So the Epet proceeded to harness the athaleb, and I watched him in
silence; but it was the silence of deep suspense, and my heart
throbbed painfully. There was yet much to be risked. The gates had
to be opened. Others might interfere. Layelah might come. All these
thoughts occurred to me as I watched the Epet; and though the labor of
harnessing the athaleb was simple and soon performed, still the time
seemed long. So the collar was secured around the neck of the athaleb,
with the grapple attached, and the lines were fastened to the wings,
and then Almah and I mounted.

The Epet now stood waiting for further orders.

"Open the gates," said I.

The Epet did so.

Almah was seated on the back of the athaleb before me, holding on to
the coarse mane; I, just behind, held the reins in my hand. The gates
were opened wide. A few people outside, roused by the noise of the
opening gates, stood and looked on. They had evidently no other
feeling but curiosity.

All was now ready and the way was open, but there was an unexpected
difficulty--the athaleb would not start, and I did not know how to
make him. I had once more to apply for help to the Epet.

"How am I to make him start?" I asked.

"Pull at the collar to make him start, and pull at both reins to make
him stop," said the Epet.

Upon this I pulled at the collar.

The athaleb obeyed at once. He rose almost erect, and moved out
through the gate. It was difficult to hold on, but we did so. On
reaching the terrace outside, the athaleb expanded his vast wings,
which spread out over a space of full fifty feet, and then with
vigorous motions raised himself in the air.

It was a moment full of terror to both of us; the strange sensation of
rising in the air, the quivering muscles of the athaleb at the working
of the enormous pinions, the tremendous display of strength, all
combined to overwhelm me with a sense of utter helplessness. With one
hand I clung to the stiff mane of the monster; with the other I held
Almah, who was also grasping the athaleb's hair; and thus for some
time all thought was taken up in the one purpose of holding on. But at
length the athaleb lay in the air in a perfectly horizontal position;
the beat of the wings grew more slow and even, the muscular exertion
more steady and sustained. We both began to regain some degree of
confidence, and at length I raised myself up and looked around.

It did not seem long since we had left; but already the city