He ordered that carriages sufficient to convey some twenty-four of the brethren should be instantly collected, and announced his resolve to escort us at once to the Astronaut.

Before five minutes had elapsed from the destruction of the balloon, Zulve and the rest of the family had taken leave of Eveena and myself.

Attended by the party mustered, occupying a carriage in the centre of the procession, we left the gate of the enclosure.

I observed, what seemed to escape even Esmo's attention, that angry looks were bent upon us from many a roof, and that here and there groups were gathered in the enclosures and on the road, among whom I saw not a few weapons.

I was glad to remember that a party of the Zveltau still awaited Esmo's return at his own residence.