THE WONDERS OF THE "AMIR" We were drawn on cars up to the first terraced street, and here we found the vast multitude which we had seen from a distance.

Crossing this street, we ascended and came to another precisely like it; then, still going on, we came to a third.

Here there was an immense space, not overgrown with trees like the streets, but perfectly open.

In the midst arose a lofty pyramid, and as I looked at it I could not refrain from shuddering; for it looked like the public altar, upon which in due time I should be compelled to make my appearance, and be offered up as a victim to the terrific superstitions of the Kosekin.
Crossing this great square, we came to a vast portal, which opened into a cavern with twinkling lights.

The city itself extended above this, for we could see the terraced streets rising above our heads; but here our progress ended at the great cavern in the chief square, opposite the pyramid.
On entering the cavern we traversed an antechamber, and then passing on we reached a vast dome, of dimensions so great that I could perceive no end in that gloom.