CHAPTER XLI.
A Fray So bent were the strangers upon concealing who they were, and the object of their voyage, that it was some time ere we could obtain the information we desired.
They pointed toward the tent, as if it contained their Eleusinian mysteries.

And the old priest gave us to know, that it would be profanation to enter it.
But all this only roused my curiosity to unravel the wonder.
At last I succeeded.
In that mysterious tent was concealed a beautiful maiden.

And, in pursuance of a barbarous custom, by Aleema, the priest, she was being borne an offering from the island of Amma to the gods of Tedaidee.
Now, hearing of the maiden, I waited for no more.

Need I add, how stirred was my soul toward this invisible victim; and how hotly I swore, that precious blood of hers should never smoke upon an altar.
If we drowned for it, I was bent upon rescuing the captive.

But as yet, no gentle signal of distress had been waved to us from the tent.
Thence, no sound could be heard, but an occasional rustle of the matting.