see what you find, and," he
added laughingly, "put all the gold you discover in one of my pockets."

The doctor, full of eagerness, set out what was to be done, appointing
each man his duty, digging, cutting away undergrowth, and basketing off
the loose, stony rubbish that was turned over, a couple of stout, strong
creels having been made by the two keepers. And very soon, and long
before the sun was peering down over the wall, to fully light up the
great interior where excavating had commenced, the two boys were busy
under the doctor's instructions turning over and examining the rubbish
that was carried away to form the commencement of a convenient heap.

As this was begun Mak, who had stopped back for a little while to make
another addition to his breakfast, came up with the pigmy, when they
both selected the spot where they could squat upon the big wall and look
down, very serious of aspect, at what was being done.

"We ought to make some discoveries here," said the doctor, rubbing his
hands. "This wall is very, very old."

"Think so?" said Sir James.

"I am sure so, sir. You see, no cement has been used."

"So I see," said Sir James, "but I shouldn't attach anything to that.
Why, we have plenty of walls built up of loose stones at home. Don't
you remember those in Wales, boys?"

"Yes, uncle, and in Cornwall too," said Dean.

"Not such a wall as this," said the doctor, with a satisfied smile. "I
feel perfectly sure that this goes back to a very early period of
civilisation. Now, my lads, we are pretty clear so far as the trees and
bushes go. Keep your shovels at work."

"Ay, ay, sir," cried Dan. "Here, I'll have first go, messmate. I'll
fill the basket, you'll carry out." Buck nodded, and directly after the
two men were hard at work, while whenever the sailor's spade, which he
dubbed shovel, came in contact with a big loose stone, one or other of
the keepers pounced upon it and bore it to the heap of earth and rubbish
that began to grow where Buck emptied his basket.

"Farther away; farther away," said the doctor. "What for, sir?" asked
Dean.

"Go on, Dean," cried Mark. "Can't you see that if they make a big heap
close to, it may come crumbling down again and Dan will get covered in?"

The sailor chuckled, and threw a shovelful of rubbish, purposely missing
the basket and depositing the well aimed beginnings of the hole he was
digging upon Dean's feet.

"Oh, I beg your pardon, sir!" he cri