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+<pre>
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders
+by Victor Appleton
+(#20 in our series by Victor Appleton)
+
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+Title: Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders
+
+Author: Victor Appleton
+
+Release Date: Apr, 1996 [EBook #499]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
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+</pre>
+
+<div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h1>TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS</h1>
+
+<div class="center">OR</div>
+
+<h2>The Underground Search for the Idol of Gold</h2>
+<br />
+
+<div class="center">BY</div>
+<br /><br />
+
+<div class="title">VICTOR APPLETON</div>
+<br /><br /><br />
+
+<div class="center">AUTHOR OF<br />
+<span class="small">"TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTORCYCLE,"</span><br />
+<span class="small">"TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL,"</span> <br />
+<span class="small">"THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS SERIES,"</span><br />
+<span class="small">"THE MOTION PICTURE CHUMS SERIES," ETC.</span></div>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2>THE TOM SWIFT SERIES</h2>
+<br /><br />
+<ol>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS</li>
+<li class="num">TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS</li>
+</ol>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2>Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders</h2>
+<br /><br /><br />
+
+
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+
+<ol>
+<li><a href="#chapteri">A WONDERFUL STORY</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterii">PROFESSOR BUMPER ARRIVES</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapteriii">BLESSINGS AND ENTHUSIASM</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapteriv">FENIMORE BEECHER</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterv">THE LITTLE GREEN GOD</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chaptervi">UNPLEASANT NEWS</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chaptervii">TOM HEARS SOMETHING</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterviii">OFF FOR HONDURAS</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterix">VAL JACINTO</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterx">IN THE WILDS</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxi">THE VAMPIRES</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxii">A FALSE FRIEND</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxiii">FORWARD AGAIN</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxiv">A NEW GUIDE</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxv">IN THE COILS</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxvi">A MEETING IN THE JUNGLE</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxvii">THE LOST MAP</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxviii">"EL TIGRE!"</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxix">POISONED ARROWS</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxx">AN OLD LEGEND</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxxi">THE CAVERN</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxxii">THE STORM</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxxiii">ENTOMBED ALIVE</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxxiv">THE REVOLVING STONE</a></li>
+<li><a href="#chapterxxv">THE IDOL OF GOLD</a></li>
+</ol>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2>TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS</h2>
+<br /><br />
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="chapteri" id="chapteri">CHAPTER I</a></h2>
+
+<h3>A WONDERFUL STORY</h3>
+
+
+<p>Tom Swift, who had been slowly looking
+through the pages of a magazine, in the contents
+of which he seemed to be deeply interested,
+turned the final folio, ruffled the sheets back
+again to look at a certain map and drawing, and
+then, slapping the book down on a table before
+him, with a noise not unlike that of a shot,
+exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is certainly one wonderful story!"</p>
+
+<p>"What's it about, Tom?" asked his chum, Ned
+Newton. "Something about inside baseball, or a
+new submarine that can be converted into an
+airship on short notice?"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither one, you—you unscientific heathen,"
+answered Tom, with a laugh at Ned. "Though
+that isn't saying such a machine couldn't be invented."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you—that is if you got on its trail,"
+returned Ned, and there was warm admiration in
+his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"As for inside baseball, or outside, for that
+matter, I hardly believe I'd be able to tell third
+base from the second base, it's so long since I
+went to a game," proceeded Tom. "I've been
+too busy on that new airship stabilizer dad gave
+me an idea for. I've been working too hard,
+that's a fact. I need a vacation, and maybe a
+good baseball game——"</p>
+
+<p>He stopped and looked at the magazine he had
+so hastily slapped down. Something he had read
+in it seemed to fascinate him.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if it can possibly be true," he went
+on. "It sounds like the wildest dream of a
+professional sleep-walker; and yet, when I stop to
+think, it isn't much worse than some of the
+things we've gone through with, Ned."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, for the love of rice-pudding! will you
+get down to brass tacks and strike a trial
+balance? What are you talking of, anyhow? Is it
+a joke?"</p>
+
+<p>"A joke?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. What you just read in that magazine
+which seems to cause you so much excitement."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it may be a joke; and yet the professor
+seems very much in earnest about it," replied
+Tom. "It certainly is one wonderful story!"</p>
+
+<p>"So you said before. Come on—the `fillium'
+is busted. Splice it, or else put in a new reel and
+on with the show. I'd like to know what's doing.
+What professor are you talking of?"</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Swyington Bumper."</p>
+
+<p>"Swyington Bumper?" and Ned's voice
+showed that his memory was a bit hazy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. You ought to remember him. He was
+on the steamer when I went down to Peru to
+help the Titus Brothers dig the big tunnel. That
+plotter Waddington, or some of his tools,
+dropped a bomb where it might have done us
+some injury, but Professor Bumper, who was a
+fellow passenger, on his way to South America
+to look for the lost city of Pelone, calmly picked
+up the bomb, plucked out the fuse, and saved
+us from bad injuries, if not death. And he was
+as cool about it as an ice-cream cone. Surely
+you remember!"</p>
+
+<p>"Swyington Bumper! Oh, yes, now I remember
+him," said Ned Newton. "But what has
+he got to do with a wonderful story? Has he
+written more about the lost city of Pelone? If
+he has I don't see anything so very wonderful
+in that."</p>
+
+<p>"There isn't," agreed Tom. "But this isn't
+that," and Tom picked up the magazine and
+leafed it to find the article he had been reading.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's have a look at it," suggested Ned. "You
+act as though you might be vitally interested
+in it. Maybe you're thinking of joining forces
+with the professor again, as you did when you
+dug the big tunnel."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no. I haven't any such idea," Tom said.
+"I've got enough work laid out now to keep me
+in Shopton for the next year. I have no notion
+of going anywhere with Professor Bumper. Yet
+I can't help being impressed by this," and,
+having found the article in the magazine to which
+he referred, he handed it to his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's by Bumper himself!" exclaimed Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Though there's nothing remarkable in
+that, seeing that he is constantly contributing
+articles to various publications or writing books.
+It's the story itself that's so wonderful. To
+save you the trouble of wading through a lot
+of scientific detail, which I know you don't care
+about, I'll tell you that the story is about a queer
+idol of solid gold, weighing many pounds, and,
+in consequence, of great value."</p>
+
+<p>"Of solid gold you say?" asked Ned eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"That's it. Got on your banking air already,"
+Tom laughed. "To sum it up for you—notice
+I use the word `sum,' which is very appropriate
+for a bank—the professor has got on the track
+of another lost or hidden city. This one, the
+name of which doesn't appear, is in the Copan
+valley of Honduras, and——"</p>
+
+<p>"Copan," interrupted Ned. "It sounds like
+the name of some new floor varnish."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it isn't, though it might be," laughed
+Tom. "Copan is a city, in the Department of
+Copan, near the boundary between Honduras and
+Guatemala. A fact I learned from the article
+and not because I remembered my geography."</p>
+
+<p>"I was going to say," remarked Ned with a
+smile, "that you were coming it rather strong
+on the school-book stuff."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's all plainly written down there," and
+Tom waved toward the magazine at which Ned
+was looking. "As you'll see, if you take the
+trouble to go through it, as I did, Copan is, or
+maybe was, for all I know, one of the most
+important centers of the Mayan civilization."</p>
+
+<p>"What's Mayan?" asked Ned. "You see I'm
+going to imbibe my information by the deductive
+rather than the excavative process," he added
+with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"I see," laughed Tom. "Well, Mayan refers
+to the Mayas, an aboriginal people of Yucatan.
+The Mayas had a peculiar civilization of their
+own, thousands of years ago, and their calendar
+system was so involved——"</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind about dates," again interrupted
+Ned. "Get down to brass tacks. I'm willing
+to take your word for it that there's a Copan
+valley in Honduras. But what has your friend
+Professor Bumper to do with it?"</p>
+
+<p>"This. He has come across some old
+manuscripts, or ancient document records, referring
+to this valley, and they state, according to this
+article he has written for the magazine, that
+somewhere in the valley is a wonderful city,
+traces of which have been found twenty to forty
+feet below the surface, on which great trees are
+growing, showing that the city was covered
+hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago."</p>
+
+<p>"But where does the idol of gold come in?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm coming to that," said Tom. "Though,
+if Professor Bumper has his way, the idol will
+be coming out instead of coming in."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean he wants to get it and take it
+away from the Copan valley, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's it, Ned. It has great value not only
+from the amount of pure gold that is in it, but
+as an antique. I fancy the professor is more
+interested in that aspect of it. But he's written
+a wonderful story, telling how he happened to
+come across the ancient manuscripts in the tomb
+of some old Indian whose mummy he unearthed
+on a trip to Central America.</p>
+
+<p>"Then he tells of the trouble he had in
+discovering how to solve the key to the translation
+code; but when he did, he found a great story
+unfolded to him.</p>
+
+<p>"This story has to do with the hidden city,
+and tells of the ancient civilization of those who
+lived in the Copan valley thousands of years ago.
+The people held this idol of gold to be their
+greatest treasure, and they put to death many of
+other tribes who sought to steal it."</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" whistled Ned. "That IS some yarn.
+But what is Professor Bumper going to do about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. The article seems to be written
+with an idea of interesting scientists and
+research societies, so that they will raise money
+to conduct a searching expedition.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps by this time the party may be
+organized—this magazine is several months old.
+I have been so busy on my stabilizer patent that
+I haven't kept up with current literature. Take
+it home and read it! Ned. That is if you're
+through telling me about my affairs," for Ned,
+who had formerly worked in the Shopton bank,
+had recently been made general financial man-
+ager of the interests of Tom and his father. The
+two were inventors and proverbially poor business
+men, though they had amassed a fortune.</p>
+
+<p>"Your financial affairs are all right, Tom," said
+Ned. "I have just been going over the books,
+and I'll submit a detailed report later."</p>
+
+<p>The telephone bell rang and Tom picked up
+the instrument from the desk. As he answered in
+the usual way and then listened a moment, a
+strange look came over his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this certainly is wonderful!" he exclaimed,
+in much the same manner as when he had finished
+reading the article about the idol. "It certainly
+is a strange coincidence," he added,
+speaking in an aside to Ned while he himself
+still listened to what was being told to him
+over the telephone wire.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterii" id="chapterii">CHAPTER II</a></h2>
+
+<h3>PROFESSOR BUMPER ARRIVES</h3>
+
+
+<p>"What's the matter, Tom? What is it?"
+asked Ned Newton, attracted by the strange
+manner of his chum at the telephone. "Has
+anything happened?"</p>
+
+<p>But the young inventor was too busy listening
+to the unseen speaker to answer his chum,
+even if he heard what Ned remarked, which is
+doubtful.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I might as well wait until he is
+through," mused Ned, as he started to leave the
+room. Then as Tom motioned to him to remain,
+he murmured: "He may have something
+to say to me later. But I wonder who is talking
+to him."</p>
+
+<p>There was no way of finding out, however,
+until Tom had a chance to talk to Ned, and at
+present the young scientist was eagerly listening
+to what came over the wire. Occasionally Ned
+could hear him say:</p>
+
+<p>"You don't tell me! That is surprising! Yes
+—yes! Of course if it's true it means a big
+thing, I can understand that. What's that? No,
+I couldn't make a promise like that. I'm sorry,
+but——"</p>
+
+<p>Then the person at the other end of the wire
+must have plunged into something very interesting
+and absorbing, for Tom did not again
+interrupt by interjected remarks.</p>
+
+<p>Tom. Swift, as has been said, was an inventor,
+as was his father. Mr. Swift was now rather old
+and feeble, taking only a nominal part in the
+activities of the firm made up of himself and his
+son. But his inventions were still used, many
+of them being vital to the business and trade of
+this country.</p>
+
+<p>Tom and his father lived in the village of
+Shopton, New York, and their factories covered
+many acres of ground. Those who wish to read
+of the earliest activities of Tom in the inventive
+line are referred to the initial volume, "Tom
+Swift and His Motor Cycle." From then on he
+and his father had many and exciting adventures.
+In a motor boat, an airship, and a submarine
+respectively the young inventor had gone through
+many perils. On some of the trips his chum,
+Ned Newton, accompanied him, and very often
+in the party was a Mr. Wakefield Damon, who
+had a curious habit of "blessing" everything
+that happened to strike his fancy.</p>
+
+<p>Besides Tom and his father, the Swift household
+was made up of Eradicate Sampson, a colored
+man-of-all-work, who, with his mule Boomerang,
+did what he could to keep the grounds
+around the house in order. There was also Mrs.
+Baggert, the housekeeper, Tom's mother being
+dead. Mr. Damon, living in a neighboring town,
+was a frequent visitor in the Swift home.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Nestor, a girl of Shopton, might also
+be mentioned. She and Tom were more than
+just good friends. Tom had an idea that some
+day——. But there, I promised not to tell that
+part, at least until the young people themselves
+were ready to have a certain fact announced.</p>
+
+<p>From one activity to another had Tom Swift
+gone, now constructing some important invention
+for himself, as among others, when he made
+the photo-telephone, or developed a great
+searchlight which he presented to the Government
+for use in detecting smugglers on the
+border.</p>
+
+<p>The book immediately preceding this is called
+"Tom Swift and His Bit, Tunnel," and deals
+with the efforts of the young inventor to help a
+firm of contractors penetrate a mountain in
+Peru. How this was done and how, incidentally,
+the lost city of Pelone was discovered, bringing
+joy to the heart of Professor Swyington
+Bumper, will be found fully set forth in the book.</p>
+
+<p>Tom had been back from the Peru trip for
+some months, when we again find him interested
+in some of the work of Professor Bumper,
+as set forth in the magazine mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he certainly is having some conversation,"
+reflected Ned, as, after more than five
+minutes, Tom's ear was still at the receiver of
+the instrument, into the transmitter of which
+he had said only a few words.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," Tom finally answered, as he hung
+the receiver up, "I'll be here," and then he turned
+to Ned, whose curiosity had been growing with
+the telephone talk, and remarked:</p>
+
+<p>"That certainly was wonderful!"</p>
+
+<p>"What was?" asked Ned. "Do you think I'm
+a mind reader to be able to guess?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed! I beg your pardon. I'll tell you
+at once. But I couldn't break away. It was
+too important. To whom do you think I was
+talking just then?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can imagine almost any one, seeing I know
+something of what you have done. It might be
+almost anybody from some person you met up
+in the caves of ice to a red pygmy from the
+wilds of Africa."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid neither of them would be quite
+up to telephone talk yet," laughed Tom. "No,
+this was the gentleman who wrote that interesting
+article about the idol of gold," and he
+motioned to the magazine Ned held in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean Professor Bumper!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's just whom I do mean."</p>
+
+<p>"What did he want? Where did he call
+from?"</p>
+
+<p>"He wants me to help organize an expedition
+to go to Central America—to the Copan valley,
+to be exact—to look for this somewhat mythical
+idol of gold. Incidentally the professor will
+gather in any other antiques of more or less
+value, if he can find any, and he hopes, even if he
+doesn't find the idol, to get enough historical
+material for half a dozen books, to say nothing
+of magazine articles."</p>
+
+<p>"Where did he call from; did you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't say. But it was a long-distance call
+from New York. The Professor stopped off
+there on his way from Boston, where he has been
+lecturing before some society. And now he's
+coming here to see me," finished Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"What! Is he going to lecture here?" cried
+Ned. "If he is, and spouts a whole lot of that
+bone-dry stuff about the ancient Mayan civilization
+and their antiquities, with side lights on
+how the old-time Indians used to scalp their
+enemies, I'm going to the moving pictures! I'm
+willing to be your financial manager, Tom Swift,
+but please don't ask me to be a high-brow. I
+wasn't built for that."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I, Ned. The professor isn't going to
+lecture. He's only going to talk, he says."</p>
+
+<p>"What about?"</p>
+
+<p>"He's going to try to induce me to join his
+expedition to the Copan valley."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you feel inclined to go?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Ned, I do not. I've got too many other
+irons in the fire. I shall have to give the professor
+a polite but firm refusal."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, maybe you're right, Tom; and yet that
+idol of gold—GOLD—weighing how many pounds
+did you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you're thinking of its money value, Ned,
+old man!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'd like to see what a big chunk of gold
+like that would bring. It must be quite a nugget.
+But I'm not likely to get a glimpse of it
+if you don't go with the professor."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how I can go, Ned. But come
+over and meet the delightful gentleman when
+he arrives. I expect him day after to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll be here," promised Ned; and then he
+went downtown to attend to some matters con-
+nected with his new duties, which were much
+less irksome than those he had had when he
+had been in the bank.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Tom, have you heard any more about
+your friend?" asked Ned, two days later, as he
+came to the Swift home with some papers needing
+the signature of the young inventor and his
+father.</p>
+
+<p>"You mean——?"</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Bumper."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I haven't heard from him since he
+telephoned. But I guess he'll be here all right.
+He's very punctual. Did you see anything of
+my giant Koku as you came in?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he and Eradicate were having an
+argument about who should move a heavy casting
+from one of the shops. Rad wanted to do it
+all alone, but Koku said he was like a baby now."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor Rad is getting old," said Tom with a
+sigh. "But he has been very faithful. He and
+Koku never seem to get along well together."</p>
+
+<p>Koku was an immense man, a veritable giant,
+one of two whom Tom had brought back with
+him after an exciting trip to a strange land. The
+giant's strength was very useful to the young
+inventor.</p>
+
+<p>"Now Tom, about this business of leasing to
+the English Government the right to manufacture
+that new explosive of yours," began Ned,
+plunging into the business at hand. "I think
+if you stick out a little you can get a better
+royalty price."</p>
+
+<p>"But I don't want to gouge 'em, Ned. I'm
+satisfied with a fair profit. The trouble with
+you is you think too much of money. Now——"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment a voice was heard in the hall
+of the house saying:</p>
+
+<p>"Now, my dear lady, don't trouble yourself.
+I can find my way in to Tom Swift perfectly well
+by myself, and while I appreciate your courtesy
+I do not want to trouble you."</p>
+
+<p>"No, don't come, Mrs. Baggert," added another
+voice. "Bless my hat band, I think I know my
+way about the house by this time!"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Damon!" ejaculated Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"And Professor Bumper is with him," added
+Tom. "Come in!" he cried, opening the hall
+door, to confront a bald-headed man who stood
+peering at our hero with bright snapping eyes,
+like those of some big bird spying out the land
+from afar. "Come in, Professor Bumper; and
+you too, Mr. Damon!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapteriii" id="chapteriii">CHAPTER III</a></h2>
+
+<h3>BLESSINGS AND ENTHUSIASM</h3>
+
+
+<p>Greetings and inquiries as to health having
+been passed, not without numerous blessings on
+the part of Mr. Damon, the little party gathered
+in the library of the home of Tom Swift sat
+down and looked at one another.</p>
+
+<p>On Professor Bumper's face there was, plainly
+to be seen, a look of expectation, and it seemed
+to be shared by Mr. Damon, who seemed eager
+to burst into enthusiastic talk. On the other
+hand Tom Swift appeared a bit indifferent.</p>
+
+<p>Ned himself admitted that he was frankly
+curious. The story of the big idol of gold had
+occupied his thoughts for many hours.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm glad to see you both," said Tom
+again. "You got here all right, I see, Professor
+Bumper. But I didn't expect you to meet and
+bring Mr. Damon with you."</p>
+
+<p>"I met him on the train," explained the author
+of the book on the lost city of Pelone, as well
+as books on other antiquities. "I had no
+expectation of seeing him, and we were both
+surprised when we met on the express."</p>
+
+<p>"It stopped at Waterfield, Tom," explained
+Mr. Damon, "which it doesn't usually do, being
+an aristocratic sort of train, not given even to
+hesitating at our humble little town. There
+were some passengers to get off, which caused
+the flier to stop, I suppose. And, as I wanted
+to come over to see you, I got aboard."</p>
+
+<p>"Glad you did," voiced Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I happened to see Professor Bumper a
+few seats ahead of me," went on Mr. Damon,
+"and, bless my scarfpin! he was coming to see
+you also."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm doubly glad," answered Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"So here we are," went on Mr. Damon, "and
+you've simply got to come, Tom Swift. You
+must go with us!" and Mr. Damon, in his
+enthusiasm, banged his fist down on the table with
+such force that he knocked some books to the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Koku, the giant, who was in the hall, opened
+the door and in his imperfect English asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Master Tom knock for him bigs man?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered Tom with a smile, "I didn't knock
+or call you, Koku. Some books fell, that is all."</p>
+
+<p>"Massa Tom done called fo' me, dat's what he done!"
+broke in the petulant voice of Eradicate.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Rad, I don't need anything," Tom said.
+"Though you might make a pitcher of lemonade.
+It's rather warm."</p>
+
+<p>"Right away, Massa Tom! Right away!" cried
+the old colored man, eager to be of service.</p>
+
+<p>"Me help, too!" rumbled Koku, in his deep
+voice. "Me punch de lemons!" and away he
+hurried after Eradicate, fearful lest the old
+servant do all the honors.</p>
+
+<p>"Same old Rad and Koku," observed Mr.
+Damon with a smile. "But now, Tom, while
+they're making the lemonade, let's get down to
+business. You're going with us, of course!"</p>
+
+<p>"Where?" asked Tom, more from habit than
+because he did not know.</p>
+
+<p>"Where? Why to Honduras, of course! After
+the idol of gold! Why, bless my fountain pen,
+it's the most wonderful story I ever heard of!
+You've read Professor Bumper's article, of
+course. He told me you had. I read it on the
+train coming over. He also told me about it,
+and—— Well, I'm going with him, Tom Swift.</p>
+
+<p>"And think of all the adventures that may
+befall us! We'll get lost in buried cities, ride down
+raging torrents on a raft, fall over a cliff maybe
+and be rescued. Why, it makes me feel quite
+young again!" and Mr. Damon arose, to pace
+excitedly up and down the room.</p>
+
+<p>Up to this time Professor Bumper had said
+very little. He had sat still in his chair
+listening to Mr. Damon. But now that the latter had
+ceased, at least for a time, Tom and Ned looked
+toward the scientist.</p>
+
+<p>"I understand, Tom," he said, "that you read
+my article in the magazine, about the possibility
+of locating some of the lost and buried cities of
+Honduras?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Ned and I each read it. It was quite
+wonderful."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet there are more wonders to tell," went
+on the professor. "I did not give all the details
+in that article. I will tell you some of them. I
+have brought copies of the documents with me,"
+and he opened a small valise and took out several
+bundles tied with pink tape.</p>
+
+<p>"As Mr. Damon said," he went on while
+arranging his papers, "he met me on the train, and
+he was so taken by the story of the idol of gold
+that he agreed to accompany me to Central America."</p>
+
+<p>"On one condition!" put in the eccentric man.</p>
+
+<p>"What's that? You didn't make any conditions
+while we were talking," said the scientist.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I said I'd go if Tom Swift did."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes. You did say that. But I don't call
+that a condition, for of course Tom Swift will go.
+Now let me tell you something more than I could
+impart over the telephone.</p>
+
+<p>"Soon after I called you up, Tom—and it was
+quite a coincidence that it should have been at a
+time when you had just finished my magazine
+article. Soon after that, as I was saying, I
+arranged to come on to Shopton. And now I'm
+glad we're all here together.</p>
+
+<p>"But how comes it, Ned Newton, that you are
+not in the bank?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've left there," explained Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"He's now general financial man for the Swift
+Company," Tom explained. "My father and I
+found that we could not look after the inventing
+and experimental end, and money matters, too,
+and as Ned had had considerable experience this
+way we made him take over those worries," and
+Tom laughed genially.</p>
+
+<p>"No worries at all, as far as the Swift
+Company is concerned," returned Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I guess you earn your salary," laughed
+Tom. "But now, Professor Bumper, let's hear
+from you. Is there anything more about this
+idol of gold that you can tell us?"</p>
+
+<p>"Plenty, Tom, plenty. I could talk all day,
+and not get to the end of the story. But a lot
+of it would be scientific detail that might be too
+dry for you in spite of this excellent lemonade."</p>
+
+<p>Between them Koku and Eradicate had managed
+to make a pitcher of the beverage, though
+Mrs. Baggert, the housekeeper, told Tom afterward
+that the two had a quarrel in the kitchen
+as to who should squeeze the lemons, the giant
+insisting that he had the better right to "punch"
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"So, not to go into too many details," went on
+the professor, "I'll just give you a brief outline
+of this story of the idol of gold.</p>
+
+<p>"Honduras, as you of course know, is a
+republic of Central America, and it gets its name
+from something that happened on the fourth
+voyage of Columbus. He and his men had had
+days of weary sailing and had sought in vain
+for shallow water in which they might come to
+an anchorage. Finally they reached the point
+now known as Cape Gracias-a-Dios, and when
+they let the anchor go, and found that in a short
+time it came to rest on the floor of the ocean,
+some one of the sailors—perhaps Columbus himself—
+is said to have remarked:</p>
+
+<p>"`Thank the Lord, we have left the deep
+waters (honduras)' that being the Spanish word
+for unfathomable depths. So Honduras it was
+called, and has been to this day.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a queer land with many traces of an
+ancient civilization, a civilization which I
+believe dates back farther than some in the far
+East. On the sculptured stones in the Copan
+valley there are characters which seem to
+resemble very ancient writing, but this pictographic
+writing is largely untranslatable.</p>
+
+<p>"Honduras, I might add, is about the size of
+our state of Ohio. It is rather an elevated tableland,
+though there are stretches of tropical
+forest, but it is not so tropical a country as many
+suppose it to be. There is much gold scattered
+throughout Honduras, though of late it has not
+been found in large quantities.</p>
+
+<p>"In the old days, however, before the Spaniards
+came, it was plentiful, so much, so that the
+natives made idols of it. And it is one of the
+largest of these idols—by name Quitzel—that I
+am going to seek."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know where it is?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it isn't locked up in a safe deposit box,
+of that I'm sure," laughed the professor. "No,
+I don't know exactly where it is, except that it
+is somewhere in an ancient and buried city
+known as Kurzon. If I knew exactly where
+it was there wouldn't be much fun in going after
+it. And if it was known to others it would have
+been taken away long ago.</p>
+
+<p>"No, we've got to hunt for the idol of gold
+in this land of wonders where I hope soon to be.
+Later on I'll show you the documents that put
+me on the track of this idol. Enough now to
+show you an old map I found, or, rather, a copy
+of it, and some of the papers that tell of the idol,"
+and he spread out his packet of papers on the
+table in front of him, his eyes shining with
+excitement and pleasure. Mr. Damon, too, leaned
+eagerly forward.</p>
+
+<p>"So, Tom Swift," went on the professor, "I
+come to you for help in this matter. I want
+you to aid me in organizing an expedition to go
+to Honduras after the idol of gold. Will you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll help you, of course," said Tom. "You
+may use any of my inventions you choose—my
+airships, my motor boats and submarines, even
+my giant cannon if you think you can take it
+with you. And as for the money part, Ned will
+arrange that for you. But as for going with you
+myself, it is out of the question. I can't. No
+Honduras for me!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapteriv" id="chapteriv">CHAPTER IV</a></h2>
+
+<h3>FENIMORE BEECHER</h3>
+
+
+<p>Had Tom Swift's giant cannon been discharged
+somewhere in the vicinity of his home it could
+have caused but little more astonishment to
+Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the
+simple announcement of the young inventor.
+The professor seemed to shrink back in his chair,
+collapsing like an automobile tire when the air
+is let out. As for Mr. Damon he jumped up and
+cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my——!"</p>
+
+<p>But that is as far as he got—at least just then.
+He did not seem to know what to bless, but he
+looked as though he would have liked to include
+most of the universe.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely you don't mean it, Tom Swift,"
+gasped Professor Bumper at length. "Won't
+you come with us?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Tom, slowly. "Really I can't go.
+I'm working on an invention of a new aeroplane
+stabilizer, and if I go now it will be just at a
+time when I am within striking distance of success.
+And the stabilizer is very much needed."</p>
+
+<p>"If it's a question of making a profit on it,
+Tom," began Mr. Damon, "I can let you have
+some money until——"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no! It isn't the money!" cried Tom.
+"Don't think that for a moment. You see the
+European war has called for the use of a large
+number of aeroplanes, and as the pilots of them
+frequently have to fight, and so can not give their
+whole attention to the machines, some form of
+automatic stabilizer is needed to prevent them
+turning turtle, or going off at a wrong tangent.</p>
+
+<p>"So I have been working out a sort of
+modified gyroscope, and it seems to answer the
+purpose. I have already received advance orders
+for a number of my devices from abroad, and as
+they are destined to save lives I feel that I ought
+to keep on with my work.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to go, don't misunderstand me, but
+I can't go at this time. It is out of the question.
+If you wait a year, or maybe six months——"</p>
+
+<p>"No, it is impossible to wait, Tom," declared
+Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it so important then to hurry?" asked Mr.
+Damon. "You did not mention that to me, Professor
+Bumper."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I did not have time. There are so many ends
+to my concerns. But, Tom Swift, you simply must go!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't, my dear professor, much as I should like to."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Tom, think of it!" cried Mr. Damon,
+who was as much excited as was the little bald-headed
+scientist. "You never saw such an idol
+of gold as this. What's its name?" and he
+looked questioningly at the professor.</p>
+
+<p>"Quitzel the idol is called," supplied Professor
+Bumper. "And it is supposed to be in a
+buried city named Kurzon, somewhere in the
+Sierra de Merendon range of mountains, in the
+vicinity of the Copan valley. Copan is a city,
+or maybe we'll find it only a town when we get
+there, and it is not far from the borders of
+Guatemala.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom, if I could show you the translations I
+have made of the ancient documents, referring
+to this idol and the wonderful city over which
+it kept guard, I'm sure you'd come with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Please don't tempt me," Tom said with a
+laugh. "I'm only too anxious to go, and if it
+wasn't for the stabilizer I'd be with you in a
+minute. But—— Well, you'll have to get along
+without me. Maybe I can join you later."</p>
+
+<p>"What's this about the idol keeping guard
+over the ancient city?" asked Ned, for he was
+interested in strange stories.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems," explained the professor, "that in
+the early days there was a strange race of people,
+inhabiting Central America, with a somewhat
+high civilization, only traces of which remained
+when the Spaniards came.</p>
+
+<p>"But these traces, and such hieroglyphics, or,
+to be more exact pictographs, as I have been able
+to decipher from the old documents, tell of one
+country, or perhaps it was only a city, over which
+this great golden idol of Quitzel presided.</p>
+
+<p>"There is in some of these papers a description
+of the idol, which is not exactly a beauty,
+judged from modern standards. But the main
+fact is that it is made of solid gold, and may
+weigh anywhere from one to two tons."</p>
+
+<p>"Two tons of gold!" cried New Newton. "Why,
+if that's the case it would be worth——" and
+he fell to doing a sum in mental arithmetic.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not so concerned about the monetary
+value of the statue as I am about its antiquity,"
+went on Professor Bumper. "There are other
+statues in this buried city of Kurzon, and though
+they may not be so valuable they will give me
+a wealth of material for my research work."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know there are other statues?"
+asked Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"Because my documents tell me so. It was
+because the people made other idols, in opposition,
+as it were, to Quitzel, that their city or
+country was destroyed. At least that is the
+legend. Quitzel, so the story goes, wanted to be
+the chief god, and when the image of a rival was
+set up in the temple near him, he toppled over
+in anger, and part of the temple went with him,
+the whole place being buried in ruins. All the
+inhabitants were killed, and trace of the ancient
+city was lost forever. No, I hope not forever,
+for I expect to find it."</p>
+
+<p>"If all the people were killed, and the city
+buried, how did the story of Quitzel become
+known?" asked Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"One only of the priests in the temple of
+Quitzel escaped and set down part of the tale," said
+the professor. "It is his narrative, or one based
+on it, that I have given you."</p>
+
+<p>"And now, what I want to do, is to go and
+make a search for this buried city. I have fairly
+good directions as to how it may be reached.
+We will have little difficulty in getting to
+Honduras, as there are fruit steamers frequently
+sailing. Of course going into the interior—to the
+Copan valley—is going to be harder. But an
+expedition from a large college was recently
+there and succeeded, after much labor, in excavating
+part of a buried city. Whether or not
+it was Kurzon I am unable to say.</p>
+
+<p>"But if there was one ancient city there must
+be more. So I want to make an attempt. And
+I counted on you, Tom. You have had considerable
+experience in strange quarters of the earth,
+and you're just the one to help me. I don't
+need money, for I have interested a certain
+millionaire, and my own college will put up part
+of the funds."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it isn't a question of money," said Tom.
+"It's time."</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what it is with me!" exclaimed
+Professor Bumper. "I haven't any time to lose.
+My rivals may, even now, be on their way to Honduras!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your rivals!" cried Tom. "You didn't say anything about them!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I believe I didn't There were so many
+other things to talk about. But there is a rival
+archaeologist who would ask nothing better than
+to get ahead of me in this matter. He is younger
+than I am, and youth is a big asset nowadays."</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! You're not old!" cried Mr. Damon.
+"You're no older than I am, and I'm still young.
+I'm a lot younger than some of these boys who
+are afraid to tackle a trip through a tropical
+wilderness," and he playfully nudged Tom in the ribs.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not a bit afraid!" retorted the young inventor.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I know you're not," laughed Mr. Damon.
+"But I've got to say something, Tom, to stir you
+up. Ned, how about you? Would you go?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't, unless Tom does. You see I'm his
+financial man now."</p>
+
+<p>"There you are, Tom Swift!" cried Mr. Damon.
+"You see you are holding back a number
+of persons just because you don't want to go."</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly wouldn't like to go without Tom,"
+said the professor slowly. "I really need his
+help. You know, Tom, we would never have
+found the city of Pelone if it had not been for
+you and your marvelous powder. The conditions
+in the Copan valley are likely to be still
+more difficult to overcome, and I feel that I risk
+failure without your young energy and your
+inventive mind to aid in the work and to suggest
+possible means of attaining our object. Come,
+Tom, reconsider, and decide to make the trip."</p>
+
+<p>"And my promise to go was dependent on
+Tom's agreement to accompany us," said Mr.
+Damon</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" urged the professor, much as one boy
+might urge another to take part in a ball game.
+"Don't let my rival get ahead of me."</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't like to see that," Tom said slowly.
+"Who is he—any one I know?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe so, Tom. He's connected
+with a large, new college that has plenty of
+money to spend on explorations and research
+work. Beecher is his name—Fenimore Beecher."</p>
+
+<p>"Beecher!" exclaimed Tom, and there was
+such a change in his manner that his friends
+could not help noticing it. He jumped to his
+feet, his eyes snapping, and he looked eagerly
+and anxiously at Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you say his name was Fenimore Beecher?"
+Tom asked in a tense voice.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what it is—Professor Fenimore Beecher.
+He is really a learned young man, and
+thoroughly in earnest, though I do not like his
+manner. But he is trying to get ahead of me,
+which may account for my feeling."</p>
+
+<p>Tom Swift did not answer. Instead he hurried
+from the room with a murmured apology.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll be back in about five minutes," he said,
+as he went out.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what's up now?" asked Mr. Damon of
+Ned, as the young inventor departed. "What
+set him off that way?"</p>
+
+<p>"The mention of Beecher's name, evidently.
+Though I never heard him mention such a person
+before."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor did I ever hear Professor Beecher speak
+of Tom," said the bald-headed scientist. "Well,
+we'll just have to wait until——"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment Tom came back into the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Gentlemen," he said, "I have reconsidered my
+refusal to go to the Copan valley after the idol
+of gold. I'm going with you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" cried Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine!" ejaculated Mr. Damon. "Bless my time-table!
+I thought you'd come around, Tom Swift."</p>
+
+<p>"But what about your stabilizer?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"I was just talking to my father about it,'
+the young inventor replied. "He will be able
+to put the finishing touches on it. So I'll leave
+it with him. As soon as I can get ready I'll go,
+since you say haste is necessary, Professor Bumper."</p>
+
+<p>"It is, if we are to get ahead of Beecher."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we'll get ahead of him!" cried Tom.
+"I'm with you now from the start to the finish.
+I'll show him what I can do!" he added, while
+Ned and the others wondered at the sudden
+change in their friend's manner.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+
+<h2><a name="chapterv" id="chapterv">CHAPTER V</a></h2>
+
+<h3>THE LITTLE GREEN GOD</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Tom how soon can we go?" asked Professor
+Bumper, as he began arranging his papers, maps
+and documents ready to place them back in the
+valise.</p>
+
+<p>"Within a week, if you want to start that
+soon."</p>
+
+<p>"The sooner the better. A week will suit me.
+I don't know just what Beecher's plans are, but,
+he may try to get on the ground first. Though,
+without boasting, I may say that he has not had
+as much experience as I have had, thanks to
+you, Tom, when you helped me find the lost city
+of Pelone."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I hope we'll be as successful this time,"
+murmured Tom. "I don't want to see Beecher
+beat you."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't know you knew him, Tom," said the
+professor.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, I have met him. once," and there
+was something in Tom's manner, though he tried
+to speak indifferently, that made Ned believe
+there was more behind his chum's sudden change
+of determination than had yet appeared.</p>
+
+<p>"He never mentioned you," went on Professor
+Bumper; "yet the last time I saw him I said I
+was coming to see you, though I did not tell
+him why."</p>
+
+<p>"No, he wouldn't be likely to speak of me,"
+said Tom significantly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if that's all settled, I guess I'll go back
+home and pack up," said Mr. Damon, making a
+move to depart.</p>
+
+<p>"There's no special rush," Tom said. "We
+won't leave for a week. I can't get ready in
+much less time than that."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my socks! I know that," ejaculated Mr.
+Damon. "But if I get my things packed I can
+go to a hotel to stay while my wife is away. She
+might take a notion to come home unexpectedly,
+and, though she is a dear, good soul, she doesn't
+altogether approve of my going off on these wild
+trips with you, Tom Swift. But if I get all
+packed, and clear out, she can't find me and she
+can't hold me back. She is visiting her mother
+now. I can send her a wire from Kurzon after
+I get there."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe the telegraph there is working,"
+laughed Professor Bumper. "But suit
+yourself. I must go back to New York to arrange
+for the goods we'll have to take with us.
+In a week, Tom, we'll start."</p>
+
+<p>"You must stay to dinner," Tom said. "You
+can't get a train now anyhow, and father wants
+to meet you again. He's pretty well, considering
+his age. And he's much better I verily
+believe since I said I'd turn over to him the task
+of finishing the stabilizer. He likes to work."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll stay and take the night train back,"
+agreed Mr. Damon. "It will be like old times,
+Tom," he went on, "traveling off together into
+the wilds. Central America is pretty wild, isn't
+it?" he asked, as if in fear of being disappointed!
+on that score.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, it's wild enough to suit any one,"
+answered Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now to settle a few details," observed
+Tom. "Ned, what is the situation as regards the
+financial affairs of my father and myself? Nothing
+will come to grief if we go away, will there?"</p>
+
+<p>"I guess not, Tom. But are you going to take
+your father with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, of course not."</p>
+
+<p>"But you spoke of `we.' "</p>
+
+<p>"I meant you and I are going."</p>
+
+<p>"Me, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, you! I wouldn't think of leaving you
+behind. You want Ned along, don't you, Professor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. It will be an ideal party—we
+four. We'll have to take natives when we get
+to Honduras, and make up a mule pack-train for
+the interior. I had some thoughts of asking
+you to take an airship along, but it might frighten
+the Indians, and I shall have to depend on
+them for guides, as well as for porters. So it
+will be an old-fashioned expedition, in a way."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Swift came in at this point to meet his old
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>"The boy needs a little excitement," he said.
+"He's been puttering over that stabilizer invention
+too long. I can finish the model for him
+in a very short time."</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper told Mr. Swift something
+about the proposed trip, while Mr. Damon went
+out with Tom and Ned to one of the shops to
+look at a new model aeroplane the young inventor
+had designed.</p>
+
+<p>There was a merry party around the table at
+dinner, though now and then Ned noticed that
+Tom had an abstracted and preoccupied air.</p>
+
+<p>"Thinking about the idol of gold?" asked Ned
+in a whisper to his chum, when they were about
+to leave the table.</p>
+
+<p>"The idol of gold? Oh, yes! Of course! It
+will be great if we can bring that back with us."
+But the manner in which he said this made Ned
+feel sure that Tom had had other thoughts,
+and that he had used a little subterfuge in his
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>Ned was right, as he proved for himself a little
+later, when, Mr. Damon and the professor having
+gone home, the young financial secretary
+took his friend to a quiet corner and asked:</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Matter? What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean what made you make up your mind
+so quickly to go on this expedition when you
+heard Beecher was going?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh—er—well, you wouldn't want to see our
+old friend Professor Bumper left, would you,
+after he had worked out the secret of the idol
+of gold? You wouldn't want some young
+whipper-snapper to beat him in the race, would
+you, Ned?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, of course not."</p>
+
+<p>"Neither would I. That's why I changed my
+mind. This Beecher isn't going to get that idol
+if I can stop him!"</p>
+
+<p>"You seem rather bitter against him."</p>
+
+<p>"Bitter? Oh, not at all. I simply don't want
+to see my friends disappointed."</p>
+
+<p>"Then Beecher isn't a friend of yours?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I've met him, that is all," and Tom tried
+to speak indifferently.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" mused Ned, "there's more here than I dreamed of.
+I'm going to get at the bottom of it."</p>
+
+<p>But though Ned tried to pump Tom, he was
+not successful. The young inventor admitted
+knowing the youthful scientist, but that was all,
+Tom reiterating his determination not to let Professor
+Bumper be beaten in the race for the idol
+of gold.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me see," mused Ned, as he went home
+that evening. "Tom did not change his mind
+until he heard Beecher's name mentioned. Now
+this shows that Beecher had something to do
+with it. The only reason Tom doesn't want
+Beecher to get this idol or find the buried city
+is because Professor Bumper is after it. And
+yet the professor is not an old or close friend
+of Tom's. They met only when Tom went to
+dig his big tunnel. There must be some other
+reason."</p>
+
+<p>Ned did some more thinking. Then he
+clapped his hands together, and a smile spread
+over his face.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe I have it!" he cried. "The little
+green god as compared to the idol of gold!
+That's it. I'm going to make a call on my way home."</p>
+
+<p>This he did, stopping at the home of Mary
+Nestor, a pretty girl, who, rumor had it, was
+tacitly engaged to Tom. Mary was not at home,
+but Mr. Nestor was, and for Ned's purpose this
+answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, glad to see you!" exclaimed
+Mary's father. "Isn't Tom with you?" he asked
+a moment later, seeing that Ned was alone.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Tom isn't with me this evening," Ned
+answered. "The fact is, he's getting ready to
+go off on another expedition, and I'm going with him."</p>
+
+<p>"You young men are always going somewhere,"
+remarked Mrs. Nestor. "Where is it to this time?"</p>
+
+<p>"Some place in Central America," Ned
+answered, not wishing to be too particular. He
+was wondering how he could find out what he
+wanted to know, when Mary's mother unexpectedly
+gave him just the information he was after.</p>
+
+<p>"Central America!" she exclaimed. "Why,
+Father," and she looked at her husband, "that's
+where Professor Beecher is going, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I believe he did mention something about that."</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Beecher, the man who is an authority
+on Aztec ruins?" asked Ned, taking a shot in
+the dark.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mr. Nestor. "And a mighty fine
+young man he is, too. I knew his father well.
+He was here on a visit not long ago, young
+Beecher was, and he talked most entertainingly
+about his discoveries. You remember how
+interested Mary was, Mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she seemed to be," said Mrs. Nestor.
+"Tom Swift dropped in during the course of
+the evening," she added to Ned, "and Mary
+introduced him to Professor Beecher. But I can't
+say that Tom was much interested in the
+professor's talk."</p>
+
+<p>"No?" questioned Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not at all. But Tom did not stay long.
+He left just as Mary and the professor were
+drawing a map so the professor could indicate
+where he had once made a big discovery."</p>
+
+<p>"I see," murmured Ned. "Well, I suppose
+Tom must have been thinking of something else
+at the time."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely," agreed Mr. Nestor. "But Tom
+missed a very profitable talk. I was very much
+interested myself in what the professor told us,
+and so was Mary. She invited Mr. Beecher to
+come again. He takes after his father in being
+very thorough in what he does.</p>
+
+<p>"Sometimes I think," went on Mr. Nestor, "that
+Tom isn't quite steady enough. He's thinking
+of so many things, perhaps, that he can't get his
+mind down to the commonplace. I remember he
+once sent something here in a box labeled
+`dynamite.' Though there was no explosive in it,
+it gave us a great fright. But Tom is a boy, in
+spite of his years. Professor Beecher seems
+much older. We all like him very much."</p>
+
+<p>"That's nice," said Ned, as he took his
+departure. He had found out what he had come
+to learn.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it!" Ned exclaimed as he walked
+home. "I knew something was in the wind.
+The little green god of jealousy has Tom in his
+clutches. That's why my inventive friend was
+so anxious to go on this expedition when he
+learned Beecher was to go. He wants to beat
+him. I guess the professor has plainly shown
+that he wouldn't like anything better than to
+cut Tom out with Mary. Whew! that's something
+to think about!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chaptervi" id="chaptervi">CHAPTER VI</a></h2>
+
+<h3>UNPLEASANT NEWS</h3>
+
+
+<p>Ned Newton decided to keep to himself what
+he had heard at the Nestor home. Not for the
+world would he let Tom Swift know of the
+situation.</p>
+
+<p>"That is, I won't let him know that I know,"
+said Ned to himself, "though he is probably as
+well aware of the situation as I am. But it sure
+is queer that this Professor Beecher should have
+taken such a fancy to Mary, and that her father
+should regard him so well. That is natural,
+I suppose. But I wonder how Mary herself
+feels about it. That is the part Tom would
+be most interested in.</p>
+
+<p>"No wonder Tom wants to get ahead of this
+young college chap, who probably thinks he's
+the whole show. If he can find the buried city,
+and get the idol of gold, it would be a big
+feather in his cap.</p>
+
+<p>"He'd have no end of honors heaped on him,
+and I suppose his hat wouldn't come within
+three sizes of fitting him. Then he'd stand in
+better than ever with Mr. Nestor. And, maybe,
+with Mary, too, though I think she is loyal
+to Tom. But one never can tell.</p>
+
+<p>"However, I'm glad I know about it. I'll
+do all I can to help Tom, without letting him
+know that I know. And if I can do anything
+to help in finding that idol of gold for Professor
+Bumper, and, incidentally, Tom, I'll do it," and
+he spoke aloud in his enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>Ned, who was walking along in the darkness,
+clapped his open hand down on Tom's magazine
+he was carrying home to read again, and
+the resultant noise was a sharp crack. As it
+sounded a figure jumped from behind a tree
+and called tensely:</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on there!"</p>
+
+<p>Ned stopped short, thinking he was to be
+the victim of a holdup, but his fears were
+allayed when he beheld one of the police force of
+Shopton confronting him.</p>
+
+<p>"I heard what you said about gettin' the gold,"
+went on the officer. "I was walkin' along and I
+heard you talkin'. Where's your pal?"</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't any, Mr. Newbold," answered Ned
+with a laugh, as he recognized the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, pshaw! It's Ned Newton!" exclaimed
+the disappointed officer. "I thought you was
+talkin' to a confederate about gold, and figured
+maybe you was goin' to rob the bank."</p>
+
+<p>"No, nothing like that," answered Ned, still
+much amused. "I was talking to myself about
+a trip Tom Swift and I are going to take
+and——"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that's all right," responded the
+policeman. "I can understand it, if it had anything to
+do with Tom. He's a great boy."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed he is," agreed Ned, making a mental
+resolve not to be so public with his thoughts
+in the future. He chatted for a moment with
+the officer, and then, bidding him good-night,
+walked on to his home, his mind in a whirl with
+conglomerate visions of buried cities, great grinning
+idols of gold, and rival professors seeking
+to be first at the goal.</p>
+
+<p>The next few days were busy ones for Tom,
+Ned and, in fact, the whole Swift household.
+Tom and his father had several consultations and
+conducted several experiments in regard to the
+new stabilizer, the completion of which was so
+earnestly desired. Mr. Swift was sure he could
+carry the invention to a successful conclusion.</p>
+
+<p>Ned was engaged in putting the financial
+affairs of the Swift Company in shape, so they
+would practically run themselves during his absence.
+Then, too, there was the packing of their
+baggage which must be seen to.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, the main details of the trip were
+left to Professor Bumper, who knew just what
+to do. He had told Tom and Ned that all they
+and Mr. Damon would have to do would be to
+meet him at the pier in New York, where they
+would find all arrangements made.</p>
+
+<p>One day, near the end of the week (the beginning
+of the next being set for the start) Eradicate
+came shuffling into the room where Tom was
+sorting out the possessions he desired to take
+with him, Ned assisting him in the task.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Rad, what is it?" asked Tom, with
+businesslike energy.</p>
+
+<p>"I done heah, Massa Tom, dat yo' all's gwine
+off on a long trip once mo'. Am dat so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that's so, Rad."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, den, I'se come to ast yo' whut I'd bettah
+take wif me. Shall I took warm clothes or cool
+clothes?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you were going, Rad," answered Tom
+with a smile, "you'd need cool clothes, for we're
+going to a sort of jungle-land. But I'm sorry to
+say you're not going this trip."</p>
+
+<p>"I——I ain't gwine? Does yo' mean dat yo'
+all ain't gwine to take me, Massa Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's it, Rad. It isn't any trip for you."</p>
+
+<p>"In certain not!" broke in the voice of Koku,
+the giant, who entered with a big trunk Tom had
+sent him for. "Master want strong man like a
+bull. He take Koku!"</p>
+
+<p>"Look heah!" spluttered Eradicate, and his eyes
+flashed. "Yo'—yo' giant yo'—yo' may be strong
+laik a bull, but ya' ain't got as much sense as
+mah mule, Boomerang! Massa Tom don't want
+no sich pusson wif him. He's gwine to take me."</p>
+
+<p>"He take me!" cried Koku, and his voice was
+a roar while he beat on his mighty chest with his
+huge fists.</p>
+
+<p>Tom, seeing that the dispute was likely to be
+bothersome, winked at Ned and began to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe you'd like it there, Rad—not
+where we're going. It's a bad country. Why
+the mosquitoes there bite holes in you—raise
+bumps on you as big as eggs."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, good land!" ejaculated the old colored man.
+"Am dat so Massa Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"It sure is. Then there's another kind of bug
+that burrows under your fingernails, and if you
+don't get 'em out, your fingers drop off."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, good land, Massa Tom! Am dat a fact?"</p>
+
+<p>"It sure is. I don't want to see those things
+happen to you, Rad."</p>
+
+<p>Slowly the old colored man shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't mahse'f," he said. "I——I guess I
+won't go."</p>
+
+<p>Eradicate did not stop to ask how Tom and
+Ned proposed to combat these two species of
+insects.</p>
+
+<p>But there remained Koku to dispose of, and he
+stood smiling broadly as Eradicate shuffled of.</p>
+
+<p>"Me no 'fraid bugs," said the giant.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Tom, with a look at Ned, for he did
+not want to take the big man on the trip for
+various reasons. "No, maybe not, Koku. Your
+skin is pretty tough. But I understand there are
+deep pools of water in the land where we are
+going, and in them lives a fish that has a hide
+like an alligator and a jaw like a shark. If you
+fall in it's all up with you."</p>
+
+<p>"Dat true, Master Tom?" and Koku's voice
+trembled.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I've never seen such a fish, I'm sure,
+but the natives tell about it."</p>
+
+<p>Koku seemed to be considering the matter.
+Strange as it may seem, the giant, though afraid
+of nothing human and brave when it came to a
+hand-to-claw argument with a wild animal, had
+a very great fear of the water and the unseen
+life within it. Even a little fresh-water crab in
+a brook was enough to send him shrieking to
+shore. So when Tom told of this curious fish,
+which many natives of Central America firmly
+believe in, the giant took thought with himself.
+Finally, he gave a sigh and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Me stay home and keep bad mans out of
+master's shop."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I guess that's the best thing for you,"
+assented Tom with an air of relief. He and Ned
+had talked the matter over, and they had agreed
+that the presence of such a big man as Koku, in
+an expedition going on a more or less secret mission,
+would attract too much attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I guess that clears matters up," said
+Tom, as he looked over a collection of rifles and
+small arms, to decide which to take. "We won't
+have them to worry about."</p>
+
+<p>"No, only Professor Beecher," remarked Ned,
+with a sharp look at his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll dispose of him all right!" asserted
+Tom boldly. "He hasn't had any experience in
+business of this sort, and with that you and
+Professor Bumper and Mr. Damon know we
+ought to have little trouble in getting ahead of
+the young man."</p>
+
+<p>"Not to speak of your own aid," added Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'll do what I can, of course," said Tom,
+with an air of indifference. But Ned knew his
+chum would work ceaselessly to help get the idol
+of gold.</p>
+
+<p>Tom gave no sign that there was any complication
+in his affair with Mary Nestor, and of
+course Ned did not tell anything of what he knew
+about it.</p>
+
+<p>That night saw the preparations of Ned and
+Tom about completed. There were one or two
+matters yet to finish on Tom's part in relation
+to his business, but these offered no difficulties.</p>
+
+<p>The two chums were in the Swift home, talking
+over the prospective trip, when Mrs. Baggert,
+answering a ring at the front door, announced
+that Mr. Damon was outside.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell him to come in," ordered Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my baggage check!" exclaimed the
+excitable man, as he shook hands with Tom and
+Ned and noted the packing evidences all about.
+"You're ready to go to the land of wonders."</p>
+
+<p>"The land of wonders?" repeated Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that's what Professor Bumper calls the
+part of Honduras we're going to. And it must
+be wonderful, Tom. Think of whole cities,
+some of them containing idols and temples of
+gold, buried thirty and forty feet under the
+surface! Wonderful is hardly the name for it!"</p>
+
+<p>"It'll be great!" cried Ned. "I suppose you're
+ready, Mr. Damon—you and the professor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. But, Tom, I have a bit of unpleasant
+news for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Unpleasant news?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. You know Professor Bumper spoke of
+a rival—a man named Beecher who is a member
+of the faculty of a new and wealthy college."</p>
+
+<p>"I heard him speak of him—yes," and the way
+Tom said it no one would have suspected that
+he had any personal interest in the matter.</p>
+
+<p>"He isn't going to give his secret away,"
+thought Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this Professor Beecher, you know,"
+went on Mr. Damon, "also knows about the idol
+of gold, and is trying to get ahead of Professor
+Bumper in the search."</p>
+
+<p>"He did say something of it, but nothing was
+certain," remarked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"But it is certain!" exclaimed Mr. Damon.
+"Bless my toothpick, it's altogether too certain!"</p>
+
+<p>"How is that?" asked Tom. "Is Beecher
+certainly going to Honduras?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course. But what is worse, he and
+his party will leave New York on the same
+steamer with us!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chaptervii" id="chaptervii">CHAPTER VII</a></h2>
+
+<h3>TOM HEARS SOMETHING</h3>
+
+
+<p>On hearing Mr. Damon's rather startling
+announcement, Tom and Ned looked at one another.
+There seemed to be something back of
+the simple statement—an ominous and portending
+"something."</p>
+
+<p>"On the same steamer with us, is he?" mused Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"How did you learn this?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Just got a wire from Professor Bumper
+telling me. He asked me to telephone to you about
+it, as he was too busy to call up on the long
+distance from New York. But instead of 'phoning
+I decided to come over myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Glad you did," said Tom, heartily. "Did
+Professor Bumper want us to do anything
+special, now that it is certain his rival will be
+so close on his trail?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he asked me to warn you to be careful
+what you did and said in reference to the expedition."</p>
+
+<p>"Then does he fear something?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, in a way. I think he is very much afraid
+this young Beecher will not only be first on the
+site of the underground city, but that he may
+be the first to discover the idol of gold. It would
+be a great thing for a young archaeologist like
+Beecher to accomplish a mission of this sort,
+and beat Professor Bumper in the race."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think that's why Beecher decided to
+go on the same steamer we are to take?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do," said Mr. Damon. "Though from
+what Professor Bumper said I know he regards
+Professor Beecher as a perfectly honorable man,
+as well as a brilliant student. I do not believe
+Beecher or his party would stoop to anything
+dishonorable or underhand, though they would
+not hesitate, nor would we, to take advantage of
+every fair chance to win in the race."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I suppose that's right," observed Tom;
+but there was a queer gleam in his eye, and his
+chum wondered if Tom did not have in mind the
+prospective race between himself and Fenimore
+Beecher for the regard of Mary Nestor. "We'll
+do our best to win, and any one is at liberty to
+travel on the same steamer we are to take," added
+the young inventor, and his tone became more
+incisive.</p>
+
+<p>"It will be all the livelier with two expeditions
+after the same golden idol," remarked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think we're in for some excitement,"
+observed Tom grimly. But even he did not
+realize all that lay before them ere they would
+reach Kurzon.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Damon, having delivered his message, and
+remarking that his preparations for leaving were
+nearly completed, went back to Waterfield, from
+there to proceed to New York in a few days
+with Tom and Ned, to meet Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I guess we have everything in pretty
+good shape," remarked Tom to his chum a day
+or so after the visit of Mr. Damon. "Everything
+is packed, and as I have a few personal matters
+to attend to I think I'll take the afternoon off."</p>
+
+<p>"Go to it!" laughed Ned, guessing a thing of two.
+"I've got a raft of stuff myself to look after,
+but don't let that keep you."</p>
+
+<p>"If there is anything I can do," began Tom,
+"don't hesitate to——"</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed Ned. "I can do it all alone.
+It's some of the company's business, anyhow,
+and I'm paid for looking after that."</p>
+
+<p>"All right, then I'll cut along," Tom said, and
+he wore a relieved air.</p>
+
+<p>"He's going to see Mary," observed Ned with
+a grin, as he observed Tom hop into his trim
+little roadster, which under his orders, Koku had
+polished and cleaned until it looked as though
+it had just come from the factory.</p>
+
+<p>A little later the trim and speedy car drew up
+in front of the Nestor home, and Tom bounded
+up on the front porch, his heart not altogether
+as light as his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I'm sorry, but Mary isn't in," said Mrs.
+Nestor, answering his inquiry after greeting him.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at home?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, she went on a little visit to her cousin's at
+Fayetteville. She said something about letting
+you know she was going."</p>
+
+<p>"She did drop me a card," answered Tom, and,
+somehow he did not feel at all cheerful. "But
+I thought it wasn't until next week she was
+going."</p>
+
+<p>"That was her plan, Tom. But she changed
+it. Her cousin wired, asking her to advance
+the date, and this Mary did. There was something
+about a former school chum who was also
+to be at Myra's house—Myra is Mary's cousin
+you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know," assented the young inventor.
+"And so Mary is gone. How long is she going
+to stay?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, about two weeks. She wasn't quite
+certain. It depends on the kind of a time she has,
+I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I suppose so," agreed Tom. "Well, if
+you write before I do you might say I called,
+Mrs. Nestor."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, Tom. And I know Mary will be sorry
+she wasn't here to take a ride with you; it's
+such a nice day," and the lady smiled as she
+looked at the speedy roadster.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe—maybe you'd like to come for a spin?"
+asked Tom, half desperately.</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you. I'm too old to be jounced
+around in one of those small cars."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! She rides as easily as a Pullman
+sleeper."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I have to go to a Red Cross meeting,
+anyhow, so I can't come, Tom. Thank you,
+just the same."</p>
+
+<p>Tom did not drive back immediately to his
+home. He wanted to do a bit of thinking, and
+he believed he could do it best by himself. So
+it was late afternoon when he again greeted Ned,
+who, meanwhile, had been kept very busy.</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" called Tom's chum.</p>
+
+<p>"Um!" was the only answer, and Tom called
+Koku to put the car away in the garage.</p>
+
+<p>"Something wrong," mused Ned.</p>
+
+<p>The next three days were crowded with events
+and with work. Mr. Damon came over
+frequently to consult with Tom and Ned, and
+finally the last of their baggage had been packed,
+certain of Tom's inventions and implements sent
+on by express to New York to be taken to Honduras,
+and then our friends themselves followed
+to the metropolis.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-bye, Tom," said his father. "Good-bye,
+and good luck! If you don't get the idol
+of gold I'm sure you'll have experiences that
+will be valuable to you."</p>
+
+<p>"We're going to get the idol of gold!" said
+Tom determinedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out for the bad bugs," suggested Eradicate.</p>
+
+<p>"We will," promised Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Tom's last act was to send a message to Mary
+Nestor, and then he, with Ned and Mr. Damon,
+who blessed everything in sight from the gasoline
+in the automobile to the blue sky overhead,
+started for the station.</p>
+
+<p>New York was reached without incident. The
+trio put up at the hotel where Professor Bumper
+was to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>"He hasn't arrived yet," said Tom, after
+glancing over the names on the hotel register and
+not seeing Professor Bumper's among them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he'll be here all right," asserted Mr.
+Damon. "Bless my galvanic battery! he sent me
+a telegram at one o'clock this morning saying
+he'd be sure to meet us in New York. No fear
+of him not starting for the land of wonders."</p>
+
+<p>"There are some other professors registered,
+though," observed Ned, as he glanced at the
+book, noting the names of several scientists of
+whom he and Tom had read.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I wonder what they're doing in New
+York," replied Tom. "They are from New
+England. Maybe there's a convention going on.
+Well, we'll have to wait, that's all, until
+Professor Bumper comes."</p>
+
+<p>And during that wait Tom heard something
+that surprised him and caused him no little
+worry. It was when Ned came back to his
+room, which adjoined Tom's, that the young
+treasurer gave his chum the news.</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Tom!" Ned exclaimed. "Who do you
+think those professors are, whose names we saw
+on the register?"</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't the least idea."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, they're of Beecher's party!"</p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean it!"</p>
+
+<p>"I surely do."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"I happened to overhear two of them talking
+down in the lobby a while ago. They didn't
+make any secret of it. They spoke freely of going
+with Beecher to some ancient city in Honduras,
+to look for an idol of gold."</p>
+
+<p>"They did? But where is Beecher?"</p>
+
+<p>"He hasn't joined them yet. Their plans
+have been changed. Instead of leaving on the
+same steamer we are to take in the morning
+they are to come on a later one. The professors
+here are waiting for Beecher to come."</p>
+
+<p>"Why isn't he here now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I heard one of the other scientists say
+that he had gone to a place called Fayetteville,
+and will come on from there."</p>
+
+<p>"Fayetteville!" ejaculated Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. That isn't far from Shopton."</p>
+
+<p>"I know," assented Tom. "I wonder—I wonder
+why he is going there?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can tell you that, too."</p>
+
+<p>"You can? You're a regular detective."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I just happened to overhear it. Beecher
+is going to call on Mary Nestor in Fayetteville,
+so his friends here said he told them, and his call
+has to do with an important matter—to him!"
+and Ned gazed curiously at his chum.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterviii" id="chapterviii">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2>
+
+<h3>OFF FOR HONDURAS</h3>
+
+
+<p>Just what Tom's thoughts were, Ned, of
+course, could not guess. But by the flush that
+showed under the tan of his chum's cheeks the
+young financial secretary felt pretty certain that
+Tom was a bit apprehensive of the outcome of
+Professor Beecher's call on Mary Nestor.</p>
+
+<p>"So he is going to see her about `something
+important,' Ned?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what some members of his party called
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"And they're waiting here for him to join
+them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And it means waiting a week for
+another steamer. It must be something pretty
+important, don't you think, to cause Beecher to
+risk that delay in starting after the idol of gold?"</p>
+
+<p>"Important? Yes, I suppose so," assented
+Tom. "And yet even if he waits for the next
+steamer he will get to Honduras nearly as soon
+as we do."</p>
+
+<p>"How is that?"</p>
+
+<p>"The next boat is a faster one."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why don't we take that? I hate dawdling
+along on a slow freighter."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, for one thing it would hardly do to
+change now, when all our goods are on board.
+And besides, the captain of the Relstab, on which
+we are going to sail, is a friend of Professor
+Bumper's."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm just as glad Beecher and his party
+aren't going with us," resumed Ned, after a
+pause. "It might make trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm ready for any trouble HE might make!"
+quickly exclaimed Tom.</p>
+
+<p>He meant trouble that might be developed in
+going to Honduras, and starting the search
+for the lost city and the idol of gold. This kind
+of trouble Tom and his friends had experienced
+before, on other trips where rivals had sought
+to frustrate their ends.</p>
+
+<p>But, in his heart, though he said nothing to
+Ned about it, Tom was worried. Much as he
+disliked to admit it to himself, he feared the visit
+of Professor Beecher to Mary Nestor in Fayetteville
+had but one meaning.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if he's going to propose to her,"
+thought Tom. "He has the field all to himself
+now, and her father likes him. That's in his favor.
+I guess Mr. Nestor has never quite forgiven me
+for that mistake about the dynamite box, and
+that wasn't my fault. Then, too, the Beecher
+and Nestor families have been friends for years.
+Yes, he surely has the inside edge on me, and
+if he gets her to throw me over—— Well, I
+won't give up without a fight!" and Tom mentally
+girded himself for a battle of wits.</p>
+
+<p>"He's relying on the prestige he'll get out of
+this idol of gold if his party finds it," thought
+on the young inventor. "But I'll help find it
+first. I'm glad to have a little start of him, anyhow,
+even if it isn't more than two days. Though
+if our vessel is held back much by storms he may
+get on the ground first. However, that can't
+be helped. I'll do the best I can."</p>
+
+<p>These thoughts shot through Tom's mind
+even as Ned was asking his questions and making
+comments. Then the young inventor, shaking
+his shoulders as though to rid them of some
+weight, remarked:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, come on out and see the sights. It will
+be long before we look on Broadway again."</p>
+
+<p>When the chums returned from their sightseeing
+excursion, they found that Professor Bumper
+had arrived.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's Professor Bumper?" asked Ned, the next day.</p>
+
+<p>"In his room, going over books, papers and
+maps to make sure he has everything."</p>
+
+<p>"And Mr. Damon?"</p>
+
+<p>Tom did not have to answer that last question.
+Into the apartment came bursting the excited
+individual himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my overshoes!" he cried, "I've been
+looking everywhere for you! Come on, there's
+no time to lose!"</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter now?" asked Ned. "Is the
+hotel on fire?"</p>
+
+<p>"Has anything happened to Professor Bumper?"
+Tom demanded, a wild idea forming in his
+head that perhaps some one of the Beecher party
+had tried to kidnap the discoverer of the lost
+city of Pelone.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, everything is all right," answered Mr.
+Damon. "But it's nearly time for the show to
+start, and we don't want to be late. I have
+tickets."</p>
+
+<p>"For what?" asked Tom and Ned together.</p>
+
+<p>"The movies," was the laughing reply. "Bless
+my loose ribs! but I wouldn't miss him for anything.
+He's in a new play called `Up in a Balloon
+Boys.' It's great!" and Mr. Damon named
+a certain comic moving picture star in whose
+horse-play Mr. Damon took a curious interest.
+Tom and Ned were glad enough to go, Tom
+that he might have a chance to do a certain
+amount of thinking, and Ned because he was
+still boy enough to like moving pictures.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder, Tom," said Mr. Damon, as they
+came out of the theater two hours later, all three
+chuckling at the remembrance of what they had
+seen, "I wonder you never turned your inventive
+mind to the movies."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I will, some day," said Tom.</p>
+
+<p>He spoke rather uncertainly. The truth of
+the matter was that he was still thinking deeply
+of the visit of Professor Beecher to Mary Nestor,
+and wondering what it portended.</p>
+
+<p>But if Tom's sleep was troubled that night he
+said nothing of it to his friends. He was up
+early the next morning, for they were to leave
+that day, and there was still considerable to be
+done in seeing that their baggage and supplies
+were safely loaded, and in attending to the last
+details of some business matters.</p>
+
+<p>While at the hotel they had several glimpses
+of the members of the Beecher party who were
+awaiting the arrival of the young professor who
+was to lead them into the wilds of Honduras.
+But our friends did not seek the acquaintance
+of their rivals. The latter, likewise, remained
+by themselves, though they knew doubtless
+that there was likely to be a strenuous race for
+the possession of the idol of gold, then, it was
+presumed, buried deep in some forest-covered
+city.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper had made his arrangements
+carefully. As he explained to his friends, they
+would take the steamer from New York to Puerto
+Cortes, one of the principal seaports of
+Honduras. This is a town of about three thousand
+inhabitants, with an excellent harbor and a
+big pier along which vessels can tie up and
+discharge their cargoes directly into waiting cars.</p>
+
+<p>The preparations were finally completed.
+The party went aboard the steamer, which was
+a large freight vessel, carrying a limited number
+of passengers, and late one afternoon swung
+down New York Bay.</p>
+
+<p>"Off for Honduras!" cried Ned gaily, as they
+passed the Statue of Liberty. "I wonder what
+will happen before we see that little lady again."</p>
+
+<p>"Who knows?" asked Tom, shrugging his
+shoulders, Spanish fashion. And there came before
+him the vision of a certain "little lady," about
+whom he had been thinking deeply of late.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterix" id="chapterix">CHAPTER IX</a></h2>
+
+<h3>VAL JACINTO</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Rather tame, isn't it, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Ned, it isn't exactly like going up in
+an airship," and Tom Swift who was gazing
+over the rail down into the deep blue water of
+the Caribbean Sea, over which their vessel was
+then steaming, looked at his chum beside him.</p>
+
+<p>"No, and your submarine voyage had it all over
+this one for excitement," went on Ned. "When
+I think of that——"</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my sea legs!" interrupted Mr. Damon,
+overhearing the conversation. "Don't speak of
+THAT trip. My wife never forgave me for going
+on it. But I had a fine time," he added with a
+twinkle of his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that was quite a trip," observed Tom,
+as his mind went back to it. "But this one isn't
+over yet remember. And I shouldn't be surprised
+if we had a little excitement very soon."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Up to this time the voyage from New York
+down into the tropical seas had been anything
+but exciting. There were not many passengers
+besides themselves, and the weather had been
+fine.</p>
+
+<p>At first, used as they were to the actions of
+unscrupulous rivals in trying to thwart their
+efforts, Tom and Ned had been on the alert for
+any signs of hidden enemies on board the steamer.
+But aside from a little curiosity when it became
+known that they were going to explore
+little-known portions of Honduras, the other
+passengers took hardly any interest in our travelers.</p>
+
+<p>It was thought best to keep secret the fact
+that they were going to search for a wonderful
+idol of gold. Not even the mule and ox-cart
+drivers, whom they would hire to take them into
+the wilds of the interior would be told of the real
+object of the search. It would be given out that
+they were looking for interesting ruins of ancient
+cities, with a view to getting such antiquities
+as might be there.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" asked Ned again, when
+Tom did not answer him immediately. "What's
+the excitement?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think we're in for a storm," was the reply.
+"The barometer is falling and I see the crew
+going about making everything snug. So we
+may have a little trouble toward this end of our
+trip."</p>
+
+<p>"Let it come!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "We're
+not afraid of trouble, Tom. Swift, are we?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, to be sure we're not. And yet it looks
+as though the storm would be a bad one."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I am going to see if my books and
+papers are ready, so I can get them together in a
+hurry in case we have to take to the life-boats,"
+said Professor Bumper, coming on deck at that
+moment. "It won't do to lose them. If we
+didn't have the map we might not be able to find——"</p>
+
+<p>"Ahem!" exclaimed Tom, with unnecessary
+emphasis it seemed. "I'll help you go over your
+papers, Professor," he added, and with a wink
+and a motion of his hand, he enjoined silence on
+his friend. Ned looked around for a reason for
+this, and observed a man, evidently of Spanish
+extraction, passing them as he paced up and
+down the deck.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked the scientist in
+a whisper, as the man went on. "Do you know
+him? Is he a——?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know anything about him," said Tom;
+"but it is best not to speak of our trip before
+strangers."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, Tom," said Professor Bumper.
+"I'll be more careful."</p>
+
+<p>A storm was brewing, that was certain. A
+dull, sickly yellow began to obscure the sky, and
+the water, from a beautiful blue, turned a slate
+color and ran along the sides of the vessel with a
+hissing sound as though the sullen waves would
+ask nothing better than to suck the craft down
+into their depths. The wind, which had been
+freshening, now sang in louder tones as it
+hummed through the rigging and the funnel stays
+and bowled over the receiving conductors of the
+wireless.</p>
+
+<p>Sharp commands from the ship's officers
+hastened the work of the crew in making things
+snug, and life lines were strung along deck for
+the safety of such of the passengers as might
+venture up when the blow began.</p>
+
+<p>The storm was not long in coming. The
+howling of the wind grew louder, flecks of foam
+began to separate themselves from the crests of
+the waves, and the vessel pitched, rolled and
+tossed more violently. At first Tom and his
+friends thought they were in for no more than
+an ordinary blow, but as the storm progressed,
+and the passengers became aware of the anxiety
+on the part of the officers and crew, the alarm
+spread among them.</p>
+
+<p>It really was a violent storm, approaching a
+hurricane in force, and at one time it seemed as
+though the craft, having been heeled far over
+under a staggering wave that swept her decks,
+would not come back to an even keel.</p>
+
+<p>There was a panic among some of the
+passengers, and a few excited men behaved in a
+way that caused prompt action on the part of
+the first officer, who drove them back to the
+main cabin under threat of a revolver. For the
+men were determined to get to the lifeboats, and
+a small craft would not have had a minute to live
+in such seas as were running.</p>
+
+<p>But the vessel proved herself sturdier than the
+timid ones had dared to hope, and she was soon
+running before the blast, going out of her course,
+it is true, but avoiding the danger among the
+many cays, or small islands, that dot the Caribbean
+Sea.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing to do but to let the storm
+blow itself out, which it did in two days. Then
+came a period of delightful weather. The cargo
+had shifted somewhat, which gave the steamer
+a rather undignified list.</p>
+
+<p>This, as well as the loss of a deckhand
+overboard, was the effect of the hurricane, and
+though the end of the trip came amid sunshine
+and sweet-scented tropical breezes, many could
+not forget the dangers through which they had
+passed.</p>
+
+<p>In due time Tom and his party found
+themselves safely housed in the small hotel at Puerto
+Cortes, their belongings stored in a convenient
+warehouse and themselves, rather weary by reason
+of the stress of weather, ready for the start
+into the interior wilds of Honduras.</p>
+
+<p>"How are we going to make the trip?" asked
+Ned, as they sat at supper, the first night after
+their arrival, eating of several dishes, the red-pepper
+condiments of which caused frequent trips
+to the water pitcher.</p>
+
+<p>"We can go in two ways, and perhaps we shall
+find it to our advantage to use both means," said
+Professor Bumper. "To get to this city of Kurzon,"
+he proceeded in a low voice, so that none
+of the others in the dining-room would hear
+them, "we will have to go either by mule back
+or boat to a point near Copan. As near as I
+can tell by the ancient maps, Kurzon is in the
+Copan valley.</p>
+
+<p>"Now the Chamelecon river seems to run to
+within a short distance of there, but there is
+no telling how far up it may be navigable. If
+we can go by boat it will be much more comfortable.
+Travel by mules and ox-carts is slow and
+sure, but the roads are very bad, as I have heard
+from friends who have made explorations in
+Honduras.</p>
+
+<p>"And, as I said, we may have to use both land
+and water travel to get us where we want to go.
+We can proceed as far as possible up the river,
+and then take to the mules."</p>
+
+<p>"What about arranging for boats and animals?"
+asked Tom. "I should think——"</p>
+
+<p>He suddenly ceased talking and reached for
+the water, taking several large swallows.</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" he exclaimed, when he could catch his breath.
+"That was a hot one."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you do?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Bit into a nest of red pepper. Guess I'll have
+to tell that cook to scatter his hits. He's bunching
+'em too much in my direction," and Tom
+wiped the tears from his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"To answer your question," said Professor
+Bumper, "I will say that I have made partial
+arrangements for men and animals, and boats
+if it is found feasible to use them. I've been in
+correspondence with one of the merchants here,
+and he promised to make arrangements for us."</p>
+
+<p>"When do we leave?" asked Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as possible. I am not going to risk
+anything by delay," and it was evident the professor
+referred to his young rival whose arrival
+might be expected almost any time.</p>
+
+<p>As the party was about to leave the table,
+they were approached by a tall, dignified Spaniard
+who bowed low, rather exaggeratedly low,
+Ned thought, and addressed them in fairly good
+English.</p>
+
+<p>"Your pardons, Senors," he began, "but if it
+will please you to avail yourself of the humble
+services of myself, I shall have great pleasure
+in guiding you into the interior. I have at my
+command both mules and boats."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know we are going into the
+interior?" asked Tom, a bit sharply, for he did
+not like the assurance of the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon, Senor. I saw that you are from the
+States. And those from the States do not come
+to Honduras except for two reasons. To travel
+and make explorations or to start trade, and
+professors do not usually engage in trade," and
+he bowed to Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw your name on the register," he proceeded,
+"and it was not difficult to guess your mission,"
+and he flashed a smile on the party, his
+white teeth showing brilliantly beneath his
+small, black moustache.</p>
+
+<p>"I make it my business to outfit traveling
+parties, either for business, pleasure or scientific
+matters. I am, at your service, Val Jacinto,"
+and he introduced himself with another low bow.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Tom and his friends hardly
+knew how to accept this offer. It might be,
+as the man had said, that he was a professional
+tour conductor, like those who have charge of
+Egyptian donkey-boys and guides. Or might he
+not be a spy?</p>
+
+<p>This occurred to Tom no less than to Professor
+Bumper. They looked at one another while
+Val Jacinto bowed again and murmured:</p>
+
+<p>"At your service!"</p>
+
+<p>"Can you provide means for taking us to the
+Copan valley?" asked the professor. "You are
+right in one respect. I am a scientist and I purpose
+doing some exploring near Copan. Can
+you get us there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Most expensively—I mean, most expeditionlessly,"
+said Val Jacinto eagerly. "Pardon my
+unhappy English. I forget at times. The
+charges will be most moderate. I can send you
+by boat as far as the river travel is good, and
+then have mules and ox-carts in waiting."</p>
+
+<p>"How far is it?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"A hundred miles as the vulture flies, Senor,
+but much farther by river and road. We shall
+be a week going."</p>
+
+<p>"A hundred miles in a week!" groaned Ned.
+"Say, Tom, if you had your aeroplane we'd be
+there in an hour."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but we haven't it. However, we're in
+no great rush."</p>
+
+<p>"But we must not lose time," said Professor
+Bumper. "I shall consider your offer," he added
+to Val Jacinto.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good, Senor. I am sure you will be
+pleased with the humble service I may offer you,
+and my charges will be small. Adios," and he
+bowed himself away.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of him?" asked Ned, as
+they went up to their rooms in the hotel, or
+rather one large room, containing several beds.</p>
+
+<p>"He's a pretty slick article," said Mr. Damon.
+"Bless my check-book! but he spotted us at
+once, in spite of our secrecy."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess these guide purveyors are trained
+for that sort of thing," observed the scientist.
+"I know my friends have often spoken of having
+had the same experience. However, I shall
+ask my friend, who is in business here, about
+this Val Jacinto, and if I find him all right we
+may engage him "</p>
+
+<p>Inquiries next morning brought the information,
+from the head of a rubber exporting firm
+with whom the professor was acquainted, that
+the Spaniard was regularly engaged in transporting
+parties into the interior, and was considered
+efficient, careful and as honest as possible,
+considering the men he engaged as workers.</p>
+
+<p>"So we have decided to engage you," Professor
+Bumper informed Val Jacinto the afternoon
+following the meeting.</p>
+
+<p>"I am more than pleased, Senor. I shall take
+you into the wilds of Honduras. At your
+service!" and he bowed low.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph! I don't just like the way our friend
+Val says that," observed Tom to Ned a little
+later. "I'd have been better pleased if he had
+said he'd guide us into the wilds and out again."</p>
+
+<p>If Tom could have seen the crafty smile on
+the face of the Spaniard as the man left the
+hotel, the young inventor might have felt even
+less confidence in the guide.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterx" id="chapterx">CHAPTER X</a></h2>
+
+<h3>IN THE WILDS</h3>
+
+
+<p>"All aboard! Step lively now! This boat
+makes no stops this side of Boston!" cried Ned
+Newton gaily, as he got into one of the several
+tree canoes provided for the transportation of
+the party up the Chamelecon river, for the first
+stage of their journey into the wilds of
+Honduras. "All aboard! This reminds me of my
+old camping days, Tom."</p>
+
+<p>It brought those days back, in a measure, to
+Tom also. For there were a number of canoes
+filled with the goods of the party, while the
+members themselves occupied a larger one with their
+personal baggage. Strong, half-naked Indian
+paddlers were in charge of the canoes which
+were of sturdy construction and light draft, since
+the river, like most tropical streams, was of
+uncertain depths, choked here and there with sand
+bars or tropical growths.</p>
+
+<p>Finding that Val Jacinto was regularly engaged
+in the business of taking explorers and
+mine prospectors into the interior, Professor
+Bumper had engaged the man. He seemed to be
+efficient. At the promised time he had the
+canoes and paddlers on hand and the goods safely
+stowed away while one big craft was fitted up
+as comfortably as possible for the men of the
+party.</p>
+
+<p>As Ned remarked, it did look like a camping
+party, for in the canoes were tents, cooking
+utensils and, most important, mosquito canopies
+of heavy netting.</p>
+
+<p>The insect pests of Honduras, as in all tropical
+countries, are annoying and dangerous. Therefore
+it was imperative to sleep under mosquito
+netting.</p>
+
+<p>On the advice of Val Jacinto, who was to
+accompany them, the travelers were to go up the
+river about fifty miles. This was as far as it
+would be convenient to use the canoes, the guide
+told Tom and his friends, and from there on
+the trip to the Copan valley would be made on
+the backs of mules, which would carry most of
+the baggage and equipment. The heavier portions
+would be transported in ox-carts.</p>
+
+<p>As Professor Bumper expected to do considerable
+excavating in order to locate the buried
+city, or cities, as the case might be, he had to
+contract for a number of Indian diggers and
+laborers. These could be hired in Copan, it was
+said.</p>
+
+<p>The plan, therefore, was to travel by canoes
+during the less heated parts of the day, and tie
+up at night, making camp on shore in the net-protected
+tents. As for the Indians, they did
+not seem to mind the bites of the insects. They
+sometimes made a smudge fire, Val Jacinto had
+said, but that was all.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we haven't seen anything of Beecher
+and his friends," remarked the young inventor
+as they were about to start.</p>
+
+<p>"No, he doesn't seem to have arrived," agreed
+Professor Bumper. "We'll get ahead of him,
+and so much the better.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, are we all ready to start?" he continued,
+as he looked over the little flotilla which carried
+his party and his goods.</p>
+
+<p>"The sooner the better!" cried Tom, and Ned
+fancied his chum was unusually eager.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he wants to make good before Beecher
+gets the chance to show Mary Nestor what
+he can do," thought Ned. "Tom sure is after
+that idol of gold."</p>
+
+<p>"You may start, Senor Jacinto," said the
+professor, and the guide called something in Indian
+dialect to the rowers. Lines were cast off and
+the boats moved out into the stream under the
+influence of the sturdy paddlers.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this isn't so bad," observed Ned, as he
+made himself comfortable in his canoe. "How
+about it, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no. But this is only the beginning."</p>
+
+<p>A canopy had been arranged over their boat
+to keep off the scorching rays of the sun. The
+boat containing the exploring party and Val
+Jacinto took the lead, the baggage craft following.
+At the place where it flowed into the bay
+on which Puerto Cortes was built, the stream
+was wide and deep.</p>
+
+<p>The guide called something to the Indians,
+who increased their stroke.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell them to pull hard and that at the end
+of the day's journey they will have much rest
+and refreshment," he translated to Professor
+Bumper and the others.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my ham sandwich, but they'll need
+plenty of some sort of refreshment," said Mr.
+Damon, with a sigh. "I never knew it to be
+so hot."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't complain yet," advised Tom, with a
+laugh. "The worst is yet to come."</p>
+
+<p>It really was not unpleasant traveling, aside
+from the heat. And they had expected that,
+coming as they had to a tropical land. But, as
+Tom said, what lay before them might be worse.</p>
+
+<p>In a little while they had left behind them all
+signs of civilization. The river narrowed and
+flowed sluggishly between the banks which were
+luxuriant with tropical growth. Now and then
+some lonely Indian hut could be seen, and
+occasionally a craft propelled by a man who was
+trying to gain a meager living from the rubber
+forest which hemmed in the stream on either
+side.</p>
+
+<p>As the canoe containing the men was paddled
+along, there floated down beside it what seemed
+to be a big, rough log.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if that is mahogany," remarked Mr.
+Damon, reaching over to touch it. "Mahogany
+is one of the most valuable woods of Honduras,
+and if this is a log of that nature——"</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my watch chain!" he suddenly cried. It's alive!"</p>
+
+<p>And the "log" was indeed so, for there was a
+sudden flash of white teeth, a long red opening
+showed, and then came a click as an immense
+alligator, having opened and closed his mouth,
+sank out of sight in a swirl of water.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Damon drew back so suddenly that he
+tilted the canoe, and the black paddlers looked
+around wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Alligator," explained Jacinto succinctly, in
+their tongue.</p>
+
+<p>"Ugh!" they grunted.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my—bless my——" hesitated Mr.
+Damon, and for one of the very few times in
+his life his language failed him.</p>
+
+<p>"Are there many of them hereabouts?" asked
+Ned, looking back at the swirl left by the saurian.</p>
+
+<p>"Plenty," said the guide, with a shrug of his
+shoulders. He seemed to do as much talking that
+way, and with his hands, as he did in speech.
+"The river is full of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Dangerous?" queried Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't go in swimming," was the significant
+advice. "Wait, I'll show you," and he called
+up the canoe just behind.</p>
+
+<p>In this canoe was a quantity of provisions.
+There was a chunk of meat among other things,
+a gristly piece, seeing which Mr. Damon had
+objected to its being brought along, but the guide
+had said it would do for fish bait. With a quick
+motion of his hand, as he sat in the awning-covered
+stern with Tom, Ned and the others,
+Jacinto sent the chunk of meat out into the muddy
+stream.</p>
+
+<p>Hardly a second later there was a rushing in
+the water as though a submarine were about
+to come up. An ugly snout was raised, two
+rows of keen teeth snapped shut as a scissors-like
+jaw opened, and the meat was gone.</p>
+
+<p>"See!" was the guide's remark, and something
+like a cold shiver of fear passed over the white
+members of the party. "This water is not made
+in which to swim. Be careful!"</p>
+
+<p>"We certainly shall," agreed Tom. "They're fierce."</p>
+
+<p>"And always hungry," observed Jacinto grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"And to think that I—that I nearly had my
+hand on it," murmured Mr. Damon. "Ugh!
+Bless my eyeglasses!"</p>
+
+<p>"The alligator nearly had your hand," said the
+guide. "They can turn in the water like a flash,
+wherefore it is not wise to pat one on the tail
+lest it present its mouth instead."</p>
+
+<p>They paddled on up the river, the dusky Indians
+now and then breaking out into a chant
+that seemed to give their muscles new energy.
+The song, if song it was, passed from one boat
+to the other, and as the chant boomed forth
+the craft shot ahead more swiftly.</p>
+
+<p>They made a landing about noon, and lunch
+was served. Tom and his friends were hungry
+in spite of the heat. Moreover, they were
+experienced travelers and had learned not to fret
+over inconveniences and discomforts. the Indians
+ate by themselves, two acting as servants
+to Jacinto and the professor's party.</p>
+
+<p>As is usual in traveling in the tropics, a halt
+was made during the heated middle of the day.
+Then, as the afternoon shadows were waning,
+the party again took to the canoes and paddled
+on up the river.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know of a good place to stop during
+the night?" asked Professor Bumper of Jacinto.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes; a most excellent place. It is where
+I always bring scientific parties I am guiding.
+You may rely on me."</p>
+
+<p>It was within an hour of dusk—none too much
+time to allow in which to pitch camp in the
+tropics, where night follows day suddenly—when
+a halt was called, as a turn of the river showed a
+little clearing on the edge of the forest-bound
+river.</p>
+
+<p>"We stay here for the night," said Jacinto.
+"It is a good place."</p>
+
+<p>"It looks picturesque enough," observed Mr.
+Damon. "But it is rather wild."</p>
+
+<p>"We are a good distance from a settlement,"
+agreed the guide. "But one can not explore—
+and find treasure in cities," and he shrugged
+his shoulders again.</p>
+
+<p>"Find treasure? What do you mean?" asked Tom quickly.
+"Do you think that we——?"</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon, Senor," replied Jacinto softly. "I meant
+no offense. I think that all you scientific
+parties will take treasure if you can find it."</p>
+
+<p>"We are looking for traces of the old Honduras
+civilization," put in Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"And doubtless you will find it," was the
+somewhat too courteous answer of the guide.
+"Make camp quickly!" he called to the Indians
+in their tongue. "You must soon get under the
+nets or you will be eaten alive!" he told Tom.
+"There are many mosquitoes here."</p>
+
+<p>The tents were set up, smudge fires built and
+supper quickly prepared. Dusk fell rapidly, and
+as Tom and Ned walked a little way down
+toward the river before turning in under the
+mosquito canopies, the young financial man said:</p>
+
+<p>"Sort of lonesome and gloomy, isn't it, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. But you didn't expect to find a moving
+picture show in the wilds of Honduras, did you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, and yet— Look out! What's that?"
+suddenly cried Ned, as a great soft, black shadow
+seemed to sweep out of a clump of trees toward
+him. Involuntarily he clutched Tom's arm and
+pointed, his face showing fear in the fast-gathering
+darkness.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxi" id="chapterxi">CHAPTER XI</a></h2>
+
+<h3>THE VAMPIRES</h3>
+
+
+<p>Tom Swift looked deliberately around. It
+was characteristic of him that, though by nature
+he was prompt in action, he never acted so hurriedly
+as to obscure his judgment. So, though
+now Ned showed a trace of strange excitement,
+Tom was cool.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked the young inventor.
+"What's the matter? What did you think you saw,
+Ned; another alligator?"</p>
+
+<p>"Alligator? Nonsense! Up on shore? I saw
+a black shadow, and I didn't THINK I saw it,
+either. I really did."</p>
+
+<p>Tom laughed quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"A shadow!" he exclaimed. "Since when
+were you afraid of shadows, Ned?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not afraid of ordinary shadows," answered
+Ned, and in his voice there was an uncertain
+tone. "I'm not afraid of my shadow or
+yours, Tom, or anybody's that I can see. But
+this wasn't any human shadow. It was as if a
+great big blob of wet darkness had been waved
+over your head."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a queer explanation," Tom said in a
+low voice. "A great big blob of wet darkness!"</p>
+
+<p>"But that just describes it," went on Ned,
+looking up and around. "It was just as if you were in
+some dark room, and some one waved a wet
+velvet cloak over your head—spooky like! It
+didn't make a sound, but there was a smell as
+if a den of some wild beast was near here. I
+remember that odor from the time we went
+hunting with your electric rifle in the jungle, and
+got near the den in the rocks where the tigers
+lived."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there is a wild beast smell all around
+here," admitted Tom, sniffing the air. "It's the
+alligators in the river I guess. You know they
+have an odor of musk."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say you didn't feel that
+shadow flying over us just now?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I felt something sail through the air,
+but I took it to be a big bird. I didn't pay much
+attention. To tell you the truth I was thinking
+about Beecher—wondering when he would get
+here," added Tom quickly as if to forestall any
+question as to whether or not his thoughts had
+to do with Beecher in connection with Tom's
+affair of the heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Well it wasn't a bird—at least not a regular
+bird," said Ned in a low voice, as once more he
+looked at the dark and gloomy jungle that
+stretched back from the river and behind the
+little clearing where the camp had been made.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" cried Tom, in what he tried to
+make a cheerful voice. "This is getting on your
+nerves, Ned, and I didn't know you had any.
+Let's go back and turn in. I'm dog-tired and
+the mosquitoes are beginning to find that we're
+here. Let's get under the nets. Then the black
+shadows won't get you."</p>
+
+<p>Not at all unwilling to leave so gloomy a scene,
+Ned, after a brief glance up and down the dark
+river, followed his chum. They found Professor
+Bumper and Mr. Damon in their tent, a separate
+one having been set up for the two men adjoining
+that of the youths.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my fountain pen!" exclaimed Mr. Damon,
+as he caught sight of Tom and Ned in the
+flickering light of the smudge fire between the
+two canvas shelters. "We were just wondering
+what had become of you."</p>
+
+<p>"We were chasing shadows!" laughed Tom.
+"At least Ned was. But you look cozy enough in there."</p>
+
+<p>It did, indeed, look cheerful in contrast to the
+damp and dark jungle all about. Professor Bumper,
+being an experienced traveler, knew how to
+provide for such comforts as were possible. Folding
+cots had been opened for himself, Mr. Damon
+and the guide to sleep on, others, similar, being
+set up in the tent where Tom and Ned were to
+sleep. In the middle of the tent the professor
+had made a table of his own and Mr.
+Damon's suit cases, and on this placed a small
+dry battery electric light. He was making some
+notes, doubtless for a future book. Jacinto was
+going about the camp, seeing that the Indians
+were at their duties, though most of them had
+gone directly to sleep after supper.</p>
+
+<p>"Better get inside and under the nets," advised
+Professor Bumper to Tom and Ned. "The mosquitoes
+here are the worst I ever saw."</p>
+
+<p>"We're beginning to believe that," returned
+Ned, who was unusually quiet. "Come on,
+Tom. I can't stand it any longer. I'm itching
+in a dozen places now from their bites."</p>
+
+<p>As Tom and Ned had no wish for a light,
+which would be sure to attract insects, they
+entered their tent in the dark, and were soon
+stretched out in comparative comfort. Tom was
+just on the edge of a deep sleep when he heard
+Ned murmur:</p>
+
+<p>"I can't understand it!"</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" asked the young inventor.</p>
+
+<p>"I say I can't understand it."</p>
+
+<p>"Understand what?"</p>
+
+<p>"That shadow. It was real and yet——"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, go to sleep!" advised Tom, and, turning
+over, he was soon breathing heavily and regularly,
+indicating that he, at least, had taken his own advice.</p>
+
+<p>Ned, too, finally succumbed to the overpowering
+weariness of the first day of travel, and he,
+too, slept, though it was an uneasy slumber,
+disturbed by a feeling as though some one were
+holding a heavy black quilt over his head,
+preventing him from breathing.</p>
+
+<p>The feeling, sensation or dream—whatever it
+was—perhaps a nightmare—became at last so
+real to Ned that he struggled himself into
+wakefulness. With an effort he sat up, uttering an
+inarticulate cry. To his surprise he was
+answered. Some one asked:</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Who—who are you?" asked Ned quickly,
+trying to peer through the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"This is Jacinto—your guide," was the soft
+answer. "I was walking about camp and, hearing
+you murmuring, I came to your tent. Is
+anything wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment Ned did not answer. He
+listened and could tell by the continued heavy
+and regular breathing of his chum that Tom
+was still asleep.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you in our tent?" asked Ned, at length:</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Jacinto. "I came in to see
+what was the matter with you. Are you ill?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, of course not," said Ned, a bit shortly.
+"I—I had a bad dream, that was all. All
+right now."</p>
+
+<p>"For that I am glad. Try to get all the sleep
+you can, for we must start early to avoid the
+heat of the day," and there was the sound of
+the guide leaving and arranging the folds of the
+mosquito net behind him to keep out the night-flying
+insects.</p>
+
+<p>Once more Ned composed himself to sleep, and
+this time successfully, for he did not have any
+more unpleasant dreams. The quiet of the
+jungle settled down over the camp, at least the
+comparative quiet of the jungle, for there were
+always noises of some sort going on, from the
+fall of some rotten tree limb to the scream or
+growl of a wild beast, while, now and again, from
+the river came the pig-like grunts of the alligators.</p>
+
+<p>It was about two o'clock in the morning, as
+they ascertained later, when the whole camp—
+white travelers and all—was suddenly awakened
+by a wild scream. It seemed to come from one
+of the natives, who called out a certain word
+ever and over again. To Tom and Ned it
+sounded like:</p>
+
+<p>"Oshtoo! Oshtoo! Oshtoo!"</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" cried Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"The vampires!" came the answering voice of
+Jacinto. "One of the Indians has been attacked
+by a big vampire bat! Look out, every one!
+It may be a raid by the dangerous creatures!
+Be careful!"</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding this warning Ned stuck his
+head out of the tent. The same instant he was
+aware of a dark enfolding shadow passing over
+him, and, with a shudder of fear, he jumped back.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxii" id="chapterxii">CHAPTER XII</a></h2>
+
+<h3>A FALSE FRIEND</h3>
+
+
+<p>"What is it? What's the matter?" cried Tom
+springing from his cot and hastening to the side
+of his chum in the tent. "What has happened, Ned?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, but Jacinto is yelling
+something about vampires!"</p>
+
+<p>"Vampires?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Big bats. And he's warning us to be
+careful. I stuck my head out just now and I
+felt that same sort of shadow I felt this evening
+when we were down near the river."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense!"</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you I did!"</p>
+
+<p>At that instant Tom flashed a pocket electric
+lamp he had taken from beneath his pillow and
+in the gleam of it he and Ned saw fluttering
+about the tent some dark, shadow-like form, at
+the sight of which Tom's chum cried:</p>
+
+<p>"There it is! That's the shadow! Look out!"
+and he held up his hands instinctively to shield
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Shadow!" yelled Tom, unconsciously adding
+to the din that seemed to pervade every part of
+the camp. "That isn't a shadow. It's
+substance. It's a monster bat, and here goes
+for a strike at it!"</p>
+
+<p>He caught up his camera tripod which was near
+his cot, and made a swing with it at the creature
+that had flown into the tent through an opening
+it had made for itself.</p>
+
+<p>"Look out!" yelled Ned. "If it's a vampire it'll——"</p>
+
+<p>"It won't do anything to me!" shouted Tom,
+as he struck the creature, knocking it into the
+corner of the tent with a thud that told it must
+be completely stunned, if not killed. "But
+what's it all about, anyhow?" Tom asked.
+"What's the row?"</p>
+
+<p>From without the tent came the Indian cries of:</p>
+
+<p>"Oshtoo! Oshtoo!"</p>
+
+<p>Mingled with them were calls of Jacinto, partly
+in Spanish, partly in the Indian tongue and
+partly in English.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a raid by vampire bats!" was all Tom
+and Ned could distinguish. "We shall have
+to light fires to keep them away, if we can succeed.
+Every one grab up a club and strike hard!"</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" cried Tom, getting on some clothes
+by the light of his gleaming electric light
+which he had set on his cot.</p>
+
+<p>"You're not going out there, are you?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly am! If there's a fight I want to
+be in it, bats or anything else. Here, you have
+a light like mine. Flash it on, and hang it
+somewhere on yourself. Then get a club and
+come on. The lights will blind the bats, and
+we can see to hit 'em!"</p>
+
+<p>Tom's plan seemed to be a good one. His
+lamp and Ned's had small hooks on them, so
+they could be carried in the upper coat pocket,
+showing a gleam of light and leaving the hands
+free for use.</p>
+
+<p>Out of the tents rushed the young men to find
+Professor Bumper and Mr. Damon before them.
+The two men had clubs and were striking about
+in the half darkness, for now the Indians had set
+several fires aglow. And in the gleams,
+constantly growing brighter as more fuel was piled
+on, the young inventor and his chum saw a
+weird sight.</p>
+
+<p>Circling and wheeling about in the camp clearing
+were many of the black shadowy forms that
+had caused Ned such alarm. Great bats they
+were, and a dangerous species, if Jacinto was
+to be believed.</p>
+
+<p>The uncanny creatures flew in and out among
+the trees and tents, now swooping low near the
+Indians or the travelers. At such times clubs
+would be used, often with the effect of killing or
+stunning the flying pests. For a time it seemed
+as if the bats would fairly overwhelm the camp,
+so many of them were there. But the increasing
+lights, and the attacks made by the Indians and
+the white travelers turned the tide of battle, and,
+with silent flappings of their soft, velvety wings,
+the bats flew back to the jungle whence they had emerged.</p>
+
+<p>"We are safe—for the present!" exclaimed
+Jacinto with a sigh of relief.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think they will come back?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"They may—there is no telling."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my speedometer!" cried Mr. Damon,
+"If those beasts or birds—whatever they are—
+come back I'll go and hide in the river and take
+my chances with the alligators!"</p>
+
+<p>"The alligators aren't much worse," asserted
+Jacinto with a visible shiver. "These vampire
+bats sometimes depopulate a whole village."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my shoe laces!" cried Mr. Damon. "You
+don't mean to say that the creatures can eat up a
+whole village?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not quite. Though they might if they got
+the chance," was the answer of the Spanish
+guide. "These vampire bats fly from place to
+place in great swarms, and they are so large and
+blood-thirsty that a few of them can kill a horse
+or an ox in a short time by sucking its blood. So
+when the villagers find they are visited by a
+colony of these vampires they get out, taking
+their live stock with them, and stay in caves or in
+densely wooded places until the bats fly on.
+Then the villagers come back.</p>
+
+<p>"It was only a small colony that visited us to-night
+or we would have had more trouble. I do
+not think this lot will come back. We have
+killed too many of them," and he looked about
+on the ground where many of the uncanny creatures
+were still twitching in the death struggle.</p>
+
+<p>"Come back again!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless
+my skin! I hope not! I've had enough of bats—
+and mosquitoes," he added, as he slapped at his
+face and neck.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed the party of whites were set upon by
+the night insects to such an extent that it was
+necessary to hurry back to the protection of the
+nets.</p>
+
+<p>Tom and Ned kicked outside the bat the former
+had killed in their tent, and then both went back
+to their cots. But it was some little time
+before they fell asleep. And they did not have
+much time to rest, for an early start must be
+made to avoid the terrible heat of the middle of
+the day.</p>
+
+<p>"Whew!" whistled Ned, as he and Tom arose
+in the gray dawn of the morning when Jacinto
+announced the breakfast which the Indian cook
+had prepared. "That was some night! If this
+is a sample of the wilds of Honduras, give me
+the tameness of Shopton."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we've gone through with worse than
+this," laughed Tom. "It's all in the day's work.
+We've only got started. I guess we're a bit
+soft, Ned, though we had hard enough work in
+that tunnel-digging."</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast, while the Indians were making
+ready the canoes, Professor Bumper, who,
+in a previous visit to Central America, had
+become interested in the subject, made a brief
+examination of some of the dead bats. They were
+exceptionally large, some almost as big as hawks.
+and were of the sub-family Desmodidae, the scientist
+said.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a true blood-sucking bat," went on
+the professor. "This," and he pointed to the
+nose-leaves, "is the sucking apparatus. The
+bat makes an opening in the skin with its sharp
+teeth and proceeds to extract the blood. I can
+well believe two or three of them, attacking a
+steer or mule at once, could soon weaken it so
+the animal would die."</p>
+
+<p>"And a man, too?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Well a man has hands with which to use
+weapons, but a helpless quadruped has not.
+Though if a sufficient number of these bats
+attacked a man at the same time, he would have
+small chance to escape alive. Their bites, too,
+may be poisonous for all I know."</p>
+
+<p>The Indians seemed glad to leave the "place
+of the bats," as they called the camp site. Jacinto
+explained that the Indians believed a vampire
+could kill them while they slept, and they were
+very much afraid of the blood-sucking bats.
+There were many other species in the tropics,
+Professor Bumper explained, most of which
+lived on fruit or on insects they caught. The
+blood-sucking bats were comparatively few, and
+the migratory sort fewer still.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're on our way once more,"
+remarked Tom as again they were in the canoes
+being paddled up the river. "How much
+longer does your water trip take, Professor?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly know," and Professor Bumper looked
+to Jacinto to answer.</p>
+
+<p>"We go two more days in the canoes," the
+guide answered, "and then we shall find the
+mules waiting for us at a place called Hidjio.
+From then on we travel by land until—well until
+you get to the place where you are going.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you know where it is?" he added,
+nodding toward the professor. "I am leaving
+that part to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I have a map, showing where I want to
+begin some excavations," was the answer. "We
+must first go to Copan and see what arrangements
+we can make for laborers. After that—well, we
+shall trust to luck for what we shall find."</p>
+
+<p>"There are said to be many curious things,"
+went on Jacinto, speaking as though he had no
+interest. "You have mentioned buried cities.
+Have you thought what may be in them—great
+heathen temples, idols, perhaps?"</p>
+
+<p>For a moment none of the professor's
+companions spoke. It was as though Jacinto had
+tried to get some information. Finally the
+scientist said:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, we may find an idol. I understand
+the ancient people, who were here long before
+the Spaniards came, worshiped idols. But we
+shall take whatever antiquities we find."</p>
+
+<p>"Huh!" grunted Jacinto, and then he called
+to the paddlers to increase their strokes.</p>
+
+<p>The journey up the river was not very
+eventful. Many alligators were seen, and Tom and
+Ned shot several with the electric rifle. Toward
+the close of the third day's travel there was a
+cry from one of the rear boats, and an alarm of
+a man having fallen overboard was given.</p>
+
+<p>Tom turned in time to see the poor fellow's
+struggles, and at the same time there was a swirl
+in the water and a black object shot forward.</p>
+
+<p>"An alligator is after him!" yelled Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"I see," observed Tom calmly. "Hand me the rifle, Ned."</p>
+
+<p>Tom took quick aim and pulled the trigger.
+The explosive electric bullet went true to its
+mark, and the great animal turned over in a death
+struggle. But the river was filled with them, and
+no sooner had the one nearest the unfortunate
+Indian been disposed of than another made a
+dash for the man.</p>
+
+<p>There was a wild scream of agony and then
+a dark arm shot up above the red foam. The
+waters seethed and bubbled as the alligators
+fought under it for possession of the paddler.
+Tom fired bullet after bullet from his wonderful
+rifle into the spot, but though he killed some
+of the alligators this did not save the man's life.
+His body was not seen again, though search was
+made for it.</p>
+
+<p>The accident cast a little damper over the
+party, and there was a feeling of gloom among
+the Indians. Professor Bumper announced that
+he would see to it that the man's family did not
+want, and this seemed to give general satisfaction,
+especially to a brother who was with the
+party.</p>
+
+<p>Aside from being caught in a drenching storm
+and one or two minor accidents, nothing else
+of moment marked the remainder of the river
+journey, and at the end of the third day the
+canoes pulled to shore and a night camp was
+made.</p>
+
+<p>"But where are the mules we are to use in
+traveling to-morrow?" asked the professor of Jacinto.</p>
+
+<p>"In the next village. We shall march there
+in the morning. No use to go there at night
+when all is dark."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose that is so."</p>
+
+<p>The Indians made camp as usual, the goods being
+brought from the canoes and piled up near
+the tents. Then night settled down.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello!" cried Tom, awakening the next morning
+to find the sun streaming into his tent. "We
+must have overslept, Ned. We were to start
+before old Sol got in his heavy work, but we
+haven't had breakfast yet."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't hear any one call us," remarked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I. Wonder if we're the only lazy birds."
+He looked from the tent in time to see Mr.
+Damon and the professor emerging. Then Tom
+noticed something queer. The canoes were not
+on the river bank. There was not an Indian
+in sight, and no evidence of Jacinto.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked the young
+inventor. "Have the others gone on ahead?"</p>
+
+<p>"I rather think they've gone back," was the
+professor's dry comment.</p>
+
+<p>"Gone back?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. The Indians seem to have deserted us
+at the ending of this stage of our journey."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my time-table!" cried Mr. Damon.
+"You don't say so! What does it mean? What
+has becomes of our friend Jacinto?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm afraid he was rather a false friend," was
+the professor's answer. "This is the note he left.
+He has gone and taken the canoes and all the
+Indians with him," and he held out a paper on
+which was some scribbled writing.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxiii" id="chapterxiii">CHAPTER XIII</a></h2>
+
+<h3>FORWARD AGAIN</h3>
+
+
+<p>"What does it all mean?" asked Tom, seeing
+that the note was written in Spanish, a tongue
+which he could speak slightly but read indifferently.</p>
+
+<p>"This is some of Beecher's work," was
+Professor Bumper's grim comment. "It seems that
+Jacinto was in his pay."</p>
+
+<p>"In his pay!" cried Mr. Damon. "Do you mean
+that Beecher deliberately hired Jacinto to betray us?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, no. Not that exactly. Here, I'll translate
+this note for you," and the professor proceeded to read:</p>
+
+
+<blockquote><p>"Senors: I greatly regret the step I have to
+take, but I am a gentleman, and, having given
+my word, I must keep it. No harm shall come
+to you, I swear it on my honor!"</p></blockquote>
+
+
+<p>"Queer idea of honor he has!" commented Tom, grimly.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper read on:</p>
+
+
+<blockquote><p>"Know then, that before I engaged myself to
+you I had been engaged by Professor Beecher
+through a friend to guide him into the Copan
+valley, where he wants to make some explorations,
+for what I know not, save maybe that it
+is for gold. I agreed, in case any rival expeditions
+came to lead them astray if I could.</p>
+
+<p>"So, knowing from what you said that you
+were going to this place, I engaged myself to you,
+planning to do what I have done. I greatly regret
+it, as I have come to like you, but I had
+given my promise to Professor Beecher's friend,
+that I would first lead him to the Copan valley,
+and would keep others away until he had had a
+chance to do his exploration.</p>
+
+<p>"So I have led you to this wilderness. It is
+far from the Copan, but you are near an Indian
+village, and you will be able to get help in a week
+or so. In the meanwhile you will not starve, as
+you have plenty of supplies. If you will travel
+northeast you will come again to Puerto Cortes
+in due season. As for the money I had from
+you, I deposit it to your credit, Professor Beecher
+having made me an allowance for steering rival
+parties on the wrong trail. So I lose nothing,
+and I save my honor.</p>
+
+<p>"I write this note as I am leaving in the night
+with the Indians. I put some harmless sedative
+in your tea that you might sleep soundly, and not
+awaken until we were well on our way. Do not
+try to follow us, as the river will carry us swiftly
+away. And, let me add, there is no personal
+animosity on the part of Professor Beecher
+against you. I should have done to any rival
+expedition the same as I have done with you.</p>
+
+<div class="right">JACINTO."</div></blockquote>
+
+
+<p>For a moment there was silence, and then Tom
+Swift burst out with:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of all the mean, contemptible tricks
+of a human skunk this is the limit!"</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my hairbrush, but he is a scoundrel!"
+ejaculated Mr. Damon, with great warmth.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to start after him the biggest alligator
+in the river," was Ned's comment.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper said nothing for several
+seconds. There was a strange look on his face,
+and then he laughed shortly, as though the humor
+of the situation appealed to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Beecher has more gumption than I gave
+him credit for," he said. "It was a clever trick!"</p>
+
+<p>"Trick!" cried Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I can't exactly agree that it was the
+right thing to do, but he, or some friend acting
+for him, seems to have taken precautions that
+we are not to suffer or lose money. Beecher
+goes on the theory that all is fair in love and
+war, I suppose, and he may call this a sort of
+scientific war."</p>
+
+<p>Ned wondered, as he looked at his chum, how
+much love there was in it. Clearly Beecher was
+determined to get that idol of gold.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it can't be helped, and we must make
+the best of it," said Tom, after a pause.</p>
+
+<p>"True. But now, boys, let's have breakfast,
+and then we'll make what goods we can't take
+with us as snug as possible, until we can send
+the mule drivers after them," went on Professor
+Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"Send the mule drivers after them?" questioned Ned.
+"What do you mean to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do? Why keep on, of course. You don't
+suppose I'm going to let a little thing like this
+stand between me and the discovery of Kurzon
+and the idol of gold, do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"But," began Mr. Damon, "I don't see how—"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll find a way," interrupted Tom. "It
+isn't the first time I've been pretty well stranded
+on an expedition of this kind, and sometimes
+from the same cause—the actions of a rival.
+Now we'll turn the tables on the other fellows
+and see how they like it. The professor's right
+—let's have breakfast. Jacinto seems to have
+told the truth. Nothing of ours is missing."</p>
+
+<p>Tom and Ned got the meal, and then a
+consultation was held as to what was best to be
+done.</p>
+
+<p>"We can't go on any further by water, that's
+sure," said Tom. "In the first place the river
+is too shallow, and secondly we have no canoes.
+So the only thing is to go on foot through the
+jungle."</p>
+
+<p>"But how can we, and carry all this stuff?"
+asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"We needn't carry it!" cried Professor Bumper.
+"We'll leave it here, where it will be safe enough,
+and tramp on to the nearest Indian village.
+There we'll hire bearers to take our stuff on until
+we can get mules. I'm not going to turn back!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my
+rubber boots! but that's what I say—keep on!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no! we'll never turn back," agreed Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"But how can we manage it?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"We've just got to! And when you have
+to do a thing, it's a whole lot easier to do than
+if you just feel as though you ought to. So,
+lively is the word!" cried Tom, in answer.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll pack up what we can carry and leave
+the rest," added the scientist.</p>
+
+<p>Being an experienced traveler Professor Bumper
+had arranged his baggage so that it could
+be carried by porters if necessary. Everything
+could be put into small packages, including the
+tents and food supply.</p>
+
+<p>"There are four of us," remarked Tom, "and if
+we can not pack enough along with us to enable
+us to get to the nearest village, we had better
+go back to civilization. I'm not afraid to try."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I!" cried Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>The baggage, stores and supplies that were
+to be left behind were made as snug as possible,
+and so piled up that wild beasts could do the
+least harm. Then a pack was made up for each
+one to carry.</p>
+
+<p>They would take weapons, of course, Tom
+Swift's electric rifle being the one he choose for
+himself. They expected to be able to shoot
+game on their way, and this would provide them
+food in addition to the concentrated supply they
+carried. Small tents, in sections, were carried,
+there being two, one for Tom and Ned and one
+for Mr. Damon and the professor.</p>
+
+<p>As far as could be learned from a casual
+inspection, Jacinto and his deserting Indians had
+taken back with them only a small quantity of
+food. They were traveling light and down
+stream, and could reach the town much more
+quickly than they had come away from it.</p>
+
+<p>"That Beecher certainly was slick," commented
+Professor Bumper when they were ready to
+start. "He must have known about what time
+I would arrive, and he had Jacinto waiting for
+us. I thought it was too good to be true, to get
+an experienced guide like him so easily. But it
+was all planned, and I was so engrossed in thinking
+of the ancient treasures I hope to find that
+I never thought of a possible trick. Well, let's
+start!" and he led the way into the jungle, carrying
+his heavy pack as lightly as did Tom.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper had a general idea in which
+direction lay a number of native villages, and it
+was determined to head for them, blazing a path
+through the wilderness, so that the Indians could
+follow it back to the goods left behind.</p>
+
+<p>It was with rather heavy hearts that the party
+set off, but Tom's spirits could not long stay
+clouded, and the scientist was so good-natured
+about the affair and seemed so eager to do the
+utmost to render Beecher's trick void, that the
+others fell into a lighter mood, and went on
+more cheerfully, though the way was rough and
+the packs heavy.</p>
+
+<p>They stopped at noon under a bower they made
+of palms, and, spreading the nets over them, got a
+little rest after a lunch. Then, when the sun
+was less hot, they started off again.</p>
+
+<p>"Forward is the word!" cried Ned cheerfully. "Forward!"'</p>
+
+<p>They had not gone more than an hour on the
+second stage of their tramp when Tom, who
+was in the lead, following the direction laid out
+by the compass, suddenly stopped, and reached
+around for his electric rifle, which he was carrying
+at his back.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Ned in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, but it's some big animal there
+in the bushes," was Tom's low-voiced answer.
+"I'm ready for it."</p>
+
+<p>The rustling increased, and a form could be
+seen indistinctly. Tom aimed the deadly gun
+and stood ready to pull the trigger.</p>
+
+<p>Ned, tho had a side view into the underbrush,
+gave a sudden cry.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't shoot, Tom!" he yelled. "It's a man!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxiv" id="chapterxiv">CHAPTER XIV</a></h2>
+
+<h3>A NEW GUIDE</h3>
+
+
+<p>In spite of Ned Newton's cry, Tom's finger
+pressed the switch-trigger of the electric rifle,
+for previous experience had taught him that it
+was sometimes the best thing to awe the natives
+in out-of-the-way corners of the earth. But the
+young inventor quickly elevated the muzzle, and
+the deadly missile went hissing through the air
+over the head of a native Indian who, at that
+moment, stepped from the bush.</p>
+
+<p>The man, startled and alarmed, shrank back
+and was about to run into the jungle whence he
+had emerged. Small wonder if he had, considering
+the reception he so unwittingly met with.
+But Tom. aware of the necessity for making
+inquiries of one who knew that part of the jungle,
+quickly called to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on!" he shouted. "Wait a minute. I didn't
+mean that. I thought at first you were a
+tapir or a tiger. No harm intended. I say,
+Professor," Tom called back to the savant,
+"you'd better speak to him in his lingo, I can't
+manage it. He may be useful in guiding us to
+that Indian village Jacinto told us of."</p>
+
+<p>This Professor Bumper did, being able to make
+himself understood in the queer part-Spanish
+dialect used by the native Hondurians, though
+he could not, of course, speak it as fluently as
+had Jacinto.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper had made only a few remarks
+to the man who had so unexpectedly appeared
+out of the jungle when the scientist gave an
+exclamation of surprise at some of the answers made.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my moving picture!" cried Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter now? Is anything wrong?
+Does he refuse to help us?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, it isn't that," was the answer. "In fact
+he came here to help us. Tom, this is the brother
+of the Indian who fell overboard and who was eaten
+by the alligators. He says you were very kind
+to try to save his brother with your rifle,
+and for that reason he has come back to help us."</p>
+
+<p>"Come back?" queried Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he went off with the rest of the Indians
+when Jacinto deserted us, but he could not stand
+being a traitor, after you had tried to save his
+brother's life. These Indians are queer people.</p>
+
+<p>They don't show much emotion, but they have
+deep feelings. This one says he will devote
+himself to your service from now on. I believe
+we can count on him. He is deeply grateful to
+you, Tom."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad of that for all our sakes. But what
+does he say about Jacinto?"</p>
+
+<p>The professor asked some more questions,
+receiving answers, and then translated them.</p>
+
+<p>"This Indian, whose name is Tolpec, says
+Jacinto is a fraud," exclaimed Professor Bumper.
+"He made all the Indians leave us in the night,
+though many of them were willing to stay and
+fill the contract they had made. But Jacinto
+would not let them, making them desert. Tolpec
+went away with the others, but because of what
+Tom had done he planned to come back at the
+first chance and be our guide. Accordingly he
+jumped ashore from one of the canoes, and made
+his way to our camp. He got there, found it
+deserted and followed us, coming up just now."</p>
+
+<p>"Well I'm glad I didn't frighten him off with
+my gun," remarked Tom grimly. "So he agrees
+with us that Jacinto is a scoundrel, does he?
+I guess he might as well classify Professor
+Beecher in the same way."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not quite so sure of that," said Professor
+Bumper slowly. "I can not believe Beecher
+would play such a trick as this, though some
+over-zealous friend of his might."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, of course Beecher did it!" cried Tom.
+"He heard we were coming here, figured out that
+we'd start ahead of him, and he wanted to sidetrack
+us. Well, he did it all right," and Tom's
+voice was bitter.</p>
+
+<p>"He has only side-tracked us for a while,"
+announced Professor Bumper in cheerful tones.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" asked Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean that this Indian comes just in the nick
+of time. He is well acquainted with this part
+of the jungle, having lived here all his life,
+and he offers to guide us to a place where we can
+get mules to transport ourselves and our baggage
+to Copan."</p>
+
+<p>"Fine!" cried Ned. "When can we start?"</p>
+
+<p>Once more the professor and the native
+conversed in the strange tongue, and then Professor
+Bumper announced:</p>
+
+<p>"He says it will be better for us to go back
+where we left our things and camp there. He
+will stay with us to-night and in the morning go
+on to the nearest Indian town and come back
+with porters and helpers."</p>
+
+<p>"I think that is good advice to follow," put in
+Tom, "for we do need our goods; and if we
+reached the settlement ourselves, we would have
+to send back for our things, with the uncertainty
+of getting them all."</p>
+
+<p>So it was agreed that they would make a forced
+march back through the jungle to where they
+had been deserted by Jacinto. There they would
+make camp for the night, and until such time as
+Tolpec could return with a force of porters.</p>
+
+<p>It was not easy, that backward tramp through
+the jungle, especially as night had fallen. But
+the new Indian guide could see like a cat, and
+led the party along paths they never could have
+found by themselves. The use of their pocket
+electric lights was a great help, and possibly
+served to ward off the attacks of jungle beasts,
+for as they tramped along they could hear stealthy
+sounds in the underbush on either side of the
+path, as though tigers were stalking them. For
+there was in the woods an animal of the leopard
+family, called tiger or "tigre" by the natives,
+that was exceedingly fierce and dangerous. But
+watchfulness prevented any accident, and eventually
+the party reached the place where they had
+left their goods. Nothing had been disturbed,
+and finally a fire was made, the tents set up and
+a light meal, with hot tea served.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll get ahead of Beecher yet," said Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem as anxious as Professor Bumper,"
+observed Mr. Damon,</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I am," admitted Tom. "I want to
+see that idol of gold in the possession of our
+party."</p>
+
+<p>The night passed without incident, and then,
+telling his new friends that he would return as
+soon as possible with help, Tolpec, taking a
+small supply of food with him, set out through
+the jungle again.</p>
+
+<p>As the green vines and creepers closed after
+him, and the explorers were left alone with their
+possessions piled around them, Ned remarked:</p>
+
+<p>"After all, I wonder if it was wise to let him go?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, maybe he only wanted to get us back
+here, and then he'll desert, too. Maybe that's
+what he's done now, making us lose two or three
+days by inducing us to return, waiting for what
+will never happen—his return with other
+natives."</p>
+
+<p>A silence followed Ned's intimation.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxv" id="chapterxv">CHAPTER XV</a></h2>
+
+<h3>IN THE COILS</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Ned, do you really think Tolpec is going to
+desert us?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know," was the slowly given reply.
+"It's a possibility, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is," broke in Professor Bumper. "But
+what if it is? We might as well trust him, and
+if he proves true, as I believe he will, we'll be
+so much better off. If he proves a traitor we'll
+only have lost a few days, for if he doesn't come
+back we can go on again in the way we started."</p>
+
+<p>"But that's just it!" complained Tom. "We
+don't want to lose any time with that Beecher
+chap on our trail."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not so very much concerned about him,"
+remarked Professor Bumper, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?" snapped out Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, because I think he'll have just about
+as hard work locating the hidden city, and finding
+the idol of gold, as we'll have. In other words
+it will be an even thing, unless he gets too far
+ahead of us, or keeps us back, and I don't believe
+he can do that now.</p>
+
+<p>"So I thought it best to take a chance with this
+Indian. He would hardly have taken the trouble
+to come all the way back, and run the risks he
+did, just to delay us a few days. However, we'll
+soon know. Meanwhile, we'll take it easy and
+wait for the return of Tolpec and his friends."</p>
+
+<p>Though none of them liked to admit it, Ned's
+words had caused his three friends some anxiety,
+and though they busied themselves about the
+camp there was an air of waiting impatiently for
+something to occur. And waiting is about the
+hardest work there is.</p>
+
+<p>But there was nothing for it but to wait, and
+it might be at least a week, Professor Bumper
+said, before the Indian could return with a party
+of porters and mules to move their baggage.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Tolpec has not only to locate the
+settlement," Tom admitted, "but he must persuade the
+natives to come back with him. He may have
+trouble in that, especially if it is known that he
+has left Jacinto, who, I imagine, is a power among
+the tribes here."</p>
+
+<p>But there were only two things left to do—wait
+and hope. The travelers did both. Four days
+passed and there was no sign of Tolpec. Eagerly,
+and not a little anxiously, they watched the
+jungle path along which he had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, come on!" exclaimed Tom one morning,
+when the day seemed a bit cooler than its
+predecessor. "Let's go for a hunt, or something!
+I'm tired of sitting around camp."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my watch hands! So am I!" cried Mr. Damon.
+"Let's all go for a trip. It will do us good."</p>
+
+<p>"And perhaps I can get some specimens of interest,"
+added Professor Bumper, who, in addition to being
+an archaeologist, was something of a naturalist.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, having made everything snug in
+camp, the party, Tom and Ned equipped with
+electric rifles, and the professor with a butterfly
+net and specimen boxes, set forth. Mr. Damon
+said he would carry a stout club as his weapon.</p>
+
+<p>The jungle, as usual, was teeming with life,
+but as Ned and Tom did not wish to kill wantonly
+they refrained from shooting until later in the
+day. For once it was dead, game did not keep
+well in that hot climate, and needed to be cooked
+almost immediately.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll try some shots on our back trip," said
+the young inventor.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper found plenty of his own
+particular kind of "game" which he caught in the
+net, transferring the specimens to the boxes he
+carried. There were beautiful butterflies, moths
+and strange bugs in the securing of which the
+scientist evinced great delight, though when one
+beetle nipped him firmly and painfully on his
+thumb his involuntary cry of pain was as real
+as that of any other person.</p>
+
+<p>"But I didn't let him get away," he said in
+triumph when he had dropped the clawing insect
+into the cyanide bottle where death came painlessly.
+"It is well worth a sore thumb."</p>
+
+<p>They wandered on through the jungle, taking
+care not to get too far from their camp, for they
+did not want to lose their way, nor did they want
+to be absent too long in case Tolpec and his
+native friends should return.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it's about time we shot something, I
+think," remarked Ned, when they had been out
+about two hours. "Let's try for some of these
+wild turkeys. They ought to go well roasted
+even if it isn't Thanksgiving."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm with you," agreed Tom. "Let's see who
+has the best luck. But tone down the charge
+in your rifle and use a smaller projectile, or you'll
+have nothing but a bunch of feathers to show
+for your shot. The guns are loaded for deer."</p>
+
+<p>The change was made, and once more the two
+young men started off, a little ahead of Professor
+Bumper and Mr. Damon. Tom and Ned had
+not gone far, however, before they heard a strange
+cry from Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom! Ned!" shouted the eccentric man,
+"Here's a monster after me! Come quick!"</p>
+
+<p>"A tiger!" ejaculated Tom, as he began once
+more to change the charge in his rifle to a larger
+one, running back, meanwhile, in the direction
+of the sound of the voice.</p>
+
+<p>There were really no tigers in Honduras, the
+jaguar being called a tiger by the natives, while
+the cougar is called a lion. The presence of these
+animals, often dangerous to man, had been indicated
+around camp, and it was possible that one had been
+bold enough to attack Mr. Damon, not through hunger,
+but because of being cornered.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on, Ned!" cried Tom. "He's in some
+sort of trouble!"</p>
+
+<p>But when, a moment later, the young inventor
+burst through a fringe of bushes and saw Mr.
+Damon standing in a little clearing, with upraised
+club, Tom could not repress a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"Kill it, Tom! Kill it!" begged the eccentric man.
+"Bless my insurance policy, but it's a terrible beast!"</p>
+
+<p>And so it was, at first glance. For it was a
+giant iguana, one of the most repulsive-looking
+of the lizards. Not unlike an alligator in shape,
+with spikes on its head and tail, with a warty,
+squatty ridge-encrusted body, a big pouch beneath
+its chin, and long-toed claws, it was enough
+to strike terror into the heart of almost any one.
+Even the smaller ones look dangerous, and this
+one, which was about five feet long, looked
+capable of attacking a man and injuring him. As
+a matter of fact the iguanas are harmless, their
+shape and coloring being designed to protect them.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be afraid, Mr. Damon," called Tom, still
+laughing. "It won't hurt you!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not so positive of that. It won't let me pass."</p>
+
+<p>"Just take your club and poke it out of the way,"
+the young inventor advised. "It's only waiting
+to be shoved."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you do it, Tom. Bless my looking glass,
+but I don't want to go near it! If my wife could
+see me now she'd say it served me just right."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Damon was not a coward, but the giant
+iguana was not pleasant to look at. Tom, with
+the butt of his rifle, gave it a gentle shove,
+whereupon the creature scurried off through the brush
+as though glad to make its escape unscathed.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought it was a new kind of alligator," said
+Mr. Damon with a sigh of relief.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is it?" asked Professor Bumper, coming
+up at this juncture. "A new species of alligator?
+Let me see it!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's too horrible," said Mr. Damon. "I never
+want to see one again. It was worse than a
+vampire bat!"</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding this, when he heard that it
+was one of the largest sized iguanas ever seen,
+the professor started through the jungle after it.</p>
+
+<p>"We can't take it with us if we get it," Tom
+called after his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"We might take the skin," answered the
+professor. "I have a standing order for such things
+from one of the museums I represent. I'd like
+to get it. Then they are often eaten. We can
+have a change of diet. you see."</p>
+
+<p>"We'd better follow him," said Tom to Ned.
+"We'll have to let the turkeys go for a while.
+He may get into trouble. Come on."</p>
+
+<p>Off they started through the jungle, trailing
+after the impetuous professor who was intent on
+capturing the iguana. The giant lizard's progress
+could be traced by the disturbance of the
+leaves and underbrush, and the professor was
+following as closely as possible.</p>
+
+<p>So fast did he go that Ned, Tom and Mr.
+Damon, following, lost sight of him several
+times, and Tom finally called:</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a minute. We'll all be lost if you keep
+this up."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll have him in another minute," answered
+the professor. "I can almost reach him now.
+Then—— Oh!"</p>
+
+<p>His voice ended in a scream that seemed to
+be one of terror. So sudden was the change that
+Tom and Ned, who were together, ahead of Mr.
+Damon, looked at one another in fear.</p>
+
+<p>"What has happened?" whispered Ned, pausing.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't stop to ask—come on!" shouted Tom.</p>
+
+<p>At that instant again came the voice of the savant.</p>
+
+<p>"Tom! Ned!" he gasped, rather than cried.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm caught in the coils! Quick—quick if you
+would save me!"</p>
+
+<p>"In the coils!" repeated Ned. "What does he mean?
+Can the giant iguana——"</p>
+
+<p>Tom Swift did not stop to answer. With his
+electric rifle in readiness, he leaped forward
+through the jungle.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxvi" id="chapterxvi">CHAPTER XVI</a></h2>
+
+<h3>A MEETING IN THE JUNGLE</h3>
+
+
+<p>Before Tom and Ned reached the place
+whence Professor Bumper had called, they heard
+strange noises, other than the imploring voice of
+their friend. It seemed as though some great
+body was threshing about in the jungle, lashing
+the trees, bushes and leaves about, and when
+the two young men, followed by Mr. Damon,
+reached the scene they saw that, in a measure,
+this really accounted for what they heard.</p>
+
+<p>Something like a great whip was beating about
+close to two trees that grew near together. And
+then, when the storm of twigs, leaves and dirt,
+caused by the leaping, threshing thing ceased for
+a moment, the onlookers saw something that
+filled them with terror.</p>
+
+<p>Between the two trees, and seemingly bound
+to them by a great coiled rope, spotted and banded,
+was the body of Professor Bumper. His arms
+were pinioned to his sides and there was horror
+and terror on his face, that looked imploringly
+at the youths from above the topmost coil of
+those encircling him.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" cried Mr. Damon, as he ran
+pantingly up. "What has caught him? Is it the
+giant iguana?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's a snake—a great boa!" gasped Tom. "It
+has him in its coils. But it is wound around
+the trees, too. That alone prevents it from
+crushing the professor to death.</p>
+
+<p>"Ned, be ready with your rifle. Put in the
+heaviest charge, and watch your chance to fire!"</p>
+
+<p>The great, ugly head of the boa reared itself
+up from the coils which it had, with the quickness
+of thought, thrown about the man between
+the two trees. This species of snake is not
+poisonous, and kills its prey by crushing it to
+death, making it into a pulpy mass, with scarcely
+a bone left unbroken, after which it swallows
+its meal. The crushing power of one of these
+boas, some of which reach a length of thirty
+feet, with a body as large around as that of a
+full-grown man, is enormous.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to fire!" suddenly cried Tom. He
+had seen his chance and he took it. There was
+the faint report—the crack of the electric rifle—and
+the folds of the serpent seemed to relax.</p>
+
+<p>"I see a good chance now," added Ned, who
+had taken the small charge from his weapon,
+replacing it with a heavier one.</p>
+
+<p>His rifle was also discharged in the direction
+of the snake, and Tom saw that the hit was a
+good one, right through the ugly head of the reptile.</p>
+
+<p>"One other will be enough to make him loosen
+his coils!" cried Tom, as he fired again, and such
+was the killing power of the electric bullets that
+the snake, though an immense one, and one that
+short of decapitation could have received many
+injuries without losing power, seemed to shrivel up.</p>
+
+<p>Its folds relaxed, and the coils of the great
+body fell in a heap at the roots of the two trees,
+between which the scientist had been standing.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper seemed to fall backward as
+the grip of the serpent relaxed, but Tom, dropping
+his rifle, and calling to Ned to keep an eye
+on the snake, leaped forward and caught his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you hurt?" asked Tom, carrying the limp
+form over to a grassy place. There was no
+answer, the savant's eyes were closed and he
+breathed but faintly.</p>
+
+<p>Ned Newton fired two more electric bullets
+into the still writhing body of the boa.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess he's all in," he called to Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my horseradish! And so our friend
+seems to be," commented Mr. Damon. "Have
+you anything with which to revive him, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Some ammonia. See if you can find a
+little water."</p>
+
+<p>"I have some in my flask."</p>
+
+<p>Tom mixed a dose of the spirits which he
+carried with him, and this, forced between the pallid
+lips of the scientist, revived him.</p>
+
+<p>"What happened?" he asked faintly as he opened
+his eyes. "Oh, yes, I remember," he added
+slowly. "The boa——"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't try to talk," urged Tom. "You're all
+right. The snake is dead, or dying. Are you
+much hurt?"</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper appeared to be considering.
+He moved first one limb, then another. He
+seemed to have the power over all his muscles.</p>
+
+<p>"I see how it happened," he said, as he sat
+up, after taking a little more of the ammonia. "I
+was following the iguana, and when the big lizard
+came to a stop, in a little hollow place in the
+ground, at the foot of those two trees, I leaned
+over to slip a noose of rope about its neck. Then
+I felt myself caught, as if in the hands of a giant,
+and bound fast between the two trees."</p>
+
+<p>"It was the big boa that whipped itself around
+you, as you leaned over," explained Tom, as Ned
+came up to announce that the snake was no
+longer dangerous. "But when it coiled around
+you it also coiled around the two trees, you,
+fortunately slipping between them. Had it not
+been that their trunks took off some of the pressure
+of the coils you wouldn't have lasted a minute."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I was pretty badly squeezed as it was,"
+remarked the professor. "I hardly had breath
+enough left to call to you. I tried to fight off the
+serpent, but it was of no use."</p>
+
+<p>"I should say not!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my
+circus ring! one might as well try to combat
+an elephant! But, my dear professor, are you all
+right now?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so—yes. Though I shall be lame and
+stiff for a few days, I fear. I can hardly walk."</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper was indeed unable to go
+about much for a few days after his encounter
+with the great serpent. He stretched out in a
+hammock under trees in the camp clearing, and
+with his friends waited for the possible return
+of Tolpec and the porters.</p>
+
+<p>Ned and Tom made one or two short hunting
+trips, and on these occasions they kept a lookout
+in the direction the Indian had taken when he
+went away.</p>
+
+<p>"For he's sure to come back that way—if he
+comes at all," declared Ned; "which I am beginning
+to doubt."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he may not come," agreed Tom, who
+was beginning to lose some of his first hope.
+"But he won't necessarily come from the same
+direction he took. He may have had to go in an
+entirely different way to get help. We'll hope
+for the best."</p>
+
+<p>A week passed. Professor Bumper was able
+to be about, and Tom and Ned noticed that
+there was an anxious look on his face. Was he,
+too, beginning to despair?</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this isn't hunting for golden idols very
+fast," said Mr. Damon, the morning of the eighth
+day after their desertion by the faithless Jacinto.
+"What do you say, Professor Bumper; ought
+we not to start off on our own account?"</p>
+
+<p>"We had better if Tolpec does not return
+today," was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>They had eaten breakfast, had put their camp
+in order, and were about to have a consultation
+on what was best to do, when Tom suddenly
+called to Ned, who was whistling:</p>
+
+<p>"Hark!"</p>
+
+<p>Through the jungle came a faint sound of singing
+—not a harmonious air, but the somewhat
+barbaric chant of the natives.</p>
+
+<p>"It is Tolpec coming back!" cried Mr. Damon.
+"Hurray! Now our troubles are over. Bless my
+meal ticket! Now we can start!"</p>
+
+<p>"It may be Jacinto," suggested Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! you old cold-water pitcher!"
+cried Tom. "It's Tolpec! I can see him! He's
+a good scout all right!"</p>
+
+<p>And then, walking at the head of a band of
+Indians who were weirdly chanting while behind
+them came a train of mules, was Tolpec, a cheerful
+grin covering his honest, if homely, dark face.</p>
+
+<p>"Me come back!" he exclaimed in gutteral
+English, using about half of his foreign vocabulary.</p>
+
+<p>"I see you did," answered Professor Bumper
+in the man's own tongue. "Glad to see you.
+Is everything all right?"</p>
+
+<p>"All right," was the answer. "These Indians
+will take you where you want to go, and will not
+leave you as Jacinto did."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll start in the morning!" exclaimed the
+savant his own cheerful self again, now that
+there was a prospect of going further into the
+interior. "Tell the men to get something to eat,
+Tolpec. There is plenty for all."</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" grunted the new guide and soon the
+hungry Indians, who had come far, were satisfying
+their hunger.</p>
+
+<p>As they ate Tolpec explained to Professor
+Bumper, who repeated it to the youths and Mr.
+Damon, that it had been necessary to go farther
+than he had intended to get the porters and
+mules. But the Indians were a friendly tribe,
+of which he was a member, and could be depended on.</p>
+
+<p>There was a feast and a sort of celebration in
+camp that night. Tom and Ned shot two deer,
+and these formed the main part of the feast and
+the Indians made merry about the fire until nearly
+midnight. They did not seem to mind in the
+least the swarms of mosquitoes and other bugs
+that flew about, attracted by the light. As for
+Tom Swift and his friends, their nets protected
+them.</p>
+
+<p>An early start was made the following morning.
+Such packages of goods and supplies as could
+not well be carried by the Indians in their head
+straps, were loaded on the backs of the pack-mules.
+Tolpec explained that on reaching the
+Indian village, where he had secured the porters,
+they could get some ox-carts which would be a
+convenience in traveling into the interior toward
+the Copan valley.</p>
+
+<p>The march onward for the next two days was
+tiresome; but the Indians Tolpec had secured
+were as faithful and efficient as he had described
+them, and good progress was made.</p>
+
+<p>There were a few accidents. One native fell
+into a swiftly running stream as they were fording
+it and lost a box containing some much-needed
+things. But as the man's life was saved Professor
+Bumper said it made up for the other loss.
+Another accident did not end so auspiciously.
+One of the bearers was bitten by a poisonous
+snake, and though prompt measures were taken,
+the poison spread so rapidly that the man died.</p>
+
+<p>In due season the Indian village was reached.
+where, after a day spent in holding funeral services
+over the dead bearer, preparations were
+made for proceeding farther.</p>
+
+<p>This time some of the bearers were left behind,
+and ox-carts were substituted for them, as it was
+possible to carry more goods this way,</p>
+
+<p>"And now we're really off for Copan!"
+exclaimed Professor Bumper one morning, when
+the cavalcade, led by Tolpec in the capacity of
+head guide, started off. "I hope we have no
+more delays."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not, either," agreed Tom. "That
+Beecher may be there ahead of us."</p>
+
+<p>Weary marches fell to their portion. There
+were mountains to climb, streams to ford or swim,
+sending the carts over on rudely made rafts.
+There were storms to endure, and the eternal heat
+to fight.</p>
+
+<p>But finally the party emerged from the
+lowlands of the coast and went up in among the
+hills, where though the going was harder, the
+climate was better. It was not so hot and moist.</p>
+
+<p>Not wishing to attract attention in Copan
+itself, Professor Bumper and his party made a
+detour, and finally, after much consultation with
+Tom over the ancient maps, the scientist announced
+that he thought they were in the vicinity
+of the buried city.</p>
+
+<p>"We will begin test excavations in the
+morning," he said.</p>
+
+<p>The party was in camp, and preparations were
+made for spending the night in the forest, when
+from among the trees there floated to the ears
+of our friends a queer Indian chant.</p>
+
+<p>"Some one is coming," said Tom to Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Almost as he spoke there filed into the clearing
+where the camp had been set up, a cavalcade of white men,
+followed by Indians. And at the sight of one
+of the white men Tom Swift uttered a cry.</p>
+
+<p>"Professor Beecher!" gasped the young inventor.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxvii" id="chapterxvii">CHAPTER XVII</a></h2>
+
+<h3>THE LOST MAP</h3>
+
+
+<p>The on-marching company of white men, with
+their Indian attendants, came to a halt on the
+edge of the clearing as they caught sight of the
+tents already set up there. The barbaric chant
+of the native bearers ceased abruptly, and there
+was a look of surprise shown on the face of
+Professor Fenimore Beecher. For Professor Beecher
+it was, in the lead of the rival expedition.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my shoe laces!" exclaimed Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it really Beecher?" asked Ned, though he knew
+as well as Tom that it was the young archaeologist.</p>
+
+<p>"It certainly is!" declared Tom. "And he has
+nerve to follow us so closely!"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe he thinks we have nerve to get here
+ahead of him," suggested Ned, smiling grimly.</p>
+
+<p>"Probably," agreed Tom, with a short laugh.
+"Well, it evidently surprises him to find us here
+at all, after the mean trick he played on us to
+get Jacinto to lead us into the jungle and desert
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," assented Ned. "Well, what's
+the next move?"</p>
+
+<p>There seemed to be some doubt about this
+on the part of both expeditions. At the sight
+of Professor Beecher, Professor Bumper, who had
+come out of his tent, hurriedly turned to Tom
+and asked him what he thought it best to do.</p>
+
+<p>"Do!" exclaimed the eccentric Mr. Damon,
+not giving Tom time to reply. "Why, stand
+your ground, of course! Bless my house and
+lot! but we're here first! For the matter of that,
+I suppose the jungle is free and we can no more
+object to his coming: here than he can to our
+coming. First come, first served, I suppose is the
+law of the forest."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the surprise occasioned by the
+unexpected meeting of their rivals seemed to have
+spread something like consternation among the
+white members of the Beecher party. As for the
+natives they evidently did not care one way or
+the other.</p>
+
+<p>There was a hasty consultation among the
+professors accompanying Mr. Beecher, and then the
+latter himself advanced toward the tents of Tom
+and his friends and asked:</p>
+
+<p>"How long have you been here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see that we are called upon to answer
+that question," replied Professor Bumper stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not, and yet——"</p>
+
+<p>"There is no perhaps about it!" said Professor
+Bumper quickly. "I know what your object is,
+as I presume you do mine. And, after what
+I may term your disgraceful and unsportsmanlike
+conduct toward me and my friends, I prefer
+not to have anything further to do with you.
+We must meet as strangers hereafter."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," and Professor Beecher's voice was
+as cold and uncompromising as was his rival's.
+"Let it be as your wish. But I must say I don't
+know what you mean by unsportsmanlike conduct."</p>
+
+<p>"An explanation would be wasted on you,"
+said Professor Bumper stiffly. "But in order that
+you may know I fully understand what you did
+I will say that your efforts to thwart us through
+your tool Jacinto came to nothing. We are here
+ahead of you."</p>
+
+<p>"Jacinto!" cried Professor Beecher in real or
+simulated surprise. "Why, he was not my 'tool,'
+as you term it."</p>
+
+<p>"Your denial is useless in the light of his
+confession," asserted Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"Confession?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now look here!" exclaimed the older
+professor, "I do not propose to lower myself by
+quarreling with you. I know certainly what
+you and your party tried to do to prevent us
+from getting here. But we got out of the trap
+you set for us, and we are on the ground first.
+I recognize your right to make explorations as
+well as ourselves, and I presume you have not
+fallen so low that you will not recognize the
+unwritten law in a case of this kind—the law
+which says the right of discovery belongs to the
+one who first makes it."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall certainly abide by such conduct as
+is usual under the circumstances," said
+Professor Beecher more stiffly than before.
+"At the same time I must deny having set a trap.
+And as for Jacinto——"</p>
+
+<p>"It will be useless to discuss it further!"
+broke in Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"Then no more need be said," retorted the
+younger man. "I shall give orders to my friends,
+as well as to the natives, to keep away from
+your camp, and I shall expect you to do the
+same regarding mine."</p>
+
+<p>"I should have suggested the same thing
+myself," came from Tom's friend, and the two rival
+scientists fairly glared at one another, the others
+of both parties looking on with interest.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper turned and walked defiantly
+back to his tent. Professor Beecher did the same
+thing. Then, after a short consultation among
+the white members of the latter's organization,
+their tents were set up in another clearing,
+removed and separated by a screen of trees and
+bushes from those of Tom Swift's friends. The
+natives of the Beecher party also withdrew a little
+way from those of Professor Bumper's organization,
+and then preparations for spending the
+night in the jungle went on in the rival
+headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he certainly had nerve, to deny, practically,
+that he had set Jacinto up to do what he did," commented Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say so!" agreed Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you imagine he got here nearly as
+soon as we did, when he did not start until
+later?" asked Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"He did not have the unfortunate experience
+of being deserted in the jungle," replied Tom.
+"He probably had Jacinto, or some of that
+unprincipled scoundrel's friends, show him a short
+route to Copan and he came on from there."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I did hope we might have the ground
+to ourselves, at least for the preliminary explorations
+and excavations. But it is not to be. My
+rival is here," sighed Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let that discourage you!" exclaimed Tom.
+"We can fight all the better now the foe
+is in the open, and we know where he is."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Tom Swift, that is true," agreed the
+scientist. "I am not going to give up, but I
+shall have to change my plans a little. Perhaps
+you will come into the tent with me," and he
+nodded to Tom and Ned. "I want to talk over
+certain matters with you and Mr. Damon."</p>
+
+<p>"Pleased to," assented the young inventor, and
+his financial secretary nodded.</p>
+
+<p>A little later, supper having been eaten, the
+camp made shipshape and the natives settled
+down, Tom, Ned, Mr. Damon and Professor
+Bumper assembled in the tent of the scientist,
+where a dry battery lamp gave sufficient illumination
+to show a number of maps and papers scattered
+over an improvised table.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, gentlemen," said the professor, "I have
+called you here to go over my plans more in
+detail than I have hitherto done, now we are on
+the ground. You know in a general way what
+I hope to accomplish, but the time has come
+when I must be specific.</p>
+
+<p>"Aside from being on the spot, below which,
+or below the vicinity where, I believe, lies the
+lost city of Kurzon and, I hope, the idol of gold,
+a situation has arisen—an unexpected situation,
+I may say—which calls for different action from
+that I had counted on.</p>
+
+<p>"I refer to the presence of my rival, Professor
+Beecher. I will not dwell now on what he has
+done. It is better to consider what he may do."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed Ned. "He may get up in
+the night, dig up this city and skip with that
+golden image before we know it."</p>
+
+<p>"Hardly," grinned Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Professor Bumper. "Excavating
+buried cities in the jungle of Honduras is not
+as simple as that. There is much work to be
+done. But accidents may happen, and in case
+one should occur to me, and I be unable to prosecute
+the search, I want one of you to do it. For
+that reason I am going to show you the maps
+and ancient documents and point out to you
+where I believe the lost city lies. Now, if you
+will give me your attention, I'll proceed."</p>
+
+<p>The professor went over in detail the story
+of how he had found the old documents relating
+to the lost city of Kurzon, and of how, after
+much labor and research, he had located the
+city in the Copan valley. The great idol of
+gold was one of the chief possessions of Kurzon,
+and it was often referred to in the old
+papers; copies and translations of which the
+professor had with him.</p>
+
+<p>"But this is the most valuable of all," he said,
+as he opened an oiled-silk packet. "And before
+I show it to you, suppose you two young men
+take a look outside the tent."</p>
+
+<p>"What for?" asked Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"To make sure that no emissaries from the
+Beecher crowd are sneaking around to overhear
+what we say," was the somewhat bitter answer
+of the scientist. "I do not trust him, in spite
+of his attempted denial."</p>
+
+<p>Tom and Ned took a quick but thorough
+observation outside the tent. The blackness of the
+jungle night was in strange contrast to the light
+they had just left.</p>
+
+<p>"Doesn't seem to be any one around here,"
+remarked Ned, after waiting a minute or two.</p>
+
+<p>"No. All's quiet along the Potomac. Those
+Beecher natives are having some sort of a songfest, though."</p>
+
+<p>In the distance, and from the direction of their
+rivals' camp, came the weird chant.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, as long as they stay there we'll be all
+right," said Tom. "Come on in. I'm anxious to
+hear what the professor has to say."</p>
+
+<p>"Everything's quiet," reported Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Then give me your attention," begged the
+scientist.</p>
+
+<p>Carefully, as though about to exhibit some,
+precious jewel, he loosened the oiled-silk wrappings
+and showed a large map, on thin but tough
+paper.</p>
+
+<p>"This is drawn from the old charts," the
+professor explained. "I worked on it many months,
+and it is the only copy in the world. If it were
+to be destroyed I should have to go all the way
+back to New York to make another copy. I have
+the original there in a safe deposit vault."</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't it have been wise to make two
+copies?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"It would have only increased the risk. With
+one copy, and that constantly in my possession,
+I can be sure of my ground. Otherwise not.
+That is why I am so careful of this. Now I will
+show you why I believe we are about over the
+ancient city of Kurzon."</p>
+
+<p>"Over it!" cried Mr. Damon. "Bless my
+gunpowder! What do you mean?" and he looked
+down at the earthen floor of the tent as though
+expecting it to open and swallow him.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean that the city, like many others of
+Central and South America, is buried below the
+refuse of centuries," went on the professor.
+"Very soon, if we are fortunate, we shall be
+looking on the civilization of hundreds of years
+ago—how long no one knows.</p>
+
+<p>"Considerable excavation has been done in
+Central America," went on Professor Bumper,
+"and certain ruins have been brought to light.
+Near us are those of Copan, while toward the
+frontier are those of Quirigua, which are even
+better preserved than the former. We may visit
+them if we have time. But I have reason to
+believe that in this section of Copan is a large
+city, the existence of which has not been made
+certain of by any one save myself—and, perhaps,
+Professor Beecher.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly no part of it has seen the light of
+day for many centuries. It shall be our pleasure
+to uncover it, if possible, and secure the idol of
+gold."</p>
+
+<p>"How long ago do you think the city was
+buried?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"It would be hard to say. From the carvings
+and hieroglyphics I have studied it would seem
+that the Mayan civilization lasted about five
+hundred years, and that it began perhaps in the
+year A.D. five hundred."</p>
+
+<p>"That would mean," said Mr. Damon, "that
+the ancient cities were in ruins, buried, perhaps,
+long before Columbus discovered the new
+world."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," assented the professor. "Probably
+Kurzon, which we now seek, was buried deep for
+nearly five hundred years before Columbus landed
+at San Salvadore. The specimens of writing and
+architecture heretofore disclosed indicate that.
+But, as a matter of fact, it is very hard to
+decipher the Mayan pictographs. So far, little but
+the ability to read their calendars and numerical
+system is possessed by us, though we are gradually
+making headway.</p>
+
+<p>"Now this is the map of the district, and by the
+markings you can see where I hope to find what
+I seek. We shall begin digging here," and he
+made a small mark with a pencil on the map.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," the professor explained, "I may be
+wrong, and it will take some time to discover the
+error if we make one. When a city is buried thirty
+or forty feet deep beneath earth and great trees
+have grown over it, it is not easy to dig down to it."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you ever expect to find it?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we will sink shafts here and there. If
+we find carved stones, the remains of ancient
+pottery and weapons, parts of buildings or building
+stones, we shall know we are on the right
+track," was the answer. "And now that I have
+shown you the map, and explained how valuable
+it is, I will put it away again. We shall begin
+our excavations in the morning."</p>
+
+<p>"At what point?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"At a point I shall indicate after a further
+consultation of the map. I must see the configuration
+of the country by daylight to decide.
+And now let's get some rest. We have had a
+hard day."</p>
+
+<p>The two tents housing the four white members
+of the Bumper party were close together,
+and it was decided that the night would be divided
+into four watches, to guard against possible
+treachery on the part of the Beecher crowd.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems an unkind precaution to take against
+a fellow scientist," said Professor Bumper, "but
+I can not afford to take chances after what has
+occurred."</p>
+
+<p>The others agreed with him, and though standing
+guard was not pleasant it was done. However
+the night passed without incident, and then
+came morning and the excitement of getting
+breakfast, over which the Indians made merry.
+They did not like the cold and darkness, and
+always welcomed the sun, no matter how hot.</p>
+
+<p>"And now," cried Tom, when the meal was
+over, "let us begin the work that has brought us
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," agreed Professor Bumper, "I will
+consult the map, and start the diggers where I think
+the city lies, far below the surface. Now, gentlemen,
+if you will give me your attention——"</p>
+
+<p>He was seeking through his outer coat pockets,
+after an ineffectual search in the inner one. A
+strange look came over his face.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"The map—the map!" gasped the professor.
+"The map I was showing you last night! The map
+that tells where we are to dig for the idol of gold!
+It's gone!"</p>
+
+<p>"The map gone?" gasped Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"I—I'm afraid so," faltered the professor.
+"I put it away carefully, but now——"</p>
+
+<p>He ceased speaking to make a further search
+in all his pockets.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe you left it in another coat," suggested Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Or maybe some of the Beecher crowd took it!" snapped Tom.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxviii" id="chapterxviii">CHAPTER XVIII</a></h2>
+
+<h3>"EL TIGRE!"</h3>
+
+
+<p>The four men gazed at one another.
+Consternation showed on the face of Professor
+Bumper, and was reflected, more or less, on the
+countenances of his companions.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure the map is gone?" asked Tom.
+"I know how easy it is to mislay anything in a
+camp of this sort. I couldn't at first find my
+safety razor this morning, and when I did locate
+it the hoe was in one of my shoes. I'm sure a
+rat or some jungle animal must have dragged
+it there. Now maybe they took your map,
+Professor. That oiled silk in which it was wrapped
+might have appealed to the taste of a rat or a
+snake."</p>
+
+<p>"It is no joking matter," said Professor
+Bumper. "But I know you appreciate the seriousness
+of it as much as I do, Tom. But I had the map
+in the pocket of this coat, and now it is gone!"</p>
+
+<p>"When did you put it there?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"This morning, just before I came to breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, then you have had it since last night!"
+Tom ejaculated.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I slept with it under my clothes that I
+rolled up for a pillow, and when it was my turn
+to stand guard I took it with me. Then I put
+it back again and went to sleep. When I awoke
+and dressed I put the packet in my pocket and
+ate breakfast. Now when I look for it—why,
+it's gone!"</p>
+
+<p>"The map or the oiled-silk package?" asked
+Mr. Damon, who, once having been a businessman,
+was sometimes a stickler for small points.</p>
+
+<p>"Both," answered the professor. "I opened
+the silk to tie it more smoothly, so it would not
+be such a lump in my pocket, and I made sure
+the map was inside."</p>
+
+<p>"Then the whole thing has been taken—or you
+have lost it," suggested Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not in the habit of losing valuable maps,"
+retorted the scientist. "And the pocket of my
+coat I had made deep, for the purpose of carrying
+the long map. It could not drop out."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we mustn't overlook any possible
+chances," suggested Tom. "Come on now, we'll
+search every inch of the ground over which you
+traveled this morning, Professor."</p>
+
+<p>"It MUST be found," murmured the scientist.
+"Without it all our work will go for naught."</p>
+
+<p>They all went into the tent where the professor
+and Mr. Damon had slept when they were not
+on guard. The camp was a busy place, with the
+Indians finishing their morning meal, and getting
+ready for the work of the day. For word
+had been given out that there would be no more
+long periods of travel.</p>
+
+<p>In consequence, efforts were being directed by
+the head men of the bearers to making a more
+permanent camp in the wilderness. Shelters of
+palm-thatched huts were being built, a site for
+cooking fires made, and, at the direction of Mr.
+Damon, to whom this part was entrusted, some
+sanitary regulations were insisted on.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving this busy scene, the four, with solemn
+faces, proceeded to the tent where it was hoped
+the map would be found. But though they went
+through everything, and traced and retraced
+every place the professor could remember having
+traversed about the canvas shelter, no signs of
+the important document could be found.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe I dropped it out of my pocket,"
+said the scientist, for perhaps the twentieth time.</p>
+
+<p>"Then it was taken," declared Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I say!" chimed in Ned.
+"And by some of Beecher's party!"</p>
+
+<p>"Easy, my boy," cautioned Mr. Damon. "We
+don't want to make accusations we can't prove."</p>
+
+<p>"That is true," agreed Professor Bumper.
+"But, though I am sorry to say it of a fellow
+archaelogist, I can not help thinking Beecher
+had something to do with the taking of my map."</p>
+
+<p>"But how could any of them get it?" asked Mr. Damon.
+"You say you had the map this morning, and certainly
+none of them has been in our camp since dawn,
+though of course it is possible that some of them
+sneaked in during the night."</p>
+
+<p>"It does seem a mystery how it could have
+been taken in open daylight, while we were about
+camp together," said Tom. "But is the loss
+such a grave one, Professor Bumper?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very grave. In fact I may say it is impossible
+to proceed with the excavating without the map."</p>
+
+<p>"Then what are we to do?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"We must get it back!" declared Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," agreed the scientist, "we can not work
+without it. As soon as I make a little further
+search, to make sure it could not have dropped
+in some out-of-the-way place, I shall go over to
+Professor Beecher's camp and demand that he
+give me back my property."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose he says he hasn't taken it?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm sure he either took it personally,
+or one of his party did. And yet I can't understand
+how they could have come here without our
+seeing them," and the professor shook his head
+in puzzled despair.</p>
+
+<p>A more detailed search did not reveal the missing
+map, and Mr. Damon and his friend the
+scientist were on the point of departing for the
+camp of their rivals, less than a mile away, when
+Tom had what really amounted to an inspiration.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Professor!" he cried. "Can you
+remember any of the details of your map—say,
+for instance, where we ought to begin excavating
+to get at the wonders of the underground city?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Tom, I did intend to compare my map
+with the configuration of the country about here.
+There is a certain mountain which serves as a
+landmark and a guide for a starting point. I
+think that is it over there," and the scientist
+pointed to a distant snow-capped peak.</p>
+
+<p>The party had left the low and marshy land
+of the true jungle, and were among the foothills,
+though all about them was dense forest and
+underbush, which, in reality, was as much a jungle
+as the lower plains, but was less wet.</p>
+
+<p>"The point where I believe we should start
+to dig," said the professor, "is near the spot
+where the top of the mountain casts a shadow
+when the sun is one hour high. At least that is
+the direction given in the old manuscripts. So,
+though we can do little without the map, we
+might make a start by digging there."</p>
+
+<p>"No, not there!" exclaimed Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because we don't want to let Beecher's crowd
+know that we are on the track of the idol of gold."</p>
+
+<p>"But they know anyhow, for they have the map,"
+commented Ned, puzzled by his chum's words.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe not," said Tom slowly. "I think this
+is a time for a big bluff. It may work and it
+may not. Beecher's crowd either has the map or
+they have not. If they have it they will lose
+no time in trying to find the right place to start
+digging and then they'll begin excavating.</p>
+
+<p>"Very good! If they do that we have a right
+to dig near the same place. But if they have not
+the map, which is possible, and if we start to dig
+where the professor's memory tells him is the
+right spot, we'll only give them the tip, and they'll
+dig there also."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure they have the map," the professor said.
+"But I believe your plan is a good one, Tom."</p>
+
+<p>"Just what do you propose doing?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Fooling 'em!" exclaimed Tom quickly. "We'll
+dig in some place remote from the spot where the
+mountain casts its shadow. They will think, if
+they haven't the map, that we are proceeding by
+it, and they'll dig, too. When they find nothing,
+as will also happen to us, they may go away.</p>
+
+<p>"If, on the other hand, they have the map, and
+see us digging at a spot not indicated on it, they
+will be puzzled, knowing we must have some idea
+of where the buried city lies. They will think
+the map is at fault, perhaps, and not make use of
+it. Then we can get it back."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my hatband!" cried Mr. Damon.
+"I believe you're right, Tom.
+We'll dig in the wrong place to fool 'em."</p>
+
+<p>And this was done. Search for the precious
+map was given up for the time being, and the
+professor and his friends set the natives to work
+digging shafts in the ground, as though sinking
+them down to the level of the buried city.</p>
+
+<p>But though this false work was prosecuted with
+vigor for several days, there was a feeling of
+despair among the Bumper party over the loss of
+the map.</p>
+
+<p>"If we could only get it back!" exclaimed the
+professor, again and again.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the Beecher party seemed inactive.
+True, some members of it did come over to look
+on from a respectful distance at what the diggers
+were doing. Some of the rival helpers, under
+the direction of the head of the expedition, also
+began sinking shafts. But they were not in the
+locality remembered by Professor Bumper as being
+correct.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't imagine what they're up to," he said.
+"If they have my map they would act differently,
+I should think."</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever they're up to," answered Tom, "the
+time has come when we can dig at the place
+where we can hope for results." And the following
+day shafts were started in the shadow of the
+mountain.</p>
+
+<p>Until some evidence should have been obtained
+by digging, as to the location beneath the surface
+of a buried city, there was nothing for the
+travelers to do but wait. Turns were taken in
+directing the efforts of the diggers, and an
+occasional inspection was made of the shafts.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you expect to find first?" asked Tom
+of Professor Bumper one day, when the latter was
+at the top of a shaft waiting for a bucket load
+of dirt to be hoisted up.</p>
+
+<p>"Potsherds and artifacts," was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"What sort of bugs are they?" asked Ned with
+a laugh. He and Tom were about to go hunting
+with their electric rifles.</p>
+
+<p>"Artifacts are things made by the Indians—or
+whatever members of the race who built the
+ancient cities were called—such as household articles,
+vases, ornaments, tools and so on. Anything
+made by artificial means is called an artifact."</p>
+
+<p>"And potsherds are things with those Chinese
+laundry ticket scratches on them," added Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," said the professor, laughing.
+"Though some of the strange-appearing inscriptions
+give much valuable information. As soon
+as we find some of them—say a broken bit of
+pottery with hieroglyphics on—I will know I am
+on the right track."</p>
+
+<p>And while the scientist and Mr. Damon kept
+watch at the top of the shaft, Tom and Ned went
+out into the jungle to hunt. They had killed some
+game, and were stalking a fine big deer, which
+would provide a feast for the natives, when suddenly
+the silence of the lonely forest was broken
+by a piercing scream, followed by an agonized
+cry of</p>
+
+<p>"El tigre! El tigre!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxix" id="chapterxix">CHAPTER XIX</a></h2>
+
+<h3>POISONED ARROWS</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Did you hear that, Tom?" asked Ned, in a
+hoarse whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely," was the cautious answer. "Keep
+still, and I'll try for a shot."</p>
+
+<p>"Better be quick," advised Ned in a tense voice.
+"The chap who did that yelling seems to be in
+trouble!"</p>
+
+<p>And as Ned's voice trailed off into a whisper,
+again came the cry, this time in frenzied pain.</p>
+
+<p>"El tigre! El tigre!" Then there was a jumble of words.</p>
+
+<p>"It's over this way!" and this time Ned shouted,
+seeing no need for low voices since the other was so loud.</p>
+
+<p>Tom looked to where Ned had parted the
+bushes alongside a jungle path. Through the
+opening the young inventor saw, in a little glade,
+that which caused him to take a firmer grip on his
+electric rifle, and also a firmer grip on his nerves.</p>
+
+<p>Directly in front of him and Ned, and not more
+than a hundred yards away, was a great tawny
+and spotted jaguar—the "tigre" or tiger of Central
+America. The beast, with lashing tail, stood
+over an Indian upon whom it seemed to have
+sprung from some lair, beating the unfortunate
+man to the ground. Nor had he fallen scatheless,
+for there was blood on the green leaves about
+him, and it was not the blood of the spotted
+beast.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Tom, can you—can you——" and Ned
+faltered.</p>
+
+<p>The young inventor understood the unspoken
+question.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I can make a shot of it without hitting
+the man," he answered, never turning his head.
+"It's a question, though, if the beast won't claw
+him in the death struggle. It won't last long,
+however, if the electric bullet goes to the right
+place, and I've got to take the chance."</p>
+
+<p>Cautiously Tom brought his weapon to bear.
+Quiet as Ned and he had been after the discovery,
+the jaguar seemed to feel that something was
+wrong. Intent on his prey, for a time he had
+stood over it, gloating. Now the brute glanced
+uneasily from side to side, its tail nervously
+twitching, and it seemed trying to gain, by a sniffing
+of the air, some information as to the direction
+in which danger lay, for Tom and Ned had
+stooped low, concealing themselves by a screen
+of leaves.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian, after his first frenzied outburst
+of fear, now lay quiet, as though fearing to move,
+moaning in pain.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the jaguar, attracted either by some
+slight movement on the part of Ned or Tom, or
+perhaps by having winded them, turned his head
+quickly and gazed with cruel eyes straight at the
+spot where the two young men stood behind the
+bushes.</p>
+
+<p>"He's seen us," whispered Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," assented Tom. "And it's a perfect shot.
+Hope I don't miss!"</p>
+
+<p>It was not like Tom Swift to miss, nor did he
+on this occasion. There was a slight report from
+the electric rifle—a report not unlike the crackle
+of the wireless—and the powerful projectile sped
+true to its mark.</p>
+
+<p>Straight through the throat and chest under
+the uplifted jaw of the jaguar it went—through
+heart and lungs. Then with a great coughing,
+sighing snarl the beast reared up, gave a convulsive
+leap forward toward its newly discovered
+enemies, and fell dead in a limp heap, just beyond
+the native over which it had been crouching before
+it delivered the death stroke, now never to fall.</p>
+
+<p>"You did it, Tom! You did it!" cried
+Ned, springing up from where he had been kneeling
+to give his chum a better chance to shoot.
+"You did it, and saved the man's life!" And Ned
+would have rushed out toward the still twitching body.</p>
+
+<p>"Just a minute!" interposed Tom. "Those
+beasts sometimes have as many lives as a cat.
+I'll give it one more for luck." Another electric
+projectile through the head of the jaguar produced
+no further effect than to move the body
+slightly, and this proved conclusively that there
+was no life left. It was safe to approach, which
+Tom and Ned did.</p>
+
+<p>Their first thought, after a glance at the
+jaguar, was for the Indian. It needed but a brief
+examination to show that he was not badly hurt.
+The jaguar had leaped on him from a low tree
+as he passed under it, as the boys learned afterward,
+and had crushed the man to earth by the
+weight of the spotted body more than by a stroke
+of the paw.</p>
+
+<p>The American jaguar is not so formidable a
+beast as the native name of tiger would cause
+one to suppose, though they are sufficiently dan-
+gerous, and this one had rather badly clawed the
+Indian. Fortunately the scratches were on the
+fleshy parts of the arms and shoulders, where,
+though painful, they were not necessarily serious.</p>
+
+<p>"But if you hadn't shot just when you did, Tom,
+it would have been all up with him," commented
+Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, I guess you'd have hit him if I
+hadn't," returned the young inventor. "But let's
+see what we can do for this chap."</p>
+
+<p>The man sat up wonderingly—hardly able to
+believe that he had been saved from the dreaded
+"tigre." His wounds were bleeding rather freely,
+and as Tom and Ned carried with them a first-aid
+kit they now brought it into use. The wounds
+were bound up, the man was given water to
+drink and then, as he was able to walk, Tom and
+Ned offered to help him wherever he wanted to
+go.</p>
+
+<p>"Blessed if I can tell whether he's one of our
+Indians or whether he belongs to the Beecher
+crowd," remarked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Senor Beecher," said the Indian, adding, in
+Spanish, that he lived in the vicinity and had
+only lately been engaged by the young professor
+who hoped to discover the idol of gold before
+Tom's scientific friend could do so.</p>
+
+<p>Tom and Ned knew a little Spanish, and with
+that, and simple but expressive signs on the part
+of the Indian, they learned his story. He had his
+palm-thatched hut not far from the Beecher camp,
+in a small Indian village, and he, with others,
+had been hired on the arrival of the Beecher party
+to help with the excavations. These, for some
+reason, were delayed.</p>
+
+<p>"Delayed because they daren't use the map they
+stole from us," commented Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe," agreed Tom.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian, whose name, it developed, was Tal,
+as nearly as Tom and Ned could master it, had
+left camp to go to visit his wife and child in the
+jungle hut, intending to return to the Beecher
+camp at night. But as he passed through the
+forest the jaguar had dropped on him, bearing him
+to earth.</p>
+
+<p>"But you saved my life, Senor," he said to
+Tom, dropping on one knee and trying to kiss
+Tom's hand, which our hero avoided. "And now
+my life is yours," added the Indian.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you'd better get home with it and take
+care of it," said Tom. "I'll have Professor Bumper
+come over and dress your scratches in a better
+and more careful way. The bandages we put
+on are only temporary."</p>
+
+<p>"My wife she make a poultice of leaves—they
+cure me," said the Indian.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess that will be the best way," observed
+Ned. "These natives can doctor themselves for
+some things, better than we can."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we'll take him home," suggested Tom.
+"He might keel over from loss of blood.
+Come on," he added to Tal, indicating his object.</p>
+
+<p>It was not far to the native's hut from the place
+where the jaguar had been killed, and there Tom
+and Ned underwent another demonstration of affection
+as soon as those of Tal's immediate family and the
+other natives understood what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>"I hate this business!" complained Tom, after
+having been knelt to by the Indian's wife and
+child, who called him the "preserver" and other
+endearing titles of the same kind. "Come on,
+let's hike back."</p>
+
+<p>But Indian hospitality, especially after a life
+has been saved, is not so simple as all that.</p>
+
+<p>"My life—my house—all that I own is yours,"
+said Tal in deep gratitude. "Take everything,"
+and he waved his hand to indicate all the possessions
+in his humble hut.</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks," answered Tom, "but I guess you
+need all you have. That's a fine specimen of
+blow gun though," he added, seeing one hanging
+on the wall. "I wouldn't mind having one like
+that. If you get well enough to make me one,
+Tal, and some arrows to go with it, I'd like it
+for a curiosity to hang in my room at home."</p>
+
+<p>"The Senor shall have a dozen," promised the
+Indian.</p>
+
+<p>"Look, Ned," went on Tom, pointing to the
+native weapon. "I never saw one just like this.
+They use small arrows or darts, tipped with wild
+cotton, instead of feathers."</p>
+
+<p>"These the arrows," explained Tal's wife,
+bringing a bundle from a corner of the one-room
+hut. As she held them out her husband gave a
+cry of fear.</p>
+
+<p>"Poisoned arrows! Poisoned arrows!" he exclaimed.
+"One scratch and the senors are dead men. Put them away!"</p>
+
+<p>In fear the Indian wife prepared to obey, but
+as she did so Tom Swift caught sight of the package
+and uttered a strange cry.</p>
+
+<p>"Thundering hoptoads, Ned!" he exclaimed.
+"The poisoned arrows are wrapped in the piece of oiled
+silk that was around the professor's missing map!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxx" id="chapterxx">CHAPTER XX</a></h2>
+
+<h3>AN OLD LEGEND</h3>
+
+
+<p>Fascinated, Tom and Ned gazed at the package
+the Indian woman held out to them. Undoubtedly
+it was oiled silk on the outside, and through
+the almost transparent covering could be seen
+the small arrows, or darts, used in the blow gun.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get that?" asked Tom, pointing
+to the bundle and gazing sternly at Tal.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter, Senor?" asked the Indian in turn.
+"Is it that you are afraid of the poisoned arrows?
+Be assured they will not harm you unless
+you are scratched by them."</p>
+
+<p>Tom and Ned found it difficult to comprehend
+all the rapid Spanish spoken by their host, but
+they managed to understand some, and his
+eloquent gestures made up the rest.</p>
+
+<p>"We're not afraid," Tom said, noting that the
+oiled skin well covered the dangerous darts. "But
+where did you get that?"</p>
+
+<p>"I picked it up, after another Indian had thrown
+it away. He got it in your camp, Senor. I
+will not lie to you. I did not steal. Valdez
+went to your camp to steal—he is a bad Indian—and
+he brought back this wrapping. It contained
+something he thought was gold, but it was
+not, so he——"</p>
+
+<p>"Quick! Yes! Tell us!" demanded Tom
+eagerly. "What did he do with the professor's
+map that was in the oiled silk? Where is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Senors!" exclaimed the Indian woman,
+thinking perhaps her husband was about to be
+dealt harshly with when she heard Tom's
+excited voice. "Tal do no harm!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, he did no harm," went on Tom, in a
+reassuring tone. "But he can do a whole lot of good
+if he tells us what became of the map that was in
+this oiled silk. Where is it?" he asked again.</p>
+
+<p>"Valdez burn it up," answered Tal.</p>
+
+<p>"What, burned the professor's map?" cried Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"If that was in this yellow cloth—yes,"
+answered the injured man. "Valdez he is bad. He
+say to me he is going to your camp to see what
+he can take. How he got this I know not, but
+he come back one morning with the yellow package.
+I see him, but he make me promise not
+to tell. But you save my life I tell you everything.</p>
+
+<p>"Valdez open the package; but it is not gold,
+though he think so because it is yellow, and the
+man with no hair on his head keep it in his pocket
+close, so close," and Tal hugged himself to indicate
+what he meant.</p>
+
+<p>"That's Professor Bumper," explained Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"How did Valdez get the map out of the
+professor's coat?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Valdez he very much smart. When man
+with no hair on his head take coat off for a
+minute to eat breakfast Valdez take yellow thing
+out of pocket."</p>
+
+<p>"The Indian must have sneaked into camp
+when we were eating," said Tom. "Those from
+Beecher's party and our workers look all alike
+to us. We wouldn't know one from the other,
+and one of our rival's might slip in."</p>
+
+<p>"One evidently did, if this is really the piece of
+oiled silk that was around the professor's map,"
+said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"It certainly is the same," declared the young
+inventor. "See, there is his name," and he
+stretched out his hand to point.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't touch!" cried Tal. "Poisoned arrows
+snake poison—very dead-like and quick."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry, I won't touch," said Tom grimly.
+"But go on. You say Valdez sneaked into our
+camp, took the oiled-silk package from the coat
+pocket of Professor Bumper and went back to
+his own camp with it, thinking it was gold."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Tal, though it is doubtful if
+he understood all that Tom said, as it was half
+Spanish and half English. But the Indian knew
+a little English, too. "Valdez, when he find no
+gold is very mad. Only papers in the yellow
+silk-papers with queer marks on. Valdez think
+it maybe a charm to work evil, so he burn them
+up—all up!"</p>
+
+<p>"Burned that rare map!" gasped Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"All in fire," went on Tal, indicating by his
+hands the play of flames. "Valdez throw away
+yellow silk, and I take for my arrows so rain not
+wash off poison. I give to you, if you like, with
+blow gun."</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you," answered Tom, in disappointed
+tones. "The oiled silk is of no use without
+the map, and that's gone. Whew! but this is
+tough!" he said to his chum. "As long as it was
+only stolen there was a chance to get it back,
+but if it's burned, the jig is up."</p>
+
+<p>"It looks so," agreed Ned. "We'd better get
+back and tell the professor. It he can't get along
+without the map it's time he started a movement
+toward getting another. So it wasn't Beecher,
+after all, who got it."</p>
+
+<p>"Evidently not," assented Tom. "But I
+believe him capable of it."</p>
+
+<p>"You haven't much use for him," remarked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Huh!" was all the answer given by his chum.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, Senors," went on Tal, "but I
+could not stop Valdez, and the burning of the
+papers——"</p>
+
+<p>"No, you could not help it," interrupted the
+young inventor. "But it just happens that it
+brings bad luck to us. You see, Tal, the papers
+in this yellow covering, told of an old buried
+city that the bald-headed
+professor—the-man-with-no-hair-on-his-head—is
+very anxious to
+discover. It is somewhere under the ground," and
+he waved to the jungle all about them, pointing
+earthwards.</p>
+
+<p>"Paper Valdez burn tell of lost city?" asked
+Tal, his face lighting up.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. But now, of course, we can't tell where
+to dig for it."</p>
+
+<p>The Indian turned to his wife and talked rapidly
+with her in their own dialect. She, too, seemed
+greatly excited, making quick gestures. Finally
+she ran out of the hut.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is she going?" asked Tom suspiciously.</p>
+
+<p>"To get her grandfather. He very old Indian.
+He know story of buried cities under trees. Very
+old story—what you call legend, maybe. But
+Goosal know. He tell same as his grandfather
+told him. You wait. Goosal come, and you listen."</p>
+
+<p>"Good, Ned!" suddenly cried Tom. "Maybe,
+we'll get on the track of lost Kurzon after all,
+through some ancient Indian legend. Maybe we
+won't need the map!"</p>
+
+<p>"It hardly seems possible," said Ned slowly.
+"What can these Indians know of buried cities
+that were out of existence before Columbus came
+here? Why, they haven't any written history."</p>
+
+<p>"No, and that may be just the reason they are
+more likely to be right," returned Tom. "Legends
+handed down from one grandfather to another
+go back a good many hundred years. If
+they were written they might be destroyed as
+the professor's map was. Somehow or other,
+though I can't tell why, I begin to see daylight
+ahead of us."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I did," remarked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Here comes Goosal I think," murmured Tom,
+and he pointed to an Indian, bent with the weight
+of years, who, led by Tal's wife, was slowly
+approaching the hut.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxxi" id="chapterxxi">CHAPTER XXI</a></h2>
+
+<h3>THE CAVERN</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Now Goosal can tell you," said Tal, evidently
+pleased that he had, in a measure, solved the
+problem caused by the burning of the professor's
+map. "Goosal very old Indian. He know old
+stories—legends—very old."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if he can tell us how to find the buried
+city of Kurzon and the—the things in it," said
+Tom, "he's all right!"</p>
+
+<p>The aged Indian proceeded slowly toward the
+hut where the impatient youths awaited him.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what you seek in the buried city,"
+remarked Tal.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you?" cried Tom, wondering if some one
+had indiscreetly spoken of the idol of gold.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes you want pieces of rock, with strange
+writings on them, old weapons, broken pots.
+I know. I have helped white men before."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, those are the things we want," agreed
+Tom, with a glance at his chum. "That is—some
+of them. But does your wife's grandfather talk
+our language?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but I can tell you what he says."</p>
+
+<p>By this time the old man, led by "Mrs. Tal"—
+as the young men called the wife of the Indian
+they had helped—entered the hut. He seemed
+nervous and shy, and glanced from Tom and Ned
+to his grandson-in-law, as the latter talked rapidly
+in the Indian dialect. Then Goosal made answer,
+but what it was all about the boys could
+not tell.</p>
+
+<p>"Goosal say," translated Tal, "that he know a
+story of a very old city away down under ground."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us about it!" urged Tom eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>But a difficulty very soon developed. Tal's
+intentions were good, but he was not equal to
+the task of translating. Nor was the understanding
+of Tom and Ned of Spanish quite up to the mark.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, this is too much for me!" exclaimed Tom.
+"We are losing the most valuable part of this by
+not understanding what Goosal says, and what
+Tal translates."</p>
+
+<p>"What can we do?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Get the professor here as soon as possible.
+He can manage this dialect, and he'll get the
+information at first hand. If Goosal can tell
+where to begin excavating for the city he ought
+to tell the professor, not us."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right," agreed Ned. "We'll bring the
+professor here as soon as we can."</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly they stopped the somewhat difficult
+task of listening to the translated story and
+told Tal, as well as they could, that they would
+bring the "man-with-no-hair-on-his-head" to
+listen to the tale.</p>
+
+<p>This seemed to suit the Indians, all of whom
+in the small colony appeared to be very grateful
+to Tom and Ned for having saved the life of
+Tal.</p>
+
+<p>"That was a good shot you made when you
+bowled over the jaguar," said Ned, as the two
+young explorers started back to their camp.</p>
+
+<p>"Better than I realized, if it leads to the discovery
+of Kurzon and the idol of gold," remarked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"And to think we should come across the oiled-
+silk holding the poisoned arrows!" went on Ned.
+"That's the strangest part of the whole affair.
+If it hadn't been that you shot the jaguar this
+never would have come about."</p>
+
+<p>That Professor Bumper was astonished, and
+Mr. Damon likewise, when they heard the story
+of Tom and Ned, is stating it mildly.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" exclaimed the scientist, as Tom
+finished, "we must see this Goosal at once.
+If my map is destroyed, and it seems to be,
+this old Indian may be our only hope.
+Where did he say the buried city was, Tom?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, somewhere in this vicinity, as nearly as
+I could make out. But you'd better talk with
+him yourself. We didn't say anything about the
+idol of gold."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right. It's just as well to let the
+natives think we are only after ordinary relics."</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my insurance policy!" gasped Mr. Damon.
+"It does not seem possible that we are on
+the right track."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I think we are, from what little information
+Goosal gave us," remarked Tom. "This buried city
+of his must be a wonderful place."</p>
+
+<p>"It is, if it is what I take it to be," agreed the
+professor. "I told you I would bring you to a
+land of wonders, Tom Swift, and they have hardly
+begun yet. Come, I am anxious to talk to Goosal."</p>
+
+<p>In order that the Indians in the Bumper camp
+might not hear rumors of the new plan to locate
+the hidden city, and, at the same time, to keep
+rumors from spreading to the camp of the rivals,
+the scientist and his friends started a new shaft,
+and put a shift of men at work on it.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll pretend we are on the right track, and
+very busy," said Tom. "That will fool Beecher."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you glad to know he did not take your
+map Professor Bumper?" asked Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes. It is hard to believe such things of
+a fellow scientist."</p>
+
+<p>"If he didn't take it he wanted to," said Tom.
+"And he has done, or will do, things as unsportsmanlike."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you are hardly fair, perhaps, Tom,"
+commented Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Um!" was all the answer he received.</p>
+
+<p>With the Indians in camp busy on the excavation
+work, and having ascertained that similar
+work was going on in the Beecher outfit,
+Professor Bumper, with Mr. Damon and the young
+men, set off to visit the Indian village and listen
+to Goosal's story. They passed the place where
+Tom had slain the jaguar, but nothing was left
+but the bones; the ants, vultures and jungle animals
+having picked them clean in the night.</p>
+
+<p>On the arrival of Tom and his friends at the
+Indian's hut, Goosal told, in language which
+Professor Bumper could understand, the ancient
+legend of the buried city as he had had it from his
+grandfather.</p>
+
+<p>"But is that all you know about it, Goosal?"
+asked the savant.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Learned One. It is true most of what I
+have told you was told to me by my father and
+his father's father. But I—I myself—with these
+eyes, have looked upon the lost city."</p>
+
+<p>"You have!" cried the professor, this time in
+English. "Where? When? Take us to it!
+How do you get here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Through the cavern of the dead," was the
+answer when the questions were modified.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my diamond ring!" exclaimed Mr.
+Damon, when Professor Bumper translated the reply.
+"What does he mean?"</p>
+
+<p>And then, after some talk, this information
+came out. Years before, when Goosal was a
+young man, he had been taken by his grandfather
+on a journey through the jungle. They
+stopped one day at the foot of a high mountain,
+and, clearing away the brush and stones at a
+certain place, an entrance to a great cavern was
+revealed. This, it appeared, was the Indian burial
+ground, and had been used for generations.</p>
+
+<p>Goosal, though in fear and trembling, was lead
+through it, and came to another cavern, vaster
+than the first. And there he saw strange and
+wonderful sights, for it was the remains of a buried
+city, that had once been the home of a great
+and powerful tribe unlike the Indians—the ancient
+Mayas it would seem.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you take us to this cavern?" asked the professor.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," answered Goosal. "I will lead to it
+those who saved the life of Tal—them and their
+friends. I will take you to the lost city!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" cried Mr. Damon, when this had been
+translated. "Now let Beecher try to play any
+more tricks on us! Ho! for the cavern and the
+lost city of Kurzon."</p>
+
+<p>"And the idol of gold," said Tom Swift to
+himself. "I hope we can get it ahead of Beecher.
+Perhaps if I can help in that—Oh, well, here's hoping,
+that's all!" and a little smile curved his lips.</p>
+
+<p>Greatly excited by the strange news, but
+maintaining as calm an air outwardly as possible, so
+as not to excite the Indians, Tom and his friends
+returned to camp to prepare for their trip. Goosal
+had said the cavern lay distant more than a two-days'
+journey into the jungle.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxxii" id="chapterxxii">CHAPTER XXII</a></h2>
+
+<h3>THE STORM</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Now," remarked Tom, once they were back
+again in their camp, "we must go about this trip
+to the cavern in a way that will cause no suspicion
+over there as to what our object is," and he
+nodded in the direction of the quarters of his
+rival.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to go off quietly?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And to keep the work going on here,
+at these shafts," put in the scientist, "so that
+if any of their spies happen to come here they
+will think we still believe the buried city to be
+just below us. To that end we must keep the
+Indians digging, though I am convinced now that
+it is useless."</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly preparations were made for an
+expedition into the jungle under the leadership of
+Goosal. Tal had not sufficiently recovered from
+the jaguar wounds to go with the party, but the
+old man, in spite of his years, was hale and hearty
+and capable of withstanding hardships.</p>
+
+<p>One of the most intelligent of the Indians was
+put in charge of the digging gangs as foreman,
+and told to keep them at work, and not to let
+them stray. Tolpec, whose brother Tom had
+tried to save, proved a treasure. He agreed to
+remain behind and look after the interests of his
+friends, and see that none of their baggage or
+stores were taken.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I guess we're as ready as we ever
+shall be," remarked Tom, as the cavalcade made
+ready to start. Mules carried the supplies that
+were to be taken into the jungle, and others of
+the sturdy animals were to be ridden by the
+travelers. The trail was not an easy one, Goosal
+warned them.</p>
+
+<p>Tom and his friends found it even worse than
+they had expected, for all their experience in
+jungle and mountain traveling. In places it was
+necessary to dismount and lead the mules along,
+sometimes pushing and dragging them. More
+than once the trail fairly hung on the edge of
+some almost bottomless gorge, and again it
+wound its way between great walls of rock,
+so poised that they appeared about to topple
+over and crush the travelers. But they kept on
+with dogged patience, through many hardships.</p>
+
+<p>To add to their troubles they seemed to have
+entered the abode of the fiercest mosquitoes
+encountered since coming to Honduras. At times
+it was necessary to ride along with hats covered
+with mosquito netting, and hands encased in
+gloves.</p>
+
+<p>They had taken plenty of condensed food with
+them, and they did not suffer in this respect.
+Game, too, was plentiful and the electric rifles of
+Tom and Ned added to the larder.</p>
+
+<p>One night, after a somewhat sound sleep
+induced by hard travel on the trail that day, Tom
+awoke to hear some one or something moving
+about among their goods, which included their
+provisions.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's there?" asked the young inventor
+sharply, as he reached for his electric rifle.</p>
+
+<p>There was no answer, but a rattling of the pans.</p>
+
+<p>"Speak, or I'll fire!" Tom warned, adding this
+in such Spanish as he could muster, for he thought
+it might be one of the Indians. No reply came,
+and then, seeing by the light of the stars a dark
+form moving in front of the tent occupied by
+himself and Ned, Tom fired.</p>
+
+<p>There was a combined grunt and squeal of
+pain, then a savage growl, and Ned yelled:</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter, Tom?" for he had been
+awakened, and heard the crackle of the electrical
+discharge.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," Tom answered. "But I shot
+something—or somebody!"</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe some of Beecher's crowd," ventured
+his chum. But when they got their electric
+torches, and focused them on the inert, black
+object, it was found to be a bear which had come
+to nose about the camp for dainty morsels.</p>
+
+<p>Bruin was quite dead, and as he was in prime
+condition there was a feast of bear meat at the
+following dinner. The white travelers found it
+rather too strong for their palates, but the Indians
+reveled in it.</p>
+
+<p>It was shortly after noon the next day, when
+Goosal, after remarking that a storm seemed
+brewing, announced that they would be at the
+entrance to the cavern in another hour.</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" cried Professor Bumper. "At last
+we are near the buried city."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be too sure," advised Mr. Damon,
+"We may be disappointed. Though I hope not
+for your sake, my dear Professor."</p>
+
+<p>Goosal now took the lead, and the old Indian,
+traveling on foot, for he said he could better look
+for the old landmark that way than on the back
+of a mule, walked slowly along a rough cliff.</p>
+
+<p>"Here. somewhere, is the entrance to the cavern,"
+said the aged man. "It was many years
+ago that I was here—many years. But it seems
+as though yesterday. It is little changed."</p>
+
+<p>Indeed little did change in that land of wonders.
+Only nature caused what alterations there were.
+The hand of man had long been absent.</p>
+
+<p>Slowly Goosal walked along the rocky trail,
+on one side a sheer rock, towering a hundred feet
+or more toward the sky. On the other side a
+deep gash leading to a great fertile valley below.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the old man paused, and looked about
+him as though uncertain. Then, more slowly
+still, he put out his hand and pulled at some
+bushes that grew on a ledge of the rock. They
+came away, having no depth of earth, and a small
+opening was disclosed.</p>
+
+<p>"It is here," said Goosal quietly. "The
+entrance to the cavern that leads to the burial
+place of the dead, and the city that is dead also.
+It is here."</p>
+
+<p>He stood aside while the others hurried
+forward. It took but a few minutes to prove that
+he was right—at least as to the existence of the
+cavern—for the four men were soon peering into
+the opening.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" cried Tom, impetuously.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a moment," suggested the professor,
+"Sometimes the air in these places is foul. We
+must test it." But a torch one of the Indians
+threw in burned with a steady glow. That test
+was conclusive at least. They made ready to enter.</p>
+
+<p>Torches of a light bark, that glowed with a
+steady flame and little smoke, had been provided,
+as well as a good supply of electric dry-battery
+lamps, and the way into the cavern was thus well
+lighted. At first the Indians were afraid to
+enter, but a word or two from Goosal reassured
+them, and they followed Professor Bumper, Tom,
+and the others into the cavern.</p>
+
+<p>For several hundred feet there was nothing
+remarkable about the cave. It was like any
+other cavern of the mountains, though wonderful
+for the number of crystal formations on the root
+and walls—formations that sparkled like a million
+diamonds in the flickering lights.</p>
+
+<p>"Talk about a wonderland!" cried Tom.
+"This is fairyland!"</p>
+
+<p>A moment later, as Goosal walked on beside
+the professor and Tom, the aged Indian came to
+a pause, and, pointing ahead, murmured:</p>
+
+<p>"The city of the dead!"</p>
+
+<p>They saw the niches cut in the rock walls.
+niches that held the countless bones of those who
+had died many, many years before. It was a
+vast Indian grave.</p>
+
+<p>"Doubtless a wealth of material of historic
+interest here," said Professor Bumper, flashing
+his torch on the skeletons. "But it will keep.
+Where is the city you spoke of, Goosal?"</p>
+
+<p>"Farther on, Senor. Follow me."</p>
+
+<p>Past the stone graves they went, deeper and
+deeper into the great cave. Their footsteps
+echoed and re-echoed. Suddenly Tom, who with
+Ned had gone a little ahead, came to a sudden
+halt and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this may be a burial place sure enough,
+but I think I see something alive all right—if
+it isn't a ghost."</p>
+
+<p>He pointed ahead. Surely those were lights
+flickering and moving about, and, yes, there were
+men carrying them. The Bumper party came to
+a surprised halt. The other lights advanced,
+and then, to the great astonishment of Professor
+Bumper and his friends, there confronted them
+in the cave several scientists of Professor Beecher's
+party and a score or more of Indians. Professor
+Hylop, who was known to Professor Bumper,
+stepped forward and asked sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"What are you doing here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I might ask you the same thing," was the
+retort.</p>
+
+<p>"You might, but you would not be answered,"
+came sharply. "We have a right here, having
+discovered this cavern, and we claim it under a
+concession of the Honduras Government. I shall
+have to ask you to withdraw."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean leave here?" asked Mr Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"That is it, exactly. We first discovered this
+cave. We have been conducting explorations in
+it for several days, and we wish no outsiders."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you speaking for Professor Beecher"' asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"I am. But he is here in the cave, and will
+speak for himself if you desire it. But I represent
+him, and I order you to leave. If you do
+not go peaceably we will use force. We have
+plenty of it," and he glanced back at the Indians
+grouped behind him—scowling savage Indians.</p>
+
+<p>"We have no wish to intrude," observed
+Professor Bumper, "and I fully recognize the right
+of prior discovery. But one member of our
+party (he did not say which one) was in this
+cave many years ago. He led us to it."</p>
+
+<p>"Ours is a government concession!" exclaimed
+Professor Hylop harshly. "We want no intruders!
+Go!" and he pointed toward the direction
+whence Tom's party had come.</p>
+
+<p>"Drive them out!" he ordered the Indians in
+Spanish, and with muttered threats the dark-skinned
+men advanced toward Tom and the
+others.</p>
+
+<p>"You need not use force," said Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>He and Professor Hylop had quarreled bitterly
+years before on some scientific matter, and the
+matter was afterward found to be wrong. Perhaps
+this made him vindictive.</p>
+
+<p>Tom stepped forward and started to protest,
+but Professor Bumper interposed.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess there is no help for it but to go. It
+seems to be theirs by right of discovery and
+government concession," he said, in disappointed
+tone. "Come friends"; and dejectedly they
+retraced their steps.</p>
+
+<p>Followed by the threatening Indians, the
+Bumper party made its way back to the entrance.
+They had hoped for great things, but if the cavern
+gave access to the buried city—the ancient
+city of Kurzon on the chief altar of which stood
+the golden idol, Quitzel—it looked as though
+they were never to enter it.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to get our Indians and drive those
+fellows out!" declared Tom. "I'm not going to
+be beaten this way—and by Beecher!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is galling," declared Professor Bumper.
+"Still he has right on his side, and I must give
+in to priority, as I would expect him to. It is
+the unwritten law."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we've failed!" cried Tom bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet," said Professor Bumper. "If I can
+not unearth that buried city I may find another
+in this wonderland. I shall not give up."</p>
+
+<p>"Hark! What's that noise?" asked Tom, as
+they approached the entrance to the cave.</p>
+
+<p>"Sounds like a great wind blowing," commented Ned.</p>
+
+<p>It was. As they stood in the entrance they
+looked out to find a fierce storm raging. The
+wind was sweeping down the rocky trail, the
+rain was falling in veritable bucketfuls from the
+overhanging cliff, and deafening thunder and
+blinding lightning roared and flashed.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely you would not drive us out in this
+storm," said Professor Bumper to his former
+rival.</p>
+
+<p>"You can not stay in the cave! You must get
+out!" was the answer, as a louder crash of thunder
+than usual seemed to shake the very mountain.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxxiii" id="chapterxxiii">CHAPTER XXIII</a></h2>
+
+<h3>ENTOMBED ALIVE</h3>
+
+
+<p>For an instant Tom and his friends paused at
+the entrance to the wonderful cavern, and looked
+at the raging storm. It seemed madness to
+venture out into it, yet they had been driven
+from the cave by those who had every right of
+discovery to say who, and who should not, partake
+of its hospitality.</p>
+
+<p>"We can't go out into that blow!" cried Ned.
+"It's enough to loosen the very mountains!"</p>
+
+<p>"Let's stay here and defy them!" murmured Tom.
+"If the—if what we seek—is here we have
+as good a right to it as they have."</p>
+
+<p>"We must go out," said Professor Bumper simply.
+"I recognize the right of my rival to dispossess us."</p>
+
+<p>"He may have the right, but it isn't human,"
+said Mr. Damon. "Bless my overshoes! If
+Beecher himself were here he wouldn't have the
+heart to send us out in this storm."</p>
+
+<p>"I would not give him the satisfaction of
+appealing to him," remarked Professor Bumper.
+"Come, we will go out. We have our ponchos,
+and we are not fair-weather explorers. If we
+can't get to the lost city one way we will
+another. Come my friends."</p>
+
+<p>And despite the downpour, the deafening
+thunder and the lightning that seemed ready to sear
+one's eyes, he walked out of the cave entrance,
+followed by Tom and the others.</p>
+
+<p>"Come on!" cried Tom, in a voice he tried to
+render confident, as they went out into the
+terrible storm. "We'll beat 'em yet!"</p>
+
+<p>The rain fell harder than ever. Small torrents
+were now rushing down the trail, and it was only
+a question of a few minutes before the place
+where they stood would be a raging river, so
+quickly does the rain collect in the mountains and
+speed toward the valleys.</p>
+
+<p>"We must take to the forest!" cried Tom.
+"There'll be some shelter there, and I don't like
+the way the geography of this place is behaving.
+There may be a landslide at any moment."</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he motioned upward through the
+mist of the rain to the sloping side of the mountain
+towering above them. Loose stones were
+beginning to roll down, accompanied by patches
+of earth loosened by the water. Some of the
+patches carried with them bunches of grass and
+small bushes.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it will be best to move into the jungle,"
+said the professor. "Goosal, you had better take
+the lead."</p>
+
+<p>It was wonderful to see how well the aged Indian
+bore up in spite of his years, and walked on
+ahead. They had left their mules tethered some
+distance back, in a sheltering clump of trees, and
+they hoped the animals would be safe.</p>
+
+<p>The guide found a place where they could
+leave the trail, though going down a dangerous
+slope, and take to the forest. As carefully as
+possible they descended this, the rain continuing to
+fall, the wind to blow, the lightning to sizzle all
+about them and the thunder to boom in their ears.</p>
+
+<p>They went on until they were beneath the
+shelter of the thick jungle growth of trees, which
+kept off some of the pelting drops.</p>
+
+<p>"This is better!" exclaimed Ned, shaking his
+poncho and getting rid of some of the water that
+had settled on it.</p>
+
+<p>"Bless my overcoat!" cried Mr. Damon. "We seem
+to have gotten out of the frying pan into the fire!"</p>
+
+<p>"How?" asked Tom. "We are partly sheltered here,
+though had we stayed in the cave in spite of——"</p>
+
+<p>A deafening crash interrupted him, and following
+the flash one of the giant trees of the forest
+was seen to blaze up and then topple over.</p>
+
+<p>"Struck by lightning!" yelled Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and it may happen to us!" exclaimed
+Mr. Damon. "We were safer from the lightning
+in the open. Maybe——"</p>
+
+<p>Again came an interruption, but this time a
+different one. The very ground beneath their feet
+seemed to be shaking and trembling.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" gasped Ned, while Goosal fell on
+his knees and began fervently to pray.</p>
+
+<p>"It's an earthquake!" yelled Tom Swift.</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke there came another sound—the
+sound of a mass of earth in motion. It came
+from the direction of the mountain trail they had
+just left. They looked toward it and their horror-stricken
+eyes saw the whole side of the
+mountain sliding down.</p>
+
+<p>Slowly at first the earth slid down, but
+constantly gathering force and speed. In the face
+of this new disaster the rain seemed to have
+ceased and the thunder and lightning to be less
+severe. It was as though one force of nature
+gave way to the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Look! Look!" gasped Ned.</p>
+
+<p>In silence, which was broken now only by a
+low and ominous rumble, more menacing than
+had been the awful fury of the elements, the
+travelers looked.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly there was a quicker movement of
+seemingly one whole section of the mountain.
+Great rocks and trees, carried down by the
+appalling force of the landslide were slipping over
+the trail, obliterating it as though it had never existed.</p>
+
+<p>"There goes the entrance to the cavern!" cried Ned,
+and as the others looked to where he pointed
+they saw the hole in the side of the mountain
+—the mouth of the cave that led to the lost city
+of Kurzon—completely covered by thousands of
+tons of earth and stones.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the end of them!" exclaimed Tom, as
+the rumble of the earthquake died away.</p>
+
+<p>"Of——" Ned stopped, his eyes staring.</p>
+
+<p>"Of Professor Beecher's party. They're
+entombed alive!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxxiv" id="chapterxxiv">CHAPTER XXIV</a></h2>
+
+<h3>THE REVOLVING STONE</h3>
+
+<p>Stunned, not alone by the realization of the
+awfulness of the fate of their rivals, but also by
+the terrific storm and the effect of the earthquake
+and the landslide, Tom and his friends remained
+for a moment gazing toward the mouth of the
+cavern, now completely out of sight, buried by
+a mass of broken trees, tangled bushes, rocks and
+earth. Somewhere, far beyond that mass, was
+the Beecher party, held prisoners in the cave
+that formed the entrance to the buried city.</p>
+
+<p>Tom was the first to come to a realization of
+what was needed to be done.</p>
+
+<p>"We must help them!" he exclaimed, and it was
+characteristic of him that he harbored no enmity.</p>
+
+<p>"How?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"We must get a force of Indians and dig them
+out," was the prompt answer.</p>
+
+<p>At Tom's vigorous words Professor Bumper's
+forces were energized into action, and he stated:
+"Fortunately we have plenty of excavating
+tools. We may be in time to save them. Come
+on! the storm seems to have passed as suddenly
+as it came up, and the earthquake, which, after
+all did not cover a wide area, seems to be over.
+We must start the work of rescue at once. We
+must go back to camp and get all the help we
+can muster."</p>
+
+<p>The storm, indeed, seemed to be over, but it
+was no easy matter to get back over the soggy,
+rain-soaked ground to the trail they had left to
+take shelter in the forest. Fortunately the earthquake
+had not involved that portion where they
+had left their mules, but most of the frightened
+animals had broken loose, and it was some little
+time before they could all be caught.</p>
+
+<p>"It is no use to try to get back to camp to-night,"
+said Tom, when the last of the pack and
+saddle animals had been corralled. "It is getting
+late and there is no telling the condition of the
+trail. We must stay here until morning."</p>
+
+<p>"But what about them?" and Mr. Damon
+nodded in the direction of the entombed ones.</p>
+
+<p>"We can help them best by waiting until the
+beginning of a new day," said the professor. "We
+shall need a large force, and we could not bring
+it up to-night. Besides, Tom is right, and if we
+tried to go along the trail after dark, torn and
+disturbed as it is bound to be by the rain, we
+might get into difficulties ourselves. No, we
+must camp here until morning and then go for
+help."</p>
+
+<p>They all decided finally this was best. The
+professor, too, pointed out that their rivals were
+in a large and roomy cave, not likely to suffer
+from lack of air nor food or water, since they
+must have supplies with them.</p>
+
+<p>"The only danger is that the cave has been
+crushed in," added Tom; "but in that event we
+would be of no service to them anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>The night seemed very long, and it was a most
+uncomfortable one, because of the shock and
+exertions through which the party had passed.
+Added to this was the physical discomfort caused
+by the storm.</p>
+
+<p>But in time there was the light in the east that
+meant morning was at hand, and with it came
+action. A hasty breakfast, cups of steaming coffee
+forming a most welcome part, put them all
+in better condition, and once more they were on
+their way, heading back to the main camp where
+they had left their force of Indians.</p>
+
+<p>"My!" exclaimed Tom, as they made their
+way slowly along, "it surely was some storm!
+Look at those big trees uprooted over there.
+They're almost as big as the giant redwoods of
+California, and yet they were bowled over as if
+they were tenpins."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if the wind did it or the earthquake,"
+ventured Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"No wind could do that," declared Ned. "It must
+have been the landslide caused by the earthquake."</p>
+
+<p>"The wind could do it if the ground was made
+soft by the rain; and that was probably what
+did it," suggested Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no harm in settling the point,"
+commented Professor Bumper. "It is not far off our
+trail, and will take only a few minutes to go
+over to the trees. I should like to get some
+photographs to accompany an article that perhaps
+I shall write on the effects of sudden and
+severe tropical storms. We will go to look at
+the overturned trees and then we'll hurry on to
+camp to get the rescue party."</p>
+
+<p>The uprooted trees lay on one side of the
+mountain trail, perhaps a mile from the mouth of
+the cave which had been covered over, entombing
+the Beecher party. Leaving the mules in
+charge of one of the Indians, Professor Bumper
+and his friends, accompanied by Goosal, approached
+the fallen trees. As they neared them
+they saw that in falling the trees had lifted with
+their roots a large mass of earth and imbedded
+rocks that had clung to the twisted and gnarled
+fibers. This mass was as large as a house.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the hole left when the roots pulled
+out!" cried Ned. "Why, it's like the crater of
+a small volcano!" he added. And, as they stood
+on the edge of it looking curiously at the hole
+made, the others agreed with Tom's chum.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Bumper was looking about, trying
+to ascertain if there were any evidences of the
+earthquake in the vicinity, when Tom, who had
+cautiously gone a little way down into the excavation
+caused by the fallen trees, uttered a cry of surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Look!" he shouted. "Isn't that some sort of
+tunnel or underground passage?" and he pointed
+to a square opening, perhaps seven feet high and
+nearly as broad, which extended, no one knew
+where, downward and onward from the side of
+the hole made by the uprooting of the trees.</p>
+
+<p>"It's an underground passage all right," said
+Professor Bumper eagerly; "and not a natural
+one, either. That was fashioned by the hand
+of man, if I am any judge. It seems to go right
+under the mountain, too. Friends, we must
+explore this! It may be of the utmost importance!
+Come, we have our electric torches, and we shall
+need them, for it's very dark in there," and he
+peered into the passage in front of which they
+all stood now. It seemed to have been tunneled
+through the earth, the sides being lined by either
+slabs of stone, or walls made by a sort of concrete.</p>
+
+<p>"But what about the rescue work?" asked Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not forgetting Professor Beecher and his
+friends," answered the scientist.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps this may be a better means of rescuing
+them than by digging them out, which will take
+a week at least," observed Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"This a better way?" asked Ned, pointing to the tunnel.</p>
+
+<p>"That's it," confirmed the savant. "If you
+will notice it extends back in the direction
+of the cave from which we were driven.
+Now if there is a buried city beneath all this
+jungle, this mountain of earth and stones, the
+accumulation of centuries, it is probably on the
+bottom of some vast cavern. It is my opinion
+that we were only in one end of that cavern, and
+this may be the entrance to another end of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," asked Mr. Damon, "do you mean that
+we can enter here, get into the cave that contains
+the buried city, or part of it, and find there
+Beecher and his friends?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's it. It is possible, and if we could it
+would save an immense lot of work, and probably
+be a surer way to save their lives than by
+digging a tunnel through the landslide to find
+the mouth of the cave where we first entered."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a chance worth taking," said Mr. Damon.
+"Of course it is a chance. But then everything
+connected with this expedition is; so one is no
+worse than another. As you say, we may find
+the entombed men more easily this way than any
+other."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder," said Tom slowly, "if, by any
+chance, we shall find, through this passage, the
+lost city we are looking for."</p>
+
+<p>"And the idol of gold," added Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"Goosal, do you know anything about this?"
+asked Professor Bumper. "Did you ever hear
+of another passage leading to the cave where you
+saw the ancient city?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Learned One, though I have heard stories
+about there being many cities, or parts of a big
+one, beneath the mountain, and when it was
+above ground there were many entrances to it."</p>
+
+<p>"That settles it!" cried the professor in
+English, having talked to Goosal in Spanish.
+"We'll try this and see where it leads."</p>
+
+<p>They entered the stone-lined passage. In
+spite of the fact that it had probably been buried
+and concealed from light and air for centuries,
+as evidenced by the growth of the giant trees
+above it, the air was fresh.</p>
+
+<p>"And this is one reason," said Tom, in
+commenting on this fact, "why I believe it leads to
+some vast cavern which is connected in some
+fashion with the outer air. Well, perhaps we
+shall soon make a discovery."</p>
+
+<p>Eagerly and anxiously the little party pressed
+forward by the light of the pocket electric lamps.
+They were obsessed by two thoughts—what they
+might find and the necessity for aiding in the
+rescue of their rivals.</p>
+
+<p>On and on they went, the darkness illuminated
+only by the torches they carried. But they
+noticed that the air was still fresh, and that a
+gentle wind blew toward them. The passage
+was undoubtedly artificial, a tunnel made by the
+hands of men now long crumbled into dust. It
+had a slightly upward slope, and this, Professor
+Bumper said, indicated that it was bored upward
+and perhaps into the very heart of the mountain
+somewhere in the interior of which was the
+Beecher party.</p>
+
+<p>Just how far they went they did not know, but
+it must have been more than two miles. Yet
+they did not tire, for the way was smooth.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Tom, who, with Professor Bumper,
+was in the lead, uttered a cry, as he held his
+torch above his head and flashed it about in a
+circle.</p>
+
+<p>"We're blocked!" he exclaimed. "We're up
+against a stone wall!"</p>
+
+<p>It was but too true. Confronting them, and
+extending from side to side across the passage
+and from roof to floor, was a great rough stone.
+Immense and solid it seemed when they pushed
+on it in vain.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing short of dynamite will move that,"
+said Ned in despair. "This is a blind lead.
+We'll have to go back."</p>
+
+<p>"But there must be something on the other
+side of that stone," cried Tom. "See, it is pierced
+with holes, and through them comes a current of
+air. If we could only move the stone!"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it is an ancient door," remarked
+Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>Eagerly and frantically they tried to move it
+by their combined weight. The stone did not
+give the fraction of the breadth of a hair.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll have to go back and get some of your
+big tunnel blasting powder, Tom," suggested Ned.</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke old Goosal glided forward. He
+had remained behind them in the passage while
+they were trying to move the rock. Now he
+said something in Spanish.</p>
+
+<p>"What does he mean?" asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"He asks that he be allowed to try," translated
+Professor Bumper. "Sometimes, he says, there
+is a secret way of opening stone doors in these
+underground caves. Let him try."</p>
+
+<p>Goosal seemed to be running his fingers lightly
+over the outer edge of the door. He was muttering
+to himself in his Indian tongue.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he uttered an exclamation, and, as
+he did so, there was a noise from the door itself.
+It was a grinding, scraping sound, a rumble as
+though rocks were being rolled one against the
+other.</p>
+
+<p>Then the astonished eyes of the adventurers
+saw the great stone door revolve on its axis
+and swing to one side, leaving a passage open
+through which they could pass. Goosal had
+discovered the hidden mechanism.</p>
+
+<p>What lay before them?</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="chapterxxv" id="chapterxxv">CHAPTER XXV</a></h2>
+
+<h3>THE IDOL OF GOLD</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Forward! cried Tom Swift.</p>
+
+<p>"Where?" asked Mr Damon, hanging back for
+an instant. "Bless my compass, Tom! do you
+know where you're going?"</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't the least idea, but it must lead to
+something, or the ancients who made this
+revolving stone door wouldn't have taken such care
+to block the passage."</p>
+
+<p>"Ask Goosal if he knows anything about it,"
+suggested Mr. Damon to the professor.</p>
+
+<p>"He says he never was here before," translated
+the savant, "but years ago, when he went into
+the hidden city by the cave we left yesterday, he
+saw doors like this which opened this way."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we're on the right track!" cried Tom.
+"If this is the same kind of door, it must lead
+to the same place. Ho for Kurzon and the idol
+of gold!"</p>
+
+<p>As they passed through the stone door, Tom
+and Professor Bumper tried to get some idea of
+the mechanism by which it worked. But they
+found this impossible, it being hidden within the
+stone itself or in the adjoining walls. But, in
+order that it might not close of itself and entomb
+them, the portal was blocked open with stones
+found in the passage.</p>
+
+<p>"It's always well to have a line of retreat open,"
+said Tom. "There's no telling what may lie beyond us."</p>
+
+<p>For a time there seemed to be nothing more
+than the same passage along which they had
+come. Then the passage suddenly widened, like
+the large end of a square funnel. Upward and
+outward the stone walls swept, and they saw
+dimly before them, in the light of their torches,
+a vast cavern, seemingly formed by the falling
+in of mountains, which, in toppling over, had met
+overhead in a sort of rough arch, thus protecting,
+in a great measure, that which lay beneath
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Goosal, who had brought with him some of
+the fiber bark torches, set a bundle of them
+aflame. As they flared up, a wondrous sight
+was revealed to Tom Swift and his friends.</p>
+
+<p>Stretching out before them, as though they
+stood at the end of an elevated street and gazed
+down on it, was a city—a large city, with streets,
+houses, open squares, temples, statues, fountains,
+dry for centuries—a buried and forgotten city—
+a city in ruins—a city of the dead, now dry as
+dust, but still a city, or, rather, the strangely
+preserved remains of one.</p>
+
+<p>"Look!" whispered Tom. A louder voice just then,
+would have seemed a sacrilege. "Look!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it what we are looking for?" asked Ned in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it is," replied the professor. "It is
+the lost city of Kurzon, or one just like it. And
+now if we can find the idol of gold our search will
+be ended—at least the major part of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you expect to find the idol?" asked Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"It should be in the main temple. Come, we
+will walk in the ancient streets—streets where
+no feet but ours have trod in many centuries.
+Come!"</p>
+
+<p>In eager silence they pressed on through this
+newly discovered wonderland. For it was a
+wonderful city, or had been. Though much of
+it was in ruins, probably caused by an earthquake
+or an eruption from a volcano, the central
+portion, covered as it was by the overtoppling
+mountains that formed the arching roof, was well
+preserved.</p>
+
+<p>There were rude but beautiful stone buildings.
+There were archways; temples; public squares;
+and images, not at all beautiful, for they seemed
+to be of man-monsters—doubtless ancient gods.
+There were smoothly paved streets; wondrously
+carved fountains, some in ruins, all now as dry
+as bone, but which must have been places of
+beauty where youths and maidens gathered in
+the ancient days.</p>
+
+<p>Of the ancient population there was not a
+trace left. Tom and his friends penetrated some
+of the houses, but not so much as a bone or a
+heap of mouldering dust showed where the
+remains of the people were. Either they had fled
+at the approaching doom of the city and were
+buried elsewhere, or some strange fire or other
+force of nature had consumed and obliterated
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"What a wealth of historic information I shall
+find here!" murmured Professor Bumper, as he
+caught sight of many inscriptions in strange
+characters on the walls and buildings.
+"I shall never get to the end of them."</p>
+
+<p>"But what about the idol of gold?" asked Mr.
+Damon, "Do you think you'll find that?"</p>
+
+<p>"We must hurry on to the temple over there,"
+said the scientist, indicating a building further along.</p>
+
+<p>"And then we must see about rescuing your
+rivals, Professor," put in Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Tom. But fortunately we are on the
+ground here before them," agreed the professor.</p>
+
+<p>Undoubtedly it was the chief temple, or place
+of worship, of the long-dead race which the
+explorers now entered. It was a building beautiful
+in its barbaric style, and yet simple. There were
+massive walls, and a great inner court, at the end
+of which seemed to be some sort of altar. And
+then, as they lighted fresh torches, and pressed
+forward with them and their electric lights, they
+saw that which caused a cry of satisfaction to
+burst from all of them.</p>
+
+<p>"The idol of gold!"</p>
+
+<p>Yes, there it squatted, an ugly, misshapen,
+figure, a cross between a toad and a gila monster,
+half man, half beast, with big red eyes—rubies
+probably—that gleamed in the repulsive golden
+face. And the whole figure, weighing many
+pounds, seemed to be of SOLID GOLD!</p>
+
+<p>Eagerly the others followed Professor Bumper
+up the altar steps to the very throne of the golden
+idol. The scientist touched it, tried to raise it
+and make sure of its solidity and material.</p>
+
+<p>"This is it!" he cried. "It is the idol of gold!
+I have found We have found it, for it
+belongs to all of us!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hurray!" cried Tom Swift, and Ned and Mr.
+Damon joined in the cry.</p>
+
+<p>There was no need for silence or caution now;
+and yet, as they stood about the squat and ugly
+figure, which, in spite of its hideousness, was
+worth a fortune intrinsically and as an antique,
+they heard from the direction of the stone passage
+a noise.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Tom Swift.</p>
+
+<p>There was a murmur of voices.</p>
+
+<p>"Indians!" cried Professor Bumper, recognizing
+the language—a mixture of Spanish and Indian.</p>
+
+<p>The cave was illuminated by the glare of other
+torches which seemed to rush forward. A moment
+later it was seen that they were being carried
+by a number of Indians.</p>
+
+<p>"Friends," murmured Goosal, using the
+Spanish term, "Amigos."</p>
+
+<p>"They are our own Indians!" cried Tom Swift.
+"I see Tolpec!" and he pointed to the native who
+had deserted from Jacinto's force to help them.</p>
+
+<p>"How did they get here?" asked Professor Bumper.</p>
+
+<p>This was quickly told. In their camp, where,
+under the leadership of Tolpec they had been
+left to do the excavating, the natives had heard,
+seen and felt the effects of the storm and the
+earthquake, though it did little damage in their
+vicinity. But they became alarmed for the safety
+of the professor and his party and, at Tolpec's
+suggestion, set off in search of them.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians had seen, passing along the trail,
+the uprooted trees, and had noted the footsteps
+of the explorers going down to the stone passage.
+It was easy for them to determine that Tom
+and his friends had gone in, since the marks of
+their boots were plainly in evidence in the soft
+soil.</p>
+
+<p>None of the Indians was as much wrought up
+over the discovery of Kurzon and the idol as
+were the white adventurers. The gold, of course,
+meant something to the natives, but they were
+indifferent to the wonders of the underground
+city. Perhaps they had heard too many legends
+concerning such things to be impressed.</p>
+
+<p>"That statue is yours—all yours," said old
+Goosal when he had talked with his relatives and
+friends among the natives. "They all say what
+you find you keep, and we will help you keep it."</p>
+
+<p>"That's good," murmured Professor Bumper.
+"There was some doubt in my mind as to our
+right to this, but after all, the natives who live
+in this land are the original owners, and if they
+pass title to us it is clear. That settles the last
+difficulty."</p>
+
+<p>"Except that of getting the idol out," said Mr. Damon.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we'll accomplish that!" cried Tom.</p>
+
+<p>"I can hardly believe my good luck," declared
+Professor Bumper. "I shall write a whole book
+on this idol alone and then——"</p>
+
+<p>Once more came an interruption. This time
+it was from another direction, but it was of the
+same character—an approaching band of torch-bearers.
+They were Indians, too, but leading
+them were a number of whites.</p>
+
+<p>And at their head was no less personage than
+Professor Beecher himself.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment, as the three parties stood
+together in the ancient temple, in the glare of
+many torches, no one spoke. Then Professor
+Bumper found his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"We are glad to see you," he said to his rival.
+"That is glad to see you alive, for we saw the
+landslide bury you. And we were coming to
+dig you out. We thought this cave—the cave of
+the buried city—would lead us to you easier than
+by digging through the slide. We have just
+discovered this idol," and he put his hand on the
+grim golden image.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you have discovered it, have you?" asked
+Professor Beecher, and his voice was bitter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, not ten minutes ago. The natives have
+kindly acknowledged my right to it under the law
+of priority. I am sorry but——"</p>
+
+<p>With a look of disgust and chagrined
+disappointment on his face, Professor Beecher turned
+to the other scientists and said:</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go. We are too late. He has what
+I came after."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is the fortune of war—and discovery,"
+put in Mr. Hardy, one of the party who seemed
+the least ill-natured. "Your luck might have
+been ours, Professor Bumper. I congratulate
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you! Are you sure your party is all
+right—not in need of assistance? How did you
+get out of the place you were buried?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you! We do not require any help. It
+was good of you to think of us. But we got
+out the way we came in. We did not enter the
+tunnel as you did, but came in through another
+entrance which was not closed by the landslide.
+Then we made a turn through a gateway in a
+tunnel connecting with ours—a gateway which
+seems to have been opened by the earthquake—
+and we came here, just now.</p>
+
+<p>"Too late, I see, to claim the discovery of the
+idol of gold," went on Mr. Hardy. "But I trust
+you will be generous, and allow us to make
+observations of the buildings and other relics."</p>
+
+<p>"As much as you please, and with the greatest
+pleasure in the world," was the prompt answer
+of Professor Bumper. "All I lay sole
+claim to is the golden idol. You are at liberty
+to take whatever else you find in Kurzon and to
+make what observations you like."</p>
+
+<p>"That is generous of you, and quite in contrast
+to—er—to the conduct of our leader. I trust
+he may awaken to a sense of the injustice he
+did you."</p>
+
+<p>But Professor Beecher was not there to hear
+this. He had stalked away in anger.</p>
+
+<p>"Humph!" grunted Tom. Then he continued:
+"That story about a government concession was all
+a fake, Professor, else he'd have put up a fight now.
+Contemptible sneak!"</p>
+
+<hr class="tiny" />
+
+<p>In fact the story of Tom Swift's trip to the
+underground land of wonders is ended, for with
+the discovery of the idol of gold the main object
+of the expedition was accomplished. But their
+adventures were not over by any means, though
+there is not room in this volume to record them.</p>
+
+<p>Suffice it to say that means were at once taken
+to get the golden image out of the cave of the
+ancient city. It was not accomplished without
+hard work, for the gold was heavy, and Professor
+Bumper would not, naturally, consent to
+the shaving off of so much as an ear or part of
+the flat nose, to say nothing of one of the half
+dozen extra arms and legs with which the ugly
+idol was furnished.</p>
+
+<p>Finally it was safely taken out of the cave,
+and along the stone passage to the opening
+formed by the overthrown trees, and thence on
+to camp.</p>
+
+<p>And at the camp a surprise awaited Tom.</p>
+
+<p>Some long-delayed mail had been forwarded
+from the nearest place of civilization and there
+were letters for all, including several for our hero.
+One in particular he picked out first and read
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, is every little thing all right, Tom?"
+asked Ned, as he saw a cheerful grin spread itself
+over his chum's face.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say it is, and then some! Look
+here, Ned. This is a letter from——"</p>
+
+<p>"I know. Mary Nestor. Go on."</p>
+
+<p>"How'd you guess?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I'm a mind-reader."</p>
+
+<p>"Huh! Well, you know she was away when
+I went to call to say good-bye, and I was a little
+afraid Beecher had got an inside edge on me."</p>
+
+<p>"Had he?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but he tried hard enough. He went to
+see Mary in Fayetteville, just as you heard, before
+he came on to join his party, but he didn't
+pay much of a visit to her."</p>
+
+<p>"No?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. Mary told him he'd better hurry along
+to Central America, or wherever it was he
+intended going, as she didn't care for him as much
+as he flattered himself she did."</p>
+
+<p>"Good!" cried Ned. "Shake, old man. I'm glad!"</p>
+
+<p>They shook hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what's the matter? Didn't you read
+all of her letter?" asked Ned when he saw his
+chum once more perusing the epistle.</p>
+
+<p>"No. There's a postscript here.</p>
+
+
+<blockquote><p>"`Sorry I couldn't see you before you left. It
+was a mistake, but when you come back—'</p></blockquote>
+
+
+<p>"Oh, that part isn't any of your affair!" and,
+blushing under his tan, Tom thrust the letter
+into his pocket and strode away, while Ned
+laughed happily.</p>
+
+<p>With the idol of gold safe in their possession,
+Professor Bumper's party could devote their
+time to making other explorations in the buried
+city. This they did, as is testified to by a long
+list of books and magazine articles since turned
+out by the scientist, dealing strictly with archaeological
+subjects, touching on the ancient Mayan
+race and its civilization, with particular reference
+to their system of computing time.</p>
+
+<p>Professor Beecher, young and foolish, would
+not consent to delve into the riches of the ancient
+city, being too much chagrined over the loss of
+the idol. It seems he had really promised to
+give a part of it to Mary Nestor. But he never
+got the chance.</p>
+
+<p>His colleagues, after their first disappointment
+at being beaten, joined forces with Professor
+Bumper in exploring the old city, and made many
+valuable discoveries.</p>
+
+<p>In one point Professor Bumper had done his
+rival an injustice. That was in thinking
+Professor Beecher was responsible for the treachery
+of Jacinto. That was due to the plotter's own
+work. It was true that Professor Beecher had
+tentatively engaged Jacinto, and had sent word
+to him to keep other explorers away from the
+vicinity of the ancient city if possible; but
+Jacinto, who did not return Professor Bumper's
+money, as he had promised, had acted treacherously
+in order to enrich himself. Professor
+Beecher had nothing to do with that, nor had he
+with the taking of the map, as has been seen, the
+loss of which, after all, was a blessing in disguise,
+for Kurzon would never have been located
+by following the directions given there, as it was
+very inaccurate.</p>
+
+<p>In another point it was demonstrated that the
+old documents were at fault. This was in reference
+to the golden idol having been overthrown
+and another set up in its place, an act which had
+caused the destruction of Kurzon.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that the city was destroyed, or rather,
+buried, but this catastrophe was probably
+brought about by an earthquake. And another
+great idol, one of clay, was found, perhaps a
+rival of Quitzel, but it was this clay image which
+was thrown down and broken, and not the golden
+one.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps an effort had been made, just before
+the burying of the city, to change idols and the
+system of worship, but Quitzel seemed to have
+held his own. The old manuscripts were not
+very reliable, it was found, except in general.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I guess this will hold Beecher for a
+while," said Tom, the night of the arrival of
+Mary's letter, and after he had written one in
+answer, which was dispatched by a runner to
+the nearest place whence mail could be
+forwarded.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, luck seems to favor you," replied Ned.
+"You've had a hand in the discovery of the idol
+of gold, and——"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And I discovered something else I
+wasn't quite sure of," interrupted Tom, as he
+felt to make sure he had a certain letter safe in
+his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>It was several weeks later that the explorations
+of Kurzon came to an end—a temporary end, for
+the rainy season set in, when the tropics are
+unsuitable for white men. Tom, Professor Bumper,
+Ned and Mr. Damon set sail for the United
+States, the valuable idol of gold safe on board.</p>
+
+<p>And there, with their vessel plowing the blue
+waters of the Caribbean Sea, we will take leave
+of Tom Swift and his friends.</p>
+
+<hr />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<pre>
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders
+by Victor Appleton
+
+************************************************************************
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