clumps of trees, while others appeared to be covered with
handsome buildings. But that was only a part of the wonder! At the far
end of the lake he could distinctly see--so exquisitely clear and
transparent was that crystalline atmosphere--the general outline and
formation of a large and doubtless populous town built on the margin of
the lake, his attention being at once attracted to it by the strong
flash and gleam of the sun upon several of the roofs of the buildings,
which had all the appearance of being covered with sheets of gold! From
this city broad white roads shaded by handsome trees ran right round the
margin of the lake, and for a mile or two on either side of the city,
glimpses could be had of detached buildings embosomed in spacious
gardens, forming a kind of suburb of the city; while the entire
remainder of the valley, and the sides of the hills for a distance of
about one-third of their height, were entirely laid out as orchards,
pasture, and cultivated land, the appearance of the whole strongly
suggesting that the utmost had been made of every inch of available
space.

As Escombe stood gazing, enraptured at the surpassing beauty of the
panorama thus spread out before him, the sound of approaching footsteps
reached his ear, and, turning round, he beheld Arima entering the room.
The Indian made the profound obeisance usual with him upon entering
Harry's presence, and enquired:

"Is it the will of my Lord that he now bathe, dress, and partake of
breakfast?"

"Yes, by all means," answered Harry, "for I have somehow managed to
oversleep myself again, and am ravenously hungry. But, Arima, what
means this? How do I come to be here? And what town is that which I
see yonder at the far end of the lake?"

"As my Lord has truly said, he slept long this morning, being doubtless
greatly fatigued with the toilsome journey of yesterday," answered Arima
smoothly, with another profound bow. "Therefore, when the hour arrived
to break camp and resume our march it was Tiahuana's order that my Lord
should not be disturbed, but should be allowed to sleep on and take a
full measure of rest; and therefore was my Lord brought hither to this
house, there to sojourn and recruit himself after the fatigues and
hardships of his long journey, while Tiahuana went forward to the City
of the Sun--which my Lord sees yonder at the head of the valley--to
acquaint the Council with the success of our expedition, and to make the
nec