William Hope Hodgson - The Dark Pyramid.pdf - William Hope Hodgson - widez2

The Dark Pyramid

By William Hope Hodgson

Now in two hours more I was come clear down out of the Gorge, and stood in that Country; and

for all that I did feel fresh troubled and bewildered, yet was I rejoiceful, as you may believe, in

the surprising light and splendour of that sudden Land.

And before that I had come down out of the great Gorge, I had stood high within the mouth

thereof, and lookt well out over the mighty Country. And I had counted seven and twenty great

volcanoes, and this doth not take heed of two monstrous ranges of fire-hills that burned afar off,

something unto my right. Neither doth it take account of an hundred thousand lesser places of

fire.

And truly it did seem a very land of fire and water. For there was a small fire-hill stood within

a sea, as it did seem no more than a little mile from that place where I did stand. And maybe a

score to the back of it, spread all about. And here shall I do proper to tell concerning the seas.

For there were of these, that I did count at that time, three that were small, and a mighty sea that

went onward for ever into the red light of the fire-hills, so that it was gone utterly out of my

sight, and did show no ending.

And there rose up out of the seas, islands; and on the islands, volcanoes. But in other parts the

fire-hills did come upward straightly from the sea. And over the near sea, as it did seem, there

lay a plentitude of steam, as that the sea did boil at whiles and in diverse places.

And there did seem to me, as it were within the red atmosphere of that place, as that there were

a muttering thunder, low and constant, shaking the air, now from that distance and now from

this, and this did I judge to be the voices of the fire-hills, speaking with the fire that lived in

them.

And you shall conceive how utter new was all this unto me; for there was in that Country a

constant Voice of the Energy of Life, so that the World-Noise of this our Age was even there

again, and with a keen and undoubted apparentness; and the more so, some ways, than now.

And here shall I set down more closely the things that were ready to my gaze.

And first, that it did much attract me, there was a huge and blackened mountain unto the left of

the mouth of the Gorge, and the mountain did go upward into the night, maybe fifteen and

maybe twenty miles. And there was a mighty peaked volcano that grew out from the side of the

mountain so high up as five miles, as I did guess that height; and this was upon the far side. And

above this there was a second, maybe nine or ten great miles up in the blackness of the night that

hung afar upward. And, as that this were not great wonder enough, there did burn and glow two

other mighty fire-hills, at an utter height, upon the left crest of that black mountain; and these

were upward so monstrous a way, as that they did seem to make strange and smouldering suns

within the night. And truly, as you shall perceive, this was a wondrous thing.

And below these upward fire-hills there rose up from the earth vast mountains of ash and

burned stuff, that had been cast forth by these perched volcanoes, and had poured downward

unto the earth throughout Eternity, and so to build grey and sombre monuments unto the dreadful

glory of Time.

And to my right there was always sea and sea and the red blazing of the fire-hills; but unto my

left, there were mighty forests, and there rose upward here and in that place, as that they were

beyond the great woods, monstrous fire-hills. And so do you take from me something of that first

impressing upon my brain and sense.

And after that I had come down out of the mouth of the great Gorge, as I did tell a little while

gone, I came upon a pause; for, surely, which way was the way proper unto my search. And I

lookt about for a great while, and afterward did climb back into the Gorge, and called myself

foolish, that I had not thought to map my way ere I came down.

And when I was come up into the Gorge again, lo! I saw that there was but one way that I

should go; for truly, as I have said, there was only the seas unto my right; but unto the left, where

the shores did meet the seas, there seemed, so far as mine eyes did tell to me, a clear way for a

space. And mayhap, when I had come so far, I should even find a further way to go forward. And

so did I descend again unto the Country of the Seas, as I did ever call that red-shining country of

water and fire.

And by, that I was come again from the height of the Gorge, it was four and twenty hours since

that I did last sleep; so that I was fain that I should put into some nook, and come to slumber, as

you shall well believe.

And I found me a neat and proper place, where three great trees grew about a little basin of

rock that was very dry and warm. And here, after that I had eat three of the tablets, and drunk

some of the water--the while that my belly did yearn, as ever, for proper eating-stuff--I made my

bed in the little basin of the rock, and lay me down, and did begin to think awhile upon Naani;

but was gone over to sleep before that I was aware.

And lo! I was suddenly awake, and did find that I swam in a hot water; and a mercy, I did

think, was it that I was not drowned as I did sleep. And I gat me to my feet, and the basin was

full of water, hot and steaming, and pungent to the taste, as well I did know. And I perceived

now that the water poured in from a smoothed slit upon the far side, and did come with a strange

gurgling and bubbling, so that I conceived some deep well to boil, and thus to drive upward this

water into the basin; and glad was I that it did not boil as it came forth.

And surely, now that I was upon the dry land, and did consider, I did quickly suppose that the

water had poured forth at seasons into the basin for an eternity of time, and afterward did go

back by fissures in the bottom of the basin; and this to happen, as I soon did find, a little beyond

the length of every hour; and, indeed the basin to empty slow as I did watch.

Now, being much wetted, I stript off mine armour, having before this dipt out mine effects

from the hot pool, and so did come down to the naked flesh, and I found a place where the rock

was hot, and here I did spread my garments. And whilst that they came to dryness, I gat me into

the hot pool, and had a very pleasant bathing, and did have no great fear of any dangerous thing;

for, as it did seem, I had surely left all such behind, within the Night Lands. Yet did I have the

Diskos upon the pool edge to my hand; for I had no proper assurance in this matter. Yet, as it did

prove, there were many monstrous beasts in that Country; but never did I feel the nearness and

horrid power of any Evil Force; for these, as I do conceive, were congregate and gathered about

the Mighty Pyramid, being attracted thereto by the great spiritual essence of so wondrous a

multitude of humans gotten so close in one spot, even as sharks do come after the ship that hath

bullocks within. Yet, how that the Evil Powers were given entrance unto this State of our Life, I

have no sure knowing; yet have I put forward certain thoughts on this matter in an earlier place;

and more than such thinkings is surely vanity; for there is no certainty in my Reasoning

concerning the thing.

Now, presently was my clothing dry; yet before this, I had come out from that bath, which

truly was nigh all gone backward into the earth. And I dressed me again, and got my armour

upon me, and afterward was I in a more lightsome state of the mind; and yet very ready to come

again unto my sleep. And this I did, and had six hours more beside the pool; and once was

wakened somewhat by the gruntling and bubbling noise of the water, that was made as the pool

did fill time and again.

And when the six hours were gone, I waked very well fitted in my senses and feelings to go

forward again through that red-lighted Country; and this I did, after that I had eat and drunk.

Now all that day I went forward at a great pace; and the nameless woods were unto my left,

and the shores of the seas unto my right. And oft did I find that the trees grew even into the

water, so that oft did I go forward among the trees, and a very wonderful thing was this to me,

that never had known before in all my life, until I was come into that Country, how that a glad

and wild mystery doth live among forest trees. For there was no such strange wildness among the

groves of the Underground Fields; though a solemn beauty in plenty. And the scent of the woods

was sweet unto my spirit, as you shall wot.

Now all the time that I did go, there was the shore unto my right; but alway to my left, and

around me oft-times as I did say, the great forests. And as I did go, lo! there was life in all those

darksome woods, and living eyes did peer out odd whiles upon me, and afterward go backward

into the dark; so that I wotted not whether to fear, or to have no heed of trouble. Yet naught did

come anigh to me, to make any hurt.

And thrice in that day did I come to little fire-hills that burnt redly, and sent out fire and noise,

so that I heard their trouble each time through the forest, before that I was come to them. And

about each was there a deadness and desolation, where the fire had killed the big trees; yet, as I

did observe, the quick life of little plants did grow more nigh, as that they were born and lived

between the times of the fire-bursts. And this I do take it that you perceive.

And in that one day I past thirty and seven boiling springs; but whether they boiled truly, I do

have no knowledge; only that they sent out a great steam oft-times; and some did make a strong

roaring noise; so that to hear them afar off in the forests was to think odd times that some wild

beast roared strangely.

Now, when the eighteenth hour was come, I sat me down, as I had done upon the sixth and the

twelfth hours, and eat two of the tablets, and drank some of the water, which here did fizz very

rich and quick.

And afterward I lay down to my slumber, for I was greatly wearied. And I had chosen a place

against a great rock, which was so that no creature might come upon me from behind. And I

came easy upon sleep; but yet I did fix it upon me that I slumber only with the body; for I did

know, by the shining of the eyes in the darksome woods, that strange creatures abode in the

mighty forests.

And ere I was gone over to sleep, I thought upon Naani, as I had done much all that day, as

though her spirit did hover near unto mine, and did strive pitiful to speak with me. And this I set

out to you, that you shall know how it did seem unto me in my thoughts and fancyings. And as I

lay there, I put a blessing upon her, and a determination into my heart that I make a more

desperate speed of my going, if that might be; so that I come the sooner to that strange, and

unknown place in the dead world where did stand the lesser Refuge. And I was then asleep in a

moment.

And lo! sudden I was awake. And lovely was the brightness of that Country, that did show me

in a moment my danger, and did not keep me suspend in fearful Doubt, as did the grey darkness

and strange shadows and lights of the Night Land. For I saw, on the instant that I got me to mine

elbow, how that certain things did crouch within the borders of the trees, no more than a score

paces off. And I perceived in a moment that my spirit had been given knowledge, and had

wakened me. And I stared, the while that I did grip the Diskos; and I saw that there were six

squat men that were humpt at the neck and shoulder; and they did crouch all there in a row, and

were something hid by the shadows; and I perceived that they watched me; and the eyes of the

men did shine like the eyes of beasts; and so shall you know somewhat of the strange terror that

came upon me. Yet had I the Diskos and mine armour; and though my heart did shake a little, yet

was my spirit assured to conquer.

Now I gat me to my feet, and had the Diskos ready within my hand; and behold! I could not

see the Humped Men, for they were gone from that place; yet never did I see them go, though I

had kept my gaze very steadfast upon that part where they did hide. And, as you shall

understand, I was near ready to believe that there had been nothing there within the border of the

wood; yet truly I knew that the men with the humps had been there, as I had seen.

Now, I looked presently, and found that I had slept five hours; and I eat two of the tablets, as I

did stand there, watchful; and afterward drank some of the water; and so was ready to go forward

again; for I was grown very anxious to be gone from that place; and did have no knowledge but

that those strangely humpt Men were but a little way off, among the trees, and might come upon

me in a moment; or, further, that they did go to call an army of other humped men to my

destruction.

And after that I was ready, and had my gear secure upon me, I set off at a great stride, and did

hold the Diskos very handy, and lookt this way and lookt that way, and all the while made

onward with speed; for, truly, I was grown so lean and hard that it did seem to me that I had

power to out-pace those men or aught else of their kind.

And all that day, through thirty great hours did I go forward, at that stride, and did always

watch; and at every sixth hour, I eat two of the tablets and drank a little of the water, and went

onward again.

And so did I hope that I was lost from those Humped Men. Yet, though I did hope, my faith

was not this wise; for twice and thrice did it come to me that there went things through the

woods to my left all that day, and did keep always to a level with my speed; yet were always hid.

And, as you shall believe, this did be a very shaking thing to my heart, and did make my hope of

but little account.

Now, because that I had no faith to company my hope, I was not easy to have slumber, until

that I was come to a place proper and safe. And so, as I have told, I went onward through thirty

great hours; and, in truth, in all that while I did find nowhere that did seem to fit my need.

And lo! about the end of the thirtieth hour, I perceived that there was water ahead, besides the

water of the sea that was ever to my right. And I thought, maybe, that the sea did go inward at

that part of the land; but it was otherwise; for when I was gotten to that place, I found that a river

came into the sea, and did come out of all the country that lay unto my left.

And in the mouth of this river, there was a small island; and surely I did look across to the

island, and think it a refuge from the Humped Men that did surely play dog upon my going. Yet,

truly, this was but an idle thought, and my need was that I should come to some way to cross

over the river, that I go forward beside the great sea, which did stretch onward, as it did seem for

ever, before me upon the far side.

And I knew not how to go across; for I had no power to swim, and had I swum, there were

surely monsters in that great and warm-flowing river, as you shall believe.

And I went upward of the river-bank, that I might come to some place where the river did

narrow; and surely I had been like to walk a mighty distance to this purpose, but that I came soon

to a second river that did enter the first, not a mile above the shore of the sea; so that, as you do

perceive, there was the sea to one side of me, and this second river unto the other, and the first

river before me; and thus was I sorely perplexed, as any had been truly that was in a like trouble.

Yet, as it did chance, the need to go forward, and the danger of the Humped Men, put wit into

me, so that I lookt about for a tree that was fallen. And there were many, yet great, so that I was

much wearied and something strained of the spirit, before that I gat two little trees unto the

water.

Now, when this was done, I made me a rough pole of a young tree-plant; and afterward, I

lashed the two trees together with my belts and straps, and so had somewhat of a raft.

And you shall picture that, all the time as I did go about this business, I was very heedful lest

the Humped Men should come upon me, ere that I was gone free upon the water. And this

constant heeding did double the labour of my work, as you shall perceive; yet, in the end, it was

done, and I ready to adventure over the river.

And so I did push off with the pole, and I pusht and paddled maybe the half of an hour, for,

indeed it was all a clumsy contriving, and mayhap I the more so in my labours. Yet, presently, I

was come so far over, that I drew nigh to the island; and it did seem a wise and proper thing that

I should have my slumber there, and afterward go onward to the farther shore. And this I did; and

after that I had eat and drunk, as ever, I lay down to sleep.

And by this time it was three and thirty hours since last I did slumber; so that I was bitterly

awearied.

And I had a great and restful sleep; for, truly, the island did seem a very safe place; and, in

verity, I came to no harm, though I was as a dead man for nine great hours; and so shall you

perceive my weariness.

And when I was come proper awake, I eat two of the tablets, and drank some of the water; and

afterward made an end of my voyage, and then did take back my belts and straps from binding

the trees, and so forward again upon my way, and no more fearful of the Humped Men; for,

surely, I did think I had left them all upon the far shore of the river; though afterward I minded

me that they might grow likewise upon the two sides; but yet was I only discovered by those

upon the one, as you do know.

And all that day I went very swift, and past many strange matters and did coast upon wonders

oft. And at the sixth and the twelfth hours did I eat and drink, as ever; and between the eighth

and the fourteenth hours did I come past two mighty fire-hills, that made all the Country to

tremble with their noise. And four times did monstrous creatures pass by me; but I was swift hid,

and came to no harm.

And oft as I did go, were my thoughts upon the dear Maid that I journeyed to save from

destruction. Yet, as you must see, always were my thinkings brought sharply unto my going; so

that scarce was I ever set off to ponder upon Naani, but that there came some danger or wonder

to give me heed to my way. And because of this, as you have learned, I was more put to plan free

of the instant trouble and peril of my way, through all that mighty journey, than to have quiet

chance for thoughts of love unto mine Own. Yet, truly, was not my journey one whole thought of

love unto Naani? And, that peril made oft dumb my brain, was but the truer song unto my Maid.

And at times I was among trees; but oft did go past unnumbered boiling springs and small fire-

hills; and oft was the air full of the noise of the little fire-hills, and the roar of the boiling springs;

but there came no harm unto me.

And a thousand times did I perceive things that had life; and I made a very cautious way;

though with a great speed and cleverness of going that made my heart glad.

William Hope Hodgson - The Dark Pyramid.pdf

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