s
the rich man had a beauteous daughter; history is full of the social
successes of swine herds. Amyntas felt a strange thrill as the dark lake
came before his mind; he almost heard the lapping of the water....
Kings' daughters had often looked upon lowly swineherds and raised them
to golden thrones. But he could not help going to look again at the dark
opening between the little trees. He walked back and again the cold
breath blew against his face; he felt in it the icy coldness of the
water. It drew him in; he separated the little trees on either side. He
walked on as if a hidden power urged him. And now the path became less
clear; trees and bushes grew in the way and hindered him, brambles and
long creeping plants twisted about his legs and pulled him back. But the
wind with its coldness of the black water drew him on.... The birds of
the air were hushed, and not one of the thousand insects of the wood
uttered a note. Great trees above him hid the light. The silence was
ghastly; he felt as if he were the only person in the world.

Suddenly he gave a cry; he had come to the end of the forest, and before
him he saw the opening of the cavern. He looked in; he saw black,
stagnant water, motionless and heavy, and, as far as the eye could
reach, sombre pillars, covered with green, moist slime; they stood half
out of the water, supporting the roof, and from the roof oozed moisture
which fell in heavy drops, in heavy drops continually. At the entrance
was a little skiff with a paddle in it.

Amyntas stood at the edge. Dared he venture? What could there be behind
that darkness? The darkness was blacker than the blackest night. He
stepped into the boat. Should he go? With beating heart he untied the
rope; he hardly dared to breathe. He pushed away.

XI

He looked to the right and left, paddling slowly; on all sides he saw
the slimy columns stretching regularly into the darkness. The light of
the open day grew dimmer as he advanced, the air became colder. He
looked eagerly around him, paddling slowly. Already he half repented the
attempt. The boat went along easily, and the black and heavy water
hardly splashed as he drew his paddle through it. Still nothing could
be seen but the even ranks of pillars. Then, all at once, the night grew
blacker, and again the cold wind arose and blew in his face; everywhere
was the ghastly silence and the darkness. A shiver went through him; he
could not bear it; in an agony of terror he t