"What!" I exclaimed, as I shrank back—"fly! Do you mean to say that you will mount this hideous monster, and trust yourself to him?"
"Certainly," said Layelah, quietly. "He is very docile. There is harness here with which we can guide him. Should you like to see him harnessed?"
"Very much indeed," said I.
Upon this Layelah walked up to the monster and stroked his breast. The huge athaleb at once lay down upon his belly. Then she brought two long straps like reins, and fastened each to the tip of a projecting tip of each wing. Then she fastened a collar around his neck, to which there was attached a grappling-iron.
"We seat ourselves on his back," said Layelah. "I guide with these reins. When we land anywhere I fasten him with the grapple. He looks dull now, but if I were to open the gate and remove his muzzle he would be off like the wind."
"But can he carry both of us?" I asked.
"Easily," said Layelah. "He can carry three persons without fatigue."
"Could you mount on his back now, and show me how you sit?"
Layelah readily assented, and mounted with the greatest ease, seating herself on the broadest part of the back between the wings.
"Here," said she, "is room for you. Will you not come?"