They think that we are in the best of all lands, and my request to be sent home would be utterly monstrous." "I suppose," said I, "they would kill us if we asked them to do so ?" "Yes," said Almah; "for they think death the greatest blessing." "And if at the point of death we should beg for life, would they spare us ?" "Certainly not," said Almah.

"Would you kill a man who asked for death?
No more would these people spare a man who asked for life." All this was so utterly incomprehensible that I could pursue the subject no further.

I saw, however, that Almah was wretched, dejected, and suffering greatly from home-sickness.

Gladly would I have taken her and started off on a desperate flight by sea or land--gladly would I have dared every peril, although I well knew what tremendous perils there were; but she would not consent, and believed the attempt to be useless.

I could only wait, therefore, and indulge the hope that at last a chance of escape might one day come, of which she would be willing to avail herself.
Almah utterly refused to go to the feast, and entreated me not to go; but this only served to increase my curiosity, and I determined to see it for myself, whatever it was.