d the splendid lustre of Achernar, on the left
the brilliant glow of Alpha Robur and Canopus, and low down before
us the bright light of Argo. It was a scene full of splendor
and fascination. After a time a change came over the sky: the
aurora-flashes, at first faint, gradually increased in brilliancy till
the stars grew dim, and all the sky, wherever the eye might turn from
the horizon to the zenith, seemed filled with lustrous flames of every
conceivable hue. Colossal beams radiated from the pole toward the
horizon till the central light was dissipated, and there remained
encircling us an infinite colonnade of flaming pillars that towered
to the stars. These were all in motion, running upon one another,
incessantly shifting and changing; new scenes forever succeeded to
old; pillars were transformed to pyramids, pyramids to fiery bars;
these in their turn were transformed to other shapes, and all the
while one tint of innumerable hues overspread the entire circle of
the sky.

Our voyage occupied several joms; but our progress was continuous,
for different sets of rowers relieved one another at regular
intervals. On the second jom a storm broke out. The sky had been
gathering clouds during sleeping-time, and when we awoke we found the
sea all lashed to fury, while all around the darkness was intense. The
storm grew steadily worse; the lightning flashed, the thunder pealed,
and at length the sea was so heavy that rowing was impossible. Upon
this the oars were all taken in, and the galley lay tossing upon the
furious sea, amid waves that continually beat upon her.

And now a scene ensued that filled me with amazement, and took
away all my thoughts from the storm. It seemed impossible that so
frail a bark could stand the fury of the waves. Destruction was
inevitable, and I was expecting to see the usual signs of grief
and despair--wondering, too, how these rowers would preserve their
subordination. But I had forgotten in my excitement the strange
nature of the Kosekin. Instead of terror there was joy, instead of
wild despair there was peace and serene delight.

The lightning-flashes revealed a wonderful scene. There were all the
rowers, each one upon his seat, and from them all there came forth
a chant which was full of triumph, like a song of public welcome to
some great national hero, or a song of joy over victory. The officers
embraced one another and exchanged words of delight. The Kohen, after
embracing all the ot