_CANTO XXXVIII._ In the next district, which reeks with stifling odors, Mr. Hunt discovers “reckless talkers” eating their own words, which are served red hot on platters in the form of tarts. Out of curiosity Mr. Hunt takes a bite of this Infernal food. For an instant he feels “as one ripped inwards, then sickened at sea.” He remains in an unconscious condition for a long time, but is aroused finally by a clap of thunder and again slowly resumes his journey. [Illustration] [Illustration: THE RECKLESS TALKERS.] _CANTO XXXIX._ Being weak from the result of testing Infernal food, the explorer accepts an invitation to ride in an automobile to the next district. Over the same territory that Dante traversed afoot in the year 1314, Mr. Hunt now travels in this modern fashion. [Illustration] [Illustration: HIPRAH HUNT TAKES A RIDE IN AN AUTOMOBILE.] _CANTO XL._ Hugging a rocky ledge closely, Mr. Hunt gropes his way to a lower plain in the same region where he sees the punishment meted out to bribe-taking aldermen. These are shoveled into ovens built for that purpose. It is Mr. Hunt’s opinion that under pressure of the fierce heat the victims may regret at times that they accepted bribes for the giving of contracts and franchises. [Illustration] [Illustration: BRIBE-TAKING ALDERMEN.] _CANTO XLI._ Up through the Stygian darkness a terrible tumult of voices smites the ear of the explorer. Peering down the jaws of a deep pit he sees the souls of the bucket-shop gamblers. Through the flickering red light that pervades this region the explorer makes his way to the next district. [Illustration] [Illustration: THE BUCKET-SHOP GAMBLERS.] _CANTO XLII._ In what is called the Carousal of Hell, Mr. Hunt sees the long-legged devils. Some of these have legs thirty feet long. They hop about, chasing victims, in a game of tag. The feature of the game that makes it interesting for the devils is that they are never “it.” People who “jump at conclusions” are some of the unfortunates who are kept dodging and guessing in this department. [Illustration] [Illustration: PLAYING TAG WITH PEOPLE WHO “JUMP AT CONCLUSIONS.”] _CANTO XLIII._ Under the escort of a Demon overseer, Mr. Hunt is directed into a department where he witnesses the punishment of a man who on earth wore fine clothes, while his wife and children went about in shabby attire. Here the victim is made to wear an old dress of pink calico and a bright green hat with yellow trimmings, set on sideways. [Illustration] [Illustration: A CASE OF SELFISHNESS.] _CANTO XLIV._