light that glowed like the heart of some dull fire.

"It is the treasure," he said, in a low tone of exultation. "At last the
luck has turned."

"How much does it weigh?" said Juanna, as they sped onwards.

"Some seven or eight pounds, I should say," he answered, still
exultantly. "Seven or eight solid pounds of gems, the finest in the
world."

"Then give it to me," she said; "I have nothing else to carry. You may
have to use both your hands presently."

"True," he answered, and passed the string of the bag over her head.

Now they went on up the smooth sloping bed of the stream, suffering
little inconvenience, except from the cold of the water that flowed
about their ankles.

"The stream has risen a little, Baas, since I passed it this morning,"
said Otter. "Doubtless this day's sun has melted some snow at its
source. To-morrow we might not have been able to travel this road."

"Very likely," answered Leonard. "I told you that our luck had turned at
last."

Twenty minutes more and they reached the mouth of the tunnel, and
passing between the blocks of ice, found themselves upon the mountain
side. But, as it chanced, the face of the moon was hidden by clouds,
which is often the case in this country at the beginning of the spring
season, for whereas in winter the days are almost invariably misty and
the nights clear, in spring and summer these atmospheric conditions are
frequently reversed. So dark was it indeed, that it proved impossible to
attempt the ascent of the mountain until the day broke, since to do
so would be to run the risk of losing themselves, and very possibly of
breaking their necks among its numerous clefts and precipices.

After a minute's hasty discussion they set to work to fill up the mouth
of the tunnel, or rather the cracks between the blocks of ice that
already encumbered it, with such material as lay to hand, namely lumps
of frozen snow, gravel, and a few large stones which they were fortunate
enough to find in the immediate vicinity, for the darkness rendered
it impossible to search for these at a distance. While they were thus
engaged they heard the voices of priests speaking on the further side
of their somewhat inefficient barrier, and worked harder than ever,
thinking that the moment of attack had come.

To their astonishment, however, the sound of talking died away.

"Now where have they gone?" said Leonard--"to climb the cliff by another
path and cut us off?"

"I think no