I looked, and there I saw plainly some moving figures that were,
beyond a doubt, human beings.



CHAPTER IV

THE SIGHT OF HUMAN BEINGS


The sight of human beings, thus unexpectedly found, filled us with
strange feelings--feelings which I cannot explain. The country was
still iron-bound and dark and forbidding, and the stream ran on in a
strong current, deep, black as ink, and resistless as fate; the sky
behind was lighted up by the volcanic glare which still shone from
afar; and in front the view was bounded by the icy heights of a
mountain chain. Here was, indeed, a strange country for a human
habitation; and strange, indeed, were the human beings whom we saw.

"Shall we land?" said Agnew.

"Oh no," said I. "Don't be hasty. The elements are sometimes kinder
than men, and I feel safer here, even in this river of death, than
ashore with such creatures as those."

Agnew made no reply. We watched the figures on the shore. We saw them
coming down, staring and gesticulating. We drew on nearer to them till
we were able to see them better. A nearer view did not improve them.
They were human beings, certainly, but of such an appalling aspect