ncessantly. As I walked I soon
perceived what the island was; for I had often seen such places before
in the South Pacific. It was, in fact, a coral islet, with a reef of
rocks encircling it on every side. The vegetation, however, was unlike
anything in the world beyond; for it consisted of many varieties of
tree-ferns, that looked like palms, and giant grasses, and bamboo. The
island was but small, and the entire circuit was not over a mile. I
saw nothing that looked like food, nor did it seem likely that in so
small a place there could be enough sustenance for us. Our only hope
would be from the sea, yet even here I could see no signs of any sort
of shell-fish. On the whole the prospect was discouraging, and I
returned to the starting-point with a feeling of dejection; but this
feeling did not trouble me much at that time: my chief thought was of
rest, and I flung myself down on the sand and fell asleep.

I was awakened by a cry from Layelah. Starting up, I saw her standing
and looking into the sky. She was intensely excited. As soon as she
saw me she rushed toward me and burst into tears, while I, full of
wonder, could only stare upward.

"Oh!" cried Layelah, "they've turned back--they've found us! We shall
have to leave our dear, lovely island. Oh, Atam-or, I shall lose you
now; for never, never, never again will you have one thought of love
for your poor Layelah!"

With these words she clung sobbing to me. For my part I do not
remember what I said to soothe her, for the sight above was so amazing
that it took up all my attention. The aurora shone bright, and in the
sky I saw two vast objects wheeling and circling, as if about to
descend. I recognized them at once as athalebs; but as their backs
were hid from view by their immense wings, I could not make out
whether they were wanderers about to alight of their own accord, or
guided here by riders--perhaps by the Kosekin from whom we had been
parted.

This much at least I remember. I said to Layelah that these athalebs
were wild ones, which had come here because they saw or scented our
wounded one; but Layelah shook her head with mournful meaning.

"Oh no," said she; "Almah has come back for you. This fire-light has
guided them. If you had not made the fire they never, never, never
could have found us; but now all is lost."

There was no time for conversation or discussion. The athalebs drew
swiftly nearer and nearer, descending in long circuits, until at
len