"Our Eyes Have Seen Great Wonders"

I write this from day to day, but I trust that before I come to the end of it, I may be able to say that the light shines, at last, through our clouds. We are held here with no clear means of making our escape, and bitterly we chafe against it. Yet, I can well imagine that the day may come when we may be glad that we were kept, against our will, to see something more of the wonders of this singular place, and of the creatures who inhabit it.

I write this day by day, but I hope that before I finish, I can say that light finally shines through our clouds. We are trapped here with no clear way to escape, and we bitterly resent it. Yet I can imagine that a day may come when we are glad we were kept here against our will. We may be glad we saw more of the wonders of this strange place and the creatures that live here.

The victory of the Indians and the annihilation of the ape-men, marked the turning point of our fortunes. From then onwards, we were in truth masters of the plateau, for the natives looked upon us with a mixture of fear and gratitude, since by our strange powers we had aided them to destroy their hereditary foe. For their own sakes they would, perhaps, be glad to see the departure of such formidable and incalculable people, but they have not themselves suggested any way by which we may reach the plains below. There had been, so far as we could follow their signs, a tunnel by which the place could be approached, the lower exit of which we had seen from below. By this, no doubt, both ape-men and Indians had at different epochs reached the top, and Maple White with his companion had taken the same way. Only the year before, however, there had been a terrific earthquake, and the upper end of the tunnel had fallen in and completely disappeared. The Indians now could only shake their heads and shrug their shoulders when we expressed by signs our desire to descend. It may be that they cannot, but it may also be that they will not, help us to get away.

The Indians’ victory and the destruction of the ape-men marked a turning point in our fortunes. From then on, we were truly masters of the plateau. The natives regarded us with a mixture of fear and gratitude. Our strange powers had helped them destroy their long-standing enemy. For their own sake, they might be glad to see such formidable and unpredictable people leave. But they have not suggested any way for us to reach the plains below. As far as we could understand their signs, a tunnel had once led to the plateau. We had seen its lower exit from below. No doubt both ape-men and Indians had reached the top by this route at different times. Maple White and his companion had taken the same route. But only the year before, a terrible earthquake had caused the upper end of the tunnel to collapse and disappear completely. Now, when we use signs to express our wish to descend, the Indians can only shake their heads and shrug. Perhaps they cannot help us get away, but perhaps they will not.

At the end of the victorious campaign the surviving ape-folk were driven across the plateau (their wailings were horrible) and established in the neighborhood of the Indian caves, where they would, from now onwards, be a servile race under the eyes of their masters. It was a rude, raw, primeval version of the Jews in Babylon or the Israelites in Egypt. At night we could hear from amid the trees the long-drawn cry, as some primitive Ezekiel mourned for fallen greatness and recalled the departed glories of Ape Town. Hewers of wood and drawers of water, such were they from now onwards.

At the end of the victorious campaign, the surviving ape-folk were driven across the plateau. Their wailing was horrible. They were settled near the Indian caves, where they would live from then on as servants under their masters’ watch. It was a crude, primitive version of the Jews in Babylon or the Israelites in Egypt. At night, we could hear a long, drawn-out cry from among the trees. Some primitive Ezekiel was mourning their fallen greatness and remembering the lost glories of Ape Town. From then on, they would chop wood and carry water.

We had returned across the plateau with our allies two days after the battle, and made our camp at the foot of their cliffs. They would have had us share their caves with them, but Lord John would by no means consent to it considering that to do so would put us in their power if they were treacherously disposed. We kept our independence, therefore, and had our weapons ready for any emergency, while preserving the most friendly relations. We also continually visited their caves, which were most remarkable places, though whether made by man or by Nature we have never been able to determine. They were all on the one stratum, hollowed out of some soft rock which lay between the volcanic basalt forming the ruddy cliffs above them, and the hard granite which formed their base.

Two days after the battle, we returned across the plateau with our allies and camped at the foot of their cliffs. They wanted us to share their caves, but Lord John refused. He believed that staying there would put us in their power if they intended to betray us. So we remained independent and kept our weapons ready for any emergency, while maintaining the friendliest relations with them. We also visited their caves often. They were remarkable places, though we have never been able to determine whether they were made by people or by Nature. The caves were all in the same layer of soft rock. Above it, volcanic basalt formed the reddish cliffs. Below it, hard granite formed the cliffs’ base.

The openings were about eighty feet above the ground, and were led up to by long stone stairs, so narrow and steep that no large animal could mount them. Inside they were warm and dry, running in straight passages of varying length into the side of the hill, with smooth gray walls decorated with many excellent pictures done with charred sticks and representing the various animals of the plateau. If every living thing were swept from the country the future explorer would find upon the walls of these caves ample evidence of the strange fauna—the dinosaurs, iguanodons, and fish lizards—which had lived so recently upon earth.

The openings were about eighty feet above the ground. Long stone stairs led up to them, but they were too narrow and steep for any large animal to climb. Inside, the caves were warm and dry. Straight passages of varying lengths ran into the hillside. Their smooth gray walls were decorated with many excellent pictures of the plateau’s animals, drawn with charred sticks. If every living thing were wiped out in the region, a future explorer would still find plenty of evidence on the cave walls of its strange animals. These included dinosaurs, iguanodons, and fish lizards, which had lived on earth so recently.

Since we had learned that the huge iguanodons were kept as tame herds by their owners, and were simply walking meat-stores, we had conceived that man, even with his primitive weapons, had established his ascendancy upon the plateau. We were soon to discover that it was not so, and that he was still there upon tolerance.

We had learned that the huge iguanodons were kept in tame herds by their owners, simply as walking stores of meat. So we had assumed that humans, even with their primitive weapons, had gained control of the plateau. We soon discovered that this was not true. Humans were still there only because they were tolerated.

It was on the third day after our forming our camp near the Indian caves that the tragedy occurred. Challenger and Summerlee had gone off together that day to the lake where some of the natives, under their direction, were engaged in harpooning specimens of the great lizards. Lord John and I had remained in our camp, while a number of the Indians were scattered about upon the grassy slope in front of the caves engaged in different ways. Suddenly there was a shrill cry of alarm, with the word "Stoa" resounding from a hundred tongues. From every side men, women, and children were rushing wildly for shelter, swarming up the staircases and into the caves in a mad stampede.

The tragedy happened on the third day after we set up camp near the Indian caves. That day, Challenger and Summerlee had gone together to the lake. There, some of the natives were harpooning specimens of the giant lizards under their direction. Lord John and I had stayed at camp. A number of the Indians were scattered across the grassy slope in front of the caves, busy with different activities. Suddenly, a shrill cry of alarm rang out, and a hundred voices shouted "Stoa". Men, women, and children rushed wildly from every direction to find shelter. They swarmed up the staircases and into the caves in a mad stampede.

Looking up, we could see them waving their arms from the rocks above and beckoning to us to join them in their refuge. We had both seized our magazine rifles and ran out to see what the danger could be. Suddenly from the near belt of trees there broke forth a group of twelve or fifteen Indians, running for their lives, and at their very heels two of those frightful monsters which had disturbed our camp and pursued me upon my solitary journey. In shape they were like horrible toads, and moved in a succession of springs, but in size they were of an incredible bulk, larger than the largest elephant. We had never before seen them save at night, and indeed they are nocturnal animals save when disturbed in their lairs, as these had been. We now stood amazed at the sight, for their blotched and warty skins were of a curious fish-like iridescence, and the sunlight struck them with an ever-varying rainbow bloom as they moved.

Looking up, we saw them on the rocks above, waving and beckoning us to join them in their refuge. We had both grabbed our magazine rifles and run out to see what the danger was. Suddenly, a group of twelve or fifteen Indians burst from the nearby trees, running for their lives. Two of those terrifying monsters were right behind them. The monsters had disturbed our camp and chased me on my solitary journey. They were shaped like horrible toads and moved in a series of leaps. But they were incredibly huge, larger than the largest elephant. We had never seen them except at night. They are nocturnal animals, unless disturbed in their lairs, as these had been. We now stood amazed at the sight. Their blotched, warty skins had a strange, fish-like iridescence. As they moved, sunlight gave them an ever-changing rainbow glow.

We had little time to watch them, however, for in an instant they had overtaken the fugitives and were making a dire slaughter among them. Their method was to fall forward with their full weight upon each in turn, leaving him crushed and mangled, to bound on after the others. The wretched Indians screamed with terror, but were helpless, run as they would, before the relentless purpose and horrible activity of these monstrous creatures. One after another they went down, and there were not half-a-dozen surviving by the time my companion and I could come to their help. But our aid was of little avail and only involved us in the same peril. At the range of a couple of hundred yards we emptied our magazines, firing bullet after bullet into the beasts, but with no more effect than if we were pelting them with pellets of paper. Their slow reptilian natures cared nothing for wounds, and the springs of their lives, with no special brain center but scattered throughout their spinal cords, could not be tapped by any modern weapons. The most that we could do was to check their progress by distracting their attention with the flash and roar of our guns, and so to give both the natives and ourselves time to reach the steps which led to safety. But where the conical explosive bullets of the twentieth century were of no avail, the poisoned arrows of the natives, dipped in the juice of strophanthus and steeped afterwards in decayed carrion, could succeed. Such arrows were of little avail to the hunter who attacked the beast, because their action in that torpid circulation was slow, and before its powers failed it could certainly overtake and slay its assailant. But now, as the two monsters hounded us to the very foot of the stairs, a drift of darts came whistling from every chink in the cliff above them. In a minute they were feathered with them, and yet with no sign of pain they clawed and slobbered with impotent rage at the steps which would lead them to their victims, mounting clumsily up for a few yards and then sliding down again to the ground. But at last the poison worked. One of them gave a deep rumbling groan and dropped his huge squat head on to the earth. The other bounded round in an eccentric circle with shrill, wailing cries, and then lying down writhed in agony for some minutes before it also stiffened and lay still. With yells of triumph the Indians came flocking down from their caves and danced a frenzied dance of victory round the dead bodies, in mad joy that two more of the most dangerous of all their enemies had been slain. That night they cut up and removed the bodies, not to eat—for the poison was still active—but lest they should breed a pestilence. The great reptilian hearts, however, each as large as a cushion, still lay there, beating slowly and steadily, with a gentle rise and fall, in horrible independent life. It was only upon the third day that the ganglia ran down and the dreadful things were still.

We had little time to watch them, however. In an instant they overtook the fugitives and began slaughtering them. They threw their full weight forward onto each victim in turn, leaving him crushed and mangled. Then they bounded after the others. The terrified Indians screamed, but no matter how they ran, they were helpless against the monsters’ relentless pursuit and terrible speed. One after another fell. Fewer than six survived by the time my companion and I could reach them. But our help was of little use and only put us in the same danger. From a couple of hundred yards away, we emptied our magazines, firing bullet after bullet into the beasts. We might as well have been pelting them with paper pellets. Their sluggish reptilian natures were unaffected by wounds. The sources of their life were not in a single brain center but scattered throughout their spinal cords. No modern weapons could reach them. All we could do was slow the creatures down by distracting them with the flash and roar of our guns. That gave the natives and us time to reach the steps that led to safety. But where the conical explosive bullets of the twentieth century failed, the natives’ poisoned arrows could succeed. The arrows had been dipped in the juice of strophanthus and then soaked in rotting flesh. Such arrows were of little use to a hunter attacking a beast. The poison acted slowly in its sluggish circulation, and the beast could certainly overtake and kill its attacker before losing its strength. Now, however, the two monsters chased us to the very foot of the stairs. Darts came whistling down from every opening in the cliff above them. Within a minute, the beasts were bristling with arrows. Yet they showed no sign of pain. They clawed and slobbered in helpless rage at the steps leading to their victims. They climbed clumsily a few yards, then slid back to the ground. At last the poison took effect. One gave a deep, rumbling groan and dropped its huge, squat head to the ground. The other bounded around in a wild circle, letting out shrill, wailing cries. Then it lay down and writhed in agony for several minutes before it too grew stiff and lay still. With yells of triumph, the Indians came pouring down from their caves. They danced wildly around the bodies, overjoyed that two more of their most dangerous enemies had been killed. That night they cut up and removed the bodies. They did not eat them, for the poison was still active. They removed them to prevent disease from spreading. The great reptilian hearts, however, still lay there. Each was as large as a cushion, and each continued to beat slowly and steadily, rising and falling gently in a horrible life of its own. Only on the third day did the ganglia stop working and the dreadful things lie still.

Some day, when I have a better desk than a meat-tin and more helpful tools than a worn stub of pencil and a last, tattered note-book, I will write some fuller account of the Accala Indians—of our life amongst them, and of the glimpses which we had of the strange conditions of wondrous Maple White Land. Memory, at least, will never fail me, for so long as the breath of life is in me, every hour and every action of that period will stand out as hard and clear as do the first strange happenings of our childhood. No new impressions could efface those which are so deeply cut. When the time comes I will describe that wondrous moonlit night upon the great lake when a young ichthyosaurus—a strange creature, half seal, half fish, to look at, with bone-covered eyes on each side of his snout, and a third eye fixed upon the top of his head—was entangled in an Indian net, and nearly upset our canoe before we towed it ashore; the same night that a green water-snake shot out from the rushes and carried off in its coils the steersman of Challenger's canoe. I will tell, too, of the great nocturnal white thing—to this day we do not know whether it was beast or reptile—which lived in a vile swamp to the east of the lake, and flitted about with a faint phosphorescent glimmer in the darkness. The Indians were so terrified at it that they would not go near the place, and, though we twice made expeditions and saw it each time, we could not make our way through the deep marsh in which it lived. I can only say that it seemed to be larger than a cow and had the strangest musky odor. I will tell also of the huge bird which chased Challenger to the shelter of the rocks one day—a great running bird, far taller than an ostrich, with a vulture-like neck and cruel head which made it a walking death. As Challenger climbed to safety one dart of that savage curving beak shore off the heel of his boot as if it had been cut with a chisel. This time at least modern weapons prevailed and the great creature, twelve feet from head to foot—phororachus its name, according to our panting but exultant Professor—went down before Lord Roxton's rifle in a flurry of waving feathers and kicking limbs, with two remorseless yellow eyes glaring up from the midst of it. May I live to see that flattened vicious skull in its own niche amid the trophies of the Albany. Finally, I will assuredly give some account of the toxodon, the giant ten-foot guinea pig, with projecting chisel teeth, which we killed as it drank in the gray of the morning by the side of the lake.

Someday, when I have a better desk than a meat tin, I will write a fuller account of the Accala Indians. I will need better tools, too, than a worn pencil stub and my last, tattered notebook. I will describe our life among them and our glimpses of the strange conditions in wonderful Maple White Land. At least my memory will never fail me. As long as I live, every hour and every action of that time will stand out with perfect clarity. They will be as clear as the first strange events of childhood. No new impressions could erase memories so deeply etched. When the time comes, I will describe that wonderful moonlit night on the great lake. A young ichthyosaurus became tangled in an Indian net and nearly overturned our canoe before we towed it ashore. It was a strange creature, looking half seal and half fish. It had bone-covered eyes on either side of its snout and a third eye on top of its head. That same night, a green water snake shot out of the reeds. It caught the steersman of Challenger's canoe in its coils and carried him away. I will also tell of the great white creature that came out at night. To this day, we do not know whether it was a beast or a reptile. It lived in a foul swamp east of the lake and moved about in the darkness with a faint phosphorescent glow. The Indians were so terrified of it that they would not go near the place. We made two expeditions and saw it both times. But we could not make our way through the deep marsh where it lived. I can only say that it seemed larger than a cow and had the strangest musky smell. I will also tell of the huge bird that chased Challenger to the shelter of the rocks one day. It was a great running bird, much taller than an ostrich. Its vulture-like neck and cruel head made it a walking death. As Challenger climbed to safety, its savage, curved beak darted forward. It sliced off the heel of his boot as if it had been cut with a chisel. This time, at least, modern weapons won. Lord Roxton shot the great creature with his rifle. It stood twelve feet from head to foot and, according to our panting but triumphant Professor, was called phororachus. It fell in a flurry of waving feathers and kicking limbs, with two merciless yellow eyes glaring up from the midst of it. May I live to see that flattened, vicious skull in its own niche among the trophies of the Albany. Finally, I will certainly give some account of the toxodon. This giant, ten-foot guinea pig had projecting, chisel-like teeth. We killed it as it drank beside the lake in the gray morning light.

All this I shall some day write at fuller length, and amidst these more stirring days I would tenderly sketch in these lovely summer evenings, when with the deep blue sky above us we lay in good comradeship among the long grasses by the wood and marveled at the strange fowl that swept over us and the quaint new creatures which crept from their burrows to watch us, while above us the boughs of the bushes were heavy with luscious fruit, and below us strange and lovely flowers peeped at us from among the herbage; or those long moonlit nights when we lay out upon the shimmering surface of the great lake and watched with wonder and awe the huge circles rippling out from the sudden splash of some fantastic monster; or the greenish gleam, far down in the deep water, of some strange creature upon the confines of darkness. These are the scenes which my mind and my pen will dwell upon in every detail at some future day.

Some day I shall write about all this at greater length. Among those more exciting days, I would tenderly recall those lovely summer evenings. We lay together in good companionship among the long grasses by the woods, with the deep blue sky above us. We marveled at the strange birds that flew overhead and the curious new creatures that crept from their burrows to watch us. Above us, the branches of the bushes were heavy with delicious fruit. Below us, strange and lovely flowers peeped out from among the plants. I would also recall those long moonlit nights on the shimmering surface of the great lake. We watched in wonder and awe as great circles of ripples spread from the sudden splash of some fantastic monster. Or we saw the greenish gleam of a strange creature far down in the deep water, at the edge of darkness. These are the scenes I shall dwell on and write about in every detail some day.

But, you will ask, why these experiences and why this delay, when you and your comrades should have been occupied day and night in the devising of some means by which you could return to the outer world? My answer is, that there was not one of us who was not working for this end, but that our work had been in vain. One fact we had very speedily discovered: The Indians would do nothing to help us. In every other way they were our friends—one might almost say our devoted slaves—but when it was suggested that they should help us to make and carry a plank which would bridge the chasm, or when we wished to get from them thongs of leather or liana to weave ropes which might help us, we were met by a good-humored, but an invincible, refusal. They would smile, twinkle their eyes, shake their heads, and there was the end of it. Even the old chief met us with the same obstinate denial, and it was only Maretas, the youngster whom we had saved, who looked wistfully at us and told us by his gestures that he was grieved for our thwarted wishes. Ever since their crowning triumph with the ape-men they looked upon us as supermen, who bore victory in the tubes of strange weapons, and they believed that so long as we remained with them good fortune would be theirs. A little red-skinned wife and a cave of our own were freely offered to each of us if we would but forget our own people and dwell forever upon the plateau. So far all had been kindly, however far apart our desires might be; but we felt well assured that our actual plans of a descent must be kept secret, for we had reason to fear that at the last they might try to hold us by force.

But you will ask why we had these experiences and why we delayed. Surely my comrades and I should have been working day and night to find a way back to the outer world? My answer is that every one of us was working toward that goal, but our efforts had been in vain. We discovered one fact very quickly: the Indians would do nothing to help us leave. In every other way they were our friends. One might almost call them our devoted slaves. But they refused, good-humoredly and absolutely, when we suggested they help us make and carry a plank to bridge the chasm. They also refused when we asked for leather thongs or liana to weave into ropes. They would smile, their eyes twinkling, and shake their heads. That was the end of it. Even the old chief refused us just as stubbornly. Only Maretas, the young man we had saved, looked at us wistfully. He showed us by gestures that he was sorry our wishes had been frustrated. Ever since their crowning victory over the ape-men, they had seen us as supermen. We carried victory in the barrels of our strange weapons. They believed that good fortune would be theirs as long as we stayed with them. Each of us was freely offered a young red-skinned wife and a cave of our own. We had only to forget our own people and live on the plateau forever. So far, they had been kind, however different our wishes might be. But we were sure we had to keep our actual plans for a descent secret. We had reason to fear that, in the end, they might try to hold us by force.

In spite of the danger from dinosaurs (which is not great save at night, for, as I may have said before, they are mostly nocturnal in their habits) I have twice in the last three weeks been over to our old camp in order to see our negro who still kept watch and ward below the cliff. My eyes strained eagerly across the great plain in the hope of seeing afar off the help for which we had prayed. But the long cactus-strewn levels still stretched away, empty and bare, to the distant line of the cane-brake.

Despite the danger from dinosaurs, I have twice visited our old camp in the last three weeks. The danger is not great except at night. As I may have said before, the dinosaurs are mostly nocturnal. I went to see our Black man, who was still keeping watch below the cliff. I strained my eyes across the great plain, hoping to see the help we had prayed for in the distance. But the long, cactus-strewn stretches still lay empty and bare, all the way to the distant line of reeds.

"They will soon come now, Massa Malone. Before another week pass Indian come back and bring rope and fetch you down." Such was the cheery cry of our excellent Zambo.

"They will soon come now, Master Malone. Before another week pass, Indian come back and bring rope and fetch you down." That was the cheerful cry of our excellent Zambo.

I had one strange experience as I came from this second visit which had involved my being away for a night from my companions. I was returning along the well-remembered route, and had reached a spot within a mile or so of the marsh of the pterodactyls, when I saw an extraordinary object approaching me. It was a man who walked inside a framework made of bent canes so that he was enclosed on all sides in a bell-shaped cage. As I drew nearer I was more amazed still to see that it was Lord John Roxton. When he saw me he slipped from under his curious protection and came towards me laughing, and yet, as I thought, with some confusion in his manner.

I had a strange experience as I returned from this second visit, which had kept me away from my companions overnight. I was following the familiar route and had come within a mile or so of the marsh of the pterodactyls. There I saw an extraordinary object approaching me. It was a man walking inside a framework of bent canes. The framework enclosed him on all sides in a bell-shaped cage. As I got closer, I was even more amazed to see that it was Lord John Roxton. When he saw me, he slipped out from under his curious protection and came toward me laughing. Yet he seemed a little embarrassed.

"Well, young fellah," said he, "who would have thought of meetin' you up here?"

"Well, young fellow," he said, "who would have thought of meeting you up here?"

"What in the world are you doing?" I asked.

"What in the world are you doing?" I asked.

"Visitin' my friends, the pterodactyls," said he.

"Visiting my friends, the pterodactyls," he said.

"But why?"

"But why?"

"Interestin' beasts, don't you think? But unsociable! Nasty rude ways with strangers, as you may remember. So I rigged this framework which keeps them from bein' too pressin' in their attentions."

"Interesting beasts, don't you think? But unsociable! Nasty, rude ways with strangers, as you may remember. So I rigged this framework to keep them from being too pushy with their attentions."

"But what do you want in the swamp?"

"But what do you want in the swamp?"

He looked at me with a very questioning eye, and I read hesitation in his face.

He gave me a questioning look, and I could see he was hesitant.

"Don't you think other people besides Professors can want to know things?" he said at last. "I'm studyin' the pretty dears. That's enough for you."

"Don't you think people besides professors can want to know things?" he said at last. "I'm studying the pretty dears. That's enough for you."

"No offense," said I.

"No offense," I said.

His good-humor returned and he laughed.

His good mood returned, and he laughed.

"No offense, young fellah. I'm goin' to get a young devil chick for Challenger. That's one of my jobs. No, I don't want your company. I'm safe in this cage, and you are not. So long, and I'll be back in camp by night-fall."

"No offense, young fellow. I'm going to get a young devil chick for Challenger. That's one of my jobs. No, I don't want your company. I'm safe in this cage, and you are not. So long, and I'll be back in camp by nightfall."

He turned away and I left him wandering on through the wood with his extraordinary cage around him.

He turned away, and I left him wandering through the woods with his extraordinary cage around him.

If Lord John's behavior at this time was strange, that of Challenger was more so. I may say that he seemed to possess an extraordinary fascination for the Indian women, and that he always carried a large spreading palm branch with which he beat them off as if they were flies, when their attentions became too pressing. To see him walking like a comic opera Sultan, with this badge of authority in his hand, his black beard bristling in front of him, his toes pointing at each step, and a train of wide-eyed Indian girls behind him, clad in their slender drapery of bark cloth, is one of the most grotesque of all the pictures which I will carry back with me. As to Summerlee, he was absorbed in the insect and bird life of the plateau, and spent his whole time (save that considerable portion which was devoted to abusing Challenger for not getting us out of our difficulties) in cleaning and mounting his specimens.

If Lord John's behavior at this time was strange, Challenger's was even stranger. He seemed to have an extraordinary fascination for the Indian women. He always carried a large, spreading palm branch. When their attention became too pressing, he used it to beat them off as if they were flies. He walked like a comic opera Sultan, holding this badge of authority in his hand. His black beard bristled in front of him, and his toes pointed out with each step. Behind him followed a train of wide-eyed Indian girls, dressed in their thin drapery of bark cloth. It is one of the most grotesque pictures I will carry back with me. Summerlee, meanwhile, was absorbed in the insects and birds of the plateau. He spent all his time cleaning and mounting his specimens, except for the considerable time he spent berating Challenger for not getting us out of our difficulties.

Challenger had been in the habit of walking off by himself every morning and returning from time to time with looks of portentous solemnity, as one who bears the full weight of a great enterprise upon his shoulders. One day, palm branch in hand, and his crowd of adoring devotees behind him, he led us down to his hidden work-shop and took us into the secret of his plans.

Challenger had a habit of walking off alone every morning. From time to time, he returned with a look of great solemnity. He looked like a man carrying the full weight of a great undertaking on his shoulders. One day, he led us down to his hidden workshop and revealed his plans. He carried a palm branch, and his crowd of adoring followers came behind him.

The place was a small clearing in the center of a palm grove. In this was one of those boiling mud geysers which I have already described. Around its edge were scattered a number of leathern thongs cut from iguanodon hide, and a large collapsed membrane which proved to be the dried and scraped stomach of one of the great fish lizards from the lake. This huge sack had been sewn up at one end and only a small orifice left at the other. Into this opening several bamboo canes had been inserted and the other ends of these canes were in contact with conical clay funnels which collected the gas bubbling up through the mud of the geyser. Soon the flaccid organ began to slowly expand and show such a tendency to upward movements that Challenger fastened the cords which held it to the trunks of the surrounding trees. In half an hour a good-sized gas-bag had been formed, and the jerking and straining upon the thongs showed that it was capable of considerable lift. Challenger, like a glad father in the presence of his first-born, stood smiling and stroking his beard, in silent, self-satisfied content as he gazed at the creation of his brain. It was Summerlee who first broke the silence.

The place was a small clearing in the center of a palm grove. In it was one of the boiling mud geysers I have already described. Scattered around its edge were several leather straps cut from iguanodon hide. There was also a large, collapsed membrane. It turned out to be the dried and scraped stomach of one of the great fish lizards from the lake. The huge sack had been sewn shut at one end, with only a small opening left at the other. Several bamboo canes had been inserted into this opening. Their other ends touched cone-shaped clay funnels that collected the gas bubbling through the geyser’s mud. Soon the limp stomach began to expand slowly and pull upward. Challenger fastened the cords holding it to the trunks of the surrounding trees. In half an hour, a good-sized gas bag had formed. The straps jerked and strained, showing that the bag could lift a considerable weight. Challenger stood smiling and stroking his beard, like a delighted father with his first child. He gazed at the product of his imagination in silent, self-satisfied contentment. Summerlee was the first to break the silence.

"You don't mean us to go up in that thing, Challenger?" said he, in an acid voice.

"You don't expect us to go up in that thing, Challenger?" he said sharply.

"I mean, my dear Summerlee, to give you such a demonstration of its powers that after seeing it you will, I am sure, have no hesitation in trusting yourself to it."

"My dear Summerlee, I intend to show you what it can do. After seeing it, I am sure you will have no hesitation in trusting yourself to it."

"You can put it right out of your head now, at once," said Summerlee with decision, "nothing on earth would induce me to commit such a folly. Lord John, I trust that you will not countenance such madness?"

"Put it out of your head right now," said Summerlee firmly. "Nothing on earth would persuade me to do anything so foolish. Lord John, I trust you won't support such madness?"

"Dooced ingenious, I call it," said our peer. "I'd like to see how it works."

"Really clever, I'd say," said our nobleman. "I'd like to see how it works."

"So you shall," said Challenger. "For some days I have exerted my whole brain force upon the problem of how we shall descend from these cliffs. We have satisfied ourselves that we cannot climb down and that there is no tunnel. We are also unable to construct any kind of bridge which may take us back to the pinnacle from which we came. How then shall I find a means to convey us? Some little time ago I had remarked to our young friend here that free hydrogen was evolved from the geyser. The idea of a balloon naturally followed. I was, I will admit, somewhat baffled by the difficulty of discovering an envelope to contain the gas, but the contemplation of the immense entrails of these reptiles supplied me with a solution to the problem. Behold the result!"

"So you shall," said Challenger. "For several days I have devoted all my brainpower to the problem of getting down from these cliffs. We have established that we cannot climb down and that there is no tunnel. We also cannot build any kind of bridge to take us back to the pinnacle we came from. How, then, can I find a way to get us down? Some time ago, I mentioned to our young friend here that the geyser gives off free hydrogen. The idea of a balloon naturally followed. I admit I was somewhat puzzled by the difficulty of finding a container for the gas. But when I considered the enormous intestines of these reptiles, I found a solution. Behold the result!"

He put one hand in the front of his ragged jacket and pointed proudly with the other.

He put one hand inside the front of his ragged jacket and pointed proudly with the other.

By this time the gas-bag had swollen to a goodly rotundity and was jerking strongly upon its lashings.

By this time, the gas bag had swollen into a large, round shape and was tugging hard at its ropes.

"Midsummer madness!" snorted Summerlee.

"Complete madness!" snorted Summerlee.

Lord John was delighted with the whole idea. "Clever old dear, ain't he?" he whispered to me, and then louder to Challenger. "What about a car?"

Lord John was delighted with the whole idea. "Clever old dear, ain't he?" he whispered to me. Then he spoke louder, addressing Challenger. "What about a car?"

"The car will be my next care. I have already planned how it is to be made and attached. Meanwhile I will simply show you how capable my apparatus is of supporting the weight of each of us."

"The car is my next concern. I have already planned how to build and attach it. Meanwhile, I will show you how well my apparatus can support each of our weights."

"All of us, surely?"

"All of us, right?"

"No, it is part of my plan that each in turn shall descend as in a parachute, and the balloon be drawn back by means which I shall have no difficulty in perfecting. If it will support the weight of one and let him gently down, it will have done all that is required of it. I will now show you its capacity in that direction."

"No, my plan is for each person to descend in turn, using the balloon as a parachute. The balloon will then be pulled back up. I will have no trouble working out how to do that. If the balloon can support one person's weight and lower him gently, it will have done everything required. I will now show you what it can do."

He brought out a lump of basalt of a considerable size, constructed in the middle so that a cord could be easily attached to it. This cord was the one which we had brought with us on to the plateau after we had used it for climbing the pinnacle. It was over a hundred feet long, and though it was thin it was very strong. He had prepared a sort of collar of leather with many straps depending from it. This collar was placed over the dome of the balloon, and the hanging thongs were gathered together below, so that the pressure of any weight would be diffused over a considerable surface. Then the lump of basalt was fastened to the thongs, and the rope was allowed to hang from the end of it, being passed three times round the Professor's arm.

He brought out a large piece of basalt, shaped in the middle so a cord could easily be attached. We had brought the cord onto the plateau after using it to climb the pinnacle. It was over a hundred feet long and, though thin, very strong. He had prepared a kind of leather collar with many straps hanging from it. He placed the collar over the dome of the balloon and gathered the straps together below. This would spread the pressure of any weight over a large area. Then he fastened the piece of basalt to the straps and let the rope hang from its end. He looped the rope three times around the Professor's arm.

"I will now," said Challenger, with a smile of pleased anticipation, "demonstrate the carrying power of my balloon." As he said so he cut with a knife the various lashings that held it.

"I'll now show how much my balloon can carry," said Challenger, smiling with pleased anticipation. As he spoke, he used a knife to cut the ropes holding the balloon in place.

Never was our expedition in more imminent danger of complete annihilation. The inflated membrane shot up with frightful velocity into the air. In an instant Challenger was pulled off his feet and dragged after it. I had just time to throw my arms round his ascending waist when I was myself whipped up into the air. Lord John had me with a rat-trap grip round the legs, but I felt that he also was coming off the ground. For a moment I had a vision of four adventurers floating like a string of sausages over the land that they had explored. But, happily, there were limits to the strain which the rope would stand, though none apparently to the lifting powers of this infernal machine. There was a sharp crack, and we were in a heap upon the ground with coils of rope all over us. When we were able to stagger to our feet we saw far off in the deep blue sky one dark spot where the lump of basalt was speeding upon its way.

Our expedition had never been in greater danger of total destruction. The inflated membrane shot into the air at terrifying speed. In an instant, Challenger was pulled off his feet and dragged upward. I had just enough time to wrap my arms around his waist as he rose. Then I too was whipped into the air. Lord John had a vise-like grip on my legs, but I felt him coming off the ground too. For a moment, I imagined four adventurers floating like a string of sausages over the land they had explored. Fortunately, there was a limit to how much strain the rope could take. There seemed to be no limit, though, to the lifting power of this infernal machine. There was a sharp crack, and we fell in a heap on the ground, with coils of rope all over us. When we managed to stagger to our feet, we saw a dark spot far off in the deep blue sky. It was the lump of basalt, speeding on its way.

"Splendid!" cried the undaunted Challenger, rubbing his injured arm. "A most thorough and satisfactory demonstration! I could not have anticipated such a success. Within a week, gentlemen, I promise that a second balloon will be prepared, and that you can count upon taking in safety and comfort the first stage of our homeward journey." So far I have written each of the foregoing events as it occurred. Now I am rounding off my narrative from the old camp, where Zambo has waited so long, with all our difficulties and dangers left like a dream behind us upon the summit of those vast ruddy crags which tower above our heads. We have descended in safety, though in a most unexpected fashion, and all is well with us. In six weeks or two months we shall be in London, and it is possible that this letter may not reach you much earlier than we do ourselves. Already our hearts yearn and our spirits fly towards the great mother city which holds so much that is dear to us.

"Splendid!" cried the undaunted Challenger, rubbing his injured arm. "A most thorough and satisfying demonstration! I could not have expected such a success. Within a week, gentlemen, I promise that a second balloon will be ready. You can count on making the first stage of our journey home in safety and comfort." So far, I have written down each of these events as it happened. Now I am finishing my account at the old camp, where Zambo has waited so long. We have left all our difficulties and dangers behind us like a dream, on top of those vast reddish cliffs towering above us. We have come down safely, though in a most unexpected way, and all is well with us. In six weeks or two months we shall be in London. This letter may not reach you much earlier than we do ourselves. Already our hearts long for the great mother city that holds so much that is dear to us. Our spirits are already flying toward it.

It was on the very evening of our perilous adventure with Challenger's home-made balloon that the change came in our fortunes. I have said that the one person from whom we had had some sign of sympathy in our attempts to get away was the young chief whom we had rescued. He alone had no desire to hold us against our will in a strange land. He had told us as much by his expressive language of signs. That evening, after dusk, he came down to our little camp, handed me (for some reason he had always shown his attentions to me, perhaps because I was the one who was nearest his age) a small roll of the bark of a tree, and then pointing solemnly up at the row of caves above him, he had put his finger to his lips as a sign of secrecy and had stolen back again to his people.

Our fortunes changed on the very evening of our dangerous adventure with Challenger's homemade balloon. As I have said, only the young chief we had rescued had shown any sympathy for our attempts to escape. He alone did not want to hold us against our will in a strange land. He had made that clear through his expressive signs. That evening, after dark, he came down to our little camp and handed me a small roll of tree bark. For some reason, he had always paid special attention to me, perhaps because I was closest to him in age. Then he pointed solemnly to the row of caves above him and put a finger to his lips, signaling secrecy. After that, he slipped back to his people.

I took the slip of bark to the firelight and we examined it together. It was about a foot square, and on the inner side there was a singular arrangement of lines, which I here reproduce:

I took the piece of bark to the firelight, and we examined it together. It was about a foot square. On the inner side was an unusual pattern of lines, which I reproduce here:

They were neatly done in charcoal upon the white surface, and looked to me at first sight like some sort of rough musical score.

They were neatly drawn in charcoal on the white surface. At first glance, they looked to me like a rough musical score.

"Whatever it is, I can swear that it is of importance to us," said I. "I could read that on his face as he gave it."

"Whatever it is, I swear it's important to us," I said. "I could see it on his face as he gave it."

"Unless we have come upon a primitive practical joker," Summerlee suggested, "which I should think would be one of the most elementary developments of man."

"Unless we've come across a primitive practical joker," Summerlee suggested. "I would think practical joking was one of man's earliest developments."

"It is clearly some sort of script," said Challenger.

"It's clearly some kind of script," said Challenger.

"Looks like a guinea puzzle competition," remarked Lord John, craning his neck to have a look at it. Then suddenly he stretched out his hand and seized the puzzle.

"Looks like a guinea puzzle competition," said Lord John, craning his neck to see it. Then he suddenly reached out and grabbed the puzzle.

"By George!" he cried, "I believe I've got it. The boy guessed right the very first time. See here! How many marks are on that paper? Eighteen. Well, if you come to think of it there are eighteen cave openings on the hill-side above us."

"By George!" he cried. "I think I've got it. The boy guessed right the first time. Look here! How many marks are on that paper? Eighteen. And if you think about it, there are eighteen cave openings on the hillside above us."

"He pointed up to the caves when he gave it to me," said I.

"He pointed up at the caves when he gave it to me," I said.

"Well, that settles it. This is a chart of the caves. What! Eighteen of them all in a row, some short, some deep, some branching, same as we saw them. It's a map, and here's a cross on it. What's the cross for? It is placed to mark one that is much deeper than the others."

"Well, that settles it. This is a map of the caves. What! Eighteen of them, all in a row. Some are short, some are deep, and some branch off, just as we saw them. It's a map, and here's a cross on it. What's the cross for? It marks a cave that is much deeper than the others."

"One that goes through," I cried.

"One that goes through," I shouted.

"I believe our young friend has read the riddle," said Challenger. "If the cave does not go through I do not understand why this person, who has every reason to mean us well, should have drawn our attention to it. But if it does go through and comes out at the corresponding point on the other side, we should not have more than a hundred feet to descend."

"I believe our young friend has solved the riddle," said Challenger. "This person has every reason to wish us well. If the cave doesn't go all the way through, I don't understand why they drew our attention to it. But if it does go through and comes out at the corresponding point on the other side, we should have no more than a hundred feet to climb down."

"A hundred feet!" grumbled Summerlee.

"A hundred feet!" grumbled Summerlee.

"Well, our rope is still more than a hundred feet long," I cried. "Surely we could get down."

"Well, our rope is still more than a hundred feet long," I cried. "We should be able to get down."

"How about the Indians in the cave?" Summerlee objected.

"What about the Indians in the cave?" Summerlee objected.

"There are no Indians in any of the caves above our heads," said I. "They are all used as barns and store-houses. Why should we not go up now at once and spy out the land?"

"There are no Indians in any of the caves above us," I said. "They are all used as barns and storehouses. Why don't we go up now and scout the land?"

There is a dry bituminous wood upon the plateau—a species of araucaria, according to our botanist—which is always used by the Indians for torches. Each of us picked up a faggot of this, and we made our way up weed-covered steps to the particular cave which was marked in the drawing. It was, as I had said, empty, save for a great number of enormous bats, which flapped round our heads as we advanced into it. As we had no desire to draw the attention of the Indians to our proceedings, we stumbled along in the dark until we had gone round several curves and penetrated a considerable distance into the cavern. Then, at last, we lit our torches. It was a beautiful dry tunnel with smooth gray walls covered with native symbols, a curved roof which arched over our heads, and white glistening sand beneath our feet. We hurried eagerly along it until, with a deep groan of bitter disappointment, we were brought to a halt. A sheer wall of rock had appeared before us, with no chink through which a mouse could have slipped. There was no escape for us there.

A dry, resinous wood grows on the plateau. According to our botanist, it is a species of araucaria. The Indians always use it for torches. Each of us picked up a bundle of the wood. Then we climbed the weed-covered steps to the cave marked in the drawing. As I had said, the cave was empty, except for a great number of enormous bats. They flapped around our heads as we went in. We did not want to draw the Indians' attention to what we were doing. So we stumbled along in the dark, around several bends and a considerable distance into the cave. At last, we lit our torches. It was a beautiful, dry tunnel, with smooth gray walls covered in native symbols. A curved roof arched over our heads, and white sand glittered beneath our feet. We hurried eagerly along the tunnel until we were forced to stop. We gave a deep groan of bitter disappointment. A sheer rock wall stood before us, without a crack large enough for a mouse to slip through. There was no escape for us there.

We stood with bitter hearts staring at this unexpected obstacle. It was not the result of any convulsion, as in the case of the ascending tunnel. The end wall was exactly like the side ones. It was, and had always been, a cul-de-sac.

We stood there, bitterly staring at this unexpected obstacle. Unlike the ascending tunnel, it had not been blocked by some upheaval. The wall at the end was exactly like the walls on either side. It was a dead end, and always had been.

"Never mind, my friends," said the indomitable Challenger. "You have still my firm promise of a balloon."

"Never mind, my friends," said the determined Challenger. "I still promise you a balloon."

Summerlee groaned.

Summerlee groaned.

"Can we be in the wrong cave?" I suggested.

"Could we be in the wrong cave?" I suggested.

"No use, young fellah," said Lord John, with his finger on the chart. "Seventeen from the right and second from the left. This is the cave sure enough."

"No use, young fellow," said Lord John, pointing to the chart. "Seventeen from the right and second from the left. This is definitely the cave."

I looked at the mark to which his finger pointed, and I gave a sudden cry of joy.

I looked at the mark he pointed to and suddenly cried out with joy.

"I believe I have it! Follow me! Follow me!"

"I think I've got it! Follow me! Follow me!"

I hurried back along the way we had come, my torch in my hand. "Here," said I, pointing to some matches upon the ground, "is where we lit up."

I hurried back the way we had come, holding my torch. "Here," I said, pointing to some matches on the ground, "is where we lit up."

"Exactly."

"Exactly."

"Well, it is marked as a forked cave, and in the darkness we passed the fork before the torches were lit. On the right side as we go out we should find the longer arm."

"Well, the cave is marked as having a fork. We passed the fork in the dark before the torches were lit. On our way out, we should find the longer branch on the right."

It was as I had said. We had not gone thirty yards before a great black opening loomed in the wall. We turned into it to find that we were in a much larger passage than before. Along it we hurried in breathless impatience for many hundreds of yards. Then, suddenly, in the black darkness of the arch in front of us we saw a gleam of dark red light. We stared in amazement. A sheet of steady flame seemed to cross the passage and to bar our way. We hastened towards it. No sound, no heat, no movement came from it, but still the great luminous curtain glowed before us, silvering all the cave and turning the sand to powdered jewels, until as we drew closer it discovered a circular edge.

It was as I had said. We had gone less than thirty yards when a huge black opening appeared in the wall. We turned into it and found ourselves in a much larger passage. We hurried along it for hundreds of yards, breathless with impatience. Then, suddenly, we saw a gleam of dark red light in the black archway ahead. We stared in amazement. A sheet of steady flame seemed to stretch across the passage, blocking our way. We hurried toward it. It made no sound, gave off no heat, and did not move. But the great glowing curtain still shone before us, bathing the whole cave in silver light and turning the sand into powdered jewels. As we drew closer, we saw that it had a circular edge.

"The moon, by George!" cried Lord John. "We are through, boys! We are through!"

"The moon, by George!" cried Lord John. "We're through, boys! We're through!"

It was indeed the full moon which shone straight down the aperture which opened upon the cliffs. It was a small rift, not larger than a window, but it was enough for all our purposes. As we craned our necks through it we could see that the descent was not a very difficult one, and that the level ground was no very great way below us. It was no wonder that from below we had not observed the place, as the cliffs curved overhead and an ascent at the spot would have seemed so impossible as to discourage close inspection. We satisfied ourselves that with the help of our rope we could find our way down, and then returned, rejoicing, to our camp to make our preparations for the next evening.

It was indeed the full moon shining straight down through the opening onto the cliffs. The gap was no bigger than a window, but it was enough for our purposes. As we craned our necks through it, we saw that the climb down was not very difficult. The level ground was not far below us. It was no wonder we had not noticed the opening from below. The cliffs curved overhead, and a climb at that spot would have seemed impossible, discouraging a closer look. We made sure we could climb down with the help of our rope. Then we returned to camp, rejoicing, to prepare for the next evening.

What we did we had to do quickly and secretly, since even at this last hour the Indians might hold us back. Our stores we would leave behind us, save only our guns and cartridges. But Challenger had some unwieldy stuff which he ardently desired to take with him, and one particular package, of which I may not speak, which gave us more labor than any. Slowly the day passed, but when the darkness fell we were ready for our departure. With much labor we got our things up the steps, and then, looking back, took one last long survey of that strange land, soon I fear to be vulgarized, the prey of hunter and prospector, but to each of us a dreamland of glamour and romance, a land where we had dared much, suffered much, and learned much—OUR land, as we shall ever fondly call it. Along upon our left the neighboring caves each threw out its ruddy cheery firelight into the gloom. From the slope below us rose the voices of the Indians as they laughed and sang. Beyond was the long sweep of the woods, and in the center, shimmering vaguely through the gloom, was the great lake, the mother of strange monsters. Even as we looked a high whickering cry, the call of some weird animal, rang clear out of the darkness. It was the very voice of Maple White Land bidding us good-bye. We turned and plunged into the cave which led to home.

We had to act quickly and secretly, because even at this last hour the Indians might hold us back. We would leave our supplies behind, except for our guns and cartridges. But Challenger was eager to take some bulky things with him. One package in particular, which I cannot speak of, gave us more trouble than anything else. The day passed slowly, but by nightfall we were ready to leave. With great effort, we carried our things up the steps. Then we looked back and took one last long look at that strange land. I fear it will soon be spoiled by hunters and prospectors. But to each of us it was a dreamland of beauty and romance. There we had dared much, suffered much, and learned much. It was OUR land, as we will always fondly call it. On our left, the nearby caves cast cheerful red firelight into the darkness. From the slope below us came the voices of the Indians, laughing and singing. Beyond them stretched the woods. In their center, the great lake shimmered faintly through the darkness, the mother of strange monsters. As we watched, a high, whinnying cry rang out of the darkness, the call of some strange animal. It was the very voice of Maple White Land bidding us good-bye. We turned and plunged into the cave that led home.

Two hours later, we, our packages, and all we owned, were at the foot of the cliff. Save for Challenger's luggage we had never a difficulty. Leaving it all where we descended, we started at once for Zambo's camp. In the early morning we approached it, but only to find, to our amazement, not one fire but a dozen upon the plain. The rescue party had arrived. There were twenty Indians from the river, with stakes, ropes, and all that could be useful for bridging the chasm. At least we shall have no difficulty now in carrying our packages, when to-morrow we begin to make our way back to the Amazon.

Two hours later, we were at the foot of the cliff, along with our packages and everything we owned. We had no trouble except with Challenger's luggage. We left everything where we had come down and set off at once for Zambo's camp. We approached the camp early in the morning. To our amazement, we found not one fire on the plain, but a dozen. The rescue party had arrived. There were twenty Indians from the river, with stakes, ropes, and everything that could help bridge the chasm. At least we will have no trouble carrying our packages when we start back to the Amazon tomorrow.

And so, in humble and thankful mood, I close this account. Our eyes have seen great wonders and our souls are chastened by what we have endured. Each is in his own way a better and deeper man. It may be that when we reach Para we shall stop to refit. If we do, this letter will be a mail ahead. If not, it will reach London on the very day that I do. In either case, my dear Mr. McArdle, I hope very soon to shake you by the hand.

And so, humbled and grateful, I close this account. We have seen great wonders, and what we have endured has humbled us. Each of us is, in his own way, a better and deeper man. We may stop to refit when we reach Para. If we do, this letter will arrive one mail delivery ahead of me. If not, it will reach London on the same day I do. In either case, my dear Mr. McArdle, I hope to shake your hand very soon.