_The_ CRYSTAL SCEPTRE _A Story of Adventure_ By PHILIP VERRILL MIGHELS _Author of “Nella, the Heart of the Army,” etc._ [Illustration: Decorative glyph] R. F. FENNO & COMPANY 9 and 11 East Sixteenth Street, New York 1901 Copyright 1901 by Philip Verrill Mighels Contents CHAPTER PAGE I. The end of the voyage 9 II. A strange alliance 14 III. The home of the Links 25 IV. A reconnoitre 36 V. Hostile neighbours 44 VI. Language and weapons 50 VII. Important discoveries 60 VIII. Attacked and besieged 67 IX. The cauldron of gold 76 X. Daylight at last 86 XI. A camp on the hill 91 XII. A deadly foe 97 XIII. The night in the jungle 108 XIV. An old roué 115 XV. A gleam of hope 120 XVI. Treachery and a battle 127 XVII. Saurians as foes 141 XVIII. The enemy near 151 XIX. Adoration scorned 155 XX. The chief is pleased 159 XXI. War with the Blacks 165 XXII. Home joys and troubles 172 XXIII. Needed munitions gathered 183 XXIV. Experimental gunpowder 188 XXV. The tribe frightened 197 XXVI. Sport at the lake 203 XXVII. An exploration 211 XXVIII. Amazing discoveries 218 XXIX. A sacred disguise 229 XXX. Again besieged 240 XXXI. Lost in the jungle 247 XXXII. The bamboo bombs 261 XXXIII.