Both adventurers now advanced and began to examine the monster critically. It was a wonderful bit of workmanship in very truth. ‪“Indeed!” exclaimed Buckden, ‪“I doubt if our sculptors of the present day could ever equal this.” ‪“I do not think they could surpass it much.” ‪“It certainly attests that the ancient inhabitants of Mazendla were a remarkably talented people.” ‪“Right you are.” ‪“But the question now is, how are we to get out of this place?” ‪“Exactly.” “There certainly must be some other way out besides that through which we came—ah!” Frank gave a gasping cry and came to a halt. Just at his feet was a ghastly sight. It was a heap of bones. In a promiscuous fashion they were heaped there. Human bones and those of the cayman, a species of crocodile, were there all piled up together. The two explorers gazed at the spectacle with amazement. This was the first indication of human remains that they had found thus far. There were human skulls and the compete skeletons of the crocodiles. A quick comprehension came to Frank. ‪“I have it!” he cried. ‪“Well?” ‪“In my opinion this lake was once the abode of these crocodiles. The ancient rulers placed them there for a certain purpose.” ‪“What could it have been?” ‪“Well, supposing a man committed some crime. It may be that he was thrown into this place as a method of punishment, for the crocodiles to tear to pieces.” ‪“Indeed, I believe you are right, Mr. Reade,” cried Buckden, ‪“but what a number of victims they must have had.” ‪“For aught we know the bed of this lake may be paved with human skeletons.” It was a grim, horrible thing to think of. Both men shivered. Then Tony reached over to pick up one of the skulls. The mere motion caused the horrid pile to disintegrate and relapse into a heap of gray dust. Ages had passed since these bones had been deposited there, as this very action would attest. ‪“Come away,” said Frank, with a shiver. “Let’s find our way out of here.” Together they passed by the heap of moldering bones. A deep, arched passage lay before them. It was not a long one, and suddenly came to an end in a startling manner. A huge iron gate made of transverse bars confronted them. It was a ponderous affair, and there were huge bolts to hold it shut. It did not seem as if they could ever hope to pass through it. ‪“My soul, we are badly stuck!” cried Tony. “We’ll never get out of here alive, Frank.” Frank looked aghast. There seemed no means at command to force the mighty gate. It certainly seemed an insurmountable barrier. It also seemed the only means of exit from the place. The two men looked at each other in utter dismay. What was to be done? Could they remain here in this place and suffer tamely a death by starvation? Frank was resolute. ‪“There is just one thing about it,” he declared. “We’ve got to force our way through that gate.” ‪“Good for you!” cried Tony. “I’m with you!” ‪“It must be done!” ‪“But can it be done?”