It was a singular
and, in one respect, a disconcerting scene that met their anxious gaze.
The only practicable road descended rapidly towards an immensely wide
and shallow depression. Conceivably, this basin might have been formed
by the subsidence of the land all round an extinct volcano, whose one-
time activity was revealed by a cluster of small cones in the distance.
Running due east, and passing north of the crater thus curiously
marked, was the arid river-bed which created the oasis, and rendered
possible the well which gave its name to the place. Unfortunately, the
group of lava hillocks was situated much beyond the center of the
hollow. They were commanded by small hills on three sides, and, though
capable of defense in some respects, they offered the grave
disadvantage of being in a circle. Consequently, the only section
secure from an enemy's fire was that on the western side, and it was
evident that the defenders had found this to be actually the case. They
were, of course, clearly visible from the ridge, where, unknown to
them, the leader of a strong relief was then lying in the cleft of a
rock split to its base by extremes of heat and cold.
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