CHAPTER VI

THE GHOST OF THE DEAD

When Nanea leapt from the dizzy platform that overhung the Pool of Doom,
a strange fortune befell her. Close in to the precipice were many jagged
rocks, and on these the waters of the fall fell and thundered, bounding
from them in spouts of spray into the troubled depths of the foss
beyond. It was on these stones that the life was dashed out from the
bodies of the wretched victims who were hurled from above. But Nanea, it
will be remembered, had not waited to be treated thus, and as it chanced
the strong spring with which she had leapt to death carried her clear of
the rocks. By a very little she missed the edge of them and striking the
deep water head first like some practised diver, she sank down and down
till she thought that she would never rise again. Yet she did rise,
at the end of the pool in the mouth of the rapid, along which she sped
swiftly, carried down by the rush of the water. Fortunately there were
no rocks here; and, since she was a skilful swimmer, she escaped the
danger of being thrown against the banks.

For a long distance she was borne thus till at length she saw that she
was in a forest, for trees cut off the light from the water, and their
drooping branches swept its surface. One of these Nanea caught with her
hand, and by the help of it she dragged herself from the River of Death
whence none had escaped before. Now she stood upon the bank gasping
but quite unharmed; there was not a scratch on her body; even her white
garment was still fast about her neck.

But though she had suffered no hurt in her terrible voyage, so exhausted
was Nanea that she could scarcely stand. Here the gloom was that of