"I didn't mean to do that. But, I say, we've found the old city at last."

"Nay," cried Griggs, shaking his head. "This don't go on all fours with our map."

"But it's a city," cried Ned eagerly. "It's precious old; but look all along there, and up yonder, and down that bit--everywhere, there are houses with doorways and windows. Why, there's quite one side of a street along at the back of that shelf."

"Yes, boys; it's a city, sure enough," said the doctor almost as excitedly as the lads. "Why, Griggs, this must be one of the old pueblas that the Spaniards talked about."

"Yes, sir, that's it, sure enough; a city cut out of the rock-faces of this great shut-in place. Why, it must have been a regular stronghold where thousands of people lived, and we've hit upon the way in. I shouldn't wonder if there's no way out."

"Oh, there may be at the end yonder. How far is it to where that great rock-wall closes in?"

"Mile and a quarter, I should say," replied the American.

"Then at the widest part yonder it must be nearly half-a-mile across,"

cried Bourne.

"Hardly, sir; say quarter, and here and there not half that."

"But the cliffs seem about the same height," cried Chris, "just as if they had been cut level."

"Nature cut them then," cried Griggs, laughing. "Seems to me that it's just one great fault in a bit of tableland."

"But how could it come so regular?" said Wilton thoughtfully.

"Who knows, sir? Earthquake perhaps, or shrinking. Anyhow, here it is, regular rock city such as we've read about; and the old folks made it by cutting away. Chopped it out of the stone and by filling up and securing the openings."

"But look at the terraces one above the other. They must have built those."

"Nay, squire; those regular lines are just how the rocks form in ledges and cracks. I s'pose, doctor, we shan't go any further to-day?"

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

THE WATER SEARCH.

"Certainly not," cried the doctor. "We must explore this place. But it looks so fresh that most likely we shall find a tribe of Indians living here still."

"Nay," said Griggs, shaking his head as his keen eyes wandered from place to place along the vast opening. "Indians who lived here must have had horses for going about, and there isn't a sign of one anywhere.

Besides, if there had been any Indians we should have had some of them showing. The fighting men might be away, but there'd be their wives and papooses skulking here and there."

"Yes; a city of the dead," said the doctor, sweeping the sides of the amphitheatre with his gla.s.s. "Not a sign of life but some marmot-like animals yonder. And, as far as I know, there are no Indians who build or carve out such houses as these living now, except the puebla Indians.

Well, this is a discovery indeed. We are bound to find some interesting relics here if other travellers have not been beforehand with us."

"Then we shall camp here for a day or two, father?" cried Chris eagerly.

"Let's ride on to the end, and see if there's a way out yonder."

"Yes, it will be as well," said the doctor, "and at the same time we can select our camp. But the first thing is to find water."

"If there is none we must go back to that torrent where the gold was found."

"And make some excursions here," said Wilton.

"Must be water somewhere here, sir," said Griggs uneasily. "There must have been a strong tribe living here at some time--hundreds of 'em, perhaps--and they couldn't live without drinking."

There was a desolate look about the newly-discovered city, but the bottom between the vast walls was every here and there verdant with gra.s.s and shrub, while the walls themselves were dotted with the growth of ages. Bushes were everywhere, while in every crack and cleft, trees had taken root, some being of a pendent growth spreading graceful boughs which waved in the soft wind that from time to time swept through the great depression.

"Let's leave the mules to browse here," said the doctor; "there's enough of this short bush to keep them together while we ride on and explore, for I think we may make sure that we have the place to ourselves."

"I won't say yes to that yet, sir," said Griggs dryly; "not till we've had a good look round. And first thing I've got to say is, 'Ware snakes."

"What!" cried the boys, in a breath.

"'Ware snakes, as aforesaid, neighbours," repeated the American. "You may depend upon it some of those gentlemen came creeping or tumbling down from the flats above, found the premises convenient, and are living with large families up in some of these houses."

These words had a strange effect upon the listeners. It was as if all the interest in the place had been crashed out; all desire to explore the wonders of this old city of the past had died away on the instant.

As for the boys, their adventures in the desert came back, and clearly standing out were the creeping and writhing poisonous reptiles whose stroke meant a horrible death, lurking ready for them wherever they turned: and a shudder ran through them as if they had just been swept by some icy wind.

Then the doctor spoke.

"That's a horrible notion of yours, Griggs," he said; "but, after all, it is only a guess: there may not be a reptile here."

"So much the better for us, sir," cried the American cheerily; "but all the same I say it once more--'Ware snakes."

"Yes: you all have a shot-cartridge ready?" said the doctor.

"Yes," came back--one word, and everybody unslung his double piece.

"The mules," said the doctor then--"we must not have them bitten."

"They'll be pretty safe where they are grazing," said Griggs coolly.

"Rattlesnakes don't care for places like that. It's in the stony sandy bits where they can get the full heat of the sun that there is most risk."

"Yes," said the doctor thoughtfully; "perhaps we might leave them as they are."

"And pick our way slowly and carefully, doctor. Shall I go first?"

"I don't like setting you always where there is most danger," replied the doctor.

"None for me here," replied Griggs. "It's my poor mustang who has to run the risk; but I'll try and save him all I can."

"How?"

"Well, I've a sort of idea that I can manage it this way," replied the American, re-slinging his rifle and taking out his strong keen-edged hunting-knife, after dismounting and throwing his rein upon the ground over his pony's head. The st.u.r.dy little creature stood gazing at it, as if full of the belief that the rein held it fast to a peg driven firmly into the ground, and never attempting to move, while its master stepped to a clump of young fir-trees, selecting a sapling about a dozen feet high and cutting it off close to the ground.

This done, he proceeded quickly to lop off all the horizontal branches close to the stem, clearing them quickly away all but the thick top, where he left a tuft, and on finishing, had provided himself with a rough lance whose green brush-like top furnished him with the weapon of offence and defence with which he intended to protect his pony.

"What are you going to do?" asked Chris, who had been watching him intently.