gth they touched the ground not far away on the wide sandy beach.
Then we saw people on their backs, and among them was Almah. We
hurried toward them, and Almah rushed into my arms, to the great
disgust of Layelah, for she was close beside me and saw it all. She
gave an exclamation of grief and despair, and hurried away.

From Almah I learned that our disappearance had caused alarm; that two
of the athalebs had come back in search of us; that they had been to
Magones, and had searched over the seas, and were just about giving us
up as lost, when the fire-light had attracted their attention and
drawn them here.

I said nothing at that time about the cause of our disappearance, but
merely remarked that the athaleb had fallen into the sea and swam
here. This was sufficient. They had to remain here for some time
longer to rest their athalebs. At length we prepared to depart. Our
wounded athaleb was left behind to take care of himself. I was taken
with Almah, and Layelah went on the other. We were thus separated; and
so we set forth upon our return, and at length arrived at the amir.

CHAPTER XXVI

GRIMM'S LAW AGAIN

Dinner was now announced, and Oxenden laid the manuscript aside;
whereupon they adjourned to the cabin, where they proceeded to discuss
both the repast and the manuscript.

"Well," said Featherstone, "More's story seems to be approaching a
crisis. What do you think of it now, Melick? Do you still think it a
sensational novel?"

"Partly so," said Melick; "but it would be nearer the mark to call it
a satirical romance."

"Why not a scientific romance?"

"Because there's precious little science in it, but a good deal of
quiet satire."

"Satire on what?" asked Featherstone. "I'll be hanged if I can see
it."

"Oh, well," said Melick, "on things in general. The satire is directed
against the restlessness of humanity; its impulses, feelings, hopes,
and fears--all that men do and feel and suffer. It mocks us by
exhibiting a new race of men, animated by passions and impulses which
are directly the opposite of ours, and yet no nearer happiness than we
are. It shows us a world where our evil is made a good, and our good
an evil; there all that we consider a blessing is had in
abundance--prolonged and perpetual sunlight, riches, power, fame--and
yet these things are despised, and the people, turning away from them,
imagine that they can find happiness in poverty, darkness, death, and
unrequited love. T