A beautiful, fantastic spectacle was
presented by the cliff faces, the rocky ground, and the boulders that
choked the entire width of the gorge. They were a snow-white crystalline
limestone, heavily scored by veins of bright, gleaming blue. The rivulet
was no longer green, but a clear, transparent crystal. Its noise was
musical, and altogether it looked most romantic and charming, but
Leehallfae seemed to find something else in it--aer features grew more
and more set and tortured.

About half an hour after all the other life forms had vanished, another
plant-animal was precipitated out of space, in front of their eyes.
It was as tall as Maskull himself, and had a brilliant and vigorous
appearance, as befitted a creature just out of Nature's mint. It started
to walk about; but hardly had it done so when it burst silently asunder.
Nothing remained of it--the whole body disappeared instantaneously into
the same invisible mist from which it had sprung.

"That bears out what you said," commented Maskull, turning rather pale.

"Yes," answered Leehallfae, "we have now come to the region of terrible
life."

"Then, since you're right in this, I must believe all that you've been
telling me."

As he uttered the words, they were just turning a bend of the ravine.
There now loomed up straight ahead a perpendicular cliff about three
hundred feet in height, composed of white, marbled rock. It was the head
of the valley, and beyond it they could not proceed.

"In return for my wisdom," said the phaen, "you will now lend me your
luck."

They walked up to the base of the cliff, and Maskull looked at it
reflectively. It was possible to climb it, but the ascent would be
difficult. The now tiny brook issued from a hole in the rock only a few
feet up. Apart from its musical running, not a sound was to be beard.
The floor of the gorge was in shadow, but about halfway up the precipice
the sun was shining.

"What do you want me to do?" demanded Maskull. "Everything is now in
your hands, and I have no suggestions to make. Now it's your luck that
must help us."

Maskull continued gazing up a little while longer. "We had better wait
till the afternoon, Leehallfae. I'll probably have to climb to the top,
but it's too hot at present--and besides, I'm tired. I'll snatch a few
hours' sleep. After that, we'll see."

Leehallfae seemed annoyed, but raised no opposition.

Chapter 17. CORPANG

Maskull did not awaken till long after Blod