Angels and Women (1924)

32 ANGELS AND WOMEN
this world,’ said Noah. ’I see before me a
black and yawning gulf, but I have no fear,
though the earth be swallowed up and the
heavens consumed. We shall meet again in
peace. Allimades, thou and I alone are left,
worshipers of God; He will not forget us.’
"Then giving me the rein of his fleet steed,
he motioned that I should mount and press
onward, and from that moment I saw him
no more." Here my father paused and gave
himself up for a few moments to absorbing
melancholy. He then resumed:
"Before dawn we were several leagues
from Balonia, but rested not until we had
entered the dense forest that skirts for six
days’ journey the western shore of the upper
river. We there refreshed ourselves, and
offered the sacrifice of a young heifer.
"Having received the token of acceptance
by fire from heaven, consuming the sacrificial
offering, we on the following day resumed
our journey with more courage,
plunging deeper into the forest, and after