| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne: crossed, he raised the bridge. It was agreed that a gunshot should announce
the colonists' return, and that at the signal Neb should return and
reestablish the communication between the two banks of the river.
The little band advanced directly along the road which led to the
southern coast of the island. This was only a distance of three miles and a
half, but Gideon Spilett and his companions took two hours to traverse it.
They examined all the border of the road, the thick forest, as well as
Tabor Marsh. They found no trace of the fugitives who, no doubt, not having
yet discovered the number of the colonists, or the means of defense which
they had at their disposal, had gained the less accessible parts of the
island.
The Mysterious Island |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: herds dwell. But whence come these new harbours and vast
works of polished stone?'
But Jason said, 'They can be no savage people. We will go in
and take our chance.'
So they rowed into the harbour, among a thousand black-beaked
ships, each larger far than ARGO, toward a quay of polished
stone. And they wondered at that mighty city, with its roofs
of burnished brass, and long and lofty walls of marble, with
strong palisades above. And the quays were full of people,
merchants, and mariners, and slaves, going to and fro with
merchandise among the crowd of ships. And the heroes' hearts
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: hush fell in the chamber. Dominating this came Richard's voice,
strident with intensity, if thick of utterance.
"Down with Popery, and God save the Protestant Duke!" he cried. "Down
with Popery!" And he looked at Trenchard for applause, and assurance
that Trenchard no longer thought there was cause to quarrel with him.
Behind him there was a stir in the room that went unheeded by the boy.
Men nudged their neighbours; some looked frightened and some grinned
at the treasonable words.
A swift change came over Trenchard. His drunkenness fell from him
like a discarded mantle. He sat like a man amazed. Then he heaved
himself to his feet in a fury, and smashed down his pipestem on the
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