On the outside, beams leaned against it, and on them people went up and down, as if climbing ladders.

Thin films of smoke quivered in the air from imperceptible flues.
The cliffs themselves extended north of this building and east and west as far as the range of view permitted, like a yellowish ribbon of towering height with innumerable flexures and alternations of light and shade.

Their base was enlivened by the bustle of those who dwelt in caves all along the foot of the imposing rocky wall.

Where to-day only vacant holes stare at the visitor, at the hour on the day when our story begins, human eyes peered through.

Other doors were closed by deer-hides or robes.