Chapter 18 — In the Sunlight

           Presentlywesawthatthecavernbeforeusopeneduponahazyvoid.Inanothermomentwehademergeduponasortofslantinggallery,thatprojectedintoavastcircularspace,ahugecylindricalpitrunningverticallyupanddown.Roundthispittheslantinggalleryranwithoutanyparapetorprotectionforaturnandahalf,andthenplungedhighaboveintotherockagain.SomehowitremindedmethenofoneofthosespiralturnsoftherailwaythroughtheSaintGothard.Itwasalltremendouslyhuge.IcanscarcelyhopetoconveytoyoutheTitanicproportionofallthatplace,theTitaniceffectofit.Oureyesfollowedupthevastdeclivityofthepitwall,andoverheadandfarabovewebeheldaroundopeningsetwithfaintstars,andhalfofthelipaboutitwellnighblindingwiththewhitelightofthesun.Atthatwecriedaloudsimultaneously.

           “Comeon!”Isaid,leadingtheway.

           “Butthere?”saidCavor,andverycarefullysteppednearertheedgeofthegallery.Ifollowedhisexample,andcranedforwardandlookeddown,butIwasdazzledbythatgleamoflightabove,andIcouldseeonlyabottomlessdarknesswithspectralpatchesofcrimsonandpurplefloatingtherein.YetifIcouldnotsee,Icouldhear.Outofthisdarknesscameasound,asoundliketheangryhumonecanhearifoneputsone’searoutsideahiveofbees,asoundoutofthatenormoushollow,itmaybe,fourmilesbeneathourfeet...

           ForamomentIlistened,thentightenedmygriponmycrowbar,andledthewayupthegallery.

           “Thismustbetheshaftwelookeddownupon,”saidCavor.“Underthatlid.”