Across the Zodiac by Percy Greg
Page 1 of 252
ACROSS THE ZODIAC: The Story of a Wrecked Record
DECIPHERED, TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY PERCY GREG
AUTHOR OF "THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE" ETC.
"Thoughts he sends to each planet, Uranus, Venus, and Mars; Soars to the Centre to span it, Numbers the infinite Stars."
_Courthope's Paradise of Birds_
CONTENTS
I. SHIPWRECK.
II. OUTWARD BOUND.
III. THE UNTRAVELLED DEEP.
IV. A NEW WORLD.
V. LANGUAGE, LAWS, AND LIFE.
VI. AN OFFICIAL VISIT.
VII. ESCORT DUTY.
VIII. A FAITH AND ITS FOUNDER.
IX. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
X. WOMAN AND WEDLOCK.
XI. A COUNTRY DRIVE.
XII. ON THE RIVER.
XIII. THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT.
XIV. BY SEA.
XV. FUR-HUNTING.
XVI. TROUBLED WATERS.
XVII. PRESENTED AT COURT.
XVIII. A PRINCE'S PRESENT.
XIX. A COMPLETE ESTABLISHMENT.
XX. LIFE, SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.
XXI. PRIVATE AUDIENCES.
XXII. PECULIAR INSTITUTIONS.
XXIII. CHARACTERISTICS.
XXIV. WINTER.
XXV. APOSTACY.
XXVI. TWILIGHT.
XXVII. THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW.
XXVIII. DARKER YET.
XXIX. AZRAEL.
XXX. FAREWELL.
CHAPTER I - SHIPWRECK.
Once only, in the occasional travelling of thirty years, did I lose any important article of luggage; and that loss occurred, not under the haphazard, devil-take-the-hindmost confusion of English, or the elaborate misrule of Continental journeys, but through the absolute perfection and democratic despotism of the American system. I had to give up a visit to the scenery of Cooper's best Indian novels--no slight sacrifice--and hasten at once to New York to repair the loss. This incident brought me, on an evening near the middle of September 1874, on board a river steamboat starting from Albany, the capital of the State, for the Empire City. The banks of the lower Hudson are as well worth seeing as those of the Rhine itself, but even America has not yet devised means of lighting them up at night, and consequently I had no amusement but such as I could find in the conversation of my fellow-travellers. With one of these, whose abstinence from personal questions led me to take him for an Englishman, I spoke of my visit to Niagara--the one wonder of the world that answers its warranty--and to Montreal. As I spoke of the strong and general Canadian feeling of loyalty to the English Crown and connection, a Yankee bystander observed--
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: Across the Zodiac by Percy Greg
- 2: The cipher has been constructed upon a general principle
- 3: Imposture seems inconsistent with the evidence
- 4: And in each case the result was a duel
- 5: Then these duels have injured him in Southern opinion
- 6: The sextant having been broken to pieces
- 7: And coral rock flung all around
- 8: Not been fatally injured by the shock
- 9: The manuscript will tell the rest
- 10: Fishes move by repulsion applied at every moment
- 11: Are more or less impervious to it antapergic
- 12: Relying upon the apergy to overcome his attraction
- 13: The crystal in question consisted of
- 14: With the receptacle or apergion
- 15: Among my instruments was a pressure gauge
- 16: But as I had to direct my course by terrestrial landmarks
- 17: I went to examine the metacompass
- 18: Whose bulb unfortunately was blackened
- 19: Suffused with or backed by crimson
- 20: The discometer gave a distance
- 21: Stars in the midst of which I appeared to float
- 22: The barycrite itself had given at 19h
- 23: Their outer and inner lining of metal
- 24: A satellite was approaching the disc
- 25: I observed the discometer at 1h
- 26: Maintained a continuous daylight within the Astronaut
- 27: The apergic force must make up for this loss of ground
- 28: We had no reason to think that apergy
- 29: Presently it came in view through the upper lens
- 30: Except the indication of the discometer
- 31: His diameter subtended about 15'
- 32: Upon Mars the polar caps are rather cream white
- 33: But even to know that it had been achieved by others
- 34: Despite the minuteness of the aperture
- 35: Nearly all were of a dull yellow or copper red tinge
- 36: Immediately to the south eastward
- 37: Though protected by a somewhat similar rind
- 38: I observed that his wonder grew deeper and deeper
- 39: Here grew gourd like heads on erect reed like stems
- 40: Completely numbing it for the moment
- 41: Somewhat peremptorily as I thought
- 42: With all the brilliant transparency of the jewel
- 43: And to these was suspended a tray
- 44: Led me into the interior garden
- 45: Two young girls were robed in white gauze
- 46: Deformed in character to compensate for physical deformity
- 47: Despite their theoretical privileges
- 48: A man strikes is dak klaftas
- 49: Both rollers are fixed in a stand
- 50: This planet is now inhabited by a single race
- 51: And to delusion or illusion human sense is undeniably liable
- 52: It must be decided by the Campta or Suzerain
- 53: Don't speak of such a belief here
- 54: Demanded the abolition of private ownership
- 55: They attracted the envy and greed of the Communists
- 56: The Communists were able to procure
- 57: Merely because they differed in sex
- 58: The women can divorce themselves at pleasure
- 59: There is little disease in the nurseries
- 60: And the machinery itself does not wear out
- 61: What are the powers of your rulers
- 62: But impossible to satiate all their hangers on
- 63: Usage gives me the name of Esmo
- 64: Our usages render such attendance exceedingly close
- 65: From physical deformity or defect
- 66: The logical outcome of that conviction
- 67: That is the chief fatal disease recognised by our physicians
- 68: The poles sustained a light framework supporting a canopy
- 69: Except the weeding birds of whom I have told you
- 70: Eveena explained that where the seed and plant were small
- 71: Seeing that the Regent and his companion had dismounted
- 72: Connected it with the machinery
- 73: And afford assistance in crossing the chasm
- 74: Stretching both hands to grasp Eveena
- 75: To find that Eveena could hardly walk
- 76: From your own account of what you said to the Zampta
- 77: And of the maidens Eveena only was present
- 78: Even had I not owed to Esmo the life I perilled for Eveena
- 79: Dependent on conditions imperfectly ascertained
- 80: Gavart gedex Zinta Never let the member strike
- 81: All distinctly traceable to natural causes
- 82: Esmo directed our eyes to a portrait sunk in the wall
- 83: And fore sunset zyda respectively
- 84: Each beginning with the Equinox
- 85: Can take every form and texture
- 86: The stalta will purchase about six ounces of gold
- 87: When Esmo had finished his business
- 88: The Campta would wish to see your vessel as well as yourself
- 89: At a cost not exceeding five staltau by the year
- 90: And I simply intimated my acceptance of the covenants
- 91: The terms or numbers of partnership
- 92: That is perhaps the ugliest proverb of its kind
- 93: And resting on a cushion just out of reach
- 94: Almost exactly realising an imaginary flower
- 95: She still hesitated and faltered
- 96: Mistaking my blank surprise for displeasure
- 97: And this cowering was so evident in my bride's demeanour
- 98: 'A petted bride makes an unhappy wife
- 99: And maidens aims in a Parisian ball costume
- 100: If I did not hold the possession of Eveena
- 101: Of course I must wear my veil and sleeves
- 102: Will Eveena still wish to share it
- 103: Form the favourite haunts or spawning places of the fish
- 104: The third served the purpose of a barometer
- 105: The individual character of the several chimes
- 106: The tank was about sixty feet in depth
- 107: Half carried Eveena along the avenue
- 108: I laid the tendril on her soft white shoulders
- 109: You did well to break the leveloo
- 110: But the esve cannot be loved as she loves her master
- 111: The enclosures on either bank were continuous
- 112: At which Esmo and his son joined us
- 113: Either by carriage or by balloon
- 114: However dissimilar to Terrestrial species
- 115: A bird about the size of the peacock
- 116: Esmo had taken the matter out of my hands
- 117: If not by any means so frightful as Eveena still found it
- 118: Esmo passed himself to its head
- 119: But lined after Martial fashion
- 120: While I spoke a single nebula grew larger
- 121: A small transparent sphere within the watery globe
- 122: Wearers of the silver sash and star
- 123: Trust through death the Emerald Wings
- 124: And I led Eveena forward by actual if gentle force
- 125: Esmo merely bent his head in reply
- 126: Yet the Martial State had deliberately
- 127: The liar is like an opiatised tunneller miner
- 128: Were two smaller cabins about eight feet long
- 129: Ergimo explained that the pilot was nowise in fault
- 130: Bike the carboniferous strata of Earth
- 131: Ergimo landed to make arrangements for the chase
- 132: Not merely as they affected herself
- 133: I perceived that Eveena herself
- 134: Eveena suddenly dropped her veil around her
- 135: But Eveena evidently caught both the sound and the meaning
- 136: The stroke maimed the limb that delivered it
- 137: And Ergimo informed me that another and more formidable
- 138: And what happened I learned afterwards from Ergimo
- 139: With her usual self suppression
- 140: I followed Eveena into our cabin or chamber
- 141: So in Mars indulgence in these drugs
- 142: Forcing back upon her the phial and the magnets
- 143: I never could feel that her views were paradoxical
- 144: To be the partner of its paramount purpose
- 145: On the narrowest point of the isthmus
- 146: Exchanging a word or two with Ergimo
- 147: And raised a very little above the seats of the highest tier
- 148: Thus partly concealing it from the campta
- 149: What welcome I can give such a guest
- 150: And my escort requested me to mount
- 151: Made me aware that Eveena had been waiting for me
- 152: Household rule is a matter of the veil
- 153: And deserve no affront or unkindness from you
- 154: Following her pencil as she pointed to the ciphers
- 155: It was for colleges where a beardless face is never seen
- 156: Eveena glanced over it and coloured painfully
- 157: The more resolute was Eveena to fulfil it
- 158: Said Eveena gently and gravely
- 159: In Eive alone of the bevy I felt a real interest
- 160: Angered at a hint which placed Eveena on their own level
- 161: But you are less generous than Eveena
- 162: But Eveena could read my feelings in spite of my words
- 163: I certainly don't like the carcara to day
- 164: And do you not know ripe from unripe fruit
- 165: I should be glad to see you take Eunane
- 166: After exchanging the usual salute
- 167: If a charge of assassination is once made and proved
- 168: As we spoke we had passed Eunane once or twice
- 169: I was wishful to consult Eveena
- 170: Eveena's sole society was no easy matter
- 171: And I watched your face while Enva spoke
- 172: But in contact with myself or Eveena they were women
- 173: Never intruding between Eveena and myself
- 174: The farinaceous fruits are sold to the confectioners
- 175: That of weeding and harvesting chiefly by the carvee
- 176: For their sake only would Eveena ever have resorted to it
- 177: The most remarkable scene in all Martial history
- 178: I drew Eveena into my own chamber
- 179: If I may say so without offending
- 180: Can be little more than formal
- 181: Since he can never have an equal
- 182: I heard him so much as ask Eveena
- 183: And that for once Clasfempta could mean to hurt
- 184: Interjected Leenoo with childish spite
- 185: I know you have not used Eveena kindly
- 186: Eveena looked up with some little surprise
- 187: Eive was by far the best reader
- 188: And from Eunane some saucy remarks on my clumsiness
- 189: I waive the probability of your statements
- 190: The fact that it was incurred through and for her
- 191: Like all Martial volcanoes very feeble
- 192: On my visit to the Observatory
- 193: On this occasion Eveena and Eunane were with me
- 194: The enormous disc and the four satellites of Jupiter
- 195: Concentrated her interest and observation upon the balloon
- 196: While I spoke Enva had joined us
- 197: The kiss and smile given and not demanded
- 198: Eunane But she had begun to read
- 199: And Eunane shall have her wish
- 200: When we entered the hall we were rejoined by Eunane
- 201: Eveena herself spoke a kindly and gracious sentence
- 202: Exclaimed Eunane in astonishment
- 203: Accompanied by Eveena and Eunane
- 204: After I have lived so long with you and Eveena
- 205: At its narrowest point in latitude 3 deg
- 206: These are built like ordinary Martial houses
- 207: Marked a cold equivalent to 12 deg
- 208: For administrative or judicial duties
- 209: Was a less anxious charge than Eveena
- 210: If I did not kill the kargynda
- 211: The mention of Eive clouded it again
- 212: That Eive is the source of your trouble
- 213: No answer to a mandate so enforced
- 214: More satisfaction in the acquittal of Eunane
- 215: Eveena had slept during the latter part of our voyage
- 216: Caulna seeming to rush past her companion
- 217: By inviting Esmo into my own apartment
- 218: And knelt as Esmo rose from his place
- 219: But his rebuke had silenced Kevima
- 220: From whomsoever that treason may proceed
- 221: Esmo having collected the will
- 222: And he pointed to the vacant place
- 223: As the barrier was thrown open by the sentries
- 224: Ever quail the fiercest hunters when Kargynda turns at bay
- 225: But for subsequent conversation thereon with Eveena
- 226: With even more than her usual tenderness for Eunane
- 227: But was wholly discountenanced by Eveena
- 228: Will keep Eveena away from her
- 229: I sought Eveena in her own room
- 230: And Velna remained constantly at her friend's side
- 231: And at last took my resolve and dismissed Velna
- 232: Eunane cried It is morning already
- 233: Astona departed without seeing us
- 234: Eive had turned to leave the room
- 235: Eive snatched at an object in its folds
- 236: And if Eive understood any aspect of my character
- 237: To the last Eive could not comprehend the nature that
- 238: Must aim also at my life and throne
- 239: Davilo sat in his chair unguarded
- 240: Who prosecuted this day in the interests of science
- 241: In certain strange and unforeseen circumstances
- 242: Eveena herself naturally resented the peril
- 243: Even when you called another to enforce your command
- 244: Ergimo brought a message from the Campta
- 245: To release and provide for Eive
- 246: Enva and her companions had gathered
- 247: A little below but beside us Endo Zampta hailed
- 248: And Esmo mustered the party in order
- 249: As men always quailed under Esmo's steady gaze
- 250: From the wardrobe of the Astronaut
- 251: A momentary darkness veiled all from my eyes
- 252: Bearing the cipher which though seldom seen I knew so well