eaching the mummies, and he
overcame the difficulty by dropping a charge of dynamite which blew an
opening with sufficient force to have given the dried up Incas a
headache had they been sensible of feeling. He found many stone idols,
specimens of pottery, bracelets, anklets, chains and other ornaments
fashioned out of gold and silver and of strange designs.

Several days passed while exploring the mysterious tombs in the daylight
and watching for a chance to place a torpedo at night, when it was
discovered that the cruiser they were after had hauled off; so the
necessity of their staying there being removed, the sloop was headed
for Chorrilos. From the latter city they made short runs among the
islands in that neighborhood. While on those trips, they frequently
passed an island on one of the ledges of which, they often saw a
monster sea lion--the largest among the thousands in that locality. One
of his crew assured Paul that that lion was known to all the fisherman
and was remarkably cunning. Boyton at once made up his mind to capture
the brute. With that purpose in view, he ran the sloop for several days
to a point behind the island near the big lion's resting place, in
order to get him accustomed to their presence. He was always found
occupying the same ledge of rock, surrounded by smaller lions. For the
first two or three days, when the sloop approached, the monster would
rise on his flippers, bellow and dive off into the sea. Following his
plans, Boyton made no attempt to molest him; but brought the sloop
close under the island where the men would either sleep or spend their
time at fishing. In a few days the lion became so accustomed to the
sloop, that instead of diving he would lay on the rock and watch
curiously. If he did go off, he returned again after satisfying his
hunger. When it was thought he had lost all fear of them, Paul gave
orders to the men one morning to stand by with carbines ready to fire
as soon as the word was given. Sail was lowered and the sloop allowed to
drift in as close as the monster would permit. As soon as he raised his
great head and showed signs of uneasiness, the man forward let go the
anchor and the crew pretended to busy themselves about the deck
without regarding his presence. For a few moments he hung his ponderous
body from side to side and settled down to sleep again. He was not
disturbed for an hour or more and then Paul ordered his men to g