.

[Illustration: ONE OF THE MOUNTED POLICE GOT HOLD OF THE SWITCH ON THE
BACK OF THE BOCKHOCKID, AND BROUGHT IT TO A STANDSTILL.]

The procession arrived at a pillared archway leading underneath the
solid walls of the fortress. These walls were fully one hundred feet
in height and fifty feet in thickness. The top of the walls consisted
of a level circular roadway, whereon a guard of bockhockids constantly
swept around with amazing swiftness.

It was a sight grotesque in the extreme. The flying wayleals looked
like a race between enormous ostriches with a wild confusion of legs
on the lofty ramparts.

"Flying divils let loose," was the subdued remark of Flathootly.

There was a gay time in the banqueting hall of the palace. We were
royally feasted, and for wine we drank squang, the choicest wine of
Atvatabar.

The governor informed us that our appearance in the interior world had
been heralded all over the country, and strange speculations had been
made as to what world or country we belonged to. "We know, of course,"
said he, "that you do not belong to any race of men in our sphere, and
this makes public curiosity all the greater concerning you. What
country do you come from?" said he, addressing Flathootly.

"Oi'm from the United States, the foinest counthry on the outside of
the world; but I was born in Tipperary," said Flathootly.

"Ah," said the governor, "I should be delighted to visit your
country."

"You might be gettin' frightened, sorr, at the dark ivery noight,"
said Flathootly.

"What is the night?" said the governor.

"Och, and have ye lived to be a gray-haired man and don't know that
it's dark at noight whin the sun jumps round to the other soide of the
wurrld?"

"But it's never dark here," said the governor.

"Thrue for you, but it ought to be. How can a Christian slape wid the
sun shinin' all the toime?" rejoined the Irishman.

"Oh, you can sleep here in the sunshine," said the governor, "as well
as inside the house."

"Does it iver rain here?" said Flathootly.

"But little," replied the governor; "not more than six inches of rain
falls in a year."

"Bedad, you ought to be in Oireland to see it rain. There you'd git
soaked to your heart's content. An' tell me how do you grow your
cabbages without rain?" he continued.

"Well," said the governor, "rain is produced by firing into the air
balls of solid gas so intensely cold that in turning to the gaseous
form they condense in rain t