While he was thus musing a pale, aurora-like light broke in the
distance, directly ahead of the ship. Now it opened gently, now shut
again. Again it glimmered and gradually expanded until the whole cavern
became aglow with light, and presented a scene of such enchanting beauty
that all on board were spell-bound with admiration. Massive columns,
grand and impressive, rose on every side to the very roof, and reflected
all the colors of the rainbow. And through them the gallant old ship
continued to sail, like a phantom.
This bright, bewitching scene continued for about fifteen minutes, when
the light gradually died away, and all became dark and solemn. Then
deep, plunging sounds of falling water indicated with startling effect
that the ship was approaching a mighty cataract, down which she must
soon plunge to her destruction. These sounds, made more terrible by the
darkness, were like death-knells, calling the men to prepare to meet
their doom.
And while all on board were contemplating these sounds, the ship
suddenly careened a-starboard, a harsh, grating noise was heard
overhead, and quantities of broken crystallites began falling on deck.
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