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assurance that was upon us of the terror of the Night Land, it may be known
that there could be no more thought to succour. Though, in truth, those Youths
that went now upon the Road Where The Silent Ones Walk were far beyond our
aid.
Yet might it be thought that we should have signalled to them, calling by the
HomeCall, which was that great Voice which went forth from the Machine above
the sealed base of the Mighty Pyramid. But this we might not do; for then we
gave signal to the Monsters of that Land, that some were even now abroad from
the
Pyramid; yet we could no more than hope that the Evil Forces had no wotting of
them; for, in verity, none might ever know the knowledge or the Ignorance
which those Powers did possess.
Yet, it must be kept to the mind that we knew even then there was an Influence
abroad in the Land, strange and quiet; so that the Instruments did not more
than make record of it. And as I have surely set down ere now, we had belief
that it did come from that House of Silence, afar in the Night Land, upon that
low hill to the
North of the Great Road. And many among the Monstruwacans feared that it was
directed upon the Youths;
but of this there could be no surety; and we could but wait and watch.
Now, about this time those poor Youths did draw nigh to that part of the Road
Where The Silent Ones Walk, where it turned more swiftly to the North; and
they to be now at no mighty distance from that grim and horrid
House.
And presently we knew that the Influence had a greater Power in the Land; and
I had an assuredness that it came from the House; yet no certain proof was
this. But I set out my feelings to the Master Monstruwacan;
and he had trust in them and in my power; moreover, he also had belief within
himself that some secret Power came out from the House of Silence.
And some talk there was at times that we send the HomeCall into the night, to
give warning to the Youths of our knowledge and our fear; and to entreat them
to make a safe endeavour to return swiftly. Yet was this an error; and refused
by the Master Monstruwacan; for it was not meet that we put the souls of those
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Youths in peril, until such time as we had certainty that they should be lost
if we did not bestir ourselves. For, indeed, this HomeCall was as a mighty
Voice, calling over the world, and did have so exceeding a noise, that it had
immediately told all that Land how that some were yet abroad from the Great
Redoubt. And here will I set down how that the HomeCall had no use in those
ages; but had been a Call in the olden time when yet the great flyingships
went abroad over the world.
And there passed now a day and a night; and in all that time there ceased not
great multitudes to peer forth into the Night Land at the Youths. For it was
known concerning the Influence, and all felt that the Youths did draw nigh
very speedy to their fate; and much talk there was; and many things said, and
much foolish speech, and kind intent; but no courage to go forth to make
further attempt to rescue; which, in truth, calls not for great astonishment,
as I have surely writ or oft thought.
And in this place let me set down that the Land was, as it might be said,
waked, and unquiet, and a sense of things passing in the night, and of horrid
watchfulness; and there were, at this time and at that, low roars that went
across the Land. And if I have not told the same before this time, it must be
set to count against me and my telling; for, indeed, I should have writ it
down before this place. Yet is the difficulty of my task great; and all must
bear with me, and entreat for me that I have courage, so that I may come at
last to strength and wisdom to tell all that I did see.
Now, in the space of this day and night, it was known that the Youths had not
slept, neither had they eaten, save once, as they who had the watch through
the Great SpyGlass did affirm. But they to hasten alway at a
The Night Land
V. INTO THE NIGHT LAND
42
woeful speed towards the North, along that Great Dismal Road, so that
presently they must cease, or slay themselves with their endeavour.
And all this did give surety to our fears that they were under a spell from
that horrid House afar in the Land;
and we had an assurance that this thing was. For, presently, there came a
Monstruwacan to the Master
Monstruwacan to report that there had come sudden a mighty Influence into the
Land; and in the same moment, as it might be, I spied through the Great
SpyGlass, and did see those Youths break swiftly from the
Road Where The Silent Ones Walk, and begin to run very swift that they might
come quickly to the House of
Silence.
Then did the Master Monstruwacan hesitate not; but did send the HomeCall
across the world, aye, even to those poor doomed ones that hastened,
unknowing, to the terror which did compel them. And immediately upon the
sound, the Master did send a message to the natural eye, in set language, and
made warning that they suffered themselves to be drawn to their destruction by
a Force that came from within the House of Silence.
And he besought them to put forth the strength of their spirits, and do battle
for their souls; and if they could in no wise compass a victory over that
which drew them onwards
, to slay themselves quickly, ere they went into that House to the horror of
utter destruction.
And in all the Pyramid was there a great silence; for the bellowing of the
HomeCall bred a quietness, because of that which it did portend; and it was
swiftly known by the millions that the Master Monstruwacan did plead for the
souls of the Youths; and there went forth, unknowingly, a counterforce from
the Mighty
Pyramid, by reason of the prayers and soulwishings of the countless millions.
And the counterforce was plain to my inward hearing, and beat all the aether
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