This, however, I was utterly unable to do.
Layelah laughed.
"You will have to let me guide our course," said she.

"You can do nothing.

The athaleb will now go in a straight line to the land of the Orin." Upon this I started up in wild excitement.
"Never, never, never!" I cried, in a fury.

"I will not; I will destroy this athaleb and perish in the water!" As I said this I raised my rifle.
"What are you going to do ?" cried Layelah, in accents of fear.
"Turn back," I cried, "or I will kill this athaleb!" Upon this Layelah dropped the reins, stood up, and looked at me with a smile.
"Oh, Atam-or," said she, "what a thing to ask! How can I go back now, when we have started for the land of the Orin ?" "We shall never reach the land of the Orin," I cried; "we shall perish in the sea!" "Oh no," said Layelah; "you cannot kill the athaleb.

You are no more than an insect; your rod is a weak thing, and will break on his iron frame." It was evident that Layelah had not the slightest idea of the powers of my rifle.