“Yea, in a moment more, we saw it not—saw naught but the meeting waters, the whirl of their drawing—with flame and smoke rising high above! Then cried thy father, ‘Now will we fly!’—And amazing became his guiding of the boat. We bounded, leaped, flew, scarce touching the hungry waves that we feared would draw us down. Long we thought we should not get beyond. But the boat is charmed. And so is thy father. We bounded, leaped, flew on—on—to less raging waters; thence to smooth ones; later sighting these vessels to be stricken with further dread. For, how were we to tell these Atlanteans that their island was no more?”
“Ah—how?”
“Though thy father did it, Æole.”
“The poor Atlanteans!”
“Æole, through it all, thou wert of more thought than the island. Ever was I fearing thou wouldst come out of thy sleep. As I helped thy father, I was dwelling upon thy grief shouldst thou waken ere we reached thee. Less worked I for life than for thy peace of mind. Though life is without price whilst thou art of it. Now, it is past belief that I am with thee, that peace and joy are our own, that I hold thy hand, that I kiss it thus!”
Æole had never seen anything so beautiful as his smile. She looked down at her hand, then at his; and upon her came the desire to kiss this hand so enfolding hers. But, her look was more than many kisses, as she said: “Sensel, our lives will prove our thanks.”
“Our life, Æole.”
Now upon his ears smote sore interruption. The voices of Hellen and Electra were very near. Thus he murmured, “There can be but one life for us, Æole.”
Then in came the two under the awning. They sat down unmindful of the agitation of Sensel and Æole, being all occupied with their own sweet emotions. But, they began to speak of the events of the night; and Sensel, in greatest patience, replied to their questions. Glad was he when Deucalion appeared. Then he excused himself. And, when outside, fell to pacing the deck absorbed; at times, pausing to gaze in somnambulistic fashion upon the water.
Under this awning, the evening meal was partaken of. This consisted of bread, pulse, dried meats, honey, melons, pomegranates, wine, and a sherbet made of almonds and honey—so well were the fleeing Chimoan vessels victualed, so generous was the fifth island in its offerings of fruit.