Zul

Gone thou art, Zul, city of gods !

There lay Zul ![^2] from East to West horizon stretching, dark against the moonlight; and afar, standing out in white sheen and misty beauty, rose tower, pyramid and pylon in endless grouping, mass above mass, terrace above terrace, in cyclopean gloom.

never can I forget the stupendous wonder of Zul as it came upon me that night, when as an atom of Earth I stood beneath its majesty.

It was the drum of the great temple of Zul, crowning the hill above the waters, that, being struck, rolled out like the awakening voice of Heaven over the city of the Sun, and looking up, I perceived the topmost tower flash like a polished mirror as the first rays of the returning Day struck on it.

I saw the square pile of the Museum, and palaces of nobles ; a round temple, that I afterwards knew to be that of the virgin Goddess Neptsis, whose emblem was a serpent, and whose son, the Lord of Light, was worshipped in Zul, standing conspicuously, near by which were the temples of Winged things, the Serpent, and the Moon.

I perceived many people to be approaching, and, mounting the stairway running up the eastern front of the temple of "The Lord of Light" — Zul — came a long procession, the leaders chanting a hymn to the Divinity.

Following them came many priestesses, for the god Zul was supposed to partake within himself of the nature of both sexes and was equally served by both, and by twos the successors followed them until over fifteen score were gathered beneath my enraptured eyes, delighted to watch their movements and hear all that they said.

My eye roved over the gay throng, but ever returned to Azta; and, O Zul, I looked upon thee, thou fair abode of Evil, greater than Great Babylon, yet unheard of and unknown.

Priest of Zul, I rejoice that thy deep lore was locked within thy bosom, for thou knewest indeed more than many of Ourselves.

[^2]: The etymology of the Atlantean Zul, which appears to indicate the Sun, is perpetuated in the Akkad Zal, the Aymara Sillo, and the Latin Sol.

The kneeling thousands bowed in real emotional adoration now, the gay crowd on Zul in weary compliance to custom.

But to the mass of the people the glowing orb was a terrific Thing to be appeased — the Father of Flame as well as Lord of Light, and King of the leaping Spirits that ever dwelled on their temples— ruler of the internal fires that devoured them in thunder, to whom the messenger of Zul flew in the bright lightning and raised in frightful revolt from hidden cares in the mountains; those distant hills, from which, to the west, towering Axatlan lifted her high cone with its coronet of fire and smoke.

Through every street they threaded, looking like ants from Zul's stately height, as one vast body made up of tiny units, that, studied individually, exhibited individual characteristics, but were all alike in the issue.

Pictures with bold, luminous outlines stood out in the farther shadows, mystic representations somewhat similar to those in the first chamber mostly, I found, depicting the wondrous conception of Neptsis and labour with the hermaphrodite Zul.

And there being but few women, each took unto herself as many husbands as she chose, and round the Pallo, which they called Zul and by which they worshipped the sun, sprang up a village, a town, a city, a great city, a city of grand buildings and later ornamentation, and the temple, built on the crest of the volcano, crowned the height of progress.

These latter also among themselves caused dissensions, for there were ambitious spirits among them who wished to follow the example of Tekthah and form a kingdom for themselves; but as a terrible lesson to all such rebels, the warriors of Rhadaman lay round the pallo of Zoe, (the mother of the dead chief Tygan, who wished to seize a Queendom for herself,) until such time as famine forced them to surrender, and then one hundred and fifty-four of the froward ones were carried to Zul, and died horrible deaths.

And being thus, he took on a great pomp and circumstance, yet with politic circumspection ; and to please the people (acting also by the advice of Acoa) he caused grand services to be celebrated with horrid bloodshed in the temples of Zul and others, drenching the new altars with the blood of captives.

He built a Circus and instituted games and competitions therein, securing powerful adherents by distributing new posts of honour and military glory, and with the enforced labour and aid of thousands of captives working with soaked wedges, rollers, and levers, he constructed his great red palace with stone from the province of Axatlan, and many more buildings of vast size, so that the city of Zul became a wonder and an awe in the land*.

All over the land cities began to grow from villages surrounding pallos to huge walled marvels, taking unto themselves standards and insignia; fields of wheat sprang from the kindly earth, and a navy was built which could sail round the moat of Zul and across the sea to certain islands which lay upon the horizon.

The ship entered the harbour, and still Tekthah mused; now scowling up at the temple, where the eunuch priests and their female co-ministers held service to the hermaphrodite Zul, and trying to distinguish some face at that distance, now again scanning the sea.

For this also it was that he had caused an arm of the sea to flow round the walls of Zul, stopped at each outlet by rocks, that the ebbing tide might not drain it, and had built warships to navigate it if needed.

A vast amount of ornament is employed, and doors were used, a piece of furniture we do not often find mentioned here, save the great gates of the city and doors of the temple of Zul.

"Zul awaits thee," she said, with a swift glance at him.

Against such infamy is his own godlike person, all the peoples of Atlantis, and mc, my old father, me I Huitza must be absent from Zul when this comes about, that he may be shut out and we may come to terms with him.

The Priests shall rule in Zul": and in like manner Azta murmured, " When the sword has struck, it shall be broken." Whereat I wondered.

None had attended the evening ceremony at Zul — save of the greater citizens.

Whereat were many sayings, silenced sneeringly by Azta; and Tairu, continuing, rehearsed the amours of Neptsis, the female principle; of how, pregnant by Night, she brought forth the Earth and the hermaphrodite Zul and much evil.

By Zul and the Holy Mother Neptsis, by all the fires of Heaven and the dark Hereafter I swear it!

If thou should'st see me great, powerful and uncaring of thy love, then— ah Zul!"

Restfully she lay back on the cushions and watched me, smiling happily with half-opened lips that were so soft and full; and my whole soul was lost in contemplation of her utter lovliness as I held her hand and noted the perfect outline of her face and the manner of how the ruby-studded teeth shone, and how the lashes drooped over her eyes, luminous with the light of deep fires in a crater; and I thought of the last chamber of the temple of Zul and the idols that were set round the lurid pit to withdraw worship from God.

The worshippers had returned from Zul, edified by the sacrifice of a savage chief recently captured on the frontier, whose death was presumed to be very acceptable to the devastating spirits that dwelt in the mountain ranges, as I learned.

By Zul, thou shalt not so dare again!" Tekthah made a sign to the Guards, and the ominous clang of arms sounded fearfully above the angry voice.

Mostly such of the Imperial household, dead, were lowered into the arms of one of those awful idols that ever looked upon the majesty of the crater of Zul, and were consumed so by the fires; the ashes being placed in the temple whose Divinity they worshipped ; all but the heart, which, before cremation, was thrown to the vultures.

h>om the hill of Zul the city lay on a downward slope in all its mighty grandeur, the tree-shaded streets running in all directions among the clustering houses.

Rising beyond the Market-place was the Circus, whose annual fetes supplied an equal number of imposing sacrifices to the near temple of Neptsis; for while Zul engaged himself in the arduous care and tutelage of the soul, the holy mother dedicated herself to the welfare and " amusement of the body on Earth ; and the remnant of the combatants and candidates of foreign nations captured and compelled to contribute to their masters' amusement were offered up to her in gratitude.

Within the walls were the great ports whose valves of stone and bronze turned within pivots of diorite what times the greased drawbridges were thrown across the moat, their tall pylons rising above the walls and crowned with figures of serpents, which were also the emblem of Zul.[^28] The military guards, who were ever kept along the wall, slept, played games of chance and held nightly debaucheries ; and this part of the city was full of dreadful women who laughed insanely and tossed their dishevelled hair, dancing and shrieking.

New, strange feelings were beginning to make themselves felt within me, and the oppression of Interiors lay heavy on my thoughts, whose mystic Genius was greatly worshipped in Zul with awe and obscenity.

" Zul still awaits thee," she said tauntingly.

"Zul still awaits," he replied.

Over his towering stature the golden vulture-wings rose from his helmet, for as a son of Tekthah he wore the emblem to signify that he might soar near the glory of Zul and still yet not attain to it, the people of Earth delighting in such figures.

Huitzal Zul!

Zul!"

Jehovah forgotten, the lazily-accepted dreams of Zul too vague and unsatisfactory now that they had to be faced, and all around the hungry eyes of men and women who coveted his place.

The temple of Zul, above and to the left, was invisible from the hall, but the same entrance that exposed the stairway showed the sea in the distance and the nearer tops of buildings and trees.

I saw Shar-Jatal and Izta, Nezca and Acoa the priest of Zul, and many more, conspicuous among them being the giant Amal, who had seven toes on each foot.

This he said very graciously and with much meaning in his voice, and reminded all there that, should Huitza return and the throne go to him, there would be the punishment of the stake and of the burning crucifix for many of Zul.

The youths arose from where they sat, whom I had not at once perceived, and swore by Zul not to fail ; and then Acoa arose, with a deep plan in his face.

"Thou art in truth a rude suitor, by Zul!

What when the lord Huitza shall come and lay siege to Zul, which has no defender?

But Ham was kept at Zul as a secret hostage for the behaviour of his father.

And now Huitza is fled from Zul with his army, and it fears me for my son Ham, who is in the midst of danger and temptations in the very palace of Tekthah and his wicked women.

Look yonder to where the towers of Zul rise in daring wantonness to Heaven, look around at our own tall battlements, and tell me, is not Sin hid under a fair disguise.

The firstborn of Noah was a great man, as tall as Ham, which was among the goodliest men of Zul, and his hair was long and black.

Yet back in haste I went to Zul, and to quiet my soul entered the great temple, for long sitting with those three awful images, that ever looked upon the burning fires below, gazing into the lurid spaces where forms of evil sat.

The eyes of the colossi moved upon me and the bright pictures on the walls flared and smoked, the enormous representations of Neptsis with her lunar crown and the vast embryo of Zul flashed into vivid brilliance in all their mistic imagining, wondrous in the amorphous darkness that rolled so gradually from the lurid glow of the pit, and lost itself in the darkness.

From the Sun came a figure of flame, and the god .Zul[^29] stood upon the Earth ; and before him bowed a figure that was Acoa's.

From the mountain Axatlan a tall column of flame waved, like a larger sister to that on Zul, but wreathed in sulphureous smoke, from which were cast ashes over the land when the wind blew from the north-west.

A hundred slaves fed the flames of Zul, and Tekthah with his whole household attended the sacrifices.

The gates of Zul were thrown open, the retractile bridges propelled across the sea-moat, and from near and far the people crowded in over them to participate in the games and the dreadful temple rites.

And it was also argued that if, despite, he seized upon such, they would have but half the number of inhabitants therein, and he might be besieged and crushed; for great concessions were about to be made to the people assembled in Zul to cause them to forsake their love of the rebellious prince.

Crowds listened to their stories, but their grievances were forgotten for the moment in wonderment at all they saw ; for the grandeur and immensity of Zul greatly surpassed all other cities, even the larger ones ; and the wonder of the sea and the shipping within the harbour held them speechless.

They gazed on the great warships Tacoatlanta, Mexteo and others, and the crowd of smaller boats in wonderment, and frowned with awe on the enormous pile of Zul and the battlements and terraces of the grand palace of Tekthah.

Sauntering through the streets, tall hunters and herdsmen, clad in skins, looked curiously on the yellow-robed citizens of Zul and other cities, and gaped at the legionaries, shaking the large pendants of gold, metal or pebbles in their ears and nostrils with wonder at all they saw.

Also they brought numbers of captured women and young girls to be sold into the harems, some worthy of the Imperial protection, but most sold or bartered to the first bidder; and one of the first things among the nobles of Zul on any visit of the tribes or other townspeople was to either go themselves to obtain the captives they were sure to bring, or obtain them through well-known agents.

And that night was a great feast proclaimed, and all the army within Zul was to be feted.

At that moment the High Priest of Zul rushed in, dishevelled, with his long while locks streaming and his yellow robe flying around him like a cloud.

Acoa on Zul's highest tower stood there with his Divinity, his body undulating and quivering like the column of flame before which he stood, his eyes flashing with mad excitement as the bright Thing swayed and leaned far out before impetuous winds, appearing as though about to leap from its pedestal and fly.

Over beyond the trees waved Zul's columnar flame, and by the fitful light of it they could perceive the High Priest.

The chiefs, staring at Zul, started as the blaze of light fell on their dazzled eyes, and I perceived them to be talking earnestly, nor had I unmoved seen that wondrous sight, which was observed in different quarters of the city and over all the land, causing much great terror.

Even to me it seemed a pitiful spectacle, more partaking of sacrilegious buffoonery than aught of majesty, and stood in chilling contrast to the sublime scene of the dying old hero facing their thousands so unflinchingly; and when, raised on the point of a satellite's spear to him, he held aloft the grand grim head of the man who had made their nation what it was, no sycophants' shouts could drown the long, menacing hiss that broke forth almost involuntarily, and spread over all the crowd, signifying the wrath of the Divinity of Zul.

surrounded by his warriors, the new Tzan had been consecrated by Acoa as King of the Earth, the Solar helmet of State being placed upon his head and the orbed sceptre handed to him by the Keeper of the Throne ; while, preparations being made for the same ceremony to be performed on the highest platform of the temple of Zul, the people were summoned from all over the land to attend and swear allegiance, by messengers sent by the High Priest.

For these preached the return of Huitza and exhorted the nation to stand from Zul, which was accursed of the gods, and warning them against the new Tzan who would vex the land.

Dismayed and furious, the half-crowned chieftain called a council of war, and from the throne gazed over as goodly an assemblage as ever met a leader's eye, for there were all the Princes and Tzantans of Zul and the great men of the city.

Without being as superstitious as Tekthah (which one was consumed in the crater of Zul by night to cause no commotion, and his ashes swept into the pit), Shar-Jatal nevertheless was afraid of many things.

To avert this he promised from the throne great concessions to all of Zul, stirring them up in hatred against the cities, and particularly those of Atala and of Tek-Ra, whose governor, being fled, he declared to be the maker of the mischief, being straight-laced and foolish and no believer in the gods.

All the temples received munificent gifts, their priests being pliable, — among them Mah, who held Pocatepa in his power and might now scheme afresh; and to every man in Zul was given this or that.

The rebellion of the cities caused great trouble to many, their resources being in danger by reason of it; yet the people of Zul could not be taxed as yet, which was an additional reason for war, so that the rich cities might by sacked.

Yet it was a serious matter that those of Zul, although the greatest of the land, should have to cope with the thousands of Atlantis, and there were held many anxious consultations, and much time passed.

And thus they of Zul, and especially many princes who wished to supplant Shar-Jatal, yet being fearful of one another, spent many months in great works of war, manufacturing engines to batter in walls, and a great number of kites wherewith to carry up injurious things to drop over the enemy.

And there was much information known respecting the great preparations of Zul for the subjugation of the land, so that all feared exceedingly ; nevertheless the cities had agreed to fight for freedom and to aid one another, and the smallest cities and villages had been deserted, their inhabitants aiding to swell the fighting strength of the larger ones.

Yet what would have come had there been separate governments granted to them then I know not, save much dissension, and Zul would have ever boasted herself ruler of all, and become paramount by sin and by all the great ones flocking thither.

Now concerning Talascan, the city lay on the farther bank of the Hilen river from Zul, and behind rose the peaks of a great volcanic range of mountains, trending to the west, then south-west and south.

For the prince had gone to Talascan secretly and declared that he would free them from the bondage of Rhadaman when that he had captured Zul for himself.

The Talascans, who were hardy and brave, would aid him greatly; and thus, exacting *solemn oath from Chanoc and the great chiefs of the city that they would ever be faithful to him, he had gone forth ; and the next news they heard of him, which thing many also perceived with their own eyes, was that he had returned to Zul and had slain the Lord Rhadaman in single combat.

Then came a rumour that Huitza would return again in the flesh, and after, that Tekthah was dead and Shar-Jatal reigned in Zul.

Yet messengers arrived from the great High Priest Acoa, commanding them to resist such an accession, saying that Shar-Jatal was accursed of Zul in that he had murdered the Tzan, and exhorting all to unite against him and wait for Huitza to appear.

Yet being much smaller, Talascan was built after the fashion of Zul : and the great ports, shut above the moat, bid defiance to any attack from land, but the river front was open.

There were no large vessels there, and the only one they had ever seen of large size was the Tacoatlanta, which at times came up the river through the Gates of Talascan with a great wash of water around her, either to call there or go beyond, and occasionally smaller war-vessels from Zul would come up.

The population reminded the visitor of Zul during the period of the annual tournaments, for here there were always many hunters, miners, fishers and collectors of gums and feathers; and, although every man was a warrior and liable to be called upon to attack or resist an enemy, there was nevertheless a troop clothed and armed uniformly and kept in idleness for any emergency.

As at Zul, there was kept, in the temple of the Sun, Tekthah's standard and symbol, a four-armed cross; and all over the city, on pedestals, in temples or niches, wriggled in wooden or stone semblance the worshipped offspring of degraded ideas : there a bird-headed Thoth stood, and there foul Lamia writhed their serpent-coils.

The nobles followed the lead of Zul, and I saw how terrible a thing is a bad example set in high places.

Out beyond the river-mouth and Astra lay the great pearl-oyster beds, whose white gems were so much in request among the belles and fair women of Zul, commanding great prices wherever exhibited and being a valuable revenue to the land.

Noah vowed that he would next day produce Huitza in the flesh before all, sent to them by the Lord Jehovah to avenge his forgotten and insulted name, being also Father of Zul before whom other gods were preferred.

He reminded them that Huitza was greatly beloved of Zul, and at his words Azta's eyes flashed so that my soul fainted with sorrow.

Noah began to speak, rousing the people's anger against the usurper, Shar-Jatal, and all the evil lords of Zul.

For one moment, as I thought of Zul and the land of a thousand cities, I felt a great joy at the thought that it would be his own and he would wield the sceptre of Atlantis from that great red palace, and influence the peoples for good and for Jehovah.

Toltiah waved his mighty blade in flashing circles and smote at the foremost, shouting " Huitza and Zul !

Huitza and Zul!

The unconquered warriors of Zul stared in wild dismay and hesitated.

But the town was left in ruins and the walls razed to the ground A messenger brought back the news to Zul, and, the army on its march for Talascan, four warships had started under the governance of Budil, a son of Shar-Jatal ; and it was hoped that, Talascan crushed, the land would be at the Usurper's mercy.

Then arose the daring ambition of Toltiah, who declared that he would do no less than march upon Zul !

Yet now fresh preparations must be made, for they were not ready as regards the offensive, being but as yet desirous of protecting themselves from the power of Zul.

How great an enthusiasm was there I The hope of sacking Zul aroused their savage hopes to a terrific pitch, and the name of Huitza was a power, in itself, promising a future beyond all dreams of spoliation and rapine.

There were other garments, of woven cotton and silk, dyed in various colours, and bartered for eagerly in Zul at the Circus periods ; but most of the military cloaks were entirely scarlet, being plain but of striking effect among the other ornaments and trapping.

The mechanical genius of the camp was exercised to discover engines for siege, to be constructed when near the threatened city, for human limbs, though of formidable strength, were powerless against turrets of rock and stone, and those tall warriors whose godlike fronts were so terrible in their iron-muscled power would face men of like mould, Tekthah's veterans and the haughty lords of Zul.

Azta, lying in an open palanquin, watched the dark vessel and cursed her by all the gods of Zul and the demons of darkness.

The crew landed, among them being a few of the notables of Zul, come on what they had deemed a pleasurable trip.

The body, barbarously profaned in the market-place, had the head struck oft", the which was sent by a tall hunter to be cast into Zul in token of what would befall when Toltiah were master.

The conquest of Zul appeared to be but a little thing to all that had been already accomplished, and it was greatly wished that Izta's army would appear.

Drums beat and whistles and trumpets shrilled above the shouts and songs, as with the war-cry of " Huitza and Zul !

In Zul Shar-Jatal lay, surrounded by myrmidons and sycophants, yet standing uneasy beneath the crown and the great power that he felt himself unable to administer.

More than all the rest was she disturbed at the rumour that Azta was in Talascan, because she knew Shar-Jatal loved the Tizin and that her power was very great in the land, all believing her to be under the special protection of Zul, and a goddess ; thus, inwardly deploring the weakness of her chosen lord, she stirred him up to resist the failings of his nature, to take his power and dispense it as became the Tzan of Atlantis and master of a headstrong nation threatened with dissolution.

Everybody feared a certain vengeance for the sins of past years : the services to Zul were conducted fervently and the evil crowds bowed down before their divinities, performing those rites which were abominable and obscene, prostituting themselves to their own foul creations.

And Mall, mindful also of his ambition to become ruler in Zul and the first of a Priestly line, persuaded to his scheme a great multitude of other priests and as many followers as they could collect for the purpose of seizing the power when opportunity offered, which plan came to the ears of Acoa, who was not unwilling that there should be dissension in the city, for the army there was very strong and there was much material of war and many engines; so that any civil strife would greatly weaken them.

In the streets of Zul was great rioting and disorder, where the adherents of Mali and the priests who followed him met the legions sent by Shar-Jatal to take them the next morning.

And among them were many of the eunuch priests of Zul, but none could find Mah.

They vowed oblations to the gods and told how the altars of Zul should smoke with grateful sacrifices, for Acoa had said there should be vengeance taken for the murder of men who ministered to the gods.

In Toltiah I see Huitza, the one who aroused in my bosom a passion pure, strong and unconquerable, and at times methinks he is in verity a reincarnation of my Love, a child of Zul, grand beyond Earth, almost as thyself.

A camp — the army — the dawning day and remembrance of the march on Zul.

Now there came news of the army of Izta, brought by the scouts that were far in advance of Toltiah and his legions, which said that the warriors of Zul were encamped in some far-spreading villages that lay by a river, round a great pallo.

The Tzantan Izta with some of his great chiefs, nobles of Zul and men of high degree, fought fiercely and slew many of their enemies, but the great hordes pressed upon them so that they went down in the rush and were seen no more.

Past cities and villages, levying tribute, and through vast forests marched the legions, and ever reinforcements followed ; for the most remote peoples wished to be present when Zul should be sacked, and great hordes of these were of tiny stature and monstrous forms, pink-eyed and with spots and stripes like the brutes, squeaking and making unseemly noises for speech.

Yet she besought him that he would tarry until such time as he was lord of Zul, telling him many things concerning the city ; of its power and strength and greatness, the multitude of the buildings and the beauty of the courts and gardens ; of the sea-moat surrounding it and the massy terror of the walls.

They ran to high places and climbed trees to gaze upon the beauty that crowned the wilderness, howling jubilantly and demanding if this were Zul.

The licentious soldiery dreamed of the charms of queens whose exaggerated glories filled them with ecstacy, loaded with jewellery ; and they swung their great arms like birds soaring for flight as they looked on the walls that stood between them and their desires, nor saw in imagination those walls splashed horribly with blood —their blood — neither perceived their souls going' up to the Sun in the smoke of Zul's diabolical flame.

Huitza and Zul!" mingled with the screams of victims where the reed roofs of Lasan, Bab- Ala, Dar, Bari and Ko, and three score cities of the coast, fell in flaming ruins on ravished women and murdered warriors.

"Go back," it said, "go back: for thou art begotten of that which is hateful to Zul, and wilt thou arrogantly dare to present thyself antagonist to the Lord of Light?"

Yet, compelled by some power, the Shades of Huitza and Ju demanded the vengeance of Atlantis upon Shar-Jatal ; and opposing them fiercely, the Elemental spirits of Bel, the captain of Pocatepa's guards, and Arioch the archer dared the bold besieger to farther annoy the city where slept the dust of Tekthah, the chosen abode of Zul.

To thee is the sceptre of Atlantis, and the opening gates of Zul shall hail thee conqueror crowned with wisdom and glory.

Go with thy legions and possess the land, but touch not Zul nor the habitations of the gods which were of old times before thee."

Yet against him burned also a great hatred for desolated provinces, and the daring insolence that would face the proud lords of Zul in such manner of war.

Vast offerings of slaves and valuables were placed upon the reeking altars of Zul, and as the blood-fed flame dropped an unctuous black soot on the city it glowered fiery and terrible and appeared to take the form of a demon waving a sword over them.

A certain exultation entered the hearts also of the warriors of Zul at the prospect of imminent war, notwithstanding its peril and their horrid fate if vanquished.

Then indeed, aroused by long clear whoops to a sense of danger, both friend and foe gazed, startled, to where arose the sounds of conflict, and as dripping Amazons scaled the high walls lightly, the warriors of Zul poured upon them from all sides.

The warriors of Zul made a rush to secure one whom they took to be a chief of note, possibly Huitza himself, but a tempest of spears and axes beat them back, and a tall Amazon, wrenching one of the hideous gods from its pedestal, hurled the uncouth mass towards them, as a missile from the twisted strings of a catapult.

It seemed as though the enemy had also set himself upon action, for one of the prepared wooden bridges was thrust across the moat by the great gates through which the warriors of Zul were preparing to pour ; which was also secured to the walls, despite a down-pour of blazing pitch and heavy missiles that stretched howling, mangled workers beneath the battlements.

A sound high above caused an instant's cessation, as from Zul's fire-tower boomed the great drum, smitten by Shar-Jatal's hand, like a long roll of thunder, bidding the legions pour to the battlements, as a myriad heads crowned the walls; men helped up on the shoulders of others, forming a living ladder for comrades to climb upwards.

Ham's spear dripped with blood, and all along thy walls, fair Zul, rose near and far the long continuous roar of howls and shrieks of wounded men, the clash of metal and horrid thuds of huge tusk-studded clubs.

Some hurled down the hideous idols on their enemies, crushing many, and jumping down in the cleared space endeavoured to gain a footing and fight their way to the ports; but, charging furiously, the warriors of Zul ever beat them back.

Still up they go and now men fight on mounds of dead bodies, while choking dust rises thickly, and Shar-Jatal from the highest roof of Zul can scarce discern how the battle goes.

Those of Zul fight for their life and liberty, and high blood and superior arms begin to tell against the wearied attackers, mindful of the fate of the captured.

The fires flared redly in Zul all night, and on top of the great temple the horrified watchers could perceive a ghastly holocaust being proceeded with, in fancy hearing the screams of agony of tortured wretches suffering horribly.

Both sides beheld the rising of the Lord of Light with forebodings ; and as Toltiah perceived the flashing tower of Zul leap into a blaze of gold through the veil of smoke that hung above the half-burnt city, he wondered, perchance, what that tower would witness.

And after the commands were given, the trumpets and drums and shells raised their voices of death, and the anxious watchers of Zul perceived that they were to encounter another furious attack, as band on band and army on army moved slowly towards them and the engines were manned.

Shar-Jatal cried to the gods to aid the city ; Pocatepa consulted her oracles, crying to the Shades to help in the defence of the Sacred Shrines and imploring the Spirits of all who had worshipped Zul to aid now in her sore need.

Forward for Zul and Atlantis!

Zul awaits her lord and Victory crowns thy standard.

" "Fear not, Lady," said the gentle voice of Susi at her elbow, as she stood like a statue of marble, gazing after her retreating warrior; "the God of battles is upon our side and the doom of Zul is spoken.

Up the walls and over I "Huitza and Zul!

Believing these to be his own victorious warriors who had broken through the port, Toltiah with a shout of triumph swung up his vast shield and dashed forward, but halted in astonishment as he perceived these to be of Zul and not his own troops.

In a dense crowd thousands fought hand to hand where Zul at bay struggled for life, watched anxiously by those in the camp, whose jubilation stopped in anxiety.

Before Sidi-Assur, friend of Chanoc, falls Ombar and the men of Lasan, and endeavouring to stem the rush of those of Zul, fight with giants' prowess Eru, Nezca, and Nahuasco, Rhea of Muzran, Arvath of Anduqu, glorious Toltiah and many of the Amazons.

The slingers of Bitaranu leap upon the glittering warriors of Zul, and Hano's Astran warriors fall fighting before the unconquered might of Colosse, Toloc, and Eto-masse, and the furious legions of Adar, Oris and Hammur.

Downward the blood flows in long streams, but the high, clear whoop of the rescuers is as a voice from Heaven rising above the horrid uproar; and, closing in from both flanks, the vulture of Chalac flies above its crested bearers upon Zul, with the serpents of Trocoatla and Lote and the fish-tailed gods of Astra, as streaming hosts pour upon the remainder of Shar- Jatal's legions.

Bodies of men, not all still, lay in masses along that terrible path leading from the gate of Zul, and cumber the slope of the hill on whose summit the women weep for joy and Noah and his family pray over Shem and bathe the wounds of the others, praising Heaven for the victory.

The Amazons stand in groups, dark against the sky, here bending over a dead or dying comrade, there cruelly murdering a fallen foe; and Toltiah, exhausted and wounded, rests on Azta's proud bosom, assured that Zul is in his hands.

Each day disbanded troops which were from all the cities of the territories marched back with songs and rejoicings, pleased with the liberality of the Tzan and glad to return to their families; yet there were many who preferred to remain in Zul, having with them their mistresses.

And swift runners went afar to Akin, who held the fleet before Talascan, that he should chase and capture those six vessels which had fled from Zul; and while the aqueduct was being mended to supply the city with water, it was discussed among the chiefs as to disbandment, and also the restoration of buildings.

They devoured their new-born children and all the young ones, for now, under orders, the warriors of Zul penned them in and prevented their hunting for food, enraged at the extortion inflicted by their powerful and departed allies.

Her name, with Toltiah's, was now supreme in Zul, yet there was a void, goading and tormenting.

It was the morning of thy bright day, fair Zul, thou who, foredoomed by Man to destruction, went down into the depths and darkness with great horror at the setting of thy Sun.

Yet long would live those great deeds of might, when thou, Astrobal, sought, yet unavailing, to stem the rush of Zul, with Uruk and Arvath ; and how Dakka of Bitaranu fought hard against the might of Toloc.

In the cleared Market-place the idols had heen reset up by their various worshippers, whom Azta supported, for Toltiah owned no restraining superstition of any sort at all, worshipping Zul alone to the oblivion of all Noah's teachings.

The drum of the temple of Zul called to worship and ceremony, and with fervour the multitudes repaired to the roofs, and the Court and notables to the temple.

For earlier in the palace Toltiah had received the orbed sceptre from the Keeper of the Throne, which was the lord Lamech, the son of Jaal of the family of Enoch the righteous, and upon his head Amaziel had placed the Solar crown of Atlantis, upon the head of Azta placing the crown which held the crystal symbol of the Moon ; and now, upon the highest platform of Zul before counties?

And to add to the awed enthusiasm of the nation, it was known to every one after what fashion Toltiah was carnally endowed, as a very offspring of Zul in actual manifestation ; so that there were continual great movements to get near enough to be able to see him, and very many people were trampled under foot and were killed.

Nor less was Azta fearfully regarded, as being concerned in his appearance before them, all believing him to have been incarnated through her by the god Zul.

There were men, women and youths, noble and great, children of Tzantans and Chiefs, Queens and Princes; old men who had grown gray in Tekthah's wars, venerable tribe-leaders who had followed the four-armed Cross of Atlantis from the north-east to the hill of southern Zul and beyond.

Huitza and Zul!" and as Azta stepped forward and saluted him with a kiss, yet wilder rushed the swelling roar to Heaven, as victoriously they shouted her name, calling her Tizin and goddess.

Marisa, who had risen from her couch, was offered a high appointment if she would swear to remain an ally of Zul; but she refused, to Azta's sorrow and Toltiah's chagrin, and it was given to Resaula, a son of Sifu, concubine of Tekthah whom Toltiah loved.

Yet nevertheless, embracing Noah, he conferred upon him the governorship of the city of Zul and gave him a palace and estates; and likewise embracing his mortified foster-brothers, to Shem he gave control over all the economy of the Empire, to Japheth the post of Chief of Armies, and to Ham the management of all walls and public buildings; likewise giving to each, a mansion, and certain apartments in the Imperial palace.

All the notables of the land were to come as guests, and every citizen of Zul, with the Amazons and all the armies and the crews of the warships ; and the gardens of the palace were prepared for the reception of the guests, many trees being cut down to leave open spaces, in which the carpenters made platforms of wood to form level surfaces for the viands and bowls of wine, which were in great abundance.

Huitza and Zul !

He should be sent to wander far from Zul to meet the full award of a coward and a murderer, despatched thither by such poor means as could be devised.

The work of slaughter continued until not one of the hapless prisoners remained alive, and well might those tortured wretches envy the fate of those who fell on the walls and in the fierce battles before Zul, and cry aloud with great Æneas yet long unborn: "O thrice and four times happy, whose fate it was to fall before your fathers' eyes by those high walls!" O terque quaterque beati!

" Pholia rests in Zul.

Noah and his family were looked upon with disfavour in Zul because that they held themselves apart from evil.

Surrounded by concubines and favorites the young chief led a voluptuous existence, and Azta, cold, continent and masterful, was the real leader in Zul ; for although at every festival Toltiah occupied the chief place, yet everyone recognised with reverence the Ruler in the majestic woman with the eyes of fire who was so terrible and unearthly, and every one of the arrogant chiefs and superb queens, believing they perceived a being of supernatural endowments, feared her.

As the Lady of Zul her name was powerful in the land, and filled with the triumph of it, she was happy for awhile.

"By Zul, my lord, thou art in truth a philosopher!" "It is the philosophy of Experience, fair lady; besides which* nought permits us to act with that moderation befitting one who would rule men."

And I showed her in spirit where Myra wept for the love of Alam, the governor of Talascan, who once loved her with so great a love, yet she not knowing aught of such feeling until he went to join Toltiah before Zul.

She caused the pyramid which was the tomb of Atlace to be wondrously converted into a temple, maintaining a retinue of priestesses and surpassing Zul in mystery and grandeur, being surrounded by a colonnade at the corners of which four tall pylons sent the smoke of their fires to Heaven, while a four-sided symbol of the love of Night and Neptsis crowned the pyramid itself.

And ever went on the reeking sins of Zul where dark Amaziel offered human victims to the elements in dread insolence, where human hearts smoked on the abominable altars and the anguished groans of victims rose to the observant Heaven in the column of undying flame.

These movements increased, and one night in Zul the idols were shaken down and the people cried out with terror; yet there were never wanting many who feared neither god nor man, to jest at the fallen state of the carven abortions, and, plucking them by the limbs, raise them in their great arms in mockery to the sky; so that the people, perceiving no sudden death to fall upon these sacrilegious ones, gathered heart and continued as wickedly as before.

Still afar Axatlan belched flames and equine devils, and rivers of boiling pitch and flying hordes of supernatural raiders terrified the people; yet heedless of the woes of their countrymen, those of Zul ate, drank and blasphemed, licentious and unbridled in their madness, toasting their mistresses on the altars of the temples and worshipping images of them with obscene rites.

Now Ham had designed a great bath to be built in the city, upon the hill near by the palace, which would be filled from the reservoirs of water near the temple of Zul that supplied the smaller reservoirs on the terraces; and for this work numbers of slaves were employed, huge blocks of stones being piled up for the building.

Above waved the flame on Zul, yet it burned lower than was its wont, and the other fires flickered all over the city.

There were sounds of conflict at the main port of the city, but they ceased as the first dawn of day began to appear ; and as the fire-tower of Zul flashed into light the drum rolled its reverberating echoes like thunder from the skies, reassuring and emboldening.

" By Zul, thou shalt repent it, and now!"

The wonder of it was upon all, pleasing and terrifying by turns, and imparting a tentative feeling of sojourning until something great should happen ; and many would wish to return to Zul and be among the crowds of their fellows, and away from here, from Axatlan and from the terrifying signs of Heaven and vague fear of what the building portended.

Well they remembered that their own blooming charms were superior to the faded roses of the beauties of Zul, and what woman could forego admiration without a sigh?

Still upon their round limbs glittered the golden rings, heavy and curiously wrought, set with precious stones that had been found in digging foundations, and supposed to be born of sunbeams by the coloured rocks ; and round the evening fire they wrapped around them the grand cloaks that would have graced the painted halls of Zul, and with them the men here preferred to cover their heads instead of with massy helmets.

They prayed for Atlantis, for Zul, for all those gay princes and ladies, and Susi prayed for Azta.

What was happening now in Zul?

Did martyrs still die on Zul's bloody altars in horrors of torment when the elements smote down their victims in scores all around by the terror of cold and hail and lightning?

From Mount Axatlan came a storm of black dust lasting many days, falling even within the streets of Zul and lying like an ebon pall upon the sea, and many Spirits strove together in the air and rode with shouts upon the north wind.

Terrific omens were abroad in Zul; strangers of terrible aspect were seen, coming from where no man knew and disappearing mysteriously; a great dark bird had extinguished the flame on the temple, and simultaneously the fires on the temples of Neptsis, the Serpent, Winged Things, and all the others had expired ; a leviathan had appeared off the coast for some days, fearful of aspect and prodigious of bulk; while the black storm from Axatlan had covered the city and the waves with ashes, and there were rumours of many new volcanoes and appearances of meteors.

And I saw where Amaziel wrestled in Zul with a portentious Spirit in the chamber where he dwelt, both striving for mastery with great gaspings, while from communicating dark chambers came many other Spirits to watch in those days of the beginning of vengeance.

There came a day when by the advice of Amaziel and the command of Toltiah, nor less by their own fearful inclinations, the people of Zul propitiated the Lord of Light with gorgeous ceremonies, and word was sent to all the cities of the land to worship and seek atonement.

Vast crowds gathered, and pallid eunuch priests and yellow-robed priestesses wound their way up Zul's dark height with humble mien and weird chants, followed by all the great ones of the city; such as could find no room upon the roofs crowding the courts and outlying, pylons.

Behold the Earth stretches abroad her arms to thee her lord, eager for thine embrace, comfortless without thy warmth, and atones to thee with great sacrifice." And all the priests at the sound of the drum shouted in a loud voice; "Hear, O Zul, and forsake not thine espoused!" The victims emerged upon the platform, where stood the noblest of the land, and a long echoing shriek fell upon the ears of the nearer thousands as the first poor wretch was slaughtered and his heart upraised to the sky.

But after a time any misgivings were lost in the frenzy of wine and excitement, as the devilish priests bade them fear only Zul.

In Earthly solitudes I wandered inconsolable, always not very far from Zul ; and sitting down one night, I buried my head within my arms and thought.

"And thou hast come alone to see me, how I have fallen from a lord of Zul to the follower of a mad old man?

"There have been days of terror in Zul, and the face of the Sun is hidden ; by reason of which the altars of all the temples run with the blood of endless sacrifices, yet the cold wind breathes with the whisper of doom, and the flocks and herds are perishing so that there is but little to eat.

Even Huitza is moved and Azta is distressed, and there are those who would fain lay hands upon Noah and you, his sons, because of a rumour that 'tis Susi who caused these things on account of a foolish act of Huitza." "Let Huitza beware!" cried Ham: "let the shade of Maxo the Archer whisper in the ear of the foolish one." For Maxo had secretly disappeared when the army marched upon Zul and lay inactive upon the banks of the Hilen, being slain by Ham for an insult.

I would cast them down in such wise that they would not want to rise again." , Emarna was frightened by his mood, but presently he placed her down and demanded to be told more of what transpired in Zul, enquiring after many of the queens and how they fared.

And upon them I cast dreams and visions, and behold it appeared to the warrior that in Zul he entered the Hall of the Throne of Atlantis and prepared to climb to the seat.

" Thou dost not understand; thou wilt be happier in Zul," he said.

How changed now was that Zul from when I first beheld her greatness !

In shallow water by Zul it stranded, and awe-struck crowds watched it making vast efforts to regain the deeps, noting its shape which was equally saurian, cetacean and serpent.

Even those at the Red palace became alarmed at the aspect of the people, who also were taught that the gods required the death of the mighty ones of Zul which had grievously sinned against them.

Discreet messengers were sent to the cities near and far, to bid their governors lead forth all they could save to the north, where under their king, who would also arrive there, they should leave their unfavorable land, desolated by Zul, and retake their old places.

Exasperated therefore by such things and perceiving their frail mortality, a vast horde of emaciated people thronged up towards the Red palace, around which was encamped the whole army which was in Zul.

There fought with Toltiah all the men of note which were in Zul, whose towering crests were known of all, and upon the high terraces and roofs appeared those queens whose fames were upon all tongues, to look with fear upon the near battle- They read in those bright arms and splendid mantles and jewellery the fate of the lower city, and dismay was upon them to perceive the dreadful ravages of a famine that had not as yet touched themselves.

The Lord Chanoc, governor of Atala and Lord of Astra, who was sojourning in Zul, hewed his way to the front with an Amazon's axe, where fought Toltiah with Marisa's broad cleaver towering high above the thickest fight.

But of a night, when the black deck cut clear and sharp against the dull red clouds, and the blacker shadow of the door was displayed in the fire-illuminated side, the quiet people marvelled at the structure and the preparations, and thought in awe upon the nameless sins of Zul and those in high places, and the mighty wonders wrought of the towering sons of God.

For Azta, watching the lowering masses over the land, had seen, as it were, a world burst in the heavens with an outpouring of thick horror, and shapes descending therefrom in the cyclones and dark night, and from very far had come the voices of the storm while yet in Zul there was a suffocating calm.

From Earth to immense heights rose those awful galleries ; across halls of purple and dark ochre flamed green fans of light, disclosing enormous masses rolling and tossing high in air where solid spheres flew into shattered streamers, clutching like fingers of demons, and black trunks swung above the roar of falling watery worlds above the doomed region, while from the central inferno rays of darkness lay like tremulous bands across the night that spread above Zul.

Over all was cast a yellow veil of very fine silk covered with gemmy points, and standing forth in her incomparable beauty before the hundreds, she began in a clear voice the recital of the nation's history, from when the tribes sprang together at the signal of Tekthah up through their wars and triumphs to the present, when, deserted by Zul and their gods, they must leave their land and their glorious cities and set forth, not in ordered march, but as best they could, to meet in the north, beyond the mountains.

The nobles joined in the revels, the Tzan, supported by his mistresses, drinking to Zul from a bowl formed by the skull of a newly-killed slave, in horrid blasphemy.

A strange weird sight broke upon all eyes, where, through the tremendous gap caused by the fallen wall, the temple of Zul leaned from its height, dark against the gray dawn.

The third storey fell, leaving the wreck of its columns and vaulted roofs standing, and the walls of the fourth storey which faced the palace fell in ruins, carried away by the torrential masses from above so that the central chamber was exposed in which were the dark mysteries of Neptsis and Zul displayed in fire upon its walls.

A great light broke through the gloom, where from the crater of Zul shot up a column of lurid flame, and there was visible to many the three giant idols that sat within the volcano above the lake of fire, by reason of the walls having fallen in.

As flies before a hurricane they went, dashed against impediments and flung headlong, crimsoning with their blood the liquid mass that swept a path of ruin from the hill of Zul to the battlements, and through, plunging with a torrent of foamy uproar into the waters that surrounded the city.

Sheets of foam drenched the crowding people that thronged down to the boats, and against the darkness hanging like a veil from the clouds rose masses of wan spray, leaping over the rocks near the shore, in whose holes and crannies lived dreadful sea animals, and at times dashing over the crater of Zul, which burst into clouds of steam at each contact.

The crowds broke up, and through every street the people ran bewildered and terrified, shuddering at the increasing thun-drous roar of the surf upon the cliffs, that sent the icy spray flying afar over the city and at times eclipsed the light from Zul.

Yet the people of Talascan loved not to leave their beautiful city, and though many towns around them were deserted for the higher-lying lands of Tek-Ra, they still remained, notwithstanding that Zul, as Lord of Fire, ravaged the land.

And even He who told me of these things spoke with disapproval of the horrible excesses that o'ertopped in wickedness even those of Zul.

With feelings similar to their brethren of Zul they cast down their graven images, hurling abuse and sacrilege upon them and burning those of wood.

The highlands of Astra had disappeared beneath the waves, sunk by earthquakes and landslips and topped by fathoms of vast)' waves, that washed the high walls of Zul, and all her cities save Surapa, which lay inland upon a hill, were swallowed up and drowned.

It smote Surapa upon its tall hill, and swept away such devastated cities of Hava as remained; passing thence from far Trocoatla with incredible speed, pregnant with its rolling masses and rushing majesty of destruction ; to cast its trophies with a seething roar at the foot of the walls of distant Zul, where it broke in a majesty of foam and flung its spray over the remains of the temple crowning the doomed heights of the last city of Atlantis.

The heavy rain and storms approached nigher, and of all their griefs for the unhappy people Susi's was the saddest, For all she grieved, but especially for such as she had known the high ones of Zul in whose company she had sojourned foi so brief a space.

Black horror brooded over Zul ; a horror that knew no gleam of hope or of mitigation, but remained waiting in anguish of terror for a certain doom and trembling at every sound, believing it to be the herald of approaching dissolution.

A madman clambered up to where the fire-tower of Zul lay upon its heaps of ruins, and for the last time the great drum rolled out its sonorous echoes, scarce heard among the noise of the elements.

The vast ruins of the temple of Zul, upheaved and hurled forward with awful power, crashed down upon the terraces of the palace, sweeping the flights of stairways with their andro-sphinxes and the winding glories of columned porticoes and corridors and massy pylon towers in rending masses before them.

It was the top of the crater of Zul, beneath whose protecting and dividing point stood a portion of the Imperial palace — the Hall of Feasting.

Nought but the crater of Zul broke the continuity of the black and gold of cloud and wave.