zledtheireyesandtheycouldseenothing.Wheusedtoittheythoughttheyakeoutariveroffire,and,onthebanksofthatriver,whatseemedtobefieldsandgrovesofanunbearable,hotbrilliahoughtheyweredimparedwiththeriver.Therewereblues,reds,greens,andwhitesalljumbledtogether:averygoodstained-glasswindowwiththetropicalsunstaringstraightthroughitatmiddaymighthavesomethingthesameeffect.Downtheruggedsidesofthechasm,lookingblacklikefliesagainstallthatfierylight,hundredsofEarthmenwereclimbing.

    "Yourhonours,"saidGolg(aheyturolookathimtheycouldseenothingbutblaessforafewmiheireyesweresodazzled)."Yourhonours,whydont

    youedowntoBism?Youdbehappiertherethaninthatcold,unprotected,nakedtryoutontop.Oratleastedownforashortvisit.”

    Jilltookitfrahatheotherswouldlistentosuideaforamoment.

    ToherhorrorsheheardthePrincesaying:"Truly,friendGolg,Ihavehalfamindtoedownwithyou.Forthisisamarvellousadventure,anditmaybenomortalmanhaseverlookedintoBismbeforeorwilleverhavetheceagain.AndIknownothow,astheyearspass,IshallbeartorememberthatitwasonmypowertohaveprobedtheuttermostpitofEarthandthatIforbore.

    Butcouldamahere?Youdonotswiminthefire-riveritself?”

    "Ohno,yourHonour.sonlysalamandersliveinthefireitself.”

    "Whatkindofbeastisyoursalamander?"askedthePrince.

    "Itishardtotelltheirkind,yourHonour,"saidGolg."Fortheyaretoowhite-hottolookat.Buttheyaremostlikesmalldragons.Theyspeaktousoutofthefire.Theyarewonderfullycleverwiththeirtongues:verywi