, we both uttered cries of
amazement. The sight that met our gaze was bewildering.

From the package there rolled out into the dust a profusion of
magnificent glittering jewels.

"Ah! What diamonds!" Liola cried, with admiration for the iridescent
stones that was particularly feminine. Then, picking up a splendid
bracelet and slipping it upon her wrist, she added, "Look! Isn't this
marvellous? The gems are larger than I have ever before seen."

"Beautiful!" I cried gleefully, for by sheer good fortune we had
discovered Samory's hidden treasure, and I reflected that our conquest
would be rendered absolutely complete by its removal in triumph to Mo.

After a cursory examination of the first pack we together undid them one
after another, eagerly investigating their glistening contents, and
finding them to consist of a collection of the most wonderful and
valuable precious stones it was possible to conceive. There were a few
heavy gold ornaments of antique pattern, but in most of them jewels were
set, and those only of the most antique and magnificent character. Every
known gem was there represented by specimens larger, and of far purer
water, than my eyes had ever before beheld. Upon her knees, Liola, with a
cry of pleasure, plunged both hands into the glittering heap of jewels,
drawing out one after another and holding them up to the glimmering
light, her bright eyes full of admiration. The examination of nearly
forty great packages took us a long time, but so fascinating proved our
task that we were heedless of how the hours sped in our determination to
ascertain the true extent of our discovery.

While still upon her knees I had opened almost the last package and
spread it before her, when, with a sudden ejaculation she withdrew a
magnificent necklet of emeralds of huge size in quaint ancient settings,
and with a gay laugh held it up to me for a moment, then clasped it about
her own white neck. In the centre hung a pendant consisting of a single
emerald of enormous size and brilliant lustre, and as I regarded it in
the half light, its shape struck me as distinctly curious. I snatched up
the lamp, and bending, examined the quaintly-cut gem more minutely. Then,
next instant, I cried excitedly:

"See! The shape of the pendant proves the origin of the necklet!"

With a quick movement she tore it off and looked. Then, in amazement, she
gasped:

"It is a representation of Zomara, our god!"

We both scrutinized it cl