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Rh had never heard of the existence of these supposed monuments of antiquity. The Doctor was sceptical; but experience had taught the explorer that more was often to be gathered from the traditional lore of the barefooted people of the country than from the black-robed priests, and he was obstinate in his determination to visit the spot, and thoroughly explore its hidden treasures.

It was late in the afternoon when they started, but in less than an hour they leaped ashore upon the island. It was one of the "out-liers" of the labyrinth of small islands which internal fires had long ago thrust up from the depths of the lake around the base of a great volcano; and its shores were lined with immense rocks, black and blistered with the terrible heat which accompanied the ancient disruptions of which they were the evidence. In some places they were found piled up in rough and frowning heaps, scarce hidden by the luxuriant vines which nature trailed over them. In the island these rocks constituted a semicircular ridge, and nearly inclosed a level space of rich soil, a kind of amphitheatre, commanding a magnificent prospect. Upon a little elevation within this natural temple, they soon found an abandoned cane-hut, almost hidden by a forest of luxuriant plantains, which covered the entire area with a dense shadow, here and there pierced by a ray of sunlight, falling like molten gold through narrow openings in the leafy roof.

No sooner had the party landed than their men dispersed themselves in search of monuments, and they followed. They were not long in suspense; a shout of "Here, here," from the Doctor's man, announced that