as to be seen
a large package wrapped in raw-hide, and secured with strips of the same
material. These packages, Jose said, contained gold bricks; and Jim
quickly proved the truth of the statement by slitting open one or two
with his hunting-knife.

It was, however, toward a row of huge chests, ten in number, that the
Indian led Jim, telling him that the real treasure was contained in
them. Although strong, they were quickly broken open by well-directed
blows of the pickaxes; and upon the lids being raised there burst upon
Jim's eyes such a vision of wealth that he was positively dazed by the
immensity of it. The particular chest which he opened was full, from
bottom to top, of solid gold ingots, black with age on the surface, but
showing the dull red metallic lustre of gold when scraped with a knife.
There must have been half a million pounds' worth of it, Jim guessed, in
that one chest alone--and there were nine others! The two men then
opened a second box, at random, and this chest contained all manner of
gold and silver ornaments, of the most exquisitely delicate and
intricate workmanship. Cups, necklaces, finger-rings, clasps, sword-
hilts, and breast-plates, the latter studded with rough, uncut jewels of
enormous size, filled the chest to the very brim, and took away Jim's
breath with the magnificence and lavish abundance of it all. The other
cases were each opened in turn, disclosing to their astounded eyes the
veritable treasure of the Incas; and Jim immediately saw that the
removal of such a vast accumulation of wealth must necessarily occupy a
considerable time, and that the treasure would have to be conveyed away
piecemeal on mule-back. He therefore selected from the hoard of uncut
jewels as many of the finest as he believed that he and Jose could
conveniently carry, wrapped them up in two parcels, and, giving one to
Jose to carry, took charge of the other himself. This done, the two men
closed up the chests and left the cavern, returning to the spot where
they had camped on the previous nigh. During the long silent hours
while Jose was asleep, Jim kept guard over the spoil which he had
already secured, and made plans for removing the rest of the treasure.
He decided to dispose of the whole of the jewels--or, rather, as many of
them as he might find necessary--and with the money thus obtained fit
out an expedition to the cavern, to bring away the remainder of the
spoil; but while he was wondering how