Page:The Great Secret.djvu/96

80 slanting direction, and at the same terrific rate, still pursued by these persistent rivals.

"From the sombre grim twilight of the mid-ocean we rapidly approached a luminous space like the tender green of a spring glade with the tropic sunbeams penetrating in tremulous and broken shafts, and here the final stand and battle took place for the victim. Here I saw my body torn limb from limb, and the flesh riven from the bones piece by piece and in long ribbons, while the sunny-green fluid became gently tinged with crimson.

"A terrific and horrible battle it was, for a dozen giants had gathered by this time to the meagre feast of my poor body, and yet I watched it all, looking seemingly through the flesh while it was disjointed and mangled, and after that chained to the skeletons that went down while they tore at it. Looking on the horror now with only curiosity, for with each snap and tug, another of my cords seemed to be broken, and I thought that when they had stripped my bones clean that I would be set at liberty.

"Some retired from the battle, mortally wounded, and as they floated back upwards the victors divided their attention between their late enemies and me. I saw them tugging and tearing as viciously at their own kind as at me, while the warm blood gushed out and spread amongst the briny waters in rosy rings, and sparkle until I seemed to be floating in the midst of emeralds and rubies.

"I watched my body go piece-meal; how they mangled and snapped over each insignificant morsel, not one escaping without a wound, and then they let the few last detached bones drop from them as worthless, while I went down again with all that remained of me.