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 orb sank behind the western cliff, half of the plain became quite dark while shadows seemed to rush forward over the eastern part of its surface, till that too was swallowed up in gloom and for a little while there remained only a glow reflected from the cliff face and from the sky above, while on the crest of the parapet of rock played strange and glorious fires. Presently these too vanished and the world was dark.
Then the half moon broke from behind a bank of clouds and by its silver, uncertain light we struggled forward across
