faffda

That day the thermometer went down to 3 degrees below zero. The weather was pretty calm, and the cold without breeze was bearable. Hatteras profited by the clearness of the atmosphere to reconnoitre the surrounding plains; he climbed one of the highest icebergs to the north, and could see nothing, as far as his telescope would let him, but ice-fields and icebergs. No land anywhere, but the image of chaos in its saddest aspect. He came back on board trying to calculate the probable duration of his captivity. The hunters, and amongst them the doctor, James Wall, Simpson, Johnson, and Bell, did not fail to supply the ship with fresh meat. Birds had disappeared; they were gone to less rigorous southern climates. The ptarmigans, a sort of partridge, alone stay the winter in these latitudes; they are easily killed, and their great number promised an abundant supply of game. There were plenty of hares, foxes, wolves, ermine, and bears; there were enough for any sportsman, English, French, or Norwegian; but they were difficult to get at, and difficult to distinguish on the white plains from the whiteness of their fur; when the intense cold comes their fur changes colour, and white is their winter colour. The doctor found that this change of fur is not caused by the change of temperature, for it takes place in the month of October, and is simply a precaution of Providence to guard them from the rigour of a boreal winter.

Seals were abundant in all their varieties, and were particularly sought after by the hunters for the sake, not only of their skins, but their fat, which is very warming; besides which, the liver of these animals makes excellent fuel: hundreds of them were to be seen, and two or three miles to the north of the brig the ice was literally perforated all over with the holes these enormous amphibians make; only they smelt the hunters from afar, and many were wounded that escaped by plunging under the ice. However, on the 19th, Simpson managed to catch one at about a hundred yards from the ship; he had taken the precaution to block up its hole of refuge so that it was at the mercy of the hunters. It took several bullets to kill the animal, which measured nine feet in length; its bulldog head, the sixteen teeth in its jaws, its large pectoral fins in the shape of pinions, and its little tail, furnished with another pair of fins, made it a good specimen of the family of dog-hound fish. The doctor, wishing to preserve the head for his natural history collection, and its skin for his future use, had them prepared by a rapid and inexpensive process. He plunged the body of the animal into the hole in the ice, and thousands of little prawns soon ate off all the flesh; in half a day the work was accomplished, and the most skilful of the honourable corporation of Liverpool tanners could not have succeeded better.

As soon as the sun had passed the autumnal equinox — that is to say, on the 23rd of September — winter may be said to begin in the Arctic regions. The sun disappears entirely on the 23rd of October, lighting up with its oblique rays the summits of the frozen mountains. The doctor wished him a traveller’s farewell; he was not going to see him again till February. But obscurity is not complete during this long absence of the sun; the moon comes each month to take its place as well as she can; starlight is very bright, and there is besides frequent aurora borealis, and a refraction peculiar to the snowy horizons; besides, the sun at the very moment of his greatest austral declination, the 21st of December, is still only 13 degrees from the Polar horizon, so that there is twilight for a few hours; only fogs, mists, and snowstorms often plunge these regions into complete obscurity. However, at this epoch the weather was pretty favourable; the partridges and the hares were the only animals that had a right to complain, for the sportsmen did not give them a moment’s peace; they set several fox-traps, but the suspicious animals did not let themselves be caught so easily; they would often come and eat the snare by scratching out the snow from under the trap; the doctor wished them at the devil, as he could not get them himself. On the 25th of October the thermometer marked more than 4 degrees below zero. A violent tempest set in; the air was thick with snow, which prevented a ray of light reaching the Forward. During several hours they were very uneasy about Bell and Simpson, who had gone too far whilst hunting; they did not reach the ship till the next day, after having lain for a whole day in their buckskins, whilst the tempest swept the air about them, and buried them under five feet of snow. They were nearly frozen, and the doctor had some trouble to restore their circulation.

The tempest lasted a week without interruption. It was impossible to stir out. In a single day the temperature varied fifteen and twenty degrees. During their forced idleness each one lived to himself; some slept, others smoked, or talked in whispers, stopping when they saw the doctor or Johnson approach; there was no moral union between the men; they only met for evening prayers, and on Sunday for Divine service. Clifton had counted that once the 78th parallel cleared, his share in the bounty would amount to 375 pounds; he thought that enough, and his ambition did not go beyond. The others were of the same opinion, and only thought of enjoying the fortune acquired at such a price. Hatteras was hardly ever seen. He neither took part in the hunting nor other excursions. He felt no interest in the meteorological phenomena which excited the doctor’s admiration. He lived for one idea; it was comprehended in three words — the North Pole. He was constantly looking forward to the moment when the Forward, once more free, would begin her adventurous voyage again.

In short, it was a melancholy life; the brig, made for movement, seemed quite out of place as a stationary dwelling; her original form could not be distinguished amidst the ice and snow that covered her, and she was anything but a lively spectacle. During these unoccupied hours the doctor put his travelling notes in order — the notes from which this history is taken; he was never idle, and the evenness of his humour remained the same, only he was very glad to see the tempest clearing off so as to allow him to set off hunting once more. On the 3rd of November, at six in the morning, with a temperature at 5 degrees below zero, he started, accompanied by Johnson and Bell; the plains of ice were level; the snow, which covered the ground thickly, solidified by the frost, made the ground good for walking; a dry and keen cold lightened the atmosphere; the moon shone in all her splendour, and threw an astonishing light on all the asperities of the field; their footsteps left marks on the snow, and the moon lighted up their edges, so that they looked like a luminous track behind the hunters whose shadows fell on the ice with astonishing outlines.

The doctor had taken his friend Dick with him; he preferred him to the Greenland dogs to run down the game for a good reason; the latter do not seem to have the scent of their brethren of more temperate climates. Dick ran on and often pointed out the track of a bear, but in spite of his skill the hunters had not even killed a hare after two hours’ walking.

“Do you think the game has gone south too?” asked the doctor, halting at the foot of a hummock.

“It looks like it, Mr. Clawbonny,” answered the carpenter.

“I don’t think so,” answered Johnson; “hares, foxes, and bears are accustomed to the climate; I believe the late tempest is the cause of their disappearance; but with the south winds they’ll soon come back. Ah! if you said reindeers or musk-oxen it would be a different thing.”

“But it appears those, too, are found in troops in Melville Island,” replied the doctor; “that is much further south, I grant you; when Parry wintered there he always had as much game as he wanted.”

“We are not so well off,” said Bell; “if we could only get plenty of bear’s flesh I should not complain.”

“Bears are very difficult to get at,” answered the doctor; “it seems to me they want civilising.”

“Bell talks about the bear’s flesh, but we want its fat more than its flesh or its skin,” said Johnson.

“You are right, Johnson; you are always thinking about the fuel.”

“How can I help thinking about it? I know if we are ever so careful of it we’ve only enough left for three weeks.”

“Yes,” replied the doctor, “that is our greatest danger, for we are only at the beginning of November, and February is the coldest month of the year in the Frozen Zone; however, if we can’t get bear’s grease we can rely on that of the seals.”

“Not for long, Mr. Clawbonny,” answered Johnson. “They’ll soon desert us too; either through cold or fright, they’ll soon leave off coming on to the surface of the ice.”

“Then we must get at the bears,” said the doctor; “they are the most useful animals in these countries: they furnish food, clothes, light, and fuel. Do you hear, Dick?” continued he, caressing his friend; “we must have a bear, so look out.”

Dick, who was smelling the ice as the doctor spoke, started off all at once, quick as an arrow. He barked loudly, and, notwithstanding his distance, the sportsmen heard him distinctly. The extreme distance to which sound is carried in these low temperatures is astonishing; it is only equalled by the brilliancy of the constellations in the boreal sky.

The sportsmen, guided by Dick’s barking, rushed on his traces; they had to run about a mile, and arrived quite out of breath, for the lungs are rapidly suffocated in such an atmosphere. Dick was pointing at about fifty paces from an enormous mass at the top of a mound of ice.

“We’ve got him,” said the doctor, taking aim.

“And a fine one,” added Bell, imitating the doctor.

“It’s a queer bear,” said Johnson, waiting to fire after his two companions.

Dick barked furiously. Bell advanced to within twenty feet and fired, but the animal did not seem to be touched. Johnson advanced in his turn, and after taking a careful aim, pulled the trigger.

“What,” cried the doctor, “not touched yet? Why, it’s that cursed refraction. The bear is at least a thousand paces off.”

The three sportsmen ran rapidly towards the animal, whom the firing had not disturbed; he seemed to be enormous, and without calculating the dangers of the attack, they began to rejoice in their conquest. Arrived within reasonable distance they fired again; the bear, mortally wounded, gave a great jump and fell at the foot of the mound. Dick threw himself upon it.

“That bear wasn’t difficult to kill,” said the doctor.

“Only three shots,” added Bell in a tone of disdain, “and he’s down.”

“It’s very singular,” said Johnson.

“Unless we arrived at the very moment when it was dying of old age,” said the doctor, laughing.

So speaking, the sportsmen reached the foot of the mound, and, to their great stupefaction, they found Dick with his fangs in the body of a white fox.

“Well, I never!” cried Bell.

“We kill a bear and a fox falls,” added the doctor.

Johnson did not know what to say.

“Why!” said the doctor, with a roar of laughter, “it’s the refraction again!”

“What do you mean, Mr. Clawbonny?” asked the carpenter.

“Why, it deceived us about the size as it did about the distance. It made us see a bear in a fox’s skin.”

“Well,” answered Johnson, “now we’ve got him, we’ll eat him.”

Johnson was going to lift the fox on to his shoulders, when he cried like Bell —“Well, I never!”

“What is it?” asked the doctor.

“Look, Mr. Clawbonny — look what the animal’s got on its neck; it’s a collar, sure enough.”

“A collar?” echoed the doctor, leaning over the animal. A half worn-out collar encircled the fox’s neck, and the doctor thought he saw something engraved on it; he took it off and examined it.

“That bear is more than twelve years old, my friends,” said the doctor; “it’s one of James Ross’s foxes, and the collar has been round its neck ever since 1848.”

“Is it possible?” cried Bell.

“There isn’t a doubt about it, and I’m sorry we’ve shot the poor animal. During his wintering James Ross took a lot of white foxes in his traps, and had brass collars put round their necks on which were engraved the whereabouts of his ships, the Enterprise and the Investigator, and the store magazines. He hoped one of them might fall into the hands of some of the men belonging to Franklin’s expedition. The poor animal might have saved the lives of the ship’s crews, and it has fallen under our balls.”

“Well, we won’t eat him,” said Johnson, “especially as he’s twelve years old. Anyway, we’ll keep his skin for curiosity sake.” So saying he lifted the animal on his shoulders, and they made their way to the ship, guided by the stars; still their expedition was not quite fruitless: they bagged several brace of ptarmigans. An hour before they reached the Forward, a phenomenon occurred which excited the astonishment of the doctor; it was a very rain of shooting stars; they could be counted by thousands, like rockets in a display of fireworks. They paled the light of the moon, and the admirable spectacle lasted several hours. A like meteor was observed at Greenland by the Moravian brothers in 1799. The doctor passed the whole night watching it, till it ceased, at seven in the morning, amidst the profound silence of the atmosphere.

  Tiffany Earrings

"Hey! Wait a minute!" Shocked Tang Ziming shout blanc. "After receiving my call last night?"

"Received a 'good night'. Right? But the message is' Mr. Tang, I figure out, guess it's you. Your voice is a little thick, but also not be listen to into old masterses son, tease me to death! Gentle talking at a later time. Bye." Say and leaf blanc head away and never look back.

Tang Ziming one just bask in the sun. Mouth has made a mouth, bye bye voice was stuck in my throat has not come out. Until she leaves blanc completely disappear, let out a sad sigh, weakly turned away.

In the history of the event can be classified as Tang Ziming love setback for the first time. Sad is some, but not serious, the main reason is this setback came hard and odd, worth thinking taste, Tang Ziming never willingly put the odd failure and the so-called lovelorn an approximation. Tang Ziming chaotic at home after a few days in the wilderness, in a suddenly enlightened: when brushing your teeth, she thinks, the leaf blanc inexplicable apathy, must be because he also fell in love with himself, is worldly conditions, including age, education has produced a great deal of struggle and suffering. Yes, it is certain!

If he doesn't love me, why give me picture? If he doesn't love me, why invite I to have a meal alone? If he doesn't love me, why leave a pager number, also when you say, think he went to see him? If he doesn't love me, why so moody? Clearly this is a symptom of love!

The belated startling discovery let Tang Ziming blood brain, excitement came close to the toilet. Oh, the poor leaf blanc, originally also and endure this love! See a defiant appearance, he was so shy reserved!

Tang Ziming be elated to turn in circles in the bathroom. What is happiness? Happiness is the along while to find one you love also love yourself ah. Now his life is bad, always say lucked out! Now just said one sentence, Pierce that layer of historic enough! Blanc dare not say, it doesn't matter, it will do me good. This all what age, the pursuit of love, everyone duty!

Tang Ziming mouth with a toothbrush, rubbing their hands to walk up and down the steps. Depressed, dull to live for so many years finally can do a heroic event with a bang!

To do the following, is planning how to do sweetheart. Tang Ziming first thought is to send him a bunch of red roses. Flowers itself, although no originality, a 15 year old girl to give some flowers to a 22 year old boy have a powerful innovation is a very fashionable thing! Courage to do it and feminist belief Tang Ziming possess, but she suddenly thought of, if a male chauvinist pig, blanc, perhaps a good thing is roses for mixing yellow, not line not line.

So, for an interview. With the most primitive and simple expression touched him! But...... The thought of the leaf blanc enigmatic eyes Tang Ziming the palms were sweating. Lao of the most common drugs have let her play roll your tongue, not to mention their love! Which dare to her?

Tang Ziming anxiously picking nails, just think about it just have to let her heart beat faster, it can do.

Either or... Writing a love letter! Implicit and poetic, avoid confrontation, and sensational can unbridled, amounted to less than classical appeal by talking. The ancient and modern is really brilliant idea, no wonder everyone for love crazy! Tang Ziming is not taken into account: a shot in black and white will tend to be the devil. Be old love letter to bitter pit, especially its ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign, from great to common people. Who write love letter, of course, when you are not mad, mad, think to write the song, who can also to think about the possibility of failure or after the break up? Wouldn't it be blasphemy to the love!

Tang Ziming a deep breath, sit to the front of the desk. No idea soon Vince spout, grab a pen can write.

"Brown:  Tiffany Locks

Forgive me to give you this English name. I just suddenly feel sounds very much like your name, just write. Directly to write your name makes me nervous.

You must know that I write to you is for the sake of what. Dare I guess, you are even looking forward to it. I am in love with you. Don't know the word love match not appropriate, I must use it anyway. "Like" if too casually, can't express my feelings for you. Don't ask me why I love you, I also don't know. I only know from see you one eye, my heart is very uncomfortable, is surely because a virus called love.

You will laugh at me naive, pure, impractical. Even now, but it does not conflict with love you. You have 22 actually doesn't consider as what, you already in college don't consider as what, sooner or later I will have a 22 years old birthday! I go to university sooner or later! I now is small, but little also have the right to love! Juliet and romeo, good times don't also is only fourteen years old! As long as you patience to wait for me. I know you also like me. Even though you never said, but I feel I have to come out. I know this words say of have a little spell, but I don't care now! As long as you admit that you also love me, it doesn't matter what I have. Would you please believe that I am not a love when the game, wasted youth girl. I had a very serious attitude to the love! You are my first love. All say first love can't be perfect, I do not believe this evil! I'm very serious tell you: I want to be your girlfriend. You say love disgusting boring don't free, but you also said that because you didn't get it right! I think I can give you happiness, although I don't know what's going to fall in love, how to do a girlfriend. But you can teach me, do you like make me what I will become what appearance, I am willing to give everything for you! As for school, you are a n experienced person, should be able to do my teacher in this respect. My former tutor and younger than you! If you can help me study every day, the study will be how happy matter! In order to catch up with you soon. I will certainly struggle for life, you don't have to worry about! You don't have to worry about anything, just tell me you love me!

Yin sunset night smile, breathe a sigh of relief when she was ice, see Yin sunset night, she suddenly feel a little tired, want to rely on it.

Just was almost up, abruptly halted by reason.

"The tragic princess, perfect performance!" This time, Yin sunset night call ice princess this tragedy, but not a bit ironic, because he himself, and was deeply moved by the ice gwon-chul.

The judges for a while, just reveals his final score: 145.66. Unprecedented free skate. Ice this win!

Finally, LingBingChe entered the finals, with first name and Song Zhenxi is second, and third is a French player to, finally, will be produced in their three people.

Looking for when she was after the match, ice Song Zhenxi shadow, only to find that she didn't know what time has left the ice skating rink. Ice heart when she has some worry, she is so competitive, don't know the blow will not hurt her.

Chapter 6

"I decided to starting today and you together for training." After the game the next day, Song Zhenxi training in carrying things suddenly appeared on a skating rink, solemnly said to ice gwon-chul.

Before Song Zhenxi has always been at home in the luxury rink training, she never together with you. This estimation is affected by the ice in the semi-finals this stimulus, want and ice clear training together, look at the ice clear how much power is strong.

"Uh, ok. Welcome." Ice see Song Zhenxi like sunshine is shining again when she appeared in front of himself, it was. Although is rivals, but more often, ice gwon-chul think they are more like friends.

Song Zhenxi asked with a mischievous wink: "ice, when you are not afraid I imitate you? This is my strong suit."

"Not afraid, because motion can imitate, but the feelings and experiences cannot be copied. Like a semi-final that day, if you do not chose spring sweet but some cheerful music, the loser is likely to be me." Ice unconsciously when she spoke Yin sunset night's point of view, it seems that he has been in the imperceptibly affect the thinking by myself.

Although the contact is not much, but Yin sunset night has in her heart for the position of more and more.

"Well, this problem I also thought that after go home. When I was acting really can't dive in, though I know should how to behave, but just can't understand. If you told me earlier it would be good, I have to change the tune." Song Zhenxi said regretfully, if don't consider myself and ice this is fact.

"In fact, I didn't know that initially, this is one of my friends said, I am just reporting what." Ice honesty hand over to treat, when in fact if she thought earlier, will certainly tell Song Zhenxi, because want to find a good opponent isn't an easy thing.

"Friends? Can you introduce me to?" Song Zhenxi didn't think would someone so much, found himself at the first sight the problem. If have this people, the guidance of its own technology can improve a lot.

"Ha ha, is the first time we have met when you wanted to take the Yin sunset night!" Ice toward the zhen xian when a naughty smile.

"Ah! Is he ah. In fact I just seen his game, and think he is command ability says so. Didn't think he so much! That I more want to challenge you, if I win you when I was in the final, you will give me Yin sunset night, ok?" Song Zhenxi said petulantly, as Yin sunset night is just a toy.

"I'm not her, so she has no right to send you." Yin sunset night don't know when have stood behind the Song Zhenxi, frighten Song Zhenxi jump, turned around to see Yin sunset night: "wow, you are a ghost? Walk is not sound."

"Cut, I use sliding. In this way, the two of you who can to imitate my movements, I think maybe will partner with her." Yin sunset night proudly said, then quickly glide.

Yin sunset night like a vigorous eagle, flying in the blue sky, suddenly jumped up and... Are rapidly rotating air surrounded by half, and then fall to the ground immediately climbed high, it is around a half... Then jumped up again, unexpectedly is air spin around three consecutive half!

This is the thing that no one ever do! Yin sunset night triumphantly looked at them both, as if to show off their achievements.

Ice gwon-chul slipped out one angry and exhaustion systemic strength high jump, everybody came to help her around, a circle, two circles, three, four, four times and a half... Then jumped up high and ice clear feel like overdrawn, but can't lose, or Yin sunset night will surely to make fun of themselves. Think of this, she seemed to have the strength again, and then rotating, and around a half... Again, falling ice clear know they certainly can't jump rotation around half, so changed to spin around, she is like a butterfly, grace and skill. Song Zhenxi watching again and again, when she was bouncing spinning ice just get better mood is blow to the fullest, this is never did before, I have to try... Her at the scene of the inner struggle, there are so many people, if they do not like ice clear, will certainly become a laughing stock of the.  Tiffany Earrings

Couldn't say for sure what kind of feelings, I'm willing to make the appearance of some as snow girl live in my home.

Four years later, all the love and resentment have been completely collapse too. At this point, see xue hui, know she is not snow, but still want to see her eyes... With the most love and hate of look in the eyes to see...

"Uh..." I had some words, "to come to my apartment in front, let's go."

ShenXueHui didn't answer, but elegant nodded, expressionless behind walked to my car.

"Hello... get the front seat!" My red face, very reluctantly said.

All blame that damned ejiao! And now, after the seat is broken, can only let people sit in the front! This is really embarrassing!

I thought ShenXueHui will refuse, thought that she is just indifferent smile, then is very easy to sit to the front of the car, just right nestled in my arms.

The proper feeling let me once again. I'm thinking, if the snow didn't leave me, she should also be as tall as ShenXueHui now, also just can rely on in my arms...

I bite teether, command myself to stop thinking, carrying ShenXueHui headed for my apartment.

2

Breeze gently blowing, before we will ShenXueHui hair and gently brushed up, just floating in me by the collar of my shirt.

My blush has been spread to the ears, the in the mind is like a fawn disorderly bump. However I now heart not from my breasts this girl called ShenXueHui, but because the other two girls.

One is noisy to ejiao, sitting in front of my bike that to want to hide in my arms and to attempt to smash my seat after the girl with a wrench. At the moment, I could deeply understand her mood. The girl sitting in front of the car, the boy girl tightly in the arms surrounded feeling, what is all lovers desire.

Strange, I suddenly have a feeling of betrayal. Now, how I wish I was sitting in front of ejiao, at the same time, I know all this is so afraid of being ejiao. If she knew my car front loaded with another girl, she must be very sad...

Damn! Anyang one, think twice about what's going on in your heart? The girl called ejiao exactly what is in your heart? You do you know...

Another disturb my thoughts at this time of a girl called MoXueQi - it is a four years I have been reluctant to mention name......

"Snow qi! Come on! Look at those people doing?" I turned my head, behind is buying ice cream snow qi to blink less encouraging.

When I was 12 years old, snow girl 13 years old and a half. We ran to the school from a nearby beach lovers, pretended to be a pair of grownup look, holding hands, walking on the beach.

Midsummer afternoon laxatively sunlight on the beach, and we, hot, hot sweet.

"Anyang! Call snow qi sister! Hear?" Xue qi pouting, carrying two vanilla ice cream is back to my side, also "fierce fierce to stare at me."

"Ah, morning and evening is my wife, why call wife sister?" I said with mind.

In a huff, blush with shame of the snow, put an ice-cream into my hand, with a snort, turned around and talk to me.

I laughed, biting a mouthful of sweet ice cream, small plait of naughty to pull up the snow.

"Anyang! Don't hate it? Quick to let go!"  Tiffany Locks

The tone of the command I shrugged off the snow, but cheerily, pointing to a couple sitting on the beach, not far to xue qi to see the past.

"Ha ha, snow qi, you see what are they doing?"

More red in the face of snow, seems to be very hot than a big sun in the sky: "thing! You this kid is really sucks! This kind of thing have what good-looking of!" Her teeth in hatred me, but in the eyes is so curiosity and desire.

Yes, not far from the couple kissing, very sweet. And at that time I and the snow, a lack of, this is one of the first kiss.

"Hey hey, looks fun!" I naughty, also secretly observe reactions of snow.

"What fun? This is fun!" Xue qi said disapprovingly, but has been reluctant to look away from the sweet picture, "don't know what they look like this!"

I laughed, total feel tone seems to be jealous of snow, but I'm really very lovely.

"Yeah, what's that mean?" I deliberately obtuse, "or how about we try - ouch!"

My words haven't say that finish, fist of snow have been ruthlessly in my head.

Small treasure wang to call a sound, it is low head, stick out your tongue licked 3 out of the tears.

"How far is front?"

In the batter pipe, small treasure, "step and small feather like bugs crawling climb as in turn to the front, small feather in the back of the step, ask. Her voice echoed in the pipe, the shock of step o ear pain.

"Quick!" While the small treasure, step up the bottom push side to kohane said. He can look forward to stop the iron net export. O step climb more hard, climbed to exit, he stretched out his hand and caught stop in front of her iron nets, shake a few, set in export the iron on the screen the ashtray is apart.

Step o long sighs, carefully put the block down the baffle grasp in the hand, move his body to see the outside. But the small treasure ass has been blocked in the front step o, o this step can't move your body, the channel is too narrow and can't turn.

"What are you doing?" Kohane stuck in the back, she asked impatiently.

"I stuck to move!" O step hard shouted.

"True trouble!!!!!" Kohane launch quick come, she force systemic tremendous effort to squeeze in front, o step haven't find out is how one and the same was kohane squeeze out the pipe export. And kohane also because too much momentum and follow slip out. They shouted from from the ground more than twenty meters high wall down. Breakdown sound, they fell into a piece of deep water.

Thought he had made up of two people a dog wow to it from the water to take out. O steps are given several saliva, the water and salty and bitter, like the sea...

The sea?

The heart of the step, suddenly sprung up a serious insecurity, he in the water to float a sink, and the water is not deep, the water is not particularly big, here is a man-made pool, o step looked up and saw the metal wall behind and kohane to climb out of the vent. Looked up again, o step see a glass ceiling.

The sky is very blue, the sun was through the transparent zenith o on the steps and kohane's head, the water surface covered with small sunshine broken spot, some dazzling. In the step, and small feather near the pool side is growing they had never seen strange shape of the plant. There seems to be a very huge greenhouse.

Step, stretched out his hand to pull kohane, both of them a piece of toward the tablet is growing plants flourish the shore where to go. Small treasure has climbed up the shore, it sasha vujacic to shake the body of water, standing on the shore, they looked toward the step.

Water inside will also grow some step, never seen of plants. Those plants are born to short and fat, no stem leaf, also was full of soft nap. O step think these plants seem to be moving, because before, step and small feather near they have fled to both sides like slip away.

Water is more and more shallow, can use feet touch the bottom of the pool. Kohane slow lead strength, the side to the shore, while blame step: "how do you didn't say the outside is pool? Now make all soaking wet."

"It's outside is pool, if cement floor directly we fell dead." Step, the mood has been sent to the extreme, he white kohane eye said.

"As you mean, this is my wrong?"

"Of course is you of wrong! If it weren't for you squeeze me let's also not fell so miserably!"

"What! Even if I don't top you let's not from above will fall down!"  tiffany online

O step and small feather are nasty, completely forgot his own situation, kneedeep in water NiYiYan I a noisy to the mouth. At this moment, standing in the small treasure panic to shout loudly.

O step and small feather is still in noisy, completely didn't notice the small treasure reaction in the sink and strange.

A piece of spray in step, and behind kohane zhan, kohane suddenly stop quarrel, she found herself trousers seem to have what things around in the creep, and she bowed his head.

Step in anger, no longer speak, he turned her head to one side, pat to train the water to the land.

Small treasure that more fierce, voice and even with a kind of fear. Kohane see in their own side water put out two thumb weight natural tentacles, and in the center of the pool suddenly splash up a piece of boast eye of splash, in the area of water, there was a huge monster head.

Kohane twist want to escape, but steps but don't know why completely shift doesn't open. O look at step stood on the shore angry figure, kohane feel did a perhaps irreparable wrong, her voice trembling not inhibit up: "o step..."

"What?" O step in anger focusing asked, even the head didn't return.

"Save... help --!"

Too treacherous now, although basically all college teachers teaching methods are like this, have a class does not speak some knowledge, guess and students study the generation of new things, long class is some practical operation, test, fighting and so on.

But the dwarf teachers too pasture cattle eat grass now, or all angel light of their teachers are like this? D can not help but think of the royal glory teachers use small stick on the oppression, reciting their miserable childhood.

WoFuLuo meters from the pocket and the pocket watch, looked at.

"Well, has 11 o 'clock, I don't hold up you go to the dining room to eat lunch, class is over. The jie silk, you wait a moment, and sitting on the stairs in space system apprentice sorcerers apprentice robe of girl, you will leave once, the other students, can leave, remember to bring the first card."

He left jie silk, is everyone expected things, after all, from just the questions he raised, obviously can see jie silk alchemy level is very high, but he left he is do what? D very confused.

Not a few minutes, between each other is not familiar with the students silently out of the classroom, from rotary ladder down. The dwarf teachers from tall foot chair climb down, opened the platform on the left wall a closed door, constructed d and jie wire two people keep up with.

And the whole building other step, iron rotary ladder, hanging in the channel of a few bright magic lamp. Come to an end, WoFuLuo m pushed the head open in the attic floor flap, climbed up.

"Here is my private laboratory."  tiffany store

In fact, attic rather than the roof and floor between the sandwich, the area is very big, but the height is only about 2 meters, the dwarf teacher is large enough, but the two human girl although will not stop but still have oppressive feeling.

The attic was full of laboratory POTS and pans and even corner is piled up with a look very much like a large animal bones. There is only one corner looks a little clean some, with a small bed, XiShuChi and some life appliance, appears to be in the lab WoFuLuo m temporary break point.

And the d than looked, jie wire is a come up eyeful outshine to pounce on the pile on the ground the POTS, or even touch lover's arms so affectionate look, touching the root yellowing huge bones, only poor flow saliva field also not turn to call way: "oh! The teacher, this is the keel."

From one into the attic firm to a pile of clutter items, mouth pronouncing words don't know looking for something WoFuLuo m not ignore her excited, put a a looks like fragile things to throw to lose. Finally from the grocery pile, and turn out a looks like a magnifying glass things.

"Your name?" He left see right to see, put a experiment table things are those who open, then move them to d when the chair.

"In the beginning, you will first be bomb, remember that it is F adjustable line. When baby sing up, let's follow his melody improvise, you see baby when to go to my side, so is the end of the song, let's all abate, remember?" Night hitomi look at summer Chloe ask, face is quite serious.

Summer Chloe quickly nodded.

"Baby," night pupil called baby, "go solo improvisation, you'd better don't refer to the piano, I am afraid she will not come over a half reaction."

"Okay, you two guitarist note, I hand a refers to you, you two began to solo, how to cooperate with your own communication, the drummer attention, the last end of the high tide, tell me with the play period of skills." Baby look at them a few arrangement way.

"Good! No problem." The law said the stock.

The strain of staring at the bill of fare, watching a performance in the students up and down, after they heart makes direct fly off the handle.

"The man down, you should let's." Our quick way.

Looked around, night pupil said: "haven't her, baby top."

Baby took face, nodded his head.

At this time of the audience, but also has restored calm, no longer like the opening and the lively. Because of the several programs so wonderful, so that the back of the program while good, quality is also very high, it's hard to get more warm applause.

It's a 7 class program, the hostess and did not play, she cold standing on the stage side, watching to empty the center of the stage.

"Up!" Night pupil said coldly.

Night hitomi, yao yao holding two identical electric guitar, SCHECTERC - 1 shedevil succubus went on the stage, summer Chloe is help to shangguan stock will frame beat up on stage, go to piano piano bench to sit down. The audience immediately to the spirit, all the enthusiasm of people again expansion up.

"Hey, look, women's band!"

"Ha ha, really?"

"Look at the two girls back the electric guitar, a die!"

"Won't be carry out playing harp nursery rhyme?"

The hall, all eyes were focused on the stage.

Is she! The crowd of the Ming, eyes tightly stared at on the piano before our summer, on the stage, she is still so panic, so shy.

Baby look back the eyes behind the stage, there was no small xuan figure, he bitterly disappointed, knit the brows, he took off his coat, remove hair wrapped in the head, will they walk on the stage side of the speaker, and went on the stage.

In the light, white tight T - shirt, a head of hair, and silver-shiny immediately caused a sensation! "The field!"

"Look, is the field!"

"Is the blow of the field!"

"Can't, how he in our flower? This will not he is in this year's freshman?"

"Come on, today is a new joint performance, you say?"

"That usually in the school why haven't you seen him?"

"Estimated the somebody else has been hidden in the classroom, or just have a class!"

"Which class? Which class? Just to hear you say that he is to announce what class?"

"Please, don't you nympho is good, did not announce. By the way, how can the field with a group of girls play together?"

"Oh, this still use to say? Must be new performance relationship, for collective interests, the teacher say bai."

Under the table has a mess, a piece of chirp zha zha of rumpus.

"The fields, I love you!" Under the table was the female voice rang loud confessions.

Baby face some blue.   tiffany jewellery

Eleven o belongs to the summer.

O bright like to listen to songs cheer Chen, this no doubt.

In the light o o 17 birthday send her cheer Chen "After17" gave her to listen to, o ten no comment, because then they also not too familiar, but distant friend just.

Gentle female voice now has become the pronoun of o bright. As long as heard that song, will naturally think of ten o bright, he good voice and his good smell of perfume. What to do, will not affect my life? Ten o some panic such feeling, on the train should really put up the After17 ". To tell you the truth first ten o doesn't like this song, so gentle no strength song, but no way, o bright like too intense, they naturally drive her. O bright, it is always a great influence people.

Sat on the train, o ten feel very comfortable, slow lyrical melody with the sound of the turbulence.

Step by step through the yesterday, my childish.

My childish give me courage.

Every day in every TV selling new toys,

My toy is my secret.

Since that day, I make a decision.

Since that day, it is not easily accept the invitation of the who.

Since that day, listen to me the truth.

When I am after 17...

We kilts the life of the string, but not be willing to part with or use will it away. It is such a right, clearly say good things, but there is always the idea of regret. Ten o can not let go, it is can not let go.

The train is no longer sing the song, o ten also gradually entered the dreamland.

This train is to the sea.

The sea. Actually there are many people in the shelling, o ten came to the seaside jump out as this is the picture. Can money? She thought, suddenly want to and the children pick up together. Of course and not for the money.

"What are you doing?" Ten o near a little boy asked.

The boy saw her, don't take out to the side, his mouth talking about a "picking shells play ah", he walked away.

To play.

Ten o picking up a broken shells.

"After I take you to the sea."

"Don't."

"Why? Don't like?"

"Yeah, when I was a child to go swimming in the sea is the sea choke, have the shadow."

"There are so serious?" Obviously a little bit bright, nasty, "but I want to take you to ah, my grandmother lives in the sea, every year I go back to see her. I'm here for you, what be afraid of?"

"That you hold me, give me when life."

"We go to pick shells, when I was a child I always found the most beautiful the most complete shell, very much."

"I don't believe, you myopic ah."

"When I was a child and no......"

"That we go to the beach!"

O bright, the big bad Wolf, will only promise never be realized?

O ten squat body, began to finger the finely confounding the stone, sand, with the tide, it will carry secretly is up a lot of surprise. Aquatic plants, small crab, starfish and shell, of course, is not o in 11, she only saw the just. Shell few complete, let alone are living, and she doesn't know why the water of the sea is all some brought emerged.

She is still in decided to find the shells, suddenly someone patted his back, o ten back, is the boy ah.

"Elder sister, go over there to pick it." The boy said, then smile to he refers to the direction of running, and his children to meet.

Ten o feel the little boy very lovely ah, that they there really a lot of shells, and more complete.

The night is the close time respectively. Ten o she found all the shell to the children, and then waved goodbye to them. The evening the sea abnormal beautiful, will be dizzy catch waves into light golden. Ten o found his feet left a small shell, they pick? Shell small and complete, pure white and no fancy grain. Be reserved for memorial now. Think like this, so ten o it firmly in its hand with a grip.

O bright, young is this how you pick the shell? And the other children together, simple but very happy. And I will only noisy pull you go to Internet cafes to play games, this is your so-called is not suitable for it.

From the sea back ten o or didn't resist to light, had a phone call.

"O bright, I go to pick the shell."

"I'm sorry, o ten."

"I won't ask you to do something, I think we all do the most correct choice.

Yes, the right choice. I think so.

O bright in telephone the head for a long time not to talk, then their hung up the phone.

A week will soon be past, and then a week, and in the next week, this is the life now, ten, quiet life, no, bright life, not in arrears or rely on anyone's life.

She suddenly want to pick up all the past, in not know before, on all that you possess, such as writing, such as painting, such as writing songs. She and bright, is at the top of the hill exposure excessive house in recognizing, she played, he walked by, a sunny day. She suddenly had the feeling into notes impulse, after this, o ten no longer wrote songs, she want to leave more energy to care for her, bright. But on the break up, "said and really made every hurt and really so bad? Yes, writing songs.

Picked up the guitar, picked up the paper and pencil, o ten suddenly have the strength.

The write a song now, to give yourself. tiffany outlet

 Frank listened to this revelation with wonder.

　　For the first time in his life he asked himself, ``Whoam I?''

　　``How came I by my name, mother?'' he asked.

　　``I must tell you. After the sudden departure ofthe gentleman who brought you, we happened tothink that we had not asked your name. We accordinglywrote to the address which had been given us,making the inquiry. In return we received a slipof paper containing these words: `The name isimmaterial; give him any name you please. A. M.' ''

　　``You gave me the name of Frank.''

　　``It was Mr. Fowler's name. We should have givenit to you had you been our own boy; as the choicewas left to us, we selected that.''

　　``It suits me as well as any other. How soon didyou leave Brooklyn, mother?''

　　``In a week we had made all arrangements, andremoved to this place. It is a small place, but itfurnished as much work as my husband felt able todo. With the help of the allowance for your support,we not only got on comfortably, but saved up a hundredand fifty dollars annually, which we depositedin a savings bank. But after five years the moneystopped coming. It was the year 1857, the year ofthe great panic, and among others who failed wasGiles Warner's agent, from whom we received ourpayments. Mr. Fowler went to New York to inquireabout it, but only learned that Mr. Warner, weigheddown by his troubles, had committed suicide, leavingno clew to the name of the man who left you withus.''

　　``How long ago was that, mother?''

　　``Seven years ago nearly eight.''

　　``And you continued to keep me, though thepayments stopped.''

　　``Certainly; you were as dear to us as our ownchild--for we now had a child of our own--Grace.

　　We should as soon have thought of casting off heras you.''

　　``But you must have been poor, mother.''

　　``We were economical, and we got along till yourfather died three years ago. Since then it has beenhard work.''

　　``You have had a hard time, mother.''

　　``No harder on your account. You have been agreat comfort to me, Frank. I am only anxious forthe future. I fear you and Grace will suffer after Iam gone.''

　　``Don't fear, mother, I am young and strong; Iam not afraid to face the world with God's help.''

　　``What are you thinking of, Frank?'' asked Mrs.

　　Fowler, noticing the boy's fixed look.

　　``Mother,'' he said, earnestly, ``I mean to seek forthat man you have told me of. I want to find outwho I am. Do you think he was my father?''

　　``He said he was, but I do not believe it. Hespoke with hesitation, and said this to deceive us,probably.''

　　``I am glad you think so, I would not like to thinkhim my father. From what you have told me ofhim I am sure I would not like him.''

　　``He must be nearly fifty now--dark complexion,with dark hair and whiskers. I am afraid thatdescription will not help you any. There are manymen who look like that. I should know him by hisexpression, but I cannot describe that to you.''

　　Here Mrs. Fowler was seized with a very severefit of coughing, and Frank begged her to say nomore.

　　Two days later, and Mrs. Fowler was no better.

　　She was rapidly failing, and no hope was entertainedthat she would rally. She herself felt that deathwas near at hand and told Frank so, but he foundit hard to believe.

　　On the second of the two days, as he was returningfrom the village store with an orange for hismother, he was overtaken by Sam Pomeroy.

　　``Is your mother very sick, Frank?'' he asked.

　　``Yes, Sam, I'm afraid she won't live.''

　　``Is it so bad as that? I do believe,'' he added, witha sudden change of tone, ``Tom Pinkerton is themeanest boy I ever knew. He is trying to get yourplace as captain of the baseball club. He says thatif your mother doesn't live, you will have to go tothe poorhouse, for you won't have any money, andthat it will be a disgrace for the club to have acaptain from the poorhouse.''

　　``Did he say that?'' asked Frank, indignantly.

　　``Yes.''

　　``When he tells you that, you may say that I shallnever go to the poorhouse.''

　　``He says his father is going to put you and yoursister there.''

　　``All the Deacon Pinkertons in the world can nevermake me go to the poorhouse!'' said Frank, resolutely.

　　``Bully for you, Frank! I knew you had spunk.''

　　Frank hurried home. As he entered the littlehouse a neighbor's wife, who had been watchingwith his mother, came to meet him.

　　``Frank,'' she said, gravely, ``you must prepareyourself for sad news. While you were out yourmother had another hemorrhage, and--and--''

　　``Is she dead?'' asked the boy, his face very pale.

　　``She is dead!'' tiffany outlet

Peace reigned again within the borders of Iran, and P the sword slept in its scabbard, and Kai Khosrau ordered the world with wisdom. And men rejoiced that the glory of Turan had been brought low, and the Shah feasted his nobles in lightness of heart.

Now it came about one day that while they were shortening the hours with wine there entered in unto them the keeper of the curtains of the door. And he said that men from Arman stood without and craved an audience. Then Kai Khosrau bade that they be let in. So the men came before him, and they uttered cries of lamentation, and they fell down at his feet and implored his aid. And Kai Khosrau said-

"Who hath done you wrong?"
Then the men answered, "Our wrong cometh unto us from the borders of Turan, for there issue forth thence wild boars that break into our fields and do destruction to our crops. And our fortunes are entwined with the ground, and no man can overcome these beasts. Wherefore, we pray thee, send forth a Pehliva that he may subdue them, for our land groaneth under this plague."

Then Kai Khosrau said, "It shall be done as you desire," and he dismissed them graciously. Then he called before him his treasurer, and bade him bring forth precious stones, and horses with girdles of gold, and rich brocades of Roum. And when they were placed before him he showed them to his nobles, and he said that whoever would go forth to combat the wild boars should not find him close-handed. But for a while none answered, for no man listed to go forth to battle with wild beasts. Then Byzun, the son of Gew, arose and spake, saying-

"If the Shah will grant leave unto me, I will go forth and slay these foes."

Now Gew was grieved thereat, because that Byzun was his only son, and he feared for his youth. Therefore he sought to restrain him. But Byzun suffered it not, and he said-

"O King, listen unto my desires; for though I be young in years, yet am I old in prudence, and I will do nought that is not fitting unto thy slave."

And Kai Khosrau granted his request, but he bade him take forth with him Girgin, the wise in counsel, that he should guide him aright. And Byzun did as the Shah desired, and they set forth unto the land of Arman.

Now when they were come unto the wood they rested them, and made a great fire, and drank wine until they were refreshed. Then Girgin would have laid him down to slumber. But Byzun said-

"Not so, let us go forth and seek the wild boars."
Then Girgin said, "Go thou alone, for it is thou who hast engaged in this combat, and who hast taken to thyself the gifts of the Shah. Therefore it behoveth me only to look on."

When Byzun heard these words he was amazed, but he regarded them not, and he entered in upon the forest. And after a while he came upon the wild boars, and they fell upon him. But he slew them with his mace, and he reddened the ground with their gore, and he went after them, even unto their lairs, and not one of them did he suffer to escape. Then when he had done thus, he parted their mighty teeth from off their heads and hung them about his saddle, that the men of Iran might behold them. And after this he turned him back unto Girgin.

Now Girgin, when he beheld him mounted upon his horse, and bearing round his saddle the tokens of his triumph, was envious thereat. And with his mouth he gave him joy, but Ahriman took hold of his spirit. So he pondered all night long how he could lay a snare for Byzun. And when the morning was come he praised his prowess, and they quaffed wine together, and fair words were exchanged between them. Then Girgin said-

"This land is known unto me, for I sojourned here with Rustem. And I know that at the distance of two farsangs lies the garden of Afrasiyab, where his women go forth to keep the feast of spring. And I bethink me that the time is at hand. Wherefore, I say unto thee, let us go hence, and behold with our eyes the fair ones whom the King of Turan hideth behind his curtains."

Now these words inflamed the blood of Byzun, and he gave ear unto Girgin, for he was young, and he acted like a young man. So they set forth upon the road, and Girgin filled the mind of Byzun with feasts and with sounds of music. And when they were come unto the spot, Byzun burned with impatience to look upon the women of Afrasiyab. And Girgin feigned as though he would restrain his foot within the skirt of patience, but he rejoiced in secret, for he hoped that from this deed evil would arise. So Byzun sped forth unto the garden, and he hid himself beneath the shade of a tall cypress, and he feasted his eyes upon the beauty of the women. And the garden was clad in its robes of spring, and the world was green and fair, and all the air was filled with the sweet sounds of music and of song. And there moved amid the rose-bushes maidens of Peri face, and in stature they were like to the cypress-trees, and one was exalted above them all. And she was daughter unto Afrasiyab, and Manijeh was she named.

Now it came about that as Manijeh stood at the door of her tent she beheld Byzun where he was hid. And she marvelled at his beauty, and her heart was captive unto him. So she called about her her maidens, and said-

"Go forth and question the stranger who regardeth us, for I bethink me that he is a Peri, or that Saiawush is come back unto the earth, for no mortal can own such beauty, neither can any man enter here."

Then one went forth and bare unto Byzun this message. And his heart leaped thereat, and he said-

"Say unto your mistress that I am come forth from Iran to slay the wild boars of Arman. And I came hither that perchance I might gaze upon the face of the daughter of Afrasiyab, for tidings of her beauty were told unto me, and reached even unto Iran. Go, therefore, and ask if I may speak with her."

Then the handmaidens did as Byzun desired, and Manijeh said, "Let him come forth."

So Byzun entered into the tents of Manijeh, and she received him with joy, and she caused his feet to be washed with musk and amber, and she poured jewels before him, and prepared for him a feast of sweet meats. And slaves stood around and made soft music, and the heart of Byzun was ensnared in the meshes of the net that had been spread. And three days and three nights did he sojourn beside Manijeh, and his passion for her waxed greater, and he thought not of Iran, neither of the time of departure. And Manijeh too rejoiced in his presence, and when the time was come for her to quit the garden of spring she would not part with him. So she gave unto him a cup wherein she had mingled a potion. And the wine caused Byzun to sleep, and while he slept the maidens bare him in a litter even into the house of Afrasiyab. And Manijeh hid him behind the curtains of the women, and none, save only her handmaidens, were aware of his presence.

Now when Byzun awoke he asked whither he was come, and when he learned that he was in the house of Afrasiyab he was afraid, and desired to return unto Iran. But Manijeh quieted his distrust, and he forgot his fears in her love. And she made the earth glad about him, and the hours fled on the wings of wine and of joy. And many days sped thus, and none knew what passed in the house of the women.

Then it came about that a guardian of the door learned thereof, and he came before Afrasiyab, and told unto him that his daughter hid within her house a man of the race of Iran. And Afrasiyab, when he learned it, was beside himself with anger, and he cursed Manijeh, and he said-

"The hour is come unto this man."
Then he called for Gersiwaz, his brother, and bade him go forth with a band of armed men unto the house of the women. And Gersiwaz did as Afrasiyab commanded, and he put guards at all the doors. Then the sounds of lutes and of rejoicing fell upon his ear, for none were aware of the vengeance that was come upon them. And when Gersiwaz was come unto the house of Manijeh, the daughter of Afrasiyab, he brake open the doors, and stood in the midst of the revels. And he beheld within the chamber many slaves playing on lutes of gold, and fair women that handed the wine-cups. And Manijeh was seated upon a throne of gold, and beside her was Byzun, the son of Gew, the Iranian, and joy was painted on his visage.

Now when Gersiwaz beheld Byzun, he cried, "O vile man, thou art fallen into my hands! How wilt thou now save thy life? "

And Byzun was dismayed, for he had neither sword nor armour, and he thought within himself-

"I fear me that my life will end this day."
But he drew forth from his boot a dagger that was hidden therein, and he threatened Gersiwaz, and he said that he would plunge it into his breast if he led him not before Afrasiyab.

Now Gersiwaz knew that Byzun was quick to act, and would do that which he spake, so he held back from combat, and he seized Byzun and bound him, and led him before Afrasiyab. And when Afrasiyab saw him in such plight, he said-

"O man of evil, wherefore didst thou come into my land?"
Then Byzun told him how he was gone forth to slay the boars, and how he was come into the garden of Afrasiyab, and he said that a Peri had borne him unto the palace, for he would not do hurt unto Manijeh. But Afrasiyab refused belief unto his words, and he commanded that a gibbet should be raised without his court, and that Byzun be hung thereon, because he had dishonoured the house of the women, and had stolen like a thief in the night into the house of the King. And in vain did Byzun invoke mercy at the hands of Afrasiyab, and he was led forth beyond the courts. And the men of Afrasiyab made ready the gallows, and Byzun stood bound beneath. And he wept sore in his distress, and he prayed to the winds that they would bear tidings of him unto the Shah of Iran, and he sware that his death should be avenged upon Turan.

Now while he waited thus there passed by Piran, the Pehliva, who was come forth to do homage unto the King. And when he beheld the gibbet he questioned concerning it, and when he learned that it was for Byzun he was troubled. So he got him from his horse and came near unto the youth, and questioned him of this adventure. And Byzun told him all that was come about, and how his evil comrade had laid for him a snare. Then Piran commanded that punishment be stayed until he should have spoken unto Afrasiyab. And he went in and stood before the King as a suppliant. Then Afrasiyab bade him make known his desires. And Piran opened his mouth and spake words of wisdom unto Afrasiyab, his King. And he reminded him of the death of Saiawush, and how Byzun was of much account in his own country, and how surely his blood would be avenged. And he said how the land of Turan was not ready to stand again in a new war, and he prayed Afrasiyab to content him with a dungeon. And he said-

"Heap chains upon Byzun, and let the earth hide him, that Iran may not know whither he is vanished."

Now Afrasiyab knew that the words of Piran were wise, and he gave ear unto them. So Byzun was led forth unto a desert place and he was laden with chains of iron and his tender flesh was bound and he was thrown into a deep hole. And the opening thereof was closed with a mighty stone that the Deev Akwan had torn from the nethermost sea, and neither sun nor moon could be seen by Byzun, and Afrasiyab trusted that his reason would forsake him in this pit. And when he had done thus unto Byzun, he bade Gersiwaz go in unto the house of the daughter that had dishonoured him, and tear off her costly robes, and her crown, and her veil. And he said-

"Let her be cast forth also into the desert, that she may behold the dungeon wherein Byzun is hid. And say unto her, 'Thou hast been his Spring, be now his comforter, and wait upon him in his narrow prison."'

And Gersiwaz did as Afrasiyab commanded, and he tore the veil from off Manijeh, and he caused her to walk barefooted unto the spot where Byzun was hid.

Now Manijeh was bowed down with sorrow, and she wept sore, and she wandered through the desert day and night bewailing her fate. And ever did she return unto the pit, and she sought how she might enter therein. But she could not move the mighty stone that closed its mouth. Yet after some days were gone by she found an opening where she could thrust in her hand. Now when she had found it she rejoiced, and daily she went forth unto the city and begged of men that they would give her bread. And none knew her for the daughter of Afrasiyab, but all had pity upon her sorry plight, and they gave her freely of that which they had. And she returned with it unto Byzun, and she fed him through the hole that she had made. And she spake unto him sweet words of comfort, and she kept his heart alive within him.

Now while these things were passing in Turan, Girgin was returned unto Iran much discomfited. And he pondered how he should come before the Shah, and what he should say unto Gew. And he told them that they had of their combined strength overcome the boars, and he boasted that he had done deeds of great prowess, and he said that a wild ass was come forth out of the forest and had borne away Byzun from before his eyes, and verily he held that it must be a Deev. Then Kai Khosrau questioned him closely, and when he had done so he saw that Girgin held not unto his story. So his mind misgave him, and he commanded that Girgin be put in chains. And he said-

"I will guard thee until I have learned tidings of Byzun."
Now Gew was beside himself with grief because of his only son, whom he loved, but Kai Khosrau spake comfort unto his soul. And he bade riders go forth unto all corners of the wind to seek tidings of Byzun, and he said-

"If I learn nought concerning him until the feast of Neurouz be come, I will search for him in the crystal globe wherein I can behold the world, and read the secrets of destiny."

Now when the horsemen had sought Byzun in vain throughout the plains of Iran and in the gorges of the land of Arman, they returned them unto the courts of the Shah. So when the feast of Neurouz was come, Kai Khosrau clothed himself in a robe of Roum, and he took from off his head the crown of the Kaianides, and he presented himself in humility before Ormuzd. Then he took in his hand the globe of crystal, and he prayed to God that He would grant unto him to behold the seven zones of the world. And God granted it. And Kai Khosrau surveyed all the lands of the earth, and nowhere upon them could he behold Byzun. And he was downcast and sad in his spirit, for he deemed that Byzun was departed from the world. Then Ormuzd showed unto him where he was hidden in a pit, and Kai Khosrau beheld him, and the damsel that watched beside him. So he called before him Gew, and said-

"Let thy heart cease from sorrow, for thy son liveth, and he is tended by a maiden of noble birth. But he is bound, and a mighty stone is laid above his prison, and Rustem alone can deliver him. Wherefore I counsel thee, speed forth unto Zaboulistan and entreat the son of Zal that he come unto our aid yet again."

Then Kai Khosrau wrote a letter unto Rustem, wherein he told him all that was come about, and he gave the writing unto Gew. And Gew sped forth therewith unto Zaboulistan.

Now when he was come within the courts of Rustem, Zal beheld him from afar, and he feared that evil was come upon Iran since the Shah sent forth a man of might like unto Gew to be his messenger. So he came forth in haste and questioned him. And when he learned his mission he bade him come within, and he told him how Rustem was gone forth to chase the wild ass, and he made a feast for him, and entertained him until his son was returned within the courts. Now when Rustem learned the tidings, his eyes were filled with tears, but he spake comfort unto Gew, and he said-

"Be not disquieted, for verily Rustem shall not remove the saddle from Rakush until he hath grasped the hand of Byzun, and broken his chains and his prison."

And when he had read the letter of the Shah, he made him ready to go, before Kai Khosrau. And when he was come into his presence, he did obeisance before him, and he said-

"O King of kings, I am ready to do thy commandments, for my mother brought me into the world that I might weary myself for thee, and unto thee pertaineth rest and joy, and unto me combat everlasting."

Then he chose forth from among the warriors men of renown, that they should go out with him to deliver Byzun. And Girgin sent greeting unto Rustem, and craved of him that he would plead for him with the Shah. And he bewailed his fault, and he entreated that he might go out to succour Byzun. And Rustem asked his forgiveness of Kai Khosrau, and when the Shah would have refused his suit, he pressed him hard. So Kai Khosrau listened to the desires of his Pehliva. Then he said unto him-

"Tell me what men and treasures thou desirest to bear with thee into Turan."

And Rustem said, "I desire not a large army, for I think to regain Byzun by the arts of wile. Give unto me, therefore, jewels and rich brocades, and carpets, and stuffs of value, for I purpose to go forth in the garb of a merchant."

Then Kai Khosrau gave him the key to all his treasures, and Rustem chose forth rich stuffs, and loaded them upon an hundred camels. And he desired seven valiant knights that they should go forth with him clad in the dress of merchants, and that an army be posted in secret upon the borders. And when all was ready the caravan went forth. And they journeyed until they came into the town of Khoten, and all the people came forth to gaze upon their merchandise. Then Rustem, in his disguise, went unto the house of Piran, and he poured gifts before him, and he asked leave of him that he might remain within the borders to sell his wares. And Piran granted his request. So Rustem took for himself a house, and showed his goods unto the people, and bartered them, and it was noised through all the land that a caravan was come out from Iran, and all who had need of aught flocked into the city. And the news spread even unto the ears of Manijeh. And when she learned that it was men of Iran who were come forth, she made her way unto the city, and came before Rustem and questioned him, saying-

"What news is there abroad in Iran concerning Byzun, the son of Gew, and doth no army come forth to save him? O noble merchant, I entreat of thee when thou goest back to thy land, to seek out Gew, and Kai Khosrau, and Rustem the mighty, and bring unto them tidings of Byzun, lest he perish in his chains."

Now Rustem, when he heard her words, was afraid for his secret, for he knew not who she was. Wherefore he spoke roughly unto her, and he said-

"I am a man of peace and of ignoble birth, a merchant, and I know nought of Gew, or of Byzun, or of the Shah. Get thee hence, maiden, thou dost but hinder my business, and this alone concerneth me."

When he had thus spoken, Manijeh looked on him with sorrow, and wept, saying-

"Do the men of Iran refuse tidings unto the poor?"
Then Rustem repented him of his harshness, and said-
"Woman, who art thou, and how do these things regard thee? "
And he caused food to be put before her, and he comforted her with kind words. Then Manijeh said-

"I am daughter unto Afrasiyab, and my father hath cast me forth because of Byzun."

And she told him all that was come about, and how she had tended her beloved, and how she had kept him alive. And she related unto Rustem how he languished in his chains, and how they put their trust alone in Rustem the Pehliva. And she said-

"When it was told unto me that men from Iran were come forth, I sped hither unto thee, for I hoped that tidings of Byzun might come thus unto the mighty warrior."

When Rustem heard her words he was moved with compassion. And when he had spoken softly unto her, he gave to her savoury meats, and he bade her bear them unto Byzun. Now within the body of a fowl he had hidden a ring whereon was graven his seal. And when Byzun came upon it, and felt the ring, and that it bare the name of Rustem, his heart laughed within him, for he knew that the end of his ills was come. And his lips laughed also, and his laughter shook the walls of the pit.

Now when Manijeh heard his laughter she was amazed, and she feared lest his wits were distraught, and she leaned over the mouth of the pit and spake, saying-

"O man of ill fortune, wherefore is thy heart thus light, thou who seest neither sun, nor moon, nor stars?"

Then Byzun answered and said, "Hope is sprung up in my breast."
And Manijeh said, "Whence dost thou behold the rays of hope?"
And Byzun answered, "I know not whether I can confide it unto thee, for a woman cannot keep a secret."

Now Manijeh was pained at these words, and she upbraided Byzun, and recalled to him all she had suffered for his sake. And Byzun repented him of his hasty speech, for he knew that she was prudent and strong of spirit. So he said-

"Swear unto me a great oath, and I will tell it unto thee."
And Manijeh sware. Then Byzun said-
"I know that the merchant who is come forth from Iran is come out because of me. Go therefore again into his presence, and say unto him, 'O Pehliva of the King of kings, tell unto me, art thou the master of Rakush?' "

Now Manijeh, when she had heard these words, sped forth to do the bidding of Byzun. And she came before Rustem, and spake to him the words that had been told her. And he answered and said-

"Go say unto thy friend, verily I am the master of Rakush, and that I am come forth to deliver him."

Then he bade her gather together wood into a pyre, and set light thereto when the night should be come, that he might know where Byzun was laid. And Manijeh did as Rustem commanded, and she wearied not to scour the land, and she stripped the trees of their branches, and her tender body was torn of thorns; but she bare all gladly for the sake of Byzun, whom she loved. And when the night was fallen she set light unto the wood, and Rustem came forth unto the spot, and his seven comrades came with him. And each strove in turn to lift the stone that closed the pit, but none could roll it aside. Then Rustem prayed to God that He would grant him strength, and he came unto the mouth of the pit, and he bent down his body, and he spake unto Byzun, and questioned him how he was come into these straits. Then he said-

"I would ask of thee a boon. Grant thy forgiveness unto Girgin, if it be given unto me to move this stone, and to free thee from out of this pit. For verily he repenteth him of his evil deed, and because he is valiant I would that there should be peace between you."

But Byzun said, "Thou knowest not all the evil that Girgin hath brought upon me. I cannot give ear unto thy request, for I desire to take vengeance upon him."

Then Rustem said, "If thy mind be thus evil that thou wilt not listen to my desires, nor remember how I am come forth in friendship to succour thee, I shall mount upon Rakush and leave thee to perish in thy chains."

When Byzun heard these words he gave a loud cry, and bewailed his evil plight. And he said, "Be it as thou desirest."

Then Rustem laid hold of the stone, and he put forth all his strength, and he lifted it from off the mouth of the pit and threw it far into the desert. Then he let down his cord and enmeshed Byzun therein, and drew him forth from his dungeon. And he was a sorry sight to see, for the earth had withered his body, and his skin hung about his bones.

Now Rustem, when he had broken the chains of Byzun, covered him with a cloak and set him upon a horse, and he took Manijeh also, and led them unto his house in the city. Then when he had refreshed them with water, and covered them with new robes, he desired that they be led unto the spot where the army was hidden. And he said unto Byzun-

"I desire to fall upon Turan, but thou art too wasted to fight."
But Byzun said, "Not so; let Manijeh go forth into shelter, but it behoveth not a man to be guarded like a woman."

And he refused ear to the desires of Rustem, and he clad him in a coat of mail, and he girded him to ride beside the Pehliva. And they went forth in the darkness until they were come unto the house of Afrasiyab. And when they were come there, Rustem lifted the doors from off their hinges and entered into the precincts, and he slew the guards that kept the curtains, and he made him a passage unto the chamber of Afrasiyab. And when he stood therein he lifted up his voice of thunder, and he cried-

"Sleep, man of folly, and may thy slumbers be deep. Thou hast rested upon thy throne while Byzun was hidden in a pit. But thou hast forgotten that a road leadeth from Iran into Turan, and thou didst think in thine evil heart that none would come forth to avenge him. Listen, therefore, unto my voice; for I am Rustem, the son of Zal, the Pehliva, and I have broken down thy doors, and released Byzun from his chains, and I am come to do vengeance upon thee."

When Afrasiyab heard these words he awoke, and cried out in his fear. And he called upon the names of his guards. But no man came forth, because they had been laid low by the hands of Rustem. Then Afrasiyab made his way unto the door, and because it was dark he escaped thence, and he fled before the face of Rustem, and left his house between his hands. Then Rustem took much rich booty of slaves, and horses, and jewels, and when he had done so he sped back unto his army, for he knew that with the day Afrasiyab would come forth with an host to assail him. And it came about as he foresaw, and when the day was risen the watchers cried out that an army marched forth from Turan. Then Rustem set his men in battle order, and he sent Manijeh and the slaves and the booty into Iran, and he placed himself at the head of the host, and Byzun rode beside him. And there was fought a mighty battle, and great was the slaughter, and the bodies of the slain and the broken armour covered the earth. And the banner of Turan sank, and Afrasiyab fled before his enemies.

Then Rustem returned with joy unto Kai Khosrau, and the Shah was glad also. And he came forth to greet his Pehliva, and there rode with him Gew and Gudarz, his warriors. And when Kai Khosrau saw Rustem he embraced him, and said-

"O stay of my soul, and man of valour, thou resemblest the sun, for wheresoever men may look they behold the traces of thy mighty deeds. Happy is Zal who owneth a son such as thou!"

Then he blessed him, and showered rich gifts upon him; and Gew blessed him also, and Gudarz, because he had brought back Byzun into their midst. Then Kai Khosrau gave orders that a great feast be prepared, and the heroes drank until their heads were heavy with wine. But in the morning Rustem came before the Shah in audience, and opened his mouth and said-

"May it please the King to lend his ear unto his slave. I desire to return unto Zal, my father."

And Kai Khosrau listened to the just desires of Rustem, though he would fain have kept him in his courts.

Now when Rustem was departed, Kai Khosrau called before him Byzun, and he spake to him of that which was come about, and he poured pity upon the daughter of Afrasiyab when he learned all she had suffered for the sake of Byzun; and he gave him rich gifts, and bade him bear them unto her, and he said-

"Cherish this woman in thy bosom, and suffer not that grief come nigh unto her, neither speak to her cold words, for she hath endured much for thee. And may thy life beside her be happy."

And when the Shah had thus spoken he dismissed Byzun from his presence.

Thus endeth the history of Byzun and Manijeh.

  Tiffany Keys