This is, verily, a land of surprises. Our hands and faces still smart
from the biting insects, and the perfume of the odorous kitten
promises to be ever with us.

Nofuhl is happy. We have discovered hundreds of metal blocks, the
poorest of which he asserts would be the gem of a museum. They were
found by Fattan-laiz-eh in the basement of a high building, all laid
carefully away upon iron shelves. The flood of light they throw upon
the manners and customs of this ludicrous people renders them of
priceless value to historians.

I harbor a suspicion that it causes Nofuhl some pleasure to sit upon
the cool deck of the Ziotuhb and watch Bhoz-ja-khaz walking to and fro
upon the ruins of a distant wharf.




19th May



The air is cooler. Grip-til-lah thinks a storm is brewing.

Even Nofuhl is puzzled over the wooden image we brought aboard
yesterday. It is well preserved, with the barbaric coloring still
fresh upon it. They found it standing upright in a little shop.

How these idols were worshipped, and why they are found in little
shops and never in the great temples is a mystery. It has a diadem of