The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.

For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.

They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair's-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.

They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their _parangs_ as they advanced.

Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.