shape and color. Many of the pearls were larger than any which may
be found upon earth, for the sea people knew where to find the very
best and hide them away where men cannot discover them.

The golden floor was engraved with designs of rare beauty, depicting
not only sea life, but many adventures upon land. In the room were
several large, golden cabinets, the doors of which were closed and
locked, and in addition to the cabinets there were tables, chairs
and sofas, the latter upholstered with softest sealskins. Handsome
rugs of exquisitely woven seaweeds were scattered about, the colors
of which were artistically blended together. In one corner a
fountain of air bubbled up through the water. The entire room was
lighted as brilliantly as if exposed to the direct rays of the sun,
yet where this light came from our friends could not imagine. No
lamp or other similar device was visible anywhere.

The strangers at first scarcely glanced at all these beautiful
things, for in an easy chair sat Zog himself, more wonderful than
any other living creature, and as they gazed upon him, their eyes
seemed fascinated as if held by a spell. Zog's face was the face of
a man, except that the tops of his ears were pointed like horns and
he had small horns instead of eyebrows and a horn on the end of his
chin. In spite of these deformities, the expression of the face was
not unpleasant or repulsive. His hair was carefully parted and
brushed, and his mouth and nose were not only perfect in shape but
quite handsome.

Only the eyes betrayed Zog and made him terrible to all beholders.
They seemed like coals of glowing fire and sparkled so fiercely that
no one ever cared to meet their gaze for more than an instant.