heir philosophy and religion, and could have
crammed his manuscript with statistics. I wonder why he didn't do it
even as it was. It must have been a strong temptation."

"More," said Oxenden, with deep impressiveness, "was a simple-minded
though somewhat emotional sailor, and merely wrote in the hope that
his story might one day meet the eyes of his father. I certainly
should like to find some more accurate statements about the science,
philosophy, and religion of the Kosekin; yet, after all, such things
could not be expected."

"Why not?" said Melick; "it was easy enough for him."

"How?" asked Oxenden.

"Why, he had only to step into the British Museum, and in a couple of
hours he could have crammed up on all those points in science,
philosophy, ethnology, and theology, about which you are so anxious to
know."

"Well," said Featherstone, "suppose we continue our reading? I believe
it is my turn now. I sha'n't be able to hold out so long as you did,
Oxenden, but I'll do what I can."

Saying this, Featherstone took the manuscript and went on to read.

CHAPTER XXVIII

IN PRISON

It was with hearts full of the gloomiest forebodings that we returned
to the amir, and these we soon found to be fully justified. The
athalebs descended at that point from which they had risen--namely, on
the terrace immediately in front of the cavern where they had been
confined. We then dismounted, and Layelah with the Kosekin guards
accompanied us to our former chambers. There she left us, saying that
a communication would be sent to us.

We were now left to our own conjectures.

"I wonder what they will do to us?" said I.

"It is impossible to tell," said Almah.

"I suppose," said I, "they will punish us in some way; but then
punishment among the Kosekin is what seems honor and reward to me.
Perhaps they will spare our lives, for that in their eyes ought to be
the severest punishment and the deepest disgrace imaginable."

Almah sighed.

"The Kosekin do not always act in this matter as one would suppose,"
said she. "It is quite likely that they may dread our escaping, and
may conclude to sacrifice us at once."

On the next jom I had a visit from the Kohen Gadol. He informed me
that the paupers had held a Council of State, in which they had made a
special examination of our late flight. He and Layelah had both been
examined, as well as the Kosekin who had gone after us; but Layelah's
testimony was by far the most im