It was cold and slimy and slid out of his hand into the bottom of the boat.
“What’s that?” cried Randall.
“A fish!” ejaculated Frank. “The water is alive with them. Something has killed them.”
This was true.
The surface of the lake was covered with the dead fish. Surely some internal convulsion had taken place.
The red fire at the other end of the lake could now be seen plainer than ever.
It was like looking into a veritable Hades, or through the yawning jaws of a red-hot furnace. The voyagers gazed wonder-struck at it.
Then they paddled on slowly.
“Shall we go ahead, mates?” asked Wendel.
“Why not?” ejaculated Randall.