valley presently attained such a height that they could not be seen.
The sides were steep and craggy, while the bed of the valley grew
narrower at every step. Not a living organism was visible. All was
unnatural and sepulchral.

Maskull said, "I feel as if I were dead, and walking in another
world."

"I still do not know what you are doing here," answered Corpang.

"Why should I go on making a mystery of it? I came to find Surtur."

"That name I've heard--but under what circumstances?"

"You forget?"

Corpang walked along, his eyes fixed on the ground, obviously
troubled. "Who is Surtur?"

Maskull shook his head, and said nothing.

The valley shortly afterward narrowed, so that the two men, touching
fingertips in the middle, could have placed their free hands on the
rock walls on either side. It threatened to terminate in a cul-de-
sac, but just when the road seemed least promising, and they were
shut in by cliffs on all sides, a hitherto unperceived bend brought
them suddenly into the open. They emerged through a mere crack in
the line of precipices.

A sort of huge natural corridor was running along at right angles to