But nothing was seen of these, and no trace was found of a beaten path which might indicate that they lived as high as this on the mountain, or that they visited this altitude very frequently. The verdure grew thinner as they ascended, and great hunks of lava were now cropping through the surface soil. The cloud of smoke grew more ominous as they neared it, and looked like a huge umbrella spread, and with the handle resting on the summit of the mountain. The party were getting very close to the summit now, and low rumblings could be heard far beneath the surface; hissing noises were also heard, like that made by water striking hot coals.
At last, after considerable tortuous climbing, they stood at the base of a rugged cliff, which was not more than a hundred feet in height; this was seamed and rough as if it had been thrown up hundreds and may be thousands of years before by an overflow of lava, which, upon cooling, had left this wall about the crater. Following about the base of this for some distance, a place was at last discerned where an ascent might be made, and after hard work and much slipping backward, and three or four narrow escapes from instant death by falling into one of the crevices, the summit was reached. The sight which here met their gaze was forboding, to say the least. They were standing on the top of a wall not more than ten feet thick at this point, and as near as they could guess about one and a half miles long, running about a deep hole or crater, one hundred feet deep. Looking down into this they could see the black smoke issuing from great crevices in the flooring. As it came from these crevices, it was lurid with the glow of the hot fires which was its cause. These crevices were numerous and in places our friends could almost look into them, and into the bright fires burning far beneath. After much discussion on the matter, it was determined to try and get down to the floor of this fiery hole which might so soon be filled with molten lava. A place was found where the descent could be made easily and the party started. As they descended, the foul smoke would be blown about them occasionally, almost choking them with its density, but the bottom was reached and they started to cross it in order to get to the opposite side, from which they could look into the Land of On. The flooring was found to be warm and really hot in places, and so crumbling beneath their feet that it was almost impossible to walk. Several of the great crevices were approached, but the smoke would drive them back before they could reach the edge and look into the depths. Most of these crevices were narrow and ran from east to west, but when the centre of the crater was reached a great hole was found, probably the true mouth of the crater. The rumbling here was very distinct and the hissing very plain. The party tried to reach the edge of this wall but was again fought off by the dense smoke. They had passed this and were nearer to the opposite side of the crater, when an unusual loud rumbling was heard and a great crack suddenly opened before them, the shock throwing them off their feet, prostrating them on the ground. Mr. Bruce fell so near this new crevice that his head leaned far over the side, and for a moment it looked as if he would roll into the fearful hole. But he soon recovered himself, and rolling over and over he put a safe distance between himself and the crevice before he ventured to rise to his feet.
When they had all recovered from this surprise and fear and had again regained their feet, they approached the crevice and peered into its black depths. Down, down, down it seemed to open, into the very bowels of the earth, and at the bottom they could see a molten mass, boiling, and seething, and hissing, but just for a moment and then the scene was hidden by the black smoke which came pouring up from it.
“Come,” said Mr. Bruce, “we must get out of this.”
The party then hurried as fast as they could to the opposite side of the crater to where the wall was several hundred feet thick, ending on the opposite side in the cliff. A long look was taken at the beautiful Land of On and then the retreat was ordered. They now followed the top of the wall of the crater until they had come to the place where they had ascended this, and then, with but very little difficulty, reached the sloping side and hurriedly descended. It was growing late and already the sun was throwing long shadows over the mountain side.
They had several miles of the strange footpath to cover yet through the dark crevice. They began to feel anxious and hurried still faster as they neared the bottom. The sun sank into the distant valley as they reached the crevice. They were hurriedly following the side of this, looking for a beginning of the footpath, when they heard a loud yell as if from a hundred throats, and looking down they saw a great crowd of black demons holding the end of the footpath.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
KILLED IN THE CREVICE.
The fearful yell startled them, and they fell back out of sight of the wild band.
“They have watched us ascend the mountain,” said Mr. Bruce, “and have held this vantage point awaiting our return, knowing well that they had us here.”
“Yes, but we can’t stay here,” said Mr. Graham.