Ned was standing on top of the short filled-in portion of the chasm.
"Look!" he exclaimed, suddenly interrupting his friend. "These stones are steps, and, they are worn!"
CHAPTER XXVII
THE TURQUOISE TEMPLE DISCOVERED
In another moment he had sprung forward and was quickly descending into the narrow, dark pit, with Alan close behind. A cave-like smell and a rapidly, cooling air greeted them. They were soon in almost complete darkness. When the walls had narrowed to but a few feet, a thin ribbon of blue sky was all that could be seen above.
The steps had come to an end. An ascending elevation began just in front of them. This they made out by the light of a match, which flickered uncertainly in the bad air. Bats dashed against the walls and every movement was followed by a cloud of dust.
"Do you feel anything?" suddenly exclaimed Alan. "Seems to me like a current of air on my feet."
Ned lit another match.
Before them they again made out an ascending slant such as they had come down. But the base of it was hollowed out in the form of a small cave. As the light went out both boys stooped to look further into this opening.