MERGE TO GYRENE. 
487 
though there were only two ; the remainder, it was added, were 
close at hand in the wood. This embellishment was intended as a 
defensive measure to conceal the actual weakness of the company, for 
the elevated position of their fair auditors had not made the most 
favourable impression upon our servants ; who suspected that per- 
sons living so far out of reach, must have stronger reasons for moving 
so far from their fellow-creatures, than was consistent with honesty 
and peaceable intentions. Accordingly when the girls had ex- 
plained that the road which they were seeking led over the plain 
below, (where their fathers, they said, were cutting corn,) our wan- 
derers turned to retrace their steps and descend the mountain-path 
as fast as possible ; not a little anxious with regard to the reception 
they might experience on their route from neighbours of a more 
formidable description than the elevated little personages who had 
addressed them. As they began to descend one of the girls again 
called to them, and letting down a long rope made of twisted skins 
with knots in it two feet apart, desired them to make their water- 
skin fast to the end of it, with which, as the skin was empty, they 
willingly complied, choosing rather to run the risk of losing it 
altogether than to forego a possible chance of getting it replenished. 
The skin was quickly hauled up, and disappeared through the hole, 
leaving its owners in anxious suspense, not so much on account of 
the hide itself as of its anticipated contents. They had however no 
reason to repent of their confidence, for the skin very shortly made 
its appearance again and proved to be nearly full of water, to 
the delight of our thirsty attendants; who after expressing their 
