g to the roof of my mouth. I
could not say a word. Finally, we reached the opposite shore. I got out
of the boat, and the boatman vanished out of sight. Thus left alone, I
knew not what to do. Looking out before me, I saw two roads which led
through a dark valley. One of these was abroad road, and seemed to
be well traveled. The other was a narrow path that led off in another
direction. I instinctively followed the well beaten road. I had not gone
far when it seemed to grow darker. Ever and anon, however, a light
would flash up from the distance, and in this manner I was lighted on
my journey. Presently I was met by a being that it is utterly impossible
for me to describe. I can only give you a faint idea of his dreadful
appearance. He resembled a man somewhat, but much larger than any human
being I ever saw. He must have been at least ten feet high. He had great
wings on his back. He was black as the coal I had been digging, and in
a perfectly nude condition. He had a large spear in his hand, the handle
of which must have been fully fifteen feet in length. His eyes shone
like balls of fire. His teeth, white as pearl, seemed fully an inch
long. His nose, if you could call it a nose, was very large, broad and
flat. His hair was very coarse, heavy and long. It hung down on his
massive shoulders. His voice sounded more like the growls of a lion in a
menagerie than anything I can recall. It was during one of these flashes
of light that I first saw him. I trembled like an aspen leaf at the
sight. He had his spear raised as if to send it flying through me. I
suddenly stopped. With that terrible voice I seem to hear yet, he
bade me follow him; that he had been sent to guide me on my journey. I
followed. What else could I do? After he had gone some distance a
huge mountain appeared to rise up before us. The part facing us seemed
perpendicular, just as if a mountain had been cut in two and one part
had been taken away. On this perpendicular wall I could distinctly see
these words, 'This is Hell.' My guide approached this perpendicular
wall, and with his spear-handle gave three loud raps. A large massive
door swung back and we passed in. I was then conducted on through
what appeared to be a passage through this mountain. For some time we
traveled in Egyptian darkness. I could hear the heavy footfalls of my
guide, and thus could follow him. All along the way I could hear deep
groans, as of some one dying. Further on, these groans in