“Diamonds,” said Mr. Graham.
“May be so, or they may be nothing but brilliants, as he calls them,” said Mr. Bruce.
“But do you use these?” asked Harry.
“Yes, we use them,” said Onrai, “the larger ones in our sling-shots for killing small game; the smaller ones we polish and use for ornamentation. They are very hard, harder than onyx, and we find it very difficult to polish them.”
“You are undoubtedly right, Mr. Graham,” said Mr. Bruce. “They must be diamonds.”
“How strange it is that these people think so little of everything on which civilization places the greatest value,” said Enola.
“Yes,” answered Mr. Graham, “but it is because these articles, gold and diamonds are so plentiful. I doubt not but that if these were as plentiful in our world we would care but little for them.”
“May be,” said Mr. Bruce.
It was now high noon, and although the sun’s rays did not reach them, still the day was very hot and it was decided best to wait over for three or four hours in one of the farm villas which they were now opposite. They accordingly dismounted, and although the house was unoccupied at the time, still the same comforts and conveniences which were found in all of these charming villas were also found here. After partaking of a light lunch of iced wine and honey and cake, the party retired for a short siesta.
The sun was well toward the western horizon when they again took up their journey and now a cool breeze had sprung up which made the ride along the shady flower-scented avenue, delightful in the extreme. They now began to meet the fishermen with their day’s catch on their way to the city. There were a great many of these for the lake furnished most of the fish for the entire populace. These fish were carried in a sort of kettle which was partly filled with ice; this kettle was swung between two zebras, the back saddles of which were connected by the rod from which the kettle hung. So well-trained were the zebras to this work that they went along perfectly and one man was able to manage eight or ten of these teams.