Tommy I lay still a while, on my back as I had fallen, and beneath the shield-like defence which Yva had given to me.
Notwithstanding the fire-resisting, metalised stuff of which it was made, I noted that it was twisted and almost burnt through.
Doubtless the stored-up electricity or earth magnetism, or whatever it may have been that had leapt out of that hole, being diffused by the resistance with which it was met, had grazed me with its outer edge, and had it not been for the shield and cloak, I also should have been burned up.I wished, oh! how Iwished that it had been so.Then, by now all must have finished and I should have known the truth as to what awaits us beyond the change: sleep, or dreams, or perchance the fullest life.Also Ishould not have learned alone.
Lying there thus, idly, as though in a half-sleep, I felt Tommy licking my face, and throwing my arm about the poor little frightened beast, I watched the great world-balance as it retreated on its eternal journey.At one time its vast projecting rim had overshadowed us and almost seemed to touch the cliff of rock against which we leant.I remember that the effect of that shining arch a thousand feet or so above our heads was wonderful.
It reminded me of a canopy of blackest thunder clouds supported upon a framework of wheeling rainbows, while beneath it all the children of the devil shouted together in joy.I noted this effect only a few seconds before Yva spoke to me and leapt into the path of the flash.
Now, however, it was far away, a mere flaming wheel that became gradually smaller, and its Satanic voices were growing faint.As I have said, I watched its disappearance idly, reflecting that Ishould never look upon its like again; also that it was something well worth going forth to see.Then I became aware that the humming, howling din had decreased sufficiently to enable me to hear human voices without effort.Bastin was addressing Bickley--like myself they were both upon the ground.
"Her translation, as you may have noticed, Bickley, if you were not too frightened, was really very remarkable.No doubt it will have reminded you, as it did me, of that of Elijah.She had exactly the appearance of a person going up to Heaven in a vehicle of fire.The destination was certainly the same, and even the cloak she wore added a familiar touch and increased the similarity.""At any rate it did not fall upon you," answered Bickley with something like a sob, in a voice of mingled awe and exasperation.
"For goodness' sake! Bastin, stop your Biblical parallels and let us adore, yes, let us adore the divinest creature that the earth has borne!"Never have I loved Bickley more than when I heard him utter those words.
"'Divinest' is a large term, Bickley, and one to which Ihesitate to subscribe, remembering as I do certain of the prophets and the Early Fathers with all their faults, not of course to mention the Apostles.But--" here he paused, for suddenly all three of us became aware of Oro.
He also has been thrown to the ground by the strength of the prisoned forces which he gathered and loosed upon their unholy errand, but, as I rejoiced to observe, had suffered from them much more than ourselves.Doubtless this was owing to the fact that he had sprung forward in a last wild effort to save his daughter, or to prevent her from interfering with his experiment, I know not which.As a result his right cheek was much scorched, his right arm was withered and helpless, and his magnificent beard was half burnt off him.Further, very evidently he was suffering from severe shock, for he rocked upon his feet and shook like an aspen leaf.All this, however, did not interfere with the liveliness of his grief and rage.
There he stood, a towering shape, like a lightning-smitten statue, and cursed us, especially Bastin.
"My daughter has gone!" he cried, "burned up by the fiery power that is my servant.Nothing remains of her but dust, and, Priest, this is your doing.You poisoned her heart with your childish doctrines of mercy and sacrifice, and the rest, so that she threw herself into the path of the flash to save some miserable races that she had never even known."He paused exhausted, whereon Bastin answered him with spirit:
"Yes, Oro, she being a holy woman, has gone where you will never follow her.Also it is your own fault since you should have listened to her entreaties instead of boxing her ears like the brute you are.""My daughter is gone," went on Oro, recovering his strength, "and my great designs are ruined.Yet only for a while," he added, "for the world-balance will return again, if not till long after your life-spans are done.""If you don't doctor yourself, Lord Oro," said Bickley, also rising, "I may tell you as one who understands such things, that most likely it will be after your life-span is done also.Although their effect may be delayed, severe shocks from burns and over-excitement are apt to prove fatal to the aged."Oro snarled at him; no other word describes it.
"And there are other things, Physician," he said, "which are apt to prove fatal to the young.At least now you will no longer deny my power.""I am not so sure," answered Bickley, "since it seems that there is a greater Power, namely that of a woman's love and sacrifice.""And a greater still," interrupted Bastin, "Which put those ideas into her head.""As for you, Humphrey," went on Oro, "I rejoice to think that you at least have lost two things that man desires above all other things--the woman you sought and the future kingship of the world."I stood up and faced him.
"The first I have gained, although how, you do not understand, Oro," I answered."And of the second, seeing that it would have come through you, on your conditions, I am indeed glad to be rid.
I wish no power that springs from murder, and no gifts from one who answered his daughter's prayer with blows."For a moment he seemed remorseful.
"She vexed me with her foolishness," he said.Then his rage blazed up again: