A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
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duties like those of ostlers or grooms among us, but which here<br />
<strong>in</strong>dicated high rank and honor. He was proud of his title of "Epet,"<br />
which means servant, and more than usually oblig<strong>in</strong>g. I at once took<br />
advantage of his complaisance, and requested him to show me the<br />
athalebs. Upon this he led the way farther on, where I could see<br />
through the gloom the shadowy outl<strong>in</strong>es of four monsters, all of which<br />
were rest<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> an upright posture aga<strong>in</strong>st the wall, with their claws<br />
fixed on a shelf of rock. They looked more than ever like dragons, or<br />
rather like enormous bats, for their w<strong>in</strong>gs were disclosed hang<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
loose leathern folds.<br />
"Can they be roused," I asked, "and made to move?"<br />
"Oh yes," said the Epet, and without wait<strong>in</strong>g for any further request<br />
he proceeded to pull at the loose fan-like w<strong>in</strong>g of the nearest one.<br />
The monster drew himself together, gave a flutter with his w<strong>in</strong>gs, and<br />
then moved back from the wall.<br />
"Make him walk," said I, eagerly.<br />
The Epet at this pulled upon his w<strong>in</strong>g once more, and the athaleb moved<br />
forward.<br />
"Br<strong>in</strong>g him to the portal, so that I may see him," said I.<br />
The Epet, still hold<strong>in</strong>g the athaleb's w<strong>in</strong>g, pulled at him, and thus<br />
guided him toward the portal. I was amazed at the docility of this<br />
terrific monster; yet, after all, I thought that it was no more<br />
astonish<strong>in</strong>g than the docility of the elephant, which <strong>in</strong> like manner<br />
allows itself to be guided by the slightest pressure. A child may lead<br />
a vast elephant with ease, and here with equal ease the Epet led the<br />
athaleb. He led him up near to the portal, where the aurora light<br />
beamed through far brighter than the brightest moon, and disclosed all<br />
the vast proportions of the monster. I stood and looked on for some<br />
time <strong>in</strong> silence, quite at a loss what to do next.<br />
And now Layelah's words occurred to me as to the perfect will<strong>in</strong>gness<br />
of the Kosek<strong>in</strong> to do anyth<strong>in</strong>g which one might wish. She had <strong>in</strong>sisted<br />
on it that they would not prevent our flight, and had given me to<br />
understand that they would even assist me if I should ask them. This<br />
is what now occurred to me, and I determ<strong>in</strong>ed to make a trial. So I