y city in her mind--the frail spires, and the rich
bazaars, dusky and spicy and full of brocades and silks, and the
little narrow, climbing streets. But, though it was a pleasure to try,
she knew she could not imagine anything so strange and charming as the
real City of Zinariola would be.
All this time they had been winding steadily down to the sea. And
presently they caught sight of the boat, riding at anchor near the
landing place, with a little skiff drawn up on the sand. Of course you
know that the boat was a scallop-shell, with sails of gossamer; but
Sara had been expecting an ordinary boat, and she was perfectly
delighted. Of course it was large enough to hold Sara, as well as the
rest of the party; but just barely. And the sailors were no larger
than Pirlaps, though of course more rugged-looking and not so
smooth-shaven. And not one of them said a single word, during the
entire voyage, except "Yo-ho!" They sang that out continually; but as
their voices were small and musical (though hoarse) one didn't mind
the monotony of it.
The sea was very smooth that morning, and not one of the party was
seasick; and Sara, who had been gazing, fascinated, into the water in
front of the bow was just beginning to suspect that the boat was being
drawn by a very large amber-colored fish who kept just ahead of it and
just under the surface (with the sails chiefly for ornament) when
Avrillia called suddenly from the stern, "You can see Zinariola now,
Sara!"
Ah, there was the magical city!--for that it was magical the most
matter-of-fact person could see at a glance. Of course it was not just
imaginary, like the one Sara had built up in her mind, for this little
city was shining upon the cliffs; but for all that it was not a common
city--it was a toy one, and enchanted at that. And it was even more
strange and beautiful than she had dreamed. For streamers of violet
fog blew up its streets from the sea, and a wild light from behind the
farthest cliff struck across its green roofs and gilded weather-vanes.
Just as they drew up to the quay they heard a tinkling sound of music
and much laughter; and an organ-man with a monkey came spilling out of
one of the little streets, followed by a crowd of clapping children.
They were somewhat like Avrillia's children, only quite
foreign-looking, with green and red and yellow kerchiefs. The
organ-man was not so large as Yassuh, and the monkey was about the
size of a small spider. As for th
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