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diff --git a/43204.txt b/43204.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 73738c2..0000000 --- a/43204.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7777 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Motor Boys in Mexico, by Clarence Young - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - - - - -Title: The Motor Boys in Mexico - Or, The Secret of the Buried City - - -Author: Clarence Young - - - -Release Date: July 12, 2013 [eBook #43204] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO*** - - -E-text prepared by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team (http://www.pgdp.net) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 43204-h.htm or 43204-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43204/43204-h/43204-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43204/43204-h.zip) - - -Transcriber's note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=). - - - - - -[Illustration: THE BIG BEAST HAD A MONKEY IN ITS MOUTH.] - - -THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO - -Or - -The Secret of the Buried City - -by - -CLARENCE YOUNG - -Author of -"The Racer Boys Series" and "The Jack Ranger Series." - - - - - - - -New York -Cupples & Leon Co. - - - * * * * * * * - -BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG - - - =THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES= - (_Trade Mark, Reg. U. S. Pat. Of._) - - 12mo. Illustrated - Price per volume, 60 cents, postpaid - - - THE MOTOR BOYS - Or Chums Through Thick and Thin - - THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND - Or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO - Or The Secret of the Buried City - - THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS - Or The Hermit of Lost Lake - - THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT - Or The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway - - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC - Or The Mystery of the Lighthouse - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - Or Lost in a Floating Forest - - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC - Or The Young Derelict Hunters - - THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS - Or A Trip for Fame and Fortune - - - =THE JACK RANGER SERIES= - - 12mo. Finely Illustrated - Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid - - - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS - Or The Rivals of Washington Hall - - JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP - Or From Boarding School to Ranch and Range - - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES - Or Track, Gridiron and Diamond - - JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE - Or The Wreck of the Polly Ann - - JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB - Or From Schoolroom to Camp and Trail - - * * * * * * * - - -Copyright, 1906, by -Cupples & Leon Company - -THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. THE PROFESSOR IN TROUBLE 1 - II. THE PROFESSOR'S STORY 9 - III. NEWS OF NODDY NIXON 17 - IV. OVER THE RIO GRANDE 24 - V. A THIEF IN THE NIGHT 32 - VI. INTO THE WILDERNESS 41 - VII. A FIERCE FIGHT 50 - VIII. THE OLD MEXICAN 58 - IX. A VIEW OF THE ENEMY 66 - X. SOME TRICKS IN MAGIC 74 - XI. NODDY NIXON'S PLOT 82 - XII. NODDY SCHEMES WITH MEXICANS 90 - XIII. ON THE TRAIL 98 - XIV. THE ANGRY MEXICANS 105 - XV. CAUGHT BY AN ALLIGATOR 112 - XVI. THE LAUGHING SERPENT 120 - XVII. AN INTERRUPTED KIDNAPPING 127 - XVIII. THE UNDERGROUND CITY 133 - XIX. IN AN ANCIENT TEMPLE 141 - XX. MYSTERIOUS HAPPENINGS 148 - XXI. NODDY HAS A TUMBLE 156 - XXII. FACE TO FACE 163 - XXIII. BOB IS KIDNAPPED 171 - XXIV. BOB TRIES TO FLEE 179 - XXV. AN UNEXPECTED FRIEND 187 - XXVI. THE ESCAPE OF MAXIMINA 195 - XXVII. A STRANGE MESSAGE 204 - XXVIII. TO THE RESCUE 212 - XXIX. THE FIGHT 220 - XXX. HOMEWARD BOUND 229 - - - - -PREFACE. - - -_Dear Boys_: - -At last I am able to give you the third volume of "The Motor Boys -Series," a line of books relating the doings of several wide-awake lads -on wheels, in and around their homes and in foreign lands. - -The first volume of this series, called "The Motor Boys," told how Ned, -Bob and Jerry became the proud possessors of motor-cycles, and won -several races of importance, including one which gave to them, something -that they desired with all their hearts, a big automobile touring car. - -Having obtained the automobile, the lads were not content until they -arranged for a long trip to the great West, as told in "The Motor Boys -Overland." On the way they fell in with an old miner, who held the -secret concerning the location of a lost gold mine, and it was for this -mine that they headed, beating out some rivals who were also their -bitter enemies. - -While at the mine the boys, through a learned professor, learned of a -buried city in Mexico, said to contain treasures of vast importance. -Their curiosity was fired, and they arranged to go to Mexico in their -touring car, and the present volume tells how this trip was accomplished. - -Being something of an automobile enthusiast myself, it has pleased me -greatly to write this story, and I hope the boys will like "The Motor -Boys in Mexico" fully as well as they appeared to enjoy "The Motor Boys" -and "The Motor Boys Overland." - - CLARENCE YOUNG. - - _May 28, 1906._ - - - - -THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE PROFESSOR IN TROUBLE. - - -"Bang! Bang! Bang!" - -It was the sound of a big revolver being fired rapidly. - -"Hi, there! Who you shootin' at?" yelled a voice. - -Miners ran from rude shacks and huts to see what the trouble was. Down -the valley, in front of a log cabin, there was a cloud of smoke. - -"Who's killed? What's the matter? Is it a fight?" were questions the men -asked rapidly of each other. Down by the cabin whence the shots sounded, -and where the white vapor was rolling away, a Chinaman was observed -dancing about on one foot, holding the other in his hands. - -"What is it?" asked a tall, bronzed youth, coming from his cabin near -the shaft of a mine on top of a small hill. "Cowboys shooting the town -up?" - -"I guess it's only a case of a Chinaman fooling with a gun, -Jerry. Shall I run down and take a look?" asked a fat, jolly, -good-natured-looking lad. - -"Might as well, Chunky," said the other. "Then come back and tell Ned -and me. My, but it's warm!" - -The stout youth, whom his companion had called Chunky, in reference to -his stoutness, hurried down toward the cabin, about which a number of -the miners were gathering. In a little while he returned. - -"That was it," he said. "Dan Beard's Chinese cook got hold of a revolver -and wanted to see how it worked. He found out." - -"Is he much hurt?" asked a third youth, who had joined the one addressed -as Jerry, in the cabin door. - -"One bullet hit his big toe, but he's more scared than injured. He -yelled as if he was killed, Ned." - -"Well, if that's all the excitement, I'm going in and finish the letter -I was writing to the folks at home," remarked Jerry. The other lads -entered the cabin with him, and soon all three were busy writing or -reading notes, for one mail had come in and another was shortly to leave -the mining camp. - -It was a bright day, early in November, though the air was as hot as if -it was mid-summer, for the valley, which contained the gold diggings, -was located in the southern part of Arizona, and the sun fairly burned -as it blazed down. - -The three boys, who had gone back into their cabin when the excitement -following the accidental shooting of the Chinaman had died away, were -Jerry Hopkins, Bob Baker and Ned Slade. Bob was the son of Andrew Baker, -a wealthy banker; Ned's father was a well-to-do merchant, and Jerry was -the son of a widow, Julia Hopkins. All of the boys lived in Cresville, -Mass., a town not far from Boston. - -The three boys had been chums through thick and thin for as many years -as they could remember. A strange combination of circumstances had -brought them to Arizona, where, in company with Jim Nestor, an old -western miner, they had discovered a rich gold mine that had been lost -for many years. - -"There, my letter's finished," announced Jerry, about half an hour after -the incident of the shooting. - -"I had mine done an hour ago," said Ned. - -"Let's run into town in the auto and mail them. We need some supplies, -anyhow," suggested Bob. - -"All right," assented the others. - -The three boys went to the shed where their touring car, a big, red -machine in which they had come West, was stored. Ned cranked up, and -with a rattle, rumble and bang of the exhaust, the car started off, -carrying the three lads to Rockyford, a town about ten miles from the -gold diggings. - -"I wonder if we'll ever see Noddy Nixon or Jack Pender again?" asked -Bob, when the auto had covered about three miles. - -"And you might as well say Bill Berry and Tom Dalsett," put in Jerry. -"They all got away together. I don't believe in looking on the dark side -of things, but I'm afraid we'll have trouble yet with that quartette." - -"They certainly got away in great shape," said Bob. "I'll give Noddy -credit for that, if he is a mean bully." - -Noddy Nixon was an old enemy of the three chums. As has been told in -the story of "The Motor Boys," the first book of this series, Jerry, -Ned and Bob, when at home in Massachusetts, had motor-cycles and used -to go on long trips together, on several of which they met Noddy Nixon, -Jack Pender and Bill Berry, a town ne'er-do-well, with no very pleasant -results. The boys had been able to secure their motor-cycles through -winning prizes at a bicycle race, in which Noddy was beaten. This made -him more than ever an enemy of the Motor Boys. - -The latter, after having many adventures on their small machines, -entered a motor-cycle race. In this they were again successful, -defeating some crack riders, and the prize this time was a big, red -touring automobile, the same they were now using. - -Once they had an auto they decided on a trip across the continent, and -their doings on that journey are recorded in the second book of this -series, entitled "The Motor Boys Overland." - -It was while out riding in their auto in Cresville one evening that they -came across a wounded miner in a hut. He turned out to be Jim Nestor, -who knew the secret of a lost mine in Arizona. While sick in the hut, -Nestor was robbed of some gold he carried in a belt. Jack Pender was the -thief, and got away, although the Motor Boys chased him. - -With Nestor as a guide, the boys set out to find the lost mine. On the -way they had many adventures with wild cowboys and stampeded cattle, -while once the auto caught fire. - -They made the acquaintance, on the prairies, of Professor Uriah -Snodgrass, a collector of bugs, stones and all sorts of material for -college museums, for he was a naturalist. They succeeded in rescuing -the professor from a mob of cowboys, who, under the impression that the -naturalist had stolen one of their horses, were about to hang him. The -professor went with the boys and Nestor to the mine, and was still with -them. - -The gold claim was not easily won. Noddy Nixon, Pender, Berry and one -Pud Stoneham, a gambler, aided by Tom Dalsett, who used to work for -Nestor, attacked the Motor Boys and their friends and tried to get the -mine away from them. - -However, Jerry and his friends won out, the sheriff arrested Stoneham -for several crimes committed, and the others fled in Noddy's auto, which -he had stolen from his father, for Noddy had left home because it was -discovered that he had robbed the Cresville iron mill of one thousand -dollars, which crime Jerry and his two chums had discovered and fastened -on the bully. - -So it was no small wonder, after all the trouble Noddy and his gang had -caused, that Jerry felt he and his friends might hear more of their -unpleasant acquaintances. Noddy, Jerry knew, was not one to give up an -object easily. - -In due time town was reached, the letters were mailed, and the supplies -purchased. Then the auto was headed back toward camp. About five miles -from the gold diggings, Ned, who sat on the front seat with Bob, who was -steering, called out: - -"Hark! Don't you hear some one shouting?" - -Bob shut off the power and, in the silence which ensued, the boys heard -a faint call. - -"Help! Help! Help!" - -"It's over to the left," said Ned. - -"No; it's to the right, up on top of that hill," announced Jerry. - -They all listened intently, and it was evident that Jerry was correct. -The cries could be heard a little more plainly now. - -"Help! Hurry up and help!" called the voice. "I'm down in a hole!" - -The boys jumped from the auto and ran to the top of the hill. At the -summit they found an abandoned mine shaft. Leaning over this they heard -groans issuing from it, and more cries for aid. - -"Who's there?" asked Jerry. - -"Professor Uriah Snodgrass, A. M., Ph.D., F. R. G. S., B. A. and A. B. -H." - -"Our old friend, the professor!" exclaimed Ned. "How did you ever get -there?" he called down the shaft. - -"Never mind how I got here, my dear young friend," expostulated the -professor, "but please be so kind as to help me out. I came down a -ladder, but the wood was rotten, and when I tried to climb out, the -rungs broke. Have you a rope?" - -"Run back to the machine and get one," said Jerry to Bob. "We'll have to -pull him up, just as we did the day he fell over the cliff." - -In a few minutes Bob came back with the rope. A noose was made in one -end and this was lowered to the professor. - -"Put it around your chest, under your arms, and we will haul you up," -said Jerry. - -"I can't!" cried the professor. - -"Why not?" - -"Can't use my hands." - -"Are your arms broken?" asked the boy, afraid lest his friend had met -with an injury. - -"No, my dear young friend, my arms are not broken. I am not hurt at all." - -"Then, why can't you put the rope under your arms?" - -"Because I have a very rare specimen of a big, red lizard in one hand, -and a strange kind of a bat in the other. They are both alive, and if -I let them go to fix the rope they'll get away, and they're worth five -hundred dollars each. I'd rather stay here all my life than lose these -specimens." - -"How will we ever get him up?" asked Bob. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE PROFESSOR'S STORY. - - -For a little while it did seem like a hard proposition. The professor -could not, or rather would not, aid himself. Once the rope was around -him it would be an easy matter for the boys to haul him out of the hole. - -"If we could lasso him it would be the proper thing," said Bob. - -"I have it!" exclaimed Ned. - -He began pulling up the rope from where it dangled down into the -abandoned shaft. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Jerry. - -"I'll show you," replied Ned, adjusting the rope around his chest, under -his arms. "Now if you two will lower me into the hole I'll fasten this -cable on the professor and you can haul him up. Then you can yank me -out, and it will be killing two birds with one stone." - -"More like hanging two people with one rope," laughed Bob. - -But Ned's plan was voted a good one. Jerry and Bob lowered him carefully -down the shaft, until the slacking of the rope told that he was at the -bottom. In a little while they heard a shout: - -"Haul away!" - -It was quite a pull for the two boys, for, though the professor was a -small man, he was no lightweight. Hand over hand the cable was hauled -until, at last, the shining bald head of the naturalist was observed -emerging from the black hole of the abandoned mine. - -"Easy, easy, boys!" he cautioned, as soon as his chin was above the -surface. "I've got two rare specimens with me, and I don't want them -harmed." - -When Jerry and Bob had pulled Professor Snodgrass up as far as possible, -by means of the rope, the naturalist rested his elbows on the edge of -the shaft and wiggled the rest of the way out by his own efforts. In -one hand was a big lizard, struggling to escape, and in the other was a -large bat, flapping its uncanny wings. - -"Ah, I have you safe, my beauties!" exclaimed the collector. "You can't -get away from me now!" He placed the reptile and bat in his green -specimen-box, which was on the ground a short distance away, his face -beaming with pride over his achievement, though in queer contrast to his -disordered appearance, for he had fallen in the mud of the mine, his -clothes were all dirt, his hat was gone and he looked as ruffled as a -wet hen. - -"Much obliged to you, boys," he said, coming over to Bob and Jerry. -"I might have stayed there forever if you hadn't come along. Seems as -though I am always getting into trouble. Do you remember the day I fell -over the cliff with Broswick and Nestor, and you pulled us up with the -auto?" - -"I would say we did," replied Jerry. "But now we must pull Ned up." - -Once more the rope was lowered down the shaft and in a few minutes Ned -was hauled up safely. - -"It's almost as deep as our mine shaft," he said, as he brushed the dirt -from his clothes, "but I didn't see any gold there, for it's as dark as -a pocket. How did you come to go down, professor?" - -"I suspected I might get some specimens in such a place," replied -the naturalist, "so I just went down, and I had excellent luck, most -excellent!" - -"It's a good thing you think so," put in Jerry. "Most people would call -it bad to get caught at the bottom of a mine shaft." - -"Oh, it wasn't so bad," went on the professor, casting his eyes over -the ground in search of any stray specimens of snakes or bugs. "I had -my candle with me until I lost it, just after I caught the lizard and -bat. I could have come up all right if the ladder hadn't broken. It was -quite a hole, for a fact. It reminds me of another big hole I once heard -about." - -"What hole is that?" asked Ned. - -"Oh, that's quite a story, all about mysteries, buried cities and all -that." - -"Tell us about it," suggested Jerry. - -"To-night, maybe," answered the naturalist. "I want to get back to camp -now and attend to my specimens." - -The boys and the professor, the latter carrying his box of curiosities, -were soon in the auto and speeding back to the gold mine. - -That night, sitting around the camp-fire, which blazed cheerfully, the -boys asked Professor Snodgrass to tell them the story he had hinted at -when they hauled him from the mine shaft. - -"Let me listen, too," said Jim Nestor, filling his pipe and stretching -out on the grass. - -Then, in the silence of the early night, broken only by the crackle of -the flames and the distantly heard hoot of owls or howl of foxes, the -naturalist told what he knew of a buried city of ancient Mexico. - -"It was some years ago," he began, "that a friend of mine, a young -college professor, was traveling in Mexico. He visited all the big -places and then, getting tired of seeing the things that travelers -usually see, he struck out into the wilds, accompanied only by an old -Mexican guide. - -"He traveled for nearly a week, getting farther and farther away from -civilization, until one night he found himself on a big level plain, at -the extreme end of which there was a curiously shaped mountain. - -"He proposed to his guide that they camp for the night and proceed -to the mountain the next day. The guide assented, but he acted so -queerly that my friend wondered what the matter was. He questioned his -companion, but all he could get out of him was that the mountain was -considered a sort of unlucky place, and no one went there who could -avoid it. - -"This made my friend all the more anxious to see what might be there, -and he announced his intention of making the journey in the morning. -He did so, but he had to go alone, for, during the night, his guide -deserted him." - -"And what did he find at the mountain?" asked Bob. "A gold mine?" - -"Not exactly," replied the professor. - -"Maybe it was a silver lode," suggested Nestor. "There's plenty of -silver in Mexico." - -"It wasn't a silver mine, either," went on the professor. "All he found -was a big hole in the side of the mountain. He went inside and walked -for nearly a mile, his only light being a candle. Then he came to a wall -of rock. He was about to turn back, when he noticed an opening in the -wall. It was high up, but he built a platform of stones up and peered -through the opening." - -"What did he see?" asked Jerry. - -"The remains of an ancient, buried city," replied Professor Snodgrass. -"The mountain was nothing more than a big mound of earth, with an -opening in the top, through which daylight entered. The shaft through -the side led to the edge of the city. My friend gazed in on the remains -of a place thousands of years old. The buildings were mostly in ruins, -but they showed they had once been of great size and beauty. There were -wide streets with what had been fountains in them. There was not a -vestige of a living creature. It was as if some pestilence had fallen on -the place and the people had all left." - -"Did he crawl through the hole in the wall and go into the deserted -city?" asked Nestor, with keen interest. - -"He wanted to," answered the naturalist, "but he thought it would be -risky, alone as he was. So he made a rough map of as much of the place -as he could see, including his route in traveling to the mountain. -Then he retraced his steps, intending to organize a searching party of -scientists and examine the buried city." - -"Did he do it?" came from Bob, who was listening eagerly. - -"No. Unfortunately, he was taken ill with a fever as soon as he got back -to civilization, and he died shortly afterward." - -"Too bad," murmured Jerry. "It would have been a great thing to have -given to the world news of such a place in Mexico. It's all lost now." - -"Not all," said the professor, in a queer voice. - -"Why not? Didn't you say your friend died?" - -"Yes; but before he expired he told me the story and gave me the map." - -"Where is it?" asked Nestor, sitting up and dropping his pipe in his -excitement. - -"There!" exclaimed the professor, extending a piece of paper, which he -had brought forth from his possessions. - -Eagerly, they all bent forward to examine the map in the light of the -camp-fire. The drawing was crude enough, and showed that the buried city -lay to the east of the chain of Sierra Madre Mountains, and about five -hundred miles to the north of the City of Mexico. - -"There's the place," said the professor, pointing with his finger to -the buried city. "How I wish I could go there! It has always been my -desire to follow the footsteps of my unfortunate friend. Perhaps I might -discover the buried city. I could investigate it, make discoveries and -write a book about it. That would be the height of my ambition. But I'm -afraid I'll never be able to do it." - -For a few minutes there was silence about the camp-fire, each one -thinking of the mysterious city that was not so very many miles from -them. - -Suddenly Ned jumped to his feet and gave a yell. - -"Whoop!" he cried. "I have it! It will be the very thing!" - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -NEWS OF NODDY NIXON. - - -"What's the matter? Bit by a kissin' bug?" asked Nestor, as Ned was -capering about. - -"Nope! I'm going to find that buried city," replied Ned. - -"He's loony!" exclaimed the miner. "He's been sleepin' in the moonlight. -That's a bad thing to do, Ned." - -"I'm not crazy," spoke the boy. "I have a plan. If you don't want to -listen to it, all right," and he started for the cabin. - -"What is it, tell us, will you?" came from the professor, who was in -earnest about everything. - -"I just thought we might make a trip to Mexico in the automobile, and -hunt for that lost city," said Ned. "We could easily make the trip. It -would be fun, even if we didn't find the place, and the gold mine is now -in good shape, so that we could leave, isn't it, Jim?" - -"Oh, I can run the mine, all right," spoke Nestor. "If you boys want to -go traipsin' off to Mexico, why, go ahead, as far as I'm concerned. -Better ask your folks first, though. I reckon you an' the professor -could make the trip, easy enough, but I won't gamble on your finding the -buried city, for I've heard such stories before, an' they don't very -often come true." - -"Dearly as I would like to make the trip in the automobile, and sure as -I feel that we could do it, I think we had better sleep on the plan," -said Professor Snodgrass. "If you are of the same mind in the morning we -will consider it further." - -"I'd like to go, first rate," came from Jerry. - -"Same here," put in Bob. - -That night each of the boys dreamed of walking about in some ancient -towns, where the buildings were of gold and silver, set with diamonds, -and where the tramp of soldiers' feet resounded on the paved courtyards -of the palaces of the Montezumas. - -"Waal," began Nestor, who was up early, making the coffee, when the boys -turned out of their bunks, "air ye goin' to start for Mexico to-day, or -wait till to-morrow?" - -"Don't you think we could make the trip?" asked Jerry, seriously. - -"Oh, you can make it, all right, but you'll have troubles. In the first -place, Mexico ain't the United States, an' there's a queer lot of -people, mostly bad, down there. You'll have to be on the watch all the -while, but if you're careful I guess you'll git along. But come on, -now, help git breakfust." - -Through the meal, though the boys talked little, it was evident they -were thinking of nothing but the trip to Mexico. - -"I'm going to write home now and find if I can go," said Ned. - -Jerry and Bob said they would do the same, and soon three letters were -ready to be sent. - -After their usual round of duties at the mine, which consisted in making -out reports, dealing out supplies, and checking up the loads of ore, the -boys went to town in the auto to mail their letters. It was a pleasant -day for the trip, and they made good time. - -"It will be just fine if we can go," said Bob. "Think of it, we may -find the buried city and discover the stores of gold hidden by the -inhabitants." - -"I guess all the gold the Mexicans ever had was gobbled up by the -Spaniards," put in Jerry. - -"But we may find a store of curios, relics and other things worth more -than gold," added Ned. "If we take the professor with us that's what he -would care about more than money. I do hope we can go." - -"It's going to be harder to find than the lost gold mine was," said -Jerry. "That map the professor has isn't much to go by." - -"Oh, it will be fun hunting for the place," went on Bob. "We may find -the city before we know it." - -In due time the boys reached town and mailed their letters. There was -some excitement in the village over a robbery that had occurred, and -the sheriff was organizing a posse to go in search of a band of horse -thieves. - -"Don't you want to go 'long?" asked the official of the boys, whom he -knew from having aided them in the battle at the mine against Noddy -Nixon and his friends some time before. "Come along in the choo-choo -wagon. I'll swear you in as special deputies." - -"No, thanks, just the same," Jerry said. "We are pretty busy up at the -diggings and can't spare the time." - -"Like to have you," went on the sheriff, genially. "You could make good -time in the gasolene gig after those hoss thieves." - -But the boys declined. They had been through enough excitement in -securing the gold mine to last them for a while. - -"We must stop at the store and get some bacon," said Ned. "Nestor told -me as we were coming away. There's none at the camp." - -Bidding the sheriff good-by, and waiting until he had ridden off at the -head of his forces, the boys turned their auto toward the general store, -located on the main street of Rockyford. - -"Howdy, lads!" exclaimed the proprietor, as he came to the door to greet -them. "What is it to-day, gasolene or cylinder oil?" - -"Bacon," replied Jerry. - -"Got some prime," the merchant said. "Best that ever come off a pig. How -much do you want?" - -"Twenty pounds will do this time," answered Jerry. "We may not be here -long, and we don't want to stock up too heavily." - -"You ain't thinkin' of goin' back East, are ye?" exclaimed the -storekeeper. - -"More likely to go South," put in Ned. "We were thinking of Mexico." - -"You don't say so!" cried the vendor of bacon and other sundries. "Got -another gold mine in sight down there?" - -"No; but----" and then Ned subsided, at a warning punch in the side from -Jerry, who was not anxious to have the half-formed plans made public. - -"You was sayin'----" began the storekeeper, as if desirous of hearing -more. - -"Oh, we may take a little vacation trip down into Mexico," said Jerry, -in a careless tone. "We've been working pretty hard and we need a rest. -But nothing has been decided yet." - -"Mexico must be quite a nice place," went on the merchant. - -"What makes you think so?" asked Bob. - -"I heard of another automobilin' party that went there not long ago." - -"Who was it?" spoke Jerry. - -"Some chap named Dixon or Pixon or Sixon, I forget exactly what it was." - -"Was it Nixon?" asked Jerry. - -"That's it! Noddy Nixon, I remember now. He had a chap with him named -Perry or Ferry or Kerry or----" - -"Bill Berry, maybe," suggested Bob. - -"That was it! Berry. Queer what a poor memory I have for names. And -there was another with him. Let's see, I have it; no, that wasn't it. -Oh, yes, Hensett!" - -"You mean Dalsett," put in Ned. - -"That's it! Dalsett! And there was another named Jack Pender. There, I -bet I've got that right." - -"You have," said Jerry. "You say they went to Mexico?" - -"You see, it was this way," the storekeeper went on. "It was about three -weeks ago. They come up in a big automobile, like yours, an' bought -a lot of stuff. I kind of hinted to find out where they was headed -for, an' all the satisfaction I got was that that there Nixon feller -says as how he guessed Mexico would be the best place for them, as the -United States Government hadn't no control down there. Then one of the -others says Mexico would suit him. So I guess they went. Now, is there -anything else I can let you have?" - -"Thanks, this will be all," replied Jerry, paying for the bacon. - -The boys waited until they were some distance on the road before they -spoke about the news the storekeeper had told them. - -"I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Noddy and his gang had gone to -Mexico," said Ned. "That's the safest place for them, after what they -did." - -"I wish they weren't there, if we are to take a trip in that country," -put in Bob. - -"It's a big place, I guess they won't bother us," came from Jerry. - -But he was soon to find that Mexico was not big enough to keep Noddy and -his crowd from making much trouble and no little danger for him and his -friends. - -They arrived at camp early in the afternoon and told Nestor the news -they had heard. He did not attach much importance to it, as he was busy -over an order for new mining machinery. - -There was plenty for the boys to do about camp, and soon they were so -occupied that they almost forgot there was such a place as Mexico. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -OVER THE RIO GRANDE. - - -A week later, during which there had been busy days at the mining camp, -the boys received answers to their letters. They came in the shape of -telegrams, for the lads had asked their parents to wire instead of -waiting to write. Each one received permission to make the trip into the -land of the Montezumas. - -"Hurrah!" yelled Bob, making an ineffectual attempt to turn a -somersault, and coming down all in a heap. - -"What's the matter?" asked Nestor, coming out of the cabin. "Wasp sting -ye?" - -"We can go to Mexico!" cried Ned, waving the telegram. - -"Same thing," replied the miner. "Ye'll git bit by sand fleas, -tarantulas, scorpions, centipedes, horse-flies an' rattlesnakes, down -there. Better stay here." - -"Is it as bad as that?" asked Bob. - -"If it is I'll get the finest collection of bugs the college ever saw," -put in Professor Snodgrass. - -"Well, it may not be quite as bad, but it's bad enough," qualified -Nestor. "But don't let me discourage you. Go ahead, this is a free -country." - -So it was arranged. The boys decided they would start in three days, -taking the professor with them. - -"And we'll find that buried city if it's there," put in Ned. - -The next few days were busy ones. At Nestor's suggestion each one of the -boys had a stout money-belt made, in which they could carry their cash -strapped about their waists. They were going into a wild country, the -miner told them, where the rights of people were sometimes disregarded. - -Then the auto was given a thorough overhauling, new tires were put on -the rear wheels, and a good supply of ammunition was packed up. In -addition, many supplies were loaded into the machine, and Professor -Snodgrass got an enlarged box made for his specimens, as well as two new -butterfly nets. - -The boys invested in stout shoes and leggins, for they felt they might -have to make some explorations in a wild country. A good camp cooking -outfit was taken along, and many articles that Nestor said would be of -service during the trip. - -"Your best way to go," said the miner, "will be to scoot along back into -New Mexico for a ways, then take over into Texas, and strike the Rio -Grande below where the Conchas River flows into it. This will save you -a lot of mountain climbing an' give you a better place to cross the Rio -Grande. At a place about ten miles below the Conchas there is a fine -flat-boat ferriage. You can take the machine over on that." - -The boys promised to follow this route. Final preparations were made, -letters were written home, the auto was gone over for the tenth time by -Jerry, and having received five hundred dollars each from Nestor, as -their share in the mine receipts up to the time they left, they started -off with a tooting of the auto horn. - -"That's more money than I ever had at one time before," said Bob, -patting his money-belt as he settled himself comfortably down in the -rear seat of the car, beside Professor Snodgrass. - -"Money is no good," said the naturalist. - -"No good?" - -"No; I'd rather catch a pink and blue striped sand flea, which is the -rarest kind that exists, than have all the money in the world. If I can -get one of them or even a purple muskrat, and find the buried city, that -will be all I want on this earth." - -"I certainly hope we find the buried city," spoke up Ned, who was -listening to the conversation, "but I wouldn't care much for a purple -muskrat." - -"Well, every one to his taste," said the professor. "We may find both." - -The journey, which was to prove a long one, full of surprises and -dangers, was now fairly begun. The auto hummed along the road, making -fast time. - -That night the adventurers spent in a little town in New Mexico. Their -arrival created no little excitement, as it was the first time an auto -had been in that section. Such a crowd of miners and cowboys surrounded -the machine that Jerry, who was steering, had to shut off the power in a -hurry to avoid running one man down. - -"I thought maybe ye could jump th' critter over me jest like they do -circus hosses," explained the one who had nearly been hit by the car. -Jerry laughingly disclaimed any such powers of the machine. - -Two days later found them in Texas, and, recalling Nestor's directions -about crossing the Rio Grande, they kept on down the banks of that -mighty river until they passed the junction where the Conchas flows in. - -So far the trip had been without accident. The machine ran well and -there was no trouble with the mechanism or the tires. Just at dusk, one -night, they came to a small settlement on the Rio Grande. They rode -through the town until they came to a sort of house-boat on the edge of -the stream. A sign over the entrance bore the words: - - FERRY HERE. - -"This is the place we're looking for, I guess," said Jerry. He drove the -machine up to the entrance and brought it to a stop. A dark-featured -man, with a big scar down one side of his face, slouched to the door. - -"Well?" he growled. - -"We'd like to be ferried over to the other side," spoke Jerry. - -"Come to-morrow," snarled the man. "We don't work after five o'clock." - -"But we'd like very much to get over to-night," went on Jerry. "And if -it's any extra trouble we'd be willing to pay for it." - -"That's the way with you rich chaps that rides around in them horseless -wagons," went on the ferrymaster. "Ye think a man has got to be at yer -beck an' call all the while. I'll take ye over, but it'll cost ye ten -dollars." - -"We'll pay it," said Jerry, for he observed a crowd of rough men -gathering, whose looks he did not like, and he thought he and his -friends would be better off on the other side of the stream, on Mexican -territory. - -"Must be in a bunch of hurry," growled the man. "Ain't tryin' to git -away from th' law, be ye?" - -"Not that we know of," laughed Jerry. - -"Looks mighty suspicious," snarled the man. "But, come on. Run yer -shebang down on the boat, an' go careful or you'll go through the -bottom. The craft ain't built to carry locomotives." - -Jerry steered the car down a slight incline onto a big flat boat, where -it was blocked by chunks of wood so that it could not roll forward or -backward. - -By this time the ferrymaster and his crew had come down to the craft. -They were all rather unpleasant-looking men, with bold, hard faces, -and it was evident that each one of the five, who made up the force -that rowed the boat across the stream, was heavily armed. They wore -bowie-knives and carried two revolvers apiece. - -But the sight of armed men was no new one to the boys since their -experience in the mining camp, and they had come to know that the chap -who made the biggest display of an arsenal was usually the one who was -the biggest coward, seldom having use for a gun or a knife. - -"All ready?" growled the ferryman. - -"All ready," called Jerry. He and the other boys, with the professor, -had alighted from the auto and stood beside it on the flat boat. - -Pulling on the long sweeps, the men sent the boat out into the stream, -which, at this point, was about a mile wide. Once beyond the shore the -force of the current made itself felt, and it was no easy matter to keep -the boat headed right. - -Every now and then the ferryman would cast anxious looks at the sky, -and several times he urged the men to row faster. - -"Do you think it is going to storm, my dear friend?" asked the -professor, in a kindly and gentle voice. - -"Think it, ye little bald-headed runt! I know it is!" exploded the man. -"And if it ketches us out here there's goin' to be trouble." - -The sky was blacking up with heavy clouds, and the wind began to blow -with considerable force. The boat seemed to make little headway, though -the men strained at the long oars. - -"Row, ye lazy dogs!" exclaimed the pilot. "Do ye want to upset with this -steam engine aboard? Row, if ye want to git ashore!" - -The men fairly bent the stout sweeps. The wind increased in violence, -and quite high waves rocked the ferryboat. The sky was getting blacker. -Jagged lightning came from the clouds, and the rumble of thunder could -be heard. - -"Row, I tell ye! Row!" yelled the pilot, but the men could do no more -than they were doing. The big boat tossed and rocked, and the automobile -started to slide forward. - -"Fasten it with a rope!" cried Jerry, and aided by his companions they -lashed the car fast. - -"Look out! We're in for it now!" shouted the ferryman. "Here comes the -storm!" - -With a wild burst of sky artillery, the clouds opened amid a dazzling -electrical display, and the rain came down in torrents. At the same time -the wind increased to hurricane force, driving the boat before it like a -cork on the waves. - -Three of the men lost their oars, and the craft, with no steerage way, -was tossed from side to side. Then, as there came a stronger blast of -the gale, the boat was driven straight ahead. - -"We're going to hit something!" yelled Jerry, peering through the mist -of rain. "Hold fast, everybody!" - -The next instant there was a resounding crash, and the sound of breaking -and splintering wood. - -[Illustration: THE NEXT INSTANT THERE WAS A RESOUNDING CRASH.] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. - - -The shock was so hard that every one on the ferryboat was knocked down, -and the auto, breaking from the restraining ropes, ran forward and -brought up against the shelving prow of the scow. - -"Here, where you fellers goin'?" demanded a voice from amid the scene of -wreckage and confusion. "What do ye mean by tryin' t' smash me all to -splinters?" - -At the same time this remonstrance was accompanied by several revolver -shots. Then came a volley of language in choice Spanish, and the noise -of several men chopping away at planks and boards. - -The wind continued to blow and the rain to fall, while the lightning and -thunder were worse than before. But the ferryboat no longer tossed and -pitched on the storm-lashed river. It remained stationary. - -"Now we're in for it," shouted the ferryman, as soon as he had scrambled -to his feet. "A nice kettle of fish I'm in for takin' this automobile -over on my boat!" - -"What has happened?" asked Jerry, trying to look through the mist of -falling rain, and seeing nothing but a black object, as large as a -house, looming up before him. - -"Matter!" exclaimed the pilot. "We've gone and smashed plumb into Don -Alvarzo's house-boat and done no end of damage. Wait until he makes you -fellers pay for it." - -"It wasn't our fault," began Jerry. "You were in charge of the -ferryboat. We are only passengers. Besides, we couldn't stop the storm -from coming up." - -"Tell that to Don Alvarzo," sneered the ferryman. "Maybe he'll believe -you. But here he comes himself, and we can see what has happened." - -Several Mexicans bearing lanterns now approached. At their head was a -tall, swarthy man, wearing a big cloak picturesquely draped over his -shoulders, velvet trousers laced with silver, and a big sombrero. - -By the lantern light it could be seen that the ferryboat had jammed -head-on against the side of a large house-boat moored on the Mexican -side of the Rio Grande. So hard had the scow rammed the other craft -that the two were held together by a mass of splintered wood, the front -of the ferryboat breaking a hole in the side of the house-boat and -sticking there. The automobile had nearly gone overboard. - -Don Alvarzo began to speak quickly in Spanish, pointing to the damage -done. - -"I beg your pardon," said Jerry, taking off his cap and bowing in spite -of the rain that was still coming down in torrents. "I beg your pardon, -senor, but if you would be so kind as to speak in English we could -understand it better." - -"Certainly, my dear young sir," replied Don Alvarzo, bowing in his -turn, determined not to be outdone by an _Americano_. "I speak English -also. But what is this? _Diablo!_ I am taking my meal on my house-boat. -I smoke my cigarette, and am thankful that I am not out in the storm. -Presto! There comes a crash like unto that the end of the world is -nigh! I rise! I run! I fire my revolver, thinking it may be robbers! My -_Americano_ manager he calls out! Now, if you please, what is it all -about?" - -"The storm got the best of the ferryboat," said Jerry. "My friends and -myself, including Professor Uriah Snodgrass, of whom you may have heard, -for he is a great scientist----" - -"I salute the professor," interrupted Don Alvarzo, bowing to the -naturalist. - -"Well, we are going to make a trip through Mexico," went on Jerry. "We -engaged this man," pointing to the ferrymaster, "to take us over the -river in his boat. Unfortunately we crashed into yours. It was not our -fault." - -Angry cries from the Mexicans who stood in a half circle about Don -Alvarzo on the deck of the house-boat showed that they understood this -talk, but did not approve of it. - -"_Americanos_ pigs! Make pay!" called out one man. - -"We're not pigs, and if this accident is our fault we will pay at once," -said Jerry, hotly. - -"There, there, senor," said the Don, motioning to his man to be quiet. -"We will consider this. It appears that you are merely passengers on the -ferryboat. The craft was in charge of Senor Jenkins, there, whom I very -well know. He will pay me for the damage, I am sure." - -"You never made a bigger mistake in your life!" exclaimed Jenkins. "If -there's any payin' to be done, these here automobile fellers will have -to do it. I'm out of pocket now with chargin' 'em only ten dollars, for -three of my oars are lost." - -"Very well, then, we will let the law take its course," said the Don. -"Here!" he called to his men, "take the ferry captain into custody. -We'll see who is to pay." - -"Rather than have trouble and delay we would be willing to settle for -the damages," spoke up Jerry. "How much is it?" - -"I will have to refer you to Senor Jones, my manager," said the Mexican. - -"What's all the row about?" interrupted a voice, and a tall, lanky man -came forward into the circle of lantern light. "People can't expect to -smash boats an' not pay for 'em." - -"We are perfectly willing to pay," said Jerry. - -"Well, if there ain't my old friend Professor Snodgrass!" cried Jones, -jumping down on the flat-boat and shaking hands with the naturalist. -"Well, well, this is a sight for sore eyes. I ain't seen ye since I was -janitor in your laboratory in Wellville College. How are ye?" - -The professor, surprised to meet an acquaintance under such strange -circumstances, managed to say that he was in good health. - -"Well, well," went on Jones, "I'll soon settle this. Look here, Don -Alvarzo," he went on, "these is friends of mine. If there's any -damage----" - -"Oh, I assure you, not a penny, not a penny!" exclaimed the Mexican. "I -regret that my boat was in their way. I beg a thousand pardons. Say not -a word more, my dear professor and young friends, but come aboard and -partake of such poor hospitality as Don Miguel Fernandez Alvarzo can -offer. I am your most humble servant." - -The boys and the professor were glad enough of the turn events had -taken. At a few quick orders from Jones and the Don, the Mexicans and -the ferry captain's crew backed the scow away from the house-boat. A -landing on shore was made, the automobile run off, and the ferryman -having been paid his money, with something extra for the lost oars, -pulled off into the rain and darkness, growling the while. - -"Now you must come in out of the rain," said Don Alvarzo, as soon as the -auto had been covered with a tarpaulin, carried in case of bad weather. -"We can dry and feed you, at all events." - -It was a pleasant change from the storm outside to the warm and -well-lighted house-boat. The thunder and lightning had ceased, but the -rain kept up and the wind howled unpleasantly. - -"I regret that your advent into this wonderful land of Mexico should -be fraught with such inauspicious a beginning as this outburst of the -elements," spoke Don Alvarzo, with a bow, as he ushered his guests into -the dining-room. - -"Oh, well, we're used to bad weather," said Bob, cheerfully. - -In a little while the travelers had divested themselves of their wet -garments and donned dry ones from their valises that had been brought -in from the auto. Soon they sat down to a bountiful meal in which red -peppers, garlic and frijoles, with eggs and chicken, formed a prominent -part. Jones, the Don's manager, ate with them, and told how, in his -younger days, he had worked at a college where Professor Snodgrass had -been an instructor. - -Supper over, they all gathered about a comfortable fire and, in answer -to questions from Don Alvarzo, the boys told something of their plans, -not, however, revealing their real object. - -"I presume you are searching for silver mines," said the Don, with a -laugh and a sly wink. "Believe me, all the silver and gold, too, is -taken out of my unfortunate country. You had much better go to raising -cattle. Now, I have several nice ranches I could sell you. What do you -say? Shall we talk business?" - -But Jerry, assuming the role of spokesman, decided they had no -inclination to embark in business just yet. They might consider it -later, he said. - -The Don looked disappointed, but did not press the point. The evening -was passed pleasantly enough, and about nine o'clock, as the travelers -showed signs of fatigue, Jones suggested that beds might be agreeable. - -"I am sorry I cannot give you sleeping apartments together," remarked -the Don. "I can put two of you boys in one room, give the professor -another small room, and the third boy still another. It is the best -arrangement I can make." - -"That will suit us," replied Jerry. "Ned and I will bunk together." - -"Very well; if you will follow my man he will escort you to your -rooms," went on the Mexican. "Perhaps the professor will sit up and -smoke." - -The naturalist said he never smoked, and, besides, he was so tired that -bed was the best place for him. So he followed the boys, and soon the -travelers were lighted to their several apartments. Ned and Jerry found -themselves together, the professor had a room at one end of a long -gangway and Bob an apartment at the other end. Good-nights were called, -and the adventurers prepared to get whatever rest they might. - -As Ned and Jerry were getting undressed they heard a low knock on their -door. - -"Who's there?" asked Jerry. - -"Hush! Not so loud!" came in cautious tones. "This is Jones. Keep your -guns handy, that's all. I can't tell you any more," and then the boys -heard him moving away. - -"Well, I must say that's calculated to induce sleep," remarked Ned. -"Keep your guns handy! I wonder if we've fallen into a robber's den?" - -"I don't like the looks of things," commented Jerry. "The Don may be all -right, and probably is, but he has a lot of ugly-looking Mexicans on his -boat. I guess we'll watch out. I hope Jones will warn the others." - -There came a second knock on the door. - -"What is it?" called Jerry, in a whisper. - -"I've warned your friends," replied Jones. "Now watch out. I can't say -any more." - -His footsteps died away down the gangway. Jerry and Ned looked at each -other. - -"I guess we'll sit up the rest of the night," said Ned. - -They started their vigil. But they were very tired and soon, before -either of them knew it, they were nodding. Several times they roused -themselves, but nature at length gained the mastery and soon they were -both stretched out asleep on the bed. - -About three o'clock in the morning there came a cautious trying of the -door of the room where Ned and Jerry were sleeping. Soft footsteps -sounded outside. If ever the boys needed to be awake it was now, for -there was a thief in the night stealing in upon them. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -INTO THE WILDERNESS. - - -Jerry had a curious dream. He thought he was back in Cresville and -was playing a game of ball. He had reached second base safely and was -standing there when the player on the other side grabbed him by his belt -and began to pull him away. - -"Here! Stop that! It's not in the game!" exclaimed Jerry, struggling to -get away. So real was the effort that he awakened. He looked up, and -there, standing over him in the darkness, was a dim form. - -"Silence!" hissed a voice. "One move and I'll kill you. Remain quiet and -you shall not be harmed!" - -Jerry had sense enough to obey. He was wide awake now and knew that he -was at the mercy of a Mexican robber. The man was struggling to undo the -lad's money-belt about his waist, and it was this that had caused the -boy's vivid dream. - -Jerry had been kicking his feet about rather freely, but now he -stretched out and submitted to the mauling to which the robber was -subjecting him. If only Ned would awake, Jerry thought, for Ned, he -knew, had his revolver ready in his hand. - -With a yank the thief took off Jerry's belt containing the money. - -"Lie still or you die!" the fellow exclaimed. - -Then he moved over to where Ned reclined on the bed. Jerry could see -more plainly now, for the storm had ceased, the moon had risen and -a stray beam came in the side window of the house-boat. The robber -stretched out his hand to Ned's waist. He was about to reach under the -coat and unbuckle the money-belt, when Ned suddenly sat upright. In his -hand he held his revolver, which he pointed full in the face of the -marauder. - -"Drop that knife!" exclaimed Ned, for the Mexican held a sharp blade in -his hand. - -"Bah!" the fellow exclaimed, but the steel fell with a clang to the -floor. - -"Now lay the money-belt on the bed, if you don't want me to shoot!" said -the boy, pushing the cold steel of the weapon against the Mexican's face. - -"Pardon, senor, it was all a joke! Don't shoot!" the fellow uttered, in -a trembling voice, at the same time tossing the belt over to Jerry, who -had drawn his own revolver from under the pillow where he had placed it. - -"Light the candle, Jerry," went on Ned, "while I keep him covered with -the gun. We'll see what sort of a chap he is." - -Jerry rose to find matches. But the robber did not wait for this. With a -bound he leaped to the window. One jump took him through, and a second -later a splash in the river outside told how he had escaped. - -Ned ran to the casement and fired two shots, not with any intention of -hitting the man, but to arouse his friends. In an instant there was -confused shouting, lights gleamed in several rooms, and Don Alvarzo came -hurrying in. - -"What's the matter? What is it all about? Is any one killed?" he cried. - -"Nothing much has happened," said Ned, as coolly as possible under the -circumstances. "A burglar got in the room and got out again." - -"A burglar? A thief? Impossible! In my house-boat? Where did he go? Did -he get anything?" - -"He got Jerry's money-belt," said Ned, "but----" - -"A money-belt! Santa Maria! Was there much in it?" and Ned thought he -saw a gleam come into the Don's eyes. - -"Oh, he didn't get it to keep!" went on Jerry. "We both fell asleep, -and the fellow robbed Jerry first. I was awakened by feeling Jerry -accidentally kick me. I saw the robber take his belt, but when he came -for mine I was ready for him. I made him give Jerry's back----" - -"Made him give it back!" exclaimed Don Alvarzo, and Ned fancied he -detected disappointment in his host's face. "You are a brave lad. Where -did the fiend go?" - -"Out of the window," answered Ned. "I fired at him to give him a scare." - -"I am disgraced that such a thing should happen in my house!" exclaimed -the Don, and this time it was Jerry who noticed Jones, the American -manager, winking one eye as he stood behind his employer. "I am -disgraced," went on the Mexican. "But never mind, I shall inform the -authorities and they will hang every robber they catch to please me." - -"I'm robbed! I'm robbed!" exclaimed Professor Snodgrass, bursting into -the room. He was attired in blue pajamas, and his bald head was shining -in the candle light. - -"What did they get from you?" asked the Don, his face once more showing -interest. - -"The rascals took three fine specimens of sand fleas from me!" exclaimed -the naturalist. "The loss is irreparable!" - -"_Diablo!_" exclaimed the Don, under his breath. "Three sand fleas! Ah, -these crazy _Americanos_!" - -"I fancy you can get more, Professor," said Jones, with a laugh. "Well, -there seems to be no great damage done. I reckon we can all go back to -bed now." - -The servants, who had been aroused by the commotion, went back to their -rooms. In a little while the Don, with many and profuse apologies, -withdrew, and the professor and Bob returned to their apartments. Jones -was the last to go. - -"I told you to be on the watch," he whispered, as he prepared to leave. -"I overheard some of the rascals making up a game to relieve you of some -of your cash. I wouldn't say the Don was in on it, but the sooner you -get out of this place the better. You can go to sleep now. There is no -more danger. Lucky one of you happened to wake up in time or you'd have -been cleaned out. Good-night." - -"Good-night," said Ned and Jerry, as they locked their door, which had -been opened by false keys. They went to bed and slept soundly until -daybreak, in spite of the excitement. Nor were they disturbed again. - -Don Alvarzo talked of nothing but the attempted robbery the next morning -at breakfast. He declared he had sent one of his men post-haste to -inform the authorities, who, he said, would dispatch a troop of soldiers -to search for the miscreant. - -"I am covered with confusion that my guests should be so insulted," he -said. - -But, somehow, his voice did not ring true. The boys and the professor, -however, thanked him for his consideration and hospitality. - -"I think we must be traveling now," announced Jerry. - -"Will you not pass another night under my roof?" asked the Don. "I -promise you that you will not be awakened by robbers again." - -"No, thank you," said Jerry. Afterward, he said the Don might carry out -his promise too literally, and take means to prevent them from waking -if thieves did enter their rooms. So, amid protestations that he was -disappointed at the shortness of their stay, and begging them to come -and see him again, the Don said farewell. - -"I think, perhaps, we ought to pay for the damage to your boat," said -Jerry, not wishing to be under any obligations to the Mexican. - -"Do not insult me, I beg of you!" exclaimed the Don, and he really -seemed so hurt that Jerry did not press it. Then, with a toot of the -horn, the auto started off on the trip through Mexico. - -It was a beautiful day, and the boys were enchanted with the scenery. -Behind them lay the broad Rio Grande, while off to the right were the -foothills that increased in height and size until they became the mighty -mountains. The foliage was deep green from the recent shower, and the -sun shone, making the whole country appear a most delightful place. - -"It looked as if our entrance into Mexico was not going to be very -pleasant," said Jerry, "especially during the storm and the smash-up -with the house-boat. But to-day it couldn't be better." - -"That was a close call you and Ned had," put in Bob. "I wonder why they -didn't tackle me?" - -"Because you are so good-natured-looking the robbers knew you never had -any money," replied Jerry, with a laugh. "I wonder what Chunky would -have done if a Mexican brigand had demanded his money-belt?" - -"He could have had it without me making a fuss," replied the stout -youth. "Money is a good thing, but I think more of myself than half a -dozen money-belts." - -"Ah, my poor fleas!" exclaimed the professor. "I wonder if the robber -killed them." - -"I guess they hopped away," suggested Ned. - -"No, they would never leave me," went on the naturalist. - -"Well, I'm glad I haven't such an intimate acquaintance with them as -that," commented Jerry, with a laugh. - -"Oh, they were tame. They never bit me once," the professor said, with -pride in his voice. - -With Ned at the steering-wheel, the auto made good time. The road was -a fair one, skirting the edge of a vast plain for several miles. About -noon the path led into a dense forest, where there was barely room for -the machine to pass the thick trees and vines that bordered the way on -either side. - -"I hope we don't get caught in this wilderness," said Ned, making a -skilful turn to avoid a fallen tree. - -"Supposing we stop now and get dinner," suggested Jerry. "It's past -noon, and I'm hungry." - -The plan was voted a good one. The portable stove that burned gasolene -was set going, coffee was made and some canned chicken was warmed in a -frying pan. With some seasoning and frijoles Don Alvarzo had given them -the boys made an excellent meal. - -After a rest beneath the trees the boys started off in their auto again. -The road widened when they had gone a few miles, and improved so that -traveling was easier. About dusk they came to a small village, in the -centre of which was a comfortable-looking inn. - -"How will that do to stop at overnight?" asked Ned. - -"First rate," answered Jerry. - -The auto was steered into the yard, and the proprietor of the place came -out, bowing and smiling. - -"Your friends have just preceded you, senors," he said. - -"Our friends?" asked Jerry, in surprise. - -"_Si, senor._ Don Nixon and Don Pender. They were here not above an hour -ago. I think they must be your friends, because they were in the same -sort of an engine as yourselves." - -"Noddy Nixon here!" exclaimed Jerry. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -A FIERCE FIGHT. - - -The boys glanced at each other in blank astonishment. As for Professor -Snodgrass, he was too occupied with chasing a little yellow tree-toad to -pay much attention to anything but the pursuit of specimens. - -"We seem bound to cross the trail of Noddy sooner or later," remarked -Ned. "Well, if he's ahead of us he can't be behind, that's one -consolation." - -"Will the honorable senors be pleased to enter my poor inn?" spoke the -Mexican, bowing low. - -"I suppose we may as well stop here," said Jerry, in a low tone to his -companions. "It looks like a decent place, and it will give Noddy a -chance to get a good way ahead, which is what we want. But I don't see -what he means by going on when it will soon be night." - -The auto was run under a shed, its appearance causing some fright among -the servants and a few travelers, who began to mutter their prayers in -Spanish. The boys, escorted by the Mexican, then entered the hostelry. -It was a small but decent-looking place, as Jerry had said. The boys -were shown to rooms where, washing off some of the grime of their -journey, they felt better. - -"Supper is ready," announced the innkeeper, who spoke fairly good -English. - -"Where is the professor?" asked Ned, as the boys descended to the -dining-room. - -"The last I saw of him he was climbing up the tree after that toad," -answered Bob. "But here he comes now." - -The naturalist came hurrying into the room, clasping something in his -hand. - -"I've got it! I've got it!" he shouted. "A perfect beauty!" - -The professor opened his fingers slightly to peer at his prize, when the -toad, taking advantage of the opportunity, hopped on the floor and was -rapidly escaping. - -"Oh, oh, he's got away!" the professor exclaimed. "Help me catch him, -everybody! He's worth a thousand dollars!" - -The naturalist got down on his hands and knees and began crawling after -the hopping tree-toad, while the boys could not restrain their laughter. -A crowd of servants gathered in the doorway to watch the antics of the -strange _Americano_. - -"There! I have you again, my beauty!" cried the professor, pouncing on -his specimen in a corner of the room. "You shall not escape again!" and -with that he popped the toad into a small specimen box which he always -wore strapped on his back. - -"Tell me," began the innkeeper, in a low tone, sidling up to Jerry, -"is your elderly friend, the bald-headed senor, is he--ah--um--is he a -little, what you _Americanos_ call--er--wheels?" and he moved his finger -with a circular motion in front of his forehead. - -"Not in the least," replied the boy. "He is only collecting specimens -for his college." - -The Mexican shrugged his shoulders and spread out his hands in an -apologetic sort of way, but it was easy to see that he believed -Professor Snodgrass insane, an idea that was shared by all the servants -in the inn, for not one of them, during the adventurers' brief stay in -the hotel, would approach him without muttering a prayer. - -"I wonder what we'll have to eat?" asked Ned, as with the others he -prepared to sit down. - -The innkeeper clapped his hands, which signal served in lieu of a bell -for the servants. In a little while a meal of fish, eggs, chocolate and -chicken, with the ever-present frijoles and tortillas, was served. It -tasted good to the hungry lads, though as Jerry remarked he would have -preferred it just as much if there hadn't been so much red pepper and -garlic in everything. - -"Water! Water! Quick!" cried Bob, after taking a generous mouthful of -frijoles, which contained an extra amount of red pepper. "My mouth is on -fire!" - -He swallowed a tumblerful of liquid before he had eased the smart caused -by the fiery condiment. Thereafter he was careful to taste each dish -with a little nibble before he indulged too freely. - -In spite of these drawbacks, the boys enjoyed their experience, and were -interested in the novelty of everything they saw. - -"I wonder how we are to sleep?" said Jerry, after the meal was over. -"I've heard that Mexican beds were none of the best." - -"You shall sleep the sleep of the just, senors," broke in the Mexican -hotel keeper, coming up just as Jerry spoke. "My inn is full, every room -is occupied, but you shall sleep _en el sereno_." - -"Well, as long as it's on a good bed in a room where the mosquitoes -can't get in I shan't mind that," spoke Bob. "I don't know as I care -much for scenery, but if it goes with the bed, why, all right." - -"You'll sleep in no room to-night," said Professor Snodgrass, who for -the moment was not busy hunting specimens. "By '_en el sereno_' our -friend means that you must sleep out of doors, under the stars. It is -often done in this country. They put the beds out in the courtyard or -garden and throw a mosquito net over them." - -"That's good enough," said Bob. "It won't be the first time we've -slept in the open. Bring on the '_en el sereno_,'" and he laughed, the -innkeeper joining in. - -The beds for the travelers were soon made up. They consisted of light -cots of wood, with a few blankets on them. Placed out in the courtyard, -under the trees, with the sky for a roof, the sleeping-places were -indeed in the open. - -But the boys and Professor Snodgrass had no fault to find. They had -partaken of a good meal, they were tired with their day's journey, and -about nine o'clock voted to turn in. - -"We'll keep our revolvers handy this time," said Bob, "though I guess we -won't need 'em." - -"Can't be too sure," was Ned's opinion, as he took off his shoes and -placed his weapon under his pillow. - -It was not long before snores told that the travelers were sound asleep. -For several hours the inn bustled with life, for the Mexicans did not -seem to care much about rest. At length the place became quiet, and -at midnight there was not a sound to be heard, save the noises of the -forest, which was no great distance away, and the vibrations caused by -the breathing of the slumberers. - -It was about two o'clock in the morning when Bob was suddenly awakened -by feeling a hand passed lightly over his face. - -"Here!" he cried. "Get out of that!" - -"Silence!" hissed a voice in his ear. But Bob was too frightened to -keep quiet. He gave a wild yell and tried to struggle to his feet. Some -one thrust him back on the cot, and rough hands tried to rip off his -money-belt. The boy fought fiercely, and struck out with both fists. - -"Wake up, Jerry and Ned!" he yelled. "We're being robbed. Shoot 'em!" - -The courtyard became a scene of wild commotion. It was dark, for the -moon was covered with clouds, but as Jerry and Ned sat up, alarmed by -Bob's voice, they could detect dim forms moving about among the trees. - -"The Mexicans are robbing us!" shouted Ned. He drew his revolver and -fired in the air for fear of hitting one of his comrades. By the light -of the weapon's flash he saw a man close to him. Bob aimed the pistol in -the fellow's face and pulled the trigger. There was a report, followed -by a loud yell. At the same time a thousand stars seemed to dance before -Ned's eyes, and he fell back, knocked unconscious by a hard blow. - -Jerry had sprung to his feet, to be met by a blow in the face from a -brawny fist. He quickly recovered himself, however, and grappled with -his assailant. He found he was but an infant in the hands of a strong -man. The boy tried to reach for his revolver, but just as his hand -touched the butt of the weapon he received a stinging blow on the head -and he toppled over backward, his senses leaving him. - -In the meanwhile Bob was still struggling with the robber who had -attacked him. Fleshy as he was, Bob had considerable strength, and he -wrestled with the fellow. They both fell to the ground and rolled over. -In their struggles they got underneath one of the beds. - -"Let me go!" yelled Bob. At that instant he felt the ear of his enemy -come against his mouth. The boy promptly seized the member in his teeth -and bit it hard enough to make the fellow howl for mercy. - -Bob suddenly found himself released, and the robber, with a parting blow -that made the boy's head sing, rolled away from under the bed and took -to his heels. - -"Help! help! help!" cried Professor Snodgrass, as Bob tried to sit -upright, for it was under the bed of the naturalist that the boy had -rolled. In straightening up he had tipped the scientist, who, up to this -point, had been sleeping soundly on the cot. - -"What is it? What has happened? Is it a fire? Has an earthquake -occurred? Is the river rising? Has a tidal wave come in? Santa Maria! -But what is all the noise about?" cried the landlord, rushing into the -courtyard, bearing an ancient lantern. "What has happened, senors? Was -your rest disturbed?" - -"Was our rest disturbed?" inquired Bob, in as sarcastic a tone as -possible under the circumstances. "Well, I would say yes! A band of -robbers attacked us." - -"A band of robbers! Santa Maria! Impossible! There are no robbers in -Mexico!" and the innkeeper began to chatter volubly in Spanish. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE OLD MEXICAN. - - -"Well, if they weren't robbers they were a first-class imitation," -responded Bob. "There's Jerry and Ned knocked out, at any rate, and they -nearly did for me. They would have, only I bit the chap's ear. I guess -I'll know him again; he has my mark on him." - -"Bit his ear! The _Americano_ is brave! But we must see to the poor -unfortunate senors! Robbers! Impossible!" - -By this time the whole inn was aroused and the courtyard was filled with -servants and guests. Water was brought and with it Jerry and Ned were -revived. - -"What happened?" began Jerry. "Oh, I remember now! Did they get our -money?" - -"I guess they got yours and Ned's," said Bob, in sorrowful tones, as he -noted his chums' disordered clothing and saw that the money-belts were -gone. "They didn't get mine, though, so we're not in such bad luck, -after all. How do you feel?" - -"As if a road-roller had gone over me," replied Jerry. - -"Same here," put in Ned, holding his head in his hands. "He must have -given me a pretty good whack. Who was it robbed us?" - -"Are you sure you were robbed, senors?" asked the hotel keeper. "Perhaps -you may have been dreaming." - -"Does that look as if it was only a nightmare?" asked Ned, showing a big -lump on his head. - -"Or this?" added Jerry, showing his clothing cut with a knife where the -robber had slashed it in order to take out the money-belt. - -"No, it was not a dream," murmured the innkeeper. "There must have been -robbers here. I wonder who they were?" - -"They didn't leave their cards, so it's hard to say," remarked Jerry. "I -don't suppose the burglars down here are in the habit of sending word -in advance of their visit, or of telling the police where to find them -after they commit a crime." - -"Never! Never!" exclaimed the Mexican host. "But speaking of the police, -I must tell them about this some time to-morrow." - -"Any time will do," put in Ned. "We're in no hurry, you know." - -"I am glad of that," said the hotel keeper, in all seriousness. "Most -_Americanos_ are in such a rush, and I have to go to market to-morrow. -The next day will do very well. I thank you, senors. Now I bid you -good-night, and pleasant dreams." - -"Well, he certainly does take things easy," said Jerry, when the -innkeeper and his servants, with many polite bows, had withdrawn. "He -don't seem to care much whether we were nearly killed or not. I guess -this must be a regular occurrence down here." - -"I always heard the Mexican brigands were terrible fellows," said -Professor Snodgrass. "Now I am sure of it. I am glad they did not get -any of my specimens, however. All my treasures are safe." - -"But Ned and I have lost five hundred dollars each," put in Jerry. - -"You can get more from the gold mine," went on the professor. - -"Yes; but it may spoil our trip," said Ned. - -"I have my five hundred dollars," said Bob. - -"And I have nearly one thousand in bills," spoke the professor, in a -whisper. "We will have enough. The robbers would never suspect me of -carrying money. Listen; it is in the box with the big lizard and the -bat, and no one will ever look there for it," and he chuckled in silent -glee. - -"Then I guess we can go on," said Jerry. "But I wonder who it was robbed -us?" - -"I suppose it was the Mexican brigands that hang about every hotel," -said Ned. - -"I'm not so sure of that," went on Jerry. "You know Noddy Nixon and his -crowd are not far off. It may have been they." - -"That's so; I never thought of them," said Ned. - -"Did you recognize any one?" - -"The fellow who grappled with me had a mask on," said Jerry. "But I -thought I recognized that fellow Dalsett. However, I couldn't be sure." - -"I didn't get a chance to see my man," Ned added. - -"The fellow who came for me had a voice like Bill Berry's," put in Bob. -"If I could see his ear I could soon tell." - -"It will be a good while before you see his ear," continued Jerry. "I -wonder if it was Nixon's crowd, or only ordinary robbers? If we are to -be attacked by Noddy and his gang all the way through Mexico the trip -will not be very pleasant." - -"Well, there's only one thing certain, and that is, the money-belts are -gone," put in Ned, gazing ruefully at his waist around which he had -strapped his cash. "The next question is, who took them?" - -"Which same question is likely to remain unanswered for some time," -interrupted Professor Snodgrass. "Now, don't worry, boys. We are still -able to continue on our search for the buried city. This will teach us a -lesson not to go to sleep again unless some one is on guard. The money -loss is nothing compared to the possibility that one of us might have -been killed, or some of my specimens stolen. Now we had better all go to -bed again." - -"Shall we stand guard for the remainder of the night?" asked Bob. - -"I think it will not be necessary," spoke the professor. "The robbers -are not likely to return." - -So, extinguishing the lantern which the innkeeper had left, the -travelers once more sought their cots, on which they had a somewhat -fitful rest until morning. - -At breakfast the innkeeper urged the travelers to spend a few days at -his hotel, saying he had sent for a Government officer to come and -make an investigation of the robbery. But the boys and the professor, -thanking their host for his invitation, called for their bill, settled -it, and were soon puffing away through the forest once more. - -For several hours they journeyed on beneath giant palms which lined -either side of the road. The scenery was one unending vista of green, -in which mingled brilliant-hued flowers. Wild parrots and other birds -flitted through the trees and small animals rustled through the -underbrush as the automobile dashed by. - -Jerry was at the steering wheel and was sending the car along at a good -clip, when, as he suddenly rounded a curve he shut off the power and -applied the brakes. Not a moment too soon was he, for he stopped the -machine only a few feet from an aged Mexican, who was traveling along -the road, aiding his faltering steps with a large, wooden staff. - -The Mexican glanced at the auto which, with throbbing breath, as the -engine still continued to vibrate, seemed to fill him with terror. -Suddenly he dropped to his knees and began to pray. - -"Be not afraid," Professor Snodgrass called to him, speaking in the -Spanish language. "We are but poor travelers like yourself. We will not -harm you." - -"Whence do you come in your chariot of fire?" asked the old man. "Ye are -demons and no true men!" - -"We will not hurt you," said the naturalist, again. "See, we bring you -gifts," and he held out to the Mexican a package of tobacco and a small -hand-mirror. The old man's eyes brightened at the sight of them. He rose -to his feet and took them, though his hands trembled. - -In a moment he had rolled a cigarette of the tobacco, and, puffing -out great clouds of smoke, complacently gazed at his image in the -looking-glass. - -"Truly ye are men and not demons," he said. "The tobacco is very good. -But whence come ye, and whither do ye go?" - -"We are travelers from a far land," answered the professor. "Whither we -go we scarcely know. We are searching for the unknown." - -The aged Mexican started. Then he gazed fixedly at the professor. - -"It may be that I can tell whither ye journey," he said. "For your -kindness to me I am minded to look into the future for you. Shall I?" - -"No one can look into the future," answered the naturalist. "No one -knows what is going to happen." For the professor was no believer in -anything but what nature revealed to him. - -"Unbelievers! Unbelievers!" muttered the old man, blowing out a great -cloud of smoke. "But ye shall see. I will read what is to happen for -you." - -He sat down at the side of the road. In the dust he drew a circle. This -he divided into twelve parts, and in one he placed a small quantity of -powder, which he took from his sash. The powder he lighted with a match. -There was a patch of fire, and a cloud of yellow smoke. For an instant -the old man was hidden from view. Then his voice was heard. - -"Ye seek the unknown, hidden and buried city of ancient Mexico!" he -said, in startling tones. "And ye shall find it. Yea, find it sooner -than ye think, and in a strange manner. Look behind ye!" - -Involuntarily the boys and the professor turned. - -"Nothing there," grunted Ned, as he looked to where the old man had been -seated. To his astonishment, as well as the surprise of the others, the -aged Mexican had disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -A VIEW OF THE ENEMY. - - -"Where is he?" cried Bob. - -"He must have gone down through a hole in the earth," said Ned. "I -didn't have my eyes off him three seconds. He didn't go down the road -or we would have seen him, and he couldn't have run into the bushes on -either side without making a great racket. He's a queer one." - -"Just like the East Indian jugglers I've read about," put in Jerry. - -"I think probably he was something on that order," agreed Professor -Snodgrass. "Strange how he should have known about the buried city, and -we have spoken to no one about it since we came to Mexico." - -"Let's look and see if we can find a trace of him," suggested Bob. - -The boys alighted from the car. They made a careful search around the -spot where the old man had sat. There was the circle he had drawn in the -dust, and the mark where the powder had burned, but not another trace of -the Mexican could they find. They looked behind trees and rocks, but -all they found was big toads and lizards that hopped and crawled away -as they approached. The professor annexed several of the reptiles for -specimens. - -"How do you explain it all?" asked Jerry of the naturalist, when they -had taken their seats in the automobile again. "Have those men any -supernatural powers?" - -"I do not believe they have," replied the professor. "They do some -things that are hard to explain, but they are sharp enough to do their -tricks under their own conditions, and they disappear before those who -can see them have gotten over their momentary surprise." - -"The disappearing was the funny part of it," went on Jerry. "I can -understand how he made the smoke. A pinch of gunpowder would produce -that. But how did he dissolve himself into thin air?" - -"He didn't," replied the naturalist. "I'll tell you how that was done. -It is a favorite trick in India. When he suddenly called to us to -look behind us he took advantage of our momentary glance away to hide -himself." - -"But where?" - -"Behind that big rock," and the naturalist pointed to a large one near -where the Mexican had been sitting. - -"But we looked behind that," said Ned. - -"Yes, several minutes after the disappearance," went on the professor, -with a laugh. "This was how he did it: He wore a long, gray cloak, -which, perhaps, you didn't notice. It was exactly the color of the stone -and was partly draped over it. It was there all the while he was doing -his trick. I saw it, but thought nothing of it at the time. Now, when he -had finished the hocus-pocus, and when our heads were turned, he just -rolled himself up into a ball and got under the cloak by the stone. Of -course, it looked as if he had dropped down through the earth." - -"But how about him getting away so completely that our search didn't -reveal him?" asked Jerry. - -"I think he waited a while and then, when he heard us getting out of the -automobile he took advantage of the confusion to crawl, still under his -cloak, into the bushes, perhaps by a path he alone knew. There really is -no mystery to it." - -"How about him telling us we were searching for the buried city?" asked -Bob. "Wasn't that mind-reading?" - -"I think he knew that part of it," said the professor, "though it seemed -strange to me at first. You must remember that the object of our trip -was pretty freely talked of back in the gold camp. Some one may have -come here from there before we started, and, in some manner, this old -Mexican may have heard of us. He may even have been waiting for us. No; -it looks queer when it happens, but reasoned out, it is natural enough. -However, I am glad to know we are on the right road and will find what -we are searching for, though the old man may be mistaken." - -"Shall we go forward again?" asked Jerry, resuming his place at the -steering wheel. - -"Forward it is!" cried Ned. "Ho, for the buried city!" - -Once more the auto puffed along the forest road. It was warm with the -heat of the tropics, and the boys were soon glad to take off their -coats and collars. Even with the breeze created by the movement of the -machine, it was oppressive. - -"I say, when are we going to eat?" asked Bob. "I know it's long past -noon." - -"Wrong for once, Chunky," answered Ned, looking at his watch. "It's only -eleven o'clock." - -"Well, here's a good place to stop and eat, anyhow," went on the stout -lad, to whom eating never came amiss. - -"All right, we'll camp," put in Jerry, bringing the machine to a stop. - -It was rather pleasant in the shade of the forest in spite of the heat, -and the boys enjoyed it very much. The gasolene stove was lighted -and Ned made some chocolate, for, since their advent into Mexico the -travelers had come to like this beverage, which almost every one down -in that country drinks. With this and some frijoles and cold chicken -brought from the inn, they made a good meal. - -"I'm going to hunt for some specimens," announced the professor. "You -boys can rest here for an hour or so." - -With his green collecting box and his butterfly net the naturalist -disappeared along a path that led through the forest. - -"I suppose he'll come back with a blue-nosed baboon or a flat-headed -gila monster," said Ned. "He does find the queerest things." - -It was almost an hour later, when the boys were wondering what had -become of the naturalist, that they heard faint shouts in the direction -he had taken. - -"Hurry, boys!" the professor's voice called. "Hurry! Help! help! I'm -caught!" - -"He's in trouble again!" exclaimed Ned. "We must go to his rescue!" - -"Have you got your revolver?" asked Jerry, as Ned was about to rush away. - -"No; it's in the auto." - -"Better get it. I'll take a rifle along. Bob, you bring the rope. No -telling what has happened, and we may need all three." - -With rifle, revolver and rope the three boys rushed into the forest to -the rescue of their friend. They could hear his shouts more plainly now. - -"Hurry or he'll kill me!" cried the professor. - -Running at top speed the boys emerged into a sort of clearing. There -they saw a sight that filled them with terror. - -Professor Snodgrass was standing underneath a tree, from one of the -lower branches of which a big snake had dropped its sinuous folds about -him. The reptile was slowly winding its coils about the unfortunate man, -tightening and tightening them. Its ugly head was within a few feet of -the professor's face, and the man was striking at the snake with the -butterfly net. - -"We're coming! We'll save you!" shouted Jerry. - -The boy started to run close to the naturalist, intending to get near -enough to fire at the snake's head without danger of hitting the -professor. - -"Look out!" yelled Bob, pointing to the ground in front of the tree. -"There's another of the reptiles!" - -As he spoke a second snake reared its head from the grass, right in the -path Jerry would have taken. Bob had warned him just in time. - -Jerry dropped to one knee. He took quick but careful aim at the snake on -the ground and fired. The reptile thrashed about in a death struggle, -for the bullet had crashed through its head. - -"Now for the other one!" cried Jerry. - -He ran in close to the reptile that was slowly crushing the professor to -death. The unfortunate naturalist could no longer cry for help, so weak -was he. - -Jerry placed the muzzle of the rifle close to the snake's head, and -pulled the trigger. The ugly folds relaxed, the long, sinuous body -straightened out and the professor would have fallen had not Jerry, -dropping his gun, caught him. The other boys came to his aid, and they -carried the naturalist to one side and placed him on the grass. - -Bringing water from a nearby spring, Bob soon restored the professor to -his senses. - -"I'm all right," said the collector in a few minutes. "The breath was -about squeezed out of me, though." - -"You had a narrow escape," said Ned. - -"Thanks to you boys, it ended fortunately," said the naturalist. "You -see, I was trying to capture a new kind of tree-toad, and I didn't see -the snake until it had me in its folds. I'll be more careful next time." - -In a little while the professor was able to walk. Jerry recovered his -gun and the whole party made their way back to the auto. - -The camp utensils were soon packed up and the journey was resumed. - -"I wonder what sort of an inn we'll stop at to-night?" said Bob. "I -hope they don't have any robbers." - -"We won't run any chances," spoke Ned. "We'll post a guard." - -For several hours the auto chugged along. As it came to the top of a -hill the boys saw below them quite a good-sized village. - -"There's where we'll spend the night," remarked Jerry. "Hello! What's -that?" and he pointed to some object round a turn of the road, just -ahead of them. - -"It looks like an automobile," said the professor. - -"It is!" cried Ned. "And Noddy Nixon is in it!" - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -SOME TRICKS IN MAGIC. - - -"You don't mean it!" exclaimed the professor. "Noddy Nixon, the young -man who made all the trouble for us! I thought we had seen the last of -him." - -"I hoped we had," said Jerry. "But you can't always get what you want in -this world." - -"No, indeed! There is a purple grasshopper I've been hunting for for -nearly five years, and I never found it!" spoke the naturalist. - -"I wonder if Noddy saw us?" asked Ned. - -"It doesn't make much difference," was Bob's opinion. "He'll run across -us sooner or later. If he stops in the same village we do he's sure to -hear about us." - -"Then we may as well put up overnight in this town," said Jerry, sending -the machine ahead again. Though the boys kept a close watch, they saw no -more of Noddy, for his automobile disappeared around a turn of the road. - -When the red touring car came up to the village, such a crowd of curious -Mexicans surrounded the auto that the occupants had difficulty in -descending. - -"I guess Noddy couldn't have come here, or these people wouldn't be so -curious about our car," said Bob. - -"Oh, you can depend on it, he's somewhere in the neighborhood," was -Ned's opinion. - -The keeper of the tavern, running out, bowed low to the prospective -guests. - -"Enter, senors!" he exclaimed. "You are welcome a thousand times. The -whole place is yours." - -"Will you guarantee that there are no robbers?" asked Jerry. - -"Robbers, senors? Not one of the rascals within a thousand miles!" - -"And will my bugs, snakes and specimens be safe?" asked the professor. - -"Bugs and snakes! Santa Maria! What do you want of such reptiles? Of -course they will be safe. The most wretched thief, of which there are -none here, would not so much as lay a finger on them." - -"Then we will stay," said the naturalist. - -"Out of the way, dogs, cattle, swine, pigs and beasts!" cried the -innkeeper, brushing the crowd aside. "Let the noble senors enter!" - -At these words, spoken in fierce tones, though mine host was smiling the -while, the throng parted, and the boys, accompanied by the professor, -made their way to the inn. - -It was not long before supper was served. There were the frijoles -and tortillas, without which no Mexican meal of ordinary quality is -complete, but the adventurers had not yet become used to this food. -Then, too, there was delicious chocolate, such as can be had nowhere but -in Mexico. - -While the meal was in progress the travelers noticed that there was -considerable excitement about the inn. Crowds of people seemed to be -going and coming, all of them talking loudly, and most of them laughing. - -"What is it all about?" asked Jerry. - -"To-day is a fete day," replied the innkeeper. "No one has worked, and -to-night there is an entertainment in the village square. Every one will -attend. It will be a grand sight." - -"What sort of entertainment?" - -"I know only what I heard, that a most wonderful magician will do feats. -Ah, some of those performers are very imps of darkness!" and the man -muttered a prayer beneath his breath. - -"That sounds interesting. Let's go," suggested Bob. - -"I haven't any objection," said Jerry. "Will you go, Professor?" - -"I will go anywhere where there is a chance I may add to the stock of -scientific knowledge," replied the naturalist. "Lead on, I'll follow." - -The meal over, the boys and professor had only to follow the crowd in -order to reach the public square. A centre space had been roped off, and -in the middle of this a small tent was erected. - -On the payment of a small sum to some officials, who seemed to be acting -as ushers, the travelers managed to get places in the front row. There -they stood, surrounded by swarthy Mexican men, women and boys, waiting -for the performance to begin. - -Suddenly from within the tent sounded some weird music: the shrill -scraping of fiddle and the beat of tom-toms. Then a voice was heard -chanting. A few seconds later a young man, dressed completely in white, -stepped from the tent and sat down, cross-legged, on the ground. A score -of flaring torches about him gave light, for it was now night. - -He spread a cloth on the ground, sprinkled a few drops of water on it, -muttered some words, whisked away the covering, and there was a tiny -dwarfed tree, its branches bearing fruit. - -"The old Indian mango trick!" exclaimed the professor. "I have seen it -done better, many times." - -The next trick was more elaborate. The youth in white clapped his hands -and a boy came running from the tent. With him he brought a basket. The -youth began to scold the boy, beating him with a stick. - -To escape the blows, the boy leaped into the basket. In a trice the -youth clapped the cover on. Then drawing a sword at his side, the youth -plunged it into the wicker-work several times. From the basket horrible -cries came, growing fainter and fainter at each thrust of the weapon. - -With a cry of satisfaction the youth finally held his sword aloft. The -boys could see that it ran red, as if with blood. - -"Has he stabbed him?" asked Bob, in frightened tones. - -"Watch," said the professor, with a smile. - -The youth opened the basket. It was empty. The boy had disappeared. The -youth gave a cry of astonishment, and gazed up into the starlit sky. -Naturally, every one in the crowd gazed upward, likewise. All at once -there was a cry from behind the youth, and the boy who had been in the -basket, laughing and capering about as if being thrust through with a -sword was the biggest joke in the world, moved among the assemblage, -collecting coins in his cap. - -"Another old Indian trick," said the professor. "He simply curled up -close to the outer rim of the basket and the sword went through the -middle, where his body formed a circle." - -"But the blood!" exclaimed Bob. - -"The boy had a sponge wet with red liquid, and when the sword blade came -through the basket he wiped the crimson stuff on it," explained the -professor. - -The tricks seemed to please the crowd very much, for few of them saw how -they were done. The Mexicans cried for more. - -The youth and boy retired to the tent. Their place was taken by an old -man, wrapped in a cloak. He produced a long rope, which he proceeded -to knot about his body, tying himself closely. Then he signed for two -of the spectators to take hold, one at either end of the cord, which -extended from under his cloak. Two men did as he desired. - -Then the old man began a sort of chant. He waved his hands in the air. -With a quick motion he threw something at one of the torches. A cloud of -smoke arose. There was a wild cry from the two men who held the rope. -When the vapor cleared away the magician was nowhere to be seen, though -his cloak lay on the ground and the men still held the ends of the rope -that had bound him. - -An instant later there came a laugh from a tree off to the left. Every -one turned to look, and the old man jumped down from among the branches. - -"He tied fake knots," said the professor. "While he was waving his hands -he managed to undo them. Then he threw some powder in the torch flame, -and while the smoke blinded every one he slipped out of his bonds and -cloak, went through the crowd like a snake, and climbed a tree. The -tricks are nothing to what I have seen in Egypt and India." - -"Perhaps there is nothing wonderful but in India or Egypt," spoke a -voice at the professor's elbow. He turned with a start, to see the old -magician standing near him. The naturalist had not spoken aloud, yet it -seemed that the Mexican had heard him. - -"There are stranger things in this land than in Egypt," went on the -trickster. "Buried cities are stranger. Buried cities, where there is -much gold to be had and great riches." - -"What do you know about buried cities?" asked the professor. - -"Ask him who sat in the road, who drew the circle in the dust. Ask him -whom ye vainly sought," replied the Mexican, with a laugh. - -The professor started. - -"It can't be! Yes, it is. It's the same Mexican we met before, and to -whom I gave the tobacco," said the naturalist. - -"_Si, senor_," was the answer, as the old man bowed low. "And be assured -that though you mock at my poor magic, yet I can look into the future -for you. I tell you," and he leaned over and whispered, "you shall soon -find what you seek, the mysterious city. You are on the right road. Keep -on. When ye reach a place where the path turns to the left, at the sign -where ye shall see the laughing serpent, take that path. See, the stars -tell that you will meet with good fortune." - -With a dramatic gesture the old man pointed aloft. Involuntarily the -professor and the boys looked up. Then, remembering the trick that had -been played on them before, they looked for the Mexican. But he had -disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -NODDY NIXON'S PLOT. - - -"His old trick again," murmured the professor. "I should have been on my -guard. However, it doesn't matter. But come on, boys. If we stand out -here our plans will soon be known to every one." - -The travelers went back to their hotel, but the crowds of people -remained at the square, for there were other antics of the entertainers -to follow. - -"I wonder if we'll have to sleep '_en el sereno_' to-night?" said Bob. -"If we do, I'm going to stay awake." - -"Yes, indeed; if they treat Chunky the way they did Jerry and myself, -we'll be stranded," put in Ned. "Have you got it all right, Chunky?" - -What "it" was, Ned did not say; but Bob understood, and, feeling where -his money-belt encircled his waist, nodded to indicate that it was still -in place. - -The travelers found there was plenty of room in the hotel. They were -given a large apartment with four beds in it, and told they could sleep -there together. They found that the room had but one door to it, and -all the windows were too high up to admit of easy entrance. So, building -a barricade of chairs in front of the portal, the adventurers decided -it would not be necessary to stand guard. If any one came into the -apartment he would have to make noise enough to awaken the soundest -sleeper. - -Thus protected, the travelers went to bed. Nor were their slumbers -disturbed by the advent of any robbers. However, if they could have seen -what was taking place in a small hut on the outskirts of the town, about -midnight, they might not have slept as peacefully. - -Within a small adobe house, well concealed in a grove of trees, five -figures were grouped around a table on which burned a candle stuck in a -bottle. - -"I'll make trouble for Jerry Hopkins and his friends yet," spoke a -youth, pounding the table with his fist. - -"That's what you're always saying, Noddy Nixon," put in a man standing -over in the shadow. - -"Well, I mean it this time, Tom Dalsett. We'd have put them out of -business long ago if I'd had my way." - -"Well, what are you going to do this time?" asked a lad, about Noddy's -age, whom, had the Motor Boys seen him, they would have at once known -for Jack Pender, though he had become quite stout and bronzed by his -travels. - -"I've got a plan," went on Noddy. "I didn't come over to Mexico for -nothing." - -"What do you s'pose they come for?" asked Bill Berry, who was busy -cleaning his revolver. - -"To locate a silver mine, of course," replied Noddy. "Ain't that so, -Vasco?" and Nixon turned to a slick-looking Mexican, who was rolling a -cigarette. The fellow was a halfbreed, having some American blood in his -veins. - -"_Si, senor_," was the reply. "Trust Vasco Bilette for finding out -things. I heard them talking about a mine." - -"Of course; I told you so," said Noddy. - -The truth of it was that Bilette had heard nothing of the sort, but -thought it best to agree with Noddy. - -"I hope we have better luck getting in on this mine than we did on their -gold mine," said Pender. - -"Well, rather!" put in Dalsett. - -"Leave it to me," went on Noddy. "I have a plan. And now do you fellows -want to stay here all night or travel in the auto?" - -"Stay here," murmured Bilette. "It is warm and comfortable. One can -smoke here." Then, as if that settled it, he rolled himself up in his -blanket, and, with a last puff on his cigarette, he went to sleep on the -floor. - -In a little while the others followed his example. Bilette slept better -than any one, for he seemed to be used to the hordes of fleas that -infested the hut. - -As for Noddy, he awakened several times because of the uncomfortableness -of his bed. Finally he got up and went out to sit up the rest of the -night on the cushioned seats of the automobile. - -So far, the Nixon crowd had done nothing but ride on a sort of pleasure -trip through Mexico. Noddy had managed to get some cash from home, and, -with what Dalsett obtained by gambling, they managed to live. - -Shortly after crossing the Rio Grande River, Noddy had fallen in with a -slick Mexican, Vasco Bilette by name, and had added him to his party. -Bilette knew the country well, and was of considerable assistance. He -seemed to have no particular occupation. Some evenings, when they would -be near a large town, he would disappear. He always turned up in the -morning with plenty of cash. How he got it he never said. - -But once he returned with a knife wound in the hand, and again, limping -slightly from a bullet in the leg. From which it might be inferred -that Vasco used other than gentle and legitimate means of making a -livelihood. But Noddy's crowd was not one that asked embarrassing -questions. - -With no particular object in view, Noddy had driven his car hither and -thither. However, accidentally hearing that Jerry and his friends had -come over into Mexico, Noddy determined to remain in their vicinity, -learn their plans, and, if possible, thwart them to his own advantage. - -Fortunately, the boys and the professor, soundly sleeping at their inn, -could not look into the future and see the dangers they were to run, -all because of Noddy and his gang. If they could have, they might have -turned back. - -Bright and early the next morning Professor Snodgrass awoke. He looked -out of the window, saw that the sun was shining, and rejoiced that the -day was to be pleasant. Then he happened to spy a new kind of a fly -buzzing around the room. - -"Ah, I must have you!" exclaimed the naturalist, unlimbering his insect -net. "Easy now, easy!" - -On tiptoes he began encircling the room after the fly. The buzzer seemed -in no mood to be caught, and the professor made several ineffectual -attempts to ensnare it. Finally the insect lighted on Bob's nose, as the -boy still slumbered. - -"Now I have you!" the professor cried. He forgot that Bob might have -some feelings, and thinking only of the rare fly, he brought the net -down smartly on Bob's countenance. - -"Help! Help! Robbers! Thieves!" shouted the boy. - -"Keep still! Don't move! I have it now!" yelled the professor, -gathering up his net with the fly in it. "Ah, there you are, my little -beauty!" - -Ned and Jerry tumbled out of their beds, Ned with his revolver ready in -his hand. - -"Oh, I thought it was some one after my money-belt," said Bob, when his -eyes were fully opened and he saw the professor. - -"Sorry to disturb you," said the naturalist. "But it's in the interest -of science, my dear young friend, and science is no respecter of -persons." - -"Nor of my nose, either," observed Bob, rubbing his proboscis with a -rueful countenance. - -There came a loud pounding at the door. - -"Who's there?" asked Jerry. - -"'Tis I, the landlord," was the answer. "What is it? Have the brigands -come? Is the place on fire? Why did the senor yell, as if some one had -stuck a knife into him?" - -"It was only me," called Bob. "The professor caught a new kind of fly on -my nose." - -"A fly! On your nose! _Diablo!_ Those _Americanos_! They are crazy!" the -innkeeper muttered as he went away. - -"Well, we're up; I suppose we may as well stay up," said Ned, stretching -and yawning. "My, but I did sleep good!" - -They all agreed that the night's sleep had been a restful one. They -dressed, had breakfast, and, in spite of the entreaties of the landlord -to stay a few days, they were soon on the road in the automobile. - -"I'm glad to know we are on the right path," said the professor, after -several miles had been covered. "I only hope that old Mexican was not -joking with us." - -"What was that he said about turning to the left?" asked Ned. - -"We are to turn when we come to the place where the laughing monkey is," -said Bob. - -"Serpent was what he said," observed Jerry. "The laughing serpent. I -wonder what that can be. I never saw a snake laugh." - -"It might be a figure of speech, or he may have meant there is a stone -image carved in that design set up to mark a road," spoke the professor. -"However, we shall see." - -Dinner was eaten in a little glade beside a small brook, where some -fish were caught. Then, while the boys stretched out on the grass, the -professor, who was never idle, took a small rifle and said he would go -into the forest and see if he could not get a few specimens. - -"Look out for snakes!" called Ned. - -"I will," replied the naturalist, remembering his former experience. - -About an hour later, when Jerry was just beginning to think it was time -to start off, the stillness of the forest was broken by a terrible and -blood-curdling yell. - -"A tiger!" cried Bob. - -"There are no tigers here," said Jerry. "But it's some wild beast!" - -The yell was repeated. Then came a crashing of the underbrush, followed -by a wild call for help. - -"That's the professor!" cried Jerry, seizing his rifle. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -NODDY SCHEMES WITH MEXICANS. - - -The boys crashed through the bushes and under the low branches of trees -in the direction of the professor's voice. They could hear him more -plainly now. - -"Help! Help! Come quick!" the naturalist cried. - -The sight that met the boys' eyes when they came out into a little -clearing of the forest was at once calculated to amuse and alarm them. -They saw the professor clinging to the tail of a mountain lion, the -beast being suspended over a low tree-limb, with the naturalist hanging -on one side of the branch and the animal on the other, the brute in the -air and the professor on the ground. - -[Illustration: THEY SAW THE PROFESSOR CLINGING TO THE TAIL OF A MOUNTAIN -LION.] - -The infuriated beast was struggling and wiggling to get free from the -grip the professor had of its tail. It snarled and growled, now and then -giving voice to a fierce roar, and endeavoring to swing far enough back -to bite or claw the naturalist. - -As for Professor Snodgrass, he was clinging to the tail with both -hands for dear life, and trying to keep as far as possible away from the -dangerous teeth and claws of the lion. - -"Let go!" yelled Jerry. - -"I dare not!" shouted the professor. "If I do the brute will fall to the -ground and eat me up. I can't let go, and I can't hold on much longer. -Hurry up, boys, and do something!" - -"How did you get that way?" asked Bob. - -"I'll--tell--you--later!" panted the poor professor, as he was swung -clear from the ground by a particularly energetic movement of the beast. -"Hurry! Hurry! The tail is slipping through my fingers!" - -In fact, this seemed to be the case, and the beast was now nearer the -ground, while the length of tail the naturalist grasped was lessened. - -The big cat-like creature suddenly began swinging to and fro, like a -pendulum. At each swing it came closer and closer to the professor. All -the while it was spitting and snarling in a rage. Suddenly the professor -gave a yell louder than any he had uttered. - -"Ouch! He bit me that time!" he cried. "Hurry, boys!" - -The lads saw that the situation now had more of seriousness than humor -in it. Jerry crept up close and, with cocked rifle, waited for a chance -to fire at the beast without hitting the professor. - -At that instant the lion made a strong, backward swing, and its claws -caught in the professor's trousers. The beast tried to sink its teeth in -the naturalist's legs, but with a quick movement the professor himself -jumped back, and, with his own momentum and that of the lion to aid him, -he swung in a complete circle around the limb of the tree, the lion -going with him, so their positions were exactly reversed. - -"Steady now! I have him!" called Jerry. - -The change in the positions of man and beast had given the boy the -very opportunity he wanted. The animal was now nearest to him. Quickly -raising the rifle, Jerry sent a bullet into the brute's head, following -it up with two others. The lion, with a last wild struggle to free -itself, dangled limply from the tree-limb, from which it was still -suspended by the professor's hold on its tail. - -Seeing that his enemy was dead, and could do him no harm, the naturalist -let go his grip and the big cat fell in a heap on the ground. - -"Once more you boys have saved my life," said the collector, as he -mopped his brow, for his exertions in trying to keep free from the beast -had not been easy. - -"Are you bit much?" asked Ned. - -"Nothing more than scratches," was the reply. - -"How in the world did you ever get in such a scrape?" asked Jerry. - -"I'll tell you how it was," answered the professor. "You see, I was busy -collecting bugs and small reptiles, going from tree to tree. When I came -to this one I saw what I thought was a small, yellow snake. I believed I -had a fine prize. - -"I approached without making a sound, and when I was near enough I made -a grab for what I imagined was the snake. Instead, it turned out to be -the tail of the mountain lion, which dangled from the limb, on which the -beast was crouched. All at once there was a terrible commotion." - -"I would say there was!" interrupted Ned. "We heard it over where we -were." - -"Yes, of course," resumed the professor. "Well, as soon as I got the -tail in my hands I found I had made a mistake. It was then too late to -let go, so the only thing to do was to hold on. It was rather a peculiar -position to be in." - -"It certainly was," said Jerry, with a laugh. - -"Yes, of course. Well, seeing that the only thing to do was to keep -my grip, I kept it and yelled for help. I guess the lion was as badly -scared as I was first, when it felt me grab its tail. After it found I -wasn't going to let go it got mad, I guess." - -"It acted so, at any rate," put in Bob. - -"Yes, of course," went on the professor. "Well, anyhow, I knew if I did -let go I would be clawed to pieces, so there I hung, like the man on the -tail of the mad bull, not daring to let go. Then you came, and you know -the rest." - -"Are you sure you're not hurt?" asked Ned. - -"Sure," was the reply. "I was too lively for the lion. I'm sorry the -tail didn't turn out to be a snake, though, for if it had been I'm sure -it would have been a rare specimen." - -Leaving the dead body of the animal where it had fallen, the travelers -went back to their auto. The camp utensils were packed away, and soon, -with Ned at the steering wheel, the machine was running off the miles -that separated the adventurers from the hidden city they hoped to find. - -They traveled until nearly nightfall, and came to no village or -settlement. It began to look as if they would have to camp in the open, -when, just as darkness was approaching, they came to a small adobe hut -in the midst of a sugar-cane plantation. - -"Maybe we can stop here overnight," said Jerry. - -An aged Mexican and his wife came to the door of the cabin to see the -strange fire-wagon pass. Speaking to them in Spanish, the professor -asked if he and his companions could get beds for the night. At first -the man seemed to hesitate, but the rattling of a few coins in Bob's -pockets soon changed his mind, and he bade the travelers enter. - -The woman quickly got a fairly good meal, and then, after sitting about -for an hour or so and talking over the events of the day, the travelers -sought their beds. They found themselves in one apartment, containing -two small, cane couches, neither one hardly big enough for a single -occupant. - -"However, it's better than sleeping out of doors, where the mosquitoes -can carry you away," said Ned. - -Contrary to their expectations, the travelers slept good, the only -trouble being the fleas, which were particularly numerous. But by this -time they had become somewhat used to this Mexican pest. - -While the professor and the boys were taking a well-earned rest, quite a -different scene was being enacted by Noddy Nixon and his companions. - -Following a half-formed plan he had in mind, Noddy had hung on the trail -of the Motor Boys. He had followed them from the inn where they last -stopped, and now he was camped out, with his followers, about five miles -from the adobe hut. But Jerry and his friends did not know this. - -"Isn't it pretty near time you told us what you are going to do, Noddy?" -asked Jack Pender, as he piled some wood on the camp-fire. - -"I'll tell you," spoke Noddy. "We're going to follow them until they -locate their mine, and then we're going to stake a claim right near -theirs. They're not going to get all the gold or silver in this country -the way they did in Arizona." - -"Are you sure it's a mine they're after?" asked Bilette, puffing at his -cigarette. - -"Of course," replied Noddy. "What else could it be? Didn't you hear -that's what they came for?" - -"I don't know," went on the slick Mexican. "I only asked for information. -If it's a mine they're after we'll need a bigger force than we have to -run things." - -"Where can we get help?" asked Noddy. - -"I'll show you," replied Vasco. He put his fingers to his lips and -whistled shrilly. - -An instant later half a dozen Mexicans stepped from the shadow of the -trees and stood in a line, in the glare of the fire. - -"Well, you didn't lose any time over it," observed Noddy. "Where did -they come from, and who are they?" and the bully looked a little uneasy. - -"They came from the greenwood," replied Vasco Bilette, "for the forest -is their home. And they are friends of mine, so now both your questions -are answered." - -"If they're friends of yours I s'pose it's all right," went on Noddy. - -"Well, rather!" drawled Vasco, lighting another cigarette from the stump -of his last one. - -"Will they help us?" went on Noddy. - -Bilette addressed something in Spanish to his friends who had so -mysteriously appeared. - -"_Si, senor_," they exclaimed as one man, bowing to Noddy. - -"Queer you happened to have 'em on hand," said Noddy, accepting the -answer to his question, for he had learned a little Spanish, and knew -that "si" meant yes. - -"I anticipated we might need them," said Bilette. "So I told them to be -on hand and in waiting to-night. They are very prompt." - -"Then we'll join forces with them and show Jerry Hopkins and his crowd -that he can't have everything his own way," growled Noddy. "Come on, -we'll follow them now and see what they are doing," and Noddy seemed -ready to start off. - -"Not to-night; it's time to turn in," objected Bilette. "We'll begin -early in the morning." - -He spoke once more to the six men, who disappeared into the forest as -quietly as they had come. Then Bilette, wrapping himself up in his -cloak, went to sleep. - -The others followed his example, and soon the camp was quiet. Noddy now -had his plans in working order, and he thought, with satisfaction, of -the revenge he would have. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -ON THE TRAIL. - - -"Come, come, boys! Are you going to sleep all day?" exclaimed Professor -Snodgrass, the next morning. - -His cheery voice awoke the others, and they sat up on the hard cots. - -"Where are we? Oh, yes, I remember now!" said Bob. "I thought I was back -at the gold mine." - -"I dreamed I was back in Cresville," added Jerry. "I wonder how all the -folks are. We must write some letters home." - -After breakfast, which the Mexican and his wife served in an appetizing -style, the travelers decided to delay their start an hour or two, and -spend the time writing. Professor Snodgrass said he had no one to -correspond with, so he wandered off with his net and specimen box, but -the boys got out paper, pens and ink, and were soon busy scratching away. - -In about two hours the professor returned, having collected a number of -specimens and escaped getting into any difficulties or dangers for once. - -"We'd better start," he called. "I'm anxious to get to that underground -city. If that turns out half as well as I expect, our fortunes are made." - -"Will it be better than the gold mine?" asked Bob, with a grin. - -"The gold mine!" exclaimed the naturalist. "Why, I had rather reach this -buried city than have half a dozen gold mines!" - -He was very enthusiastic and seemed anxious to get on with the journey. -The automobile was made ready, and, bidding their hosts good-by, the -travelers were again under way. - -As they progressed the road became rougher and more difficult of -passage. In places it was so narrow that the automobile could barely be -taken past the thick growth of foliage on either side. - -The forest fairly teemed with animal life, while the flitting of -brilliantly colored birds through the trees made the woods look as if a -rainbow had burst and fallen from the sky. Parrots and macaws, gay in -their vari-tinted plumage, called shrilly as the puffing auto invaded -their domains. - -It was necessary to run the car slowly. The professor fretted at the -lack of speed, but nothing could be done about it, and, as Jerry said, -it was better to be slow and sure. So they went on for several miles. - -About noon the travelers came to the edge of a broad river, which cut in -two the road they had been following. - -"Here's a problem," said Jerry, bringing the car to a stop. "How are we -going to get over that? No bridge and no ferry in sight." - -"Perhaps it isn't as deep as it looks," suggested the professor. - -"Tell you what!" exclaimed Ned. "We'll all go in for a swim and then we -can tell whether it's too deep to run the auto across." - -His plan was voted a good one, and soon the boys and Professor Snodgrass -were splashing about in the water. Their bath was a refreshing one. -Incidentally, Ned found out that he could wade across, the stream in one -place coming only to his knees, while the bottom was of firm sand. - -While the travelers were splashing about in the cool water, they might -not have felt so unconcerned had they been able to look through the -thick screen of foliage on the bank of the stream, and see what was -taking place there. - -Several dark-complexioned men, in company with Vasco Bilette, had -dismounted from their horses and were watching the bathers. - -"Well, I'm glad they decided to stop," remarked Vasco. "Our horses are -tired from following their trail. They will probably camp for the night -on the other bank, for they would be foolish to go farther when they -can find good water and fodder." - -"You forget they do not have a horse to consider," spoke one of the -Mexicans. "Their machine does not eat." - -"No more it does," said Bilette. "But they cannot go much farther. If -necessary, we can cross the river and get at them." - -"Is that Noddy boy and his puff-puff carriage to join us?" asked one of -the crowd of Mexicans. - -"That is the plan," replied Vasco. "He thought we could follow the trail -on horses better than he could in the automobile, because that makes a -noise, and those we are pursuing might hear it. So Noddy has kept about -five miles behind. As for us, you know that we have been only a mile -in the rear, thanks to the slowness with which they had to run their -machine. - -"Ah, the _Americanos_ have finished their bath. Here they come back," -went on Vasco, as the boys and the professor began wading toward the -shore, near which they had left their auto. - -Suddenly the professor set up a great splashing and made a grab under -the water. - -"I've got it! I've got it!" he yelled, holding something aloft. - -"Got what?" asked Jerry. - -"A rare specimen of the green-clawed crab," was the answer, and the -naturalist held up to view a wiggling crawfish. "It bit my big toe, but -I grabbed it before it got away. This was indeed a profitable bath for -me. That specimen is worth one hundred dollars." - -"If there are crabs in there I don't see why there aren't fish," spoke -Ned. "I'm going to try, anyhow." - -Quickly dressing, he got out a line and hook, cut a pole and, with a -grasshopper for bait, threw in. In three minutes he had landed a fine -big fish, and several others followed in succession. - -"I guess we'll have one good meal, anyhow," observed Ned. - -"Shall we stay on this side and eat, or cross the river?" asked the -professor. - -"Might as well stay here," was Jerry's opinion. - -So the portable stove was made ready and soon the appetizing smell of -frying fish filled the air. The travelers made a good meal, and Vasco -Bilette and his gang, hiding among the trees, smoked their cigarettes -and wished they had a portion. - -"But never mind, when we have the _Americanos_ at our mercy we will be -the ones who eat, and they will starve," was how Vasco consoled himself. - -Dinner over, the travelers took their places in the auto, and, with -Jerry at the wheel, the passage of the river was begun. Following the -course Ned had tried, the machine was taken safely over the stream, and -run up the opposite bank. No sooner had it got on solid ground, however, -than, with a loud noise, one of the rear tires burst. - -"Here's trouble!" exclaimed Ned, as Jerry brought the car to a sudden -stop. - -"Might have been worse," commented Bob. "It might have blown out while -we were in the water, and that would have been no joke." - -"Right you are, Chunky," said Jerry. "Well, I suppose we may as well -camp here for a spell; at least until the repairs are made." - -He set to work to put in a new tube, Ned and Bob assisting him, while -the professor wandered off after any stray specimens that might exist. -He found several insects that he said were rare ones. - -The fixing of the tire proved a harder job than Jerry had anticipated. -It was several hours before it was repaired to suit him, and by then the -sun was getting low. - -"What do you say that we camp here for the night?" proposed Ned. "We -can't get on much farther anyhow, and this is a nice place. It's more -open than in the forest." - -This was voted a good plan, so a fire was made and a camp staked out. -From their side of the river Vasco and his companions viewed these -preparations with satisfaction. - -"They cannot escape us now," said the leader of the Mexicans. "We can -easily cross the river after dark and get close to them. I wish Noddy -would hurry up." - -At that instant there was the sound of wheels in the road, to the left -of which Vasco and his men were concealed. In a little while Noddy, with -Dalsett, Berry and Pender, rode up in the machine. - -"Where are they?" asked Noddy, eagerly. - -Vasco pointed through the screen of bushes to the other side of the -bank, where the professor and boys were encamped. - -"Good!" exclaimed Nixon. "We'll pay them a visit to-night." - -All unconscious of the nearness of their foes, the Cresville boys, -having had a good supper, sat talking about the camp-fire. The professor -was engaged in sorting over the specimens he had gathered during the day. - -At this same time Noddy and Dalsett, with Vasco and the six Mexicans the -latter had provided, were preparing to cross the river, under cover of -the darkness. - -They did not undress, but waded in as they were, the gleaming camp-fire -on the other side serving as a beacon to guide them. - -"Softly!" cautioned Vasco, as the nine crawled up on the opposite bank, -and began creeping toward the campers. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE ANGRY MEXICANS. - - -The professor and the boys were thinking of getting out their blankets -and turning in for the night. They sat in a circle about the camp-fire, -talking over the events of the day. - -Meanwhile, creeping nearer and nearer, Noddy, Vasco and their gang were -encircling the camp of Jerry and his friends. They came so close that -they could hear the conversation between the professor and the boys. - -Now, if the Mexicans whom Vasco had engaged to assist him had not -understood something of the English language, or if chance had so -arranged matters that they had not come near enough to overhear the talk -of Jerry and his comrades, this story might have had a different ending. - -As it was, fate so willed matters that Noddy and his gang got close to -the camp in time to hear the professor remark: - -"Well, boys, it will not be many more days, I hope, before we reach the -buried city we are searching for. And when we do I will be the proudest -man in the world. Think of discovering a buried town of ancient Mexico! -Why, half the college professors would give their heads to be in my -place." - -"But we haven't found the city yet," said Ned. - -"No; but I am sure we are on the right road," went on the professor. "I -am sure of it, not only because of what the old Mexican magician told -us, but from the map my friend left me. See, here it is," and he drew -out the paper with the rude drawing on. - -The boys drew close to look the map over once more. - -"There seem to be two roads, one branching off to the right," remarked -Jerry, pointing to the map. "And it looks as if there was some sort of -an image at the parting of the ways." - -"There is!" exclaimed the professor. "I never noticed it before, but -there is the laughing serpent, as sure as you're a foot high!" - -"We'll reach the buried city all right," spoke Bob. "I only hope we -don't come upon it too unexpectedly." - -"Well, the Mexican prophesied we would find it sooner than we thought," -observed Ned. "But he may not have meant all he said. Anyhow, I'm sleepy -and I'm going to turn in." - -The others followed his example of wrapping themselves up in their -blankets, and soon their deep breathing told they were on the road to -slumberland. - -Meanwhile, the Mexicans who had listened to the above conversation were -much disturbed. Though they did not understand all that had been said, -they caught enough to indicate to them that the boys and the professor -were not on a search for gold or silver mines, the only things in which -the Mexicans were interested. - -There were angry but low-voiced mutterings among the Mexicans. Soon -they became angry, talked among themselves and grew quite excited. They -talked rapidly to Vasco, in Spanish. - -"What does all this mean, Noddy?" asked Bilette. "Have you fooled us?" - -"No, no, it's all right!" exclaimed Nixon. "Their talk of a buried city -is only a bluff to throw us off the track." - -"Hardly, when they don't know we are following them," said Vasco. "I'm -afraid that's not true, Noddy. Better own up and say you guessed at the -whole thing." - -"I didn't guess!" exclaimed Noddy. - -"Too much talk! Not enough do!" exclaimed one of the Mexicans, striding -forward and pushing Noddy to one side. Noddy resented this, and drew -back his hand as if to strike the Mexican. The latter, quick as a flash, -drew an ugly-looking knife. - -"Put that up!" exclaimed Vasco, noting, in the darkness, his companion's -act. "We don't want to begin fighting among ourselves." - -He stepped between Noddy and the Mexican, and pushed them away from each -other. The Mexican muttered angrily, and his companions could be heard -growling over the outcome of the affair. They could appreciate a gold or -silver mine. A buried city was nothing to them, and they saw no use in -pursuing the trail further. They were angry at Noddy for having brought -them thus far on a foolish errand. - -"Now keep quiet," advised Bilette. "The first thing you know you'll have -them all aroused and then there'll be trouble." - -"_Diablo!_" exclaimed one of the Mexicans, beneath his breath. "Are we -fools or children? We leave the city and we travel for days through the -wilderness. We are told we are to get great riches. Santa Maria! Is this -money? Is this gold or silver? The crazy _Americanos_ talk of nothing -but lost cities. What care I for lost cities? What care any of us for -lost cities? I hate lost cities!" - -"And I! And I!" exclaimed his companions, in whispers. - -"And this fellow, Noddy Nixon, is to blame for it all!" went on the -angry Mexican. "He gets us all to come out here. We follow the crazy -_Americano_ who does nothing but grab bugs and toads. He is man to be -afraid of! Yet we follow him, and all for what? To find he is looking -for some old ruins. I will not stand it!" - -"Clear out of here!" commanded Bilette. "If we stand here quarreling -much longer they'll wake up." - -Under the guidance of their leader, the Mexicans made their way back to -the river bank. On the opposite shore they had left their horses and -Noddy's automobile. - -"What made you think they were after a mine, Noddy?" asked Bilette, when -the party was well beyond earshot of the campers. "You must have made a -mistake." - -"Supposing I did," whispered Noddy, in low tones to Vasco, "what good -will it do to tell every one? I may have failed on this plan, but I have -another, even better." - -"Better not try it until you find if it will work," advised Bilette. "My -men are in no mood to be fooled a second time." - -Disappointed and dejected, the Mexicans recrossed the river and made -their camp on the opposite shore from Professor Snodgrass and the boys. -The Mexicans were still in a surly mood, and Vasco had to keep close -watch lest some one of them should harm Noddy. - -Wet and cold, for if the days were hot the nights were chilly, the Nixon -gang reached their camp. One of the men lighted a fire and cooked some -frijoles and tortillas. The meal, simple as it was, made every one feel -better. - -Nixon and Pender, as soon as they had finished eating, drew off to one -side, leaving the Mexicans to talk among themselves. - -"It looks as if we'd have trouble," said Noddy. - -"It's all your fault," observed Pender. - -"I'm not saying it isn't," put in Noddy. "But what's the use of crying -over spilled milk? The question is: What are we going to do about it -now?" - -Pender was silent a few minutes. Then a thought seemed to come to him -suddenly. - -"I have it!" he exclaimed. - -"What?" asked Noddy. - -Jack leaned over and whispered something in his friend's ear. Noddy -hesitated a moment, and then gave a start. - -"The very thing!" he exclaimed. "I wonder I didn't think of it before." - -He hurried to where Vasco was sitting, near the camp-fire, smoking a -cigarette. To him he whispered what Pender had suggested. - -"It's a risky thing to do," said the Mexican. "If it fails, we'll -have to leave the country. If it succeeds we'll be in danger of heavy -punishment from the authorities. However, I'm ready to risk it if you -are. Shall I tell the men?" - -"Of course," replied Noddy. "I want to make it up to them for being -mistaken about the mine." - -Thereupon Vasco called his friends to him, and, motioning for silence, -said: - -"Our friend Noddy," he explained, "has just told me something." - -"About a gold mine?" asked one of the men, bitterly. - -"It may prove to be a gold mine," said Vasco. "But it concerns one of -those across the river," and he nodded toward the other campers. - -"Did you notice one of the boys"--Bilette went on--"the fat one; the -stout youth; the one they call Bob and sometimes Chunky?" - -"_Si! Si!_" exclaimed the Mexicans. - -"Well, his father is a rich banker." - -"What of it?" asked one of the men. "His money is not in Mexico." - -"But it can be brought to Mexico!" cried Vasco. - -"How?" - -"By kidnapping the boy and holding him for a large ransom. Will you do -it?" - -"We will!" yelled the men. "This will provide us with gold. We'll kidnap -the fat boy!" - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -CAUGHT BY AN ALLIGATOR. - - -"Easy! Easy!" cried Vasco Bilette. "Do you want them to hear you across -the river?" - -Under his caution the men subsided. - -"We must follow them and watch our chance," spoke Noddy. "We'll demand a -heavy ransom." - -"_Si! Si!_" agreed the Mexicans. - -"That's how we get square, Jack," whispered Noddy to his chum. - -"You bet, Noddy; and get money, too!" said Pender. - -"We'll all have to have a share," put in Dalsett. "I'm not here for my -health." - -"Me either," remarked Bill Berry. "I need cash as much as any one." - -"We'll share the ransom money," said Vasco. "Now turn in, every one of -you." - -Soon the camp became quiet, the only sounds heard being the movements -of animals in the forest, or, now and then, the splash of a fish in the -river. - -The sun was scarcely above the horizon the next morning ere Vasco -Bilette was astir. He took a position where he could watch the other -camp, and saw the professor and the boys get their breakfast and start -off. - -"We'll give them about an hour's start," said Vasco to Noddy. "Then the -men on horses will follow and you can come, about a mile behind, in the -auto. At the first opportunity we'll capture this Bob Baker." - -Meanwhile, Jerry and his companions were going along at a moderate pace. -The weather was fine though hot, and the road fairly good. For perhaps -twenty miles they puffed along, and then they came to another river. - -"I hope this isn't any deeper than the other," said Jerry. - -"I'll swim across," volunteered Ned. - -His offer was accepted, and, stripping off his outer garments, he -plunged into the water. Luckily, he found the stream was about as -shallow as the first one the auto had forded. He reached the opposite -bank and called over. - -"Come on! Fetch my clothes with you; I'm not going to swim back." - -Jerry started the machine down into the water. It went along all right -until about half way across. Then there came a sudden swirl beneath the -surface, a jar to the machine, and then the auto came to a stop. - -"What's the matter?" cried Jerry. "Have we struck a snag?" - -"Looks more like a snag had struck us," replied Bob, leaning over the -rear seat and looking down into the water. "Something has hold of one of -the back wheels." - -"Nonsense!" exclaimed Jerry. "Do you suppose a fish would try to swallow -an automobile, as the whale did Jonah?" - -"Well, you can see for yourself," maintained Bob. "There's some kind of -a fish, or beast, or bird, down under the water, making quite a fuss. -It's so muddy I can't make out what it is." - -Jerry climbed over into the tonneau. Sure enough, there was some -disturbance going on. Every now and then the water would swirl and eddy, -and the automobile would tremble as if trying to move against some -powerful force. Jerry had thrown out the gears as soon as he felt an -obstruction. - -Professor Snodgrass was closely observing the water. - -"What do you think it is?" asked Jerry. - -"It might be that it is an eddy of the water about a sink-hole, or it -may be, as Bob suggests, a big fish," replied the naturalist. "I never -knew there were fish in these waters big enough to stop an auto, though." - -"It may be a whole school of fishes," said Bob. - -Just then there came a more violent agitation of the water, and the auto -began to move backward slightly. - -"Whatever it is, it seems bound to get us," Jerry remarked. "Wait until -I see if I can't beat the fish or whatever it is." - -He turned on more power and threw in the first speed gear. The auto -shivered and trembled, and then moved ahead slightly. But the big fish, -or whatever it was, with powerful strokes of its tail began a backward -pull that neutralized the action of the automobile. - -"I see what it is!" cried the professor. - -"What?" asked Jerry. - -"A big alligator! It has one wheel in its mouth and is trying to drag us -back. Hand me a rifle!" - -Jerry passed over a gun. The professor, who was a good shot, leaned -down over the back of the tonneau. He could just make out the ugly head -of the 'gator beneath the surface. In quick succession he sent three -bullets from the magazine rifle into its brain. - -There was a last dying struggle of the beast, the waters swirled in a -whirlpool under the lashing of the powerful tail, and then the little -waves became red with blood and the alligator ceased struggling. - -Once more Jerry threw the gear into place, and this time the machine -went forward and reached the opposite bank. - -"I thought you were never coming," observed Ned, who was shivering in -his wet undergarments. "What did you stop for? To catch fish?" - -"We stopped because we had to," replied Jerry, and he told Ned about the -alligator. - -"I thought you were shooting bullfrogs," observed the swimmer as he got -out some dry clothing. "Say, if we told the folks at home that a Mexican -alligator tried to chew up an automobile, I wonder what they'd say?" - -"The beast must have been very hungry, or else have taken us for an -enemy," remarked the professor. "I wish I could have saved him for a -specimen. But I suppose it would have been a bother to carry around." - -"I think it would," agreed Jerry. "But now we are safe, I must see if -Mr. Alligator damaged the machine any." - -He looked at the wheels where the saurian had taken hold, but beyond the -marks of the teeth of the beast on the spokes and rim, no harm had been -done. - -"Are we ready to go on now?" asked the professor, when Ned had finished -dressing. - -"I'd like to take a dip in the river," said Bob. "It's hot and dusty on -the road, and we may not get another chance." - -"I think I'll go in, too," observed Jerry. "We are in no hurry. Will you -come along, professor?" - -"No; I'll watch you," said the naturalist. He sat down on the bank while -Jerry and Chunky prepared for a dip. - -They splashed around in the water near shore and had a good bath. Bob -was swimming a little farther out than was Jerry. - -"Better stay near shore," cautioned the professor. "No telling when some -alligators may be along." - -At that instant Bob gave a cry. He struggled in the water and gave a -spring into the air. - -"Something has stung me!" he cried. - -Then he sank back, limp and unconscious, beneath the waves. - -"Hurry!" cried the professor. "Get him out, Jerry, or he'll be drowned!" - -But Jerry had hurried to the rescue even before the professor called. -Reaching down under the water he picked up his companion's body, and, -placing it over his shoulder, waded to shore with it. Bob was as limp as -a rag. - -"Is he killed?" asked Ned. - -"I hope not," replied the professor. "Still, he had a narrow escape." - -"Did something bite him?" asked Jerry. - -The professor pointed to a small red mark on Bob's leg. - -"He received an electric shock," said the naturalist. - -"An electric shock?" echoed Ned. - -"Yes; from the electric battery fish, or stinging ray, as they are -sometimes called. They can give a severe shock, causing death under some -circumstances, it is said. But I guess it was a young one that stung -Bob. They are a fish," the professor went on to explain, "fitted by -nature with a perfect electric battery. I wish I had caught one for a -specimen." - -"I didn't think of it at the time this one stung me or I would have -caught it for you," said Bob, suddenly opening his eyes. - -"Oh, you're better, are you?" asked Jerry. - -"I'm all right," replied Bob. "It was quite a jar at first." - -"I agree with you," put in the professor. "However, you got over it -better than I expected you would. I think we had better get out of the -neighborhood of this river. It seems unlucky." - -In a little while Bob was sufficiently recovered to dress. Then, having -delayed only to fill the water tank of the auto from the stream, the -travelers resumed their journey. - -They chugged along until nightfall, and having reached no settlement, -they camped in the open, and made an early start the next day. It was -about noon when, having made a sudden turn of the road, they came to a -place where there was a parting of the ways. - -"I wonder which we shall take?" asked Ned. - -"Look! Look!" cried Bob, suddenly, pointing to something ahead. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE LAUGHING SERPENT. - - -"What is it?" asked Jerry, bringing the machine up with a sudden jerk. - -"See! There is the laughing serpent!" exclaimed Bob. - -"The laughing serpent?" inquired Ned. "What do you mean?" - -"Don't you remember what the old Mexican said?" went on Bob. "Here is -the parting of the ways, and here is the image of the laughing serpent." - -"Sure enough!" agreed the professor. "It's an image cut out of stone, in -the shape of a snake laughing. Wonderful! Wonderful!" - -Right at the fork of the road and about fifteen feet from the automobile -was the strange design. It was rudely cut out of stone, a serpent -twining about a tree-trunk. There was nothing remarkable in the image -itself except for the quaint, laughing expression the sculptor had -managed to carve on the mouth of the reptile. - -"I wonder how it came here?" asked Jerry, getting out of the car and -going close for a better look. - -"Probably a relic of the Aztec race," replied the professor. "They were -artists in their way. This must be the image the old Mexican mentioned. -If it is I suppose we may as well follow his advice and take the road to -the left." - -"The road to the buried city," put in Jerry. "We must be close to it -now." - -"Isn't that something sticking in the mouth of the image?" asked Bob. - -"It looks like a paper," said Ned. "I'll climb up and see what it is." - -He scrambled up the stone tree-trunk, about which the image of the -laughing serpent was twined. Reaching up, he took from the mouth of the -reptile a folded paper. - -"What does it say?" called Jerry. - -"It's written in some queer language; Spanish, I guess," replied Ned. "I -can't read it." - -"Bring it here," said Professor Snodgrass. "Perhaps I can make it out." - -The naturalist puzzled over the writing a few minutes. Then he exclaimed: - -"It's from our old friend, the Mexican magician. He tells us to turn to -the left, which is the same advice he has given us before, and he adds -that we must beware of some sudden happening." - -"I wonder what he means by that?" asked Jerry. - -"Probably nothing," answered the professor. "But if something does -happen, and he meets us after it, he'll be sure to say he warned us. -It's a way those pretended wonder-workers have." - -"How do you suppose the note was placed there?" inquired Bob. "We left -the Mexican many miles behind." - -"They are wonderful runners," answered the naturalist. "The magician may -not have placed it here himself, but he may have given it to a friend. -Perhaps there was a relay of runners, such as used to exist among the -ancient Mexicans to carry royal messages. The old Mexican, who, somehow -or other, discovered our object in this country, probably wanted to -impress us with his abilities in the mystifying line." - -The travelers spent a few minutes examining the queer, carved serpent. -There were no other evidences of the existence of man at hand, and, -except for the two roads, there was nothing to be seen but an almost -unbroken forest. It was a wild part of Mexico. - -"Well, what are we going to do?" asked Jerry. "Go on or stay here?" - -"Go on, by all means," said the professor. "Why, we may be only a little -way from the buried city! Just think of it! There will be wealth untold -for us!" - -"One thing puzzles me though," observed Bob. - -"What is it, Chunky?" asked Ned. - -"How are we going to know this buried city when we come to it?" - -"How?" came from Jerry. "Why, I suppose there'll be a railroad station, -with the name of the city on it. Or there may be trolley cars, so we can -ask the conductors if we are at the underground town. Don't you worry -about knowing the place when you get to it." - -"But if it's underground, how are we going to find it?" persisted Bob. -"It isn't like a mine, for people who know the signs can tell where gold -or silver is hidden under the ground. But a city is different." - -"I confess that question has been a puzzle to me," admitted Professor -Snodgrass. "The only thing to do is to keep on along this road until we -come to the place, or see some evidence that a buried city is in the -vicinity." - -"Forward, then!" cried Jerry, cranking up the auto. - -They all got into the car and, proceeding at a slow speed, for the path -was uncertain, started down the road leading to the left. - -But all this while Noddy Nixon and Vasco Bilette, at the head of their -two bands, had not been idle. Noddy kept his auto going, and Vasco and -his Mexicans trotted along on horseback, drawing nearer and nearer to -the travelers ahead of them. - -It was about noon when the boys and the professor had started away from -the image of the laughing serpent, and it was three hours later that -Vasco and his men came up to it. - -"Hello!" exclaimed the Mexican, staring at the carved stone. "I never -saw you before, but you're not remarkable for beauty. I wonder what -you're here for?" - -He had never been in this part of Mexico before, and it was like a new -country to him. - -"I wonder which way those chaps took?" asked Vasco, dismounting from his -horse. "It won't do for us to take the wrong trail." - -"See!" exclaimed one of the Mexicans, pointing to where the tracks of -the auto wheels could be seen, imprinted in the dust of the way leading -to the left. "See! That way they go!" - -"Sure enough they did, Petro!" remarked Vasco. "You have sharp eyes. -Well, we'll just wait here until Noddy comes up and sees how things -are. I shouldn't wonder but what it would be time to close in on 'em -to-night. I'm getting tired of waiting. I want some money." - -"So are we all tired!" exclaimed one of the gang, speaking in Spanish, -which was the language Vasco always used save in talking to his English -acquaintances. "We want gold, and if the fat boy is to be carried off -and held for a ransom, the sooner the better." - -"Have patience," advised Vasco. "We'll have him quick enough. Wait until -Noddy comes." Then he began to roll a cigarette, his example being -followed by all the others. - -In about an hour Noddy, Pender, Dalsett and Berry came up in the auto. -A consultation was held, and it was decided to have the horsemen follow -the party in front more closely. - -"We'll do the kidnapping to-night," said Noddy. "We'll wait until they -go into camp, because that's what they'll have to do, for there are no -inns down here. We'll be hiding in the bushes and at the proper time -we'll grab Bob Baker and run." - -"Good!" exclaimed Vasco. "My men were beginning to get impatient." - -The plotters made a fire and prepared dinner. Then the Mexicans got out -their revolvers and began cleaning them. Several also sharpened their -knives. - -"Look here," began Noddy, as he saw these preparations, "there's to be -no killing, you know, Vasco." - -"Killing! Bless you, of course not," was the reply, but Vasco winked one -eye at Dalsett. "My men are only seeing that their weapons do not get -rusty. Now, captain, we're ready to start as soon as you give the word." - -"Then you may as well begin now," was Noddy's reply. "They have a pretty -good start of us, but we'll travel after dark, if need be, to catch up -with them. As soon as they camp out for the night, Vasco, surround them -so they can't escape. Then I'll come up in my car, and we'll take Bob -away in it." - -The horsemen started off, Noddy following in a little while. The trail -made by the auto of the boys and the professor was easily followed. - -Noddy's car had barely turned around a bend in the road before something -strange happened. The laughing serpent seemed to tremble and shake. It -appeared alive, and about to fall to the ground. - -Then a portion of the base and tree-trunk slid to one side and from the -interior, which was hollow, there stepped out an old Mexican--the same -who had played the part of the magician and who had given prophetic -warning to the travelers. - -"Ha! My trick worked!" he exclaimed. "It was a hard journey to travel -all that distance and get here ahead of them. Only the fleetness of -my horse and the fact that I knew all the roads that were short cuts, -enabled me to do it. Now for the final act in the game!" - -He placed his fingers to his mouth and blew a shrill whistle. In an -instant a milk-white horse came from the bushes, where it had been -concealed. - -"Here, my beauty!" called the Mexican. - -He leaped on the animal's back and dashed off like the wind, down the -road leading to the right. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -AN INTERRUPTED KIDNAPPING. - - -As the auto containing the naturalist and the boys progressed, the road -became more and more difficult to travel. Part of the way was overgrown -with brush, and several times the travelers had to stop, get out and cut -big vines that grew across the path. - -"I guess there hasn't been much going on along this highway," observed -Jerry. - -"And I don't believe it will ever be much in favor with autoists," said -Ned. "There's too much sand." - -There was a great deal of the fine dirt and in some places it was so -soft and yielding that the wheels of the car sank down half way to the -hubs, making it impossible to proceed except at a snail's pace. Then, -again, would come firm stretches, where the going was easier. - -In this manner several miles were traversed. The forest on either side -of the road became more dense and wilder. Thousands of parrots and -other birds flew about among the trees, and troops of monkeys followed -the progress of the automobile, chattering as if in rage at the invasion -of their stamping ground. - -Suddenly the screams and chattering of the monkeys ceased. The birds -also stopped their racket, and the silence was weird after the riot of -noise. Then there came such a series of shrill shrieks from a band of -monkeys that it was evident something out of the ordinary had happened. - -The next instant a long, lithe, yellow animal shot across the road in -front of the auto. The big beast had a monkey in its mouth. - -"A jaguar!" exclaimed the professor. "Quick, boys! Get the rifle!" - -Ned handed the weapon to the professor, who fired three times, quickly, -but the jaguar leaped on, unharmed. - -"Well, we're getting into the region of big game," remarked the -naturalist, "and we'll have to be on the lookout now or some of the -beasts will be trying that trick on us." - -"The monkeys must have seen him; that's why they kept so still that -time," remarked Bob. - -"But it didn't do that particular one any good," said the professor. "He -must have been caught napping. Well, Mr. Jaguar will have a good supper -to-night." - -"That reminds me," spoke Bob. "When are we going to eat?" - -"That's right, speak of eating and you'll be sure to hear from Chunky," -said Jerry. "But I suppose we'll have to camp pretty soon. It's five -o'clock and there don't seem to be any hotels in the vicinity," and he -glanced at the dense forest on every side and grinned. - -"We'll camp at the next clearing," said the professor. "Better get to a -place where there's a little space on every side of you when there are -wild animals about." - -A mile further on the travelers came to a place where the trees were -less thick. There was an open space on either side of the road. The -auto was placed under the shelter of a wide-spreading palm and then the -adventurers busied themselves getting supper. - -The professor took a gun and went a little way into the woods. He shot -a small deer, and in a little while some choice venison steaks were -broiling over the camp stove. - -"This is something like eating," remarked Ned. "I was getting tired of -those frijoles, eggs and tortillas," and he accepted a second helping of -venison. - -The rubber and woolen blankets were taken from the auto, and the -travelers prepared to spend the night in the forest. - -"I guess we'll mount guard," said the professor. "The forest is full of -jaguars. I saw three while I was hunting the deer." - -"Let me stay up," begged Jerry. "I'm not sleepy, and I'd like to get a -shot at one of the beasts." - -Ned also wanted to remain up, but the professor said he could take the -second watch; and, content with this, Ned turned in with the others. - -As the night wore on the forests resounded more and more with the noises -made by wild beasts. The howls of the foxes mingled with the more -terrifying yells of the jaguars, and of the latter beasts the woods -seemed to be full. - -Jerry, with the loaded magazine rifle, was on the alert. He kept up a -bright fire, for he knew that unless made desperate by hunger no wild -thing would approach a flame. There were queer rustlings and cracklings -of the underbrush on every side of the sentinel. Now and then through -the leaves he caught glimpses of reddish-green eyes reflecting back the -shine of the blaze. - -Following the plans they had made, Vasco Bilette and his Mexicans, -together with Noddy and the crowd in the automobile, had trailed the -boys and the professor to the camp. With great caution, Vasco had led -his men to within a short distance of the fire Jerry had kindled, and -Noddy's auto was in readiness for the kidnapping. - -So, though Jerry did not know it, there were the eyes of dangerous men -on his movements as well as the eyes of dangerous beasts. - -Like dark shadows, the Mexicans slowly encircled the camp. They were so -close they could distinguish the sleeping forms. - -"Which is Bob?" whispered Vasco to Noddy. - -"That one right at the foot of the big palm tree," replied Noddy Nixon, -pointing out the banker's son. - -"Is everything ready?" the leader of the Mexicans asked. - -"All ready!" replied Noddy. - -Vasco was about to steal forward, hoping to be able to grab up Bob and -make off with him before the camp was aroused. In case of resistance, he -had given his men orders to shoot. - -But at that instant a big jaguar, driven wild with hunger, and braving -all danger, had crept to within a few feet of Jerry. The animal smelled -the meat of the recently killed deer, the carcass of which hung in a -tree. The fierce beast determined to get a meal at all hazards. It -crouched on the limb of a tree, just above Jerry's head, ready for a -spring at the body of the deer. - -Jerry happened to glance up. He saw the long, lithe body, tense for a -leap, the reddish-green eyes glaring at him. Jerry was not a coward, but -the sight of the brute, so dangerous and so close to him, scared him -greatly for a second or two. Then, recovering his nerve, he raised the -rifle, took quick aim and fired three shots in rapid succession. - -With a snarl and roar the jaguar toppled to the ground, tearing up the -earth and leaves in a death struggle. - -"What's the matter?" called out the professor. - -"Are you hurt, Jerry?" cried Ned. - -Bob, too, roused up, and the whole camp was soon astir, every one -grabbing a gun or revolver. Jerry fired two more shots into the jaguar, -and the struggles ceased. - -"I got him just in time," he remarked. - -The others crowded around the brute. - -"Halt!" exclaimed Bilette, under his breath, as, ready with his men to -rush on the camp, he saw that his plan was spoiled. "If it had not been -for that jaguar I would have had the captive. Come, we must get out of -this!" - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE UNDERGROUND CITY. - - -Vasco Bilette's warning was received with ill humor by his men. They -were angry because the kidnapping had not succeeded, and because the -jaguar had alarmed the camp and put every one on guard. - -"Come, let us give them battle now and take the boy!" suggested one. - -"Do you want to be killed?" asked Vasco, angrily. "They are all armed -now, and would shoot at the least suspicious sound. I, for one, don't -care to have a bullet in me. Come, let us get out of this." - -The Mexicans saw the force of Vasco's arguments. They did not care about -being shot at like wild beasts, and they knew that the boys and the -professor were ready for anything now. - -"We will try to-morrow night," said Bilette, as, with Noddy and his -men, he silently withdrew to where the horses and auto had been left. -"Perhaps we'll have better luck then." - -The men growled, but had to accept the situation. As for our friends, -they were too excited to sleep any more that night, and so they sat -around the camp-fire and talked until morning. - -Breakfast over, camp was broken, and once more the auto started on the -trip toward the hidden city. Professor Snodgrass got out the map made by -his dead friend and studied it carefully. - -"I believe we are on the right road," the naturalist said. "Here is a -highway marked on the drawing that seems to correspond with the one we -are on. And there is a place marked where two roads diverge. Only there -is nothing said about the laughing serpent, though there is something -here that might be taken for it," and he pointed to the map. - -Every one was becoming quite anxious, and the boys, as well as the -professor, kept close watch on each foot of the way to see if there were -any indications that they were close to the underground town. - -They stopped for dinner near a little brook, in which Bob caught several -fish that made a welcome addition to the bill of fare. - -"Now, if you boys don't object, I think I'll take a little stroll into -the woods and see what I can find in the way of specimens," remarked the -naturalist, as he finished the last of his fish and frijoles. - -"Better take a gun along," called Ned. "A jaguar may get you." - -"I'm not going very far," replied the professor. "All I want is my net -and box," and with these only he started off. - -It was about an hour later when Jerry observed: - -"Doesn't it seem as if the monkeys were making more noise than usual?" - -The boys listened for a few seconds. It was evident that something had -disturbed these nimble inhabitants of the forest, for they were yelling -and chattering at a great rate. - -"Maybe another jaguar is after them," suggested Bob. - -"No; it doesn't sound like that," said Jerry. "They seem to be yelling -more in rage than in fear." - -"Maybe they're having a fight," put in Ned. - -Just then there came a crashing, as if several trees were being crashed -down by a tornado. There was a crackling of the underbrush and a -rustling in the leaves. Then, above this noise and the yells of the -monkeys, sounded a single cry: - -"Help, boys!" - -"The professor's in trouble again!" cried Jerry. "I wonder what it is -this time?" - -Grabbing up a rifle, which example Bob and Ned imitated, Jerry ran in -the direction of the voice. The noise made by the monkeys increased, and -there were sounds as if a bombardment of the forest was under way. - -"Where are you?" called Jerry. "We are coming!" - -"Under this big rock!" called the professor, and the boys, looking in -the direction his voice came from, saw the naturalist hiding under a -big ledge of stone that jutted out of the side of a hill in a sort of a -clearing. - -"Can't you come out?" called Ned. - -"I tried to several times, but I was nearly killed," replied the -professor. "The monkeys are after me. Look at the ground." - -The boys looked and saw, strewn in front of the shallow cave in which -the professor had ensconced himself, a number of round, dark objects. As -they looked there came a shower of others through the air. Several of -them hit on the rock, broke, and a shower of white scattered all about. - -"What in the world are they?" asked Bob. - -He ran toward the professor. No sooner had he emerged out of the dense -forest into the clearing than a regular hail of the round objects fell -all about him. One struck him on the shoulder and the boy was glad -enough to retreat. - -"What's it all about?" asked Ned. - -"The monkeys are bombarding the professor with cocoanuts," said Bob, -gasping for breath after his run. - -"Cocoanuts?" - -"That's what they are. Here come some more." - -He had scarcely spoken before the air was again dark with the brown -nuts, which were much larger than those seen in market, being contained -in their original husk. At the same time there was a chorus of angry -cries from the monkeys. - -It was evident now why the professor dared not leave his rock shelter. -The minute he did so he would run the risk of being struck down and -probably killed by a volley of the nuts. Nor could the boys go to his -rescue, for the moment they crossed the clearing they would be targets -for the infuriated animals. - -"What's to be done?" asked Ned. - -"Supposing we shoot some of the monkeys," suggested Bob. - -"I don't think that would be a good idea," said Jerry. "In the first -place if we kill any of the animals it will make the others all the -angrier. And then we would have to keep shooting for several days to -make much of an inroad on the beasts. There must be five thousand of -them." - -Indeed, the forest was full of the long-tailed and nimble-fingered -monkeys, all perched in cocoanut or other trees, ready to resent the -slightest movement on the part of their human enemies. - -"I know a good trick," spoke Bob. - -"What is it, Chunky?" asked Jerry. - -"Take a big looking-glass and put it on a tree. The monkeys will be -attracted by the shine of it; they will all go down to see what it is -and when they see a strange monkey in the glass they will fight. That -will make enough fuss so that the professor can escape." - -"That might be a good trick if we had the big mirror, which we haven't," -spoke Jerry. "You'll have to think of something else, Chunky." - -But there was no need of this, for at that instant the cries of the -monkeys ceased. The silence was almost oppressive in its suddenness and -by contrast with the previous riot of noise. Then came unmistakable -screams of fear from the simians. - -"Now what has happened, I wonder?" said Ned. - -"It's a jaguar!" cried Bob. - -He pointed to a tree, on a limb of which one of the animals the monkeys -dreaded so much was stretched out. The beast was stalking one of the -chattering animals, but his presence had been discovered by the whole -tribe. - -So much in awe did the monkeys hold this scourge of the Mexican forests -that his presence accomplished what the boys could never hope to. The -apes trooped off with a rush, chattering in fright. With a howl of rage -the jaguar took after them. - -"You can come out now, Professor," called Ned. "The monkeys are gone." - -In fear and trembling the naturalist came from his sheltering rock. -He seemed in momentary fear lest he might be greeted with a shower of -the nuts, but none fell. With rapid strides he crossed the clearing and -joined the boys. - -"How did it all happen?" asked Jerry, as soon as the professor had -recovered his breath. - -"It was all my fault," explained the naturalist. "I was collecting some -butterfly specimens, when I happened to see some monkeys in the cocoanut -trees. I had read that if any one threw something at the beasts they -would retaliate by throwing down cocoanuts. I wanted to test it, so I -threw a few stones at the monkeys. They returned my fire with interest, -so I was forced to run under the rock for shelter. - -"There were only a few monkeys at first, but more came until there were -thousands. They kept throwing cocoanuts until the ground was covered. -It's lucky you came when I called." - -"It's luckier the jaguar came along when he did," said Jerry. - -"Let's get back to the auto before I get into any more trouble," -suggested the professor. "I do seem to have the worst luck of getting -into scrapes." - -Half an hour later the travelers were on their way. It was getting well -along into afternoon and they were beginning to think of where they -would spend the night. - -They were getting deeper and deeper into the forest, and the way became -more and more difficult to travel. But they would not turn back, for -they felt they were on the right path. - -At length they came to a place where creepers and vines were so closely -grown across the path that nothing short of hatchets could make a way. -The boys got out the small axes kept for such emergencies, and, after an -hour's work, made a passage. - -They started forward once more, and were going along at a pretty good -clip, the road having improved in spots. - -"I wonder when we'll get to that underground city?" said Ned, for -perhaps the tenth time that day. - -He had no sooner spoken than the earth trembled under the auto. The -machine seemed to stand still. Then, with a sickening motion it plunged -forward and downward. - -A big hole had opened in the road and let the car and its occupants -through the surface of the earth. The machine slid forward, revealing, -near the top of a shaft, a brief glimpse of several ruined buildings. - -"It is the underground city!" exclaimed the professor. - -Then there came intense darkness. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -IN AN ANCIENT TEMPLE. - - -The auto seemed to be bumping along downhill, for at the first evidence -of danger Jerry had shut off the power and applied the brake. But the -descent was too steep to have the bands hold. - -Down and down the adventurers went, through some underground passage, it -was evident. - -"Are we all here?" called Jerry, his voice sounding strange and muffled -in the chamber to which they had come. - -"I'm here and all right, but I don't exactly know what has happened," -replied the professor. - -"The same with me," put in Ned, and Bob echoed his words. - -Just then the automobile came to a stop, having reached a level and run -along it for a short distance. - -"Well, we seem to have arrived," went on Jerry. "I wonder how much good -it is going to do us?" - -"Supposing we light the search-lamp and see what sort of a place we are -in," suggested Professor Snodgrass. "It's so dark in here we might just -as well be inside one of the pyramids of Egypt." - -The acetylene gas lamp on the front of the auto was lighted, and in its -brilliant rays the travelers saw that they were in a large underground -passage. It was about twenty feet high, twice as broad and seemed to be -hewn out of solid rock. - -"This is what makes it so dark," observed the professor. "I knew it -must be something like this, for it was still daylight when we tumbled -into the hole and we haven't been five minutes down here. Run the auto -forward, Jerry." - -The car puffed slowly along surely as strange a place as ever an -automobile was in. The boys looked eagerly ahead. They saw nothing but -the rocky sides and roof of the passage. - -"This doesn't look much like an underground city," objected Ned. "I -think it's an abandoned railway tunnel." - -At that instant Jerry shut off the power and applied the brakes with a -jerk. - -"What's the matter?" asked the professor. - -"There's some sort of a wall or obstruction ahead," was the answer, and -Jerry pointed to where, in the glare of the lamp, could be seen a wall -that closed up the passageway completely. - -"I guess this is the end," remarked Ned, ruefully. - -The naturalist got out of the car and ran forward. He seemed to be -examining the obstruction carefully. He struck it two or three blows. - -"Hurrah!" he cried. "Come on, boys, this is only a big wooden door! We -can open it!" - -In an instant the three lads had joined him. They found that the passage -was closed by a big portal of planks, bolted together and swinging on -immense hinges. There was also a huge lock or fastening. - -"Can we open the door?" inquired Bob. "It looks as if it was meant to -stay shut." - -"We'll soon see," answered Jerry. - -He ran back to the automobile and got a kit of tools. Then, while Ned -held up one of the small oil lamps that was taken off the dashboard of -the car, Jerry tackled the lock. It was a massive affair, but time had -so rusted it that very little trouble was found in taking it apart so -that the door was free. - -"Everybody push, now!" called Jerry. "Those hinges are pretty rusty." - -They shoved with all their strength, but the door, though it gave -slightly, showing that no more locks held it, would not open. It had -probably not been used for centuries. - -"Looks as if we'd have to stay here," said the professor. - -"Not a bit of it," spoke Jerry. "Wait a minute." - -He ran back to the auto, and soon the others heard him cranking it up. - -"Look out! Stand to one side!" he called. - -The auto came forward slowly. Jerry steered the front part of it -carefully against the massive door. Once he was close to the portal he -turned on full power. - -There was a cracking and splintering of wood, and a squeaking as the -rusty hinges gave. Then, with the auto pushing against it, the massive -door swung to one side. The machine had accomplished what the strength -of the boys and the professor could not. - -Slowly but surely the portal opened. Wider and wider it swung, until -there burst on the astonished gaze of the travelers a flood of light. -The sun was shining overhead, though fast declining in the west, but -in the bright glare of the slanting beams there was revealed the -underground city. - -There it stood in all its ancient splendor, most of it, however, but -mere ruins of what had been fine buildings. There were rows and rows of -houses, stone palaces and what had been beautiful temples. Nearly all of -the structures showed traces of elaborate carvings. - -But ruin was on every side. The roofs of houses, temples and palaces had -fallen in. Walls were crumbling and the streets were filled with debris. -As the boys looked, some foxes scampered among the ruins, and shortly -afterward a jaguar slunk along, crawling into a hole in a temple wall. - -"Grand! Beautiful! Solemn!" exclaimed the professor, in raptures over -the discovery. "It is more than I dared to hope for. Think of it, boys! -We have at last discovered the buried city of ancient Mexico. How the -people back in civilization will open their eyes when they hear this -news! My name and yours as well will be covered with glory. Oh, it is -marvelous!" - -"I guess it will be some time before the people back in Cresville hear -of this," observed Jerry. "There doesn't seem to be any way of sending a -letter from here. I don't see any telegraph station, and there's not a -messenger boy in sight." - -"That's funny," said Ned. "You'd think a buried city, a dead one, so to -speak, would be just the place where a district messenger would like to -come to rest." - -"It's a lonesome place here," remarked Bob. "I hope we'll find some one -to talk to." - -"That's just the beauty of the place," said the professor. "What good -would an ancient, ruined, buried city be if people were living in it? I -hope there isn't a soul here but ourselves." - -"I guess you'll get your desire, all right," remarked Jerry. - -The first surprise and wonder over, the travelers advanced a little way -into the city and looked about them. They saw that the place, which was -several miles square, was down in a hollow, formed of high hills. For -this reason the location of the city had remained so long a secret. They -had come upon it through one of the underground passages leading into -the town, and these, as they afterward learned, were the only means of -entering the place. There were four of these passages or tunnels, one -entering from each side of the city, north, south, east and west. - -But time and change had closed up the outer ends of the tunnels after -the city had become deserted, and it remained for Professor Snodgrass -and his party to tumble in on one. - -It was as if a city had been built inside an immense bowl and on the -bottom of it. The sides of the bowl would represent the hills and -mountains that girt the ancient town. Then, if four holes were made in -the sides of the vessel, close to the bottom, they would be like the -four entrances to the old city. - -"Supposing we take a ride through the town before dark," suggested -Jerry. "We may meet some one." - -He started the machine, but after going a short distance it was found -that it was impracticable to use the machine to any advantage. The -streets were filled with debris and big stones from the ruined houses -and fallen hills, and it needed constant twisting and turning to make -the journey. - -"Let's get out and walk," proposed Ned. - -"Then there's a good place to leave the machine," said Bob, pointing to -a ruined temple on the left. "We can run it right inside, through the -big doors. It's a regular garage." - -The suggestion was voted a good one, and Jerry steered the auto into -the temple. The place had been magnificent in its day. Even now the -walls were covered with beautiful paintings, or the remains of them, and -the whole interior and exterior of the place was a mass of fine stone -carving. - -The roof had fallen away in several places, but there were spots where -enough remained to give shelter. The machine was run into a covered -corner and then the travelers went outside. - -The professor uttered cries of delight at every step, as he discovered -some new specimen or relic. They seemed to exist on every side. - -"Look out where you're stepping!" called the naturalist, suddenly, as -Jerry was about to set his foot down. - -"What's the matter--a snake?" asked the boy, jumping back. - -"No. But you nearly stepped on and ruined a petrified bug worth -thousands of dollars!" - -"Great Scott! I'll be careful after this," promised Jerry, as the -professor picked up the specimen of a beetle and put it in his box. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -MYSTERIOUS HAPPENINGS. - - -The travelers strolled for some time longer, the professor finding what -he called rare relics at every turn. - -"This is like another gold mine," he said. "There are treasures untold -here. I have no doubt we will find a store of diamonds and other -precious stones before we are through." - -"I'd like to find a ham sandwich right now," observed Bob. - -"It wouldn't be Chunky if he wasn't hungry," laughed Ned. "But I admit I -feel somewhat the same way myself." - -"Then we had better go back to the temple and get supper," advised Jerry. - -So back they went, but their progress was slow, because the professor -would insist on examining every bit of ruins he came to in order to see -if there were not specimens to be gathered or relics to be picked up. -His green box was full to overflowing and all his pockets bulged, but he -was the happiest of naturalists. - -It was dark when they reached the ancient place of worship where -the auto had been left, and at Jerry's suggestion Bob lighted the -search-lamp and the other two lights on the machine. This made a -brilliant circle of illumination in one place, but threw the rest of the -temple into a dense blackness. - -"I wouldn't want to be here all alone," remarked Bob, looking about and -shuddering a bit. - -"Why, Chunky? Afraid of ghosts?" asked Ned. - -"What was that?" exclaimed Bob, suddenly, starting at a noise. - -"A bat," replied the naturalist. "The place is full of them. I must get -some for specimens." - -"I don't know but what I prefer ghosts to bats," said Bob. "I hope none -of them suck our blood while we're asleep." - -"No danger; I guess none of these are of the vampire variety," remarked -the professor. "But now let's get supper." - -In spite of the strangeness of the surroundings, the travelers managed -to make a good meal. The gasolene stove was set up and some canned -chicken prepared, with tortillas and frijoles. - -"We'll have to replenish our larder soon," remarked Jerry, looking into -the provision chest. "There's only a little stuff left." - -"We'll have to go hunting some day," said the professor. "We can't -starve in this country. Game is too plentiful." - -"I wonder if the people who built this place didn't put some bedrooms in -it," said Bob, as, sitting on the floor of the temple, he began to nod -from sleepiness. - -"Perhaps they did," put in Ned. "Let's take a look." - -He unfastened one of the oil lamps from the auto and started off on an -exploring trip. A little to the left of the corner where the auto stood -he came to a door. Though it worked hard on the rusted hinges he managed -to push it open. He flashed the light inside. - -"Hurrah! Here are some beds or couches or something of the kind!" he -shouted. - -The others came hurrying up. The room seemed to be a sort of resting -place for the priests of the ancient temple. Ranged about the side walls -were wooden frames on which were stretched skins and hides of animals, -in a manner somewhat as the modern cot is made. - -"I wonder if they are strong enough to hold us," said Jerry. - -"Let Chunky try, he's the heaviest," suggested Ned. - -Accordingly, Bob stretched out on the ancient bed. It creaked a little, -but showed no signs of collapsing in spite of the many years it had -been in the place. - -"This will be better than sleeping on a cold stone floor," remarked the -professor. "Fetch in the blankets and we'll have a good night's rest." - -"Shall we post a guard?" asked Jerry. - -"I don't think it will be necessary," replied the naturalist. "I hardly -believe there is any one in this old city but ourselves, and we can -barricade the door to keep out any stray animals." - -So, in a little while, the travelers were all slumbering. But the -professor was wrong in his surmise that they were the only inhabitants -of the underground city. No sooner had a series of snores proclaimed -that every one was sleeping than from a dark recess on the opposite side -of the temple to that where the automobile stood there came a strange -figure, clad in white. If Bob had seen it he surely would have said it -was a ghost. - -"So you found my ancient city after all," whispered the figure. "You -know now that the Mexican magician was telling the truth, and you -realize that you found the place sooner than you expected, and in a -strange manner. But there will be more strange things happen before you -go from here, I promise you." - -"Are the _Americano_ dogs asleep?" sounded a whisper from the recess -whence came the aged Mexican, who had so strangely prophesied to the -professor. - -"Yes, San Lucia, they are asleep," replied the first figure, as another, -attired as he was, joined him. "But speak softly, for they have sharp -ears and wake easily." - -"Have they the gold with them?" asked San Lucia, who was also quite old. -"That is what we want, Murado. Have they the gold?" - -"All _Americanos_ have gold," replied Murado. "That is why I lured them -on. All my plans were made to get them here that we might take their -gold." - -"And you succeeded wonderfully well, Murado. Tell me about it, for -I have not had a chance to talk to you since you arrived in such -breathless haste." - -"There is not much to tell," replied the other. "I heard of their -arrival in a short time after they reached Mexico. Then, in a secret -way, I heard what they were searching for. Chance made it possible for -me to somewhat startle them by pretending to know more than I did. I met -them on the road and told them of what they were in search and how to -find it." - -"That was easy, since you knew so well yourself," interrupted San Lucia. -"We have not been brigands for nothing, Murado. Well do I remember -the day you and I came upon this buried city. And it has been our -headquarters ever since." - -"As I said, it was easy to mystify them," went on Murado. "They traveled -fast in their steam wagon, or whatever it is, but I knew several -short cuts that enabled me to get ahead of them. I was hidden in the -hollow stone image of the laughing serpent and saw, through the little -eye-holes, how they came up and took the paper I had written and put -between the lips of the reptile. Oh, it all worked out as I had planned, -and now we have them here where we want them." - -"And we will kill them and get their gold!" whispered San Lucia, feeling -of a knife he wore in his belt. "But tell me, how did they happen to -stumble on the right underground passage?" - -"They didn't happen to," replied Murado. "That was one point where I -failed. But it is just as well. You see, I had so managed things that I -knew they would take the road to the left of the image. When I saw them -depart I called my horse and galloped off to the right. I wanted to take -a short cut and get here ahead of them. - -"I succeeded. You were away; just when I needed your help, too. But I -managed. I went out in the underground passage and waited for them. - -"That passage, you know, goes right under the road they were traveling -on. Whoever built this ancient city must have wanted it to remain -hidden, for the only way to get to it is by the tunnels. If, by chance, -some one approached on the roads leading to the top of the mountains the -ancients had a plan to get rid of them." - -"How?" asked San Lucia. - -"At several places in the upper roadway there were false places. That -is, they were traps. A portion of the road would be dug away, making -a shaft down to the tunnel. Then boards would be placed over the hole -and a light covering of dirt sprinkled on the planks. Watchers were -stationed below, and at the sound of an enemy on the boards above the -sentinels would pull a lever. This would take away the supports of the -false portion of the road, and it would crash down into the tunnel, -carrying the enemy with it. - -"So I played the part of the watcher, and when I heard the _Americanos_ -riding over the trap I pulled the lever and down they crashed. - -"There, as I said, I made my only mistake. I expected the _Americanos_ -would be killed, but their steam cart is strong, and the fall did not -hurt them. Besides, only one end of the trap gave way, and the other, -holding fast, made an inclined road on which they descended into the -tunnel. That is how they came here, and now we must to work if we are to -get their gold." - -"And quickly, too," observed San Lucia, "for I learned that another -party is following this; they, too, have a steam wagon, and we may trap -them also." - -"I know the crowd of whom you speak," said Murado. "They are not far -behind. One is a youth called Nixy Nodnot, or some barbarous thing like -it. They will be surprised not to find their friends. But come, they -sleep!" - -Then the two Mexican brigands began creeping toward the room where the -professor and the boys were sleeping. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -NODDY HAS A TUMBLE. - - -When Vasco and Noddy, foiled in their attempt to kidnap Bob, retreated -through the forest, they went into camp with their crowd in no very -pleasant frame of mind. The Mexicans whom Vasco had hired to assist him -were angry at being foiled, and they talked of deserting. - -"Go on, if you want to," said Vasco, carelessly rolling a cigarette; "so -much the more gold for us when the rich man ransoms his son." - -This was enough to excite the greed of the men, who talked no more of -going away. - -The next day, after a consultation, Noddy and Vasco decided to continue -on the trail of the boys and the professor. They pursued the same -tactics they had previous to the interrupted kidnapping, and were -careful not to get too close to those they were trailing. - -All was not harmonious among the members of the band with which Noddy -had surrounded himself. The men had frequent quarrels, especially when -they were playing cards, which they seemed to do when they were not -smoking cigarettes. - -After dinner one day the Mexicans appeared to be much amused as they -played their game. They laughed and shouted and seemed to be talking of -the automobile, for Noddy had brought his machine up to the camp of the -horsemen. - -"What are they talking about?" asked Noddy of Vasco. - -"They are making a wager that the one who loses the game must ride, all -by himself, in the automobile," replied Bilette. - -"But I don't want them to do that," said Noddy. "They don't know how to -run the car." - -"That's the trouble," went on Vasco. "No one wants to lose, for they're -all afraid to operate the machine. But if one of them tries to do it, -you'd better let him, if you don't want to get into trouble." - -With a shout of laughter the men arose from where they had been playing -the game. They seemed to be railing at one chap, who looked at the auto -as if he feared it might blow up and kill him. - -"You're in for it," remarked Vasco. "Whatever you do don't make a fuss." - -With a somewhat sheepish air a young Mexican, one of Vasco's crowd, came -near the auto. He made a sign that he wanted to take Noddy's place. The -latter frowned and spoke in English, only a word or two of which the -native understood. - -"You shan't have this machine," spoke Noddy. "It's mine, and if you try -to run it you'll break it." - -But the Mexican paid no heed. He came close up to Noddy, grabbed him by -the collar and hauled him from the car. Noddy was the only one in it at -that time, Berry, Dalsett and Pender having gone off a short distance. - -"Let go of me!" cried Noddy, trying to draw a small revolver he carried. - -The Mexican only grunted and retained his grip. - -"If you don't let me alone I'll fire!" exclaimed the youth. He had his -revolver out, and the Mexican, seeing this, allowed his temper to cool -a bit. But there was an angry look in his eyes that meant trouble for -Noddy. - -"Now you fellows quit this gambling," commanded Vasco. "We'll have hard -work ahead of us in a little while, and we don't want any foolishness. -Leave Noddy alone. Don't you know if any one tries to run that machine -that hasn't been introduced to it, the engine will blow up!" - -"_Diablo!_" exclaimed the Mexican who had lost at cards and who was -about to attempt to operate the auto. "I will let it alone!" - -Quiet was restored, but the bad feeling was only smoothed over. It was -liable to break out again at any time. The main object of the crowd was -not lost sight of, however, and every hour they drew nearer the trail of -those of whom they were in pursuit. - -As it grew dusk, on the day of the quarrel over the auto, Noddy and -Vasco, with their followers, came to a small clearing. They decided to -stop and have supper. - -"If I'm not mistaken, the other auto has been here within a short time," -remarked Vasco, pointing to marks in the sandy road. "And there seem to -be footprints leading over there through the underbrush." - -He followed the trail, and came to the place where, a short time before, -Professor Snodgrass had battled with the cocoanut-throwing monkeys. - -"Looks as if some one was going to start in the wholesale business," -went on the Mexican, glancing at the pile of nuts the simians had piled -up. - -"Do you think we are close to them?" asked Noddy, for, since the -experience of the afternoon, he was anxious to get the kidnapping over, -and be rid of the Mexicans. - -"They have been here very recently," said Vasco. - -"How can you tell?" asked Noddy. - -"See where the oil has dripped from their machine," replied Bilette, -pointing to a little puddle of the lubricant in the road. "It has not -yet had time to soak away, showing that it must have been there but a -short time, since in this sand it would not remain long on top." - -"Shall we go on after them or camp for the night?" asked Noddy, -following a somewhat lengthy pause. - -"Keep on," replied Vasco. "No telling when we may get another chance. -Get the boy when we can. We'll have to do a little night traveling, but -what of it?" - -Noddy assented. He spent some time after supper in oiling up the auto -and getting the lamps filled, for darkness was coming on. Then, all -being in readiness, Noddy started off, the horsemen keeping close to him. - -For a few miles no one in the party spoke. The auto puffed slowly along, -the horsemen managing to keep up to it. - -"How do we know we're on the right road?" asked Noddy at length. "We may -have gone astray in the darkness." - -Tom Dalsett took a lantern and made a careful survey of the highway. He -came back presently. - -"We're all right," he said. "There are auto tracks just ahead of us. We -may come up to them any minute now." - -Once more Noddy's auto, which he had stopped to let Dalsett out, started -up. The pace was swift and silent. But as they penetrated farther and -farther into the depths of the forest there was no sign of the boys and -the professor, who, by this time, were in the underground city. - -"I don't believe we'll find them," spoke Jack Pender. "Let's camp now -and take up the trail in the morning, when you can see better." - -"No; we must keep on," said Vasco, firmly. "It is to-night or never. I -can't hold my men together any longer than that." - -Off into the darkness puffed the auto. The men on horseback followed it, -the whole party keeping close together, for several jaguars were seen -near the path, having been driven from their usual haunts because of the -scarcity of game. - -Every one was on the alert, watching for any signs of the travelers they -were pursuing. Every now and then some one would get out and examine the -road to see if the auto marks were still to be seen. They were there, -and led straight on to the hidden city. - -It was some time past midnight and the machine was going over a good -patch of road, when Jack Pender, who was seated beside Noddy, suddenly -grabbed the steersman's arm. - -"What's that ahead in the road?" asked Jack. - -"I don't see anything," replied Noddy. "It's your imagination. What does -it look like?" - -"Like a big black shadow, bigger and blacker than any around here. Can't -you see it now? There it is! Stop the machine, quick!" - -Noddy, peering through the gloom, saw what seemed to be a patch of -shadows. He gave the levers quick yanks, jammed down the brakes and -tried to bring the machine to a stop. - -But he was too late. With a plunge the car sank through the earth and -rushed along the inclined plane down which Jerry and his friends had -coasted a few hours before. There were wild cries of fear, mingled with -the shrill neighing of horses, for some of the riders and their steeds -also went down the trap that had been laid. - -The auto remained upright and shot along the floor of the tunnel to -which it had fallen, undergoing the same experience as had the machine -of Jerry and his friends. - -Then, with a crash that resounded through the confines of the ancient -city, Noddy and his machine and all who were in it brought up against -the massive door closing the tunnel, which portal Jerry had swung shut -after he and his friends had passed through. Following the crash there -came an ominous silence. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -FACE TO FACE. - - -"Hark! What was that?" whispered San Lucia to Murado. - -The two old brigands paused in their stealthy march upon their sleeping -victims, as the sound of the crash Noddy's auto made came faintly to -their ears. - -"How should I know?" asked Murado, but he seemed alarmed. - -"It sounded in the tunnel," went on San Lucia. "Some one is coming! -Quick! Let us hide! Another night will do for our work." - -Thereupon the two old villains, alarmed by the terror of the noise -caused by they knew not what, hesitated and then fled as silently as -they had advanced. For the time the lives of the boys and the professor -had been saved. - -San Lucia and Murado went to their hiding place in the old temple, the -building being so large and rambling that it would have hidden a score -of men with ease. It may be added here that they did not dare to touch -many things in the ancient city, thinking them bewitched. - -All unmindful of the danger which had menaced them, our travelers slept -on, nothing disturbing them, and they did not hear the noise made by -Noddy's tumble, though they were not far from the mouth of the tunnel. - -"I say!" called Bob, sitting up and looking at his watch in a sunbeam -that came through a broken window. "I say, are you fellows going to -sleep all day? It's nearly eight o'clock, and I want some breakfast." - -"Oh, of course it's something to eat as soon as you open your eyes!" -exclaimed Jerry. "I should think you would take something to bed with -you, Chunky, and put it under your pillow so you could eat in the night -whenever you felt hungry." - -"That's all right," snapped Bob, "but I notice we don't have to call you -twice to come to your meals." - -"Is it morning?" called the professor from his cot. - -"Long ago," replied Bob, who was dressing. "I wonder if the folks that -lived in this temple ever washed. I'd like to strike a bathroom about -now." - -"Hark! I hear something!" exclaimed the professor. - -They all listened intently. - -"It's running water," said the naturalist, "and close by. Perhaps -there's a wash-room in this temple." - -"I'm going to see what's behind this door," said Bob, pointing to a -portal none of them had noticed in the darkness. He pushed it open and -went inside. The next instant he uttered a joyful cry: - -"Come here, fellows! It's a plunge bath!" - -Then they heard him spring in and splash about. Jerry and Ned soon -followed, and the professor came a little later. It was a regular -swimming-tank, stone-lined and sunk into the floor. The water came in -through a sort of stone trough. - -"These old chaps knew something about life, after all," observed Ned, as -he climbed out and proceeded to dry himself. - -"They were probably a bit like the Romans," remarked the professor, "and -fond of bathing. But something has given me an appetite, and I wouldn't -object to breakfast." - -The others were of the same mind, and soon Ned had the gasolene stove -set up and was preparing a meal. Bob attended to the brewing of the -coffee instead of chocolate, and the aroma of the beverage filled the -old temple with an appetizing odor. - -"What are we going to do to-day?" asked Jerry, when they had finished -the meal and were sitting comfortably on some low stools that had been -discovered in the room where they slept. - -"We must explore the city in all directions," said the professor. "There -are many marvelous things here, and I have not begun to find them yet. -It will take weeks and weeks." - -"Are we going to stay here all that while?" asked Bob, somewhat -dubiously. - -"I'd like to," answered the naturalist. "But we can get a good load of -specimens and relics, run up north and come back for more. This place is -a regular treasure-trove." - -Clearing away the remains of the breakfast, and looking over the auto to -see that it had suffered no damage in the recent experience, the boys -and the professor left the temple and strolled out into the deserted -city. They did not know that their every movement was watched by the -glittering eyes of San Lucia and Murado, who were hidden in an upper -part of the temple whence they could look down on their intended victims -from a small, concealed gallery. - -By full daylight the ancient city was even more wonderful than it had -appeared in the waning light of the previous afternoon. In the days of -its glory it was evident it had been a beautiful place. - -The travelers entered some of the better-preserved houses. They found -the rooms filled with fine furniture, of a rude but simple and pleasing -character, some of the articles being well preserved. - -One house they visited seemed to have belonged to some rich man, for it -was filled with things that once had been of great beauty. - -"There is something that should interest me!" exclaimed the professor, -as he caught sight of a small cabinet on the wall. "That must contain -curios." - -He found his supposition right, and fairly reveled in the objects that -were treasures to him, but not worth much to any one else. There were -ancient coins, rings and other articles of jewelry and hundreds of bugs, -beetles and minerals. - -"Whoever lived here was a wise and learned man," observed the naturalist. -"I shall take his whole collection back with me, since it is going to -ruin here, and it belongs to no one." - -"There will be no room for any of us in the auto if you keep on -collecting things," observed Jerry. - -But this seemed to make no difference to the professor. He went right on -collecting as if he had a freight car at his disposal. - -The travelers continued on their way, exploring the different buildings -here and there. - -"I'm tired," announced Bob, suddenly. "You fellows can go on, if you -want to, but I'm going to sit down and take a rest." - -He found a comfortable place in the shade, where a stone ledge was built -against the side of a ruined house, and sat down. Jerry and Ned followed -his example, for they, too, were leg-weary. - -"I'll just take a look through this one place, and then we'll go back -and have dinner," said the professor. - -He entered the structure, against which the boys were sitting. It was -a small, one-storied affair, and did not look as if it would contain -anything of value. The naturalist had not been inside five minutes -before the boys heard him calling, in excited tones: - -"Come quick, boys!" - -They ran in, to behold Professor Snodgrass with his arm stuck in a hole -in the wall. He seemed to be pulling at something. - -"What is it?" cried Jerry. - -"A gila monster," replied the professor. "I saw him and I got him." - -"It looks as if he had you," answered Ned. - -"He tried to get away, but I grabbed him by the tail as he was going in -his hole," went on the naturalist. "Now he's got his claws dug down in -the dirt and I can't pull him out. Come out of there, my beauty!" he -cried, addressing his remarks to the hidden gila monster. "Come out, my -pet!" - -Then, with a sudden yank the professor succeeded in drawing the animal -from its burrow. It was a repulsive-looking creature of the lizard -variety, and as the professor held it up by the tail it wiggled and -tried to escape. - -"Now I have you, my little darling!" the naturalist cried, popping his -prize into his collecting-box. - -"That would never take a prize at a beauty show," observed Ned. "I -wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole." - -"Well, this has been a most profitable day," went on the collector, as, -with the boys, he turned toward their residence in the old temple. "I -must come back this afternoon for the cabinet of curios." - -Without further incident, save that nearly every step of the homeward -journey the professor stopped to pick up some relic, the travelers -reached the temple. - -"Here goes for another bath!" cried Bob, running toward the room where -the plunge was. "I'm nearly melted by the heat." - -"I'm with you!" said Jerry. - -Suddenly they heard the professor's voice calling them. - -"I wonder what in the world is the matter now?" said Jerry. - -He and Bob hurried outside where they had left the naturalist and Ned. -They found the pair gazing down the street toward the tunnel entrance. - -And as they gazed they saw the big door swing slowly open, while from -the passage came Noddy Nixon, Vasco Bilette and the others of their -crowd. A low cry of surprise broke from Noddy as he stood face to face -with the very persons he and Vasco were seeking. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -BOB IS KIDNAPPED. - - -For a minute or two the unexpected encounter so astonished all concerned -that no one spoke. Noddy seemed ill at ease from meeting his former -acquaintances, but Vasco Bilette smiled in an evil way. Chance had -thrown in his path the very person he wanted. Tom Dalsett was the first -to speak. - -"Well, we meet again," he said, with an attempt at cheerfulness. "How do -you all do?" - -"I don't know that we're any the better for seeing you," remarked -Professor Snodgrass, who was plain-spoken at times. - -"Oh, but I assure you it's a sight for sore eyes to get a glimpse of you -once more," went on Tom. "Besides, this is a free city, you know, even -if it is an old, underground one; and we have as much right here as you -have." - -"True enough," broke in Jerry. "But you may as well know, first as last, -that we're done fooling with you and your gang, Noddy Nixon. If you -annoy us again there's going to be trouble!" - -Noddy did not reply. He seemed anxious to get away, but Dalsett and -Vasco urged him to stay, and they had secured quite an influence over -the youth. - -"We must have come in by the same passage you did," went on Dalsett. -"You left it open behind you. We were wandering around in the dark -tunnel until we discovered this door a little while ago. Lucky, wasn't -it?" - -"For you chaps, yes," commented Ned. - -"Some of us were nearly killed in the tumble," went on Dalsett. "We got -out of it rather well, on the whole." - -"You'd better come inside and have nothing more to say to him," said the -professor to his friends. "This spoils all our plans." - -"Never mind; perhaps we can give them the slip among the ruins," said -Jerry. - -He went back into the ancient temple, and the others followed him. Noddy -continued to stare as if he thought the whole thing was a dream. As for -Vasco and Dalsett, they were much pleased with the turn affairs had -taken. - -But the Mexicans were excited. Several of them had been bruised by the -fall into the tunnel, and they wanted to proceed at once and kidnap Bob, -so they could get the ransom money. But Vasco would not permit this. He -did not believe in using force when he could use stealth. Besides, he -was a coward, and afraid of getting hurt, if it came to a fight. - -"Let them go," he said to his men, who murmured as they saw their -prospective captive and his friends retreat into the temple. "Let them -go. They can't get away from here without letting us know. We are better -off than before. We can capture the fat boy whenever we want to now." - -With that, Vasco's followers had to be content. As Dalsett had said, -Noddy and his cronies, after groping about in the dark tunnel for -some time, had finally discovered the door by which the boys and the -professor had entered the ancient city. They had pushed it open and come -face to face with our friends. - -"Bah!" exclaimed one of the Mexicans. "It is always to-morrow and -to-morrow in this business. Let us fight them! Let us get the captive -and let us share the ransom." - -"We'll do the trick to-night, sure," promised Vasco. "To-night, -positively, we will kidnap Bob." - -Meanwhile, all unconscious of the fate in store for him, Bob was making -a substantial meal, for the travelers had begun to get dinner after -withdrawing from the front of the temple. They talked of little save the -appearance of Noddy and his followers. - -"How do you suppose he ever got here?" asked Bob. - -"Simply followed us," said Jerry. "We left a plain enough trail. -Besides, automobiles are scarce in Mexico, and any one seeing ours pass -by would easily remember it and tell whoever came along afterward, -making inquiries." - -"What had we better do?" asked Ned. "Stay here or go away?" - -"There'll be more or less trouble if we stay," was Jerry's opinion. -"Supposing we go away for a while and come back. If Noddy is after us we -may give him the slip and return." - -"How are we going to get out of this place?" asked Bob. "We can't go -back through the tunnel we came in, as they are now on guard there." - -"There must be more than one entrance to this city," spoke the -professor. "I think I'll go and hunt for another. When we find it we can -take the automobile with us and escape to-night. I wish to be the first -person to announce this discovery to the world." - -"That's the idea!" exclaimed Ned. "I'll go along to help hunt for -another passage, while Bob and Jerry can stay on guard." - -"In the meanwhile I'm going to have my swim," said Bob. He went into the -tank-room, and immediately uttered a cry. - -"What's the matter?" called Jerry. - -"The water has all run out," replied Bob, "and there's a big hole here!" - -The others came in on the run. They saw that the swimming-pool was -empty. Only a little water remained on the bottom in small puddles. They -also saw that the pool was made with an incline of stone leading from -the floor level down to the bottom. In the side opposite from where the -incline was a big black hole showed itself. When the water was at the -normal level this hole was invisible. Once the water had lowered it was -plain to see. - -"What made the water go out?" asked Bob. - -"Probably a gate at the end of the tunnel leading from the tank was -opened," replied the naturalist. "Or it may be an automatic arrangement, -so that when the tank gets filled up to a certain height the water shuts -itself off. So we'll defer our bath until the water rises. Perhaps the -tides may have some effect on it. We can only wait and see." - -"That tunnel is big enough to drive our auto through," observed Bob. - -A sudden thought came to Jerry. He whispered to the professor. - -"Of course it could be done," replied the scientist after consideration, -"but there is the danger of the water rising suddenly while we are in -the tunnel. Jerry talks of escaping by means of this new shaft," went on -the professor. "We could run the auto down the incline and so out. But -we must investigate the place." - -The naturalist walked down the incline. Straight in front of them, as -they neared it, yawned the black mouth of the passage. The professor -would not let the boys come in until he had made an investigation. - -He walked quite a distance down the shaft and returned. He seemed in -deep thought. - -"It will be safe to use the tunnel," he said. "It appears that the water -was siphoned out. There is another tank or reservoir connected with this -one. They both seem to be fed by springs. When the other tank, which -is below the level and to one side, gets full of water, the fluid is -siphoned out. As that tank is connected with the one we used, by a pipe, -as soon as the water goes out of the first tank, that in the second -follows to keep the first tank filled. And so it goes on, from day to -day, repeating the operation once every twenty-four hours, I would -judge. So we have plenty of time. The tunnel leads to one like that -by which we entered the city. I have no doubt but that we can escape -through it." - -If the professor and the boys could at this time have seen two evil -faces peering down at them from a high balcony, they might not have felt -so comfortable. San Lucia and Murado were on the lookout, and every move -the travelers made was watched. - -It was decided to make the escape that night. Accordingly, after supper, -the automobile was prepared for a long trip. Things were packed in it, -and the professor took along his beloved specimens. - -"How are we going to get the car down the incline?" asked Bob. - -"I can take it down, all right," replied Jerry. - -At length all was in readiness. Jerry and Ned took the front seat, Bob -cranked up the car, which was still inside the old temple, and then -joined the professor on the rear seat. - -"All ready?" asked Jerry. - -"All ready," replied Bob. - -"Yes, and we are ready, too!" came in a whisper from the ruined doorway -of the temple, where Vasco Bilette and his men were in hiding, watching -the flight of the travelers. - -The Mexican had guessed some sort of an attempt to escape would be made, -and was on hand to frustrate it. But the preparations made for taking -the auto down into the empty water pool puzzled Vasco. So he was on the -alert. - -"Here we go!" called Jerry, softly. The auto was vibrating, but almost -noiselessly, for the explosions of the motor could scarcely be heard. - -Down the incline Jerry took the heavy car, without a mishap. Straight -for the open mouth of the tunnel he steered it. It was as dark as pitch -now, but the lamps on the car gave good illumination. - -"Come on, we have them now!" cried Vasco to his followers. "The boy is -in the back seat!" - -The Mexicans ran down the incline. By this time the machine was well -into the mouth of the shaft. Hearing footsteps behind him, resounding -on the stone pavement, Jerry shut off the power for a moment. As he did -so the car was surrounded by ugly-looking brigands, who had run up at a -signal from Vasco. - -"Quick! Grab him!" cried Dalsett. - -"I have him!" replied Vasco. - -He reached up, and, though Bob was a heavy lad, the Mexican, with the -help of Dalsett, pulled him over the rear seat. Bob fought, kicked and -struggled. It was of no avail. Then a sack was quickly thrown over his -head, and the men ran back out of the tunnel and up the incline, bearing -Chunky with them. - -"Bob's been kidnapped!" shouted the professor. "Turn the auto around, -Jerry, and chase after them!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -BOB TRIES TO FLEE. - - -In an instant Jerry tried to turn the auto around. He found the passage -too narrow. There was nothing to do but to back up the incline. This was -a slow process in the darkness. - -"Fire at them!" cried Ned. - -"No. You might hit Bob!" said the professor. "We must chase after the -brigands. This is what they have been following us for. I wonder what -they want of Bob?" - -No one could guess. By this time Jerry had run the machine up the -inclined plane and into the temple. Then he sent it out into the street. -It was as dark as a pocket and not a trace of the kidnappers could be -seen, nor could they be heard. The capture of Bob came as a terrible -blow. - -"Let's take to the tunnel where we came in!" cried Ned. "Perhaps they -are hiding there." - -"If they are, they are well armed, and their force is three times what -ours is now," said the professor. "If we are to help Bob we will have to -do it by strategy rather than by force. Come, we had better go back to -the temple. We can make our plans from there." - -"Poor Chunky!" groaned Jerry. "I wonder what they are doing to him now?" - -"I guess it was his money-belt they wanted more than they did him," put -in Ned. "You know he carried what was left of the five hundred dollars." - -"That's so!" exclaimed Jerry, with a rueful face. - -"Never mind the money; I have plenty," put in the naturalist. "And don't -worry; we'll find Bob yet." - -Nothing could be done that night, so the professor and the two boys -tried to get what sleep their troubled minds would allow. In the morning -they made a hurried breakfast and then held a consultation. It was -decided to explore the tunnel by which they had entered the city, and -see if it still held the brigands and Noddy's crowd. - -Arming themselves, the professor, Ned and Jerry advanced carefully -through the big wooden gate. They proceeded cautiously, but no one -opposed them. The tunnel was deserted. They came to the hole where they -had tumbled down. The inclined plane of planks was there, in the same -position as when the cave-in, produced by Murado, had occurred. - -"They have probably gone back up here and are running across country," -remarked Ned. "Hello!" he exclaimed. "What's that?" - -He picked up a small object that lay at the foot of the incline, in the -glare of the sunlight that streamed in from above. - -"That's Bob's knife," said Jerry. "He had it yesterday. That shows he -must have been here since. There is no doubt but that they have carried -him away from here." - -The professor agreed that this was probably the case. There was nothing -left to do, so they returned to the temple. - -"I hardly know what to do," said the naturalist. "We might take the -automobile and ride off, not knowing where, in a vain endeavor to find -Bob. Or we can stay here on the chance that he may escape and come back. -If we went away he would not know where to find us. - -"Then, too, I am hopeful we may hear something from Noddy Nixon or some -of those Mexicans he had with him. Those fellows are regular brigands, -and may have captured Bob, thinking we will pay a ransom for his return. -On the whole, I think we had better stay here for a few days." - -This seemed the best thing to do. With heavy hearts, Jerry and Ned -wandered about the old temple, wishing their chum was back with them. -The professor began to gather more specimens and made several trips to -the old buildings where he got many curios of value. - -Meanwhile, poor Bob was having his own troubles. At the first rough -attack of the kidnappers, when he was hauled over the back of the auto, -he did not know what had happened. He supposed it was some accident, -such as the tunnel caving in or the water suddenly rising. - -But when he found himself held by two men, and the bag thrown over his -head, he realized that he was a captive, though he did not know why any -one would want him. - -Holding him between them, Vasco and Dalsett ran back into the bath and -up the incline, followed by Noddy and the Mexicans. Berry and Pender -had been left in charge of the auto and horses, which were in the first -tunnel. - -Bob, who had not attempted to struggle after his first involuntary -kicking when he was hauled out, decided that his captors were having too -easy a time of it. He was by no means a baby, and though he was fat he -had considerable muscle. - -So he began to beat about with his fists, and to kick with his heavy -shoes, in a manner that made it very uncomfortable for Vasco and Dalsett. - -"Quit that, you young cub, or I'll hurt you!" exclaimed Vasco. - -"Yes, an' I'll do the same!" growled Dalsett, and, recognizing the -voice, Bob knew for the first time into whose hands he had fallen. - -He did not heed the command to stop struggling, and it was all the two -men could do to hold him. Suddenly they laid him down. - -"Look here!" exclaimed Dalsett, sitting on Bob to keep him still, "if -you want us to tie you up like a steer we're willin' to do it. An' we'll -gag you into the bargain. If you quit wigglin' you'll be treated decent." - -"Then you take this bag off my head!" demanded Bob, with some spirit. - -"I will if you promise to walk an' not make us carry you," promised -Dalsett. - -"I'll walk until I get a good chance to get away," replied Bob, -determined to give no parole. - -"Mighty little chance you have of gittin' away," remarked Dalsett, as he -removed the sack. - -It was as dark as a pocket, and Bob wondered where he was. Soon one of -the men came with a lantern, and by the gleam the captive could see he -was in the tunnel. - -"Come on!" ordered Vasco. - -Walking in the midst of his captors, Bob came to the foot of the -incline. There he found Noddy, Pender and Bill Berry in the auto. The -Mexicans had their horses in readiness for a flight. - -"They're going to take me away," thought Bob. "I wonder how I can give -the boys and the professor a sign so they will know that?" - -His fingers came in contact with his knife and that gave him an idea. He -dropped the implement on the ground, where it was found by his friends -later. - -"Is everything ready?" asked Vasco. - -"I guess so," replied Noddy. "Shall I run the machine up the incline?" - -"Go ahead," said Dalsett. "We'll walk with our young friend here. I -reckon the car will have trouble gittin' up the hill if too many gits in -it." - -"Come on, you fellows!" ordered Vasco of his Mexicans. "We have the -captive now, and you'll soon be dividing the ransom money." He spoke in -Spanish, which Bob could not understand. The boy was at a loss why so -many should be interested in him, but laid it all to a plot of Noddy's -to get square. - -It was quite a pull for the auto, up the steep incline, but Noddy, by -using the low gear, managed it. The horses and their riders had less -trouble, and soon the whole party stood in the road near the tunnel that -led to the underground city. - -Bob was placed on a small pony, and his hands were tied behind his back. -Then, with a Mexican riding before and after him, and one on each side, -the cavalcade started off. - -For several hours the journey was kept up. No one said much, and poor -Bob puzzled his brains trying to think what it all meant. One thing he -determined on: that he would try to escape at the first opportunity. - -It came sooner than he expected. He had been working at the bonds on his -hands and found, to his joy, that the rope was coming loose. In their -hurry, Vasco and Dalsett had not tied it very securely. In a little -while Bob had freed his wrists, but he kept his hands behind his back, -to let his captors think he was still bound. - -He waited until he came to a level stretch of land. Then, at a time when -the Mexican in the rear had ridden off to one side to borrow a cigarette -of a comrade, Bob slipped from the pony's back. - -He struck the ground rather hard, but here his fat served him in good -stead, for he was not hurt much. Then he rolled quickly out of the way -of the horses' feet. - -Jumping up, he ran at top speed off to the left. Instantly the cavalcade -was in confusion. Vasco and Dalsett came riding back to see what the -trouble was. They saw Bob bounding away. - -"After him!" shouted Vasco, drawing his revolver and firing in the air -to scare Bob. "After him! He's worth ten thousand dollars!" - -The Mexicans spurred their horses after the fugitive, while Noddy, -turning the auto around, lighted the search-lamp and sent the light -through the blackness to pick out Bob so the others could find him in -the darkness. - -On and on ran the boy, and after him thundered the horses of his -pursuers, coming nearer and nearer. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -AN UNEXPECTED FRIEND. - - -It was too uneven a chase to last long. Bob soon found that his enemies -were gaining on him, and he resolved to play a trick. He came to a big -rock and dropped down behind it, hiding in the shadow. - -For a time the Mexicans were baffled, but they spread about in a half -circle and Bob could hear them gradually surrounding him. Still he hoped -to escape detection. - -"Can't you find him?" he heard Noddy call. - -"He seems to have given us the slip," replied Vasco. "But we'll get him -yet." - -Noddy sent the searchlight of the automobile all about the rock behind -which Bob was hidden, but the deep shadow cast protected the boy. - -At length, however, one of the Mexicans approached the place. At the -same instant Bob was seized with an uncontrollable desire to sneeze. His -nose tickled and, though he held his breath and did everything he had -ever read about calculated to prevent sneezes, the tickling increased. -Finally he gave voice to a loud "Ka-choo!" - -"_Diablo!_" exclaimed the nearest Mexican. "What have we here?" - -He was at the rock in an instant and lost no time in grabbing Bob. The -boy tried to struggle and escape again, but his captor held him in a -firm grip. The Mexican set up a shout at the discovery of his prize, -which speedily brought Vasco and his comrades to the scene. - -"So, you didn't care much for our company," observed Bilette. "But never -mind, we think so much of you that we run after you wherever you go. Now -we have you again!" and he laughed in an unpleasant manner. - -"I don't see what you want of me," remarked Bob, as he was led back and -placed on his pony. - -"Ah, perhaps you are not aware that you are worth much money to us," -said Vasco. - -"I'll give you all I have if you'll let me go," said Bob. - -"That is something we overlooked," said Dalsett. "Take his money, Vasco. -He may have a few dollars." - -In another minute Bob's money-belt, with the best part of five hundred -dollars, was in the possession of the Mexicans. He wished he had kept -still. - -"This is doing very well," observed Vasco, as he counted over the bills -with glistening eyes. "This is very well indeed, and most unexpected. -But we want more than this." - -"It is all I have," answered Bob. - -"But your people, your father has more," went on the Mexican. "I think -if you were to write him a letter, stating that you were about to be -killed unless he sent ten thousand dollars, he would be glad to give us -the small amount." - -"I'll never write such a letter!" exclaimed Bob. "You can kill me if you -want to!" - -"You'll think differently in the morning," remarked Vasco. "Here, you -fellows, tie him up so he can't get away again!" - -This time the ropes were knotted so tightly about the boy's arms and -legs that he knew he could not work them loose. He was thrown over the -back of the pony and the cavalcade started off again. - -All night long the march continued, the men on their horses and Noddy -and his friends in the auto. Poor Bob felt sick at heart over his -failure to escape and the knowledge, conveyed to him in Vasco's remarks, -that he was being held for ransom. - -Just as day was beginning to break, the party reached a small Mexican -village and preparations were made to spend some time there. Vasco and -his men seemed to know the place well, for they were greeted by many -of the inhabitants of the place who had arisen early. Noddy ran the -automobile under a shed and then the whole crowd, taking Bob with them, -went to a large house at the end of the principal street, where they -evidently intended to make their headquarters. - -Bob was taken to a small room on the second floor, facing the courtyard, -which is a feature of all Mexican homes. His bonds were released and he -was thrust roughly inside. - -The apartment was bare enough. There were a table, a chair and a bed in -the room. The only window was guarded by heavy iron bars, and the single -door was fastened with a massive lock. - -"I guess I'll have trouble getting out of here," said Bob to himself. -"It's a regular prison. I wonder if they're going to starve me?" - -He began to suffer for want of water, and his stomach cried for food. -He had some thought of pounding on the walls and demanding to be fed, -when the door opened and a girl quickly entered, setting on the table a -tray of food. She was gone before Bob had a chance to get a good look at -her, but he saw that she was young and pretty, attired as she was in gay -Mexican colors. - -Though the meal was not very appetizing, it tasted to Bob as if it was -the best dinner ever served. He felt better after eating it, and more -hopeful. - -For several days he was held a captive in the room. One evening Vasco -Bilette and Tom Dalsett paid him a visit. - -"We have brought a paper for you to sign," said Vasco. - -"I will sign nothing," replied Bob. - -"I think you will, my boy," spoke the Mexican. "Bring in the charcoal, -Tom." - -Dalsett went out and returned with a small, portable clay stove in -which burned some charcoal. Heating in the flames was an iron used for -branding cattle. - -"You can take your choice of signing this or of seeing how you look with -a hot iron on," said Vasco. "This paper is a letter to your father, -telling him you have been captured by brigands, who will not let you go -excepting they are paid ten thousand dollars." - -"I'll never sign!" replied Bob, firmly. - -"Then brand him!" cried Vasco. - -One of the Mexicans took the iron from the fire. It glowed with a white, -cruel heat. At the sight of it Bob's courage melted away. At the same -time a plan came into his head. - -"I'll sign!" he exclaimed. - -"I thought you would," observed Vasco. "Put your name here." - -He handed Bob a letter, written to Mr. Baker, whose name and address -Noddy Nixon had supplied. In brief, it demanded that ten thousand -dollars be sent to the brigands and left in a lonely spot mentioned, if -Mr. Baker did not want to hear of the death of his son. Any attempt to -capture the writers, the missive stated, would be met with the instant -killing of the boy. - -"Sign there," said Vasco, indicating the place. - -Bob did so. At the same time he placed beneath his signature a scrawl -and a row of figures. - -To the Mexicans figures meant nothing, and it is doubtful if they -observed them. But to Mr. Baker they spelled out the message: "Send no -money. I can get away." - -They were figures in a secret cypher bank code that Mr. Baker sometimes -used, and which Bob had learned. - -"I guess that will fool them," thought the boy, as he saw his captors -take away the letter. - -For the next few days nothing occurred. Bob was kept a close prisoner in -his room, and the only person he saw was the girl who brought him food. -He tried to talk to her, but she did not seem to understand English. - -The captive was beginning to despair. He feared he would never see his -friends again, for he did not believe his father would send the money, -and without it he was sure the desperate men would kill him. - -His confidence in his ability to escape lessened as the days went by. He -tried to pick the lock on his door, and loosen a bar at the window, but -without success. It was the fifth day of his captivity and the Mexican -girl came to bring him his supper. - -To Bob's surprise, this time she did not hurry away. She set the tray of -food down and looked at him anxiously. - -"You want go?" she asked, in a broken accent. - -"You mean escape? Get away from here? Leave?" asked Bob, taking sudden -hope. - -"Um! Go 'way. Leave bad mans! Maximina help! You go?" - -"Of course," replied Bob. "But how are you going to manage it?" - -"Wait till dark. Me come. You go, we go. Leave bad mans. Me no like it -here. Bad mans whip Maximina." - -By which Bob understood that the girl would come when it got dark and -help him to escape, accompanying him because she herself had been ill -treated by the Mexicans. - -"Be good boy! Me come. You glad!" she said, in a whisper. - -Just then the sound of voices was heard outside the room, in the -corridor. - -"Hush! No tell!" cautioned the girl as she glided from the room. - -Bob began to eat his supper. His heart was in a flutter of hope. - -"Queer why that money don't come," he heard Vasco say, outside. "We'll -have to do something pretty soon." - -It was getting dark now, and Bob waited anxiously. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -THE ESCAPE OF MAXIMINA. - - -Several hours passed. Bob was beginning to think Maximina had forgotten -her promise, when he heard a soft footstep outside. Then came a gentle -tapping at his door. It was unlocked from the outside, opened, and the -Mexican girl stepped in. - -"Hush!" she whispered. "We go now. All bad mans gone to feast--holiday. -We go. Put on cloak." - -She gave Bob a long, dark serape, and produced one for herself. Little -time was lost. Led by Maximina, Bob passed out into the dark corridor, -down the stairs and through the courtyard, out of the house, under the -silent stars that twinkled in the sky. - -"This way!" whispered the girl. "We ride ponies. No one here, we take -horses. Where you live?" - -Bob was at a loss what to do. He wondered how he could make Maximina, -whose language he could not speak, and who could talk but imperfectly -in his, understand about the underground city. Equally hard would it be -to make her comprehend where he lived and how to start for the nearest -large city in order to get help or communicate with his friends. - -He remembered that his captors had brought him almost directly north as -they sped away from the buried city. So he thought the best thing to -do would be to ride to the south, when he might see some landmark that -would aid him in locating himself. - -"We'll go this way," he said, pointing in a direction opposite to that -of the north star, which he saw blazing in the sky. - -"All right," exclaimed the Mexican girl. She leaped to the back of one -of two ponies she had brought from the stable. Bob was not so expert, -but managed to get into the saddle. - -So far they had met no one, nor had they heard the sound of any of the -Mexicans. As Maximina had said, all of the men were away to a feast, -one of the numerous ones celebrated in the country. Even Noddy and his -friends had gone, so there was no one left to guard Bob but the girl. - -Away they rode, urging their ponies to a gallop. Bob was fearful that at -every turn of the road he would meet with some of Vasco's men, but the -highway appeared to be deserted. - -"Me glad to go. Bad mans steal Maximina years ago," said the girl, -after half an hour's ride. "Me want to get back to own people." - -"I wish I could help you," said Bob, "but I'm about as badly off as you -are. The Mexicans stole me, too." - -"We both same, like orphans," said Maximina. "Never min'. Maybe we find -our folks." - -By degrees she brokenly told Bob her story, how she had been kidnapped -by Vasco when she was a child, and how he had kept her because her -father was too poor to pay the ransom demanded. She had gradually -come to be regarded as a regular inmate of the Mexican camp, which, -it seemed, was an organized headquarters for kidnappers and brigands -generally. - -She had never thought of escaping before, she said, but when she saw Bob -she felt sorry for him and resolved to free not only him, but herself. - -"We ride faster," she said, after several miles had been covered. -"Gettin' late. Men come back from feast find us gone, they ride after." - -She urged her pony to a gallop and Bob's animal followed its leader. - -"If I only had a revolver or a gun I'd shoot some of them if they tried -to take us back," Bob said to himself. "I hope we can get away." - -In a small village, about ten miles from the camp of the Mexicans, Vasco -and his friends were having a great time. There were wild music and -dancing, and plenty of food well seasoned with red pepper. The Mexicans -were having what they called fun. - -Noddy, with Jack and Bill Berry, looked on, taking no part in the -revels. They had come over in the automobile, while Vasco and his gang -rode their horses. - -It was past midnight when the leader of the Mexicans decided that it was -time to start for home. - -"Come on," he said. "Who knows but what our prisoner has escaped." - -"Not much danger of that," said Dalsett. "I told Maximina that if he got -away we'd hold her responsible and give her a good lashing. She'll not -let him get away." - -But neither Dalsett nor Vasco knew what they were talking about. The -Mexicans were reluctant to leave the dance, but Vasco insisted. Soon the -whole party was riding back to camp, Noddy being in advance in his auto. - -He was the first to reach the kidnappers' headquarters. Dalsett was with -him. - -"I wonder how our captive is?" said the latter. - -He went up to the room where Bob had been locked up. To his surprise and -anger, the apartment was empty. - -"Maximina!" he called. - -There was no answer. - -"They've gone!" he exclaimed. "Here, Noddy, ride back and meet Vasco. -Tell him Bob has got away!" - -The automobile was sent flying down the road. Vasco Bilette and his -party were met and the news quickly imparted. - -"We'll catch 'em!" cried the Mexican. "They have only a few hours' -start, and only two slow ponies to ride on. Here, I'll go in the auto -with Noddy. You fellows come after me!" - -Vasco took Jack Pender's place in the machine and soon the chase was on. -Vasco rightly concluded that Bob and Maximina would head for the south, -so he, too, took the road leading in that direction. - -Noddy speeded up the car, under Vasco's directions. Faster and faster it -raced, the searchlight throwing out a glaring beam far in advance. - -Meanwhile, Bob and Maximina were making all speed possible. Every now -and then the girl would halt her pony and listen intently. - -"They no come yet," she would say. "No can hear horses comin' after us. -We get 'way maybe." - -Bob certainly hoped so. His experience as a captive was not such as to -cause him to like the role, and he longed to be with his friends, who, -he knew, must be greatly alarmed about him. - -It seemed to be getting darker as the two traveled on. - -"Be sunrise 'bout hour," said Maximina, and Bob remembered that he had -read about it being darkest just before daybreak. "We mus' hide then," -the girl went on. - -Suddenly a sound came to them from over the dark fields that bordered -the road. At the same time there was a shaft of light. - -"There they come!" cried Bob. "They're after us in the automobile!" - -"Ride! Ride fast!" called Maximina, fiercely. "If they catch us they -kill!" - -She lashed her pony with the short whip she carried, and struck Bob's -animal several smart blows. The two beasts leaped forward. - -But horses, especially small, Mexican ponies, are not built to race -against large touring automobiles. Bob noticed that the chug-chug of -Noddy's machine came nearer and nearer. - -"Maybe we can hide from them in the darkness," said Bob. "It's our only -chance. They'll soon be up to us." - -"No hide! Keep on ride!" exclaimed Maximina. "We git away!" - -But even as she spoke the searchlight picked them up and they were -revealed in its blinding glare. A faint shout from their pursuers told -that they had been seen. - -The ponies were tiring. Already Bob's was staggering along as the pace -told on it. Maximina's was a little better off. - -"We have them!" Bob heard Vasco shout. "They are both together. Put a -little more speed on, Noddy!" - -The chug-chugs of the auto told that the machine was being sent ahead at -a faster clip. The searchlight glared more strongly on the fugitives. - -"Cave somewhere near here," said Maximina. "If we could find 'um we be -safe. Ride more, Bob." - -"This pony can't go much farther," replied the boy. "His legs are -shaking now." - -Crack! - -A flash of reddish fire cut the blackness, and a bullet sang unpleasantly -close over Bob's head. - -"They only shoot to scare!" cried Maximina. "They no want to kill you. -Too valuable. Want ransom; much money; ten thousand dollars." - -"All the same, it's no fun to be shot at," remarked Bob, urging his pony -on. - -The automobile was now but a few hundred feet away. Noddy had to reduce -his speed because the ground was getting rougher. - -"We'll have them in another minute!" cried Vasco. - -At that instant, Bob's pony, stepping in a hole, stumbled and fell, -throwing the rider over its back. Bob struck the ground heavily and was -stunned. - -"Me stay with you!" exclaimed Maximina, reining in her pony and coming -back to where Bob was. - -"No, no! You ride on!" the boy said, faintly. "Maybe you can find my -friends and send help. They are in the underground city!" - -"All right. Me go! Bring help!" the girl whispered, and, leaping on her -pony's back, she rode off to one side, getting away from the glare of -the searchlight and so escaping observation. - -Two minutes later the auto came up to where Bob was stretched out on the -ground. Vasco leaped out before the machine had fairly stopped and made -a grab for Bob. - -"The boy is dead!" he exclaimed. - -"Dead!" faltered Noddy. He was beginning to be alarmed over the part he -had played. - -"Bring a light here!" commanded the Mexican. - -Noddy turned the search-lamp on Bob's prostrate form. At that the boy -opened his eyes. He had fainted from pain caused by his fall. - -"Shamming, eh?" sneered Vasco, striking Bob a blow with a rope he -carried. "Get up, now! No nonsense; you've made trouble enough!" - -Poor Bob was too discouraged and felt too bad to reply. The other -Mexicans rode up. In a few minutes the captive was securely bound, -lifted into the auto, and, as dawn broke, the start back to camp was -made. - -"Don't you want Maximina?" asked Dalsett. - -"Let her go," replied Vasco. "She was only a bother around, and never -liked to work. She can't do any harm." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -A STRANGE MESSAGE. - - -The days were full of anxiety for the professor, Jerry and Ned, who -still remained in the ancient city after Bob had been kidnapped. Every -night they went to bed, hoping some word would be received by morning, -or that the missing one would return. Every morning they said to each -other: - -"Well, something will happen to-morrow." - -But nothing happened, and, as day after day went by, they began to lose -hope. - -"We may as well leave here," said Ned. - -"Not yet," Jerry replied. "I am sure we will have some word from Bob -soon now." - -In the meanwhile, they made trips in all directions from the ancient -city. But there was no trace of the Mexicans. The country was uninhabited -for twenty miles in every direction from the buried place, and farther -than that the travelers did not venture. - -"We must be here every night," said the professor. "Somehow, I feel that -Bob will come back at night, or we will hear something from him after -dark. So we do not want to be away then, for if he should come, or if he -should send some word, we would not be here to receive it." - -For that reason little was done toward hunting for the kidnapped -boy. The travelers did not go so far but that they could get back by -nightfall. - -They explored the city thoroughly and the professor found many more rare -and valuable relics. His specimen boxes were full to overflowing, but -still he kept searching. - -The boys occupied themselves by getting the meals and attending to -the camp, for the naturalist bothered himself about nothing but his -specimens. They still continued to reside in the old temple, which they -found a comfortable place. - -"I wonder what we'll do when our food gives out?" asked Ned one day when -it was his turn to get the dinner. - -"Why, haven't we got plenty for several weeks yet?" inquired Jerry. - -"It don't look so to me," said Ned, glancing in the box where the canned -stuff was kept. - -"That's queer," remarked Jerry. "There aren't any tomatoes left. Did you -cook any since yesterday?" - -"You cooked yesterday," retorted Ned. "Were there any then?" - -"Six cans," said Jerry. "Now there are none left. I wonder if the -professor took any?" - -"Any what?" asked the naturalist, coming into the temple just then. - -"Tomatoes," replied Jerry, explaining what he and Ned had been talking -about. - -"No; I haven't touched a can," said the professor. - -"Then some one has, and it isn't us," was Ned's opinion. "I wonder if -there is any one in this temple but ourselves?" - -"Now that you speak of it, I think there is," went on the naturalist. -"The other night I was restless and could not sleep well. I was looking -out of the door of our bedroom, into the main apartment, when I saw -something white moving. At first I thought it was one of you boys, but I -looked over on your cots and saw you both were sleeping. Then I thought -it might be a white monkey, for I have heard there are such kinds, -though I have never seen any. But when I looked a little closer I saw -that it was a man wrapped in a long, white serape. - -"I didn't give any alarm, for I was afraid of waking you boys. But -I watched and saw the man go to our box and take out some cans of -provisions. I meant to speak about it the next morning, but I forgot it." - -"Who do you suppose it was?" asked Jerry. - -"Probably some poor wandering Mexican," replied the professor. "He may -have happened along, fallen into the passage leading to this old city -and been half starved until he found our camp." - -"We'll have to look out, though," said Ned. "We have hardly enough left -for ourselves." - -"Then we must keep watch to-night," decided the professor. "It will not -do for us to starve, though we will share what we have with any one who -is in distress." - -And so, that night, they took turns in mounting guard. None of them saw -anything out of the ordinary, though had they been able to witness a -scene that took place in an obscure gallery of the temple they would -have been surprised. - -San Lucia and Murado were still hiding in the place, waiting their -chance to get something of value from the travelers. The capture of Bob -had upset the plans of the two aged brigands, and they were a little -cautious about proceeding. But for several nights they had made raids on -the improvised pantry Ned had constructed. - -"Are we to go again to-night?" asked San Lucia, on the evening when Ned -made the discovery that led to the posting of the guard. - -"It remains to be seen," replied Murado. "If we have no better luck than -last night it is of little use." - -"No; tomatoes are a poor substitute for gold," agreed San Lucia. "I -wonder if they have nothing but things to eat in those cans." - -"Some of them must contain gold," replied Murado. "They do it to fool -us, but we will get the best of them yet. We will carry off every can -they have until we get those containing the treasure." - -For the two Mexicans believed that the travelers had packed their gold -in the tin cans, of which there was a number. And each night San Lucia -and Murado had stolen a few, hoping that some of them contained gold. -Each time, on opening the tins, they had been disappointed. - -"I will go first to-night," said San Lucia. "I feel that I will be -successful. Once we get the gold we can leave this place." - -About midnight he crept as softly as a cat upon the travelers. But, to -his surprise, he found Jerry on guard and armed. San Lucia sneaked back -to the balcony and told Murado. - -"They are becoming suspicious," said the latter. "We will have to wait a -while. Perhaps they may be sleeping to-morrow night." - -But the two aged brigands never got another chance to attempt to rob the -boys and the professor. Why this was we shall soon see. - -The next morning, on account of the watch that was kept, nothing was -found disturbed. - -"We fooled somebody that time," observed Ned. - -After breakfast the professor announced that he was going to visit the -house where he had, on a previous call, captured the gila monster. - -"There was a cabinet there I overlooked," he said. "Do you boys want to -come along?" - -"There is nothing else to do," said Jerry. "How I wish we would hear -something from Bob! I think we ought to go out on a search for him. It -doesn't seem that he will ever come here, after all this time." - -"I was thinking that myself," said the professor. "If we hear nothing by -to-morrow we will leave this place." - -The boys accompanied the naturalist to the ruined house. It seemed -strange to be walking through the streets of a place that had been -inhabited thousands of years ago. The city was a silent one, a veritable -city of the dead, and the houses and buildings seemed like tombstones -that had toppled over from age. - -As Ned was walking about through the lower rooms of the house the -professor had marked for exploration, he noticed a ring fastened to a -square stone in the courtyard. - -"I wonder what this is for?" he said. - -"Looks as if it was meant to lift the stone up by," replied Jerry. - -"Give us a hand," said Ned, "and we'll see what's here." - -The two boys pulled and tugged, but could not budge the stone. The -professor happened along and saw them. - -"I'll show you how to do it," he said. - -He took a long pole and thrust it through the ring. Then, using the pole -as a lever, he easily raised the stone. - -"Now let's see what we have unearthed," he remarked. - -The stone had covered a small hole. In it was a little casket of lead, -the lid of which was locked. - -"We'll have to break it open," said Jerry. - -"Get a stone," put in Ned. - -Jerry brought a large one. One or two heavy blows and the lid of the box -flew off. There was a sudden sparkle of light and several white objects -fell to the ground. - -"Diamonds!" cried the professor. "We have made a valuable discovery!" - -The box seemed full of jewels. There were stones of many colors, but -most of all were the white, sparkling ones. - -"Maybe they're only glass," suggested Ned. - -"No; they are diamonds, rubies, turquoise and other precious stones," -replied the professor. "This was probably the jewel case of some Aztec -millionaire." - -They returned to their camp, carrying the jewels with them. As they -entered the old building, Jerry, who was in the lead, started back. - -"There's some one at our auto!" he exclaimed. - -"Nonsense!" replied the professor. "The place is deserted." - -But he changed his mind a moment later. As he entered the room he saw a -girlish figure clinging to the side of the car. She seemed to be almost -dead, and had only strength enough left to mutter: - -"Bob; he want you! Vasco Bilette have him! Come quick!" - -Then she fell over in a faint. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -TO THE RESCUE. - - -"Who is she?" asked Ned. - -"I don't know," replied the professor, calmly. He seemed to take the -appearance of a strange girl in the underground city as a happening that -might occur at any time. - -"Where did she come from?" asked Jerry. - -"I can't tell you that, either," went on the naturalist. "One thing I -can say, though, and that is, this poor girl needs help. She must be -hungry, and she has traveled a long distance. Her clothes show that." - -"What did she mean by speaking about Bob, saying Vasco Bilette had him, -and for us to come quick?" asked Ned. - -"All that in good time," replied the professor. "The thing to do now is -to bring her out of her faint, and get her something to eat. Ned, you -make the coffee and Jerry will heat some chicken soup. Hurry now, boys." - -But the lads needed no urging. In a jiffy the camp-stove was going and -hot coffee was soon ready. In the meanwhile the professor, by use of -some simple remedies he always carried, brought the girl out of her -faint. She opened her eyes and asked for a drink. - -The hot coffee, followed by a little of the warm soup, brought the color -back to her face, and she was able to sit up. She stared at her strange -surroundings and looked at the boys and the naturalist. - -"Me Maximina," she said, speaking slowly. "You Ned, Jerry and Mr. -Snowgrass?" - -"Snodgrass, Snodgrass, my dear young lady," replied the professor, -bowing low. "Professor Uriah Snodgrass, A. M., Ph.D., M. D., F. R. G. -S., A. Q. K., all of which is at your service." - -"Bob need you," said the girl, simply. "He try to come, but he git -ketch." - -"Yes, yes! Tell us about him. Where can we find him?" asked Jerry, -eagerly. - -"Me no spik Inglis good," the girl replied. "You spik Spanish, senor?" - -"_Si_," answered the professor. - -Thereupon Maximina let forth a torrent of words that nearly overwhelmed -the naturalist. Yet he managed to understand what she said. - -Maximina told how she had been at the Mexicans' camp when Bob was -brought there, she having been a captive for many years. She determined -to help him escape, and did so when the opportunity offered. She told -how she knew, in a general way, where the buried city was, as Bob had -told her something about it, and she had overheard Vasco and his men -talking about the locality where they had fallen down the tunnel. - -"But Bob's horse fell and threw him off," she explained, in her native -tongue. "I wanted to stay with him, but he told me to go on. Then Vasco -came and got him, but I rode away, for I wanted to find you. I had hard -work, and I lost my way several times. Three days ago my pony died and I -walked the rest of the distance." - -"Poor girl! You must be almost tired to death," said the professor. - -"I was tired, but it is happiness to find you, senors, for I know you -will go and help Senor Bob." - -"Of course we will, right away," said the naturalist. - -"She seems to have taken a sudden liking to our friend Bob," commented -Ned. "She's a mighty pretty girl, too; don't you think so, Jerry?" - -"Be careful," laughed Jerry. "Don't go to having any love affairs with -beautiful Mexican maidens. I have read that they are a very jealous and -quick-tempered nation. Besides, you are too young." - -"I'm a year older than Bob," maintained Ned. - -"Now, boys, what had we better do?" asked the professor. "Maximina can -guide us to the place where Bob is held captive. Shall we go and give -battle to these brigands?" - -"Sure!" exclaimed Ned. "We have plenty of ammunition." - -"And they are about ten to our one," put in Jerry. "But we've got to do -something," he added, seriously. - -"Then we'll start as soon as we can get in shape," decided the -professor. "I have a better plan than making a direct attack on the camp -of the Mexicans, however. We will go to the authorities and ask their -aid. Maximina says there is a detachment of soldiers stationed about -thirty miles from here and on the line we must take to go to the camp, -from which they are distant about ten miles." - -"Bully!" cried Ned. "With a few soldiers to help us we'll give those -brigands and Noddy Nixon such a licking that they'll never want another." - -The automobile was soon made ready. In it was packed all that remained -of the provisions. The professor did up his precious specimens and -curios, not forgetting the lead casket of jewels. - -The water tank was filled. Fortunately, there was still plenty of -gasolene left. Jerry and Ned pumped up the tires, Maximina was invited -to a seat in the rear, with the professor, and the travelers, taking a -last look at the underground city, started off. - -They went through the tunnel, up the incline, the fall of which had -precipitated them into the shaft, and soon were on the level road, -speeding to the rescue of Bob. - -After Vasco had secured his captive, following Bob's and Maximina's -flight, the brigand took measures to insure that the prisoner would not -get away again. Bob was placed in a regular dungeon, and outside the -door was stationed a man with a gun. - -The poor lad was in low spirits. He began to give up hope, and the only -thing that cheered him was the thought that perhaps Maximina might have -gotten away and would notify his friends or the authorities. - -But Bob knew it was a remote chance, for he did not believe the frail -girl could stand the long journey alone. He tried to learn something -about her; whether she had been recaptured or not; but to all questions -his guard, and the old woman who brought him food, returned but one -answer, and that was: - -"No spik Inglis, senor." - -Bob saw it was of no use to try to get out of the dungeon. It was built -partially underground, the walls were of stone and the door a massive -wooden one, while the single window was heavily barred. It was hot in -the small cell, and Bob suffered very much. But he tried to keep up a -brave heart. - -One day he heard voices outside of the dungeon window. He listened -intently and found that Noddy and Vasco were talking. Vasco, of -necessity, had to speak English in talking with Noddy, who understood -only a little Spanish. - -"Have you got the money yet?" asked Noddy. - -"No; and I think we never will get it," replied Vasco, angrily. "I don't -believe the boy is the son of a rich banker at all. It's another one of -your wild dreams, just like the gold mine the crazy professor was going -to locate." - -"Bob's father is rich," maintained Noddy. "It ain't my fault that he -won't send the cash." - -"Well, it's your fault for getting me into this muss," went on Vasco, -"and it'll be your fault if we don't get some money pretty soon. The men -are mad and I won't be able to manage 'em in a few days. They blame it -all on you, so you'd better look out!" - -"Do you suppose they--they will ki-kill me?" faltered Noddy. - -"I shouldn't be surprised," said Vasco, coldly. - -At that instant Bob heard some one come galloping up on a horse. It -seemed to be a messenger, for he heard the steed come to a stop, while a -man jumped down and began talking rapidly in Spanish. - -"What is it? Has Bob's father sent the money?" asked Noddy. - -"Money? No!" snapped the leader of the brigands. "But the soldiers are -after us! We must get out of here!" - -Bob's heart thrilled with hope. Perhaps, after all, Maximina had been -able to send help. He almost laughed in his happiness, thinking he would -soon be free. - -But his hopes were dashed to the ground when, a few minutes later, his -guard came into his cell, quickly bound his hands and feet, wrapped a -long cloak about him, and, with the aid of another Mexican, carried him -out of the cell. - -Bob realized, from the change of air, that he was being carried into the -open. He could see nothing because of the cloak about his head, but he -could hear much bustle and confusion. - -Men were running here and there, while Vasco was giving quick orders. -Then the sound of the automobile being started was heard. Bob felt -himself lifted into the car and, a few seconds later, he felt the -vibration that told he was being carried away again, this time in -Noddy's machine. - -As the messenger had told Vasco, the soldiers were on their way to the -camp of the kidnappers. The boys and the professor had reached the -garrison, and, telling their story, had induced the commander to send -a detachment to capture the Mexicans. But the troops traveled slowly, -and one of Vasco's friends, who happened to be hanging about the fort, -hearing of the contemplated raid, mounted a swift horse and rode off to -give the alarm. - -So when, a few hours after Vasco had fled with his men and his captive, -the troops galloped up, led by Jerry, Ned, Maximina and the professor in -the automobile, they found the camp deserted. - -"The birds have flown!" exclaimed the captain of the troopers. "We may -as well go back!" - -"No!" cried Jerry. "We must take after them. Bob must be rescued!" - -"But how can we tell where they went?" asked the captain. - -"That woman can tell you!" exclaimed Maximina, pointing to an aged crone -who was trying to escape observation in one of the huts. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -THE FIGHT. - - -"Bring her here!" commanded the captain. - -Several of his soldiers ran toward the old woman who set up a loud -screaming. - -"Who is she?" asked the leader of the troops of Maximina. - -"An old servant of Vasco's," replied the girl. "She knows all his -secrets and can tell where he has gone. He has several hiding places -about here." - -Protesting and crying that she knew nothing and could tell nothing, the -aged servant was brought to the captain. - -"Where is Vasco Bilette?" he asked. - -"I know not! I have not seen him these three days!" she exclaimed. - -"So," commented the captain, smiling. "We will see if we cannot refresh -your memory. Pedro, fetch my rawhide whip!" - -At this the woman howled most dismally, and threw herself on the ground, -clinging to the legs of the men who held her. - -"I cannot allow this," interposed Professor Snodgrass, to whom the -conversation, carried on in Spanish, was intelligible. "Even at the -cost of seeing Vasco Bilette escape I will not stand by and see a woman -whipped." - -"But, senor, you do not understand the case," said the captain. "That -is the only way I can get the truth out of her. I must give her a few -blows to loosen her tongue. That is the only persuasion these cattle -understand; blows and money." - -"Why not try the latter?" suggested the naturalist. - -"Who has money to throw away on such as she?" asked the commander, with -a shrug of his shoulders. - -"I will pay her," went on the professor. "See," he went on, taking out -some bank-notes. "Tell us where Vasco went and you shall have fifty -dollars." - -The old woman glanced at the money, looked around on the soldiers and -glared at the captain, who was switching a cruel whip. Then she said, -sullenly: - -"I will tell you, senor, but not for money. It is because you had a kind -thought for old Julia. Listen, Vasco has gone to the cave by the small -mountain." - -"I know where that is!" exclaimed the captain. "Many a time have we had -fights there with the brigands. It is about ten miles off." - -"Then let us hurry there!" cried Jerry. - -The professor handed the old woman the bills. She took them, hiding them -quickly in her dress. - -"The whip would have been cheaper," said the captain, with a regretful -sigh. "It is money thrown away." - -"I have more to throw after it, if you and your men rescue the kidnapped -boy!" exclaimed the naturalist, for he understood something of the -Mexican character. - -"Good!" cried the captain. "Come, men, hurry! We will wipe the brigands -from the face of the earth!" - -Indeed, new enthusiasm seemed to be infused into the soldiers at the -mention of money. Those who had dismounted, sprang quickly to the -saddles, the bugler blew a lively air, and the troops started off at a -smart trot. Old Julia was left behind in the camp of the kidnappers. - -The boys and the professor, with Maximina, in the automobile, followed -the troopers. - -"I think there will be one big fight," said the girl, in English, -speaking to the boys. "Vasco has many guns in the cave." - -"I hope it will be his last fight," said Ned. "I don't wish any one bad -luck, but I would like to see Vasco Bilette and his gang put where they -can do no more harm." - -"The soldiers don't seem to take this very seriously," remarked Jerry. -"Hear them singing and laughing." - -"They probably want Vasco to know they are coming, so they will not -take him by surprise," spoke the professor. "It's a trait of Mexican -politeness, I suppose." - -The captain of the troop came riding back to the automobile, which had -kept in the rear of the horsemen. - -"My compliments, senor," said the commander, bowing with a sweep of his -helmet to the professor. - -"My best regards to you," replied the naturalist. - -"We will be up to the vicinity of the cave in about an hour," went on -the captain. "Is it your desire to charge in the fire-wagon with my -troopers, or do you prefer to stay in the rear and watch us dispose of -this brigand?" - -"We're not the ones to stay in the rear when there's fighting to be -done," said the professor. "You will find us in the fore, Senor Captain." - -"Very good; but what about the girl?" - -"I will stay with my friends," replied Maximina. "I am not afraid of -Vasco Bilette." - -"You may stay with us," consented the naturalist, "but I must insist on -you getting down on the bottom of the car when the fighting begins." - -"Fighting? There will be no fighting," said the captain. - -"Aren't you going to tackle the brigands and get Bob?" asked Jerry, in -some surprise. - -"_Caramba!_ The dogs will run when they see my troops," spoke the -captain, puffing out his chest. "They will not stand. That is why I said -there would be no fighting." - -"I wouldn't be too sure," remarked the professor. - -"You shall see, senor," went on the commander. "But now I must go back -to my men. My compliments, senor." - -"Mine to you," responded the professor, not to be outdone in politeness. - -The cavalcade moved forward for several miles. It was getting hot and -horses and men began to suffer. It was a relief when a small stream was -reached, where every one could get a refreshing drink. After a short -rest the command to move forward was given. - -"What is that?" cried Jerry, suddenly, pointing ahead to where, on a -broad, level stretch of country, several small, dark, moving objects -could be seen. - -"I will tell you directly," said the professor, taking a pair of -field-glasses from their case. He leveled the binoculars and gazed -steadily through them. - -"It is Vasco and his party!" he cried. "I can see Noddy in his auto, and -there are a number of horsemen. They have not yet reached the cave. -Quick, Jerry, run the machine ahead and tell the captain!" - -Jerry increased the speed of the auto. It ran up beside the trooper -captain, who turned about to see what was up. - -"There are the brigands!" exclaimed the professor, pointing ahead. -"Hurry up and you can catch them before they get to the cave, where they -may barricade themselves." - -"My compliments, senor; I thank you for the information," replied the -captain, bowing low. "Will you not smoke a cigarette with me?" - -"I don't smoke!" snapped the professor. "Besides, we have no time for -that now. We must fight!" - -"Exactly, just so," answered the easy-going Mexican. "Come, men!" he -exclaimed. "The enemy is in front of you! At them, and show what stuff -you are made of! Bugler, sound the charge!" - -Instantly the troops were full of excitement. Men began unslinging their -carbines. They got out their ammunition and seemed eager for the fray. -The bugler blew a merry blast. - -"Forward, my brave men! Cut down the brigands! Kill the kidnappers of -boys!" shouted the captain, waving his sword. - -With a shout, the Mexican soldiers dashed forward to the fight. They -might be slow, and given to too much delay and politeness, but when the -time came they were full of action. - -They yelled as they dug spurs into their horses, and the more excited -threw their hats into the air. Several discharged their carbines when -there was no chance of hitting any of the enemy. They were wild at the -thought of battle. - -By this time the brigands became aware of the pursuit. Vasco Bilette -had, with a powerful field-glass, detected the advance of the horsemen -some time back. But an accident to the auto had detained them, and they -were three miles from the cave when he saw the soldiers dashing toward -him. - -He and his men strained every nerve, but they soon saw they could not -get to their stronghold ahead of their enemies. - -"We'll have to fight 'em," said Vasco. "I guess we can give 'em as good -as they send. Noddy and Dalsett, you keep an eye on Bob, and if you -get a chance, skip off with him. Go back to camp; they won't think of -looking for you there." - -Ten minutes later the soldiers were within shooting distance. They -opened fire on the Mexicans, who, not daunted by the numbers against -them, returned the volleys. At first so great was the excitement that -no damage was done. But after a few rounds two of the troopers were -injured, and one of the Mexicans had to withdraw, seriously wounded. - -"We must never surrender!" cried Vasco. - -"Exterminate the brigands!" shouted the soldiers. - -They came to closer quarters. The soldiers began to use their carbines -for clubs, not taking the time to reload. Then they drew their sabres -and charged the Mexicans under Vasco, who had drawn his force up in a -hollow square. Several on both sides were killed in this melee. - -The boys and the professor, who, under the captain's later orders, had -kept to the rear, now came dashing up in the automobile. Maximina was -lying down on the floor of the tonneau, out of harm's way. - -Jerry was keeping an eye on Noddy and his auto, and he noticed that the -machine, which, as he could see plainly now, held Bob, kept well behind -the brigands. - -"We must get Bob, no matter what happens," said Jerry to Ned. "Look -sharp now. I'm going to try something." - -"What is it?" asked Ned. - -"Just you watch!" exclaimed Jerry. "Look out!" - -He ducked, to avoid a bullet that sang over his head. - -"What's the use of doing that?" asked Ned. "The bullet is past when you -hear it sing." - -"Can't help it," replied Jerry. - -The fighting was now at its height. Though the force on both sides was -small, the guns kept up a continuous fusillade, and it sounded as though -a good-sized detachment was going into action. - -"No quarter! Not a man must escape!" cried the captain. - -"Charge!" yelled Vasco Bilette, trying to urge his men to make a rush -and overwhelm the soldiers. "Charge and the day is won!" - -With a shout, his men prepared to obey his command. - -"Now is your chance!" whispered the brigand leader to Noddy. "Away with -Bob!" - -Noddy headed the machine, containing the bound captive, off to one side. - -"There he goes!" Jerry shouted, catching sight of the movement. "We must -take after him, Ned. Noddy has Bob with him." - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -HOMEWARD BOUND. - - -Steering to one side, to avoid running into the mass of men, soldiers -and kidnappers that seemed to be mixed up in inextricable confusion, -Jerry sent his machine after Noddy's, which was speeding away. - -"Shall I try a shot at the tires?" asked Ned, fingering his revolver. - -"No; you might hit Bob," replied Jerry. "I'll catch him." - -The battle was now divided. On one side the soldiers and the Mexicans -were fighting. On the other was the race between the two autos; a -contest of machinery. - -At first it seemed that Noddy would escape. But Jerry, throwing in the -high-speed clutch, cut down the distance between his car and Noddy's. A -few minutes after the chase started it became evident that Jerry would -win. - -Vasco, seeing how matters were likely to go, had jumped into the car as -Noddy started off. All this while poor Bob was bound, and the cloak was -still about his head, so he could not tell what was going on. But he -guessed it was some attempt to rescue him. - -Nearer and nearer came Jerry's auto. The front wheels overlapped the -rear ones of Noddy's machine. - -"Stop, or I'll fire!" cried the professor, suddenly, leveling a revolver -at Noddy's crowd. They paid no heed to him. - -With a quick motion, Vasco leaned over the edge of the seat and fired -three times in rapid succession at the tires of Jerry's machine. He -missed his aim, but Jerry saw the danger that threatened him. He -increased his speed. - -In another minute he had come up alongside of Noddy's auto. - -"Get ready to grab Bob!" Jerry yelled to Ned and the professor. "Then -hold on tight!" - -"I'll pay you for this!" exclaimed Vasco, fiercely. He leaned over the -edge of the car and made a vicious lunge at Jerry with a long knife. -Jerry swerved his machine the least bit and avoided the blow. - -The next instant the autos came together with a crash. The shock threw -Vasco out, for he was already leaning more than half way over the side -door, in an endeavor to strike at Jerry. The wheels of the heavy machine -passed over his legs, making him a cripple for life. - -Seeing how matters were likely to turn out, Noddy shut off the power and -brought his machine to a stop. Ned and the professor took advantage of -this to reach over and grab Bob. - -"Now we haf rescue him!" exclaimed Maximina. "I knew we would haf found -Bob!" and she laughed and cried by turns. - -It did not take long to loosen the captive's bonds. The suffocating -shawl was taken from his head. Poor Bob was faint and white. - -"We'll soon fix him up!" cried the professor, cheerily. "Run to one -side, Jerry." - -Leaving the discomfited Noddy and his chum, Jack Pender, Jerry steered -off under a clump of trees, where, by the administrations of the -professor, Bob was soon himself again. - -Meanwhile, the battle between the brigands and the troops was waging -furiously. Several had fallen on both sides, but the better-trained -soldiers knew more about warfare, and slowly but surely they pressed -their enemies back. - -Then, when Vasco fell and was crushed by the auto, the men lost heart. -They faltered, wavered and then turned and fled. - -Dalsett endeavored to rally them. He caught hold of some of the brigands -and urged them to stand against the charge of the soldiers. One of the -kidnappers resented Dalsett's interference. With a wild cry he plunged a -knife into the former miner, and Dalsett fell, seriously wounded. - -"They fly! They fly! Take after them!" cried the captain of the -troopers. "At them, my brave men! Hew them down! Wipe them off the face -of the earth!" - -It was noticeable that as the tide turned in favor of the soldiers their -leader became more bold. He rode hither and thither, waving his sword, -but taking care not to get too far to the front. - -At length, with a last volley, the brigands fled. The troopers took -after them, killing several and wounding some. They chased them until -the kidnappers came to the foothills, and, as this was a wild country, -the troopers did not care to follow. So some of the brigands escaped. -But the band was broken up and for many years thereafter no trouble was -experienced with them. - -Noddy had not started up his machine after Vasco had been knocked from -it. The former bully seemed to be in a sort of daze, and he and Pender -sat staring at the exciting scenes going on all about them. - -When Bob had been made comfortable on a bed of blankets spread under the -trees, Jerry thought of their former enemy. - -"What had we better do about Noddy?" he asked of the professor. "There -he sits in his machine. Shall we turn him over to the soldiers?" - -"I don't know but what it would be a good idea," said the naturalist. -"Just have an eye to him for a few minutes, anyhow. The captain will be -here in a little while, and he'll decide what to do. I suppose the law -must take its course." - -Seeing that Bob was doing very well under the care of Maximina and the -professor, Ned and Jerry ran their machine over to where Noddy was. - -"Don't give me up!" pleaded Nixon. "I didn't mean to do any harm. It -was all Dalsett and Vasco. See, here is your money-belt, Jerry. I never -touched a cent of it." - -"So it was you who took it, eh?" spoke Ned. - -"No--no--I didn't steal it. Dalsett made me take it that night," -faltered Noddy. "But I never took any money out of it. I used my own. -Please let me go!" - -"You are a prisoner of the captain, not one of ours," replied Jerry. -"He'll have to settle your case." - -At that instant the captain, who, with his men, had ridden to where -Vasco was stretched out on the ground, called to Jerry and Ned. They -turned the machine toward him. - -The professor, too, came running over. The captain spoke some command -to one of his men, who began a search of the clothing of the kidnapper -leader. - -"Ha! There is something!" exclaimed the captain, as his man hauled two -money-belts out of Vasco's pocket. "I wonder whom they belong to?" - -"One's mine!" cried Ned. - -"And the other is Bob's," said Jerry. "I wonder if there is any money -left in them?" - -"Look," said the captain, passing them over. The boys and the professor, -who had translated the captain's remarks as he had made them, looked -over the articles. They found that about half the sum in each belt had -been spent. - -"Well, half a loaf is better than no bread," remarked Jerry. "We ought -to be thankful we're alive, to say nothing of getting part of our cash -back." - -"You all seem to have plenty of money; you are not like the poor -Mexicans," said the captain, with a sigh, looking at the professor, -meaningly. - -"That reminds me: I promised to reward you and your men if we were -successful," spoke the naturalist. - -He distributed a good-sized sum among the soldiers, who seemed very -pleased to get it. Their salaries under the government were small, and -not always paid regularly, so that any addition was welcome. - -"What's that?" asked the captain, suddenly, as he shoved his share of -the distribution in his pocket. - -"It's Noddy and Pender in their auto," said Jerry. "They are going to -escape." - -"Shall we fire at them?" asked the captain, eagerly. - -"What's the use?" asked Jerry. "Let them go. We would only have more -bother if we tried to get them punished by law for their crimes. We have -Bob back, we discovered the underground city, and what more do we want?" - -"Nothing, excepting to get back home," put in Ned. "I'll be glad to see -Cresville again." - -So no attempt was made to capture Noddy and his chum, and they sped off -across-country in their machine, running at top speed, as if they feared -pursuit. Bill Berry, slightly wounded, went with them. - -"Is there anything more we can do for you?" asked the captain. "If there -is not we will start back to the garrison, as it is growing late." - -The professor said he thought they could dispense with the services of -the troops. So, amid a chorus of good-byes, the horsemen rode away. - -"Well, here we are, all together once more," observed the professor. - -"And with an addition to our party," put in Ned, pointing to Maximina. - -"That's so; we must get her back home next," the professor said. - -"First, give me something to eat and drink," begged Bob. "I'm almost -starved." - -It was so near night that the travelers decided to make a camp. Supper -was soon ready, and after it had been disposed of, the boys made a small -tent out of blankets for Maximina. - -The next morning they started northward. Maximina had told them she had -relatives in the City of Mexico, and they headed for that place. They -reached it, without having any accidents, a week later, and left the -girl who had befriended Bob with her friends. - -"I wonder if we'll have any more adventures?" said Ned, as, after a few -days' rest, they started from the City of Mexico toward home. - -"Hard to say, but probably you boys will," said the professor. "Boys are -always having adventures. As for me, I am satisfied with those we had -on this trip. We had the most excellent success. My name will be famous -when the story of the underground city is told in four large volumes -which I intend to issue." - -"I would think it might," commented Ned. "Four books are enough to make -any one famous." - -"Well, it will take some long letters to tell our folks of all that has -happened to us," put in Bob. Telegrams had already been sent, so that -nobody at home might worry further. - -"I'll be glad enough to get back to the States," said Jerry. "Mexico is -not the best place in the world." - -"I suppose we'll have more adventures before long," was Ned's comment, -and he was right. What those adventures were will be told in the next -volume of this series, to be called "The Motor Boys Across the Plains; -or, The Hermit of Lost Lake." Here we shall meet all of our young -friends again, and also some of their enemies, and learn much concerning -a most peculiar mystery. - -The weather remained fine, and as the auto had been thoroughly repaired -in the City of Mexico before leaving, rapid progress was made in the -journey northward. They kept, as far as possible, to the best and most -frequented roads, having no desire to meet any more brigands. - -"Tell you what," said Bob, one day, "automobiling is great, isn't it?" - -"Immense!" answered Ned. - -"It's the best sport going," added Jerry. "I love this touring car of -ours as I would love a brother." - -And then he put on a burst of speed that soon took them around a bend of -the road and out of sight--and also out of my story. - - - THE END. - - - - -The Motor Boys Series - -(_Trade Mark, Reg. U. S. Pat. Of._) - -By Clarence Young - -Cloth. 12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cents postpaid. - - - [Illustration: THE MOTOR BOYS] - - The Motor Boys - or Chums Through Thick and Thin - - The Motor Boys Overland - or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - - The Motor Boys in Mexico - or The Secret of The Buried City - - The Motor Boys Across the Plains - or The Hermit of Lost Lake - - - [Illustration: THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT] - - The Motor Boys Afloat - or The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway - - The Motor Boys on the Atlantic - or The Mystery of the Lighthouse - - The Motor Boys in Strange Waters - or Lost in a Floating Forest - - The Motor Boys on the Pacific - or The Young Derelict Hunters - - - [Illustration: THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS] - - The Motor Boys in the Clouds - or A Trip for Fame and Fortune - - The Motor Boys Over the Rockies - or A Mystery of the Air - - The Motor Boys Over the Ocean - or A Marvellous Rescue in Mid-Air - - The Motor Boys on the Wing - or Seeking the Airship Treasure - - - [Illustration: THE MOTOR BOYS AFTER A FORTUNE] - - The Motor Boys After a Fortune - or The Hut on Snake Island - - The Motor Boys on the Border - or Sixty Nuggets of Gold - - The Motor Boys Under the Sea - or From Airship to Submarine (_new_) - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -The Speedwell Boys Series - -By Roy Rockwood - -Author of "The Dave Dashaway Series," "Great Marvel Series," etc. - -12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid - -All boys who love to be on the go will welcome the Speedwell boys. They -are clean cut and loyal to the core--youths well worth knowing. - - -[Illustration] - - The Speedwell Boys on Motor Cycles - or The Mystery of a Great Conflagration - -The lads were poor, but they did a rich man a great service and he -presented them with their motor cycles. What a great fire led to is -exceedingly well told. - - - The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto - or A Run for the Golden Cup - -A tale of automobiling and of intense rivalry on the road. There was an -endurance run and the boys entered the contest. On the run they rounded -up some men who were wanted by the law. - - - The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch - or To the Rescue of the Castaways - -Here is a water story of unusual interest. There was a wreck and the -lads, in their power launch, set out to the rescue. A vivid picture of a -great storm adds to the interest of the tale. - - - The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine - or The Lost Treasure of Rocky Cove - -An old sailor knows of a treasure lost under water because of a cliff -falling into the sea. The boys get a chance to go out in a submarine -and they make a hunt for the treasure. Life under the water is well -described. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -Up-to-Date Baseball Stories - -Baseball Joe Series - -By Lester Chadwick - -Author of "The College Sports Series" - -Cloth 12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cts. postpaid. - - -[Illustration] - -Ever since the success of Mr. Chadwick's "College Sports Series" we -have been urged to get him to write a series dealing exclusively with -baseball, a subject in which he is unexcelled by any living American -author or coach. - - - Baseball Joe of the Silver Stars - or The Rivals of Riverside - -In this volume, the first of the series, Joe is introduced as an -everyday country boy who loves to play baseball and is particularly -anxious to make his mark as a pitcher. He finds it almost impossible to -get on the local nine, but, after a struggle, he succeeds. A splendid -picture of the great national game in the smaller towns of our country. - - - Baseball Joe on the School Nine - or Pitching for the Blue Banner - -Joe's great ambition was to go to boarding school and play on the school -team. He got to boarding school but found it harder making the team -there than it was getting on the nine at home. He fought his way along, -and at last saw his chance and took it, and made good. - - - Baseball Joe at Yale - or Pitching for the College Championship - -From a preparatory school Baseball Joe goes to Yale University. He makes -the freshman nine and in his second year becomes a varsity pitcher and -pitches in several big games. - - - Baseball Joe in the Central League - or Making Good as a Professional Pitcher - -In this volume the scene of action is shifted from Yale College to a -baseball league of our central states. Baseball Joe's work in the box -for Old Eli had been noted by one of the managers and Joe gets an offer -he cannot resist. The book shows how the hero "made good" in more ways -than one, helping a down-and-out player back to the right path as well -as doing his share to win some great victories on the diamond. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -The Motor Girls Series - -By Margaret Penrose - -Author of the highly successful "Dorothy Dale Series" - -Cloth. 12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cts. postpaid. - - -[Illustration] - - The Motor Girls - or A Mystery of the Road - -When Cora Kimball got her touring car she did not imagine so many -adventures were in store for her. A tale all wide awake girls will -appreciate. - - - The Motor Girls on a Tour - or Keeping a Strange Promise - -A great many things happen in this volume, starting with the running -over of a hamper of good things lying in the road. A precious heirloom -is missing, and how it was traced up is told with absorbing interest. - - - The Motor Girls at Lookout Beach - or In Quest of the Runaways - -There was a great excitement when the Motor Girls decided to go to -Lookout Beach for the summer. - - - The Motor Girls Through New England - or Held by the Gypsies - -A strong story and one which will make this series more popular than -ever. The girls go on a motoring trip through New England. - - - The Motor Girls on Cedar Lake - or The Hermit of Fern Island - -How Cora and her chums went camping on the lake shore and how they took -trips in their motor boat, are told in a way all girls will enjoy. - - - The Motor Girls on the Coast - or The Waif from the Sea - -The scene is shifted to the sea coast where the girls pay a visit. They -have their motor boat with them and go out for many good times. - - - The Motor Girls on Crystal Bay - or The Secret of the Red Oar - -More jolly times, on the water and at a cute little bungalow on the -beautiful shore of the bay. How Cora aided Frieda and solved the secret -of Benny Shane's red oar, is told in a manner to interest all girls. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK - - - - -The Dorothy Dale Series - -By Margaret Penrose - -Author of "The Motor Girls Series" - -Cloth. 12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 60 cts. postpaid. - - - Dorothy Dale: A Girl of To-Day - -Dorothy is the daughter of an old Civil War veteran who is running a -weekly newspaper in a small Eastern town. When her father falls sick, -the girl shows what she can do to support the family. - - -[Illustration] - - Dorothy Dale at Glenwood School - -More prosperous times have come to the Dale family, and Major Dale -resolves to send Dorothy to a boarding school to complete her education. - - - Dorothy Dale's Great Secret - -A splendid story of one girl's devotion to another. - - - Dorothy Dale and Her Chums - -A story of school life, and of strange adventures among the gypsies. - - - Dorothy Dale's Queer Holidays - -Relates the details of a mystery that surrounded Tanglewood Park. - - - Dorothy Dale's Camping Days - -Many things happen in this volume, from the time Dorothy and her chums -are met coming down the hillside on a treacherous load of hay. - - - Dorothy Dale's School Rivals - -Dorothy and her chum, Tavia, return to Glenwood School. A new student -becomes Dorothy's rival and troubles at home add to her difficulties. - - - Dorothy Dale in the City - -Dorothy is invited to New York City by her Aunt. This tale presents a -clever picture of life in New York as it appears to one who has never -before visited the Metropolis. - - - Dorothy Dale's Promise - -Strange indeed was the promise and given under strange circumstances. -Only a girl as strong of purpose as was Dorothy Dale would have -undertaken the task she set for herself. An absorbing story filled with -plenty of fun,--one that will make this series a greater success. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -A New Line By the Author of the Ever-Popular - -"Motor Boys Series" - -The Racer Boys Series - -by CLARENCE YOUNG - -Author of "The Motor Boys Series," "Jack Ranger Series," etc. etc. Fine -cloth binding. Illustrated. Price per vol. 60 cts. postpaid. - - -[Illustration] - -The announcement of a new series of stories by Mr. Clarence Young is -always hailed with delight by boys and girls throughout the country, and -we predict an even greater success for these new books, than that now -enjoyed by the "Motor Boys Series." - - - The Racer Boys - or The Mystery of the Wreck - -This, the first volume of the new series, tells who the Racer Boys were -and how they chanced to be out on the ocean in a great storm. Adventures -follow each other in rapid succession in a manner that only our author, -Mr. Young, can describe. - - - The Racer Boys At Boarding School - or Striving for the Championship - -When the Racer Boys arrived at the school they found everything at a -stand-still. The school was going down rapidly and the students lacked -ambition and leadership. The Racers took hold with a will, and got their -father to aid the head of the school financially, and then reorganized -the football team. - - - The Racer Boys To The Rescue - or Stirring Days in a Winter Camp - -Here is a story filled with the spirit of good times in winter--skating, -ice-boating and hunting. - - - The Racer Boys On The Prairies - or The Treasure of Golden Peak - -From their boarding school the Racer Boys accept an invitation to visit -a ranch in the West. - - - The Racer Boys on Guard - or The Rebellion of Riverview Hall - -Once more the boys are back at boarding school, were they have many -frolics, and enter more than one athletic contest. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -_The Jack Ranger Series_ - -_By Clarence Young_ - -Author of the Motor Boys Series - -Cloth. 12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid - -[Illustration] - - - Jack Ranger's Schooldays - _Or, The Rivals of Washington Hall_ - -You will love Jack Ranger--you simply can't help it. He is so bright -and cheery, and so real and lifelike. A typical boarding school tale, -without a dull line in it. - - - Jack Ranger's School Victories - _Or, Track, Gridiron and Diamond_ - -In this tale Jack gets back to Washington Hall and goes in for all sorts -of school games. The rivalry is bitter at times, and enemies try to put -Jack "in a hole" more than once. - - - Jack Ranger's Western Trip - _Or, From Boarding School to Ranch and Range_ - -This volume takes the hero and several of his chums to the great West. -At the ranch and on the range adventures of the strenuous sort befall -him. - - - Jack Ranger's Ocean Cruise - _Or, The Wreck of the Polly Ann_ - -Here is a tale of the bounding sea, with many stirring adventures. How -the ship was wrecked, and Jack was cast away, is told in a style all -boys and girls will find exceedingly interesting. - - - Jack Ranger's Gun Club - _Or, From Schoolroom to Camp and Trail_ - -Jack, with his chums, goes in quest of big game. The boys fall in with a -mysterious body of men, and have a terrific slide down a mountain side. - - - Jack Ranger's Treasure Box - _Or, The Outing of the School Boy Yachtsmen_ - -This story opens at school, but the scene is quickly shifted to the -ocean. The schoolboy yachtsmen visit Porto Rico and other places, and -have a long series of adventures including some on a lonely island of -the West Indies. A yachting story all lovers of the sea will wish to -peruse. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers. NEW YORK - - - - -The Saddle Boys Series - -By Captain James Carson - -12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid. - - -All lads who love life in the open air and a good steed, will want to -peruse these books. Captain Carson knows his subject thoroughly, and his -stories are as pleasing as they are healthful and instructive. - - -[Illustration] - - The Saddle Boys of the Rockies - or Lost on Thunder Mountain - -Telling how the lads started out to solve the mystery of a great noise -in the mountains--how they got lost--and of the things they discovered. - - - The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon - or The Hermit of the Cave - -A weird and wonderful story of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, told in -a most absorbing manner. The Saddle Boys are to the front in a manner to -please all young readers. - - - The Saddle Boys on the Plains - or After a Treasure of Gold - -In this story the scene is shifted to the great plains of the southwest -and then to the Mexican border. There is a stirring struggle for gold, -told as only Captain Carson can tell it. - - - The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch - or In at the Grand Round-up - -Here we have lively times at the ranch, and likewise the particulars of -a grand round-up of cattle and encounters with wild animals and also -cattle thieves. A story that breathes the very air of the plains. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -The Fred Fenton Athletic Series - -By Allen Chapman - -Author of "The Tom Fairfield Series," "The Boys of Pluck Series" and -"The Darewell Chums Series." - -12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid. - - -A line of tales embracing school athletics. Fred is a true type of the -American schoolboy of to-day. - - -[Illustration] - - Fred Fenton the Pitcher - or The Rivals of Riverport School - -When Fred came to Riverport none of the school lads knew him. But he -speedily proved his worth in the baseball box. A true to life picture of -school baseball. - - - Fred Fenton in the Line - or The Football Boys of Riverport School - -When Fall came the thoughts of the boys turned to football. Fred went in -the line, and again proved his worth, making a run that helped to win a -great game. - - - Fred Fenton on the Crew - or The Young Oarsmen of Riverport School - -In this volume the scene is shifted to the river, and Fred and his chums -show how they can handle the oars. There are many other adventures, all -dear to the hearts of wide-awake readers. - - - Fred Fenton on the Track - or The Athletes of Riverport School - -Track athletics form a subject of vast interest to many boys, and here -is a tale telling of great running races, high jumping, and the like. -Fred again proves himself a hero in the best sense of that term. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -The Tom Fairfield Series - -By Allen Chapman - -Author of the "Fred Fenton Athletic Series," "The Boys of Pluck Series," -and "The Darewell Chums Series." - -12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid. - - -Tom Fairfield is a typical American lad, full of life and energy, a boy -who believes in doing things. To know Tom is to love him. - - -[Illustration] - - Tom Fairfield's Schooldays - or The Chums of Elmwood Hall - -Tells of how Tom started for school, of the mystery surrounding one of -the Hall seniors, and of how the hero went to the rescue. The first book -in a line that is bound to become decidedly popular. - - - Tom Fairfield at Sea - or The Wreck of the Silver Star - -Tom's parents had gone to Australia and then been cast away somewhere -in the Pacific. Tom set out to find them and was himself cast away. A -thrilling picture of the perils of the deep. - - - Tom Fairfield in Camp - or The Secret of the Old Mill - -The boys decided to go camping, and located near an old mill. A wild man -resided there and he made it decidedly lively for Tom and his chums. The -secret of the old mill adds to the interest of the volume. - - - Tom Fairfield's Luck and Pluck - or Working to Clear His Name - -While Tom was back at school some of his enemies tried to get him into -trouble. Then something unusual occurred and Tom was suspected of a -crime. How he set to work to clear his name is told in a manner to -interest all young readers. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -The Dave Dashaway Series - -By Roy Rockwood - -Author of the "Speedwell Boys Series" and the "Great Marvel Series." - -12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid. - - -Never was there a more clever young aviator than Dave Dashaway, and all -up-to-date lads will surely wish to make his acquaintance. - - -[Illustration] - - Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator - or In the Clouds for Fame and Fortune - -This initial volume tells how the hero ran away from his miserly -guardian, fell in with a successful airman, and became a young aviator -of note. - - - Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane - or Daring Adventures Over the Great Lakes - -Showing how Dave continued his career as a birdman and had many -adventures over the Great Lakes, and he likewise foiled the plans of -some Canadian smugglers. - - - Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship - or A Marvellous Trip Across the Atlantic - -How the giant airship was constructed and how the daring young aviator -and his friends made the hazard journey through the clouds from the new -world to the old, is told in a way to hold the reader spellbound. - - - Dave Dashaway Around the World - or A Young Yankee Aviator Among Many Nations - -An absorbing tale of a great air flight around the world, of hairbreadth -adventures in Alaska, Siberia and elsewhere. A true to life picture of -what may be accomplished in the near future. - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO. Publishers NEW YORK - - - - -The Webster Series - -By Frank V. Webster - - -[Illustration] - -Mr. Webster's style is very much like that of the boys' favorite author, -the late lamented Horatio Alger Jr., but his tales are thoroughly -up-to-date. The stories are as clean as they are clever, and will prove -of absorbing interest to boys everywhere. - -Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. Stamped in various -colors. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid. - - Only A Farm Boy - or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life - - Tom The Telephone Boy - or The Mystery of a Message - - The Boy From The Ranch - or Roy Bradner's City Experiences - - The Young Treasure Hunter - or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska - - Bob The Castaway - or The Wreck of the Eagle - - The Newsboy Partners - or Who Was Dick Box? - - Two Boy Gold Miners - or Lost in the Mountains - - The Young Firemen of Lakeville - or Herbert Dare's Pluck - - The Boy Pilot of the Lakes - or Nat Morton's Perils - - The Boys of Bellwood School - or Frank Jordan's Triumph - - Jack The Runaway - or On the Road with a Circus - - Bob Chester's Grit - or From Ranch to Riches - - Airship Andy - or The Luck of a Brave Boy - - The High School Rivals - or Fred Markham's Struggles - - Darry The Life Saver - or The Heroes of the Coast - - Dick The Bank Boy - or A Missing Fortune - - Ben Hardy's Flying Machine - or Making a Record for Himself - - Harry Watson's High School Days - or The Rivals of Rivertown - - Comrades of the Saddle - or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains - - The Boys of the Wireless - or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep - - - CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK - - - - - * * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber's note: - - - --Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected. - - --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. - - --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - - --Inconsistencies in formatting and punctuation of individual - advertisements were retained. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO*** - - -******* This file should be named 43204.txt or 43204.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/4/3/2/0/43204 - - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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