Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-04-03

CHAPTER XII tContinued0
Jacks hand trembled as he touched
tho halfbowed and duplicating SEN
the world was moving on, making
wonderful history, had remained here
in the dense jungle, guarding well the
secret of those strange people Of Aztec
times.
Jack estimated the value of the
statue at some thousands of pounds In
London. even at the present depreciat-
ed price Of silver.
But they were after higher game,
and could well afford to scornfully cast
this base bullion aside.
It was not long before the descend
ing pick struck metal. and presently
Jack, shovel in hand. had cleared a
slab that had dull lustre not unlike
bronze
Barrajo danced what, In another
quarter OF the world, might have been
termed an Irish Jig or Scottish horn.
pipe.
''Por Dios! 1t is Just as the docu-
deceive me. Come. lift the trap with
me- Senior Jack. See. stone steps lead
down to the ruins of the old Aztec
temple. Oh! l tell you, my president,
we are the luckiest men on the face Of
the earth, this night, since We have
but to stretch out our hands to clutch
fortune"
The Invitation to descend, given by
Barrajo, as the two fortune hunters
surveyed the ancient stone steps lead
ing to some mysterious subterranean
: depository of the Montezumas was a
most welcome sound to Overton.
They had come upon the expedition
fully prepared for all emergencies. and
the gloomy depths Of the yawning pit
below had no terrors for such brave
hearts, SO. taking pick and spade, they
began to descend.
At the bottom OF the stairway they
came to long slab. forming Intel
over the top of door. Upon digging
the doorway was uncovered and was
found to be blocked by a huge metate
or native milestone. Carved across its
entire surface were inscriptions in the
hieroglyphics of civilized race.
AS soon as the doorway had been cut
through the two adventurous treasure
hunters entered the chamber of the
temple-tomb. Mural paintings, repre-
senting female figures draped in
shroGds and in attitudes Of prayer,
were on the walls. inches In the
crypt contained number of skulls.
and other bones comprising parts of
skeletons were scattered about. These
were all painted bright red. Red.
color OF the Aztecs.
There were numbers of idols in the
cave, doubtless looked upon as ex-
rae&ingly chaste In these olden times,
but their supreme ugliness gave Jack
rude shock when his artistic eye
first fell upon them.
However their faults, while many
from this point Of view. could be read
fly condoned when the fact was taken
into consideration that each and every
one of the little monsters seemed to
have been fashioned from crude metal.
and even Overtons inexperienced eye
\ was able to tell that 1t was gold I'M
lalloyed.
NJ This was glorious-still. 1t was only
= beginning.
With trembling fingers they picked
up many of the less weighty images
and vases.
By degrees the two men managed to
recover their wits and calm down,
when they set about rough estimate
OF the value Of their find.
Overton was fain to agree with the
general when the latter exultantly ex-
claimed that in all probability never
before In the history Of the world,
from the days OF King Solomon down
to the present time. had such vast
treasure been heaped up In one pile.
It was like a dream-Overton In his
widest moods. when fancy ran away
with reason. had never imagined so
marvellous thing.
Finally Barrajo said: Remember
our sacred compact, Senior Jack-an
equal division II we both live; should
misfortune overtake us while we are
in the act OF removing the treasure,
the one who survives is entitled to all,
after he has settled few requests
we have taken the pains to write
Jointly. Is this so UNDERSTOOD"
ut is In the bond general; and may
heaven deal with me as | deal with
you"
They solemnly shook hands as II
to again ratify the bargain.
Barrajo and Jack had as yet no sus-
picion that they were followed from
San Juan. and, eager to begin opera
: lions, the two comrades had each
seized upon several images that were
most handy and began to lug the un-
resisting captives toward the exit.
Barrajo assembled the steps first and
Jack handed up the booty, raising the
temple images one by one. while the
generalpiled them outside on the grass
beside the overthrown silver sentry.
Jack had handed up the last of their
burden. and, still gasping for breath,
crawled up the steps himself. anxious
to again breathe the pure atmosphere
without after having his eyes and nose
and mouth clogged with the fine dust
of ages.
Just as he reached the top a hand
clutched his shoulder, and BARRACKS
husky voice whispered into his ear:
Hush! DO not move--caramba!
could swear / saw figure fit through
yonder stretch OF bright moonlight"
'tAh! that means
1--WE have been followed"
I'm spite OF our great caution"
Barrajo muttered few pet phrases
as though in this opening of the safe
ty valve he could allow the surplus