THE JOURNEY TO THE LAKE.
In the centre of this vast country was an immense lake, covering at
least fifteen thousand square feet, and this was filled with almost
every conceivable species of fresh-water fish. This lake was undoubtedly
fed by springs, for no inlet had ever been found. The river was its
outlet, and this, as has been said before, emptied its waters into a
large gulf, or hole in the ground which had a subterranean outlet.
For a long time our friends had wished to visit this inland sea, but
their days had been so taken up with their other pleasures, a visit to
the lake had been quite impossible, heretofore. However, the day was
fixed for the long-looked-for pleasure, and they were about to start. It
was intended that three days should be spent on this journey, one in
going, one in fishing and the next in returning.
Mr. Graham was here in his element, for he found more real pleasure in
fishing than in any other sport; and then, from what he could learn,
this fishing excursion was liable to have its adventures, for it was
said, that not only were there small fish in this lake, but also marine
monsters too fearful for description and still more fearful to come in
contact with. He would rather that the ladies remain in the city, but
all were determined to go, so he gave his consent.
The morning, like all others in this fair land, was beautiful, and
early, even before the sun had risen, the party started from the Temple.
The ladies on the backs of the huge elephants, and the men riding ahead
on sleek, well-groomed zebras, made a picture as they rode through the
beautiful streets.
The populace was already astir, and the royal party was greeted on all
sides with that respectful salute which was so graceful, but which had
so little humility in it. A road new to the visitors was now taken, one
which led in a straight line due northwest, and which was smoothly paved
with onyx. This road, or avenue, was lined with tremendous trees, the
thick foliage of which met and mingled a hundred feet above their heads,
making a vast shady arch through which the sun’s rays could not
penetrate. As far as their eyes could reach this tree-arched avenue
extended.
“How far is it to the lake?” asked Nellie.
“Twenty miles, according to your method of measuring distances,”
answered Onrai.
“And does this magnificent avenue extend so far?” asked Enola.
“Not only to the lake,” answered Onrai, “but it borders its shores, its
entire circumference.”
“And is it all paved as it is here?” asked Harry.
“Yes, throughout its entire length,” added Onrai.
“And has this been done recently?” asked Enola.
“Recently,” answered Onrai, “I do not understand you.”
“Has it been done during your reign or the reign of your predecessor?”
exclaimed Enola.
“No, it has not been done during my reign or during my life, so I, as a
consequence, know nothing of the time of its laying,” answered Onrai.
“But it must have been laid but a short time,” said Enola, “for not one
of these beautifully polished stones shows the least defacement.”
“Oh, that counts for naught,” said Mr. Bruce, “for they are placed
together so carefully, and the onyx itself is so hard, there is no
possibility of its chipping.”
“This is called the Avenue of On,” said Onrai, “and not only circumvents
the lake, but stretches on from the opposite side to the farthest corner
of On, or to the great field of brilliants.”
“To the field of brilliants? Tell us of this, Onrai,” said Enola.
“Far away in the direction in which we are now going is a large field
devoid of all verdure. Rocks from the size of a zebra’s hoof to those
half as large as the Temple cover the ground. The cliffs which surround
our country at this point are seamed and very irregular, which shows
that at some remote age the rocks which now cover the field were torn
from them, and having been ground and crushed in their rush to the level
field, have finally there found a resting place. But these stones and
rocks do not entirely cover the field, for there seems to be an ashy
substance and in places a bluish sandstone, and covering these are
small, white brilliants as pure, white and clear as the water from a
spring. During the day these stones catch the sun’s rays and gleam forth
like polished silver but with a brilliancy much more intense. But at
night when the great white sentinel rises in the heavens and throws its
soft light on these stones, they look like the reflection of stars in
the lake. I have never looked upon this field but once at night and it
impressed me then as being the grandest sight in our whole land.”
“Diamonds,” said Mr. Graham.
“May be so, or they may be nothing but brilliants, as he calls them,”
said Mr. Bruce.
“But do you use these?” asked Harry.
“Yes, we use them,” said Onrai, “the larger ones in our sling-shots for
killing small game; the smaller ones we polish and use for
ornamentation. They are very hard, harder than onyx, and we find it very
difficult to polish them.”
“You are undoubtedly right, Mr. Graham,” said Mr. Bruce. “They must be
diamonds.”
“How strange it is that these people think so little of everything on
which civilization places the greatest value,” said Enola.
“Yes,” answered Mr. Graham, “but it is because these articles, gold and
diamonds are so plentiful. I doubt not but that if these were as
plentiful in our world we would care but little for them.”
“May be,” said Mr. Bruce.
It was now high noon, and although the sun’s rays did not reach them,
still the day was very hot and it was decided best to wait over for
three or four hours in one of the farm villas which they were now
opposite. They accordingly dismounted, and although the house was
unoccupied at the time, still the same comforts and conveniences which
were found in all of these charming villas were also found here. After
partaking of a light lunch of iced wine and honey and cake, the party
retired for a short siesta.
The sun was well toward the western horizon when they again took up
their journey and now a cool breeze had sprung up which made the ride
along the shady flower-scented avenue, delightful in the extreme. They
now began to meet the fishermen with their day’s catch on their way to
the city. There were a great many of these for the lake furnished most
of the fish for the entire populace. These fish were carried in a sort
of kettle which was partly filled with ice; this kettle was swung
between two zebras, the back saddles of which were connected by the rod
from which the kettle hung. So well-trained were the zebras to this work
that they went along perfectly and one man was able to manage eight or
ten of these teams.
Now through the trees in the distance could be seen the blue waters of
the beautiful lake. As far as the eye could reach stretched the calm
waters, the surface as smooth as glass. As they drew near the shore
numerous small boats could be seen.
“These are the boats of the fishermen,” said Onrai, “and that black
speck well down toward the horizon is the island Myrrh, on which is a
villa in which we will spend the night.”
“But can we reach it before dark?” asked Mr. Bruce.
“We will have to,” said Onrai, “for it is not safe to be on the lake
after nightfall.”
“And why?” asked Enola.
“Because of certain sea monsters which inhabit its waters,” said Onrai.
Mr. Bruce looked at Nellie and the thought occurred to both.
“Can these fearful monsters be like the one which so nearly proved our
death in the cave?”
“These marine animals are not seen during the day for they lie at the
bottom of the lake as long as the sun is shining, but when the glorious
orb of day has set and can no longer cast its hot rays on their hideous
bodies, they then come to the surface and very often fearful fights
occur among them. They prey on each other and after one of these nights
of terrible battle I have seen the surface of the water red as far as
the eye could reach, and may be several of their ugly dead bodies would
be floating about the water near the island.”
“It is fearful,” said Mrs. Graham.
“Yes, it is the one fearful thing in this fair land of ours,” said
Onrai.
They now reached the shore and Onrai signaled one of the boats to
approach. These boats, long and narrow, were propelled by six oarsman.
They almost flew through the water and in a very short space of time the
boat which Onrai had signaled drove its bow far up on the shore of the
island. Those who had accompanied the company thus far, were to wait on
shore until the following morning when Onrai and his friends should
return. The boatmen pulled a quick stroke and in a half hour the island
was reached.
Attendants had anticipated them and had prepared the evening meal and
all were soon enjoying the delights of fair On’s cuisine.