At last the huge piles of rubble and débris that testified to the work of the diggers apprized them of the approach to the most wonderful cemetery on earth.
A more desolate spot it would be hard to imagine. There was not the slightest trace of vegetation, not a tree, not a flower, not a blade of grass. The birds avoided it, and the only trace of animal life was found in the bats that haunted the tombs in myriads.
But there was plenty of human life in evidence, men guarding the tombs and scores of others digging in the foothills that rose until they were lost in the mountainous cliffs that rimmed the valley.
The searching party passed the wonderful temple of Queen Hatshepsut, with its rows of pillars standing like sentinels against the dark mountain masses beyond. Soon they were at the tomb of Tut-ankh-Amen, the most remarkable discovery of its kind in modern times.
Don had already heard of the romantic history of that discovery, how the hidden site had been passed over again and again, how for over sixteen years Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter had toiled among those dreary wastes, and how at last, when hope had almost been abandoned, the stubbing of a toe had revealed a step that led down into the tomb that proved a veritable treasure trove which threw all previous discoveries in the shade.
Now, with his companions, he gazed with fascinated interest on the many treasures that still remained, though most of them had been packed and sent to Cairo for safe keeping. They penetrated into the inner shrine and had a mere glimpse of the sarcophagus, at that time still unopened, that was believed to contain the mummy of the monarch who once reigned supreme over Upper and Lower Egypt.
“Think what it must have meant,” said the professor, who of all the party, with the possible exception of Phalos, most fully grasped the stupendous importance of the discovery, “when after all those years of strenuous toil and bitter disappointment, the discoverers penetrated into the outer chamber of the tomb.
“Their eyes were fairly dazzled by the wealth revealed to them. Its money value could be counted in millions, but it was not of this they were chiefly thinking. There were beautifully carved beds inlaid with ivory and semi-precious stones, golden sandals, chariots encrusted with gold and jewels, statues holding golden maces, chairs of ebony and ivory vases of alabaster and scores of other treasures so rich as to be almost unbelievable.
“Then there was a multitude of other things, which, while not so intrinsically valuable, were of immense importance in showing the life and customs of ancient Egypt—musical instruments, toys, clothes and robes for all occasions. There were rolls of papyri, which are expected, when deciphered, to add enormously to our knowledge of the times of the Pharaohs. And there were provisions for the dead on the last journey, trussed ducks, haunches of venison, all packed in the boxes where they were laid away by the royal chef, thirty-three centuries ago.”
Teddy nudged Don.