convolvulus flowers all turning their pallid faces to the rosy daylight,
making pools of brightness between the shadows. Amongst the litter
little sapphire-coloured finches were feeding, twittering merrily to
themselves as they hopped about, and here and there down the long tables
lay asprawl a belated reveller, his empty oblivion-phial before him,
his curly head upon his arms, dreaming perhaps of last night's feast
and a neglected bride dozing dispassionate in some distant chamber.
But Heru was not there and little I cared for twittering finches or
sighing damsels. With hasty feet I rushed down the hall out into the
cool, sweet air of the planet morning.

There I met one whom I knew, and he told me he had been among the crowd
and had heard the woodmen had gone no farther than the river gate,
that Heru was with them beyond a doubt. I would not listen to more.
"Good!" I shouted. "Get me a horse and just a handful of your sleek
kindred and we will pull the prize from the bear's paw even yet!
Surely," I said, turning to a knot of Martian youths who stood listening
a few steps away, "surely some of you will come with me at this pinch?
The big bullies are very few; the sea runs behind them; the maid in their
clutch is worth fighting for; it needs but one good onset, five minutes'
gallantry, and she is ours again. Think how fine it will look to bring
her back before yon sleepy fellows have found their weapons. You, there,
with the blue tunic! you look a proper fellow, and something of a heart
should beat under such gay wrappings, will you come with me?"

But blue-mantle, biting his thumbs, murmured he had not breakfasted yet
and edged away behind his companions. Wherever I looked eyes dropped
and timid hands fidgeted as their owners backed off from my dangerous
enthusiasm. There was obviously no help to be had from them, and meantime
the precious moments were flying, so with a disdainful glance I turned