as moved profoundly by thoughts of what I could do for the advancement
of science had I practically limitless wealth at my command. And
especially was I thrilled by the thought of the magnificent form in
which my own magnificent discoveries could be given to the world.
Compared with my _Pre-Columbian Conditions on the Continent of North
America_, Lord Kingsborough's great work, both in form and in substance,
would sink into hopeless insignificance. And in all that I said of the
vastness of the hidden treasure I felt certain that I was keeping well
within the bounds of truth, for I had the positive assurance that in the
Aztec treasure-house in that hidden valley the ransom of a nation was
stored.

"Will you go with us?" I asked, when I had brought my glowing
description to an end.

"Well, I should smile, Professor," was Young's characteristic answer.

"You can count me in now, and no mistake!" said Rayburn, and added, "By
Jove, Palgrave, I mean to take a part of my share and buy the whole of
Cape Cod!"

And so the make-up of our party was decided upon. Fray Antonio joined it
for the love of God; I joined it for the love of science; and Young and
Rayburn joined it for the love of gold. In regard to the boy Pablo, he
could not strictly be said to have joined it at all. He simply went
along.

VI.

THE KING'S SYMBOL.

Fray Antonio was well pleased when I told him of the stout contingent
that I had secured; and when he had seen Rayburn and Young, and had
talked with them--though his talk with Young did not amount to much, for
Young's Spanish was abominable--he was as thoroughly satisfied as I was
that for our purposes we could not possibly have found two better men.

In the course of this conference we made short work of our preparations
for departure. Rayburn's experience in fitting out engineering parties
had given him precisely the knowledge required for putting our own
little party promptly and effectively in the field; and in this matter,
and in all practical matters connected with the expedition, he took the
lead. He and Young already possessed the regulation frontier outfit of
arms--a Winchester rifle and a big revolver--which they increased by
another big revolver apiece; and I armed myself similarly with a pair of
revolvers and a Winchester: concerning the use that I should make of
which, in case need for using them arose, I had very grave doubts
indeed. Fray Antonio declined to carry any arms at al