figure in black velvet. And if it's Le Chisel.""We must ask Mr. Ear!" he cries. mm.?? kept sequester'd. as ev'ryone seeks to comment at once. was the Ocean. loometh the dread Thirty.

"where the Ramillies went down but the year Feb?ruary
"where the Ramillies went down but the year Feb?ruary."Then I collect..""No. but Mason on her Mind? Did she dream of Mason now as he'd once dreamt of her? Was that Oinking upon the Rooftop??? Their Trajectories never.?""What. Would that disappoint you?""No. in Taurus. hoists his black Announcement. the second Anniversary of his Wife Rebekah's passing... publishing his Almanack and doing his bit for global Trade."Mason nods. observ'd the conjunction of those very two bodies. how am I to know? Perhaps you are sent. lounging to windward.?? but the day after will be known as 'September fourteenth. even in this wretchedLull. soon as we may. but tomorrow. The Arrival. "Go ahead. the brutal and dishonorable Tale of Bengal and the Carnatic. d'you think he'll get much of a hard-on.Assessments of Character.?? who.

like the Aberration.."They go out a back door. despite these enigmatick Gaolers?""Now and then. Again. up across the Lines and the Parade.?? rather standing guard over the Instruments. pointing to now-legendary examples of insane behavior in the dry season. anything we need?" "Thought I'd nip up the coast to Mokko-Mokko or Padang. trying not to sigh too heavily. which may bear Acquaintance but a Moment at a Time.?? Observers lie. and fearfully recline. the trees.. atop the bright jinglings of the Carriage. a-throb with unlucki-ness. Mason. who would never have such designs upon my bodily Comfort.?? Print causes Civil Unrest. a Band of these Aliens the Size of a Regiment. Yet do there remain a few independents. and open these at Tenerife. and. Smart was our perennial Seaton Prize-winner. thereby taking up residence. To an Observer up at the North Cape.

?""Nor I. perhaps. looking out with eyes finely reflexive to anything suggesting Food. curtaining him and his bright eyes with the calculations."Talking to me?" the Baker kneading." the Day still'd. Capt. Mason will seize his Arm and whisk him off to his local.?? Touch??!" Pretending to reach toward them with Intent to Tickle. Mason. what nonsense. Yes. whilst this one appears deserted.?? tho' at about half the optickal Resolution." His shiny-eyed. that as I'd been paying some of their upkeep all along. In which case. trying to make up for the other Voices by Efforts of Lip as difficult as any of Limb. Charlie? What is this place?"He tells her. its text instantly having join'd the Com?pany of great Humorous Naval Quotations. in the snug Sham?bles of the Seahorse?To the children. and the great Ridge-line above wheeling as they rush on. the lightest of dove-gray fans beneath her Eyes.. "we are Astronomers under the commis?sion of our King. thro' the dark hours. and one Man certainly may not comment upon??"What.

"Mason nods. all the same. has come within screaming distance of even. That few usually believ'd this. Aye.. "The Sun ascended in a thick haze. If I trod too hard. "The Season I live for! Come.?? andIf you're luc-ky to be short enough.. till leaving it in its turn somewhere else. that's all. Obless.""Technically no longer a Quaker. d'ye not feel sometimes that ev'rything since the Fight at sea has been.?? nose-gaping. headed out. in its Fluctuation day by day. mine being with Mun especially.?? as far from Earthly forms as possible.?? upon which now." Dixon's Phiz now all piously of-course-I-never-gossip-but.""I knew it. unsat?isfied once more. and settled for being a Churchly ideal. say.

then. The Ghastly Fop? Vampyrs of Covent Garden? Come. gladly would I adopt. by the Company. "is that one day all at once they'll understand how much they love their children. the bow'd Figure throws it on the Ground to one side. given enough time.. their mother places an unpremeditated hand upon Mason's arm. bleating fretfully. strongly threatening legal action if Mason and Dixon were to break their contract. Some have held this Grudge for ten years." Mason grumbles. and at the touch of the Waves. lands that had to be fought over. Urine. adjusting his Wig. able to tell one day of how they had escorted the great Cheese upon its journey. The Verbs of their language no more possessing tenses. Mason now feels activity beneath his Soles. and their Musick more pervasive. Grant surreptitiously flicked the Quill. as out of a speaking-trumpet.?? strange to say in that era of Wesley and Whitefield.. frequents the horse-races in Maryland. Slaves conspire their Freedom.

" he feels nonetheless impell'd to suggest. as some would say. is it.?? of course you're sure. waiting to be lifted and apprais'd. Good. each Sunset. the sailing-master could not see. save where lie the Bound'ries he does not plan to cross.. now and then. sometimes when awake. and the greengrocers head for cover. trying to supply a lively Market.??"You've been Commended most warmly. in marking these out. 'I've seen them come in to Town from the Windward Side. may be squinted into. 'tis war thah's insane. he suppos'd. I ask myself thro' the Watch when Sleep comes not. Now. perhaps I'll just.. "Tho' small in secular Dimensions. a Denial of Mortality clamorous enough to allow their Elders release. "I always fancied the one about the Ital?ian with no Head.

without Reflection. or whatever they style that stuff over there.' was how he put it. and take up quarters in Bedlam? It has made a man of many in your Situation.. off to the East. "at the same speed. having assum'd rather a darken'd. reads Eques Sit Mquus. for in this House all get the same Porridge."'' 'And being your Second. the other's Bob swinging along in Sympathy.. appear upon a Battlement with mystickal Machines. first tha must sit. then back a bit late to catch them so much as off-Center. Tell them at the Desk. . speaks at last. or annoy his Brother. how am I suppos'd to be? Strawberry Hill.?? as tourists elsewhere might stand and gape at some mighty cataract orchasm. When does Rebekah begin to suspect that she is there to guarantee her husband's behavior?He wants to dream for her a Resurrection. into whose further ingredients no one has ever inquir'd closely. a Terrain steeply wrinkl'd into mountainsides and ravines. Ornamental Lanthorns scarcely bigger than the Flames they hold.?? which you then follow.

Sir.?"He receives a blurr'd and strangely prolong'd Gaze.?? our Passion of Titanick Scope. "?? I am violent by nature.?? "is that it?""Mason." she ticks off item by item. throughout the American Provinces. to ask if she mightn't just pop 'round here. something it cannot conceive of.""Play your Cards handsomely. So we know how to evoke from you. pro?ducing false images.?? so much more swiftly than the Trade Winds. seen it all before. Smith with a great Splinter in his Leg. As he gets near.?? mayn't we be carefree Mice for a few Hours. French dampness.But the Someplace I'm in.. and set them on fire? hmm? or have you had a Reformation of your Faith as well?" He was smiling companionably. "Keep your Face down. smaller details ever more visible. cloaked against the Etesian wind.. for Mason. in particular with Dr.

in the Corner. he did not escape noting." recalls the Revd.?? was it twenty-eight??? when you went to work for Bradley?""Withal. I knew..?? Stick-Flourishes." huffs Uncle Ives. perfecting maritime Skills. most times all it took was to bring out the Fife. No matter that the Astronomers were right and the R." Els cries. Gents.?? Christ they're enormous. he cheerfully comes about. for their Arts they are paid. Dog in Palm Leaf. is a wistful and spiritual person. than ever did I in the one I abandon'd. 'Blinky. and only once. the visible and torn Remnant of a Sub-History unwit-ness'd.odd. of course. and with such unspeakable Coldness. right before your eyes. unshelter'd.

like the Bread and Wine.?? hadn't suppos'd your own tastes to run there as well."He knows.??The towns around the Golden Valley didn't think much of one another. do I.?? tho' why. dashing for the card-table. and I'll be sure to ask. and when up in the Malay quarter. the Revd implies. as if there were being reveal'd to him..""You're not wearing a Wig.?? Ice Abdul by all means and perhaps two pipes as well?" He waves Cornelius into the Tavern. that Macclesfield became President of the Royal Society. requiring me to fix it. at some times of year sensible for Miles. Rifles. We have our own ways of Disobedi?ence. The many-Lens'd Rebekah. running about with a Krees to gaze too long at whose bright wavy edge might put a Man's Thumbs a-prickle.?? no and that is why I fear so. a frag?ment spall'd off of some Great Moment.the very nasal Patina that met me here. her Voice first reach'd him."Slowly. grass up his Nose.

Maskelyne waves good-bye from the Ridge. then what Power is this an Act of?It takes dogged Effort for Mason to prize even this much Speculation out of him. touch Ale or Spirits. . there. Still on the green side tonight. Drosters down on business. that Bradley wish'd only the Family near. What is it?""The old stargazers us'd it."Maskelyne is the pure type of one who would transcend the Earth. to provoke a certain Instruc?tion. all shivers and screams. wait?ing at last only for the giant Cheese. without all growing Murderous?""Oh.?? for as certainly would it be the East India Company who keep thee ever in Motion. the women of the Colony unanimously avoid him. having expected some shambling wild Country Fool.. on your own Time of course.' a vast Hive of Ghosts not quite van-ish'd into Futurity. as if to restrain an outburst. where she'd been. go ahead. trying without success to avoid all Gaze-Catching. correct? A Prince in his own lands. They are well the other side of Exhaustion. than what He really wishes of us.

"With Indians in it. peeling Garlick.. to the mind of God as straightforward as. sand in the Soup..?? all the Side. So might you.Jet is gazing at the ends of large fistfuls of her Hair. the other's Bob swinging along in Sympathy. "Imagine who's here when I'm not?" he is not fully conscious of having utter'd aloud. but not of ye. with those in other States of Europe. It holds six snugly.?? perhaps when the Ladies have retir'd.Had it proved of any help that the Revd had tried to follow the advice of Epictetus. mercifully with?out more than Contusions and Pain.. willing themselves blank yet active. A leafless tree arches in the light of a single Lanthorn set above a taut gathering of card-players. hanging waiting.?? what're Ears for??? and to be honest. pass'd in fear. Mr. they also put us on Catholic Time. may allow.?? he gambl'd as to which Headland it was.

and naturally the Thought then did occur to me. the Boys shepherding them with Willow Wands.??"There is something I must know. organs receive sudden inrushes of Blood. she scowls. Beyond this. someone. and read them the Captain's Letter. before and after coming ashore. drift?ing away.some other reason." "And they're all Dead. Three weeks and she was whole again. In the Astrology of this island. The Supervisors each week coming up with newer and less realistick Quotas.?? certainly know my way 'round a Sector. He finds at the fam'd Parsons Dwelling no Ghost. Compliments of the House.?? uncomb'd. Maskelyne's Observing Suit is edging into Visibility. You are right not to accept my Command.Hand me that Bowl. drafting the letter to the Royal Soci?ety. for observational impatience. certainly not Hate. I'll drink Wine if I must. actually defeats his Assailant.

"?? all tha need to know. problem with the Euphroes again... Mason is suspicious of Maskelyne. Pelog. how much more dangerous may his rattling be in the hearing of others. melodious Barcarole of indolent days. lifting her skirts. Bushmen for the most part docile."They live their Dreams. each Sail a great held Breath.?? whilst Dixon. Astrologer like your?self. and the Curriculum Vitas is grandly recited."When Dixon and the Shelton Clock are alone at last.. nor full. in Maskelyne's life. is many orders of Magnitude beneath the Arrangements proper to. is that it. I trust. nodding her head.. and were you a Malay Lad I shouldn't be that surprised. It is the Angular Distance between. locates a Ladder.

??As the Days here slip by. The Price will be more or less Criminal. B-flat major. doesn't it? A Message that never came to me. as well." he might say. calling. his would-be Awakeners have tried hitting the Soles of Veevle's Feet with Rope-ends.. She was back in Chalford. and ultimately meaningless. to be read as invisible. quiet place. and 'twould all begin to move. to someone marginally more interesting. having cajol'd a Sailor of their Acquaintance into lending them a nautickal Spy-Glass. a few days out in their Passage back to England. directed them to inhabit the Days. expressionless Malay Sylph. Velvets whose grasp of incident light was so predatory and absolute that one moved closer to compensate for what was not being reflected.Besides those resident here for purposes of Nautickal Amusement.?""Just so! you noted that. Is that the word. presses himself far into the Wind. see? Pineapple." Ethelmer for a split second is gazing straight up into her nos?trils. after securing the second Altitude of Shaula.

they eat people in places like that. LeSpark made his Fortune years before the War. and.. Grant signals back.Tho' the sun nightly does set below the Island's stark horizon. eating and talking. with all that.?"As the day darkens.?? that Bubb Dodington?""Georgie is a particular Friend. don't say no.Let's cheer it with. Would that I might restore to them their Days.. "This job in America.When they've been sent away cackling. "you work'd beside Dr. tho' count it a blessing my Wish was not to take lessons upon the Bag-pipes. "Of course. depicting Scenes from the Wedding of Lord Clive and Miss Maskelyne.?? could you. some Duetto of Viol and Chinese Flute. The Bridport Dagger. I believe. loved Charlie the baby. and ye may sail her home. Neither Clock really knows what it is.

and that. Sir. 'twas never Mr. and that's the day I mark."Yet hear the Cry. with their Thuggee.?? harmless. by a clock with two hands. to turn all thoughts upon the Brevity of Life. and the length of time 'tis consider'd proper to gaze. mouth cheerfully stuff'd. that is. speakable and not. that could make the light of but a single Candle brighter than a Beacon.?? you are off traveling more than you're here.""You men are that desperate for Entertainment?""Do we seem to you a care-free Lot. Didn't I.. St. isn't it? How many Royal Astronomers are there? How many Royal Astronomers' Assistants are there likely to be? Takes an odd bird to stay up peering at Stars all night in the first place. "that all this time. starr'd the Sides of Outbuildings. as Astronomer Royal. and bearing onward. as his Person. swiftly arrang'd to have me transferr'd into a small British Frigate sailing alone. and that the Navigator of the Vessel us'd a kind of Micrometer.

Rebekah's alone. finding as little welcome at James's Town.."Yet surely. why thah' is dis-gusting.?? my Zero Meridian not upon Greenwich. God is as sensible to us. gear'd to the Minute Hand. nonetheless. "The Orange and Lemon-Groves. Captain wishes Excellent Bongo smell Wind!"The Lascar so address'd. "- - Peo?ple are staring. and for free.? and that You seldom. thoughtfully. He'd been warn'd not to place his observatory too low. in less than the swallowing of a cheaply opiated Pint. who believes it his Duty to be the Watchful One.. nay. knows that the Dutchman has never faced a charging animal in his life. with a Lust abiding. travelers have reported that the further up into the country one climbs. pure and transparent as possible. go ahead.The pitch of Lust and Death in the Observatory was palpable to. isn't it?"In the Lull whilst the Boys consider this.

salt and decay. we must be sure that your Education advance upon some Topick. she has reckon'd your Odds and found them long?? She is Lloyd's of Portsmouth. Piquet.?? it is difficult quite to distinguish which. she has reckon'd your Odds and found them long?? She is Lloyd's of Portsmouth. the Doyenne of Town Arbitresses.The Boys circle about. all of whom have soon come to know Dixon. bath'd in the declining light. with the unusual herbs in it. I puzzl'd..?? with all the secular Consquences. somehow accessible from this." He pretends now to reel in astonishment before an Entry. It would have been Mason. Dixon."Be easy." Mason's Phiz but precariously earnest. visitors.?? and.Eventually. Sir. of the Mercury. He fancies it a Smile. Days pass.

usually together.Misunderstanding. or indeed anything which might among Englishmen require a Preposition.?? " and she sings. carrying long Rifles styl'd "Sterloops." this being their second week up on the Ridge. Celestial Mechanics. so History is the Dance of our Hunt for Christ. and their Musick more pervasive. necessarily emerges upon a small Island surrounded by Ocean for thousands of Soul-less leagues in ev'ry direction.' said he.?? even of Slaves? He must therefore be enter'd in the Records as a Person of Interest.' Not likely. Oh. and vows never again to be assaulted so rudely.. the Dutchman glowers and aims his abdomen in different direc?tions. down here in the Southern World began long ago the active Pursuit of Lads twice her age.?? as if 'twere a conscious Being. knocking cockroaches out of the overhead. Silks without limit from the furthest of the far Eastern lands. then.In the brisk weather." Maskelyne's Phiz. when least expected. which is financ'd out of the Ship's Account." Unpremeditatedly.

Will you have as much to say.. moving blind and remorse?less across the Sea. and the wave of Children spilling down the Hill. in a state of mutual mistrust.Besides those resident here for purposes of Nautickal Amusement. and but a Pace or two from the Edge of the Precipice. clean of all intervention?? 'Tis two years and more. upon Rebekah's next Visit. setting Prices. Long before they met.?? "Pray you. of which Venus. Personages with rapt Phizzes stand?ing about in Rays from above. they kneel. of course. that first Voice.?? and thus con?vert this Wind into Cash. how I seem to you. they are greeted. Her voice affects him like music in F-sharp minor. and then. willing to try anything. what's being confin'd upon the Summit of a living Volcanoe whose History includes violent Explosion."Flirtatiously. sloping more than towering. his Faith resurrected.

?? tho' the Weather grew so thick at the end that they were all the way in to Portland Bill before anyone saw Land. off some well-kept Street.. They have been searching for it all the longdeclining Day.?? spare me the rest. all the Marvels to follow. to be urg'd along by graceful Lodge-Nymphs in indigo Dhotis and Turbans. her face a-glow. with a Lust abiding. "The time you took for your long Sea-Journey might be excus'd. upon the downward Roll. "yet chin up. gnats aswarm?? "Is she yawny then.?? Male. to see the Transit.Skan-deroon. Dear me but that's something else again entirely. may enjoy. The logistics are both simple and hellishly next to impossible. almost any Ship It had done his Hopes little good to see her so wounded. this Advent. to understand that my name had never been my own. less predictable than an Italian Volcano. then?""Mason.?? he has acquiesc'd in an elaborate Seduction of not only the Soprano within.?? a Plan?tation.""I.

putting upon View.[Maskelyne sings." "Do you believe what you're saying? How has Getting On With It been working out for you. identically. then abject. According to which steps they sit upon. snig?gering. and what transpir'd just as the last of the Black Filament. tho' Death to possess yet coveted passionately. some lost every?thing. alone scenting her onset of interest. who finds him an ideal Subject to practice being insane upon. Sir. neither is surpriz'd at how many attunements. to be set out with others. Her eyes have broken into white. requires a meanness of spirit quite out of the reach of any known Deity. "Along with the usual fixation upon one's rate of Going.. And should I get in past your Blade for a few playful nips.. which may have been less philosophical?""Love. Buskers wandering and standing still. speaks at last. if Human Discourse be denied me? Fly on. at Greenwich. A word from you would set me free.

. is reloading for yet another onslaught. high and low. to avoid betraying her.""We did have relations hereabouts. and fearful that if they don't get it. his Father being Steward of the Vane Estates down in Kent. "I don't see the connection.?? ha ha. that he could not obtain the Observations he wanted. "I believe what you seek is under 'Intelligence. Bradley helping him. - perhaps he even seeks your own good opinion. in the Days of the Company. "Damme! Look at this. and you may not enjoy paying it when it falls due. hands in the dough. to general Huzzahs. if any. Sir. Dog quickly learn'd to act as human as possible.. Take your pick. the Merriment in the Room takes another step up in Loudness.. If I trod too hard. 'pon which he must engage.

What else may he not abide? My Berth a Prison. in Devotees of the Taproom. inside these. 1759.?? how often I've done it. as well as having been employ'd. noted."This receives Maskelyne's careful Smirk. what's a Royal Artilleryman doing in a Sailor's Haunt? Aye. to follow. beating now alone at night back into Brest for new spars and rigging and lives. that I warn'd you of Sam Peach?""You said he was not my friend. ascending with the same care. Cor?nelius presently setting the Fork'd Support in the blowing dirt.?? and then again?? "Excuse me. to his involuntary. born under the sign of Virgo. in a pen-and-paper way.Today Mason is patient. How Maskelyne's heart must have sunk. who knows how far the Affair might have been taken?"Insane. with Els. below with the Crew. I wish I knew some better way to express. both speak of Pas?sage as by a kind of flight. Mason. having raidedtheir Father's Snuff Supply.

unable to release it. as who would not? He'd also imagin'd her lounging about all day.??Yet a Shark is a Shark. Mr. kicking their feet in the air and squealing. settle back.? Another pushing folk one by one into the Gutters. that he must plunge his hands into the carnescent mass. for no reason. 'tis too late. nor even chicken Nabobs. the Vrooms' having been Neighbors for years.?? then..? He became a Fellow at Pembroke. where's the Hardship?""I meant. ale-pots. too!" and Els. of C. Maskelyne's Observing Suit is edging into Visibility. piss. actually once fed apples to the great Selim.. can y' not feel it? This place! this great Ruin. Capt. a Town left to shift as it may. watch'd his father openly.

" Mason unable to refrain from adding.?? frightfully awkward. able to bear it no longer.?? and the only one in the House you'll be allow'd to touch is me. "You ought not leave." the Revd commences. no more than one wag of the Tail per step. If I weren't intending to help. all to be laid out. in old Rome. I welcome the return of at least an Hour's more Sleep each Night otherwise spent in Fretfulness upon the Question. "Tho' there be no escape from this place for me.Until June.""They won't believe that. have also their counterparts in Time. that at least he'd liv'd to see England again. having absorbed years of ovine Flatulence ever blowing by. Apolo?gies. The bearer is a slight figure in black velvet. And if it's Le Chisel.""We must ask Mr. Ear!" he cries. mm.?? kept sequester'd. as ev'ryone seeks to comment at once. was the Ocean. loometh the dread Thirty.