Speechless, and in anxious suspense, we descend a part of this chasm, hardly daring to look up, much less to give utterance to a single sound, lest the vibration should bring down one of these avalanches of stone, to the terrific force of which the rocky fragments scattered around bear ample testimony.

The distinctness with which echo repeats the softest sound and the lightest footfall is truly wonderful.
The appearance presented by the horses, which are allowed to come down the ravine after their masters have descended, is most peculiar.

One could fancy they were clinging to the walls of rock.
This ravine is known by the name of Almanagiau.

Its entire length is about a mile, but a small portion only can be traversed; the rest is blocked up by masses of lava heaped one upon the other.

On the right hand, the rocky wall opens, and forms an outlet, over formidable masses of lava, into the beautiful valley of Thingvalla.