"You are very, very obstinate," said Layelah, sweetly.
I made no reply. During this conversation I had been too intent upon Layelah's words to notice the athalebs before me; but now as I looked up I saw that we had fallen far behind, and that Layelah had headed our athaleb in a new direction. Upon this I once more snatched the reins from her, and tried to return to our former course. This, however, I was utterly unable to do.
Layelah laughed.
"You will have to let me guide our course," said she. "You can do nothing. The athaleb will now go in a straight line to the land of the Orin."
Upon this I started up in wild excitement.
"Never, never, never!" I cried, in a fury. "I will not; I will destroy this athaleb and perish in the water!"
As I said this I raised my rifle.
"What are you going to do?" cried Layelah, in accents of fear.
"Turn back," I cried, "or I will kill this athaleb!"
Upon this Layelah dropped the reins, stood up, and looked at me with a smile.