The Equinox (Volume I, Number V)

THE EQUINOX the river. And these lamps were above the river, children of a nobler element. And in the river is the great Leviathan that devours men. But before I had come within the sphere of attraction of either of these, suddenly mine eyes were gladdened with a marvellous vision. Infinitely far off, as it seemed, a ray of sunlight shot through the Saturnine gloom of the skies, and lit the surface of the water. And then I perceived that upon the river there floated, within that small circle of light, an ark, or as it might be, a coffin. Then looking up into that pierced cloud I saw within the light a certain house surrounded by a grove. Within, all was dark; yet from it proceeded a ray as silvery as the first ray was golden. And I desired ardently to enter that house. Yet, having no wings, the task appeared beyond my human force. Then the heavens closed as suddenly as they had opened, and I was left darkling. Yet I had this candle of hope, that within the ark, could I reach it, might be some help of knowledge or power whereby that house might be attained. So I swam steadily toward, though with some fear, for the eddies in that great stream were numerous, and my sole guide was a slender snake of light that moved upon the water. Or so it appeared ; for I have since discovered that I had an interior sense of direction as trusty as the mariner’s com- pass; so that, though I knew it not, it was never possible for me to go astray. Now as I swam I came upon one floundering and spluttering in the stream, who with mightypuffings urged me to continue. 56