aving stripped the shrine of all its gold and ornaments,
levelled it with the ground. The interiors of the larger portion of the
houses were full of sand.

Having wandered about through this melancholy relic of the past with old
Surley at our heels, who in no way seemed to enter into our enthusiasm,
we turned to retrace our steps to where we had left our horses. We had
observed some figures at a distance among the ruins, but they seemed to
take no notice of us. Suddenly they disappeared. We found our guide
standing by our horses where we had left him. He seemed rather
agitated, but we could not make out what had happened, as we did not
understand a word of his language. When we mounted, he inquired of us
by signs whether we had got pistols. We showed him that we had not, or
arms of any sort. He did not treat us as we afterwards thought he might
have done had he not been an honest man, and say, "Oh, if that is the
case, I will rob you myself." He shook his head and showed us his own
long knife, and signified that very likely we should have to use it for
our defence. Such was the interpretation, at all events, that we put on
his various signs. Silva, who had been a little behind, now came up.

"The poor man has seen some blacks who bear a bad character, it appears,
and he is afraid they will attack us," he observed. "However, show a
bold front, and we shall easily drive them off if they do." As there
was no avoiding the danger, whatever it was, we made up our minds to
meet it as well as we could.

"It has something to do with those fellows we saw among the ruins," said
Jerry. "Only I think they would have robbed us then, had they intended
to do so."

"Perhaps we are mistaken altogether, or, what is as probable, our guide
has unnecessarily frightened himself, and tried to frighten us,"
observed the doctor.

"We shall see, doctor," said I. "I hope you are right." Just then we
reached a small hut, such as is inhabited by Indians. Jerry declared
that he must have a draught of milk, as we saw some cows feeding near,
and before the guide could stop him, he had knocked at the door.
Instead of the kindly face of an Indian appearing at his summons, out
rushed a big, savage-looking negro, and by his angry gestures seemed to
inquire what we wanted.

"A calabash of milk, friend Sambo," answered Jerry, in no ways daunted.
While, however, he was speaking, two other blacks appeared at the door,
while three or fou