It did not run straight, but curved about in the thickness of the cliff.

At the first turn the Pongo soldiers set up a low and eerie chant which they continued during its whole length, that according to my pacings was something over three hundred yards.

On we wound, the torches making stars of light in the intense blackness, till at length we rounded a last corner where a great curtain of woven grass, now drawn, was stretched across the cave.

Here we saw a very strange sight.
On either side of it, near to the walls, burned a large wood fire that gave light to the place.

Also more light flowed into it from its further mouth that was not more than twenty paces from the fires.