a great distance.

They feel that they would not be safe in leaving their place of
concealment until the horde had recrossed the ridge, and descended once
more into the oasis that contained their encampment.

Making a rough calculation as to the time it would take for the return
journey,--and allowing a considerable margin against the eventuality of
any unforeseen delay,--the mids remained in their subaqueous retreat,
without any material change of position.

When at length it appeared to them that the "coast was clear," they rose
to their feet, and commenced wading towards the strand.

Though no longer believing themselves observed, they proceeded silently
and with caution,--the only noise made among them being the chattering
of their teeth, which were going like three complete sets of castanets.

This they could not help. The night breeze playing upon the saturated
garments,--that clung coldly around their bodies,--chilled them to the
very bones; and not only their teeth, but their knees knocked together,
as they staggered towards the beach.

Just before reaching it, an incident arose that filled them with fresh
forebodings. The strange beast that had threatened to intercept their
retreat over the ridge, once more appeared before their eyes. It was
either the same, or one of the same kind,--equally ugly, and to all
appearance, equally determined to dispute their passage.

It was now patrolling the strand close by the water's edge,--going
backwards and forwards, precisely as it had done along the saddle-shaped
sand wreath,--all the while keeping its hideous face turned towards
them. With the moon behind their backs, they had a better view of it
than before; but this, though enabling them to perceive that it was some
strange quadruped, did not in any way improve their opinion of it. They
could see that it was covered with a coat of long shaggy hair, of a
brindled brown color; and that from a pair of large orbs, set obliquely
in its head, gleamed forth a fierce, sullen light.

How it had come there they knew not; but there it was. Judging from the
experience of their former encounter with it they presumed it would
again retreat at their approach; and, once more drawing their dirks,
they advanced boldly towards it.

They were not deceived. Long before they were near, the uncouth creature
turned tail; and, again giving utterance to its unearthly cry, scampered
off towards the ravine,--in whose shadowy depths it s