After seeing and hearing these things, the crew sailed away from the island as quickly as they were able, into the open ocean, for they felt quite sure that the multitude they saw was a gathering of demons. A spacious isle of meadowy plains, with a broad and sandy shore: Two bold and trusty spies are sent, its wonders to explore. Mysterious signs, strange, awful sights, now meet the wanderers' eyes: Vast hoof-marks, and the traces dire of men of monstrous size: And lo! on the sea, in countless hosts, their shadowy forms expand; They pass the affrighted sailors by, and like demons they rush to land; They mount their steeds, and the race is run, in the midst of hell's uproar: Then the wanderers quickly raise their sails, and leave the accursèd shore. FOOTNOTES: [LXXII.] See note, page 128. CHAPTER VII. THE PALACE OF SOLITUDE. They suffered much from hunger and thirst this time, for they sailed a whole week without making land; but at the end of that time they came in sight of a high island, with a large and very splendid house on the beach near the water's edge. There were two doors--one turned inland, and the other facing the sea; and the door that looked towards the sea was closed with a great flat stone. In this stone was an opening, through which the waves, as they beat against the door every day, threw numbers of salmon into the house. The voyagers landed, and went through the whole house without meeting any one. But they saw in one large room an ornamented couch, intended for the head of the house, and in each of the other rooms was a larger one for three members of the family: and there was a cup of crystal on a little table before each couch. They found abundance of food and ale, and they ate and drank till they were satisfied, thanking God for having relieved them from hunger and thirst. Aloft, high towering o'er the ocean's foam, The spacious mansion rears its glittering dome. Each day the billows, through the marble door, Shoot living salmon floundering on the floor. Couches that lure the sailors to recline, Abundant food, brown ale, and sparkling wine; Tables and chairs in order duly placed, With crystal cups and golden goblets graced. But not a living soul the wanderers found; 'Twas silence all and solitude profound. They eat and drink, give thanks, then hoist their sail, And skim the deep once more, obedient to the gale. CHAPTER VIII. THE ISLAND OF THE WONDERFUL APPLE TREE. After leaving this, they suffered again from hunger, till they came to an island with a high hill round it on every side. A single apple tree grew in the middle, very tall and slender, and all its branches were in like manner exceedingly slender, and of wonderful length, so that they grew over the hill and down to the sea.