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The bridge of light

Chapter 2: INTRODUCTION
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About This Book

A first-person narrator recounts an expedition into remote ancient ruins, his scars and a tattoo serving as reminders of the experience. He uncovers carved stones, a hidden city, a mysterious green sphere and tunnels that lead through serpent-haunted passages, guided by prophecy and symbolic inscriptions. The party faces sorcery, monstrous sacrificial creatures and lethal rival figures as layers of secret craft and ritual practice are exposed. The tale culminates in the revelation of lost devices and symbolic knowledge that transform the narrator’s understanding of the ruins and change the course of his life.

INTRODUCTION

MR. VERRILL says—and we must agree with him—that to be a good ethnologist, one must also be well versed in geology, zoology, physics, archeology—in fact in all the sciences. Mr. Verrill is not only an ethnologist of note, he is also a writer of wide reputation. It is hardly any wonder, therefore, that he should be one of the favorite authors of Amazing Stories readers. In “The Bridge of Light” the author builds a story based on the various folklore that he has heard during his numerous expeditions through the wildernesses and ruins of old Mayan tradition, each of which probably has some basis of fact. Many astounding stories of prehistoric times might well be uncovered when some of the engraved hieroglyphics which have been found are deciphered. It is not impossible that the ancient Indians had made astounding discoveries in the use of some minerals of which we have just recently become cognizant. How else can some of the remarkable relics which are unearthed from time to time be explained?

Perhaps when flying becomes a more common mode of travel, there will be more scientists venturing into the wilds of unexplored countries, because then a good many of the hardships and inevitable risks of going through jungles and dangerous country will be eliminated. We may well look forward to amazing finds in the near future—some inklings of which we are given here. We know you will agree with us after you have read it, that “The Bridge of Light” is one of Mr. Verrill’s best.