between the adventurers and the ivory hoard was cast aside.

In a few minutes now, if all went well, they would be in possession
of the treasure. More than once as they worked, Frank drew his
field-glasses out of their case and scanned the surrounding
wilderness of rocky chasms and swept the green jungle that lay
stretched like an emerald ocean far below, but each time he replaced
them with a sigh of relief. So far there was no sign of any rivals'
approach, although Frank well knew that by this time Muley-Hassan
must be upon his way to contest the boys' claim to the ivory.

As the last stone was chucked aside with a mighty heave by the
combined forces the perspiring adventurers broke into a hearty cheer.

Beneath it was a wooden trap-door which had a ring placed in the
middle evidently for the purpose of lifting it. Frank gave it a
heft, but the weight was too much for even his wiry muscles; but
when Ben and, Harry assisted him the door gave with a jump that
threw them all to their feet.

Scrambling up in a second they rushed to the edge of the hole
revealed by the uplifting of the wooden cover. What they saw showed
them instantly that their wildest hopes had not been overdrawn.
There, at their feet, lay a king's ransom in yellow ivory.

From the hole rose a fetid, sickening odor that at first was almost
overpowering. It came from the rotting flesh that still adhered to
the roots of many of the huge trunks.

With a cheer Harry was about to spring down into the aperture when