They were painted with a dark brown pigment, and were easily
discernible. It was the sight of these hands, and the assertion that
they had reference to the measures of gold obtained, as set forth on
the paper found by Hartog in the locker of the "Santa Isabel", that
decided us to explore farther into the heart of the caves, and, having
procured torches, Hartog and I, accompanied by Janstins and a lad named
Bruno, a Mulatto, entered the tunnel, and made our way along the left
bank of the stream.
As we advanced the caves increased in size, until at length we stood in
a great apartment, formed of colossal fluted pillars, and roofed high
above our heads with depending stalactites which glistened in the light
of our torches. Everywhere in this huge cavern the same mineral
formation was to be seen, so that we seemed to be standing in a palace
composed of glittering gems.
The stream here was wide, moving sluggishly over a bed of black sand.
Presently a cry from Janstins brought us to where he was standing
beside a heap of what, at first sight, looked like yellow clay, but
which, upon closer inspection, proved to be a quantity of gold dust,
interspersed with small nuggets.
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