there was any
response it was lost upon the wind.

As we approached the city, the cottages became thicker and thicker. They
were of various sizes, and of a light fanciful design adapted to a warm
climate. Each of them was surrounded by a grove or garden rich in
flowers and fruit. There were grassy trails and roads from one to
another, but we did not see any fields or fences, flocks or herds.

We also saw more and more of the inhabitants--men, women, and children.
They were evidently a fine race, tall, handsome, and of white
complexion; but the men in general were darker than the women. From
their gay dresses, and the condition of the land, we had set them down
for savages; but on a nearer view, their lack of arms, the beauty of
their homes, and their own graceful demeanour, obliged us to reconsider
our opinion. When they first saw the car they did not fly in terror, or
muster hastily in armed and yelling bands. Many of them ran and cried,
it is true, but only to call their friends, and while some stood with
bowed heads and upraised hands as the car floated by, others, like the
old man, fell upon their knees as though in prayer.

It was getting late in the day, and the sun was now sloping to the crest
of the mountain wall encircling the crater. Accordingly we held a
consultation with Carmichael as to whether we should land there, or
proceed to the city.

Carmichael thought we should go on.

"But," said Gazen, "would it not be safer to try the temper of the
people first, here in the country?"

"These people are not savages," replied Carmichael. "They are civilised,
or semi-civilised, else how could they have built so fine a city as that
appears. If we should see any signs of hostility amongst them, however,
the car is plated with metal and will protect us--we have arms and can
defend ourselves--and, besides, we can rise again, and slip away from
them."

We decided to advance, but Gazen and I took the precaution to belt on
our revolvers.

The huge limb of the sun, red and glowing, sank to rest in a bed of
purple clouds on the summit of the rosy precipice, and filled all the
green plain with a rich amber light. The fantastic towers and trees of
the distant city by the lake shone in his mellow lustre; the solitary
island swam in a flood of gold, and the quaint edifice which crowned it
blazed with insufferable splendour. As the eerie gloaming died in the
west, and thin grey mists began to veil the outlandish scene,