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diff --git a/43204-0.txt b/43204-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a516100 --- /dev/null +++ b/43204-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7386 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43204 *** + +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, +señor, 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, señor," 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 Señor 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 Señor 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 rôle 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, señor, 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, señors," he said. + +"Our friends?" asked Jerry, in surprise. + +"_Si, señor._ 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 señors 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 señor, 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, señors," 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, señors? 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 señors! 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, señors?" 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, señors. 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, señors!" he exclaimed. "You are welcome a thousand times. The +whole place is yours." + +"Will you guarantee that there are no robbers?" asked Jerry. + +"Robbers, señors? 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 señors 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 fête 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, señor_," 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, señor_," 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 señor 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, señor_," 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 rôle, 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, señor?" + +"_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, señors, for I know you +will go and help Señor 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, señor." + +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, señor, 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, señor, 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, señor," 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, Señor 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, señor," went on the commander. "But now I must go back +to my men. My compliments, señor." + +"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, señor; 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 mêlée. + +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 43204 *** |