Besides," he said, laughing, "we are not ready to go."
"That's right," replied Alan, thinking of the yet unexamined
contents of the Treasure Temple, "and when we are ready I guess
we'll be no worse off than Bob and Elmer. I suppose we can manage
the one hundred foot descent some way."
Ned pointed to the hundreds of yards of net cordage.
"Right," exclaimed Alan, "that'll be easy--a rope ladder."
It was almost dark and the boys were covered with the penetrating
grime of the long undisturbed "khiva." A meager wash up and supper
and rest were in order. But Ned said:
"By morning the Cibola will be in collapse. It is a valuable
machine, and it ought not be left out here on this point unprotected
from the seasons. We shall probably never see it again, but while
we can move it let's tow it over in front of the temple and put the
bag and engine and instruments in the protected room."
It was not a difficult task. With no great effort the car was half
carried and half dragged down the slope and then to the clearing in
the pine grove where the boys soon made a new camp.
Pages:
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231