She loved the light, she feared death, and she had never been able in the slightest degree to reconcile herself to the habits of these people.

This I could readily understand, for to me it seemed as though they lived in opposition to nature itself.
We went out into the daylight, and then I saw a sight which filled me with amazement.

I saw a flock of birds larger than even the opkuks.
They were called "opmahera." They seemed as tall as giraffes, and their long legs indicated great powers of running.

Their wings were very short, and not adapted for flight.

They were very tractable, and were harnessed for riding in a peculiar way; lines like reins were fastened to the wings, and the driver, who sat close by the neck, guided the bird in this way.