k I'll turn in for the night," said he, rising. Upon this the
others rose also and followed his example.

On the following morning the calm still continued. None of the party
rose until very late, and then over the breakfast-table they discussed
the manuscript once more, each from his own point of view, Melick
still asserting a contemptuous scepticism--Oxenden and the doctor
giving reasons for their faith, and Featherstone listening without
saying much on either side.

At length it was proposed to resume the reading of the manuscript,
which task would now devolve upon Oxenden. They adjourned to the deck,
where all disposed themselves in easy attitudes to listen to the
continuation of More's narrative.

CHAPTER XVIII

A VOYAGE OVER THE POLE

The discovery of our love had brought a crisis in our fate for me and
Almah. The Kohen hailed it with joy, for now was the time when he
would be able to present us to the Kohen Gadol. Our doom was certain
and inevitable. We were to be taken to the amir; we were to be kept
until the end of the dark season, and then we were both to be publicly
sacrificed. After this our bodies were to be set apart for the hideous
rites of the Mista Kosek. Such was the fate that lay before us.

The Kohen was now anxious to take us to the amir. I might possibly
have persuaded him to postpone our departure, but I saw no use in
that. It seemed better to go, for it was possible that amid new scenes
and among new people there might be hope. This, too, seemed probable
to Almah, who was quite anxious to go. The Kohen pressed forward the
preparations, and at length a galley was ready for us.

This galley was about three hundred feet in length and fifty in width,
but not more than six feet in depth. It was like a long raft. The
rowers, two hundred in number, sat on a level with the water, one
hundred on each side. The oars were small, being not more than twelve
feet in length, but made of very light, tough material, with very
broad blades. The galley was steered with broad-bladed paddles at both
ends. There was no mast or sail. Astern was a light poop, surrounded
by a pavilion, and forward there was another. At the bow there was
a projecting platform, used chiefly in fighting the thannin, or
sea-monsters, and also in war. There were no masts or flags or gay
streamers; no brilliant colors; all was intensely black, and the
ornaments were of the same hue.

We were now treated with greater reverence