And then it stopped short.

I was in a deep cleft, but in front was a slab of sheer rock.

Above, the gully looked darker and deeper, but there was this great slab to pass.

I examined the sides, but they were sheer rock with no openings.
Had I had my wits about me, I would have gone back and followed the spoor, noting where it stopped.

But the whole thing looked black magic to me; my stomach was empty and my enterprise small.