yacht, but which was made of black rubber inflated with air. It
was covered with glass, save for a doorway about six feet high
and three feet wide in the side, and looked like a great oblong
bubble floating on the still dark water. As they approached the
searchlight was extinguished, and they were enabled to see the
boat to a better advantage by the aid of the electric lights that
illuminated the interior. It was with feelings of awe that the
two adventurers followed the captain across the gang-plank into
the vessel.

The electric light was brilliantly white, and in various places
pink, red and light-blue screens mellowed it into an artistic
effect that was very soothing to the eye. The ceiling was hung
with festoons of prisms as brilliant as the purest diamonds, and
in them, owing to the gently undulatory movement of the vessel,
colors more beautiful than those of a rainbow played
entrancingly. Rare pictures in frames of delicate gold were
interspersed among the clusters of prisms, and the floor was
covered with carpets that felt as soft beneath the foot as
pillows of eider-down.

As he entered the door the officer threw off his gray cloak, and
his men did likewise, disclosing to view the finest uniforms
the prisoners had ever seen. Captain Tradmos's legs were clothed
in tights of light-blue silk, and he wore a blue sack-coat of
silk plush and a belt of pliant gold, the buckles of which were
ornamented with brilliant gems. His eyes were dark and
penetrating, and his black hair lay in glossy masses on his
shoulders. He had the head of an Apollo and a brow indicative of
the highest intellect.