatmoment，hewastwentyfeetaway。Heweighedonehundredandseventypounds。Thestrugglebetweenuscanbeeasilyimagined，butsomewhereinthatbriefstruggleitwasclaimedthatI
struckhimonthenosewithmyfisttosuchpurposeastomakethatorganbleed。
Atanyrate，beingalifer，andthepenaltyinCaliforniaforbatterybyaliferbeingdeath，IwassofoundguiltybyajurywhichcouldnotignoretheasseverationsoftheguardThurstonandtherestoftheprisonhangdogsthattestified，andIwassosentencedbyajudgewhocouldnotignorethelawasspreadplainlyonthestatutebook。
IwaswellpummelledbyThurston，andallthewaybackupthatprodigiousstairwayIwasroundlykicked，punched，andcuffedbythehordeoftrustiesandguardswhogotinoneanother’swayintheirzealtoassisthim。Heavens，ifhisnosedidbleed，theprobabilityisthatsomeofhisownkindwereguiltyofcausingitintheconfusionofthescuffle。Ishouldn’tcareifIwereresponsibleforitmyself，savethatitissopitifulathingforwhichtohangaman……
Ihavejusthadatalkwiththemanonshiftofmydeath-watch。A
littlelessthanayearago，JakeOppenheimeroccupiedthissamedeath-cellontheroadtothegallowswhichIwilltreadto-morrow。
Thismanwasoneofthedeath-watchonJake。Heisanoldsoldier。
Hechewstobaccoconstantly，anduntidily，forhisgraybeardandmoustachearestainedyellow。Heisawidower，withfourteenlivingchildren，allmarried，andisthegrandfatherofthirty-onelivinggrandchildren，andthegreat-grandfatheroffouryounglings，allgirls。Itwaslikepullingteethtoextractsuchinformation。Heisaqueeroldcodger，ofaloworderofintelligence。Thatiswhy，Ifancy，hehaslivedsolongandfatheredsonumerousaprogeny。
Hismindmusthavecrystallizedthirtyyearsago。Hisideasarenoneofthemlaterthanthatvintage。Herarelysaysmorethanyesandnotome。Itisnotbecauseheissurly。Hehasnoideastoutter。Idon’tknow，whenIliveagain，butwhatoneincarnationsuchashiswouldbeanicevegetativeexistenceinwhichtorestupereIgostar-rovingagain……
Buttogoback。Imusttakealineinwhichtotell，afterIwashustledandbustled，kickedandpunched，upthatterriblestairwaybyThurstonandtherestoftheprison-dogs，oftheinfinitereliefofmynarrowcellwhenIfoundmyselfbackinsolitary。Itwasallsosafe，sosecure。Ifeltlikealostchildreturnedhomeagain。
IlovedthoseverywallsthatIhadsohatedforfiveyears。Allthatkeptthevastnessofspace，likeamonster，frompouncinguponmewerethosegoodstoutwallsofmine，closetohandoneveryside。
Agoraphobiaisaterribleaffliction。Ihavehadlittleopportunitytoexperienceit，butfromthatlittleIcanonlyconcludethathangingisafareasiermatter……
Ihavejusthadaheartylaugh。Theprisondoctor，alikablechap，hasjustbeenintohaveayarnwithme，incidentallytoproffermehisgoodofficesinthematterofdope。OfcourseIdeclinedhispropositionto\"shootme\"sofullofmorphinethroughthenightthatto-morrowIwouldnotknow，whenImarchedtothegallows，whetherI
was\"comingorgoing。\"
Butthelaugh。ItwasjustlikeJakeOppenheimer。Icanseetheleankeennessofthemanashestrungthereporterswithhisdeliberatebullwhichtheythoughtinvoluntary。Itseems，hislastmorning，breakfastfinished，incasedintheshirtwithoutacollar，thatthereporters，assembledforhislastwordinhiscell，askedhimforhisviewsoncapitalpunishment-
Whosayswehavemorethantheslightestveneerofcivilizationcoatedoverourrawsavagerywhenagroupoflivingmencanasksuchaquestionofamanabouttodieandwhomtheyaretoseedie？
ButJakewasevergame。\"Gentlemen，\"hesaid，\"Ihopetolivetoseethedaywhencapitalpunishmentisabolished。\"
Ihavelivedmanylivesthroughthelongages。Man，theindividual，hasmadenomoralprogressinthepasttenthousandyears。Iaffirmthisabsolutely。Thedifferencebetweenanunbrokencoltandthepatientdraught-horseispurelyadifferenceoftraining。Trainingistheonlymoraldifferencebetweenthemanofto-dayandthemanoftenthousandyearsago。Underhisthinskinofmoralitywhichhehashadpolishedontohim，heisthesamesavagethathewastenthousandyearsago。Moralityisasocialfund，anaccretionthroughthepainfulages。Thenew-bornchildwillbecomeasavageunlessitistrained，polished，bytheabstractmoralitythathasbeensolongaccumulating。
\"Thoushaltnotkill\"——piffle！Theyaregoingtokillmeto-morrowmorning。\"Thoushaltnotkill\"——piffle！Intheshipyardsofallcivilizedcountriestheyarelayingto-daythekeelsofDreadnoughtsandofSuperdreadnoughts。Dearfriends，Iwhoamabouttodie，saluteyouwith——\"Piffle！\"
Iaskyou，whatfinermoralityispreachedto-daythanwaspreachedbyChrist，byBuddha，bySocratesandPlato，byConfuciusandwhoeverwastheauthorofthe\"Mahabharata\"？GoodLord，fiftythousandyearsago，inourtotem-families，ourwomenwerecleaner，ourfamilyandgrouprelationsmorerigidlyright。
Imustsaythatthemoralitywepractisedinthoseolddayswasafinermoralitythanispractisedto-day。Don’tdismissthisthoughthastily。Thinkofourchildlabour，ofourpolicegraftandourpoliticalcorruption，ofourfoodadulterationandofourslaveryofthedaughtersofthepoor。WhenIwasaSonoftheMountainandaSonoftheBull，prostitutionhadnomeaning。Wewereclean，Itellyou。Wedidnotdreamsuchdepthsofdepravity。Yea，soareallthelesseranimalsofto-dayclean。Itrequiredman，withhisimagination，aidedbyhismasteryofmatter，toinventthedeadlysins。Thelesseranimals，theotheranimals，areincapableofsin。
Ireadhastilybackthroughthemanylivesofmanytimesandmanyplaces。Ihaveneverknowncrueltymoreterrible，norsoterrible，asthecrueltyofourprisonsystemofto-day。IhavetoldyouwhatIhaveenduredinthejacketandinsolitaryinthefirstdecadeofthistwentiethcenturyafterChrist。Intheolddayswepunisheddrasticallyandkilledquickly。Wediditbecausewesodesired，becauseofwhim，ifyousoplease。Butwewerenothypocrites。Wedidnotcalluponpress，andpulpit，anduniversitytosanctionusinourwilfulnessofsavagery。Whatwewantedtodowewentanddid，onourlegsupstanding，andwefacedallreproofandcensureonourlegsupstanding，anddidnothidebehindtheskirtsofclassicaleconomistsandbourgeoisphilosophers，norbehindtheskirtsofsubsidizedpreachers，professors，andeditors。
Why，goodnessme，ahundredyearsago，fiftyyearsago，fiveyearsago，intheseUnitedStates，assaultandbatterywasnotacivilcapitalcrime。Butthisyear，theyearofOurLord1913，intheStateofCalifornia，theyhangedJakeOppenheimerforsuchanoffence，andto-morrow，forthecivilcapitalcrimeofpunchingamanonthenose，theyaregoingtotakemeoutandhangme。Query:
Doesn’titrequirealongtimefortheapeandthetigertodiewhensuchstatutesarespreadonthestatutebookofCaliforniainthenineteen-hundred-and-thirteenthyearafterChrist？Lord，Lord，theyonlycrucifiedChrist。TheyhavedonefarworsetoJakeOppenheimerandme……
AsEdMorrelloncerappedtomewithhisknuckles:\"Theworstpossibleuseyoucanputamantoistohanghim。\"No，Ihavelittlerespectforcapitalpunishment。Notonlyisitadirtygame，degradingtothehangdogswhopersonallyperpetrateitforawage，butitisdegradingtothecommonwealththattoleratesit，votesforit，andpaysthetaxesforitsmaintenance。CapitalpunishmentissoSILLY，sostupid，sohorriblyunscientific。\"Tobehangedbytheneckuntildead\"issociety’squaintphraseology……
Morningiscome——mylastmorning。Isleptlikeababethroughoutthenight。Isleptsopeacefullythatoncethedeath-watchgotafright。HethoughtIhadsuffocatedmyselfinmyblankets。Thepoorman’salarmwaspitiful。Hisbreadandbutterwasatstake。
Hadittrulybeenso，itwouldhavemeantablackmarkagainsthim，perhapsdischargeandtheoutlookforanunemployedmanisbitterjustatpresent。TheytellmethatEuropebeganliquidatingtwoyearsago，andthatnowtheUnitedStateshasbegun。Thatmeanseitherabusinesscrisisoraquietpanicandthatthearmiesoftheunemployedwillbelargenextwinter，thebread-lineslong……
Ihavehadmybreakfast。Itseemedasillythingtodo，butIateitheartily。TheWardencamewithaquartofwhiskey。IpresentedittoMurderersRowwithmycompliments。TheWarden，poorman，isafraid，ifIbenotdrunk，thatIshallmakeamessofthefunctionandcastreflectiononhismanagement……
Theyhaveputonmetheshirtwithoutacollar……
ItseemsIamaveryimportantmanthisday。Quitealotofpeoplearesuddenlyinterestedinme……
Thedoctorhasjustgone。Hehastakenmypulse。Iaskedhimto。
Itisnormal……
Iwritetheserandomthoughts，and，asheetatatime，theystartontheirsecretwayoutbeyondthewalls……
Iamthecalmestmanintheprison。Iamlikeachildabouttostartonajourney。Iameagertobegone，curiousforthenewplacesIshallsee。Thisfearofthelesserdeathisridiculoustoonewhohasgoneintothedarksooftenandlivedagain……
TheWardenwithaquartofchampagne。IhavedispatcheditdownMurderersRow。Queer，isn’tit，thatIamsoconsideredthislastday。Itmustbethatthesemenwhoaretokillmearethemselvesafraidofdeath。ToquoteJakeOppenheimer:I，whoamabouttodie，mustseemtothemsomethingGod-awful……
EdMorrellhasjustsentwordintome。Theytellmehehaspacedupanddownallnightoutsidetheprisonwall。Beinganex-convict，theyhavered-tapedhimoutofseeingmetosaygood-bye。Savages？
Idon’tknow。Possiblyjustchildren。I’llwagermostofthemwillbeafraidtobealoneinthedarkto-nightafterstretchingmyneck。
ButEdMorrell’smessage:\"Myhandisinyours，oldpal。Iknowyou’llswingoffgame。\"……
Thereportershavejustleft。I’llseethemnext，andlasttime，fromthescaffold，erethehangmanhidesmyfaceintheblackcap。
Theywillbelookingcuriouslysick。Queeryoungfellows。Someshowthattheyhavebeendrinking。Twoorthreelooksickwithforeknowledgeofwhattheyhavetowitness。Itseemseasiertobehangedthantolookon……
Mylastlines。ItseemsIamdelayingtheprocession。Mycellisquitecrowdedwithofficialsanddignitaries。Theyareallnervous。
Theywantitover。Withoutadoubt，someofthemhavedinnerengagements。Iamreallyoffendingthembywritingthesefewwords。
Thepriesthasagainpreferredhisrequesttobewithmetotheend。
Thepoorman——whyshouldIdenyhimthatsolace？Ihaveconsented，andhenowappearsquitecheerful。Suchsmallthingsmakesomemenhappy！Icouldstopandlaughforaheartyfiveminutes，iftheywerenotinsuchahurry。
HereIclose。Icanonlyrepeatmyself。Thereisnodeath。Lifeisspirit，andspiritcannotdie。Onlythefleshdiesandpasses，evera-crawlwiththechemicfermentthatinformsit，everplastic，evercrystallizing，onlytomeltintothefluxandtocrystallizeintofreshanddiverseformsthatareephemeralandthatmeltbackintotheflux。Spiritaloneenduresandcontinuestobuilduponitselfthroughsuccessiveandendlessincarnationsasitworksupwardtowardthelight。WhatshallIbewhenIliveagain？I
wonder。Iwonder……
Footnotes:
{1}SincetheexecutionofProfessorDarrellStanding，atwhichtimethemanuscriptofhismemoirscameintoourhands，wehavewrittentoMr。HoseaSalsburty，CuratorofthePhiladelphiaMuseum，and，inreply，havereceivedconfirmationoftheexistenceoftheoarandthepamphlet——THEEDITOR。
End