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pointing away toward the big forestindicating that we would go back to
itat once。
It makes me laugh； knowing all I do now； to think of us three
boysnothing else； three audacious impertinent boysbutting into an
unknown country without any sort of a guard or defense。 We seemed to
think that if there were men we could fight them； and if there were only
womenwhy； they would be no obstacles at all。
Jeff； with his gentle romantic old…fashioned notions of women as
clinging vines。 Terry； with his clear decided practical theories that there
were two kinds of womenthose he wanted and those he didn't； Desirable
and Undesirable was his demarcation。 The latter as a large class； but
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negligiblehe had never thought about them at all。
And now here they were； in great numbers； evidently indifferent
to what he might think； evidently determined on some purpose of their
own regarding him； and apparently well able to enforce their purpose。
We all thought hard just then。 It had not seemed wise to object
to going with them； even if we could have； our one chance was
friendlinessa civilized attitude on both sides。
But once inside that building； there was no knowing what these
determined ladies might do to us。 Even a peaceful detention was not to
our minds； and when we named it imprisonment it looked even worse。
So we made a stand； trying to make clear that we preferred the
open country。 One of them came forward with a sketch of our flier；
asking by signs if we were the aerial visitors they had seen。
This we admitted。
They pointed to it again； and to the outlying country； in different
directionsbut we pretended we did not know where it was； and in truth
we were not quite sure and gave a rather wild indication of its
whereabouts。
Again they motioned us to advance； standing so packed about
the door that there remained but the one straight path open。 All around
us and behind they were massed solidlythere was simply nothing to do
but go forwardor fight。
We held a consultation。
〃I never fought with women in my life；〃 said Terry； greatly
perturbed； 〃but I'm not going in there。 I'm not going to be herded inas
if we were in a cattle chute。〃
〃We can't fight them； of course；〃 Jeff urged。 〃They're all
women； in spite of their nondescript clothes； nice women； too； good strong
sensible faces。 I guess we'll have to go in。〃
〃We may never get out； if we do；〃 I told them。 〃Strong and
sensible； yes； but I'm not so sure about the good。 Look at those faces！〃
They had stood at ease； waiting while we conferred together； but
never relaxing their close attention。
Their attitude was not the rigid discipline of soldiers； there was
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no sense of compulsion about them。 Terry's term of a 〃vigilance
committee〃 was highly descriptive。 They had just the aspect of sturdy
burghers； gathered hastily to meet some common need or peril； all moved
by precisely the same feelings； to the same end。
Never； anywhere before； had I seen women of precisely this
quality。 Fishwives and market women might show similar strength； but it
was coarse and heavy。 These were merely athleticlight and powerful。
College professors； teachers； writersmany women showed similar
intelligence but often wore a strained nervous look； while these were as
calm as cows； for all their evident intellect。
We observed pretty closely just then； for all of us felt that it was
a crucial moment。
The leader gave some word of command and beckoned us on；
and the surrounding mass moved a step nearer。
〃We've got to decide quick；〃 said Terry。
〃I vote to go in；〃 Jeff urged。 But we were two to one against
him and he loyally stood by us。 We made one more effort to be let go；
urgent； but not imploring。 In vain。
〃Now for a rush； boys！〃 Terry said。 〃And if we can't break 'em；
I'll shoot in the air。〃
Then we found ourselves much in the position of the suffragette
trying to get to the Parliament buildings through a triple cordon of London
police。
The solidity of those women was something amazing。 Terry
soon found that it was useless； tore himself loose for a moment； pulled his
revolver； and fired upward。 As they caught at it； he fired againwe heard
a cry。
Instantly each of us was seized by five women； each holding
arm or leg or head； we were lifted like children； straddling helpless
children； and borne onward； wriggling indeed； but most ineffectually。
We were borne inside； struggling manfully； but held secure most
womanfully； in spite of our best endeavors。
So carried and so held； we came into a high inner hall； gray and
bare； and were brought before a majestic gray…haired woman who seemed
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to hold a judicial position。
There was some talk； not much； among them； and then suddenly
there fell upon each of us at once a firm hand holding a wetted cloth
before mouth and nosean order of swimming sweetnessanesthesia。
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CHAPTER 3
A Peculiar Imprisonment
From a slumber as deep as death； as refreshing as that of a healthy
child； I slowly awakened。
It was like rising up； up； up through a deep warm ocean； nearer
and nearer to full light and stirring air。 Or like the return to
consciousness after concussion of the brain。 I was once thrown from a
horse while on a visit to a wild mountainous country quite new to me； and
I can clearly remember the mental experience of coming back to life；
through lifting veils of dream。 When I first dimly heard the voices of
those about me； and saw the shining snowpeaks of that mighty range； I
assumed that this too would pass； and I should presently find myself in my
own home。
That was precisely the experience of this awakening： receding
waves of half…caught swirling vision； memories of home； the steamer； the
boat； the airship； the forestat last all sinking away one after another； till
my eyes were wide open； my brain clear； and I realized what had
happened。
The most prominent sensation was of absolute physical comfort。
I was lying in a perfect bed： long； broad； smooth； firmly soft and level；
with the finest linen； some warm light quilt of blanket； and a counterpane
that was a joy to the eye。 The sheet turned down some fifteen inches； yet
I could stretch my feet at the foot of the bed free but warmly covered。
I felt as light and clean as a white feather。 It took me some
time to conscientiously locate my arms and legs； to feel the vivid sense of
life radiate from the wakening center to the extremities。
A big room； high and wide； with many lofty windows whose
closed blinds let through soft green…lit air； a beautiful room； in proportion；
in color； in smooth simplicity； a scent of blossoming gardens outside。
I lay perfectly still； quite happy； quite conscious； and yet not
actively realizing what had happened till I heard Terry。
〃Gosh！〃 was what he said。
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I turned my head。 There were three beds in this chamber； and
plenty of room for them。
Terry was sitting up； looking about him； alert as ever。