It was not long before the city of Zettinié opened to our view, situated in an extensive valley, quite amphitheatrical in character.

Richly wooded hills rose towering above each other with amphitheatrical effect; and behind the verdant panorama were the blue outlines of pinnacles of naked rocks.

Perhaps it was the queer amphitheatrical effect of this setting that connected up some whimsical train of thought in Maynard's brain.