e heaviest stones near him, and after a gentle swing
let it go, to fall with a sharp crack upon other stones, making the
snake twine again and writhe round the block, to hold on tightly.

"Why, he has pinned it down," cried Chris. "Good aim."

As he spoke the snake untwined itself and straightened out, to lie
perfectly still.

"That's done for him," cried Griggs, "and if there had been any more
that would have sent them squirming out of their holes. Here, you come
down, squire. I'm going to knot two lariats together and pass them over
one of these steps. I want you to help hold on."

Ned descended, the rope was given a couple of turns round the lowest
projection, and held by the two boys; the lanthorn was lowered down to
stand on the heap of dust below, and the end of the rope by which it was
lowered also held by Chris, while upon drawing his keen hunting-knife
and taking it in his teeth, Griggs just said, "Hold tight," took hold of
the lowered rope, and slid lightly down, to stand below the watchers on
the heap.

"Mind the snake, Griggs," cried Chris.

"Tell him he'd better mind," was the reply, as the American raised the
lanthorn and, knife in hand, approached the reptile cautiously, and then
the lookers-on saw him stoop lower and lower till he was near enough for
his purpose, when there was a quick movement, a flash of light reflected
from the knife-blade, and Griggs rose again.

"You've pinned him down with that last stone, squire. Head's off, and
he'll do no more mischief. Now then, I'm going to look for your weapons
o' war."

The boys could see the bottom of the square place clear enough now, as
the lanthorn began to move about; but there was little to see. Upon
this side lay the heap of ashes specked with a few fragments of bone
which glistened feebly in the light, but beyond the heap which ran
tongue-like from the side out to the centre, there was nothing to be
seen but stones--heavy stones such as remained like the broken-down
portions of the breastwork about the edges of the excavations at the
top.

"Can't see no treasures," said Griggs gruffly; and directly after,
"There aren't a single shield--no spears--no swords--no breast-plates--
no rifles."

"Dear me!" said Chris sarcastically. "I wonder at that. How many
revolvers can you see?"

"Nary one," said Griggs coolly. "No gauntlets, no backpieces."

Then there was a pause, before the searcher straightened himself up and
said decisivel