This I did, and also put several into my various pockets. I was just about to say that I thought we had sufficient, when Shin Shira called my attention to a balloon hovering just above our heads.
There were two people in the basket, and they were peering at us over the edge through glasses.
Presently one of them shouted an order, and the balloon quickly descended, so that we could hear the rush of escaping gas as it was being released.
"Hullo there!" shouted a voice over our heads, "who are you? We've never before heard that these mountains were inhabited."
"Neither are they," replied Shin Shira. "We are geologists from Baghdad, and are taking home specimens of the rocks and stones."
"Oh, we're going to Baghdad. Can we give you a lift?" said the voice kindly, and the balloon descended still further, till at last we were able to see the two occupants distinctly.
"It's really very kind of you;—I—I think we will accept your offer," said I, while Shin Shira frowned disapproval.
"Don't go," he whispered, "we can get some more precious stones if we wait a little longer."
"But how are we to get back?" I answered.
"The Magic Lamp," said he.