“Yes, it is the one fearful thing in this fair land of ours,” said Onrai.
They now reached the shore and Onrai signaled one of the boats to approach. These boats, long and narrow, were propelled by six oarsman. They almost flew through the water and in a very short space of time the boat which Onrai had signaled drove its bow far up on the shore of the island. Those who had accompanied the company thus far, were to wait on shore until the following morning when Onrai and his friends should return. The boatmen pulled a quick stroke and in a half hour the island was reached.
Attendants had anticipated them and had prepared the evening meal and all were soon enjoying the delights of fair On’s cuisine.
CHAPTER XI.
THE FIGHT OF THE SEA MONSTERS.
The island on which they now were was very small, not being more than one half mile in circumference. In fact it was a mere dot on the surface of this vast inland lake, but it was of considerable importance, nevertheless, for here the King made periodical excursions, and often took up his residence for weeks at a time in its charming villa. From the shore on which the party landed, the island rose gently to the centre, and on this slight eminence stood the villa. On the opposite side the shores were precipitous, rising in a cliff about fifty feet high. Bordering this cliff had been built a low, onyx wall and the intervening space between this and the villa had been laid out in a magnificent garden, filled with the redolent flowers so numerous in this country.
It was this delightful spot, shaded by immense palms and eucalyptus trees, which so pleased the King and which brought him here so frequently. From this garden could be seen the cliffs far away to the south and east and the fertile country lying between, and on the opposite side of the lake spreading on and on until merged into the blue horizon. Even from the broad dining hall, in which the party were now sitting, could be caught glimpses of the city as it lay bathed in the bright moonlight far away, and occasionally dim lights could be seen which shone from the open villa of the pink-white city.
“Look,” said Enola. “Is the scene not grand?”
“Yes,” said Harry, “the most exquisite picture I ever looked upon.”
“It is because of this natural picturesqueness that I visit this island so frequently,” said Onrai. “To me it has no equal, and I can conceive of nothing more beautiful.”
“No,” said Enola, “nothing could be more beautiful, for here we have every element which goes to make up a grand landscape; the distant city standing on the gentle slope of the foothills, the towering cliffs beyond, their jagged rocks softened by the moonlight; the broad fields, the noble forests, and about us the blue waters of the lake.”