Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-05-16

tinel that In all these decades, Whiie
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.
II was not long before the descend.
Ing pick struck metal. and presently
Jack, shovel In hand. had cleared n
slab that had dull lustre not unlike
bronze.
Barrajo danced what. In another
quarter of the world. might have been
pipe.
"Por Dios! II is Just us 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
tho 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 Montcxumas was n
,,n.t x0ataatun snunI IN nyartnn
They had come upon the expedition
fully prepared for all emergencies. and
the gloomy depths of the yawnins pit
below had no tcrrors for such brave
hearts. so. taking pick and spade. they
began to descend.
Al the bottom OF the stairway they
came TO n long slab. forming Intel
over the top of door. Upon digging
tho doorway was uncovered and was
found to be blocked by n huge meiate
or native milestone. Carved across Its
entire surface were inscriptions in the
hicro.lyphica of n civilized race.
As soon as the doorway had bcon cut
through the two adventurous treasure
hunters entered the chamber OF the
tcmpic-tomb. Mural paintings. repre-
scn,in. female figures draped In
shroudh and In attitudes OF prayer.
were on the walls. Niehcs In the
crypt contained number Of skulls.
and other bones comprising parts OF
skeletons were scattered about. These
were all painted a bright red. Red.
IL may be remarked. was the mourning
color OF the Astccs.
There were numbers Of idols In tho
cave. doubtless looked upon as cx-
eccainsiy ehsato in these oidsn times.
but their supreme usiincss gave Jack
a rude shock when his artistic eye
frst fell upon them.
However their faults. while many
from this point of view. could be read
lily condoncd when the fac, was taken
into consideration that each and every
ono Of the little monsters seemed TO
have been fashioned from crude metal.
and even ovcFton'a inexperienced eye
~as able TO. tell tina, 1, was gold un-
siioycd.
This was siorisus-s,iii. II was only
a beginning.
with trembling fingers they picked
up many of the less wcigh,y images
and vases.
by degrees the two men managed to
recover their wits and calm down.
when they sc, about rough estimate
of the value of their end.
Oyer,ou was faIn to agree with the
general when the latter esul,antiy CT
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 hcapcd up In one pile.
4, was like drcam-ovcrton in his
wiidcs, moods. when fancy ran away
with reason. had never imagined SO
marvellous a thing.
Finally Barrajo said: Remember
our sacred compact. Senior Iack-an
equal division II we both live: should
misfortune ovcrtakc US while We are
in the act of removing the treasure.
the one who survives Is entitled to all.
after he has settled a few belucsts
We have taken the pains TO write
Jointly. Is this go unders,ood7'
1T is in the bond general: and may
heaven deal with me as I deal with
you
They solemnly shook hands as II
to asain ratify the bargain.
Barraio and Jack had as yet no sus.
picion that they were followed from
San Juan. and. eager to begin opera
tions. the two comrades had each
seized upon several images that were
mos, handy and began 10 lug the un-
resisting csptives toward the exit.
Barrajo aacended the steps first and
Jack handed up the booty. raising the
temple images one by one. while the
generalpiled them outsideon the grass
beside the overthrovn silver sentry.
Jack had handed up the last of their
burden. and. still Easping for breath.
crsvled up the steps himself. anxious
to again breathe the pure atmosphere
without. after having his eyes and nose
and mouth ciogged with the fine dust
i of ages.
Just as he reached the top a hand
clutched his shoulder. and Barrajo's
husky voice whispered into his ear:
"Hushl Do not move-caramba! I
could swear saw figure fit through
yonder stretch of bright moonlight"
| "Ahi that means"
I'VE have been followed"
"fn spite of our great caution"
1 L.. ,.t,~