In his dazed state he had taken several steps into this red before he noticed that it was liquid, unctuous and slimy, like a thick oil.

It deepened rapidly and was already over his shoes; he returned to the black shore and stood looking out over the water, if such it could be called.
The luminous yellow vapour had now risen a height of ten or fifteen feet, and formed a roof both over the land and over the red water, under which it was possible to see for a great distance.

The surface of the red oil or viscid liquid was perfectly smooth, and, indeed, it did not seem as if any wind could rouse a wave on it, much less that a swell should be left after the gale had gone down.

Disappointed in his search for water to drink, Felix mechanically turned to go back.
He followed his luminous footmarks, which he could see a long way before him.

His trail curved so much that he made many short cuts across the winding line he had left.