ell my story
to the world and make me a laughingstock. Well, if they do, what does it
matter? None of those Western fools would believe it; thinking that they
knew all; like Bickley they would mock and say that they were mad, or
liars."

Again Tommy licked his hand, but more confidently, as though instinct
told him something of what was passing in Oro's mind. I watched with
an idle wonder, marvelling whether it were possible that this merciless
being would after all spare us for the sake of the dog.

So, strange to say, it came about, for suddenly Oro looked up and said:

"Get you gone, and quickly, before my mood changes. The hound has saved
you. For its sake I give you your lives, who otherwise should certainly
have died. She who has gone pointed out to you, I doubt not, a road that
runs to the upper air. I think that it is still open. Indeed," he added,
closing his eyes for a moment, "I see that it is still open, if long
and difficult. Follow it, and should you win through, take your boat and
sail away as swiftly as you can. Whether you die or live I care nothing,
but my hands will be clean of your blood, although yours are stained
with Yva's. Begone! and my curse go with you."

Without waiting for further words we went to fetch our lanterns,
water-bottles and bag of food which we had laid down at a little
distance. As we approached them I looked up and saw Oro standing some
way off. The light from one of the blue globes of fire which passed
close above his head, shone upon him and made him ghastly. Moreover, it
seemed to me as though approaching death had written its name upon his
malevolent countenance.

I turned my head away, for about his aspect in those sinister
surroundings there was something horrible, something menacing and
repellent to man and of him I wished to see no more. Nor indeed did I,
for when I glanced in that direction again Oro was gone. I suppose that
he had retreated into the shadows where no light played.

We gathered up our gear, and while the others were relighting the
lanterns, I walked a few paces forward to the spot where Yva had been
dissolved in the devouring fire. Something caught my eye upon the rocky
floor. I picked it up. It was the ring, or rather the remains of the
ring that I had given her on that night when we declared our love amidst
the ruins by the crater lake. She had never worn it on her hand but for
her own reasons, as she told me, suspended it upon her breast benea