Part 31 (1/2)

I have many times in my life felt nearer to death than when I stood on the top of that lofty colu dwarfs, whose black bodies reflected dully theurns

I cannot say e expected, for we knew not what to expect Many conjectures entered my mind, but none of theht now return at anyto be surprised by an attack from behind on that narrow precipice, I moved across to the rear, where I could keep my eyes on the alcove opposite, and at the sa to the spiral stairway A word to Harry and he joined ested

”Not likely,” I answered, ”and, anyhat's the use?”

He knelt down and tugged at it, but there was no edge on which to obtain a purchase The thing was i which there was no movement, either in the audience on the stone seats or in the alcove But there was an indefinable air of expectancy on the faces of the king and those surrounding him, and I kept a sharp eye on the stone slab

Another fivehappened Harry called across to Desiree, or rather began to call, for I stopped him with a jerk It was impossible for her to aid us, and her situation was already sufficiently perilous

Then, beco impatient, I decided to try todown, I placed the palainst its surface and pressed with all ht

And then I knew Coh ht must have shown on :

”What is it? What is it, Paul?”

And I answered calht, Hal Like rats in a trap Oh, the black devils!

Listen! We have no tiround”

He did so, plainly puzzled Then he drew his hand hastily away, exclai: ”It's hot!”

”Yes” I spoke quickly ”Our boots kept us froh heat to feel it in the air They've built a fire under us in the column The stone is thick and heats slowly”

”But what--that s In a fewhot Then we either fry on their stone griddle or drown in the lake You see the distance below--only aor one incredibly brave would take that leap This is their little entertainment--they expect us to dance for them”

”But the lake! If we could take it clean--”

I saw that the lake was our only chance, if there could be said to be any in so desperate a situation To be sure, there see, even if we took the water without injury On every side its bank was lined with the watching Incas, and the bank itself was so steep that to ascend it would have required wings

The heat began to be felt even through the soles of our heavy boots; involuntarily I lifted one foot, then the other I saw the Child of the Sun in the alcove lean forith an appreciative grin Another ether--never did my brain ansith better speed

And then I remembered that flash of water I had seen under the spiral stairway at the base of the coluht be connected with the lake itself If that were so--

I turned to Harry and conveyed my idea to him in as feords as possible as alked up and down, side by side It was ier to stand still--the stone was so hot that the bare hand could not be held against it for an instant I saw that he did not comprehend what I said about the water in the column, but he did understand my instructions, and that was all that was necessary

We ran to the edge of the colu our woolen knickerbockers--for better ease in the water--we placed them on the hot stone, and on top of them our boots, which we had also removedThus our feet were protected as we stood on the extreth and nerve

I saw the thousands of black savages--who had been cheated of their dance--crane their necks forward eagerly