against the
brilliantly blue sky.

Next to the second section of the range, to the north, was a high
mountain of two twin-pointed peaks, shaped like a badly-pitched tent.
Then came another plateau, much eroded on its south side. Beyond was an
immense black plateau on three successive tiers--and this one, unlike the
others of which it was merely a continuation, had sloping instead of
vertical sides.

We had a nasty experience that day, which for the moment made us forget
the beauty of that wonderful scenery. We were going through high scrub
and stunted trees and tall grass, much dried by the intense heat--quite
suffocating in the basin with the refraction from the huge rocks. A
strong breeze sprang up, and we were delighted--when we saw, fast
approaching, a dense black and white cloud rolling, as it were, along the
ground. As it got nearer there were such loud crackling and explosions
that it seemed like the volleys of musketry in a battle. My horses and
mules pricked up their ears, lifting their heads high--sniffing,
neighing, and braying. They became restless. Before we had time to
realize what was the matter, we saw tongues of flames shoot out from the
earth. Within a few seconds, with the wind which was blowing high, we
found ourselves with a barrier of fire close upon us behind and fast
gaining upon us. The trees seemed to flare up in a moment like matches or
fireworks. A wave of terrific heat took our breath away. We were almost
suffocated. There was only one way of escape--in front of us. For to the
left we had the impassable barrier of rock; to the right the flames had
already gained on us in a semicircle like a claw of fire. We stirred on
our animals, lashing them. My men, with their heads wrapped to prevent
suffocation from the stifling smoke, were in a great state of excitement.
They were about to abandon the animals in order to save their own lives;
but Alcides, Filippe, and I kept the rear, endeavouring to save men,
baggage, and animals. The flames gained on us very quickly. They
occasionally almost licked our animals. The mules and horses, now fully
enveloped in dense, choking smoke, began to stampede, and soon all the
animals were galloping away, sniffing, neighing and braying frantically.
In their disorderly flight they crashed against trees and tore off
branches; stumbled over rocks and rolled over themselves; struggling up
on their feet only to resume their mad race for life.

For some little time it