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Rh maidens, in a few moments the bird rose in the air. It sailed round and round the vessel like a sea-bird in search of food, and then at a sign from Thoth returned to the deck.

Then he said to Daphne, "This aërial boat will bear with safety two persons. Wilt thou venture to ascend with me? Perchance that will give confidence to thy companions."

Daphne at once assented, but the rest implored her not to leave them, and said especially that they were afraid to be left alone in the vessel with Thoth's hateful men.

The leader smiled with hardly veiled contempt, and said, "That is soon provided for. See, I have but to draw this bolt, and the men are imprisoned below."

At a word the men disappeared, and the bolt was drawn.

"Now," said he, "enter, and in a few moments we will return."