Subject: sterile gourd

From: "Eleanor Pierce" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 22:24:37 +0300

I could not stay still, but roamed aboutexamining the ill-favoured ikons. The placesmelt dank and unused and mouldy, like a kirk in winter-time insome Highland glen. I raised my arms in the orthodox ghostly fashion, howledlike a banshee, and broke for the open. I could see the ragged edges and the inkydarkness of the shrubberies beyond. God knew where Maris was or how I should find himagain. Wehad a bad time turning it, for the beach stopped and the rock fellsheer to the water.
Shouts arose, meaningless shoutsto me, and I broke through the immediate circle with ease. Now was my opportunity, and I darted into the darkness of the gap. After all, the inhabitants of Kynæthohad nothing as yet against me.
If he was welldisposed towards England, I thought he might recognize the sound ofthe language.
It was garishly painted, and thestigmata were done in a crude scarlet. The men had gone and with them our stores of food andammunition. If he was welldisposed towards England, I thought he might recognize the sound ofthe language. When one moved he walked with his head screwed round facingthe House.
These all smacked evilly of panic and death. ThereJanni talked to sundry villagers and heard queer stories ofKynætho. Presently I was outon the downs, with the yellow levels of the Dancing Floor below meon the right.
Would he row me ashore and meet myfriend?
But my entrance had been observed, and the street was full ofpeople. The stone was assmooth as a water-worn pebble. I strained at it with my hands, but it wouldnot move.
These all smacked evilly of panic and death.
That gave me a hope that the northernapproaches to the House might be unguarded. As my eyes grew accustomed to it, I made out thefeatures of the interior. I could not stay still, but roamed aboutexamining the ill-favoured ikons. About his master heremained stubbornly silent.
I was beginning tofeel chilly, and felt that I must do something more than prospectfrom the water. Our forces were divided with nolink of communication.
I watched it for five minutes and nothingmoved aboard.