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284 There were, however, no blossoms to be seen, as it was the wrong season for them. Nevertheless, it looked a charming, dreamy little place, and any one could picture to himself what it would look like when the summer arrived.

"Rather pleasant, is it not?" remarked Yondozi. "It is very much admired by the ladies," he continued. "Strange to say, however, it is not frequently visited."

He steered to the centre, then out again into the Nocalattan Sea, and we continued our journey to Atazatlan.

We were now well out from the shore, and it was well known that the remainder of our route to the city was free from rocks. So he arranged the machinery, and took a seat on the deck. I joined him, with the intention of indulging in the luxury of a smoke.

The sky above us formed an impressive spectacle, so silent and clear with its millions of brilliant wanderers; besides, there were many strange lights constantly changing their position and varying their hues, becoming at times large enough to cover a considerable portion of the heavens, then diminishing to a degree that rendered them almost invisible, perhaps wholly disappearing, while fresh