Through the crater's rim

"Through the Crater's Rim" by A. Hyatt Verrill is a science fiction adventure set in Central America that spins a yarn about an explorer's dangerous quest to uncover a hidden city nestled inside a volcanic crater. Driven by local legends, the unnamed protagonist braves a treacherous jungle, only to stumble upon a bizarre civilization of tiny people who walk on their hands and hold strange customs. Initially worshipped as a god due to his unusual skills, the explorer's luck turns when a wicked priest exposes him, leading to his capture and imminent sacrifice. Yet, in a breathless turn of events, his loyal companion Hazen rescues him, and they narrowly escape as a disastrous flood engulfs the city after they accidentally destroy a crucial aqueduct, highlighting the clash between the modern world and the supernatural beliefs of a primitive society.