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Rh a retreat. Another moment, however, and I would be pinned against the wall; so I instantly left my seat and slipped inside the door, putting the stout wall between us. I now felt a great relief, and waited for the crash, speculating at the same time how far his sword would penetrate the building.

To my surprise, however, I heard him fall, and very lightly, too, on the balcony. I was out in an instant, and standing before me was neither shark nor sword-fish, but a hale, hearty man, in the act of taking off his head-gear. The huge bird soon lit beside him. After a flutter or two the enormous wings dropped, and, indeed, the bird itself appeared to be falling to pieces, when a man stepped out of the wreck. The third dark object was now sailing towards us. It was very much like a balloon, and I could see two persons seated in the car beneath. They did not, however, come to the balcony, but dropped in an open space in the garden below. The pair turned out to be a young man and a very handsome young lady, and I confess I felt somewhat interested in them, having been informed they were lovers. However, I soon lost sight of them, for they passed into the house. I now learnt from my friends that the new arrivals were from other cities of Neuroomia, which they gave me to