We met several people on the way, who looked at us with smiles, but made no other sign.

It was evident that they had no commission to watch us, and that thus far Layelah's information was correct.
Upon entering the cavern of the athalebs my first feeling was one of helplessness; for I had no confidence whatever in my own powers of managing these awful monsters, nor did I feel sure that I could harness them; but the emergency was a pressing one, and there was no help for it.

I had seen where Layelah had left the harness, and now my chief desire was to secure one of the athalebs.

The faint light served to disclose nothing but gloom; and I waited for a while, hoping that one of them would come forward as before.

But waiting did no good, for no movement was made, and I had to try what I could do myself to rouse them.