"Come, I want to show you Zomara's Wrath," Omar said, and dismounting we went together towards it, notwithstanding the loud cries of warning that arose on every side. A dog--a lean, hungry, strange-looking brute, who accompanied the troops--bounded after us, and as we approached the place I noticed a suffocating smell, and was attacked by nausea and giddiness. A belt of this foetid atmosphere surrounded the valley. We, however, passed through it, and in purer air, with hands still over my nose and mouth, was permitted to view the awful spectacle--for it was awful. The entire bed of the valley seemed like one solid rock, but scattered over the barren floor were skeletons of men, wild hogs, deer, rhinoceros, lions, and all kinds of birds and smaller animals. I could discover no hole or crevice in any place whence the poisonous fumes were emitted. I was anxious to reach the bottom of the valley, if possible, but my suggestion was at once negatived by my companion, who said: "To go further is certain death. Come, let us return quickly, or we may be overpowered. This is one of the natural wonders of our land." I determined, however, to see what the fumes smelled like, and, greatly to Omar's horror, started to descend. The dog was with me, and as soon as he saw me step over the side of the bank he rushed down ahead of me. I endeavoured to call him back, but too late. As soon as the animal reached the rocky bed below he fell upon his side. He continued to breathe a few moments only, then expired. CHAPTER XIX. THE CITY IN THE CLOUDS. "THERE is a strange story connected with this place known to us as Zomara's Wrath," Omar said, when together we turned away and mounted our horses to ride back to the camp. "Relate it to me," I urged eagerly. "To-night. After we have eaten at sundown I will tell you about it," he answered, and spurring our horses we galloped quickly forward. When we had eaten that evening and were seated aside together, I reminded him of his promise.