We followed, dragging Bastin between us.

As we did so something hit me gently on the head.

It was Bastin's lamp, which I seized.
"We are safe.

Sit down and rest," said Yva, leading us a few paces away.
We obeyed and presently by the dim light saw the stone begin to stir again, this time upwards.

In another twenty seconds it was away on its never-ending journey.
"Does it always go on like that ?" said Bastin, sitting up and staring after it.
"Tens of thousands of years ago it was journeying thus, and tens of thousands of years hence it will still be journeying, or so I think," she replied.