This temple is situated in the gloomy recesses of a forest; it is oblong in shape, and has neither door nor window; its only external aperture is a hole in the roof to allow an escape for the smoke of the sacrifices; and it is entered by an underground passage, the mouth of which is closed by a large stone concealed by the brushwood. Three old and half-naked Libyans were waiting outside, and after a brief consultation, in whispers, with the slave I had brought with me, quietly raised the stone and pointed to the orifice. I entered the passage, followed by the men, and in a short time found myself in a small dim chamber, in the further wall of which was a flat stone, which turned on a hinge and formed a door, just affording room to pass, and opening into a second chamber, that was at once misty and red with the glare of two smoking lamps. Let into the wall of this compartment was another flat stone with a hole in its centre, which one of the men turned slightly round upon its pivot, allowing me to peep into a third chamber, which was a mere cell, containing a niche, where a shapeless notched stone was deposited, which my guide informed me was the god himself. In obedience to the directions that were given me, I prostrated myself three times before the deity, and remained waiting where I was. After a time, a black sheep that I had brought with me was conducted into the cell, and slaughtered before the niche in such a way that its blood flowed into a hollowed stone let into the ground to receive it. When the sacrifice was finished, the stone was turned back, shutting the god with his newly-slain victim into the inner cell. I was told to apply my ear to the hole in the stone, and to listen for the voice of the deity. The lamps were then extinguished, and I was left in silence and in total darkness.
To face [page 202].
Presently a deep muffled voice, that seemed to issue from the abysses of the earth, came to my ear:
"Phœnician mariner, what wouldst thou ask of me?"
Awestruck, I could scarcely speak, but making an effort to reply, I said:
"Oracle of Hamon! I would know whether it be possible to sail westward beyond the Straits of Gades, and whether there is land."
"There is land," the voice repeated.
"Is it to be found north, west, or south?" I inquired.