J. Allan Dunn

“ They will say nothing, for even Rana's people would not,. dare to seize me and would rise against her. A king of Atlantis may not be judged save by universal consent. You will do well to watch Rana's face, my brothers. It is as beautiful and yet as cruel as the Flower of the Long Sleep that slays you as you bend to inhale its fragrant, deadly breath.
"But where is this vase you speak of?"
"It is across the canyon with the rest of our weapons and some of our supplies," said Laidlaw, sighing half out of weariness and half out of hunger.
"We may cross the river by nightfall tomorrow," said Kiron. ”

“ Kiron answered. "Neither can they read nor write. We find that it makes them far less prone to revolt. . . It is a good custom." He looked casually at the two Indians, squatting apart, and they seemed to catch the import of his words.
"Now, my brothers," said Kiron, "tell me of your purpose and of your own land, in which doubtless you are princes."
Laidlaw complied, Morse listening with increasing ease as the familiar accents of the scientist's voice aided him to catch the change of phrasing and of word endings. ”

“ For you must know that we people of Atlantis mingle not with other nations, and much care has been given to our breeding that the race might sustain its strength and beauty. It is the law of Atlantis that none may lead who are not perfect in body. Indeed, despite all care in mating and the development of the young men and maidens, we have lost much in stature."
He paused and gazed admiringly at Morse.
"There goes any lingering idea of my godhood," said Laidlaw. "I don't qualify."
Kiron resumed his tale. "Rana and Ru sent me a message to come to her in secret on a question of grave import. ”

“ As the twilight gathered in the depths of the canyon, and the setting sun painted its daily band of rose on the cliff above their heads, he told his story.
"I am Kiron," he began, with a proud consciousness of all the name imported among his own people. "Male regent of the New Atlantis. In the one hundred and twenty-third generation after the great flood"—Laidlaw looked meaningly at Morse—"the last Pta died without issue, and the people were divided concerning a successor. So the kingdom was made a double kingdom, and a son and a daughter of the two brothers of Pta were made joint rulers. ”

“ A mile upstream, the cliff could be descended to a stony beach as soon as the water subsided.
"We should find plenty of stranded logs to make a catamaran," said Morse. "We can use lianas to bind it together. They are even better than rope. And we'll need poles and paddles." He gave the order to Maya and Xolo to descend to timber level and secure these, with sufficient green lianas, when Laidlaw, who had continued his examination of the stairs, grasped his arm and drew him back from the brink of the cliff, motioning at the same time to the Indians to follow the movement. ”

“ The two remaining logs they arranged as outriders, rigging them with some branches that the current had already washed among the rocks. When it was completed they were smoking with perspiration and ready for rest and food.
"We'd better strip, Laidlaw," said Morse, as they finished the meal. "We may stand a better chance if we have an upset."
"Small chance of getting free of that maelstrom," said Laidlaw, as he began to peel his sweat-glued shirt from his massive chest. "What do we do?"
"We'll fend off when we're told," said Morse. "Otherwise we'll leave it to Maya and Xolo." ”

“ And, because of your manhood, Atlantis shall make you a first noble and you shall enter the Brotherhood of Kal."
"You do us honor," said Morse. "But how may such things be accomplished? It seems to me we sit outside a barrier beyond which lies your kingdom and the fulfillment of your wishes toward us."
Kiron laughed. "Truthfully," he said, "I had forgotten. On the third morning slaves will come to find what the vultures have left and cast the remains into the river, and then report that Kiron has been disposed of. ”

“ Before we could reach him those brutes will strip his bones. I imagine he's afraid of losing consciousness; and they may not wait until he's dead, seeing him helpless. He prefers a quick death to a slow one. ”