As the ship sailed slowly over the mountain, Mark gazed down and exclaimed:
“Doesn’t that look like the ruins of some building?”
The professor took a pair of field glasses from a rack in the wall and took a long view.
“It must be the place,” he said in a low voice.
“What place?” asked Jack.
“The temple of treasure,” was the answer. “Hankos told me it was on top of the highest mountain in the land, and this must be it, for it is the loftiest place we have seen. But we must be careful, for there is danger down there.”
“What kind?” asked Mark.
“The place was long ago deserted by the giants,” Mr. Henderson went on. “Ages ago it was one of their storehouses for treasure, but there were wars among themselves, Hankos said, and this part of the country was laid waste. Savage beasts took up their abode in the temple, and since then, in spite of the great size of the giants, they have not dared to venture here. If we brave the animals we may have all the gold and diamonds we can take away.”
“Then for one, I’m willin’ t’ go down an’ begin th’ extermination at once,” put in Andy. “I’ve always wanted t’ be rich.”
“We must proceed cautiously,” the professor said. “We are ill prepared to fight any such beasts as we saw at the big geyser. At the same time they may have deserted this place. I think we will lower the ship down over the temple, and spend several hours in observation. Then, if nothing develops, we can enter and see if the treasure is there.”