ich
then surrounded the Arctic Pole. That in that true, original Eden some
of the early generations of men attained to a stature and longevity
unequaled in any countries known to postdiluvian history is by no means
scientifically incredible."--Wm. F. Warren, "Paradise Found," p. 284.)

Both men and women seemed to possess that particular ease of manner
which we deem a sign of good breeding, and, notwithstanding their huge
statures, there was nothing about them suggesting awkwardness. As I was
a lad in only my nineteenth year, I was doubtless looked upon as a true
Tom Thumb. My father's six feet three did not lift the top of his head
above the waist line of these people.

Each one seemed to vie with the others in extending courtesies and
showing kindness to us, but all laughed heartily, I remember, when they
had to improvise chairs for my father and myself to sit at table.
They were richly attired in a costume peculiar to themselves, and very
attractive. The men were clothed in handsomely embroidered tunics of
silk and satin and belted at the waist. They wore knee-breeches and
stockings of a fine texture, while their feet were encased in sandals
adorned with gold buckles. We early discovered that gold was one of
the most common metals known, and that it was used extensively in
decoration.

Strange as it may seem, neither my father nor myself felt the least bit
of solicitude for our safety. "We have come into our own," my father
said to me. "This is the fulfillment of the tradition told me by my
father and my father's father, and still back for many generations of
our race. This is, assuredly, the land beyond the North Wind."

We seemed to make such an impression on the party that we were given
specially into the charge of one of the men, Jules Galdea, and his wife,
for the purpose of being educated in their language; and we, on our
part, were just as eager to learn as they were to instruct.

At the captain's command, the vessel was swung cleverly about, and began
retracing its course up the river. The machinery, while noiseless, was
very powerful.

The banks and trees on either side seemed to rush by. The ship's speed,
at times, surpassed that of any railroad train on which I have ever
ridden, even here in America. It was wonderful.

In the meantime we had lost sight of the sun's rays, but we found a
radiance "within" emanating from the dull-red sun which had already
attracted our attention, now giving out a whit