‪“Jupiter!” exclaimed Buckden, ‪“but that gave me a start.”

‪“I must confess to the same,” said Frank, with a smile.

“It is a clever imitation of a dragon, isn’t it?”

‪“Indeed, it is.”

Both adventurers now advanced and began to examine the monster critically.

It was a wonderful bit of workmanship in very truth.

‪“Indeed!” exclaimed Buckden, ‪“I doubt if our sculptors of the present day could ever equal this.”

‪“I do not think they could surpass it much.”

‪“It certainly attests that the ancient inhabitants of Mazendla were a remarkably talented people.”

‪“Right you are.”