That means no water, of course. Mountains under these stars.
Plenty of 'em too. More desert, and then three stars set triangle
fashion about what looks like a square box with some one's name on it."

"No," cried both boys together; "it's `temple.'"

"So it is, boys," cried Griggs, "and these dots all round it--I mean all
square about it, must mean the city walls. Well, that's clear enough."

"Look there," cried Chris.

"Yes, I'm looking," said Griggs. "What is it?"

"That big W," said Chris. "That must mean water or well."

"Very likely, my boy," said the doctor.

"And these square bits must mean houses, I s'pose," continued Griggs.
"Well, it's a prettily-done, careful sort of map, made under
difficulties. Mountains here and mountains there, and all the rest
desert. But he means whoever uses the map to go straight for the place,
by sticking in all these little arrows right away from the north-east
corner across the desert to the temple."

"Yes, that's the way to go, plainly enough," cried Bourne.

"That's what I thought, neighbour."

"Well, then, what are you finding fault about?" cried Wilton sharply.
"You talk as if you despised it."

"Oh no, not I, squire. It's a very pretty little map, and took the poor
chap a long time to do; but it seems to me that it's no good at all."

"I don't understand you," said Wilton sharply. "Look here, he gives a
starting-place marked with a big dot, and the little arrows go right
across to the three mountains and the temple."

"That is how he described it to me," said the doctor.

"Just so, sir. That's how I understand it, neighbours; but what then?"

"Why, of course!" came in chorus, as every one at the table grasped the
hitch that the American had seen.

"Ah, you all hit it now," said Griggs, laughing.

"I think I understand what you mean," said the doctor thoughtfully.

"So do I," came in chorus, and then Bourne said quickly--

"Suppose you speak out and say what you mean, Lee."

"It seems to me," said the doctor gravely, "that though this chart has
been prepared so carefully, and points out the trend of the deserts and
mountains, and also where the gold-hills, the city, and the temple
stand, while the points of the compass are shown as well, it might be a
chart of any part of the country, a mere patch, or a territory of great
extent."

"That's so, doctor," interposed Griggs; "but you haven't quite hit it
yet."

"No, but I was coming to your point