The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Desert Gold by Zane Grey: we put upon your family. I regret--"
"Cut that kind of talk," replied Belding, bluntly. "Well, if it is
Rojas he's acting damn strange for a raider. That's what worries
me. We can't do anything but wait. With Laddy and Yaqui out there
we won't be surprised. Let's take the best possible view of the
situation until we know more. That'll not likely be before
to-morrow."
The women of the house might have gotten some sleep that night,
but it was certain the men did not get any. Morning broke cold
and gray, the 19th of February. Breakfast was prepared earlier
than usual, and an air of suppressed waiting excitement pervaded
 Desert Gold |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Mirror of the Sea by Joseph Conrad: save him while I was alive. And had I not the right - I, Dominic
Cervoni, Padrone, who brought him aboard your fellucca - my nephew,
a traitor?"
He pulled the oar out of the ground and helped me carefully down
the slope. All the time he never once looked me in the face. He
punted us over, then shouldered the oar again and waited till our
men were at some distance before he offered me his arm. After we
had gone a little way, the fishing hamlet we were making for came
into view. Dominic stopped.
"Do you think you can make your way as far as the houses by
yourself?" he asked me quietly.
 The Mirror of the Sea |