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.”
Daphne and Thoth then entered the car, and again it flew round and round the ship. The maidens lost their fear in admiration, and one said, “To what height can the bird fly?”
Thoth replied, “To such a height that thou couldst hardly see it. It will mount the air like a lark.” And to Daphne he said, “Shall we make a trial?” and she at once assented.
Under Thoth’s guidance the car rose straight upwards to a great height. Daphne looked down with wonder at the vessel beneath, so far off that the maidens through the distance could no longer be distinguished.
Then suddenly she cried out in alarm to her guide. The vessel had disappeared beneath the waves, and there was nothing to be seen but a few of the maidens struggling and shrieking in the water.
Daphne looked at Thoth. His face showed most unfeigned surprise and vexation. For the moment he seemed to lose his self-command, but it was only for the moment.
Apparently without an effort he became as calm and unimpassioned as before.