Межзвёздный скиталец

           Once,inafarland,hernamewasRuth.AlsohashernamebeenIseult,andHelen,Pocahontas,andUnga.Andnostrangerman,fromstrangertribes,buthasfoundherandwillfindherinthetribesofalltheearth.

           Iremembersomanywomenwhohavegoneintothebecomingoftheonewoman.TherewasthetimethatHar,mybrother,andI,sleepingandpursuinginturn,everhoundingthewildstallionthroughthedaytimeandnight,andinawidecirclethatmetwherethesleepingonelay,drovethestallionunrestingthroughhungerandthirsttothemeeknessofweakness,sothatintheendhecouldbutstandandtremblewhileweboundhimwithropestwistedofdeer-hide.Onourlegsalone,withouthardship,aidedmerelybywit—theplanwasmine—mybrotherandIwalkedthatfleet-footedcreatureintopossession.

           Andwhenallwasreadyformetogetonhisback—forthathadbeenmyvisionfromthefirst—Selpa,mywoman,putherarmsaboutme,andraisedhervoiceandpersistedthatHar,andnotI,shouldride,forHarhadneitherwifenoryoungonesandcoulddiewithouthurt.Also,intheendshewept,sothatIwasrapedofmyvision,anditwasHar,nakedandclinging,thatbestrodethestallionwhenhevaultedaway.

           Itwassunset,andatimeofgreatwailing,whentheycarriedHarinfromthefarrockswheretheyfoundhim.Hisheadwasquitebroken,andlikehoneyfromafallenbee-treehisbrainsdrippedontheground.