To do so was a work of considerable time; but when they succeeded progression was much more rapid.
The only chance of escape seemed to be in following the current; that is, if they were able to find it.
It seemed certain that the water did not empty itself into the crater of the volcano alone, as the natives believed.
There must be some other outlet.
When the other side of the crater had been reached, they were surprised at its immensity.
When in the center they had imagined the diameter of the almost circular crater to be some fifty or sixty feet, but as they pushed their boat round, they discovered that it must be more than three times that distance.
Another thing puzzled them.
Were fish and lizards constantly petrified as they floated or swam into the vortex, or was it only during an eruption?
“Shall we go on or wait here?” asked Ibrahim.
“We will go on after we have had something to eat.”