A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille

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likely that if we had ordered out a galley and a gang of oarsmen, we
should have been supplied with all that we might want in the most
cheerful manner. Such a thought, however, was absurd. Flight! Why
should I think of flying?
I had long ago lost all idea of time; and here, where it was for the
present perpetual day, I was more at a loss than ever. I supposed that
it was somewhere in the month of March, but whether at the beginning
or the end I could not tell. The people had a regular system of
wake-time and sleep-time, by which they ordered their lives; but
whether these respective times were longer or shorter than the days
and nights at home I could not tell at that time, though I afterward
learned all about it. On the whole, I was perfectly content--nay,
more, perfectly happy; more so, indeed, than ever in my life, and
quite willing to forget home and friends and everything in the society
of Almah. While in her company there was always one purpose upon which
I was most intent, and that was to master the language. I made rapid
progress, and while she was absent I sought out others, especially the
Kohen, with whom to practice. The Kohen was always most eager to aid
me in every conceivable way or to any conceivable thing; and he had
such a gentle manner and showed such generous qualities that I soon
learned to regard him with positive affection.
Almah was always absent for several hours after I rose in the morning,
and when she made her appearance it was with the face and manner of
one who had returned from some unpleasant task. It always took some
time for her to regain that cheerfulness which she usually showed. I
soon felt a deep curiosity to learn the nature of her employment and
office here, and as my knowledge of the language increased I began
to question her. My first attempts were vain. She looked at me with
indescribable mournfulness and shook her head. This, however, only
confirmed me in my suspicions that her duties, whatever they might be,
were of a painful nature; so I urged her to tell me, and asked her as
well as I could if I might not share them or help her in some way. To
all this, however, she only returned sighs and mournful looks for an
answer. It seemed to me, from her manner and from the general behavior
of the people, that there was no express prohibition on my learning
anything, doing anything, or going anywhere; and so, after this, I
besought her to let me accompany her some time. But this too she
refused. My requests were often made, and as I learned more and more
of the language I was able to make them with more earnestness and