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"The island is my home," Prince Tabnit continued, "and now, for the first ti journey It is many miles to that little land in the eastern seas, that exquisite bit of the world, as yet unknown to any save the island-uarded its existence, but I have no fear to tell you, for no mariner, unaided by an islander, could steer a course to its coasts And I can tell you little about the island for reasons which, if you will forgiveof it, however, that you may know the remarkable conditions which led to the introduction of Mr Holland to Yaque

"The island of Yaque," continued the prince, "or Arqua, as the name ritten by the ancient Phoenicians, has been ruled by hereditary monarchs since 1050 BC, when it was settled"

"What date did I understand you to say, sir?" deham

The prince smiled faintly

"I am well aware," he said, "that to the western mind--indeed, to anyinis exact It is believed that the enterprises of the Phoenicians in the early ages took them but a short distance, if at all, beyond the confines of the Mediterranean It is merely known that, in the period of which I speak, a an to be manifested, and the Straits of Gibraltar were passed and settlements were made in Iberia But how far these adventurers actually penetrated has been recorded only in those documents that are in the hands of my people--descendants of the boldest of these alleys out into the Atlantic At this ti of Tyre was Abibaal, soon to be succeeded by his son Hira David,--"

Mr Frothinghaination, uttered the soft non-explosion which should have been speech

"King Abibaal," continued the prince, "who er and favourite son who bore his own na, and upon the accession of Hiraalley of adventuresoain the open sea The story of their wild voyage I need not detail; it is enough to say that their trireme recked upon the coast of Yaque; and Abibaal and those who joined hi them many members of the court circle and even of the royal family--settled and developed the island And there the race has remained without taint of adht on the island I can tell you little, though the time will come when the eyes of the whole world will be turned upon Yaque as the forerunner of s Ruled over by the descendants of Abibaal, the islanders have dwelt in peace and plenty for nearly three thousand years--until, in fact, less than a year ago Then the line thus traceable to King Hira Chelbes, without issue"