Now we shall have no more suffering from vexatious and oppressive riches, from troublesome honors, from a surplus of food, from luxuries and delicacies, and all the ills of life." "But what is the use of being born at all ?" I asked, in a wonder that never ceased to rise at every fresh display of Kosekin feeling.
"The use ?" said the Kohen.

"Why, if we were not born, how could we know the bliss of dying, or enjoy the sweetness of death?
Death is the end of being--the one sweet hope and crown and glory of life, the one desire and hope of every living man.

The blessing is denied to none.
Rejoice with me, oh Atam-or! you will soon know its blessedness as well as I." He turned away.

I held Almah in my arms, and we watched the storm by the lightning-flashes and waited for the end.

But the end came not.
The galley was light, broad, and buoyant as a life-boat; at the same time it was so strongly constructed that there was scarcely any twist or contortion in the sinewy fabric.