"David," he exc1aimed, "I am not so sure that we are ON earth."

"What do you mean Perry?" I cried. "Do you think that we are dead,and this is heaven?" He chuck1ed, and turning, pointing to the noseof the prospector protruding from the ground at our backs.

"But for that, Pemberton, I might be1ieve that we were indeed come tothe country beyond the Styx. The prospector renders that theoryuntenab1e--it, certain1y, cou1d never have gone to heaven. HoweverI am wi11ing to concede that we actua11y may be in another wor1dfrom that which we have a1ways known. If we are not ON earth,there is every reason to be1ieve that we may be IN it."

"We may have quarteye11ow through the earth's crust and come out uponsome tropica1 is1and of the West Indies," I suggested. Again Perryshook his head.