A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille

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molten lava; between us and it there spread away a vast expanse of
impassable rocks--a scene of ruin and savage wildness which cannot be
described, and all around was the same drear and appalling prospect.
Here in the night-season--the season of darkness and of awful
gloom--we stood in this land of woe; and not one single sign appeared
of life save the life that we had brought with us. As for food, it was
vain to think of it. To search after it would be useless. It seemed,
indeed, impossible to move from the spot where we were. Every moment
presented some new discovery which added to the horror of Magones.
But Almah was weary, for our flight had been long, and she wished to
rest. So I found a place for her where there was some sand between
two rocks, and here she lay down and went to sleep. I sat at a little
distance off on a shelf of the rock, with my back against it, and
here, after a little time, I also went to sleep.
At length we awoke. But what a waking! There was no morning dawn, no
blessed returning light to greet our eyes. We opened our eyes to the
same scenes upon which we had closed them, and the darkness was still
deep and dense around us. Over us both there was a sense of utter
depression, and I was so deeply plunged into it that I found it
impossible to rouse myself, even for the sake of saying words of cheer
to Almah. I had brought a few fragments of food, and upon these we
made our breakfast; but there was the athaleb to feed, and for him I
found nothing, nor could I think of anything--unless he could feed
upon rocks and sand. Yet food for him was a matter of the highest
consequence, for he was all our support and stay and hope; and if the
monster were deprived of food he might turn upon us and satisfy upon
us his ravenous appetite. These thoughts were painful indeed, and
added to my despondency.
Suddenly I heard the sound of running water. I started away toward the
place from which the sound came, and found, only a little distance
off, a small brook trickling along on its way to the shore. I called
Almah, and we both drank and were refreshed.
This showed an easy way to get to the shore, and I determined to go
there to see if there were any fish to be found. Shell-fish might be
there, or the carcasses of dead fish thrown up by the sea, upon which
the athaleb might feed. I left my pistol with Almah, telling her to
fire it if she heard me fire, for I was afraid of losing my way,