He paused for a moment in intense thought, then continued:
“As the conjunction of Mercury with Uranus is made, all religion is lost. The moon signifies the people—the sun, their rulers. Thou seest that both are opposed to justice and right (Jupiter) and true wisdom (Neptune). The power to remedy this situation is refused, and retribution advances unopposed.”
Seeing that Akaza had finished, Yermah ventured to ask:
“Does my future stand revealed in this calculation?”
“Jupiter speaks for thee in the fourth house. Thy physical body is linked with the land of thy birth, and thy return thereto denoted.”
“Thou hast my gratitude, Akaza. Grant that I may cross over the dark way; that I may enter and go out of the Hall of Truth with thee for a guide.”
“The Ineffable One, Maker of all things, be thy protection,” responded Akaza, as both men arose.
“Thou wilt smoke and so will I, while I make ready for our repose,” said Yermah, moving about. “I have husks and tobacco in my discarded mantle,” he continued, trying to find its pockets.
“I can please my fancy better,” said Akaza, going back to a plain cupboard, and producing from its shelves two bronze water-pipes, identical with those used by the Chinese to-day. He found also, a chamois pouch of fine-cut tobacco. Filling the bowl with water, he put a tiny pinch of tobacco in the top of the tube, and lighted it by the lamp sitting near. He puffed three times, emptied the pipe, and repeated the process.
Yermah denied himself until he had spread out the rugs, and had placed the cushions so that he and Akaza could sleep side by side.