And it is now time that the patient reader should also know the secrets
of that far-distant antarctic region--secrets of which Poe himself died
in ignorance--save as the genius, the seer, knows the wonders of heaven
and earth--sees gems that lie in hidden places, and flowers that bloom
obscurely, and feels the mysteries of ocean depths, and all that is so
far--or near, so great--or small, that common vision sees it not.




The NINTH Chapter


There may be among my readers some who have never read "The Narrative of
A. Gordon Pym," or have so long ago perused that interesting and
mysterious conception, that they have forgotten even the outlines of the
story. It is the purpose of the present chapter to review a few of the
incidents in that narrative, a knowledge of which will add to the
clearer understanding of Peters' story.

Those who are familiar with Edgar Allan Poe's admirable and entrancing
narrative just mentioned, are aware that it is written in
autobiographical form, the facts for the most part being furnished by
Pym in the shape of journal or diary entries, which are edited by Mr.
Poe. For such readers it will be but a waste of time to peruse the
present chapter, brief though it is. And let me further say to any
chance reader of mine who has never had opportunity to enjoy that
exciting and edifying work of America's great genius of prose fiction,
that he is to be envied the possession of the belated pleasure that
awaits him--only a treasured memory of which delight remains to the rest