Spendius touched the ground and perceived that it was carefully carpeted with lynx skins; then it seemed to them that a big cord, wet, cold, and viscous, was gliding between their legs.

Through some fissures cut in the wall there fell thin white rays, and they advanced by this uncertain light.

At last they distinguished a large black serpent.

It darted quickly away and disappeared.
"Let us fly!" exclaimed Matho.

"It is she! I feel her; she is coming." "No, no," replied Spendius, "the temple is empty." Then a dazzling light made them lower their eyes.