"Well, then. What manner of devils were they?"
"Creatures of fire, Padre, such that the eye could not behold without being blinded. Brighter than the sun."
"Did they make war upon your people?"
"Those who approached this place were punished with spears of fire. It is told that in ancient times, they were often seen flying through the sky, trailing long tails of white feathers. Sometimes they visited the villages, demanding strange things and frightening the people."
"Do the stories mention these tunnels?"
"No, Padre. The Fire Devils lived beneath the snow. They were seen to vanish into it."
"Without melting it?"
"They could turn off their fire, perhaps. In any event, Padre, who knows what is possible with demons?"
"I know that you need and will receive many hours of strict Christian instruction. How is it that men returned to tell of these things if the devils pursued them with spears of fire?"