corners of which the draught tore in gusts so fierce that more than once
the litters with the wounded men and those who bore them were nearly
blown over. It was safe enough, however, since on either side of us,
smooth and without break, rose the sheer walls of rock over which lay
the tiny ribbon of blue sky. At length the cleft widened somewhat and
the light grew stronger, making the torches unnecessary.

Then of a sudden we came to its end and found ourselves upon a little
plateau in the mountainside. Behind us for a thousand feet or so rose
the sheer rock wall as it did upon the outer face, while in front and
beneath, far beneath, was a beautiful plain circular in shape and of
great extent, which plain was everywhere surrounded, so far as I could
see, by the same wall of rock. In short, notwithstanding its enormous
size, without doubt it was neither more nor less than the crater of a
vast extinct volcano. Lastly, not far from the centre of this plain was
what appeared to be a city, since through my glasses I could see great
walls built of stone, and what I thought were houses, all of them of a
character more substantial than any that I had discovered in the wilds
of Africa.

I went to Billali's litter and asked him who lived in the city.

"No one," he answered, "it has been dead for thousands of years, but
She-who-commands is camped there at present with an army, and thither we
go at once. Forward, bearers."

So, Robertson and I having re-entered our litters, we started on down
hill at a rapid pace, for the road, though steep, was safe and kept in
good order. All the rest of that afternoon we travelled and by sunset
reached the edge of the plain, where we halted a while to rest and eat,
till the light of the growing moon grew strong enough to enable us to
proceed. Umslopogaas came up and spoke to me.

"Here is a fortress indeed, Macumazahn," he said, "since none can climb
that fence of rock in which the holes seem to be few and small."

"Yes," I answered, "but it is one out of which those who are in, would
find it difficult to get out. We are buffaloes in a pit, Umslopogaas."

"That is so," he answered, "I have thought it already. But if any would
meddle with us we still have our horns and can toss for a while."

Then he went back to his men.

The sunset in that great solemn place was a wonderful thing to see.
First of all the measureless crater was filled with light like a bowl
with fire. Then as the great o