minute
scales of dull, ruddy yellow metal, which proved to be virgin gold.
These scales were not only sewn on to the material, but were also sewn
to each other; and it was due to this latter fact, no doubt, that the
garment had not powdered away long ago. The eyes of the idol consisted
of two large green polished stones which looked so much like emeralds--
which indeed they were--that, Vilcamapata offering no objection, the two
young Englishmen determined to appropriate them, as well as the gold
scales; with the result that they left the figure denuded of all its
finery, and, from an artistic point of view at least, far more worthy of
admiration than it was before.

They spent quite two hours in this wonderful cavern, and when at length
they emerged into daylight once more they found that already a whole
army of vultures had gathered about the carcass of the strange monstrous
beast, and were busily engaged in devouring the malodorous flesh. The
trio made a wide circuit so as not to disturb the obscene birds at their
disgusting banquet, and in due time found their way back again to their
camp, where, after a hearty meal, they set to work in earnest upon the
construction of their canoe.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

HOW THE TWO ADVENTURERS LOST THEIR COMPANION.

To hew and hollow a canoe out of a solid tree trunk is a sufficiently
formidable task for two men to undertake when they possess no more
suitable tools than their hangers--the hanger being a weapon very
similar to the more modern cutlass; and although the two Englishmen had
already done a similar piece of work once before, and were therefore not
altogether lacking in experience; and although Vilcamapata taught them
how to hollow out the hull expeditiously, after it was properly shaped,
by the use of fire, it cost Phil and Dick very nearly a month's
strenuous labour to get their new craft to their liking. But when she
was finished she was a very good canoe, indeed, much more shapely than
those made by the Indians, and her hull was so thin that, although she
measured about eighteen feet long over all by four feet beam, she was
light enough to be carried easily a distance of two or three miles, if
need be, by the two Englishmen, Vilcamapata being too old and feeble to
be capable of lending assistance in work of that sort.

But at length the work was finished, the craft was taken down to the
river, put in the water, and found to float true, and as buoyantly as an
egg