I myself had seen more than a thousand years when I lay down to sleep." "A thousand!" remarked Bastin, mildly interested.

"That is unusual, though some of these mighty men of renown we know lived over nine hundred." Here Bickley snorted and exclaimed: "Nine hundred moons, he means." "I did not know Noah," went on Oro.

"Perhaps he lived after my time and caused some other local deluge.

Is there anything else you wish to ask me before I leave you that I may study this map writing ?" "Yes," said Bastin.

"Why were you allowed to drown your world ?" "Because it was evil, Priest, and disobeyed me and the Power I serve." "Oh! thank you," said Bastin, "that fits in exactly.