The Equinox (Volume I, Number I)

THE MAN-COVER concession. They clasped their hands and smiled upon me; then planted them instantly in the two big holes of which I have spoken already. The result was immediate. The plants began growing and growing, blossoming in many parts of their stalk, and their odour delighted my nostrils. But this meant no peace for me. The two females, truly, shrank from me, but my senses were speaking in a rough way. They sat at the other end of the oasis; and looked on with wide-open eyes of delight as the two sweet and scented plants continued to grow. I could not detach my sight from the girls, and for the first time my ear did not perceive the music of the two compartments. It seemed to me as if there were two personalities in me, one simple and natural, as it becomes a wood cover, the other complex and full of passions, as if I were really the man whom I knew tobe no more. I took the skull in my hands, and suddenly a light broke its way into my soul. How could I be deluded this time? I had arms and hands; I “SAW” them. I saw the women, I saw the coffin. It was not the feeling ofa plain piece of brown wood. I went almost mad over the discovery. What was the meaning of all this? I then opened the book again, but scarcely had I time to glance at the white page before a large band of negroes came again to me; and this time I could not keep them at a dis- tance. Theychained me and drove me away. I fell unconscious. At my awakeningI found that I was alone by the shore with the old sailor, my willing successor. When he saw that I opened my eyes he spoke gently to me: “ Are you better now?” “What has happened?” said I, instead of answering his question. 379