Without doubt, even if the Fire People did not return, they must soon have perished.

It was a bad climate down there by the sea.

The Folk were not constituted for the coast-dwelling life.
We travelled south, for days skirting the great swamp but never venturing into it.

Once we broke back to the westward, crossing a range of mountains and coming down to the coast.

But it was no place for us.
There were no trees--only bleak headlands, a thundering surf, and strong winds that seemed never to cease from blowing.