If you had not made the fire they never, never, never could have found us; but now all is lost." There was no time for conversation or discussion.

The athalebs drew swiftly nearer and nearer, descending in long circuits, until at length they touched the ground not far away on the wide sandy beach.
Then we saw people on their backs, and among them was Almah.

We hurried toward them, and Almah rushed into my arms, to the great disgust of Layelah, for she was close beside me and saw it all.

She gave an exclamation of grief and despair, and hurried away.
From Almah I learned that our disappearance had caused alarm; that two of the athalebs had come back in search of us; that they had been to Magones, and had searched over the seas, and were just about giving us up as lost, when the fire-light had attracted their attention and drawn them here.
I said nothing at that time about the cause of our disappearance, but merely remarked that the athaleb had fallen into the sea and swam here.

This was sufficient.