Through the crater's rim

"Through the Crater's Rim" by A. Hyatt Verrill is a science fiction novel written during the early 20th century. The story explores the adventures of an explorer who discovers a hidden, ancient city populated by a strange, diminutive race living within a volcanic crater in Central America. The narrative combines elements of adventure, horror, and speculative fiction, pulling on the themes of lost civilizations and uncharted territories. The plot follows an unnamed explorer who, intrigued by rumors of a lost city observed from an airplane, decides to seek it out. After a perilous journey through the jungle, he finds himself in a surreal world where the inhabitants walk on their hands and possess unique customs. Initial encounters with the local population and a series of thrilling events reveal their superstitions and fears, particularly regarding the protagonist's perceived god-like status due to his unfamiliar abilities. However, when a nefarious priest exposes him as a fraud, he is captured and almost sacrificed. In a climactic rescue, his companion Hazen saves him just in time, leading to a harrowing escape from the city, which ultimately succumbs to a flood caused by their destruction of an aqueduct. The story captures the essence of adventure and the influence of supernatural elements on primitive societies.