“Impossible!” said Brace, in an awe-stricken whisper.
“’Tisn’t, lad. Look now the light’s stronger. That squatting figure with the thing like a rayed shield over his breast isn’t only stone, for I’d bet my last dollar that the shield’s a golden sun.”
“Well?” cried the captain; “found anything?”
“Oh, yes,” said Brace, trying to speak calmly; “this is an altar, sure enough.”
“Well, I’d give it up for to-day. Come out, Brace,” cried Sir Humphrey, “and we’ll examine the place carefully to-morrow when the fire has burned out and the air is breathable. I think we shall be able to take back something curious for our pains.”
“Not a doubt about it,” said Briscoe cheerily. “Yes; we’ve had enough of it for to-day, and I want something to take the smoke and dust out of my throat. Come along, Brace. Hist,” he whispered: “not a word till we get them away from the men.”
“I understand,” said Brace.
A few minutes afterwards the whole party were out on the terrace, shouting down explanations to Dellow and the men, who on seeing the smoke rising had taken to the small boat and rowed to the foot of the great wall.
“Found anything worth getting?” shouted the mate.
“Well, yes: I suppose so,” cried the captain. “It’s a big temple full of stone idols. We shall have to take a boat-load back for the British Museum.”