On the
most elaborately wrapped figure, that of a head priest or high
chief, came the crowning discovery. This was a necklace of pierced
amethysts. And on the breast of this figure was a flat plate of
gold with sixteen radiating points, each of these terminating in a
large luminous unpierced and polished amethyst.
About the waist of this shriveled figure were the remains of a
jeweled belt. The foundation or back of this had dissolved into
dust, but careful unwrapping of the cerements revealed the priceless
ornamentation. This decoration was of alternating squares of
mother-of-pearl, in each of which glistened a perfect amethyst, and
of matchless turquoise squares set with great pearls.
CHAPTER XXX
A QUARTER OF A TON OF TREASURE
It was impossible for the boys even to venture an estimate on the
value of the immense mine of turquoise, although they realized that
the increasing scarcity of the jewel made the beautiful and unique
specimens everywhere about them worth a great deal of money. Nor
had they any idea of the value of the mother-of-pearl bowls, nor of
the hundreds of beautiful and unique ceremonial and funeral urns and
vases.
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