Here one could see, descending



TO SUMMER



135



from the unseen heights, huge
laminae, side by side, close and
regular as the underside of a
mushroom, but huofe as griant
oaks; yet, monstrous as they were,
as delicately moulded as a lady's
ear.
Here was a prostrate giant, a
hug^e column of alabaster, g-nawed
and discolored by the ages which
had recorded the unknown years
since its overthrow. In and around
and through it all we wandered
in the surrounding darkness, led
on by our faithful guide. Our can-
dles, shining out before our own
footsteps, but yet keeping our-
selves ever in the shade, produced
many curious groupings. These



136 FROM SUMMER LAND

were all enhanced when, at point
after point, the magnesium wire
flashed out its weird white light
for our surprise and delight.
It was a sensation to look into
the mazy black depths utterly be-
yond our reach. In one of these
we could dimly discern the em-
bedded bones of a human skele-
ton, some hapless one who in for-
gotten ages dropped down there
to his irrevocable doom.
What a fate it must have been
to be thus buried alive in impene-
trable darkness, within those cold
smooth walls which no mortal foot
could ever climb.
Had he wandered in from the
outward world, and lost his way.
