*XXII.*
The peculiar odor alluded to grew more intense, until it became almostinsupportable. I got up and stumbled on, hoping to escape it, and findan outlet to the open air, wondering at the same time if the alley ledto a nest, or general rendezvous of these extraordinary creatures. Thepassage I was following was not only crooked, but in places it inclinedupward, leading me to look for an opening above. The darkness wasintense, and perhaps I felt it the more from the fact that there hadbeen no night since the last great headland of Europe had faded from ourview.
I could form no idea of the distance I had groveled along this black,noisome rift, when a flickering light greeted my eyes ahead which filledme with joy, although it was evidently not the light of day; still itrelieved the awful sensation of having been trapped alive in a tomb ofsolid rock. The light approached slowly; evidently it was a long wayoff when first observed, and the reflection on the walls was all I wasable to see for quite a time, but at last I heard approaching footsteps.There was a sharp angle ahead, and upon turning it, I found myself faceto face with a human being bearing a torch. We stood for a secondstaring at each other. The man, if man it were, was tall, gaunt, withcopper-colored skin, painted and gilded in geometrical designs, and withwhite hair that fell about his face and neck. He wore a crimson paletotwhich hung from his shoulders without belt or girdle. He was nearly ahead the taller, and as I stood watching him in the flickering light ofthe flambeau, I was chilled, subdued, humbled, realizing that I was inthe presence of a being whose powers I could not fathom. Without a wordhe turned, and with majestic wave of firebrand, motioned me to follow.I did as I was bid, knowing nothing else, and together we threaded thesubterranean passage in its upward trend.
We struggled on up the incline, which ended in a vaulted chamber, wherewere standing vessels of water, and a quantity of peculiar-looking foodupon a marble slab. In a corner was a pile of mats, doubtless intendedfor a bed. The walls were rough as if blasted from the living rock.About forty feet above my head was an opening through which the blesseddaylight entered. My attendant left without a word, closing the heavystone portal behind him.
Finding myself alone, I began to investigate the surroundings with aview of escape. It would have been useless to return as I had come, foreven had my chamber door been open, the other end of the passage wasclosed against me; but the man had fastened the great stone portal afterhim; it was immovable in its stone socket. I was sealed up alive in avault whose only opening was far above my head. How to reach thatoutlet was now what most concerned me.
Here I again observed the peculiar odor of those gigantic birds; if itbecame much stronger I thought it would stifle me. Examining the wallsof my prison I found them in many places rough enough to afford alodgment, huge blocks, projecting into the apartment; but the height wasgreat, and I dared not attempt climbing to the opening above unless sureof finding a passable way to the top. The outlet was not directly inthe apex of the roof, but upon one side, near the spring of the arch.The light was dim, and it was some time before I had fully mastered thebearings, but after a careful search I discovered in a remote corner aregular ledge of projecting rock, which appeared to go all the way tothe ceiling. Indeed it looked as if it might have been used as astairway to communicate with the roof. I lost no time in trying this,feeling uncertain as to what fate awaited me. And so, with the littlebarrel still upon my back, commenced the ascent immediately. As I hadthought, it led without difficulty to the aperture, and I begun tocongratulate myself with the thought that there was no intention ofmaking me a prisoner after all, when so easy a way had been provided formy escape.
But this idea was quickly dispelled on finding myself upon the top ofthis lofty formation, which fell away upon every side in great chasms,and awful rifts, impossible to cross or descend with any means at mydisposal. It was clear enough why there had been no effort to preventmy emerging here.
Far out over the desert the atmosphere still quivered in the dreadfulheat, but even at this tremendous elevation I could see nothing of theair ship. Was it too small an object to be recognized so far away, orwas it hid by the undulations of the sand; or, could it be possible, no,I could not believe it was possible, but still the thought would come tome, that Torrence had repaired the damage, and sailed away alone tocontinue the exploration by himself? I am sure such a conception wouldnever have entered my mind were it not for the awful strain I had beensubjected to.
Wandering across my prison roof I looked down into one of the greatabysses beneath, a kind of natural courtyard, and beheld there a scenethat interested me, and explained the presence of the odor, so oftenobserved. Half a dozen of these gigantic birds were stalking about inthis inclosure, and while I looked a man came among them bearing abarrel, the counterpart of the one I possessed. Going to the nearest,he fastened the vessel about its neck, and immediately after it flew updirectly past where I stood, and out over the desert. Suddenly itflashed upon me that I might have fallen upon some strange monastery,where the _Fathers_ dispatched birds instead of dogs to rescue thoselost upon the plain below. It was merely a thought; I had no way ofproving it, and give it for what it is worth. But even the thought wasa comfort to my harried soul.
Fortunately I had water and food with me, and had no desire to return tothe chamber, although momentarily dreading to be summoned before someaugust power to account for myself. I spent hours in searching thewalls below, endeavoring to discover some rift or ledge by which I mightdescend; but there was not the shadow of a chance upon any side.Exhausted I lay down and slept, but my sleep was troubled, and I soonfound myself tramping the bard ground again. I could see nothing butstarvation ahead, and imagined the indwellers of the glittering cavebeneath quietly awaiting my end; although for what purpose I could notguess.
I have not the slightest idea how long I remained upon this barrenmountain top, but after hours of mental torture I suddenly caught sightof the air ship flying toward me high above the desert plain. My heartgave one great leap of joy, and then I relapsed into a dreadful fearlest Torrence should not see me. In an instant I had pulled off myshirt and was waving it frantically. I watched for an answer, but no,he was not on the lookout; still I would not relax my efforts untilevery hope had passed. I shouted, I roared, I waved my shirt and coatfrantically. I ran as fast as possible about the rock to attract hisattention. I took off one of my boots and beat upon the water barrel;but still he did not signal in reply. I was beside myself with horrorat the thought of being left alone in this mysterious world. Surelythough, even if he passed he would return to look for me. On and on camethe air ship, as magnificently as ever. He had managed then without meto repair the damage, for never had she sailed more splendidly, moresuperbly than now. Nearer and nearer she came. What if the terriblenoise I was making should arouse my captors below, and they should seizeand carry me down to their own mysterious regions again? The thoughtsickened me, yet I dared not cease my bellowing and shouting for asingle instant. So near the mountain, and yet no signal. Oh, horror!was he going to leave me? He had reached a point directly above myhead; and now he could not see me if he were on deck. It was my lasthope.
"Torrence! Torrence!" I cried, as if my heart would break.
Oh God! The agony of that minute as I saw the vessel quickly drift awayupon her course, leaving me lost and alone or in the companionship ofmen whose methods of life were inscrutable. Once more I yelled. It wasmy last and greatest effort--and--what did I see----? Yes, it had bornefruit. The great machine paused in its flight, and Torrence looked overthe rail. I waved, my shirt frantically. He saw me--he heard me. Themotion was reversed; and then, like some majestic bird, she settledearthward.
It would be useless to attempt a description of my feelings at thatmoment. I cannot even realize them myself. I only know that when thehuge monster touched the mountain top I sprang upon her side like amadman, and clutched wildly at the footboard before the ladder wasdropped. In a minute I
was aboard; the rail snapped to behind me, andwe were sailing tranquilly away from the horrible scenes that had sobeset us. But before a hundred yards had been placed between us andthose awful cliffs, a body of men had ranged themselves in line towitness our departure. I do not pretend to account for what I saw inthose rock-bound halls; if this were fiction I would doubtless do so;but as it is, I can only offer the suggestions already made, be theyworth what they may.
We now flew rapidly away over rough and interminable ranges ofmountains. Pure chaotic masses of stone, without a trace of vegetationin sight. Indeed there was no soil to support tree, bush, or herbage.We crossed frightful chasms, hundreds of feet deep, we scaled terrificheights, and looked down from the top of precipices into darkenedvalleys. Crags were heaped upon crags. Dreadful gorges yawned beneathus. Nothing in our own world can compare with this region, and when itis remembered that not a drop of water, or shovelful of soil is to befound, the terror of the place may be faintly pictured.
At intervals we caught sight of those gigantic birds, which resembledthe fabled roc, and which were apparently hatched in these desolations,for they were at home here where no other creature could support life,and what they found to live upon it was impossible to guess. They cameswooping up from out the black chasms beneath, and after circling aboutus in curiosity, would descend again into the awful gulches from whichthey sprang.
We were days in crossing these rugged ranges, which we called "themountains of death," and we feel sure that the distance across them wasmore than a thousand miles. The heat throughout was intense, althoughnowhere did it compare with what we had already experienced.
Torrence told me that one of those gigantic birds had come to his aidwith water, just as it had to me, and the remains of his cask and minefurnished all our drink until we reached the Crystal River, a stream wefound and named from its clearness; but this was not until we had put"the mountains of death" entirely behind us. The strange castellatedstructure upon which I had fallen was the only human habitation wediscovered throughout our passage across these rugged ranges, and itremains a mystery to both of us where the inhabitants procured theirfood supplies, or even the water they drank and furnished to others.How that extraordinary edifice was ever constructed, or how its inmatescommunicated with the world beyond is likely to remain an unsolvedmystery to the end of time.
The air ship had behaved beautifully after leaving the "castle of thedead hills," as we called it, and Torrence told me that he had succeededin making a perfect adjustment after getting the water, and that hebelieved the vibrator would not trouble us again. It was fortunate ithad not, while crossing "the mountains of death," as there wore longstretches where it would have been difficult to have found enough levelland for a resting place, and any misbehavior on the vessel's part mighthave precipitated us into subterranean depths from which we could neverhave risen.
Having decided to push through the opening at the South Pole, anddesirous of reaching our own world as early as possible, we put thevessel to a high rate of speed, after having filled our water casks atthe Crystal River, and bathed in its cool, delicious current. The landbeneath us had again become green and beautiful, and the atmosphere of atemperature which left nothing to be desired. Our haste was not becausewe would reach the south polar regions at any pleasanter season, butfrom terror lest the air ship should collapse. It was a kind ofhomesickness, growing apace; a terror of pending disaster and ultimateinability to reach the land of our birth.
For days after this we traveled at a rapid rate, over a varying country.We crossed great forests, flowering plains of unparalleled beauty, andtrees whose fruits we stopped occasionally to test. And here we sawanimals, nearly as large as our elephants, but with heads like the wildboar. We passed over thickly settled districts, where the inhabitantsrode upon animals of great speed and delicacy of build, although butslightly resembling our horses. We hovered over magnificent citiesdensely populated, and with temples and monuments of passing splendor;but we did not stop at any of these, from our utter inability tocommunicate with the inhabitants. There were rivers teeming with ships,and loaded with passengers, but upon every hand was the evidence of restand recreation. No work; no commerce; no effort to live. But whereverwe were seen the ubiquitous trumpet announced our approach and departurein an anthem of wonderful beauty.
At last my dread that we were approaching a great internal ocean wasrealized, for we came to a halt on the summit of a lofty cliff, with asplendid vision of the sea beyond. There was something in theappearance of the water that made us both believe it was more than amere inland lake. The surf which rolled in upon the shore, the distantwhite caps, and the raw, saline smell in the air, suggested a waterywaste of vast extent. It was a rugged coast, and we decided to overhaulour machinery before venturing into the unknown beyond.
On this headland we cooked our dinner, just as we had done upon theNorth Cape, indeed there was something so similar in the appearance ofthe two places that we were reminded of our adventure there, and tookcare that there should be no repetition of it.
A careful examination of the vibrator showed that Torrence had repairedit perfectly, and there seemed no possibility of further trouble, but tomake assurance doubly sure, we applied extra bolts to secure the damagedparts, and were then, as Torrence declared, in a better position thanwhen we left London.
The great light disk in the heavens had been slowly ascending toward thezenith, with our advance upon the equator, and as it now stood aboutninety degrees from the vertical meridian, or halfway between thehorizon and overhead, we imagined we must be somewhere nearly under thetropics of our own world. There had been no falling off in the light,it being disseminated throughout the interior with equal purity andforce; and as Torrence explained, when the northern summer waned, withthe passage of the sun across the line, the south polar opening wouldgradually supplant the deficiencies of the north. I wish we could haveremained in our new world long enough to have witnessed this change, butwe could not make up our minds to so long a stay.
"It does seem astounding," I said to Torrence, as we sat sipping ourcoffee, "that the people of this world should never have discoveredtheir close proximity to our own outer sphere, which is indeedequivalent to another planet!"
"No more astounding," he answered, "than that we, who so continuallyboast of our superior powers, should through all these ages have failedto even suspect their existence. We search the heavens for indicationsof life upon our sister planets, and neglect this world beneath ourfeet. That to me is more astounding than the other!"
The outlook ahead was melancholy; possibly due to the uncertainty ofwhen we should again see land. We continued our meal in silence, andthen with a final look at the machinery, re-embarked to cross thisunexplored sea.
The cliffs rapidly faded away in the distance, while the sky above, andthe water beneath, alone remained to us. We felt like the tenants ofsome meteor traversing the regions of interplanetary space.
We now flew onward with tremendous velocity, for there were no pitfalls,no mountains to avoid, and nothing of interest to see. Moreover,Torrence had come to the conclusion that a rapid rate of transit wasless inclined to disorder the machinery than the reverse.
Hour after hour we swept ahead through this realm of mystery, constantlyscanning the horizon for speck, or sail, or life upon the sluggishwaves, and wondering if human eyes had ever looked upon the pictureflowing beneath us.
"I feel quite sure," said Torrence, "that this sea will not extend tothe Antarctic Ocean. For various scientific reasons I am convinced thatland predominates upon the interior, and we are much too far from thesouthern opening to make it at all probable that no more land will bemet. This body of water may be a thousand miles across, or even more,and there may be channels communicating with the South Pacific, althoughthis is mere conjecture; but land we shall have!"
As the geography of the interior was quite as familiar as that of theopposite side of the moon, it seemed absurd to form any opi
nionconcerning it, but Torrence had decided views upon every subject.
About four hundred miles out upon this mysterious ocean we wereastonished by the sight of a ship. She was rigged and bedecked in thesame extraordinary style that the river boats had been; and it wascertainly in evidence of an equable climate, that these gaudily attiredvessels dared venture so far to seaward. She was moving diagonallyacross our path, with her stern toward us. In the distance her singularsails flashed in the light, and as we approached we saw a similar crowdof gayly attired passengers upon her deck. We took them quite bysurprise, and as we hovered across their mastheads, a tremendous shout,followed by the blare of trumpets, greeted us. Although wonderingwhence they came, and to what distant shores they were bound, we knew itwould be useless to tarry, in the hope of gaining any information, andafter extending our blessing hurried on.
Strange thoughts crowded into our minds at the sight of this vessel, andquestions that could never be answered forced themselves upon us. Wasthere any commerce in this mysterious world; and if so, how, and wherewas it conducted? Through all the territory we had traversed there hadbeen no indication of trade. The people simply lived without effort orwant. But what had these vessels to do with their lives? Surelypleasure excursions would hardly venture so far in such frail, ornatecontrivances, resembling the gilded craft of fairyland. Might not manyof our nursery rhymes have originated in old traditions, having theirfountain head in this forgotten land of our inner world? It was acurious thought, and there were constant sights suggesting it.
Within twenty-four hours of our embarking upon this unfamiliar ocean ahazy purple line appeared across the horizon, which indicated land. Wehad come about twelve hundred miles over the water, but for aught weknew might simply have crossed an arm of the sea itself, whose size, ofcourse, we were unable to estimate. We first reached land over apromontory, upon either side of which the water trended in deep bays.Far down upon the western coast we thought we caught the outline of agilded city, whose minarets and towers stood faintly against the mistysky. But the world we had discovered was so vast we could not hope todo more than gain the merest superficial suggestions of what itcontained.
Again the dry land was beneath us, picturesque and greener than ever.Similar fruits and trees greeted us here as upon the other continent.Indeed the climatic conditions appeared so equable throughout theinterior, with the exception of the desert and the country contiguous toit, that there seemed no reason why the same food supplies should not beraised throughout.
But we were rapidly approaching the southern gateway of this newlydiscovered Eden, and I looked forward with horror to the darkness andcold which were soon to envelope us. Beyond that, I had the mostpleasurable anticipations of returning to our paradise after acquaintingthe outer world with the results of the voyage.