the underground city-地下城(英文版)-第10部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！



possibly　be　found　suitable　for　a　lad　whose　whole　life　must　be　passed　in　the　depths　of　a　coal　mine？〃

Well！　now　it　seemed　as　if　the　most　desirable　panion　in　the　world　had　been　led　to　him　by　Providence。　　Was　not　this　like　a　blessing　direct　from　Heaven？　　So　the　old　man　made　up　his　mind　that；　if　the　wedding　did　take　place；　the　miners　of　New　Aberfoyle　should　have　a　merry…making　at　Coal　Town；　which　they　would　never　during　their　lives　forget。　Simon　Ford　little　knew　what　he　was　saying！

It　must　be　remarked　that　another　person　wished　for　this　union　of　Harry　and　Nell　as　much　as　Simon　did……and　that　was　James　Starr；　the　engineer。　Of　course　he　was　really　interested　in　the　happiness　of　the　two　young　people。　　But　another　motive；　connected　with　wider　interests；　influenced　him　to　desire　it。

It　has　been　said　that　James　Starr　continued　to　entertain　a　certain　amount　of　apprehension；　although　for　the　present　nothing　appeared　to　justify　it。　Yet　that　which　had　been　might　again　be。　　This　mystery　about　the　new　cutting……Nell　was　evidently　the　only　person　acquainted　with　it。　Now；　if　fresh　dangers　were　in　store　for　the　miners　of　Aberfoyle；　how　were　they　possibly　to　be　guarded　against；　without　so　much　as　knowing　the　cause　of　them？

〃Nell　has　persisted　in　keeping　silence；〃　said　James　Starr　very　often；　〃but　what　she　has　concealed　from　others；　she　will　not　long　hide　from　her　husband。　　Any　danger　would　be　danger　to　Harry　as　well　as　to　the　rest　of　us。　　Therefore；　a　marriage　which　brings　happiness　to　the　lovers；　and　safety　to　their　friends；　will　be　a　good　marriage；　if　ever　there　is　such　a　thing　here　below。〃

Thus；　not　illogically；　reasoned　James　Starr。　　He　municated　his　ideas　to　old　Simon；　who　decidedly　appreciated　them。　Nothing；　then；　appeared　to　stand　in　the　way　of　the　match。　What；　in　fact；　was　there　to　prevent　it？　　They　loved　each　other；　the　parents　desired　nothing　better　for　their　son。　Harry's　rades　envied　his　good　fortune；　but　freely　acknowledged　that　he　deserved　it。　　The　maiden　depended　on　no　one　else；　and　had　but　to　give　the　consent　of　her　own　heart。

Why；　then；　if　there　were　none　to　place　obstacles　in　the　way　of　this　union……why；　as　night　came　on；　and；　the　labors　of　the　day　being　over；　the　electric　lights　in　the　mine　were

extinguished；　and　all　the　inhabitants　of　Coal　Town　at　rest　within　their　dwellings……why　did　a　mysterious　form　always　emerge　from　the　gloomier　recesses　of　New　Aberfoyle；　and　silently　glide　through　the　darkness？

What　instinct　guided　this　phantom　with　ease　through　passages　so　narrow　as　to　appear　to　be　impracticable？

Why　should　the　strange　being；　with　eyes　flashing　through　the　deepest　darkness；　e　cautiously　creeping　along　the　shores　of　Lake　Malcolm？　　Why　so　directly　make　his　way　towards　Simon's　cottage；　yet　so　carefully　as　hitherto　to　avoid　notice？　Why；　bending　towards　the　windows；　did　he　strive　to　catch；　by　listening；　some　fragment　of　the　conversation　within　the　closed　shutters？

And；　on　catching　a　few　words；　why　did　he　shake　his　fist　with　a　menacing　gesture　towards　the　calm　abode；　while　from　between　his　set　teeth　issued　these　words　in　muttered　fury；　〃She　and　he？　　Never！　never！〃


CHAPTER　XIV　A　SUNRISE


A　MONTH　after　this；　on　the　evening　of　the　20th　of　August；　Simon　Ford　and　Madge　took　leave；　with　all　manner　of　good　wishes；　of　four　tourists；　who　were　setting　forth　from　the　cottage。

James　Starr；　Harry；　and　Jack　Ryan　were　about　to　lead　Nell's　steps　over　yet　untrodden　paths；　and　to　show　her　the　glories　of　nature　by　a　light　to　which　she　was　as　yet　a　stranger。　The　excursion　was　to　last　for　two　days。　　James　Starr；　as　well　as　Harry；　considered　that　during　these　eight　and　forty　hours　spent　above　ground；　the　maiden　would　be　able　to　see　everything　of　which　she　must　have　remained　ignorant　in　the　gloomy　pit；　all　the　varied　aspects　of　the　globe；　towns；　plains；　mountains；　rivers；　lakes；　gulfs；　and　seas　would　pass；　panorama…like；　before　her　eyes。

In　that　part　of　Scotland　lying　between　Edinburgh　and　Glasgow；　nature　would　seem　to　have　collected　and　set　forth　specimens　of　every　one　of　these　terrestrial　beauties。　　As　to　the　heavens；　they　would　be　spread　abroad　as　over　the　whole　earth；　with　their　changeful　clouds；　serene　or　veiled　moon；　their　radiant　sun；　and　clustering　stars。　　The　expedition　had　been　planned　so　as　to　bine　a　view　of　all　these　things。

Simon　and　Madge　would　have　been　glad　to　go　with　Nell；　but　they　never　left　their　cottage　willingly；　and　could　not　make　up　their　minds　to　quit　their　subterranean　home　for　a　single　day。

James　Starr　went　as　an　observer　and　philosopher；　curious　to　note；　from　a　psychological　point　of　view；　the　novel　impressions　made　upon　Nell；　perhaps　also　with　some　hope　of　detecting　a　clue　to　the　mysterious　events　connected　with　her　childhood。　　Harry；　with　a　little　trepidation；　asked　himself　whether　it　was　not　possible　that　this　rapid　initiation　into　the　things　of　the　exterior　world　would　change　the　maiden　he　had　known　and　loved　hitherto　into　quite　a　different　girl。　　As　for　Jack　Ryan；　he　was　as　joyous　as　a　lark　rising　in　the　first　beams　of　the　sun。　He　only　trusted　that　his　gayety　would　prove　contagious；　and　enliven　his　traveling　panions；　thus　rewarding　them　for　letting　him　join　them。　Nell　was　pensive　and　silent。

James　Starr　had　decided；　very　sensibly；　to　set　off　in　the　evening。　It　would　be　very　much　better　for　the　girl　to　pass　gradually　from　the　darkness　of　night　to　the　full　light　of　day；　and　that　would　in　this　way　be　managed；　since　between　midnight　and　noon　she　would　experience　the　successive　phases　of　shade　and　sunshine；　to　which　her　sight　had　to　get　accustomed。

Just　as　they　left　the　cottage；　Nell　took　Harry's　hand　saying；　〃Harry；　is　it　really　necessary　for　me　to　leave　the　mine　at　all；　even　for　these　few　days？〃

〃Yes；　it　is；　Nell；〃　replied　the　young　man。　　〃It　is　needful　for　both　of　us。〃

〃But；　Harry；〃　resumed　Nell；　〃ever　since　you　found　me；　I　have　been　as　happy　as　I　can　possibly　be。　　You　have　been　teaching　me。　Why　is　that　not　enough？　　What　am　I　going　up　there　for？〃

Harry　looked　at　her　in　silence。　　Nell　was　giving　utterance　to　nearly　his　own　thoughts。

〃My　child；〃　said　James　Starr；　〃I　can　well　understand　the　hesitation　you　feel；　but　it　will　be　good　for　you　to　go　with　us。　Those　who　love　you　are　taking　you；　and　they　will　bring　you　back　again。　Afterwards　you　will　be　free；　if　you　wish　it；　to　continue　your　life　in　the　coal　mine；　like　old

Simon；　and　Madge；　and　Harry。　　But　at　least　you　ought　to　be　able　to　pare　what　you　give　up　with　what　you　choose；　then　decide　freely。　　e！〃

〃e；　dear　Nell！〃　cried　Harry。

〃Harry；　I　am　willing　to　follow　you；〃　replied　the　maiden。　At　nine　o'clock　the　last　train　through　the　tunnel　started　to　convey　Nell　and　her　panions　to　the　surface　of　the　earth。　Twenty　minutes　later　they　alighted　on　the　platform　where　the　branch　line　to　New　Aberfoyle　joins　the　railway　from　Dumbarton　to　Stirling。

The　night　was　already　dark。　　From　the　horizon　to　the　zenith；　light　vapory　clouds　hurried　through　the　upper　air；　driven　by　a　refreshing　northwesterly　breeze。　　The　day　had　been　lovely；　the　night　promised　to　be　so　likewise。

On　reaching　Stirling；　Nell　and　her　friends；　quitting　the　train；　left　the　station　immediately。　　Just　before　them；　between　high　trees；　they　could　see　a　road　which　led　to　the　banks　of　the　river　Forth。

The　first　physical　impression　on　the　girl　was　the　purity　of　the　air　inhaled　eagerly　by　her　lungs。

〃Breathe　it　freely；　Nell；〃　said　James　Starr；　〃it　is　fragrant　with　all　the　scents　of　the　open　country。〃

〃What　is　all　that　smoke　passing　over　our　heads？〃　inquired　Nell。

〃Those　are　clouds；〃　answered　Harry；　〃blown　along　by　the　westerly　wind。〃

〃Ah！〃　said　Nell；　〃how　I　should　like　to　feel　myself　carried　along　in　that　silent　whirl！　　And　what　are　those　shining　sparks　which　glance　here　and　there　between　rents　in　the　clouds？〃

〃Those　are　the　stars　I　have　told　you　about；　Nell。　　So　many　suns　they　are；　so　many　centers　of　worlds　like　our　own；　most　likely。〃

The　constellations　became　more　clearly　visible　as　the　wind　cleared　the　clouds　from　the　deep　blue　of　the　firmament。　Nell　gazed　upon　the　myriad　stars　which　sparkled　overhead。　〃But　how　is　it；〃　she　said　at　length；　〃that　if　these　are　suns；　my　eyes　can　endure　their　brightness？〃

〃My　child；〃　replied　James　Starr；　〃they　are　indeed　suns；　but　suns　at　an　enormous　distance。　　The　nearest　of　these　millions　of　stars；　whose　rays　can　reach　us；　is　Vega；　that　star　in　Lyra　which　you　observe　near　the　zenith；　and　that　is

fifty　thousand　millions　of　leagues　distant。　Its　brightness；　therefore；　cannot　affect　your　vision。　But　our　own　sun；　which　will　rise　to…morrow；　is　only　distant　thirty…eight　millions　of　leagues；　and　no　human　eye　can　gaze　fixedly　upon　that；　for　it　is　brighter　than　the　blaze　of　any　furnace。　But　e；　Nell；　e！〃

They　pursued　their　way；　James　Starr　leading　the　maiden；　Harry　walking　by　her　side；　while　Jack　Ryan　roamed　about　like　a　young　dog；　impatient　of　the　slow　pace　of　his　masters。　　The　road　was　lonely。　Nell　kept　looking　at　the　great　trees；　whose　branches；　waving　in　the　wind；　made　them　seem　to　her　like　giants　gesticulating　wildly。　The　sound　of　the　breeze　in　the　tree…tops；　the　deep　silence　during　a　lull；　the　distant　line　of　the　horizon；　which　could　be　discerned　when　the　road　passed　over　open　levels……all　these　things　filled　her　with　new　sensations；　and　left　lasting　impressions　on　her　mind。

After　some　time　she　ceased　to　ask　questions；　and　her　panions　respected　her　silence；　not　wishing　to　influence　by　any　words　of　theirs　the　girl's　highly　sensitive　imagination；　but　preferring　to　allow　ideas　to　arise　spontaneously　in　her　soul。

At　about　half　past　eleven　o'clock；　they　gained　the　banks　of　the　river　Forth。　　There　a　boat；　chartered　by　James　Starr；　awaited　them。　In　a　few　hours　it　would　convey　them　all　to　Granton。　　Nell　looked　at　the　clear　water　which　flowed　up　to　her　feet；　as　the　waves　broke　gently　on　the　beach；　reflecting　the　starlight。　〃Is　this　a　lake？〃　said　she。

〃No；〃　replied　Harry；　〃it　is　a　great　river　flowing　towards　the　sea；　and　soon　opening　so　widely　as　to　resemble　a　gulf。　Taste　a　little　of　the　water　in　the　hollow　of　your　hand；　Nell；　and　you　will　perceive　that　it　is　not　sweet　like　the　waters　of　Lake　Malcolm。〃

The　maiden　bent　towards　the　stream；　and；　raising　a　little　water　to　her　lips；　〃This　is　quite　salt；〃　said　she。

〃Yes；　the　tide　is　full；　the　sea　water　flows　up　the　river　as　far　as　this；〃　answered　Harry。

〃Oh；　Harry！　　Harry！〃　exclaimed　the　maiden；　〃what　can　that　red　glow　on　the　horizon　be？　　Is　it　a　forest　on　fire？〃

〃No；　it　is　the　rising　moon；　Nell。〃

〃To　be　sure；　that's　the　moon；〃　cried　Jack　Ryan；　〃a　fine

big　silver　plate；　which　the　spirits　of　air　hand　round　and　round　the　sky　to　collect　the　stars　in；　like　money。〃

〃Why；　Jack；〃　said　the　engineer；　laughing；　〃I　had　no　idea　you　could　strike　out　such　bold　parisons！〃

〃Well；　but；　Mr。　Starr；　it　is　a　just　parison。　　Don't　you　see　the　stars　disappear　as　the　moon　passes　on？　so　I　suppose　they　drop　into　it。〃

〃What　you　mean　to　say；　Jack；　is　that　the　superior　brilliancy　of　the　moon　eclipses　that　of　stars　of　the　sixth　magnitude；　therefore　they　vanish　as　she　approaches。〃

〃How　beautiful　all　this　is！〃　repeated　Nell　again　and　again；　with　her　whole　soul　in　her　eyes。　　〃But　I　thought　the　moon　was　round？〃

〃So　she　is；　when　'full；'〃　said　James　Starr；　〃that　means　when　she　is　just　opposite　to　the　sun。　　But　to…night　the　moon　is　in　the　last　quarter；　shorn　of　her　just　proportions；　and　friend　Jack's　grand　silver　plate　looks　more　like　a　barber's　basin。〃

〃Oh；　Mr。　Starr；　what　a　base　parison！〃　he　exclaimed；　〃I　was　just　going　to　begin　a　son　to　the　moon；　but　your　barber's　basin　has　destroyed　all　chance　of　an　inspiration。〃

Gradually　the　moon　ascended　the　heavens。　　Before　her　light　the　lingering　clouds　fled　away；　while　stars　still　sparkled　in　the　west；　beyond　the　influence　of　her　radiance。　Nell　gazed　in　silence　on　the　glorious　spectacle。　The　soft　silvery　light　was　pleasant　to　her　eyes；　and　her　little　trembling　hand　expressed　to　Harry；　who　clasped　it；　how　deeply　she　was　affected　by　the　scene。

〃Let　us　embark　now；〃　said　James　Starr。　　〃We　have　to　get　to　the　top　of　Arthur's　Seat　before　sunrise。〃

The　boat　was　moored　to　a　post　on　the　bank。　　A　boatman　awaited　them。　Nell　and　her　friends　took　their　seats；　the　sail　was　spread；　it　quickly　filled　before　the　northwesterly　breeze；　and　they　sped　on　their　way。

What　a　new　sensation　was　this　for　the　maiden！　　She　had　been　rowed　on　the　waters　of　Lake　Malcolm；　but　the　oar；　handled　ever　so　lightly　by　Harry；　always　betrayed　effort　on　the　part　of　the　oarsman。　　Now；　for　the　first　time；　Nell　felt　herself　borne　along　with　a　gliding　movement；　like　that　of　a　balloon　through　the　air。　　The　water　was　smooth　as　a　lake；　and　Nell　reclined　in　the　stern　of　the　boat；　enjoying　its　gentle　rocking。　Occasionally　the　effect　of　the

moonlight　on　the　waters　was　as　though　the　boat　sailed　across　a　glittering　silver　field。　　Little　wavelets　rippled　along　the　banks。　It　was　enchanting。

At　length　Nell　was　overe　with　drowsiness；　her　eyelids　drooped；　her　head　sank　on　Harry's　shoulder……she　slept。　　Harry；　sorry　that　she　should　miss　any　of　the　beauties　of　this　magnificent　night；　would　have　aroused　her。

〃Let　her　sleep！〃　said　the　engineer。　　〃She　will　better　enjoy　the　novelties　of　the　day　after　a　couple　of　hours'　rest。〃

At　two　o'clock　in　the　morning　the　boat　reached　Granton　pier。　Nell　awoke。　　〃Have　I　been　asleep？〃　inquired　she。

〃No；　my　child；〃　said　James　Starr。　　〃You　have　been　dreaming　that　you　slept；　that's　all。〃

The　night　continued　clear。　　The　moon；　riding　in　mid…heaven；　diffused　her　rays　on　all　sides。　　In　the　little　port　of　Granton　lay　two　or　three　fishing　boats；　they　rocked　gently　on　the　waters　of　the　Firth。　　The　wind　fell　as　the　dawn　approached。　The　atmosphere；　clear　of　mists；　promised　one　of　those　fine　autumn　days　so　delicious　on　the　sea　coast。

A　soft；　transparent　film　of　vapor　lay　along　the　horizon；　the　first　sunbeam　would　dissipate　it；　to　the　maiden　it　exhibited　that　aspect　of　the　sea　which　seems　to　blend　it　with　the　sky。　Her　view　was　now　enlarged；　without　producing　the　impression　of　the　boundless　infinity　of　ocean。

Harry　taking　Nell's　hand；　they　followed　James　Starr　and　Jack　Ryan　as　they　traversed　the　deserted　streets。　　To　Nell；　this　suburb　of　the　capital　appeared　only　a　collection　of　gloomy　dark　houses；　just　like　Coal　Town；　only　that　the　roof　was　higher；　and　gleamed　with　small　lights。

She　stepped　lightly　forward；　and　easily　kept　pace　with　Harry。　　〃Are　you　not　tired；　Nell？〃　asked　he；　after　half　an　hour's　walking。

〃No！　my　feet　seem　scarcely　to　touch　the　earth；〃　returned　she。　〃This　sky　above　us　seems　so　high　up；　I　feel　as　if　I　could　take　wing　and　fly！〃

〃I　say！　keep　hold　of　her！〃　cried　Jack　Ryan。　　〃Our　little　Nell　is　too　good　to　lose。　　I　feel　just　as　you　describe　though；　myself；　when　I　have　not　left　the　pit　for　a　long　time。〃

〃It　is　when　we　no　longer　experience　the　oppressive　effect　of　the　vaulted　rocky　roof　above　Coal　Town；〃　said

James　Starr；　〃that　the　spacious　firmament　appears　to　us　like　a　profound　abyss　into　which　we　have；　as　it　were；　a　desire　to　plunge。　Is　that　what　you　feel；　Nell？〃

〃Yes；　Mr。　Starr；　it　is　exactly　like　that；〃　said　Nell。　　〃It　makes　me　feel　giddy。〃

〃Ah！　you　will　soon　get　over　that；　Nell；〃　said　Harry。　　〃You　will　get　used　to　the　outer　world；　and　most　likely　forget　all　about　our　dark　coal　pit。〃

〃No；　Harry；　never！〃　said　Nell；　and　she　put　her　hand　over　her　eyes；　as　though　she　would　recall　the　remembrance　of　everything　she　had　lately　quitted。

Between　the　silent　dwellings　of　the　city；　the　party　passed　along　Leith　Walk；　and　went　round　the　Calton　Hill；　where　stood；　in　the　light　of　the　gray　dawn；　the　buildings　of　the　Observatory　and　Nelson's　Monument。　　By　Regent's　Bridge　and　the　North　Bridge　they　at　last　reached　the　lower　extremity　of　the　Canongate。　　The　town　still　lay　wrapt　in　slumber。

Nell　pointed　to　a　large　building　in　the　center　of　an　open　space；　asking；　〃What　great　confused　mass　is　that？〃

〃That　confused　mass；　Nell；　is　the　palace　of　the　ancient　kings　of　Scotland；　that　is　Holyrood；　where　many　a　sad　scene　has　been　enacted！　The　historian　can　here　invoke　many　a　royal　shade；　from　those　of　the　early　Scottish　kings　to　that　of　the　unhappy　Mary　Stuart；　and　the　French　king；　Charles　X。　When　day　breaks；　however；　Nell；　this　palace　will　not　look　so　very　gloomy。　　Holyrood；　with　its　four　embattled　towers；　is　not　unlike　some　handsome　country　house。　But　let　us　pursue　our　way。　　There；　just　above　the　ancient　Abbey　of　Holyrood；　are　the　superb　cliffs　called　Salisbury　Crags。　Arthur's　Seat　rises　above　them；　and　that　is　where　we　are　going。　From　the　summit　of　Arthur's　Seat；　Nell；　your　eyes　shall　behold　the　sun　appear　above　the　horizon　seaward。〃

They　entered　the　King's　Park；　then；　gradually　ascending　they　passed　across　the　Queen's　Drive；　a　splendid　carriageway　encircling　the　hill；　which　we　owe　to　a　few　lines　in　one　of　Sir　Walter　Scott's　romances。

Arthur's　Seat　is　in　truth　only　a　hill；　seven　hundred　and　fifty　feet　high；　which　stands　alone　amid　surrounding　heights。　In　less　than　half　an　hour；　by　an　easy　winding　path；　James　Starr　and　his　party　reached　the　crest　of　the

crouching　lion；　which；　seen　from　the　west；　Arthur's　Seat　so　much　resembles。　　There；　all　four　seated　themselves；　and　James　Starr；　ever　ready　　the　great　Scottish　novelist；　simply　said；　〃Listen　to　what　is　written　by　Sir　Walter　Scott　in　the　eighth　chapter　of　the　Heart　of　Mid…Lothian。　'If　I　were　to　choose　a　spot　from　which　the　rising　or　setting　sun　could　be　seen　to　the　greatest　possible　advantage；　it　would　be　from　this　neighborhood。'　Now　watch；　Nell！　the　sun　will　soon　appear；　and　for　the　first　time　you　will　contemplate　its　splendor。〃

The　maiden　turned　her　eyes　eastward。　　Harry；　keeping　close　beside　her；　observed　her　with　anxious　interest。　Would　the　first　beams　of　day　overpower　her　feelings？　All　remained　quiet；　even　Jack　Ryan。　　A　faint　streak　of　pale　rose　tinted　the　light　vapors　of　the　horizon。　　It　was　the　first　ray　of　light　attacking　the　laggards　of　the　night。　　Beneath　the　hill　lay　the　silent　city；　massed　confusedly　in　the　twilight　of　dawn。　Here　and　there　lights　twinkled　among　the　houses　of　the　old　town。　Westward　rose　many　hill…tops；　soon　to　be　illuminated　by　tips　of　fire。

Now　the　distant　horizon　of　the　sea　became　more　plainly　visible。　The　scale　of　colors　fell　into　the　order　of　the　solar。　Every　instant　they　increased　in　intensity；　rose　color　became　red；　red　became　fiery；　daylight　dawned。　　Nell　now　glanced　towards　the　city；　of　which　the　outlines　became　more　distinct。　Lofty　monuments；　slender　steeples　emerged　from　the　gloom；　a　kind　of　ashy　light　was　spread　abroad。　　At　length　one　solitary　ray　struck　on　the　maiden's　sight。　　It　was　that　ray　of　green　which；　morning　or　evening；　is　reflected　upwards　from　the　sea　when　the　horizon　is　clear。

An　instant　afterwards；　Nell　turned；　and　pointing　towards　a　bright　prominent　point　in　the　New　Town；　〃Fire！〃　cried　she。

〃No；　Nell；　that　is　no　fire；〃　said　Harry。　　〃The　sun　has　touched　with　gold　the　top　of　Sir　Walter　Scott's　monument〃……and；　indeed；　the　extreme　point　of　the　monument　blazed　like　the　light　of　a　pharos。

It　was　day……the　sun　arose……his　disc　seemed　to　glitter　as　though　he　indeed　emerged　from　the　waters　of　the　sea。　Appearing　at　first　very　large　from　the　effects　of　refraction；　he　contracted　as　he　rose　and　assumed　the　perfectly　circular　form。　Soon　no　eye　could　endure　the　dazzling　splendor；

it　was　as　though　the　mouth　of　a　furnace　was　opened　through　the　sky