and the
evenness of climatic conditions may have much to do with the giant
growth and longevity of all animal life.

In places the level valleys stretched away for many miles in every
direction. "The Smoky God," in its clear white light, looked calmly
down. There was an intoxication in the electrically surcharged air that
fanned the cheek as softly as a vanishing whisper. Nature chanted a
lullaby in the faint murmur of winds whose breath was sweet with the
fragrance of bud and blossom.

After having spent considerably more than a year in visiting several of
the many cities of the "within" world and a great deal of intervening
country, and more than two years had passed from the time we had been
picked up by the great excursion ship on the river, we decided to
cast our fortunes once more upon the sea, and endeavor to regain the
"outside" surface of the earth.

We made known our wishes, and they were reluctantly but promptly
followed. Our hosts gave my father, at his request, various maps showing
the entire "inside" surface of the earth, its cities, oceans, seas,
rivers, gulfs and bays. They also generously offered to give us all the
bags of gold nuggets--some of them as large as a goose's egg--that we
were willing to attempt to take with us in our little fishing-boat.

In due time we returned to Jehu, at which place we spent one month in
fixing up and overhauling our little fishing sloop. After all was in
readiness, the same ship "Naz" that originally discovered us, took us on
board and sailed to the mouth of the river Hiddekel.

After our giant brothers had launched our little craft for us, they were
most cordially regretful at parting, and evinced much solicitude for our
safety. My father swore by the Gods Odin and Thor that he would surely
return again within a year or two and pay them another visit. And thus
we bade them adieu. We made ready and hoisted our sail, but there was
little breeze. We were becalmed within an hour after our giant friends
had left us and started on their return trip.

The winds were constantly blowing south, that is, they were blowing from
the northern opening of the earth toward that which we knew to be south,
but which, according to our compass's pointing finger, was directly
north.

For three days we tried to sail, and to beat against the wind, but to no
avail. Whereupon my father said: "My son, to return by the same route as
we came in is impossible at this time of year. I wonder