and others to
the west,--and by them, without having any ascent to climb, we shall
probably be able to make our way in the direction we wish to go."

Having the day before us, we proceeded westward across the basin. We
soon found, however, that it was anything but level. Large hills, many
of which might have been dignified by the title of mountains, rose up in
various directions. One object, however, engaged our attention in the
far distance: it was a beautiful sheet of water, blue as the sky
overhead--like a jewel in a setting of green.

Nowhere could we see any Indian wigwams, but here and there we observed
what appeared like smoke rising above the trees.

"I very much doubt if what we see is smoke," observed Manley; "it looks
more like vapour; and, from the appearance of this region, I suspect
that some volcanic action is going forward. However, we shall discover
that as we proceed."

Although we at first fancied we had reached the valley's level, we found
we had still a considerable descent to make, and that we could not hope
to arrive that day on the banks of the lake. We therefore encamped on
the borders of a forest overlooking a stream which evidently ran into
the lake, and which would serve to guide us the next day. The stream was
bordered by rocks of a curious form, but we had not time to examine
them before it was dark, as we had to make our usual preparations for
passing the night.

Sergeant Custis at once took the can to get some water from a spring
which, not far off issued from a rock and fell into a basin. From the
regular appearance of this basin, we might have supposed it to have been
artificial. The sergeant dipped in his can, but he drew it back in a
great hurry, exclaiming, "Why, it's at boiling heat!"

We hurried up, and found that such was indeed the case. As the water had
a peculiar taste, we agreed not to use it for cooking, lest it might
have some pernicious effect; so the sergeant had a considerable distance
to go before he could get down to fill his can.

It had now become quite dark, and we were seated round our camp-fire,
when we heard low rumbling sounds; and great was our astonishment to
see, by the light of the moon, which just then appeared from behind a
cloud, a lofty jet of silvery water, rising, as it seemed to us, a
hundred feet or more into the air! Although our curiosity was excited,
we had no wish to venture towards the spot in the darkness, as we hoped
to be able to exami