It was unquestionably a temple.
In front of them was a broad dais of stone. Upon this there rested a gigantic and grotesque image. It was plainly an idol.
The ancient inhabitants of the sunken city were then idolators. This fact was settled.
The idol was fully fifteen feet in height, and in shape was a cross between a sphynx and satyr. Its eyes were of some brilliant stone.
Around the temple were other idols of various sizes. Each had its dais, and there were the worn hollows in the stone made by the knees of kneeling thousands.
Frank placed his helmet close to Wade’s and shouted:
“Is this discovery of value to you?”
“Much!” replied the scientist; “it establishes the fact of idolatry, and also that these people were much like the Aztecs and worshiped the same gods. There are the idols Quetzal and Quetzalcoatl. They are Aztec gods.”
“That is certainly a great point,” replied Frank. “Yonder I can see some hieroglyphics on a stone. Is it possible to read them?”
“I am not familiar enough with Aztec cryptography,” said Wade. “I shall not attempt it.”