the side of a ravine,
at a spot about twenty miles north-eastward of Coroico, and the road
thither was a difficult and dangerous one to travel, consisting as it
did, for the most part, of a narrow path just wide enough for one man--
or a mule--to pass, and skirting the edge of tremendous abysses whose
bottoms could not be seen because of the mists which veiled them. Many
a time they came to portions of the cliff-path which were so narrow that
Jim thought it would be impossible to get any farther, but they managed
it somehow; the mules stepping along as though they had been used to
that kind of road all their lives, as, indeed, they very probably had.
For some hours the two treasure-seekers continued to ascend, the scenery
growing more and more gloomy, and the country more and more barren,
until, at mid-day, they reached the summit of the pass and began to
descend. Then the character of the scenery rapidly changed; they left
the region of bare rock and entered upon that of the forests, leaving
that in turn for the lower lands and the region of tropical foliage,
with deep ravines crossed by frail bridges made of rattan and light
branches.

It was just becoming dusk when Jose threw up his hand as a sign for the
little cavalcade to halt. He then took a careful look round him,
observing the formation and appearance of the surrounding country; then
he made a long and close scrutiny of the document, which they had, of
course, brought with them, and a frown of perplexity made its appearance
between Jose's eyes.

"What's the matter, _mi amigo_?" demanded Jim, noticing the look.

"Well, senor," replied Jose, "this paper says that from here one should
be able to see, close at hand, a large pinnacle of rock in the shape of
a pyramid. It is from that pinnacle that the bearings of the treasure-
cave are to be taken and--and I can see no such rock anywhere about
here."

"That is awkward," said Douglas. "Does the paper say whether it was a
big or small column of rock?"

"It says that it is about the height of two men, Excellency," replied
the Indian.

"Oh, then, we may very easily find it hidden away somewhere among this
thick brushwood," replied Jim. And sure enough, they found the rock,
after an hour's search, during which it had become almost dark,
completely covered with a thick growth of tropical foliage. They were
able to do nothing further that night, the light having completely gone
by the time that the rock was