These openings seemed like the beds of dried-up torrents.

We were able to walk but a few paces for invariably we would come to some immense blocks of rock, which barred all farther progress.

In this way we explored the beach for miles, until it terminated in a savage promontory that rose abruptly from the sea against which the huge billows broke in thunder.
Then we retraced our steps, and again reached the spot where the athaleb was asleep by the jantannin.

Almah was now too weary to walk any farther, nor was it desirable to do so; for, indeed, we had traversed all that could be visited.

On one side of the beach was the sea, on the other the impassable rocks; at one end the promontory, at the other the lava fires.