e men at the helms.

"Well," I said, humouring his whim, "what is it?"

"I'm thinking," said Tob, "that my Lord Deucalion will remember me
only as a very rude fellow when he steps ashore amongst all this fine
gentility."

"You don't think," said I, "anything of the kind."

"Then I must prove my refinement," said Tob, "and not contradict." He
picked up my hand in his huge, hard fist, and pressed it. "By the Gods,
Deucalion, you may be a great prince, but I've only known you as a
man. You're the finest fighter of beasts and men that walks this world
to-day, and I love you for it. That spear-stroke of yours on the lizard
is a thing the singers in the taverns shall make chaunts about."

We drew rapidly into the harbour, the soldiers in the entrance castle
blowing their trumpets in welcome as we passed between them. The captain
of the port had run up my banner to the masthead of his boat, having
been provided with one apparently for this purpose of announcement, and
from the quays, across the vast basin of the harbour, there presently
came to us the noises of musicians, and the pale glow of welcoming
fires, dancing under the sunlight. I was almost awed to think that an
Empress of Atlantis had come to such straits as to feel an interest like
this in any mere returning subject.

It was clear that nothing was to be done by halves. The port-captain's
boat led, and we had no choice but to follow. Our galley was run up
alongside the royal quay and moored to its posts and rings of gold, all
of which are sacred to the reigning house.

"If Dason could only have foreseen this honour," said Tob, with grisly
jest, "I'm sure he'd have laid in a silken warp to make fast on the
bollards instead of mere plebeian hemp. I'm sure there'd be a frown on
Dason's head this minute, if the sun hadn't scorched it stiff. My Lord
Deucalion, will you pick your way with niceness over this common ship
and tread on the genteel carpet they've spread for you on the quay
yonder?"

The port-captain heard Tob's rude banter and looked up with a face of
horror, and I remembered, with a small sigh, that colonial freedom would
have no place here in Atlantis. Once more I must prepare myself for all
the dignity of rank, and make ready to tread the formalities of vast and
gorgeous ceremonial.

But, be these things how they may, a self-respecting man must preserve
his individuality also, and though I consented to enter a pavilion of
crimson cloth, specially