“Truly a good country to live in,” said Mr. Bruce.
“Yes, a fair country, with which God has dealt most kindly,” said Mr. Graham.
The party arose and through the broad halls and lofty entrance they went into the garden; across this and near to the stone wall reclining seats had been placed for them. The scene which now met their gaze was ineffably grand. The lake lay before them like a sea of liquid silver the surface scarcely ruffled by the soft evening breeze; beyond, the shore of the mainland with its flickering lights, dimmed by the bright rays of the moon, and beyond these the magnificent panorama already described. The party sat for a long time lost in contemplation of the magnificent scenery.
“Look,” said Enola, “a boat.”
“No, Enola, not a boat,” said Onrai, “for it means death to any who may venture on the lake at night.”
“It may mean death, Onrai, but nevertheless some one of your countrymen has undertaken the hazardous journey to-night, for see, the lights in the bow shine brightly,” replied Enola.
Onrai had arisen as Enola had spoken, and stepping to the wall looked long at the black object coming toward them, then resuming his seat, he said:
“No, it is one of the monsters; those lights are its fiery eyes.”
A shudder ran through the frames of all present excepting Onrai, who had long since become accustomed to look upon these fearful sea serpents. On the black mass came, growing larger and larger as it neared them. Remembrances of the fearful race with and escape from the monster in the cavern came to the minds of those who had participated in this dreadful scene, and Mrs. Graham arising, said:
“Onrai, you will pardon, I hope, a woman’s faintheartedness, but I cannot look upon the scenes which we have been told by you will shortly take place near us; so with your kind permission I will retire to my apartment.”