gs.

To look at this collection of houses and temples very long at a time was
almost impossible because of the peculiar glare which the boys had
mistaken for the sun's rays.

It was caused by the reflection of the god of day on an edifice in the
center of the city, the dome-like roof of which was covered with a
burnished metal substance having the appearance of silver.

The adjoining buildings, composed of white stone having a softness as of
alabaster, threw this peculiar light in every direction, causing the
city to stand out amid the green foliage like a huge incandescent mass.

Each house stood in a square by itself, and, judging from the area of
the city one might have estimated the population at about fifteen
thousand. The streets were laid out with the utmost precision, and
composed of what appeared to be fine white sand, while at every
intersection were monuments of grotesque figures or animals.

At regular intervals were enormous white columns capped with the
glistening metal, the same as displayed on the dome of the principal
building and on many of the houses.

After taking in this wonderful picture as a whole the boys gazed at the
most prominent objects in turn, the central edifice occupying the
greater share of attention.

That this was a place of worship seemed reasonable to suppose because of
the crowds of people entering or departing from the opening formed by
lofty pillars of shimmering metal, and also because of the tiny threads
of smoke which arose from several apertures in the roof as if from altar
fires. To confirm the beholders in this belief the faint sound of sweet
music arose in the air, and instantly the throngs in the streets
prostrated themselves in adoration of some one of the statues.

The citizens were dressed in flowing garments of white, and all seemed
intent on worship which was prolonged until after the spectators left
the tree.

One singular fact was noted by Teddy, and he called Neal's attention to
it.

Neither on the surrounding hills nor in the city could a single animal
of any kind be seen. It was as if even the birds from the forest so
shaped their course as to avoid flying over the dazzling wonderful city
which was shut out from the rest of the world by the swamp wherein fever
lurked in its most horrible form.

How long the boys and Jake gazed at this marvelous picture neither of
them could ever say. They took no heed of the passage of time, and when
Cummings called