“Wha’ am de word. Marse Frank?” asked Pomp, eagerly.
“Move!” replied Frank. “We shall go ahead, and I believe important discoveries are near at hand.”
CHAPTER V.
THE RUINED CITY.
All received this word with a cry of joy.
In a few moments the Scorcher was descending to the next plateau. Here a revelation was accorded the adventurers as Frank had promised.
For there, just beyond the fringe of trees, was indeed visible quite plainly the white ruins of a town.
It was surrounded by a demolished wall of stone, resembling marble. All about this were trees of a pomegranate and mulberry type or species. It was plain that great gardens had once surrounded the town.
The buildings were all shattered and riven, as if by the force of an earthquake or a bombardment. It was evil dent that the city was destroyed by some force as yet unknown.
And the inhabitants—were they destroyed also?
With great interest and powerful curiosity the voyagers watched the ruined city as they drew nearer to it.