Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-05-17
CHAPTER xI1 lcontInued.l


tinel that in all these decades, while
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.
1t 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-
ment relates. The old Indian did not
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
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 a long slab, forming a Intel
over the top of door. Upon digging
the doorway was uncovered and was
found to be blocked by huge metate
or native milestone. Carved across it's
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
shrouds and in attitudes of prayer,
were on the walls. Niches in the
crypt contained a number of skulls,
and other bones comprising parts of
skeletons were scattered about. These
were all painted a bright red. Red,
it may be remarked, was the mourning
color of the Aztecs.
There were numbers of idols in the
cave, doubtless looked upon as ex-
ceedingly chaste in these olden times,
but their supreme ugliness gave Jack
a rude shock when his artistic eye
first fell upon them.
However their faults, while many
from this point of view, could be read
lily 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 it was gold un-
alloyed.
This was glorious-still, it was only
a beginning.
With trembling fingers they picked
up many of the less weighty images
and vases.
by ueBEceS lue IWO men uldHdS6Q u
recover their wits and calm down,
when they set about a 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 a vast
treasure been heaped up in one pile.
1t was like a dream-Overton in his
widest moods, when fancy ran away
with reason, had never imagined so
marvellous a thing.
Finally Barrajo said: Remember
our sacred compact, Senor Jack-an
equal division if 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 bequests
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 l deal with
you"
They solemnly shook hands as if
to again ratify the bargain.
Barrajo and Jack had as yet no sus-