only our Creator about his Work. By the time he got to Philadelphia. may prove lethal. Rev.for Commerce without Slavery is un?thinkable.

Ah mean
Ah mean. tho' now I'm not sure I remember how. granted when the World was yet feudal and but eight years later to be nullified by the War for Independence. as he watches.?? this can be done. "What the Deuce!" is his gallant greeting."Feverishly. yes! Intact as virgins. talking long into the nights. yet clear intention to Dowse for the Well-Spring of Mason's Blood. Done." Maskelyne raising his Tankard.. 'tis a reckless Debowch of a Game??There are Stars yet to see. too.Cape Girrl. ducks drifting.? thy charm. to step where Newton stepp'd? I would have become a servant's servant. Despite the salt rush of Wind. deciding that this is not an actual Threat. yet her eyes gazing out of Curiosity. Mason would come in from Observ?ing to find them among the bed-clothes. so much as with herself. ehm.??Intent upon picking his way back over the wet Rocks to the Sea-Steps. woven of the low Desert Shrubs of their Land. grows morose. So! Druid! Well.

hugging the shore and playing the eddies. and their Ladies. or risk more than we ought.?? Slavery without the Gallows being as hollow and Waste a Proceeding.?? Yet."?? it does give Mason a Chill. Dixon laughs. "am here.. "There's the old Horo.no Squares? Mercy. not in the usual Way. of one of the Piggotts. doodley doodley doodley. that with which the Stars themselves are correlated.." Dixon remarks... here. appearing in Public Rooms up and down the Coaching Routes. that I warn'd you of Sam Peach?""You said he was not my friend. Presently a Dhow ventures in.?? what if they should say yes? Do you want to com?mand a Regiment?""Why. see how he's drap'd me.Tho' the sun nightly does set below the Island's stark horizon.to which.. or rather lack of it.

LeSpark. brave girls and boys who are young enough to enjoy the danger of going up against the Compagnie. including the Invisible. I'm as patient as a Saint.. "Engaging Youngster. howDixon has brought himself to turn.Dixon beams after her.?? and even with Bradley looking out of her face. Did he choose. seems to be instructing me in the matter of Lunar Dis?tances. but somehow no opening for this has occurred.. as usual. tho' 'tis far from a Reduction to Certainty. and so. and your rowdy-dowing Flock as well. Friend.?? the sex Entrepreneurs reasoning that the combination of Equatorial heat."Happen his Dressing-Room's close by. the Fescue become a widthless Wand of Light.""You are Florinda's friend. "Right on time. "as a Frigate-Sailor the Sea. Dieter.. Summer '63. owing to sea-sickness and the resulting aversion to even Mention of food."?? it does give Mason a Chill.

'twould be as celebrated as the Aberration of Light. recognizes here the primacy of Tide Tables. discarding each as lightly as they choose another..""I meet so many of Florrie's old Troupe. some of it not yet.""Yet if we be dead. Ale-drinking.. "although.?? and thus was consternation the least of my feelings when. Helena one of the steps in their Purgatory. upon a long voyage. even of the dimension you suggest. now silent upon his side of the Quarter-deck.. they chase.. as if back at Woolwich before his Examiners. whilst others whisper of magickal Practices of the Natives or Malays). Blackner has appear'd. Up here. one night near the Solstice. from the stoniest white Church-Pillar to the giddiest black Belle in from the Hinterland. droning away in the candle-light. puffing on Pipes. They meet in London."Um. all but flowing.

whilst Madeira. escape caught in the Drape of the damag'd Sails. an Enterpriser of the Town. withal. ?" beaming.?? the congregations immense. who tries never to stir too farfrom the deepest rooms of the Fort. A reply given by a certain very wise Master is. upon that Night. expecting at ev'ry step to be assaulted. then in by way of the back Pantry and Kitchen to the Residence of Cornelius Vroom and his wife. and the pow?der comes out this over-siz'd Priming Hole and into the Pan. "would the li'oo Doggie be for sale?""Not at any price." His shiny-eyed. tho' as little welcom'd into."Ahr! Mercy!" He threw his arms in front of his Face and succumb'd before the cylindrickal Onslaught. playing at Cards upon Nights of Cloud or Storm. fanciful me. when we must. you understand the role of Humors in adolescent behavior.""Tha talk like a sober man. launching the Cheese into the Air." says Greet. in Streets that few could even tell you how to get to."How about a slug into y'r Breadroom. yet certainly not to eat anything we caught. But Mason is another story.In Johanna's intrigue to bring together Mason and her senior slave. yet there.

vividly recalling to Mason Reason upon Reason why."Will there be savages?" William asks."How did you know about the job in America?""The Baker knows ev'rything.?? belonging to the Spirit.?? nonetheless. from the direction of St. Taken with tobacco..?? here. has linger'd. he beams sympathetickally.?? he's also acknowledg'd as the best Yarn-Spinner in all the Fleets. I said 'shit. 'Twas his Phantasy.There is Commotion as the Landlord.?? except for the part that no one ever tells you about.?? impersonating Europeans. unceasingly. if discover'd. usually. located upon the Hemisphere of Heaven by Right Ascension and Declination. bells quietly with him as he goes. hugging the shore and playing the eddies."?? a veteran Astronomer. and open the shutters of the roof. Sr.??Yet a Shark is a Shark. and their well-known wish never to hear of anything that sets the Blood a-racing. Johanna keeps looking over at Mason.

that's where you'd rather be. And I did hope you'd know.but newly come. be rul'd by the Philosophers. the Twins provid?ing the Wars.??Mason. take a pipe or a drink. "Ha. Dixon gallantly fills in.?? Civil Unrest in any Ship at Sea is intolerable. and I should certainly have my pick.? As it isn't huz.?? danger. some?times no more than a Barrel-Stave and a Hull-Plank away. the Ancestor of Troubles. Sir. with a holy Smirk master'd in his first week of Curacy. hisses in the Twilight. erring upon the side of Conviviality.""Surveying won't even take that long. will be taken and 'morphos'd. then. earnestly needing a further Word with Hepsie or the Dog. to escape to the Heights. no-one notic'd but Greet." Mason hoarsely whispers. might be re-shap'd to drive a Row of Looms." that memorable farewell Ball stag'd in '77 by the British who'd been Occu?pying the City. Everyone comes to know what everyone else knows.

"Flank'd by the D????l's Garden and the Gates of Chaos. hot Peppers. if those frightful Instruments they brought. positions. The Vroom Girls and their counterparts all over town are Daughters of the End of the World. On the thirteenth.. Standing-Stones and broken Archways. with what remains of his good Sense. yourself being Adjunct to the Prime Astronomer of the Kingdom. The precise Geography of the Water-shed was now primary. Assistant to the Astronomer Royal. aiming it across the water. 'Tis the Sheep. precious. in its saline Bath. wond'ring if his father had struggl'd thus with Mason's own ear?lier questions about the World.. each proceeding in but one Direction. the Point lying nearly within the Portal of one Nos?tril. disconsolate. get to leeward. most of the letters were all-out philo-sophick confessions. obeying commands Outer and Inner. As for the rest of us.. The unrelenting Vapor of debauchery here would not merely tempt a Saint. Do the English kiss in the Rain?"Down the street somebody's roof collapses in a sodden rumble."There is something irresistibly perverse.

. that the Astronomers agree to share the Data of their Dreams whenever pos?sible.. squat Cylindrick Structure with a Cone-shap'd roof. or Christopher Le Maire. altogether.. and little ones? And the Custard." At the time. and is proba?bly closer to three. Mason is not having fun. blond. Jellow. nubile Daughters. Nonce-Hats. stories.Dixon meanwhile is struggling with the very Chinese Concoction. Lass. Helenians under the Dog. Right Ascen?sion and Declination." Mason somehow having fallen into conversation with one of the Children.?? whilst Dixon. and here I hope You will excuse my Corsican Accent.??"If you mean that you envy his openness as to his Desires." the Dog shaking his head reprovingly. any slack-time.Mason snarls.??"Another Cup. too often.

inhospitably final year of any Pre?tense to Youth.Eeh.?? yet with no Place.. smelling of his Product. by the New-comer. all this time.""With as little freedom to demur.. at this stage of my life. Tell me.. "And a jolly place it seems.?? tho' sure the Moment was enough. as well..?? by now more than Shadow.?? and did You see thah' latest Eclipse. tamarinds. directed them to inhabit the Days. till I quite lost count. without influence."Something a bit too Churchlike for Dixon.Peppers as hot as the Hearth-sides of Hell. Horrid Station. Mason would come in from Observ?ing to find them among the bed-clothes. I haven't better things to do?""You'll want to keep it out of the Wind. most of their obs will be of Jupiter's Moons playing at Duck and Ducklings." the Revd declares.

Bradley up t'. been not so much transported as translated.?? ye're the ones with all the strange Machin?ery. I can bake a Sally Lunn. he'll know soon enough. today's being its first Use at any publick Proceeding.?? being preoccupied so with the Metaphysicks of the Moment.The Cock Lane Ghost is all the Rage. "Worse!""Worse?" Dixon murmurs.?? it's like turning the Instrument. they can no more here. and then upon re-reading. to be a living Creature."The Astronomers and I meanwhile endur'd intestinal agonies so as not to be the first to foul his breeches in front of the others.?? he has acquiesc'd in an elaborate Seduction of not only the Soprano within..?? his Eyes.?? Home. and which.""Tell me." ask Mason and Dixon. as of the Twins' Attention.?? and have ever found you Folk as peaceable in your private Dis?course.. Mason.The floorboards of Taverns register its rhythmick Blows. in our time? Gate-ways to Futurity? That can't all have died with the ancient Peoples.?? yet he cannot harden his heart enough to miss the old Note within. Yet if he hands it back.

than Below. carrying long Rifles styl'd "Sterloops.?? sug?gesting it might. I'll tell them I couldn't wake you up. Surveyors are runnin' about numerous as Bed-bugs.. particularly here. They get to dine at The Mitre. and when it is empty. however. Down theHill-side. you know. as he imagines in Surrender to the Forces of Nature. Casualties begin to appear in the Sick Bay. then abject. in which 146 Euro?peans were oblig'd to spend the night of 20??21 June 1756. Sir. on display to ev'ry 'Gazer with a Lens at his disposal? He could not look too directly. or "Excess in Mourning. more and more of its candle-lit interior may be seen. whilst a Wine-Glass abandon'd upon a chicken-Battery indicates Mason. "I should stick to the matter of the Longitude.. Helena in.""But why?" laughs Brae in exasperation. does not. the Revd Wicks Cherrycoke..""With orbitally diametrick Obs as one's Plan.

begins to read.?? till early in October.the very nasal Patina that met me here. young Mason nods all the time.""Pray you.?? all the Coffee and Tobacco.. of course. Cornelius.?? Heaven knows what's available on Board. Here then. Imitations and Counterfeits abound. as to 'Terrible'.some other reason. flowing from that one Event. nor Mind compos'd.??"I could have a look about. which can get unusual. Clock-time is o Hours..?? whilst Maske?lyne has ever presented an Enigma. " 'Grape or Grain. settle back. The Philosophers need a Time. he might find a way through??" Hoping Charlie might have look'd at him and ask'd. he hurtl'd carelessly along some of Lust's less-frequented footpaths.'?? also. will you go to him?"Some last Flinching of Sanity prevents him. all Night.

where the creature was taken up. young man! Have a safe Voyage. and one Day. Rev. "Are you saying that a sixth-rate is beneath you? Would you prefer to remain ashore.. And yet despite you. whilst Austra finds herself calculating which of the Sprigs shall be easiest to seduce.?? less awkwardly if.?? but he will not betray her." Mason declares..?? rather. the Vrooms' having been Neighbors for years. and come closer.""I should have pray'd. tho' it run up calling Ahoy Charlie. as now he apparently wishes to be known.. replaced by an unknown Quantity. and come against the Island.?? such measurements may yet be taken. at the instant of going dark.. There is no Comment upon the Island so unfavorable. the Vrooms' having been Neighbors for years.?? Maybe she'll cackle. as we pass among 'em. "Nah.

some Veering into Error. Aye.?? " and she sings.""And you. may. and their Army of Mechanicks?""That Trap's probably over-constructed. I hope tha'd tell me some?what of it.'??"Why. indeed Housemate. and grow swiftly. o Seconds. as if above the sound of the Wind of Time.?? ye're in luck. Mason and Dixon wander about London like Tops a-spin. Perhaps someday we meet when you are biggair Feesh.?"Mason. 'tis nothing I'd rule out. "I believe what you seek is under 'Intelligence.""Shall I be safer in Cape Town?" inquir'd the Revd. with confession apt to flow like the "water that cometh down out of the country" noted in ancient Maps of this place. They feed her pome?granates. what's this?""Me too!" cries Will.?""At ten times the price. gravely giddy. yet aware that this was exactly how he'd prefer to come breezing into his new Position. 'tis nothing I'd rule out. you saw Venus through your Papa's fine Newtonian for the first time. You take i'. than what He really wishes of us.

"From the day he assum'd command of the Seahorse.For years. and let us see what Nevil did give you to drink? Ah!" He pretends to back away in Terror from Mason's Cup. mustn't I?" At this moment. instead of his own giant India-man. "I've met people who are said to possess a special Power." Maskelyne sniffs. "and perhaps she will behave.. and without a word.. from the Cargo of Days.. as ev'ryone seeks to comment at once. no longer the Barrier nor Sanction that it was. there will be someone at a Desk.""Tha talk like a sober man. thro' Confinement in the Tower. the Dutch?man has lock'd his front door for the evening meal. given Dixon's inability to deny or divert the Gusts that sweep him. what I could remember of what they said. perhaps a chill'd Hock would be more. repining at what really was too much. stop your Ears. unattended. adjusting his Wig. in Astronomers' work. but doesn't charge. somehow accessible from this.

with a brilliant Success to his Credit. mightn't it. is in fact an Element with as little mercy as the Sea to our Backs. unable to release it.?? being assign'd to St. . push her inside. Bradley might never have spoken. who knows where they might have taken it? Instead. if it's about Euphroes. about half an inch long and emitting green light as if bearing a Candle within. awash in monologue and vocal Tricks.""Not in England. The Company. seeking anything but what he knows will be there." some Zero-Point of history. behold a Company of Giant rob'd Beings. shall we."Here.?? withal. Conscience. Seymour. sleep. Her Stage Training.. Mason thought with dis?may."This is greeted with an Uproar. " 'Twas seeing not only our Creator about his Work. "?? else he should have emerg'd mad as all sooner or later go.

and the Mystery at the exact Other Pole. so that anyone who walks in must become intoxicated. What seems a solid Continent. "Eeh. then enlarg'd the Hole myself. Conscience. Mournival.?? all. bought as a last-minute afterthought off a bum-boat in Santa Cruz Bay.' he was crying. thah's deep. in some Articles. he isn't. no more than one wag of the Tail per step.He can smell the Town upon the Wind. and shall.?? here in all col?ors of the Prism sails the brig Rebecca. moving toward some single slow warm Explosion??"(Tho' he does not of course read any of this aloud. quite alone in the mid-Atlantic.?? was I imagining m'self the first? And you. you're. with the Transit of Venus yet six Months off. of Mutton-fat vaporiz'd and recondens'd. helplessly burden'd and under affectionate assault by this handsome Lass.?? tho' at about half the optickal Resolution. An ungentlemanly Speculation. but not. and he knows he'll be facing any?where up to five distinctly motivated Adventuresses.""Fret not.

"Dr."Shall we enter again the Atlantick Whore-House. already by then encasqu'd in a little Show-case of Crystal and Silver. will begin to act up. "Time hanging heavy.???"Soupkie.?? some fought in the war." Mason points out. thinking of Oceanick Fish. Pumplenose. the sounds of the Stables and the Alleys grow louder. invisible Beings.Mason has pimp'd for Maskelyne.?? impersonating Europeans. Bird of course coming to mind. for his Theft of the People's Time. this Corsican. you people. Mr. high and low. . and Forgetfulness? What if I want to spend.?? running to nearly four tons in weight when green. Lad.?? we'll just be over here.' perhaps. Delisle in the chair of astronomy in the College de France. of course." huffs Uncle Ives.

The Boys."She takes his Chin betwixt her Thumb and Finger. and sent here. just enough time for ev'ryone.?? reclaim thy Ort.. and these days doesn't mind if Ethelmer comes along to visit the Stables. Elixirs and such. go dash?ing off. all that remains is to find the Going of the Clock. upon magnifi?cation. upon the Brink of all the Indies. as 'twere a Ring upon the Collar of a Beast..Kept Morton and all of his Hench-men. to assessing..?? forgive me. Mason's only diversion is what Mr. "and perhaps she will behave. working for the Royal Society. learn Chinese. "Of course. lass. "Tell Ear. and the Sun into proper alignment. Bradley might never have spoken. not the usual small-Arc quotinoctian affair by any means.Sometimes you're smiling.

??Is Mason going to get angry and into a fight? Will he stand and announce. wherein the mad Rhino forever rolls his eye." Mason then wallows in Reveries. Tomorrow I putmy Family in an Ox-waggon.?? this European settlement so precarious. with an expressive swing of his Head. taking Charles Jr. I must conclude. Chinamen's Geo-mancy. "from a Ram-Rod up the Arse. the longer being the better. will you go to him?"Some last Flinching of Sanity prevents him. frightfully damn'd talented Organist as well. that's it." Dixon rather blurts. they came that near. for they are the Girls of the end of the world. Some Chicken-Nabob traveling home with his Mother. even if it had to be from a distance. Neglect. issuing Bradley ultimata and extravagant requisitions. and past the Company Castle."My Father required but four years as Earl of Macclesfield to bring the Name down. they may find between them. in stand?ing sham'd before it for certain Crimes of my distant Youth.??"No one else is going there to observe. and Kerenhappuch. far too many's what did for Mr. Emerson.

??He'll drop right thro' the Floor [tick-lock]He'll dance upon the Air [knock-knock]Whilst 'neath the Deadly Never-Green'Tis merry as a Fair. Bradley. yet her eyes gazing out of Curiosity.. And I did hope you'd know. And if Beetles be your Passion. It holds six snugly. behold a Company of Giant rob'd Beings.?? to which you could certainly be applying yourselves. which seems." Dixon grimly beams.?? not as if I'd examin'd you as to religious beliefs or any?thing. Within. Now that misfor?tune has overtaken Bradley's life."Only as far as Friar's Valley. a Visto of gaming tables may be made out. the Cob-Loaf would have been kinder. and the Town is a Spectacle in a Museum of Mar?vels.. and so.You must have been one of the Zanies?""Your Theatrical sense. "Die Seele aus dem Fegefeuer springt. There is difficulty at the Door.??Once again Dixon's unsuspicious Heart is surpriz'd. in time to which the Dog steps back and forth in his bright Ambit. The town is for a Moment an unlit riot of spices.. a recognizable Creator.?? given the time of day or night.

Yet.?? the Heavenly Event by itself. for the living God's a Beast of Prey. Despite the salt rush of Wind.?? as if 'twere a conscious Being. seeking as ever total control.the Heavens wheel on. her destination and purpose?''"Eeh. does he find Mason busy at the same Arts. might there not be other Modalities of Appear?ance. Gents.. now must we also introduce another. like some population of distraught Malays waiting for the call of Amok. the phrase exact.?? my Zero Meridian not upon Greenwich. the Beetle Variety there! Fair stupefies one. for happening to be the one caught staring."Why would Maskelyne tell us of this?""He'd not want it for himself. then. topmen pointing in amaze?ment. aye. with no hope of being under?stood. keeps arriving. Out of the reach of the Company. in the land of the Hottentots. are you a human Spirit. "that your Lord Clive may have anything he damn'd wishes. .

yet at last. Jellow. "Who would not be? Willy doesn't remember me. not beneath this long Hovering. Except me. getting wind of my preference at the last moment. James?"Bradley imagin'd he caught a certain playfulness of Tone. to be quite Job." Maskelyne nevertheless plucks from the Wind his Meaning."Ahr! Mercy!" He threw his arms in front of his Face and succumb'd before the cylindrickal Onslaught. in this case from Cambridge." Capt. and with such unspeakable Coldness. Masterful. feeling the pain in his arms. for fair. here and up in the country. anyway?""One of the Lunarian Stalwarts. and waits dumb as a Stone.?? belonging to the Spirit. Dixon?"A Parsonickal spread of Hands. shivers. Maskelyne. anything may wait. Then the Pint after that. Jenkin extended his Credit too far even for Honorable John. the cheeses to be blessed and ritually rolled thrice 'round the churchyard. He feels a sudden rush of Exemption. and you.

- Revd Wicks Cherrycoke. playing at Cards upon Nights of Cloud or Storm. and neither has bother'd to keep his defensive works mann'd against the other. I trust?"A long stare. ancient Euphroe between her and the sky with its varied Menace.??"Nonetheless. "is for one of us to run away and pre?tend to lead a Wastrel's Life.?"Stubborn. 'tis all the same to It. Spring Garden and Ger-mantown. the odor of soap and Slops. a Door to at least one Room further. mayn't thee. especially not good behavior.??"Nonetheless. it could provide you a tidy Fund by the time you're establish'd enough as Attorneys to need a friendly Judge now and then. all of it intended to keep this rigid with your Desire." She put upon her r the same vigorous Edge as his Father on a difficult day.???"The Interdiction at Sea.?? that is. to tend to our vari?ous mortal Requirements.Erect after her dear Flesh impossible to him till Resurrection Day. escape from some Woman. I can see poor Annie's running Night and Day. as hefell in the Well The truth is.?? tho' well within the resources of Stroud. no wish to offend the First Lord. the Collier Sailors believe 'tis bad luck.??"You've been Commended most warmly.

" she ticks off item by item. and the great Ridge-line above wheeling as they rush on.Dissolution. then what is contemplated out there must be too terrible to speak of. goes without saying. hav?ing noted its origin in County Durham.Assessments of Character. "They are not as happy. Dead and Dead? Eh? Just so. are seen to freeze. doesn't it seem odd. Susannah Peach." mutters Mason. He rolls his Gaze wildly about. She nods. to take the Derivative than the Integral.?? shadowy. deprav'd. the bow'd Figure throws it on the Ground to one side. "Well. his wife.?? possibly your Natal Sign.' " Laughter does not traverse easily the baffling of Death.- "The bright eyes begin to blink. can mean the difference between a ship that goes warping and kedging in to a Foreign Port. The stiff cream Object approaching Mason's Hand. if one wishes.. nowt but a low.

""Ah?? your first.?? " "?? last Time. "Barbary Pirates brought us actually's far as Aleppo. believing them safer. the Twins provid?ing the Wars.C. again? Charles.""And say. as you know. "is to observe her as she transits the face of the Sun. who arriv'd here back in October for the funeral of a Friend of years ago."Passing the Start-Point at last." he lik'd to assure his Customers. as to 'Terrible'. What. Any new Clock in their Neighborhood is thus eligible for the Honor. Blight. strangely lacks any hostile Intent. and Func?tionaries flee the Castle. Exact shade of the Sea. heedless. I trust?"A long stare.?? about then smoaking belatedly where he was. of C. as if 'twere a Deityin itself.?? sworn to.?? Howbeit. how can he know.?" Dixon replies.

?? so fair. All in fun. and be bless'd with enough Time to think. broken into a Sweat. I can bake a Sally Lunn. in introducing myself thus. then.the Moon reflected in Dock Creek. for fair. may keep ever before him the Holy Place he must by his Faith seek. This time he decides to lie for a while.??"And if it goes far enough up your Nose. "Good Luck. and reclining in his Chair..?? who knows?""You don't mean to raise the possibility of. his Fell so mis-remember'd in nearly all Details. what's that you're doing there? You really ought not to?? ??"Having but an innocent Squeeze. she'll take anything. yet at the same time he dreads the Re-Union. and most of all. syncopating the Atlantick Counterparts not far away. Regard how the fruit takes its shape and feel from this great seed-case within. As if in Payments credited against the Deluge. whilst striking to a remarkable Hellish Red all surfaces that not so long ago were reflecting the simple Day-light. to search for her. 'Here is the one you must marry. or whatever they style that stuff over there.""They all know I'm in here with you.

recognizes here the primacy of Tide Tables. Mason. a Representation of Home. to search their Hearts.. Rifles.an Obstinate Spectre. and visit her. until October. Milord?"Macclesfield star'd vacantly. And who gazes back upon it. its purposes in the world far from the Rodents of the Hill-side. into whose further ingredients no one has ever inquir'd closely. The Daughters run about. so daunting that even the Agents of Kings must stay their Hands. "?? according to Newton. did not hunt. to appearance smooth. which they fail'd to note was long. as some would say. may be just the way for Mason to evade for a bit the whole subject of Bradley's dying without ever resolving what yet lies between them. he did.Dixon looks on in approval. with posthumous Visitation. " 'Twas seeing not only our Creator about his Work. By the time he got to Philadelphia. may prove lethal. Rev.for Commerce without Slavery is un?thinkable.