The light from the male stones presently illuminated the face of a new cliff. It was grand, rugged, and perpendicular. Upward, downward, and on both sides, it faded imperceptibly into the night.
After coasting it a little way, they observed a shelf of rock jutting out. It was square, measuring about a dozen feet each way. Green snow covered it to a depth of some inches. Immediately behind it was a dark slit in the rock, which promised to be the mouth of a cave.
Haunte skilfully landed the boat on this platform. Standing up, he raised the staff bearing the keel light and lowered the other; then removed both male stones, which he continued to hold in his hand.
His face was thrown into strong relief by the vivid, sparkling blue-white rays. It looked rather surly.
"Do we get out?" inquired Maskull.
"Yes. I live here."
"Thanks for the successful end of a dangerous journey.""Yes, it has been touch-and-go."
Corpang jumped onto the platform. He was smiling coarsely. "There has been no danger, for our destinies lie elsewhere. You are merely a ferryman, Haunte.""Is that so?" returned Haunte, with a most unpleasant laugh. "Ithought I was carrying men, not gods."
"Where are we?' asked Maskull. As he spoke, he got out, but Haunte remained standing a minute in the boat.
"This is Sarclash - the second highest mountain in the land.""Which is the highest, then?"