Chapter 6

           Wideopenandunguardedstandourgates,

           Andthroughthempassesawildmotleythrong.

           MenfromVolgaandTartarsteppes.

           FeaturelessfiguresfromtheHoang-ho,

           Malayan,Scythian,Teuton,KeltandSlav,

           FlyingtheOldWorld’spovertyandscorn;

           Thesebringingwiththemunknowngodsandrites,

           Thosetigerpassionsheretostretchtheirclaws,

           Instreetandalleywhatstrangetonguesarethese,

           Accentsofmenaceinourear,

           VoicesthatoncetheTowerofBabelknew.

           —THOMASBAILEYALDRICH,"UNGUARDEDGATES,"1882

           OnemomentShadowwasridingtheWorld’sLargestCarousel,holdingontohiseagle-headedtiger,andthentheredandwhitelightsoftheCarouselstretchedandshiveredandwentout,andhewasfallingthroughanoceanofstars,whilethemechanicalwaltzwasreplacedbyapoundingrhythmicrollandcrash,asofcymbalsorthebreakersontheshoresofafarocean.

           Theonlylightwasstarlight,butitilluminatedeverythingwithacoldclarity.Beneathhimhismountstretched,andpadded,itswarmfurunderhislefthand,itsfeathersbeneathhisright.

           "It’sagoodride,isn’tit?"Thevoicecamefrombehindhim,initsearsandinhismind.