ard. We must not
run risks and lose all."

"That's wisdom, Sir Humphrey, and I've no more to say. Keep on lowering
down, my lads, while we go back. Oh, dear, I wish we hadn't burned all
that green stuff that hid the door."

"It will soon shoot out and grow again," said Brace; "but we must come
back for another load."

They went back into the temple to take a look round, lanthorn in hand,
and then had literally to drag themselves away from the sight of the
vast treasure they were compelled to leave behind.

"It's of no use," said Brace. "Come along. The more we look the more
unwilling we shall be to leave."

"I feel as if I can't leave it. I must stop and take care of the rest,
even if I stay alone," said Briscoe.

"No," said Brace; "that would be folly. It will be safe enough till we
return."

"But look here: suppose we build a raft, and load that? We could tow it
down with the boats."

"Yes," said Brace, "and end by upsetting it and sending all to the
bottom."

"Look here," said Sir Humphrey: "I am going to set you both a good
example."

He hurried out into the light, while after another glance round Briscoe
said slowly:

"Yes, a raft would end by shooting it all off into the river. Let's
make sure of what we've got."

And, rushing out, he set steadily to work helping to get the objects
still waiting down to the boat, and then he was the first to lead the
way and mount from terrace to terrace to the slope and by the way to the
great tank, where the water was making a strange reverberating sound.

"That noise is enough to keep the Indians away," he said to Brace, as he
paused with him till all the men had passed. "It's as good as a safe."

When all were down, the L-shaped entrance was carefully blocked with
stones and covered with rubbish, earth, and growing plants, so that
there was no sign of the place having been disturbed, and by that time
the boats were back at their moorings, with the captain shaking his head
at them.

"More than we ought to take," he said; "but we'll risk it, and hope for
fine weather. Now, gentlemen, as we've made our fortunes, let's have
the good dinner Dan has got ready for us, and then I say: all traps
aboard and down stream for the brig."

"Ready to come up again for another load," said Briscoe.

"Well," said the captain slowly, "if we can."

The dinner was eaten, and various cooking-articles were replaced in the
boat.

"Now then," said the captain; "all