ing in agony, not to rise again.

Just in time I saw that one of the remaining three had lifted himself
in the water not five feet away, with his spear aimed at my breast.
But the poor devil had no purchase for his feet and the thing went wide.

The next instant he had received a ten-pound stone full in the face and
went down with a gurgle. At that the remaining two, seeming to acquire
a glimmering of intelligence, turned and swam hastily away. I let them
go.

Turning to Harry, I saw that the crevice also was clear. He had left
his post and started toward me, but I waved him back.

"All right here, Hal: have they given it up?"

There was an expression of the most profound disgust on his face.

"Paul, it's rank butchery. I'm wading in blood. Will this thing never
stop?"

I looked at him and said merely: "Yes."

No need to ask when; he understood me; he sent me the glance of a man
who has become too familiar with death to fear it, and answered:

"Another hour of this, and--I'm ready."

I told him to keep an eye on both points of attack and went across to
where Desiree sat crouched on the ground. I hadn't many words.

"How is your foot?"

"Oh, it is better; well. But your leg--"

"Never mind that. Could you sleep?"

"Bon Dieu--no!"

"We have only raw fish. Can you eat?"

"I'll try," she answered, with a grimace.

I went to the edge of the ledge where we had the fish stowed away near
the water and took some of it both to her and Harry. We ate, but with
little relish. The stuff did not seem very fresh.

I remained on guard at the mouth of the crevice while Harry went to the
lake for a drink, having first helped Desiree to the water and back to
her seat. Her foot gave her a great deal of pain, but instead of a
sprain it appeared that there had been merely a straining of the
ligaments. After bathing it in the cold water she was considerably
relieved.

I remained on watch at the mouth of the crevice, from where I could
also obtain a pretty fair view of the lake, and commanded Harry to
rest. He demurred, but I insisted. Within two minutes he was sleeping
like a log, completely exhausted.

Several hundred of the Incas remained huddled together on the ledge
without, but they made no effort to attack us. I had been watching
perhaps three hours when they began to melt away into the passage.
Soon but a scant dozen or so remained. These squatted along the wall
just under the lighted urns, evi