A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille

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"What!" I exclaimed, as I shrank back--"fly! Do you mean to say that
you will mount this hideous monster, and trust yourself to him?"
"Certainly," said Layelah, quietly. "He is very docile. There is
harness here with which we can guide him. Should you like to see
him harnessed?"
"Very much indeed," said I.
Upon this Layelah walked up to the monster and stroked his breast. The
huge athaleb at once lay down upon his belly. Then she brought two
long straps like reins, and fastened each to the tip of a projecting
tip of each wing. Then she fastened a collar around his neck, to which
there was attached a grappling-iron.
"We seat ourselves on his back," said Layelah. "I guide with these
reins. When we land anywhere I fasten him with the grapple. He looks
dull now, but if I were to open the gate and remove his muzzle he
would be off like the wind."
"But can he carry both of us?" I asked.
"Easily," said Layelah. "He can carry three persons without fatigue."
"Could you mount on his back now, and show me how you sit?"
Layelah readily assented, and mounted with the greatest ease, seating
herself on the broadest part of the back between the wings.
"Here," said she, "is room for you. Will you not come?"
For an instant I hesitated; but then the sight of her, seated there as
coolly as though she were on a chair reassured me, and I climbed up
also, though not without a shudder. The touch of the fearful monster
was abhorrent but I conquered my disgust and seated myself close
behind Layelah. Here she sat, holding the reins in her hands, with the
grapple just in front of her; and, seated in this position, she went
on to explain the whole process by which the mighty monster was guided
through the air.