obtained his first near view of the mysterious light, which, by
counteracting the forces of Nature, acted indirectly not only as
elevator but as motive force. In the last ruddy gleams of the great
sun, its rays were obscured, and it looked little more impressive
than an extremely brilliant, scintillating blue-white jewel, but its
power could be gauged by the visible, coloured mist that it threw out
for many yards around.

The steering was effected by means of a shutter attached by a cord to
the top of the staff, which could be so manipulated that any segment
of the male stone's rays, or all the rays, or none at all, could be
shut off at will. No sooner was the staff raised than the aerial
vessel quietly detached itself from the rock to which it had been
drawn, and passed slowly forward in the direction of the mountains.
Branchspell sank below the horizon. The gathering mist blotted out
everything outside a radius of a few miles. The air grew cool and
fresh.

Soon the rock masses ceased on the great, rising plain. Haunte
withdrew the shutter entirely, and the boat gathered full speed.

"You say that navigation among the mountains is difficult at night,"
exclaimed Maskull. "I would have thought it impossible."

Haunte grunted. "You will have to take risks, and think yourself
fortunate if you come off with nothing worse than a cracked skull.
But one thing I can tell you--if you go on disturbing me with your
chitchat we shan't get as far as the mountains."

Thereafter Maskull was silent.