uch a course
would involve great risk for we might be carried into the midst of
vast flocks of these monsters; yet there was nothing else to be done.

I now retraced my steps, and went for a long time near the sea. At
length I found a place where the walking was somewhat easier, and went
in this way up into the island and away from the sea. It seemed to
lead in the direction where I wished to go. At length it seemed as if
I had walked far enough, yet I could see no signs of Almah. I shouted,
but there was no answer. I shouted again and again, but with the like
result. Then I fired my rifle and listened. In response there came the
report of the pistol far away behind me. It was evident that in coming
back along the shore I had passed by the place where Almah was. There
was nothing now left but to retrace my steps and this I accordingly
did. I went back to the shore, and returned on my steps, shouting all
the time, until at length I was rejoiced to hear the answering shout
of Almah. After this it was easy to reach her.

We now took up the grapple and once more mounted. The athaleb, eager
to be off, raised himself quickly in the air, and soon our late
resting-place was far behind. His flight was now different from what
it was before. Then he stood off in one straight line for a certain
fixed destination, as though under some guidance; for though I did not
direct him, still his long training had taught him to fly to Magones.
But now training and guidance were both wanting, and the athaleb was
left to the impulse of his hunger and the guidance of his instinct; so
he flew no longer in one undeviating straight line, but rose high, and
bent his head down low, and flew and soared in vast circles, even as I
have seen a vulture or a condor sweep about while searching for food.
All the while we were drawing farther and farther away from the spot
which we had left.

We passed the lofty volcano; we saw more plainly the rivers of molten
lava; we passed vast cliffs and bleak mountains, all of which were
more terrific than all that we had left behind. Now the darkness
lessened, for the aurora was brightening in the sky, and gathering up
swiftly and gloriously all its innumerable beams, and flashing forth
its lustrous glow upon the world. To us this was equal to the return
of day; it was like a blessed dawn. Light had come, and we rejoiced
and were exceeding glad.

Now we saw before us, far beyond the black precipices, a broad bay
w