Maskull was all eagerness to exchange words, but did not care to be
the first to speak. Corpang stood moodily, a little in the
background.

"What men are you?" demanded the aerial navigator at last. His voice
was extremely loud, and possessed a most unpleasant timbre. It
sounded to Maskull like a large volume of air trying to force its way
through a narrow orifice.

"I am Maskull; my friend is Corpang. He comes from Threal, but where
I come from, don't ask."

"I am Haunte, from Sarclash."

"Where may that be?"

"Half an hour ago I could have shown it to you, but now it has got
too murky. It is a mountain in Lichstorm."

"Are you returning there now?"

"Yes."

"And how long will it take to get there in that boat?"

"Two--three hours."

"Will it accommodate us too?"

"What, are you for Lichstorm as well? What can you want there?"