"Why not?" I asked myself, pausing amidst the snow on the mountain, there so far above the sea that the Storm King was ever supreme, even while summer reigned below. "Am I not an Atlan, a Poseid, and is not that name synonymous with freedom, honor, power? Is not this, my native land, the most glorious beneath the sun? Beneath Incal?" Again I queried: "Why not, aye, why not strive to become one amongst the foremost in my proud country?"
"Why not?" I asked myself, pausing in the snow high up on the mountain, where the Storm King always ruled, even as summer flourished below. "Am I not an Atlan, a Poseid? Don't those names mean freedom, honor, and power? Isn't this, my homeland, the most glorious place under the sun? Under Incal?" I wondered again: "Why not aim to become one of the greatest in my proud nation?"
"Poseid is the Queen of the Sea, yea, and of the world also, since all nations pay tribute of praise and commerce to us--all emulate us. To rule in Poseid, then, is not that virtually to rule over all the earth? Therefore will I strive to grasp the prize, and I will do it, too! And thou, O pale, cold moon, bear witness of my resolve"--I cried aloud, raising my hands to heaven--"And ye also, ye glittering diamonds of the sky."
"Poseid reigns supreme over the seas and the world. All nations pay tribute to us with praise and trade, and all seek to emulate us. To rule Poseid is essentially to rule the entire earth. Therefore, I will strive to seize this prize, and I will succeed! Pale, cold moon, bear witness to my resolve," I shouted, raising my hands to the sky. "And you too, glittering stars above."
If resolute effort could insure success, I usually achieved whatever end I determined to attain. So there I made my vows at a great height above the ocean, and above the plain which stretched away westward two thousand miles to Caiphul, the Royal City. So high was it, that all about and below me lay peaks and mountain ranges, vast in themselves, but dwarfed beside the apex whereon I stood.
When I set my mind to something, my unwavering determination usually led to success. There, high above the ocean and the vast plain stretching two thousand miles west to Caiphul, the Royal City, I made my vows. From that lofty vantage point, I gazed down at mighty peaks and mountain ranges, impressive in their own right but dwarfed by the summit where I stood.
All around me lay the eternal snows; but what cared I? So filled with the new resolve was my mind--the resolve to become a power in the land of my nativity--that I heeded not the cold. Indeed, I scarce knew that the air about me was cold, was chill as that of the Arctic fields of the remote north.
Surrounded by endless snow, I remained unfazed. My mind was consumed by a new determination—to become influential in my homeland. This resolve was so powerful that I barely noticed the cold. In fact, I hardly realized the air around me was as frigid as the Arctic tundra in the far north.
Many obstacles would have to be surmounted in the accomplishment of this design--for truly, what was I at that moment? Only a mountaineer's son, poor, fatherless; but, the Fates be praised! not motherless! At thought of her, my mother, miles away, down where the perennial forests waved, where snow seldom fell; while I stood on the storm-kissed summit, alone with the night and my thoughts--at the thought of my mother my eyes grew moist, for I was only a boy, and often a sad enough one, when the hardships which she endured arose to mind. Such reflections were but added incentives to my ambition to do and to be.
Many challenges lay ahead in pursuing this goal. After all, what was I but a poor, fatherless son of a mountaineer? Yet thankfully, not motherless! Thoughts of her, far away in the lush, evergreen forests where snow rarely fell, brought tears to my eyes as I stood alone on this windswept peak. I was just a boy, often saddened by the hardships she endured. But these reflections only fueled my ambition to achieve greatness and make something of myself.
Once more my thoughts dwelt on the difficulties I must encounter in my struggle for success, fame and power.
Again, I found myself preoccupied with the challenges ahead in my pursuit of success, recognition, and influence.
Atlantis, or Poseid, was an empire whose subjects enjoyed the freedom allowed by the most limited monarchical rule, The general law of official succession presented to every male subject a chance for preferment to office. Even the emperor held an elective position, as also did his ministers, the Council of Ninety, or Princes of the Realm--offices analagous to those of the Secretarial Portfolios of the American Republic--its veritable successor. If death claimed the occupant of the throne, or any of the councillors, the elective franchise came into activity, but not otherwise, barring dismissal for malfeasance in office, a penalty which, if incurred by him, not even the emperor was exempt from suffering.
Atlantis, also known as Poseid, was an empire where citizens enjoyed considerable freedom under a limited monarchy. The system of government offered every male citizen the opportunity to rise to official positions. Even the emperor and his ministers, the Council of Ninety or Princes of the Realm, held elected offices similar to the Cabinet Secretaries in modern America, which can be seen as Atlantis's successor. When the emperor or any council member died, elections were held to fill the vacancy. The only other way to leave office was through dismissal for misconduct, a penalty that applied to everyone, including the emperor himself.
The possession of the elective power was vested in the two great social divisions, which embraced all classes of people, of either sex. The great underlying principle of the Poseid political fabric might be said to have been "an educational measuring-rod for every ballot-holder, but the sex of the holder, no one's business."
The right to vote was granted to two major social groups, encompassing all classes and genders. The fundamental principle of Poseid's political system could be described as "an educational standard for every voter, with the voter's gender being irrelevant."
The two major social branches were known by the distinctive names of "Incala" and "Xioqua," or, respectively, the priesthood and scientists.
The two main social classes were called the "Incala" and the "Xioqua," representing the priesthood and scientists respectively.
Do my readers ask where that open opportunity for every subject could be in a system which excluded the artisans, tradespeople, and military, if they happened not to be of the enfranchised classes? Every person had the option of entering either the College of Sciences, or that of Incal, or both. Nor was race, color or sex considered, the only prerequisite being that the candidate for admission must be sixteen years of age, and the possessor of a good education obtained in the common schools, or at some of the lesser seats of collegiate learning, as the Xioquithlon in the capital city of some one of the Poseid States, as at Numea, Terna, Idosa, Corosa, or even at Marzeus' lower college, Marzeus being the principal art-manufacturing center of Atl. Seven years was the allotted term of study at the Great Xioquithlon, ten months in each year, divided into two sub-terms of five months each, devoted to active work, and one month allowed for recreation, half of it between each session. Any student might compete in the annual examination exercises, held at the end of the year or just preceding the vernal equinox. That we recognized the natural law of mental limitation will be obvious from the fact that the course of study was purely optional, the aspirant being at liberty to select as many, or as few topics as were agreeable, with this necessary proviso:--that only possessors of diplomas of the first class could be candidates for even the humblest official position. These certificates were evidence of a grade of acquirement which embraced a range of topical knowledge too great to be mentioned, otherwise than inferentially, as the reader proceeds. The second-grade diploma did mot confer political prestige, except in the matter of carrying with it the voting privilege, although if a person neither cared to be an office holder, nor to vote, the right to instruction in any educational branch was none the less a gratuitous privilege. Those, however, who only aspired to a limited education, with the purpose of more successfully pursuing a given business, as tuition in mineralogy by an intending miner, agriculture by a farmer, or botany by an ambitious gardener--had no voice in the government. While the number of those unambitious ones was not small, none the less the stimulus of obtaining political prestige was so great that not above one in a dozen of the adult population was without at least a secondary diploma, while fully one-third had first-grade certificates. It was owing to this, that the electors found no scarcity of material for filling all elective positions under the government.
In our society, education was open to all, regardless of occupation, social class, race, color, or gender. The only requirement was that candidates be at least 16 years old and have a solid foundation from common schools or lesser colleges. Students could choose to enter the College of Sciences, the College of Incal, or both. The Great Xioquithlon offered a seven-year program, with two five-month terms of active study and a month of recreation between each session. Students could participate in annual examinations held before the spring equinox. We recognized individual limitations by allowing students to choose their subjects freely. However, only those with first-class diplomas could hold official positions. These diplomas signified a broad range of knowledge, while second-grade diplomas granted voting rights but no political roles. Education was free for all, even for those pursuing specific career-related subjects without political ambitions. The incentive of political prestige was so strong that nearly everyone obtained at least a secondary diploma, with a third of the population holding first-grade certificates. This system ensured a wealth of qualified candidates for government positions.
Some uncertainty is possibly left in the mind of the reader as to what constituted the difference between priestly and scientific suffragists. The only essential difference was that the curriculum at the Incalithlon, or College of Priests, embraced, in addition to every high-grade feature taught at the Xioquithlon, also the study of a wide range of occult phenomena, anthropological and sociological themes, to the end that graduates in the sciences might have the opportunity of fitting themselves to minister to any want, which men of less erudition and less comprehension of the great underlying laws of life might experience, in any phase or condition. The Incalithlon was in fact the very highest, most complete institution of learning which the world knew then, or--pardon what may seem to be, but is not, Atlan conceit--has known since; and for that matter, will know for centuries to come. As such an exalted educational institution, students within its halls must needs possess extra zeal and determined willpower in order to pursue, and secure graduation certificates from its board of examiners. Few indeed had found life extended enough to enable them to acquire such a diploma; possibly not one in five hundred of those who made honorable exit from the Xioquithlon--itself an institution not second to the modern Cornell University.
Some readers may wonder about the difference between priestly and scientific scholars. The main distinction was in their education. The Incalithlon, or College of Priests, offered everything taught at the Xioquithlon plus extensive studies in occult phenomena, anthropology, and sociology. This broader curriculum aimed to prepare graduates to address any need that less educated individuals might have in various aspects of life. The Incalithlon was arguably the most comprehensive educational institution in history, surpassing even modern standards. Its rigorous program demanded exceptional dedication and willpower from students to complete their studies and earn graduation certificates. Few lived long enough to obtain such a diploma; perhaps only one in five hundred graduates from the Xioquithlon–itself comparable to a prestigious modern university like Cornell–managed to achieve this feat.
As I pondered, there amidst those mountain snows, I decided not to attempt too much, but a Xioqua I determined to be, if any possible chance existed; although I scarcely hoped for the possession of the eminence conferred by the title of Incala, I vowed that I would make an opportunity to compete for the other, if no occasion presented otherwise. To obtain the proud distinction would require, in addition to arduous study, the possession of ample pecuniary means to furnish the expense of living, and the maintenance, at its highest, of an unfaltering energy of purpose. Whence could I hope to obtain all this? The gods were believed to help the needy. If I, a lad of not yet seventeen summers, who had a mother looking to me for support and the necesaries of life, with nothing that could aid me to attain my aspirations except native energy and will, might not be placed in that category, then who were the needy? Methinks there should be no more evidence of dependence necessary, and it were indeed proper in the gods to extend aid.
As I reflected amid the mountain snows, I decided to set realistic goals. I was determined to become a Xioqua if any opportunity arose. Though I doubted I could achieve the prestigious title of Incala, I vowed to compete for it if the chance presented itself. Earning this distinction would require not only intense study but also substantial financial resources to cover living expenses, all while maintaining unwavering determination. Where could I find all this? People believed the gods helped those in need. If I, a boy not yet seventeen, supporting my mother with only my energy and willpower to fuel my ambitions, didn't qualify as needy, then who did? Surely, I thought, no further proof of my dependence was necessary, and it would be fitting for the gods to lend their aid.
Filled with such reflections as these, I climbed yet higher towards the top of the sky-piercing peak, near the apex of which I stood, for the dawn was not far distant, and I must be. on the highest stone to greet Incal (the sun) when He conquered Navaz, else He--chief of all the manifest signs of the great and only true God, whose name He bore, whose shield He was--might not favorably regard my prayer. No, He must see that the supplicating youth spared no pains to do Him honor, because it was for this purpose only that I had climbed alone, amidst these solitudes, up that trackless steep of snow, beneath the starry dome of the skies.
With such thoughts in mind, I climbed higher towards the summit of the towering peak. I needed to reach the top before dawn, as I had to be on the highest stone to welcome Incal (the sun) when He overcame Navaz. If not, He—the foremost symbol of the one true God, whose name He carried and whose protector He was—might not look kindly upon my prayer. No, He must see that I, a young devotee, spared no effort to honor Him. It was for this reason alone that I had climbed alone through this desolate landscape, up the untrodden snowy slope, beneath the star-filled sky.
"Is there," I asked myself, "a more glorious belief than this which my country-folk hold? Are not all Poseidi worshipers of the Great God--the one true Deity--who is typified by the blazing sun? There can be nothing more sacred and holy." So spake the boy whose maturing mind had grasped the really inspiring exoteric religion, but who knew of none other, deeper and more sublime, nor was he to learn of it in the days of Atla.
I pondered, "Is there a more magnificent belief than the one my fellow citizens hold? Don't all Poseidians worship the Great God—the one true Deity—symbolized by the radiant sun? Surely nothing could be more sacred." These were the thoughts of a young man who had grasped the truly inspiring public religion, yet knew nothing of the deeper, more sublime teachings that lay hidden. Nor would he discover them in Atla's time.
As the first glance of light from behind His shield stole through the dark abyss of night, I threw myself prone in the summit snows, where I must remain until the God of Light was entirely victorious over Navaz. Triumphant at last I Then I arose, and making a final profound obeisance, retraced my steps down that fearful declivity of ice, and snow, and barren rock, the latter black and cruelly sharp, thrusting its ridges through the icy coat, showing the ribs of the mountain which stood, one of the peerless peaks of the globe, thirteen thousand feet above the level of the sea.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced the darkness, I lay flat on the snow-covered summit. There I remained until daybreak had fully conquered the night. Finally victorious, I stood up and, with a deep bow, began my descent. I carefully navigated the treacherous slope of ice and snow, dotted with bare, jagged rocks. These black, razor-sharp outcrops protruded through the icy layer, revealing the mountain's skeletal structure. This formidable peak, one of the world's most impressive, towered thirteen thousand feet above sea level.
For two days all my efforts had been to reach that frigid summit and cast myself, a living offering, on its lofty altar, thus to honor my God. I wondered if He had heard and noted me. If He had, did He care? Did He care enough to direct His vice-regent, God of the mountain, to aid me? To the latter, without knowing why, I looked, hoping in what may seem a blind fatuity, for him to reveal a treasure of some sort, or--
For two days, I had struggled to reach that icy peak, intending to offer myself as a living sacrifice on its towering altar to honor my God. I wondered if He had noticed my efforts. If He had, did He care? Did He care enough to instruct His earthly representative, the God of the mountain, to help me? For reasons I couldn't explain, I looked to this lesser deity, hoping—perhaps foolishly—that he would reveal some kind of treasure, or—
What is that dull metallic glint in the rock whose heart my. iron-shod alpenstock had lain bare to the rays of the morning sun? Gold! O Incal! It is so! Yellow, precious gold!
What's that faint metallic gleam in the rock my iron-tipped walking stick has exposed to the morning sunlight? Gold! By the gods! It truly is! Shining, precious gold!
"O Incal," I cried, repeating His name, "be thou praised for returning answer so quickly to Thy humble petitioner!"
"Oh Incal," I exclaimed, calling out His name again, "I praise you for responding so swiftly to your humble servant's plea!"
Down in the snow I knelt, uncovering my head out of gratitude to the God of All Being, the Most High, whose shield, the sun poured forth his glorious rays. Then I looked again on the treasure. Ah, what a store of wealth was there!
I knelt in the snow, removing my hat to thank God for His blessings, as the sun's rays shone down like a divine shield. Looking again at the treasure before me, I was awestruck by the immense wealth it represented.
As the quartz rock splintered beneath my excited strokes, the precious metal held it together, so thickly did it vein its matrix. Sharp edges of the flinty stone cut my hands, so that the blood flowed from half a dozen places, and as I grasped the icy quartz which did the deed, my bleeding hands froze fast upon it-a union of blood and treasure! No matter! and I tore them loose, unheeding the pain, so much was I excited.
As I struck the quartz rock with eager blows, it cracked, but the abundant veins of precious metal held it together. The sharp edges of the stone cut my hands, drawing blood from several spots. When I gripped the freezing quartz responsible for my injuries, my bloody hands stuck to it—a fusion of blood and treasure. I didn't care. I wrenched them free, ignoring the pain in my excitement.
"O Incal," I exclaimed, "Thou are good to Thy child in so liberally bestowing the treasure which shall enable a realization of his resolution, ere the heart hath opportunity to grow faint through long-deferred hope."
"Oh Incal," I said, "You are kind to your child, giving so generously the resources that will allow me to fulfill my promise before my heart loses hope through long waiting."
I loaded into my capacious pockets all that I could stagger under, selecting the richest and most valuable pieces of the gold quartz. How should I mark the spot, how find it again? To a born mountaineer this was no hard task, and was soon accomplished. Then onward, downward, homeward, joyfully I swung, with light heart, if heavy load. Over these mountains, indeed not two miles from the base of my treasure peak, wound the emperor's highway to the great ocean, hundreds, of miles away on the other side of the Caiphalian plains. This causeway once reached, the most fatiguing part of the trip would be over, although but one-fifth of the entire route would yet have been traversed.
I stuffed my large pockets with as much as I could carry, choosing the richest and most valuable pieces of gold quartz. Marking the spot for future reference was easy for an experienced mountaineer like myself. With that done, I began my descent, heading home with a light heart despite my heavy load. The emperor's highway, which led to the ocean hundreds of miles away across the Caiphalian plains, ran through these mountains, not two miles from my treasure peak. Once I reached this road, the most tiring part of my journey would be over, though I'd have only covered a fifth of the total distance.
To give some idea of the difficulties encountered in scaling or descending this giant mountain, I must remark that the final five-thousand feet of the ascent could be made by only one tortuous route. A narrow gorge, a mere volcanic fissure, afforded foothold of the most precarious character, all other parts of the peak being insurmountable cliffs. This meager support existed for the first one thousand feet. Above this point the cleft ceased. Near its upper end a small cave existed, rather higher than a man's stature, and capable of holding perhaps twenty people. In the farther end of this rocky room was a hole--a crack wider horizontally than in the perpendicular. Entering this crevice by crawling, serpent-fashion, the venturesome explorer would find that for several hundred paces he must needs descend a rather sharp incline, albeit the crevice in the first dozen steps so widened, or heightened, that a more or less upright posture could be assumed. From the end of its descending course it twisted and again increased in size so as to form a tunnel, ascending by tortuous windings, its walls affording sufficient support to make the climbing safe, although pursued upward at an angle of about forty degrees, while in some parts an even greater degree of perpendicularity marked the passage. In this way an upward climb of thirty odd hundreds of feet was accomplished, the sinuosities of the route greatly increasing the distance covered in a vertical rise. This, reader, was the sole method of reaching the summit of the highest mountain of Poseid, or Atlantis, as thou callest the island-continent.
To illustrate the challenges of climbing or descending this massive mountain, it's worth noting that the final 5,000 feet could only be conquered via a single, winding route. A narrow gorge, essentially a volcanic fissure, provided extremely treacherous footing, with all other parts of the peak being unscalable cliffs. This slim pathway existed for the first 1,000 feet. Beyond this point, the crevice ended. Near its upper limit, there was a small cave, slightly taller than a person and able to accommodate about 20 people. At the far end of this rocky chamber was an opening—a crack wider horizontally than vertically. Entering this crevice by crawling like a snake, the daring explorer would find themselves descending a rather steep slope for several hundred paces. However, the crevice widened enough within the first dozen steps to allow a more or less upright stance. From the end of its downward course, it twisted and expanded again, forming a tunnel that ascended in winding turns. The walls provided enough support to make climbing safe, despite an upward angle of about 40 degrees, with some sections being even steeper. This upward climb covered about 3,000 feet, with the twists and turns of the route greatly increasing the distance traveled for the vertical gain. This, reader, was the only way to reach the summit of the highest mountain in Poseid, or Atlantis, as you know the island-continent.
Arduous as was its passage, there was more than enough room in this dry old chimney, or water-course, whichever it was, Chimney it certainly had been, originally, though now water-worn to such an extent as to render the idea of its igneous formation, de novo, merely conjectural. At one part of its course this long hole widened into a vast cavern. This led away at right angles from the chimney, and down, down, until far in the bowels of the mountain--thousands of feet it seemed in the dread darkness--he who ventured so far found himself on the brink of a vast abyss, which had no visible side except that on which he stood; beyond this, further progress was impossible except for winged things, as bats, and bats were there none in that awful depth.
Though difficult to traverse, this dry old passage—whether chimney or water-course—was spacious enough. It had certainly been a chimney once, though now so eroded by water that its fiery origins were purely speculative. At one point, the long tunnel opened into an enormous cave. This cavern branched off at right angles from the main passage, descending deep into the mountain's core. Anyone who ventured that far would find themselves at the edge of a vast chasm, seemingly thousands of feet deep in the terrifying darkness. The abyss had no visible sides except for the one on which the explorer stood. Beyond this point, further progress was impossible for any creature without wings, and even bats were absent from those dreadful depths.
No sound came back from its frightful chasm, no brightness of torches had ever revealed its other shore--nought was there but a sea of eternal inky blackness. Yet here were no terrors for me; rather a fascination. While others may have known of the place, I had never found a companion with enough temerity to brave the unknown, and stand by my side on the horrid brink, where I had stood, not once only but several times in days gone by. Three times I had been there, impelled by curiosity. On the third occasion I had leaned over the edge to seek a possible further descent, when the stone upon which I was--a huge basaltic block--loosened from its place, fell, and I barely escaped with my life. I fell, and for several minutes sounds of its descent came echoing back to where I stood; my torch went with it, and far adown the depths its sparks gleamed like fire-flies as it struck projecting points of the rock, ere it finally disappeared. I was left in that deep darkness, weak from my great peril, to make my way up and out-if I could. If not, then to fail and die. But I succeeded. Thenceforth I had no curiosity to explore that unknown gulf. Through the chimney which led past the upper end of this abyssal cavern--between the upper end of the outer fissure in the cliff and the summit's side, five, or six hundred feet below the apex of the mountain--I had been many times; often had I been over the spot where a chance blow of my staff revealed the golden treasure, yet never found the precious store until I had asked Incal for it, urged by the pressing burden of my necessities. Is it strange that I felt absolute faith in the religious belief of my people?
No sound echoed from the terrifying chasm, and no torch had ever illuminated its far shore—just an endless sea of inky blackness. Yet I felt no fear, only fascination. While others might have known of this place, I'd never found anyone brave enough to stand with me at its edge, where I'd been several times before. Curiosity had drawn me there thrice. On my third visit, as I leaned over to look for a way down, the massive basalt stone I stood on loosened. It fell, and I barely escaped with my life. For several minutes, I heard it echoing as it descended. My torch went with it, its sparks glimmering like fireflies as it struck the rocky walls before vanishing completely. Left in total darkness, weakened by my close call, I had to find my way out—or die trying. Somehow, I made it. After that, my curiosity about that mysterious gulf vanished. I'd often climbed through the chimney that passed the upper end of this abyssal cavern—a route between the cliff's outer fissure and the mountainside, several hundred feet below the summit. I'd been over the spot where a chance strike of my staff revealed the golden treasure many times, yet never found it until I'd asked Incal for help, driven by desperate need. Is it any wonder I had complete faith in my people's religious beliefs?
It was into the dark chimney that I had to go when I left the snowy summit--out of the sunlight and fresh air, into dense blackness, and a slightly sulphurous atmosphere, but if I left the morning brightness, I also left the fearful cold of the external air, for inside the tunnel, if dark, it was warm.
I descended into the dark chimney, leaving behind the snowy peak. Trading sunlight and fresh air for dense blackness and a faintly sulfurous atmosphere, I found some comfort in the warmth of the tunnel, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside.
At last, I came into the small room at the head of the thousand-foot crevice which would take me to the easier slopes of the lower and middle third of the mountain. In that room I paused. Should I return for another load of auriferous rock? Or should I go directly on my homeward way? At length I turned and retraced my steps. With the noon hour I stood once more beside my treasure spot. Then down again with my second load, till the weary toil ceased almost--for I was standing then at the entrance to the great cavern, four hundred feet from the little room at the head of the outer crevice--four hundred feet of pretty steep climbing. After a moment's pause I resumed the short but sharp ascent, and was soon in the little room, with only a dozen feet at most between myself and the free air. Sinuous, the long tunnel was, considered as a whole, yet it had some passages as straight, as if cut by tools along a line. The four hundred feet, more or less, which separated the room where I stayed my steps, from the entrance proper of the cavern, was such a straight stretch, and perhaps on that account as difficult to traverse as any part of the whole tunnel. Indeed it would have been impossible, except for its rough sides affording some slight foothold. Had the place been light, instead of filled with the blackness of darkness, I could have seen directly into the cavern from the apartment in which I was resting. The warm air induced me to sit or rather lie down at this point, even though I could not see, and so, as I rested there, I ate a handful of dates and sipped a little of the melted snow-water which my water-skin contained. Then I stretched myself out to sleep in the warm air.
Finally, I reached the small room at the top of the thousand-foot crevice that would lead me to the easier slopes of the mountain's lower and middle sections. I paused, contemplating whether to return for more gold-bearing rock or continue homeward. Eventually, I decided to go back. By noon, I stood once more at my treasure spot. I descended again with my second load until the exhausting work nearly ended—I was now at the entrance to the great cavern, 400 feet from the small room at the crevice's top. After a brief rest, I resumed the short but steep climb, soon reaching the small room with just a dozen feet between me and open air. The long tunnel was winding overall, yet it had some remarkably straight passages. The 400-foot stretch between my resting place and the cavern's entrance was one such straight section, perhaps making it as challenging as any other part of the tunnel. It would have been impossible to traverse if not for the rough sides providing some footholds. Had there been light instead of pitch darkness, I could have seen directly into the cavern from my resting spot. The warm air enticed me to sit, or rather lie down. As I rested, I ate a handful of dates and sipped some melted snow-water from my water-skin. Then, I stretched out to sleep in the warm air.
flow long I slept I did not know, but the awakening--ah! the terror of it! Blasts of air so hot as to almost scorch, swept over and past me, laden with stifling fumes, and sending back a hoarse murmur as they rushed up the passage to the summit. Howling, groaning noises came up on the fervid breath from the abyss, mingled with the sound of tremendous explosions and deafening reports. Above all other causes for terror was a glow of red light reflected from the walk of the cavern, into which I found I could look with unobstructed freedom, and through whose depths shone flashes of red and green and blue, and every other color and tint, gases on fire, For a time, fright held me fast, so that without power to move I remained gazing into the awful hell of the blazing elements, I knew that the light and heat, both momentarily increasing, and the stifling vapors, the noise and the quivering of the mountain, all pointed but one and the same meaning--active volcanic eruption. At last, the spell which numbed my senses was broken by my catching sight of a spurt of molten lava which dashed up the intervening passage, projected a number of feet therein by an explosion within the cavern behind, Then I rose up and fled--fled across the floor of the little room and crawled with insane energy of haste through the horizontal entrance, which seemed never so low as that moment! I had forgotten that I carried gold in my pockets, and the fact only came back when I felt the retarding weight of the precious rock. But with the exertion to escape came a certain degree of calmness, and the restored presence of mind bade me not throw away the treasure. Reflection convinced me that the danger, although impending, was probably not immediate. So that I again crawled back into the little room and taking a sack which I had left there, filled it with all the ore I could carry. I undid a leather thong from my waist--a cord forty feet long--and looping one end to a point of rock, at the upper end of the crevice, I lowered the sack to the other extremity of the small cord, and then climbed down after it. Shaking the loop from the rock above, I repeated the performance again and again as I descended. In this way I reached the bottom of the crevice with the larger portion of my two loads of ore. From this point onwards my route my along the crest of a rocky ridge, not very wide, but sufficiently so to form an easy path.
I awoke in terror, unsure how long I'd slept. Scorching blasts of air swept over me, laden with stifling fumes and echoing with hoarse murmurs as they rushed up the passage. Howls and groans rose from the abyss, mixed with tremendous explosions and deafening reports. Most terrifying was the red glow reflected on the cavern walls, which I could now see clearly. Flashes of various colors shone through the depths—gases aflame. Fear paralyzed me as I stared into this hellish inferno of blazing elements. I realized the increasing light, heat, suffocating vapors, noise, and mountain tremors all pointed to one thing: an active volcanic eruption. My paralysis broke when I saw molten lava spurt up the passage, propelled by an explosion behind it. I scrambled up and fled, crawling frantically through the low horizontal entrance. I'd forgotten about the gold in my pockets until I felt its weight. As I struggled to escape, I regained some composure and decided not to abandon the treasure, reasoning that while danger was imminent, it wasn't necessarily immediate. I returned to the small room, filled a sack with as much ore as I could carry, and used a 40-foot leather thong from my waist to lower the sack down the crevice. I repeated this process several times, descending alongside my treasure. At the bottom, I'd saved most of my two loads of ore. From there, my route followed an easy path along a rocky ridge.
I had just started along this ridge when I looked back over the way I had come. At that instant, a shock of earthquake occurred that almost sufficed to throw me to the ground, and out of the little cave, where I had slept, shot a puff of smoke, followed by a red gleam--lava. Downwards it splashed, a fiery cascade, and a most glorious sight in the gathering darkness, for the sun was not yet set. The entire mountain was west of the ridge on which I stood, and it being near night, my position was in deep shadow.
Just as I began walking along the ridge, I glanced back at my path. Suddenly, a powerful earthquake shook the ground, nearly knocking me off my feet. From the small cave where I'd slept, a burst of smoke erupted, followed by a red glow—lava. It cascaded downward in a fiery stream, creating a spectacular sight in the fading light, as the sun hadn't yet set. The whole mountain stood to the west of my ridge, and with evening approaching, I found myself in deep shadow.
Out along the ridge I fled, leaving my sack of gold and much that was in my pockets in the safest place that I could choose, high above the bottom of the gorge, along which the. lava must flow. At a safe distance I paused for rest arid scanned the fiery torrent leaping down the gorge, now some distance away On my right, but in plain sight. "At least," thought I, "I have as much gold-rock--more metal than rock, it appears--left in my pockets yet, as I shall find myself well able to carry, now that the strength, born of excitement, is fled. So that even if I get not that I left behind, I have a great store of wealth. Therefore, Incal be praised!" How entirely inadequate to meet the expenses of seven years at college--and that college at the capital of the nation, where expenses were higher than elsewhere--were the twenty pounds, approximately, of gold-quartz, my inexperience could not tell me. That it was a greater treasure than I had ever possessed in my life, or even seen at one time, was an undeniable fact; therefore I was content.
I fled along the ridge, leaving my sack of gold and most of my pocket's contents in the safest spot I could find, high above the gorge where the lava would flow. After reaching a safe distance, I stopped to rest and watched the fiery torrent leaping down the gorge, now visible to my right. "At least," I thought, "I still have plenty of gold-rock in my pockets—more metal than rock, it seems—as much as I can carry now that my excitement-fueled strength has faded. Even if I can't retrieve what I left behind, I still possess great wealth. For this, I praise Incal!" My inexperience prevented me from realizing how inadequate this twenty-pound treasure of gold-quartz would be to cover seven years of college expenses—especially at the nation's capital, where costs were higher than elsewhere. Yet, as it was more wealth than I had ever owned or even seen at once, I felt satisfied.
A belief in an overruling Providence is necessary to most, indeed to all men, the sole difference being that men of widest knowledge require a Deity of power more nearly approaching infinity than do those of lesser experience; so those who realize the boundlessness of life, recognize a God of whom their conceptions are projected almost to omnipotence, compared to the conceptions which satisfy the ordinary human mind. Whether, then, the deity worshipped be a stone or a wooden idol, some inanimate form, or a Supreme Spirit of androgynous nature, it matters little. Those Beings--who order the course of events, executing the karmic law of the Eternal God, see the faith in mortal hearts, and suffer not that that law shall ever take its course in sternness, untempered by mercy. If trust in the idol, or the animate "god," or in the Supreme Spirit of God, should be allowed to perish because of the withering forces of sorrow and despair, then would human goodness tremble for safety and for continuation of its being. Such a catastrophe could not harmonize with God, hence, under the law, can never be allowed.
A belief in a higher power is essential for most people, with the main difference being that those with broader knowledge tend to require a more complex concept of divinity than those with less experience. Individuals who grasp life's vastness envision a God of nearly infinite power, compared to the simpler ideas that satisfy the average person. Whether one worships a stone idol, a wooden figure, or a supreme androgynous spirit is less important than the act of belief itself. The beings who oversee events and enforce karmic law recognize the faith in human hearts. They ensure that this law is always tempered with mercy, never allowing it to be overly harsh. If trust in any form of deity were to be destroyed by the crushing weight of sorrow and despair, human goodness would be at risk. Such an outcome would be incompatible with the nature of God and, therefore, can never be permitted under universal law.
So with my belief in Incal, a belief shared by my country-people. Incal was a purely spiritual conception, and aside from the Eternal Cause, which no mind of any age of the world can sanely doubt, was existent only in the minds of his worshippers. And the faith was a noble one, one that tended to high morality, nourishing faith, hope and charity. What then though the personal Incal, symbolized by the shield of the blazing sun, was inexistent except in the brains of men? Our Poseid concept stood for us in the place of the Spirit of Life, Parent of all. That was enough to insure observance of the principles which it was supposed pleased Him best.
My belief in Incal, shared by my fellow countrymen, was a purely spiritual concept. Apart from the Eternal Cause, which any rational mind throughout history would accept, Incal existed only in the minds of his worshippers. This faith was noble, promoting high morality and nurturing faith, hope, and charity. What did it matter if the personal Incal, symbolized by the shield of the blazing sun, existed only in our minds? For us in Poseid, this concept represented the Spirit of Life, the Parent of all. That was enough to ensure we followed the principles we believed pleased Him most.
Surely the angels of the Most High Uncreated God, ministering then, as now, to the children of the Father, looked on the belief as it lay enshrined in my heart, and in the hearts of my fellowmen and women, and said, as they ministered: "Be it unto thee according to thy faith." The angels, beholding the hope that was in me to excel among men, had chastened me with fear as I fled from the burning mountain, but there came no disaster.
The divine messengers, serving God's children then as they do now, surely looked upon the faith nestled in my heart and in the hearts of my peers. They must have said, as they tended to us, "Let it be as you believe." These celestial beings, seeing my ambition to stand out among others, had disciplined me with fear as I escaped the fiery mountain. Yet, no calamity befell me.
Onward I ran, as speedily as the nature of the path would permit. I had life and gold; wherefore I praised Incal as I went. And the Spirit of Life was merciful, for I was not to know how insufficient for my needs was my treasure until the sting of disappointment was removed because of having found a more abundant provision. For several miles my course lay along the knife-edged back of the ridge. In many places awful gulfs yawned beside the path, so near that I had need of my hands to aid my feet. Sometimes these cliffs extended along both sides of the trail, forming it into a narrow parapet. I was grateful for small mercies and thanked Incal that the god of the mountain bestirred himself not in the form of earth-throes while I was in those perilous situations. At a distance of three miles from the starting place my, path led me along the brink of a frightful precipice, while above reared the wall of a second cliff. Only the light of the burning mountain now illumined my steps. Here it, was that, as I climbed cautiously downward towards the basaltic brink, a heavy shock threw me upon my knees and almost sent me into the gulf. An instant later a dull boom filled the air with an insistent intensity of sound, and I looked back in affright. A huge spout of fiery smoke was rushing skywards, mingled with stones large enough to be seen at the distance I was from the spot. Below the brink where I clung, an awful grinding and crashing was going on; the earth trembled fearfully, and repeated shocks caused me to grasp the rock., in desperate fear of being thrown over the edge. Off there in front, the gorge which lay at my feet once skirted other ridges and spurs of the peak. Once, for a while, these ridge., and spurs had been; now they were not! I gazed upon a scene of awful and confusing turmoil, lit by the volcanic glare just sufficiently to be perceptible. The solid hills and rocks seemed tossing and unstable as the waters of the ocean and they rose and fell in a horrid swell, grinding and crashing in genuine pandemonium. Over all, volcanic ashes sifted in a thick, ceaseless shower, while dust and volcanic vapors filled the air and hung like a funeral pall over a seemingly perishing world.
I ran as fast as the path allowed, grateful for my life and gold, praising Incal as I went. The Spirit of Life was merciful, sparing me the knowledge of how inadequate my treasure would prove until I found greater riches, softening the blow of disappointment. For miles, I traveled along the razor-sharp ridge. Treacherous chasms gaped beside the trail, often so close that I needed both hands and feet to navigate safely. At times, cliffs flanked both sides, turning the path into a narrow ledge. I was thankful for small blessings, glad that the mountain god didn't stir up earthquakes while I was in such precarious positions. Three miles from where I started, my path skirted a terrifying precipice, with another cliff looming above. Only the volcano's glow lit my way now. As I carefully descended towards the basalt edge, a violent tremor threw me to my knees, nearly sending me over the edge. A moment later, a deep boom filled the air. Looking back in horror, I saw a massive plume of fiery smoke and rocks shooting skyward. Below me, a dreadful grinding and crashing began. The earth shook violently, and repeated shocks forced me to cling desperately to the rock, fearing I'd be thrown into the abyss. Ahead, the gorge at my feet had once been bordered by other ridges and spurs of the peak. Now they were gone. I gazed upon a scene of terrifying chaos, dimly lit by the volcanic glow. Solid hills and rocks churned like ocean waves, rising and falling in a horrific swell, grinding and smashing in utter pandemonium. Volcanic ash rained down relentlessly, while dust and fumes filled the air, hanging like a funeral shroud over a world that seemed to be dying.
Finally the mad uproar and sickening motion ceased; only the steady glow from the still-flowing lava and an occasional throe of earthquake telling the Plutonic tale. But I remained lying on the ledge, faint and ill. Gradually the lava stopped running, and the light went out; the shocks came only at long intervals, and a peace as of death filled all the region, while the silent gray ashes sifted down, covering the stricken land. Darkness reigned. I think I must, for a time, have been unconscious, for when I stirred I was aware of a sharp pain in my head; putting up my hand I felt a warm, wet oozing from a place which smarted at the touch. I felt about and found a jagged stone which had fallen from the cliff above and struck me. Further motion proved the wound was not serious, and I sat up. Already the dawn was coming and, faint with pain, hunger and cold, I again lay down to await broad day.
Finally, the chaotic upheaval and nauseating motion stopped. Only the steady glow from the still-flowing lava and occasional tremors told the volcanic story. I remained on the ledge, weak and sick. Gradually, the lava stopped flowing, and the light faded. The tremors became infrequent, and a deathly quiet settled over the area as silent gray ash drifted down, blanketing the ravaged landscape. Darkness took over. I must have blacked out for a while because when I stirred, I felt a sharp pain in my head. Touching it, I felt warm, wet blood oozing from a tender spot. I found a jagged stone nearby that had fallen from the cliff above and struck me. Further examination showed the wound wasn't serious, so I sat up. Dawn was already breaking, but faint from pain, hunger, and cold, I lay down again to wait for full daylight.
What a different scene rising Incal shone upon, in place of that of the previous morn! When I looked at the, proud peak, the red light of the sun showed that one full half of it had been riven away and swallowed up in "some mysterious cavern." Aye, truly,
The rising sun revealed a drastically altered landscape compared to yesterday's dawn. As I gazed at the once-proud peak, the reddish glow illuminated a shocking sight: half the mountain had vanished, seemingly swallowed by some enigmatic chasm. Indeed,
"Mountains rear to heaven their head in their bald and blackened cliffs, And bow their tall heads to the plain."
Mountains thrust their peaks skyward, Their bare, dark cliffs reaching for the heavens, Yet they bow their lofty crowns to the valley below.
Nearer by, where other ridges had been, and where the awful reeling of the cliffs had , right at my feet, indeed, no more was any rocky spire, nor peak, nor cliff there forever! Instead was a great lake of steaming water, whose thither shores were veiled by the softly settling ashes and clouds of steam condensed by the cold air a fine misty rain, the weeping of the stricken globe over its recent agony! Hushed, was all the noise; quieted, the trembling; ceased, the fervid streaming of the lava.
Closer to me, where other ridges once stood and where the cliffs had violently shaken, the landscape had transformed. Right at my feet, no rocky spires, peaks, or cliffs remained. In their place was a vast lake of steaming water. Its far shores were obscured by gently settling ash and clouds of steam, condensed by the cool air into a fine mist. It was as if the planet itself wept over its recent torment. All noise had ceased, the trembling had stopped, and the fierce flow of lava had ended.
That part of the ridge where I had lain had escaped, for the most part, the general rending. But even it had suffered, so that the path ahead of me, which I had been accustomed to travel in my trips to the peak, was gone, a huge block of probably thousands of tons weight having slidden into the pit below, making absolute erasure of the path, which had crossed that very place. I sought another and, in climbing about in the dull light, came to a part of the ridge which lay on the far side from the sun, which, as yet, was not more than two perilously narrow ledges, lakes of hot water below, impassable steeps overhead, suddenly a dull red bar of light shone athwart my course! Looking for its source, I saw that the light streamed through a wide crack in the beetling cliff above. The bottom of this crack was not far below me and, instead of becoming narrowed out, had a floor as wide as any part of the fissure, as if all above that point had been forcibly slidden, or "faulted," to one side undoubtedly the real explanation. I lowered myself to the level of this floor and, finding the crevice sufficiently wide, stepped into it, heedless of the fact that at any moment fresh convulsions of the volcano might close the cleft and crush me as between the faces of a vise. I did think of this possibility but, Poseid-like, put aside fear by reflecting that I was trusting in Incal, who would do whatever was good for me.
The part of the ridge where I had rested was mostly spared from the widespread destruction. However, it hadn't escaped unscathed. The familiar path I used to take to the peak had vanished, obliterated by an enormous block of rock—likely weighing thousands of tons—that had slid into the pit below. Forced to find another route, I carefully climbed around in the dim light. I reached a section of the ridge on the side opposite the sun, which had become perilously narrow. With scalding lakes below and steep cliffs above, it seemed impassable. Suddenly, a dull red beam of light cut across my path! Searching for its source, I noticed the light streaming through a wide crack in the looming cliff above. The crack's base wasn't far below me, and instead of tapering off, it had a floor as wide as any part of the fissure. It looked as if everything above that point had been forcibly shifted to one side—undoubtedly the true explanation. I lowered myself to the level of this floor and, finding the crevice wide enough, stepped inside. I disregarded the fact that at any moment, fresh volcanic tremors might close the gap and crush me like a vise. Though I considered this possibility, I set aside my fear in true Poseid fashion, reasoning that I was trusting in Incal, who would do whatever was best for me.
The stricken cliff showed, here and there, veins of quartz with porphyritic sheaves, forming ledges running through the granite masses. Clear to the top, this narrow cleft extended, and though really some two or three feet wide, its height made it appear very narrow. As I paused, filled with delight at the idea that on both sides of me my eyes rested on virgin rock never exposed to the gaze of any man since earth began, I noticed that which set my pulses bounding with wild joy--right by my side, but a little in front, was a vein of yellow, ocherous-looking rock in which I saw many maculations of whitish, harder rock, which appearance was due to quartz bodies torn apart by the same shock which formed the cleft. These maculae were thickly dotted with nuggets of native gold and with argent mineral. The ductility of the precious metals was exhibited in curious effects, the gold and silver being drawn out from the smoothly fractured surface into wires, which in some cases were a number of inches long. Again the faintness of hunger left me, and the pain of my aching head-wound was temporarily forgotten, as I chanted a hymn of gratitude to my God. Gone was the towering peak; destroyed was the sole route of access to the lofty summit which man's foot might traverse; but here, after the war of the subterranean fires was over, here was a greater treasure, nearer home, easier to reach--the excitement of joy was too great a strain on my nerves, already so weak, and I fainted! But youth is elastic and the health of those who are without vices wonderfully buoyant. I soon recovered consciousness and was wise enough to make my way home without stopping to waste further strength, knowing that my mountaineering instinct would be an infallible guide to my subsequent return.
The cliff face revealed veins of quartz with porphyritic clusters, forming ledges running through the granite. A narrow cleft, only a few feet wide but appearing slimmer due to its height, extended to the top. I paused, thrilled by the thought that I was gazing at untouched rock, never before seen by human eyes. Then I noticed something that made my heart race with excitement. Right beside me was a vein of yellowish, ochre-like rock speckled with whitish, harder quartz fragments. These specks were dotted with nuggets of pure gold and silver minerals. The malleability of these precious metals was evident, with gold and silver stretched into wires several inches long from the smooth fracture surface. My hunger and headache were momentarily forgotten as I sang a grateful prayer. Though the towering peak and its only access route were gone, here was an even greater treasure – closer to home and easier to reach. The excitement overwhelmed my weakened state, and I fainted. But youth is resilient, and those who live cleanly recover quickly. Upon regaining consciousness, I wisely decided to head home without wasting more energy, confident that my mountaineering instincts would guide me back to this spot later.
I felt, in taking counsel of my mother, that her belief that I could not work the mine alone was based on actuality. But whom should I trust to aid me and take an honest share of the wealth so obtained as, recompense?
I realized, after discussing it with my mother, that her view that I couldn't manage the mine by myself was rooted in reality. But who could I trust to help me and accept a fair share of the profits as payment?
Enough, is it not, that I found the necessary help? Certain professed friends entered into a co-partnership with me and, for the privilege of retaining the remainder of the proceeds, allowed me one-third of the profits, agreeing to do this without requiring any labor from me; and, with some demur, also agreeing to my demand that no part of the ownership should be vested in anybody but myself. I caused them to sign a paper to that effect and to seal it with the most inviolable sign possible in Poseid, namely, to make their signatures with their own blood. We all three did thus. So much formality I insisted upon for the reason that the suspicion was irrepressible that these men proposed to claim that they themselves were the discoverers of the treasure, and that I had, per consequence, no right to any of it. To-day I know that this was the case. I know that the proviso in the contract declaring that the whole mine which they, my partners, worked in the then current year was the inalienable property of Zailm Numinos, was all that prevented the intended robbery. This stipulation made no reference to the discoverer, as such, but did state in incontrovertible terms that in the possessor of that name was vested the title to the property. I would have had, in the event of a difference arising between us, no necessity to prove how I became owner of the mine; no claim that some person other than myself was the discoverer would avail the would-be defrauders, for whosoever was the first to find the lode, the fact remained that I was the owner, and possession in this event meant every advantage through the law. At least, so it seemed to my ignorance. My associates were not so ignorant. They knew that the contract was worthless because executed in violation of the law. The day came when I knew all. I knew in later times that the laws of Poseid made every mine a tithepayer to the empire, and that a mine worked without acknowledgment of this legal lien was liable to confiscation. It was apparent, also, that if my partners had not allowed themselves to be swayed by avariciousness into keeping secret the whole agreement, and also by working in the mine, thus rendering themselves participators in an infraction of the law, that they would have become the legally recognized owners, simply through furnishing information concerning my acts to the nearest governmental agent. But I did not know these things at the time and the other two thought it discretion to keep silence, for the reason that they were not aware of anything excepting the fact that they were violation statutory enactments of no seeming importance. Thus was the secret kept for a later revealment.
Isn't it enough that I found the necessary help? Certain so-called friends formed a partnership with me, allowing me one-third of the profits while keeping the rest for themselves. They agreed to this without requiring any work from me and, after some hesitation, accepted my demand that I retain sole ownership. I made them sign a contract to this effect, sealing it with the most binding symbol in Poseid: signatures in their own blood. All three of us did this. I insisted on such formality because I suspected these men might claim they discovered the treasure themselves, denying me any right to it. Today, I know this was indeed their plan. The contract clause stating that the entire mine they worked that year was the exclusive property of Zailm Numinos was the only thing that prevented the intended theft. This provision didn't mention the discoverer but clearly stated that the owner of that name held the property title. If a dispute arose, I wouldn't have needed to prove how I acquired the mine. Any claim that someone else discovered it would be irrelevant, as I was the legal owner. Possession, in this case, seemed to give me every legal advantage. At least, that's what my ignorance led me to believe. My associates weren't so naive. They knew the contract was invalid because it violated the law. Eventually, I learned everything. I discovered that Poseid law required all mines to pay tithes to the empire, and operating a mine without acknowledging this legal obligation could lead to confiscation. It became clear that if my partners hadn't been swayed by greed to keep the entire agreement secret and work the mine—thereby becoming complicit in breaking the law—they could have become the legally recognized owners simply by informing the nearest government agent about my actions. But I was unaware of this at the time, and the other two thought it wise to stay quiet, not realizing they were violating significant legal statutes. Thus, the secret was kept, awaiting a future revelation.
The means having been forthcoming, the removal of my residence from the country to the city of the Rai was next in order. Our farewell to the old mountain home and our installment in the new one in Caiphul will be passed over in silence.
With the necessary resources secured, my relocation from the countryside to the city of the Rai was the next step. I'll skip over the details of our goodbye to our old mountain home and our settling into the new one in Caiphul.