I sank back on the seat and strove in vain to stifle a groan.

On this the child, who had hitherto seemed to eye me with distrust or dislike, knelt by my side to support me; taking one of my hands in both his own, he approached his lips to my forehead, breathing on it softly.

In a few moments my pain ceased; a drowsy, heavy calm crept over me; I fell asleep.
How long I remained in this state I know not, but when I woke I felt perfectly restored.

My eyes opened upon a group of silent forms, seated around me in the gravity and quietude of Orientals--all more or less like the first stranger; the same mantling wings, the same fashion of garment, the same sphinx-like faces, with the deep dark eyes and red man's colour; above all, the same type of race--race akin to man's, but infinitely stronger of form and grandeur of aspect--and inspiring the same unutterable feeling of dread.

Yet each countenance was mild and tranquil, and even kindly in expression.