Page:The Burton Holmes lectures; (IA burtonholmeslect04holm).pdf/141

 LIKE A STEAMING GLACIER

years builded a structure and then covered it over with a delicate enamel which reflects in ever-varying tints the rays of brilliant sunlight. We seem to look on a frozen water-*fall, yet from it rise great clouds of steam; and while we feast our eyes upon this seeming miracle of frostwork, the high temperature of the atmosphere enveloping us renders it difficult to reconcile the contradictory evidences of our senses. The Arabs have named these "The Accursed Springs." They tell us that once upon a time a certain rich and powerful chieftain, finding no man worthy of his sister's heavenly beauty, decided to espouse her himself. To the objections of his elders he replied by chopping off their heads, and was about to begin the wedding ceremony, when suddenly there came a terrible trembling of the earth, which opened as fire and water poured forth. Then instantly, the participants in the sinful ceremony were petrified upon the spot. Three crusty cones represent all that is left of the unhappy couple and the priest; and guests, also transformed into volcanic