And now a ray of sunlight topped the world. Others than I must
describe how it swept from the amethyst cliff the shadow of the black
one that opposed it, how that one shaft of sunlight pierced the
amethyst for leagues, and how the rejoicing colour leaped up to
welcome the light and shot back a purple glow on the walls of the
palace of ivory while down in that incredible ravine the golden
dragons still played in the darkness.
At this moment a female slave came out by a door of the palace and
tossed a basket-full of sapphires over the edge. And when day was
manifest on those marvellous heights and the flare of the amethyst
precipice filled the abyss, then the elephant-hunter arose in his
ivory palace and took his terrific spear and going out by a landward
door went forth to avenge Perdondaris
I turned then and looked upon the lands of Dream, and the thin white
mist that never rolls quite away was shifting in the morning. Rising
like isles above it I saw the Hills of Hap and the city of copper,
old, deserted Bethmoora, and Utnar Vehi and Kyph and Mandaroon and the
wandering leagues of Yann. Rather I guessed than saw the Hian Min
whose imperturbable and aged heads scarce recognize for more than
clustered mounds the round Acroctian hills, that are heaped about
their feet and that shelter, as I remembered, Durl and Duz. But most
clearly I discerned that ancient wood through which one going down to
the bank of Yann whenever the moon is old may come on _Bird of the
River_ anchored there, waiting three days for travellers, as has been
prophesied of her.
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