d then perhaps it might be well for part of us to stop while the
others take down the first part."

"The captain is right," said Sir Humphrey: "we'll settle that
afterwards: perhaps there is no more than we can take in one journey."

This was put to the proof the next morning, when the men, having cheered
till they were hoarse at the wondrous news, the party divided: one
portion to make their way to the temple, the other to moor the two boats
conveniently under the wall below, the captain and Dellow taking the
latter duty, with a couple of men to stow, while as soon as Brace,
Briscoe, Lynton, and the rest of the men appeared on the lower terrace
communication was made with a block pulley and ropes ready for lowering
the treasure, a couple of stout biscuit bags being taken from the stores
for sending up and down.

Brace led the way into the temple, his heart throbbing with eagerness;
and, lights having been set up in convenient spots, the threatening
aspect of the inanimate guardians of the treasure was soon forgotten,
and all set to work to sweep the dust from the ornaments upon the altar,
and then to carry them out into the broad sunshine ready for lowering
down.

A feeling of astonishment attacked Brace as he worked hard, and hardly a
word was spoken, everyone busying himself and toiling as if there was
not a moment to spare, and a whisper might bring someone to stop them
from carrying the treasure away.

It was wonderful indeed, for after the thick coating of dust had been
shaken off they found that they were handling roughly-formed lamps,
figures of gods with benevolent features, those of savage and
malignant-looking demons--in fact, what seemed to be the whole pantheon
of the idols who might be supposed to preside over the good qualities
and evil thoughts of mankind.

Most of them had been roughly cast in moulds and left untouched; but
others had been hammered and chiselled with an archaic idea of art that
was surprising.

Then there were ornaments which obviously suggested leaves and twining
vines, with rayed flowers sufficiently well executed to show that they
had been copied from such as the finders had seen growing on the ledges
of the canon.

But unmistakeably all were of rich solid pale gold, bronzed and ruddy in
places with the action of fire, and, setting aside their value as
antique works of art, representing a cash value as gold that was almost
startling.

Every now and then a figure was attac