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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..06d7f43 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66206 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66206) diff --git a/old/66206-0.txt b/old/66206-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c8bb45d..0000000 --- a/old/66206-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4568 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in -Central America, by Luis Senarens - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Central America - -Author: Luis Senarens - "NONAME" - -Release Date: September 2, 2021 [eBook #66206] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Les Galloway and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois - University Digital Library) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK READE, JR., WITH HIS NEW -STEAM MAN IN CENTRAL AMERICA *** - - - Transcriber’s Notes - -Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations -in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and -punctuation remains unchanged. - -Italics are represented thus _italic_. - - - - - FRANK READE, JR., IN CENTRAL AMERICA. - -The subscription Price of the FRANK READE LIBRARY by the year is $2.50: - $1.25 per six months, post-paid. Address FRANK TOUSEY, PUBLISHER, 34 - and 36 North Moore Street. Box 2730. - - FRANK READE, JR., - - With His New Steam Man in Central America. - - By “NONAME,” - - Author of “Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in No Man’s Land; - or, On a Mysterious Trail,” etc., etc. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - A STRANGE STORY FROM YUCATAN. - - -Frank Reade, Jr., the distinguished inventor of many wonderful -machines, and particularly the new Steam Man, sat in his library one -winter’s day reading a newspaper. - -His wife sat near him engaged in some light needle work. She looked up -to see a peculiar expression upon her husband’s handsome face. - -“Well, that is strange,” exclaimed Frank Reade, Jr., with a whistle of -surprise. “I am positive that is my old friend, Buckden, whom I knew -at college. Upon my word, this breaks me all up.” - -“What is it, Frank?” asked Mrs. Reade, with interest. - -“Why, Tony Buckden, an old college mate of mine, it seems has turned -his wits to mining engineering. This has taken him down to Central -America, to Yucatan, and a cablegram has just been received in New -York, stating that Tony had become separated from his party and lost in -the jungle. For six weeks he was searched for in vain.” - -“How terrible.” - -“It is more than likely that he has fallen a prey to wild beasts. Yet -his father, the millionaire, Thomas Buckden, of New York, comes out -with an offer of $50,000 to the person who will furnish positive proof -that his son is alive, and bring him safely home.” - -“That is a large reward,” ventured Mrs. Reade. “I hope somebody will -win it.” - -“Poor Tony!” exclaimed Frank, with emotion. “I declare I almost feel -it my duty to go to his rescue.” - -“What! leave home again so soon?” - -“Yet what is my duty, dear wife? It would seem that my dear friend’s -life is at stake. Ought I not to sacrifice something to save him?” - -“What? You don’t really think of going yourself?” - -“I don’t know,” replied Frank, agitatedly pacing the floor. “I don’t -see who else can go and stand the rigors of that climate, dare the -dangers of the jungle, the wild beasts and natives, and succeed in -rescuing Tony.” - -“Are you sure that you can do it?” - -“Ought I not to be reasonably sure? Have I not the Steam Man? Barney -and Pomp I am sure would go with me.” - -“I hope you will not be so foolish as to go.” - -“I cannot say yet, my dear. I must satisfy myself completely that it -is my duty. But I think I will walk down to the shop and see the Steam -Man.” - -Frank bent down and kissed his wife and children and then left the -house. - -But just as he was going down the steps the mail carrier handed him a -letter. Thus it was superscribed: - - “TO FRANK READE JR., - READESTOWN, U. S. A.” - -Frank glanced at the foreign postmark and then broke the seal and read: - - “DEAR FRIEND FRANK—I have been thinking of you of late and so feel - constrained to write you. Moreover, I have a big scheme in which I - want to interest you. While at Campeachy I fell in with a native - trader from Valladolid. I was fortunate enough to do him a service and - gain his friendship, and as a reward he accorded me a most astonishing - tale and secret. - - “He told me of his travels in the interior through jungle and swamp - and forest. Also of the deadly animals and reptiles, the poisonous - insects, and all the great dangers and pitfalls of the traveler in - those latitudes. - - “But more than this, he told me a wonderful story of a ruined city far - up in the inaccessible table-lands of Tanada. - - “No doubt you are familiar with the accounts of the ancient cities of - Palonque and others. Well, I imagine that this ruined city, Mazendla - he called it, is one of the same sort. - - “But Metlo, which is the name of my informant, described a vast temple - in which he said there was vast treasures of gold, silver and jewels. - But ever since discovered this temple has been a perfect nest of - gigantic anacondas, and none of the natives have ever ventured into - the place. - - “Only one man ever lived to get out of the place, and he brought forth - enough gold and jewels to insure his wealth for life. - “And there to-day lies untold wealth all in the possession of the - anacondas. - - “Many attempts have been made by the natives to destroy the snakes. A - great body of men once attempted it. Six of the snakes were killed, - but there seemed to be fully half a hundred left. The place seemed - alive with them, and a dozen men falling victims to the monsters the - attempt was abandoned. - - “From that day to this no attempt has been made to recover the wealth. - Metlo told me that no white man ever visited the region. - - “The journey thither is a dangerous one on account of beasts and - poisonous reptiles. Yet I believe it can be made. I have thought of - you and your wonderful Steam Man and I feel sure that with the aid of - you and your wonderful invention the treasure can be recovered. - - “Now, Frank, I humbly beg of you if possible come down here and embark - in this enterprise with me. - - “Of course I have plenty of money, my father being a millionaire, but - I have a powerful desire to visit the ruined city of Mazendla and do - battle with those anacondas. - - “I can do it alone, but I can succeed better with the aid of your - Steam Man. As a favor I beg of you to write me at once to Campeachy. - And now, my dear Frank, hoping to hear from you soon and favorably, I - am as ever your friend. - - TONY BUCKDEN.” - -Frank Reade, Jr., drew a deep breath as he finished reading this -stirring epistle. - -His eyes shone like stars and his whole being was stirred up. - -It was certainly just the kind of a trip he would fancy. His -adventurous spirit was fired and he muttered: - -“That is a new field to explore. Ah! I would like to try it. But let -me see! This letter has been coming by lazy stages and has been three -weeks on the way. The cablegram was received a few days ago. Since then -he has become lost in the jungle. Poor Tony! He must be rescued, and -who is there to do it but me?” - -Frank passed down the street in deep abstraction of mind. - -The wind was chill and piercing, and there was snow in the air, as well -as on the ground. - -Suddenly around a corner came a man on the dead run. - -But as his feet struck a bit of ice, they went out from under him, and -he went sliding clear across the sidewalk and into a vast snow bank. - -He was literally buried, but quickly dug himself out, spluttering and -jawing like mad. - -“I jes’ pays yo’ back fo’ dat, I’ish. Yo’ jes’ stop yo’ foolin’ wif dis -chile, or yo’ gits inter trubbel right away. Jes’ yo’ hear dat.” - -“Whurroo! Bejabers, it’s a foine looking naygur yez are now. Ha, ha, -ha! Yez would pass for a Santa Claus now to be shure. It’s nearer white -yez are than yez iver will be agin.” - -The victim of the snow bank, who, as the reader may have guessed, was -a negro, dug the snow from his ears and eyes with supreme rage and -disgust. - -His companion was an Irishman, as his rich brogue would indicate. They -had been having a lark at snow-balling, and the Irishman was chasing -the negro around the corner when he took his fall. - -It required but a glance for Frank Reade, Jr., to recognize the -skylarkers. - -They were faithful servitors of his, and were named Barney and Pomp. - -They were a legacy from Frank’s father, and in all the famous young -inventor’s travels these servants had accompanied him. - -Nobody could be more attached to a master than they were to Frank. - -And now, as they caught sight of him approaching, they straightened up -and both doffed their hats. - -“I’se done glad to see yo’, Marse Frank.” - -“I hope yez air well, Misther Frank.” - -“Barney and Pomp!” cried Frank, eagerly. “You are just the fellows I -want to see.” - -“Whurroo!” shouted Barney. “We’re ready for anythin’, Misther Frank, -from a shindy to a ruction.” - -“I don’t doubt it,” replied Frank with a smile. “But here’s a letter -you may read, and tell me what you think of it.” - -“A letther!” gasped Barney. - -He took the missive, and with Pomp at his shoulder, it was read by -both. Frank watched them intently. - -It was evident that the letter had made a powerful impression upon them. - -“Well!” said Frank, when they had finished. “What do you think of it?” - -“Be jabers I’d loike nothing betther than a go at some av them forty -foot snakes. Shure it’s a foine thrip that would be fer ther Stheam -Man, Misther Frank.” - -“Ki dar, Marse Frank!” cried Pomp, with eyes big as moons. “Kain’t say -dis chile likes snakes, but yo’ kin jes’ bet he’d like to go dar jes’ -de same.” - -“Good!” cried Frank, “then if I conclude to go, you’ll be all ready?” - -“Yo kin jes’ bet we will.” - -“Make no doubt av that.” - -“All right,” said Frank, buttoning his coat closer, “be in readiness -for I may decide to go.” - -The young inventor went on down the street. - -In a few moments he came to the entrance of the big yards of the Reade -Machine Shop. - -Here at the entrance was the sumptuously furnished office. Frank -entered, and an elderly patrician-looking gentleman who was pacing the -floor, excitedly rushed up to him, crying: - -“Are you Mr. Frank Reade, Jr.?” - -“I am,” replied Frank. - -“Thank God you have come at last! Here is my card.” - -Frank took it and read: - - “THOMAS BUCKDEN, NEW YORK CITY.” - -“Indeed!” exclaimed the young inventor, affably. “I am glad to welcome -you here, Mr. Buckden. I believe I know your son well, and——” - -“Oh, then you remember him well,” cried the old gentleman, excitedly. -“Thank Heaven for that! It will perhaps influence you to accede to the -request I have to make. Oh, have—have you heard about my son?” - -“I have heard that your son at last accounts had become lost in the -jungle,” replied Frank. - -“Yes, yes, but we believe that he has been captured and held a -prisoner by a wild tribe of savages known in that vicinity as the -Tanadas.” - -“It is quite likely.” - -“God grant it may be so. Oh, sir, listen to an agonized father’s -prayers. They tell me that you have the necessary equipments and are -the only man who can go into those wilds and rescue my boy. Now I am a -wealthy man and will pay——” - -“Stop!” said Frank, imperatively. “Do not speak to me of pay! I knew -your son; he was my college friend. I am only too glad to be able to -go to his aid. I will say this much—that before three days I shall -start from New Orleans with my Steam Man on board a special steamer for -Campeachy. You may if you choose see to the chartering of the steamer.” - -“A fleet if you wish it!” cried Mr. Buckden. “Oh, accept my deepest -gratitude, Mr. Reade, and—bring my boy safely back.” - -“I will try,” replied Frank. - -“God bless you! But this wonderful Steam Man—I have never seen it.” - -“Come with me and I will be glad to show it to you,” said Frank. - -The young inventor led the way into a high roofed chamber with large -doors which opened out into the yard. - -Here was a sight such as Mr. Buckden had never seen the like of. - -Standing in the center of the huge chamber was the Steam Man, the -wonder of the century. - -Since his western trip Frank had had the Man thoroughly repaired, and -he was now in perfect condition to go out upon a trip. - -“What do you think of him?” asked Frank. - -“Simply wonderful!” replied Mr. Buckden, admiringly. - -“If you will please step this way I will be glad to show you how he is -made, and how he is able to go.” - -Frank led the way to the other side of the invention, and then with -pardonable pride began explicitly to illustrate the fine points of the -Steam Man. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - IN YUCATAN. - - -“You can see that he is constructed of plates of iron,” said Frank, -explanatively. “The legs are reservoirs for water, the furnace is in -his chest and the smoke-pipe is his high hat. The gauge and indicator -and throttle as well as steam chest are upon his back. In his mouth you -will see the whistle. - -“Then you will observe the steel driving rods down his legs. Of course -it required some clever mechanical skill, but it can be seen at a -glance that the machine is a practicable and feasible one. Just as much -so as a locomotive.” - -“But ten times more wonderful,” declared Mr. Buckden. - -“Perhaps so. Now you can see that this is the wagon drawn by the Steam -Man. In this wagon we carry a supply of coal, provisions and weapons. -It is covered with a wire screen made of toughest steel and able to -withstand a rifle ball. - -“Through this opening in the front come the reins by which I drive the -Man. The loopholes in the sides are to fire through. Indeed, sir, the -wagon is a small fortress in itself.” - -“I should say so,” agreed the millionaire, “and what an admirable -thing for this trip to Yucatan. In that land of poisonous reptiles and -insects you can travel with immunity for it would puzzle a fly to get -through that screen.” - -“I think it is the proper vehicle to travel with there,” agreed Frank. -“I believe that the region where your son will be likely to be found -is one of level sort, flat table-lands and plains.” - -“I believe so!” - -“Ah, well, I will promise to do the best I can to save him.” - -“I thank you!” - -A short while later Mr. Buckden took his departure. - -Now that Frank’s mind had been made up to take the trip, he lost no -time in making preparations. - -His father, when acquainted with the project, shook his head wistfully -and said: - -“I only wish I was as young and supple as I once was. How I’d like to -go along!” - -Barney and Pomp were over-enthusiastic over the project. - -They were on hand promptly and assisted in the preparations. - -The wagon was quite spacious and would carry a good deal. Provisions of -a portable kind were packed, and plenty of ammunition. - -Frank took care also to supply himself with drugs, for he did not -forget that it was a malarial country that he was going to. - -One thing was much in their favor, and that was the season of the year, -it being winter. - -Naturally the climate would not be so hot as in mid-summer. - -When the report was spread that Frank Reade, Jr., and his Steam Man -were going to Central America, the whole country was deeply interested. - -The newspapers contained sketches of the young inventor and his famous -machine. - -People traveled hundreds of miles to Readestown for a look at the great -Steam Man, the wonder of the age. - -Scientists and explorers were continually besieging Frank, and the -young inventor was quite worn out with the importunities of many when -the day set for starting came. - -At length the day came. - -The Steam Man was placed aboard a special car and shipped to New -Orleans direct. - -Here Mr. Buckden had seen to the chartering of a steamer, aboard which -the travelers went. - -A tremendous crowd were at the wharf to cheer the voyagers. - -It was a great day for New Orleans. - -But at length the steamer’s bell rung for starting. - -Frank shook hands warmly with Mr. Buckden. - -“I feel sure that you will rescue my son,” declared the agonized -father. “Heaven will aid you.” - -“I will do all in my power,” said Frank, earnestly. - -The schooner cast loose from the levee and shot down into the current. -A band played, the people cheered, and Frank Reade, Jr., Barney and -Pomp and the Steam Man were really off upon their trip to Central -America. - -A short while later they passed through the jetties at the delta of the -Mississippi, and were in the waters of the Gulf. - -The voyage to Campeachy was not a long one and most propitious. - -When at length they entered the Bay of Campeachy the mild land breeze -and a view of the palm-studded shore told them that they were in a -tropical clime. - -To the surprise of our voyagers, a warm reception was accorded them at -Campeachy. - -The Spanish people, ever of an enthusiastic, sport-loving turn, turned -out in great force to welcome the distinguished visitors. - -Word had been received by cablegram of their coming. - -The governor of Campeachy warmly welcomed Frank, and for a few hours he -was taken charge of by a committee and treated to many hospitalities. - -There were many of his own people in the town also—merchants connected -with houses in New York that dealt in dye stuffs, fruits and many of -the products of the country. - -Frank was deeply impressed with the warmth of the welcome given him. - -He thanked all his benefactors kindly. - -Then at the most favorable moment he returned to the ship. - -The Steam Man was brought ashore and exhibited to the wondering gaze of -the people. - -But Frank knew the importance of quick and prompt action, and was not -the one to readily accede to delay. - -He knew that every moment was to the success of his enterprise of vital -worth. - -The people were all in sympathy with his enterprise. - -Tony Buckden had been well and favorably known in Campeachy. - -The young engineer was very popular there, and everybody was deeply -interested in his fate. - -But Senor Gonzales, one of the patrician gentlemen of Campeachy, came -to Frank and said: - -“Senor Americano, I hope you will succeed with all my heart. But do -not be disappointed if you do not find the young Senor Buckden.” - -“Ah, then you think the chances are few?” asked Frank. - -“I speak of what I know. The dangers of interior Yucatan are known to -none better than I. I fear the worst for your friend.” - -“But I can at least try.” - -“Si Senor. May the mother be with you,” said the Spanish gentleman, -warmly. - -Frank lost no time now in making the Steam Man ready for the start. - -One day was consumed in making a map of his route, as nearly correct -as he could gather in detail from the natives who penetrated the -interior. - -Frank had decided to proceed at once to the table-land of Tanada. - -This point gained he believed that he could there learn something more -of the fate of young Buckden. - -He consulted with every native guide and traveler who knew anything -about the route. - -But now a curious thing occurred. - -Every man he encountered seemed to have a different idea of the -table-lands. - -Some were inclined to Munchausen tales, while others pooh-poohed them. - -At length in sheer disgust Frank said: - -“There is just one thing about it. I have got to proceed solely upon -my own judgment. If I adopted all the different plans accorded me I -should lead a queer course to be sure.” - -So with this decision Frank left Campeachy. - -Beyond the city, Frank found some fairly good roads which led through -a section devoted to the culture of fruits and vegetables of various -kinds. - -Then immense fields of the coffee plant were passed and finally the -country began to change its appearance. - -Immense tropical forests were encountered. These of course the Steam -Man could not travel through. - -But generally paths were found leading through the hills, and in this -way the explorers got along. - -A wild region was encountered, wilder than even Barney and Pomp had -seen in the heart of Africa. - -They were at the moment near the verge of a mighty forest. - -“Speaking of snakes,” cried Frank Reade, Jr., “Just look at that.” - -All gazed in the direction indicated. - -Hanging from the limb of a mighty forest monarch was a gigantic python -or boa-constrictor. - -In the monster’s folds was a small wood fawn. It had been crushed all -to jelly by the powerful folds of the reptile. - -It reared its head and recoiled as the Steam Man appeared on the scene. - -But it did not show fear, or seem to care in the least for the machine. -Indeed, it acted defiant and ready for battle. - -Barney shrugged his shoulders and picked up his rifle. - -“Begorra, I’d loike to spoil the appetite av ther baste,” he cried. -“An’ it’s that same I’ll do.” - -So with this the Celt up and fired at the python. - -The effect was curious. - -The huge snake received the bullet in its sinuous folds, and a jet of -blood marked the course of the ball. - -Hissing savagely with pain, the python released the wood fawn, and -without an instant’s warning charged directly at the man. - -In an instant Frank saw that they had committed an indiscretion. - -While to be sure they were protected by the steel screen of the wagon, -yet it was easy to reckon the effect of the python’s attack. - -That monster’s brown body came hurtling and hissing down the slope like -an avalanche. - -Swifter than a railroad train the enraged python charged upon its foe. - -It would have required something more than an ordinary barrier to -withstand such an attack. - -Frank saw this and made quick action. - -With quick hand, he seized the throttle rein and started the Steam Man -ahead. - -Then he turned him face on to the reptile. He had barely time to do -this, when the monster struck the machine. - -In a flash the folds of the reptile were wound about the Steam Man. - -The foresight and wisdom of Frank’s move were at once seen. - -If the snake had struck the wagon, he might have crushed the screen -with its leviathan folds. - -As it was, the air was instantly filled with the fumes of burning snake -flesh. - -The huge snake’s body coming in contact with the almost red hot fire -box of the Steam Man, received a terrific scorching. - -For an instant his snakeship did not seem to mind this and made -terrific blows with his head at the screen. - -He strove in vain to reach the men within. - -“Whurro!” yelled Barney. “Yez did a wondherful thing thin, Misther -Frank. Shure, the big divil is burnin’ up.” - -“Golly sakes, dat am a fac’,” cried Pomp, joyfully. - -But Frank knew that the battle was not over yet by any means. - -It had only just begun. The monster, feeling the terrible effect of the -hot iron, with an almost human-like cry unwound itself quickly from the -Steam Man. - -It went twisting and rolling about the plain in agony for a few moments. - -In its course bushes were uprooted, the ground was torn and the air -filled with dust. - -Frank knew that this would last but a few moments. - -The enraged monster would soon recover and renew the attack with -ten-fold fury. - -So the famous inventor took up his elephant rifle and thrust an -explosive shell into the breach. - -Going to a loophole in the screen he took careful aim. - -Crack! - -The rifle spoke sharply. Straight to its mark went the shell. The next -moment as it exploded the air was full of shreds of snake flesh and -flying dirt. - -The shell had torn a hole in the python’s side, but had not destroyed -the monster’s life. - -Terribly enraged, the monster snake now seemed to forget its pain, and -once more with mad fury charged down full tilt upon the Steam Man. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - THRILLING ADVENTURES. - - -The crisis had come. - -Frank knew this, and that it would be either victory for one or the -other. If the python should succeed in overturning the wagon, he might -do great harm to the delicate machinery of the Steam Man. - -But Frank did not intend that this should happen if he could help it. - -He got one more shot at the reptile as it came on with a fearful rush. - -Crack! - -Once more the deadly elephant rifle spoke. This time an explosive shell -tore its way through the snake’s side. - -Yet it did not inflict a mortal wound. - -“Heavens!” gasped Frank. “That snake has more lives than a cat.” - -He essayed to meet the reptile as he had done before. - -But the wily monster, this time evaded the Steam Man and made for the -wagon. - -There was no such thing as turning aside that fearful attack. - -Like an avalanche the snake struck the wagon. Had not the wheels been -braced against a heap of stones, it would surely have been swept over -upon its side. - -But, by the best of good fortune it resisted the shock. - -Like a flash the snake’s coils went twining about the wagon. They began -to draw powerfully, and the metal work began to groan and crack. - -“Quick, boys!” shouted Frank Reade, Jr., “Cut the folds in two -wherever you can.” - -But Barney and Pomp needed no bidding. They already had their knives -unsheathed, and where the snake’s body was exposed at the loopholes -began to slash and cut. - -Frank with his rifle tried to get a shot at the reptile’s head. - -If he could only blow it off with one of the shells, the battle would -be ended. - -But the monster did not give him this opportunity. - -Something desperate needed to be done. The metal work of the wagon -threatened to give way. - -Frank saw this and at once with his accustomed hardihood accepted a -desperate chance. - -Throwing open the door of the wagon, he sprang out. - -The reptile’s head was above the wagon, and Frank instantly fired at it. - -He was a dead shot and, undoubtedly, would have hit it, had it not been -for the snake’s gyratory motion. - -The reptile’s attention was instantly attracted toward Frank. - -Singularly enough, its folds relaxed and it slid away from the wagon -and started for the young inventor. - -The snake was between Frank and the cage door. - -He knew that if those deadly folds were to close about him, there would -be little likelihood of ever escaping alive. - -The snake had acted with the rapidity of thought. - -Frank had not even time to thrust another cartridge into the breech of -his gun. - -He started to run. For a few paces he made good time, but what is there -on earth to equal the speed of an active python. - -Swift as the wind the monster was upon him. - -Frank felt its hot breath, and saw for a moment its glistening jaws -open over him. - -Instinctively he threw up one hand, and by chance his fingers clutched -the monster’s throat. - -Frank hung to this hold with a death-like grip. He felt the mighty -coils closing about him, and then with the desperation of one facing -certain death he clutched the hilt of his knife with his free hand. - -With all his strength he slashed at the monster’s throat. - -The first blow half severed the head from the body. - -A huge jet of black blood spurted into Frank’s face and nigh choked -him. But though half suffocated he made another blow. - -The snake’s folds began to loosen, and the monster writhed and tried to -free itself. - -Frank instantly realized that he had won the victory and fought more -coolly now. - -Once more he made a blow at the snake’s neck. - -This time it severed the head from the body completely. - -The body of the snake went twisting and writhing a hundred yards across -the plain, while Frank fell half fainting to the ground. - -Barney and Pomp were quickly by his side and the Celtic cried: - -“Be me sowl, Misther Frank, I did think yez wor done for, an’ it was a -good foight yez made to be shure. Are yez badly hurted?” - -“Not a bit, Barney,” said Frank, staggering to his feet. “It was only -a little faintness, that was all.” - -Pomp turned a hand spring. - -“Glory fo’ goodness!” cried the overjoyed darky. “I’se jes’ dat glad, -Marse Frank, dat I don’ jes’ know what fo’ to do dat yo’ was not hurt.” - -The snake’s body now lay writhing and twisting far out on the plain. - -The adventurers did not go near it. They had had snake experience -enough for one day and returned to the Steam Man. - -“The next time you see a big snake, Barney,” said Frank, “if he is -not disturbing us I think you had better let him alone.” - -The Steam Man now once more went on its way. - -Every day now they penetrated deeper into the jungles and wild -fastnesses of this wildest country on the globe. - -Many strange sights were seen and some thrilling experiences were -encountered. - -With difficulty the Steam Man found passage through the lowlands. - -At times it was necessary to cut a path through a dense forest in order -to reach clear country beyond. - -But one day they came out of a deep wood at the very base of a mighty, -volcanic mountain. - -Here higher ground was reached and a broad view enjoyed. - -And from here a view could be had of a part of the broad table-lands of -Tanada. - -It began to look as if the explorers would soon reach the end of their -journey. - -Now the table-lands were reached the next thing was to discover the -ruined city of Mazendla. - -Thus far, our adventurers had seen very few natives, and none of them -hostile. - -The Steam Man journeyed all that day upon the broad table-land of -Tanada. - -As night was coming on, a location was selected for a camping place. - -It was a green spot close to a bubbling spring of water. - -Not more than one hundred yards distant was a dense grove of trees. - -Barney and Pomp were busy aboard the Steam Man preparing the evening -meal. - -Frank fancied that through the dense foliage of the trees he could -discern the white walls of a building. - -Barney and Pomp could not see it, but Frank was sure that he could. The -famous inventor exclaimed: - -“I am not sure but that we are in the neighborhood of the ruined city -of Mazendla. It may be that yonder grove of trees conceals it.” - -“Begorra, Misther Frank, maybe yez are roight,” declared Barney, “but -be Mither Murphy’s pigs, I can’t see that same with me own eyes!” - -“Can’t you? Look sharply now to the left.” - -Barney strained his vision. - -“Divil a bit av it.” - -“That is queer.” - -“Bejabers, I think so.” - -“Pomp, how is your eyesight?” - -“Golly, Marse Frank, dis chile kin see in de dark.” - -“Well, just take a look over there and tell me what you see through -those trees.” - -Pomp readily obeyed. - -But he could see nothing but the dense green foliage. - -“Bejabers, the naygur can’t see it if I can’t,” spluttered Barney. - -Pomp scratched his woolly head. - -“I mus’ say, Marse Frank, dat I kain’t see none ob dat what yo’ says.” - -“Pshaw!” exclaimed Frank, testily. “Neither one of you have good -eyesight. It is plain enough to see.” - -With this, the famous inventor descended from the wagon. - -Barney and Pomp stood looking at each other and feeling a bit -crestfallen. - -“Begorra, I can see it if yez kin, naygur,” exclaimed Barney. - -“G’long, yo’ fool I’ishman. I has’n seen it m’se’f yet.” - -“You fellows look out for things until I come back,” shouted Frank, -starting toward the forest. - -Barney grabbed up his rifle. - -“Hould on a bit, Misther Frank,” he cried. “It ain’t a bit safe fer -yez to go off out there alone.” - -“Jes’ yo’ wait dar, I’ish, I’se gwine wid Marse Frank m’se’f.” - -“No, yez won’t.” - -“Yo’ jes’ bet I will.” - -The two zealous servitors were in imminent danger of a collision. But -Frank turned and said peremptorily: - -“Hold where you are. I am going alone. Look out for the Man until I -get back.” - -This settled the question. - -Reluctantly they turned back, and Pomp went about his cooking duties, -while Barney gazed wistfully after Frank and declared: - -“Be me sowl, it ain’t safe for that man to go out there alone. I’ll -just kape me eye out all the same.” - -So Barney proceeded to keep an eye out, while Pomp was busy at his work. - -Reaching the woods, Frank entered them without hesitation. - -He was confident that he had really seen the walls of a ruined building -through the thick foliage. - -To his best belief it was some part of the ruined city they were in -quest of. - -But upon entering the forest, Frank found that progress was not so easy -as he fancied. - -The vines and matted shrubbery were almost impenetrable. - -The famous inventor, however, used a small hatchet, and proceeded to -cut his way through. - -In this manner he had very soon cleared quite a path. - -But suddenly he was brought to a halt in a most startling manner. - -Down through a network of vines he suddenly saw a glistening pair of -eyeballs. - -To his startled fancy they seemed veritable balls of fire, and for a -moment he could not act. - -They were fixed upon him with piercing and deadly earnestness. - -Frank instinctively knew that they belonged to some wild animal. - -Just what kind of a creature it was he could not at the moment tell. - -But he was satisfied that his position was one of deadly peril. - -But he was not one given to fear or hesitation. His mind was quickly -made up as to what to do. - -Quick as thought he brought his rifle up and fired point blank directly -between the blazing eyeballs. - -The result was terrific. - -Frank had presence of mind enough to sink down upon his face just as -a tremendous tawny body rose out of the shrubbery and sprang directly -over him. - -It was as he saw at that moment a monstrous puma or panther, called by -the natives lion. - -Indeed, the genuine lion is not a more formidable beast to encounter -than the puma of Central America. - -It was a narrow escape that Frank had had. - -The puma had sprung clear over him and tumbled headlong into a heap of -brush, where he began to flounder and make the air hideous with his -cries. - -Frank was not sure whether he had given the beast a mortal wound or not. - -Nor did he try to find out or follow up the contest. - -He knew well enough what a hand to hand encounter with one of these -monsters meant. - -He at once sprang out of the forest and started at full speed for the -Steam Man. - -But what was his horror upon looking over his shoulder to see the lion -coming after him. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE TEMPLE IN THE WOODS. - - -The sensation experienced by Frank Reade, Jr., at that moment, was a -most sickening and horrible one. - -He knew that it would be easy for the puma to overtake him. - -To be overtaken meant death. - -But still he ran with terrific speed across the plain. The panther was -close upon him, however. - -But, just as it began to look bad for Frank, a cry came from the Steam -Man. - -Barney had been upon the watch. - -He had heard the shot in the woods, and knew at once that Frank was in -trouble. - -He shouted to Pomp: - -“Come up quick, naygur. Bejabers, the masther’s in a heap av thruble. I -jist heerd his rifle go aff yender in the woods.” - -“Golly!” gasped Pomp, as he dropped his frying pan. “What’s dat yo’ -say, I’ish?” - -Barney seized the throttle rein and started the Steam Man toward the -woods. - -It was just at the moment when Frank emerged with the lion after him. - -The lion was gaining with tremendous bounds upon Frank. - -But Barney set the Steam Man after him with all speed. A terrific race -followed. - -Pomp was at a loophole with his rifle. - -Drawing a bead on the animal, he fired. Barney lashed the throttle rein -and did the same. - -Both shots took effect. - -But they did not stay the panther’s course, though they drew a howl of -pain from him. - -But every moment increased Frank’s danger. He seemed certain to be -overtaken. - -“Be me sowl!” groaned Barney, in horror, “I belave the divil will -overthake Misther Frank. How many lives has the baste got, anyway?” - -But at that moment Barney hit upon a happy idea. - -By the best of good fortune Frank’s elephant rifle lay upon one of the -seats. - -It contained an explosive shell and was a weapon very deadly in its -effects. - -It did not take Barney long to make use of it. - -Seizing the rifle, he sprang to a loophole. The Steam Man had gained, -and was but twenty yards from the panther. - -But the beast was within ten feet of Frank Reade, Jr. - -Just as he made a long leap to overtake his victim Barney fired. - -If ever there was a time in his life that the Celt needed nerve and -accuracy of aim it was then. - -And straight to the mark sped the bullet. - -The explosive shell struck the panther full behind the shoulder. - -It tore its way through the beast’s heart and lungs. Death was -instantaneous. - -But the beast’s body struck Frank and hurled him upon his face. - -And there the famous inventor lay with the panther’s form upon him, -with the hot blood surging over him in a stream. - -Barney closed the throttle, applied the brakes, and brought the Steam -Man to a halt. - -Then the two faithful servitors rushed out of the cage and to Frank’s -side. - -But the young inventor was unhurt, and scrambled quickly to his feet as -soon as the panther’s body was pulled off from him. - -“Whurroo!” yelled Barney, in delight and triumph. “We’ve saved yez, -Misther Frank, an’ if we hadn’t yez would shurely ’av’ been kilt -entoirely.” - -“Yes, I think I should,” agreed Frank. “And I owe my life to you -both. I shall not forget it.” - -The puma was the largest of his kind that our adventurers had ever seen. - -It was at the time of year that his skin was worthless, being mangy, so -that it was not preserved. - -Frank was quite overcome with his experience, and went on board the -wagon to rest. - -As darkness was at hand, it was decided to make no further exploration -of the forest until morning. - -Frank was more than ever convinced, however, that there were ruins in -the forest. - -“To-morrow we will cut our way through,” he declared, “and I will -satisfy you, my friends, that I am right.” - -“A’right, Marse Frank,” agreed Pomp. “We’se open to conviction jus’ de -same.” - -“Bejabers, that’s right!” put in Barney. - -It was seldom deemed safe to sleep outside the wagon. - -So beds were made comfortably enough on the seats which ran along the -sides. - -Here our adventurers could sleep quite soundly. Barney and Pomp were -soon in the land of dreams. - -But Frank Reade, Jr., could not successfully woo the gentle goddess. - -Suddenly, as he lay there in a reverie, a sudden curious manifestation -caused him to start up. - -A ray of something, a trifle brighter than the moonlight, glinted its -radiance athwart the wire netting. - -For an instant Frank was puzzled. - -He rose to a sitting posture and glanced out upon the level plain. - -All was plain in the moonlight out there. But no sign of life was to be -seen. - -Then Frank turned his gaze toward the forest, and there he caught the -vivid glimmer of a light. - -Certainly it was not moonlight glinting on any bright substance, but -such a vivid radiance as could only be made by firelight. - -Either a torch or lantern it was, and its motion and changing of base -suggested that it was carried by human hands. - -Frank was deeply interested. - -“I knew it!” he muttered. “I’ll wager my life that there is a building -in that forest, but I did not dream that it was inhabited.” - -He watched the light intently. - -It moved back and forward, and was of such size as to dispel the theory -of the will-o’-the-wisp or ignis fatuus. - -Once from the distance Frank fancied he heard a distant outcry. - -But this he could not place reliance upon, as it might have been made -by some wild beast. - -But of one thing he was satisfied. - -There was certainly human life and habitation in the forest. On the -morrow he would learn what it meant. - -He was hardly able to restrain a strong desire to go alone upon an -exploring tour under cover of the night. - -But sober reflection persuaded him not to do this. - -It would be neither safe nor right. So Frank controlled his desire -until daybreak came. - -The young inventor had not slept that night. - -At an early hour he aroused Barney and Pomp. - -He did not tell them about the mysterious light, but bluntly informed -them that he meant to invade the forest that morning. - -“A’right, Marse Frank,” agreed Pomp. “Yo’ wo’d am law.” - -“Bejabers, that’s so,” cried Barney. - -Accordingly Frank laid out his map of procedure. - -First the Man skirted the edge of the grove looking for an entrance. -Failing to find this the adventurers would cut their way through the -dense undergrowth. - -But luckily a passage was found. - -To Frank’s gratification and the surprise of Barney and Pomp, a broad -paved roadway was discovered. - -Flat slabs of stone composed the roadway. This was much overgrown with -weeds and brush, but did not materially impede the progress of the -Steam Man. - -Beneath mighty overhanging trees the roadway extended for half a mile. - -Then it suddenly brought the explorers out upon a wonderful scene. - -Cries of surprise and admiration escaped the lips of Barney and Pomp. - -“Golly, Marse Frank, yo’ was right aftah all.” - -“Bejabers, that’s so.” - -Frank was intently engaged in studying the scene spread before him. - -He saw a strange looking building of whitest marble and mighty -dimensions before him. - -About the building were acres of paved courts and walls, with open -gateways and overgrown with all manner of vines and vari-colored -vegetation. - -The building occupied a space of over an acre, and in style of -architecture was not unlike some of the better class of pueblos in -Mexico. - -But there were richly carved balconies and hanging gardens, piazzas and -porticoes, and all done in the whitest of marble. - -What was stranger yet, the building did not seem to be a ruin but newly -constructed and indeed not altogether finished. - -There was evidence that the workmen had not been absent many hours. - -Beds of fresh mortar were in the court-yard, slabs of newly cut marble -were strewn about. - -As the Steam Man entered the court-yard, Frank noticed this and looked -for the appearance of any number of workmen. - -But to his surprise they did not appear. To all appearance the temple -or pueblo in the deep forest was deserted. - -For some time our adventurers continued to gaze upon the wonderful -building with curiosity and interest. - -“Bejabers, I don’t see phwativer they’d want for to build sich a foine -house in this place for,” exclaimed Barney. “I don’t undherstand it at -all, at all.” - -“I jes’ finks dat dis am a new race ob people dat we hab discobered, -Marse Frank,” suggested Pomp. - -“We can tell very quickly when some of them show up,” replied Frank. - -“I wondah if dey am hostile to de white people, or to civilized -people,” asked Pomp. - -“Indeed!” replied Frank, “there is every indication that these people -are civilized. I wish some of them would show up.” - -After an hour of patient waiting, Barney suggested that they take the -liberty of exploring the place. - -“I reckon that’s the best way out av it,” recommended the Celt. “An’ -mebbe we can foind some av the gintlemen.” - -“It is possible,” said Frank. - -“P’r’aps they’re as good Americans as oursilves now,” rejoined Barney. - -“No,” dissented Frank. “No American would build this kind of a house.” - -“Phwativer koind of people do yez think they are, Misther Frank?” - -“Well,” replied the young inventor, slowly, “it is my opinion that we -have made a discovery valuable to science and the world. - -“Indeed it is not extravagant to assume that these people are a remnant -of the original inhabitants of Yucatan who built the famous cities of -Palenque and Mazendla. - -“If so, then I shall have the greatest curiosity to see them.” - -“I’se a heap ’fraid we won’t see ’em to-day, Marse Frank,” said Pomp. - -Another hour passed slowly. - -Still the mysterious workmen did not return. - -At the expiration of this time Frank decided to take a look about the -premises. - -The Steam Man was left carefully adjusted, and the three adventurers -set out across the court-yard. - -Of course they were heavily armed and did not intend to go out of sight -of the Steam Man. - -In crossing the court-yard they came upon a wonderful bit of work. - -This was a square-shaped basin cut in whitest marble, and occupied by a -bubbling spring with water as pure and clear as crystal. - -In this water were fish of a peculiar green and vivid blue color, of -the gold fish species evidently. - -It was certainly a beautiful spectacle. - -Pomp tasted of the water. - -It was as pure and cool as could well be desired, and far superior to -the water usually found in that part of Central America. - -Passing by this they entered the main hall of the pueblo, if such it -could be called. - -It was a massive chamber, high roofed, with polished columns. - -It was a perfect wonder to the explorers, who could not conceal their -amazement. - -But at one end of the hall was a strange polished dais. - -Towards this Barney made his way. It seemed made of some peculiar kind -of beautiful stone like agate. - -Barney sprang upon it. - -“Bejabers!” he cried, “av this ain’t the place phwere they’ll set -their idol. If iver——” - -He did not finish his speech. In a twinkling a thrilling thing -happened. The polished stone, owing to some mysterious and inexplicable -agency, turned and Barney vanished like a flash. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - BATTLE WITH THE PIGMIES. - - -No sooner had Barney mounted the polished dais, than with a swift -movement it turned and he vanished into a black aperture beneath. - -He went out of sight so suddenly that nothing could have been done to -prevent or save him. - -For a moment Frank Reade, Jr., and Pomp stood aghast gazing at the -treacherous slab of stone. - -“Great heavens!” gasped Frank. “What does it mean? Barney! Where are -you? Answer if you can.” - -A long wail went up from Pomp’s lips. - -“Lor’ sakes, Marse Frank, he am gwine gone to his death. Dat big stone -hab jes’ crushed him to death fo’ suah.” - -“It can’t be—it must not be so!” cried Frank, with horror, and half -insane, he was about to spring upon the stone himself, when Pomp pulled -him back. - -“Fo’ goodness, Marse Frank, don’ yo’ go an’ do dat same fing!” cried -the affrighted darky. “Yo’ will follow Barney, an’ den whatebber dis -chile do?” - -“But we must know Barney’s fate!” cried Frank, desperately. - -Again and again he called the name of his faithful servitor. - -But no answer came back. - -All was the silence of the tomb. - -Bathed in cold perspiration, Frank laid his hands upon the stone and -essayed to move it. - -But he could not do this. - -What other resort he would have tried, it is impossible to say, but at -that moment a warning cry broke from Pomp’s lips. - -“Fo’ Hebbin’s sake, Marse Frank, jes’ yo’ look yender. I done fink we -bettah skip fo’ de Steam Man.” - -Frank glanced in the direction indicated. - -Through the arches of the temple he saw the court-yard beyond. - -Through this, three huge tigers were coming at full speed. - -There was not a moment to lose. - -In their exposed position Frank had no hopes of overcoming three such -savage brutes. - -Accordingly the safest method to pursue was to fly to the Steam Man. - -Without further hesitation and with one impulse, Frank and Pomp started. - -They sped through the court like a flash. One of the tigers let out a -tremendous savage roar. - -All of the savage beasts were in hot pursuit of the two men. - -Fortunately they had not far to go. Frank reached the wagon first and -sprang in. - -Pomp followed, and they had just time to shut the door in the cage, -when the foremost of the tigers came bounding against it. - -One of the tigers sprang on the top of the cage and crouched there, -trying to claw his way through the netting. - -The others kept leaping against the side of the wagon ferociously. - -Pomp had sprung for a rifle, and would have fired at the brutes. - -But a strange incident prevented. - -Suddenly the notes of a strange sounding horn sounded through the -arches of the temple. - -Instantly the three tigers leaped down and went skulking away across -the court-yard. - -Pomp and Frank were so completely amazed that they were for a moment -speechless and inactive. - -“Fo’ massy’s sake!” gasped Pomp, in utter amazement. “Whatebber am de -meanin’ ob dat?” - -“Why, it looks as if they were trained tigers,” replied Frank, a -swift comprehension breaking over him. “Ah, I was right—there is their -master.” - -Both saw, standing upon an angle of the court-yard wall, an individual, -the like of which neither had ever seen before. - -He was almost a pigmy in stature, but thickset and stout of frame. - -His complexion was the color of parchment, and his hair long, black and -wiry, hung down over his shoulders. - -His keen eyes looking furtively out from beneath heavy eyebrows were -fixed keenly upon the Steam Man. - -He was dressed in a curious-looking suit of some sort of queerly-woven -cloth, a compromise between the garb of a Turk and a native Mexican. - -In his hand he carried a long lance steel tipped. - -For a full minute he stood gazing at the Steam Man. - -“Golly, Marse Frank,” muttered Pomp. “Dat am de funniest-looking -little man I eber seed.” - -“Well, you’re right, Pomp,” agreed Frank, regarding the other with -interest. “If he is a specimen of the aborigines of this country they -were a funny looking lot of people.” - -But the funny looking little man leaped down from his perch and now -advanced toward the Steam Man, gesticulating and talking in some -strange tongue. - -Frank could not understand a word he said. - -The famous inventor opened the door of the cage and stepped down into -the court-yard. - -At this the aborigine came to a halt not ten paces distant. - -He spoke to Frank in a strange tongue. - -Frank did not attempt to make it out, but replied: - -“I cannot talk your language, sir.” - -Again the little man spoke. Frank repeated his declaration. - -The pigmy gesticulated furiously and swung his lance threateningly. But -Frank tried to pacify him by resorting to signs. - -This had some little effect. - -The pigmy understood partly the signs Frank made. - -The young inventor pointed to the Steam Man and talked and -gesticulated. The pigmy’s confidence seemed to be gained and he -approached nearer. - -“Now, Pomp,” said Frank, “start the Man up a little.” - -Pomp pulled the throttle rein. - -The Steam Man gave a puff and began to move ahead. - -The effect upon the pigmy was rather startling. He dropped his lance -and stood for a moment trembling in abject terror. - -Then wheeling, with several cat-like leaps he gained the edge of the -parapet and went over it. - -Frank rushed to the wall and looked over. - -But the pigmy had gone. - -He was nowhere to be seen. - -Frank now began to fathom the mystery of the place. These strange -people had methods of living vastly at variance with American ideas. - -None of them were visible just now. - -He had read of a class of people in Africa who never showed themselves -above ground in daylight. - -All of their work was done at night, and during the daytime they -burrowed caverns in the ground and slept. - -These people of the marble pueblo might be much the same. Frank began -to believe that this was the way of it. - -The light which he had seen the night before was no doubt used by the -workmen in laying the stone and mortar for the structure. - -But where did they find hiding places during the day? - -Were there chambers or caverns underneath the marble pueblo? - -Certainly the pigmy could not have disappeared so easily if there was -not some method of hiding in some such manner. - -Frank vaulted the parapet and began to examine the stone walls. - -After some moments’ search to his surprise, as he touched one of the -stones, it swung inward. - -A long, narrow passage dark as Erebus was disclosed. - -The mystery was solved at last. - -This no doubt led to underground chambers where the pigmies spent their -days. - -And now Frank believed that he had solved the mystery of Barney’s fate. - -The Celt had no doubt fallen through one of the mysterious entrances -into the underground abode of the pigmies. - -The marble dais in the temple was then, after all, but a curious sort -of entrance to the underground retreat. - -By leaping upon it, one was quickly carried down to the depths below. - -It had required something more than ordinary ingenuity to invent this -clever door of stone so nicely balanced. - -Certainly these remnants of a lost and almost extinct race were -certainly far from being fools. - -They were beyond doubt most clever and skillful mechanics, masons and -artisans. - -Frank was tempted to invade the underground retreat of the pigmies, but -sober second thought forbade. - -Again at this moment a warning cry came from Pomp, who was aboard the -Steam Man. - -“Come, quick, Marse Frank, fo’ yo’ life!” shouted Pomp. - -Frank lost no time in complying. - -And, as he leaped over the wall, he saw the cause of Pomp’s alarm. - -The court-yard was suddenly filling with a seeming legion of the -pigmies. - -They were all armed as well, and were inclined to a warlike attitude. -Three tigers were now held in leash. - -Frank saw the first little man in the front rank. - -He seemed to be the leader of the band. Fully three hundred of the -pigmies had suddenly appeared. - -It was a most astonishing complication to Frank Reade, Jr. - -The pigmies were all armed with long lances and bore down toward the -Steam Man. - -Frank pulled the whistle valve and let out an ear-splitting shriek. - -For a moment the pigmies appeared to be literally paralyzed. - -They were thrown into the wildest confusion. Terror seemed to be -predominant, until the little old man ran in front of them and exhorted -them. - -His words seemed to act like magic upon them. - -They re-formed and once more the outlook became serious. - -With bristling lances they once more advanced toward the Steam Man. - -There was no evading the issue now. - -Frank saw this at a glance. - -He was averse to killing any of the strange people unless compelled to. - -Discretion seemed the better part of valor, and it appeared in order to -retreat in as graceful a manner as possible. - -Accordingly he started the Steam Man across the court-yard. With -clanking tread the Man crossed the space. - -This brought him out upon the roadway. The pigmies pursued hurling -their lances at the cage. - -But the steel netting was proof against them, and they fell off -harmlessly. - -However, Frank saw that they were planning to annihilate the Steam Man -with a huge log thrown across the roadway by a party who had headed the -Man off. - -The tree would prevent the Man’s progress in that direction, and Frank -set his lips grimly. - -“They are after our lives, Pomp. I hate to fire into them, but it is -self-defense.” - -“Ob co’se it am, Marse Frank,” protested Pomp. “You’se jes’ a good -right to shoot ebery one ob dem, fo’ suah.” - -Frank picked up his rifle. - -The foe were swarming down upon the Steam Man. - -They evidently believed that they had their mysterious visitor -cornered. Loud cries of triumph pealed from their lips. - -But Frank opened fire with his Winchester repeater. - -Crack—ack—ack! - -The shots flew swift and true. One, two, three of the foe fell. Then -Pomp joined in the battle. - -Crack! - -Another of the pigmies fell. This had the effect of partially checking -them. - -Frank started the Steam Man forward. The huge log across the road -barred their progress, but a few shots from the Winchesters scattered -the foe there assembled. - -Then Pomp sprang down and moved the log. - -It required all the darky’s strength, but he succeeded and then -returned to the wagon. - -“Golly, Marse Frank!” cried the excited darky, “I reckon we’se jes’ -gib dem rascals a bit ob a lesson.” - -“I think we have, Pomp,” agreed Frank, “but I fear we’ve not seen the -last of this battle yet.” - -The young inventor’s fears were not without foundation. - -The pigmies had been for a few moments repulsed by the deadly fire of -the repeating rifles. - -But they had by no means given up the idea of capturing the Steam Man. - -A large party of them had struck out into the forest, and now, as Frank -started the Steam Man for the table-land beyond, he was again quickly -brought to a halt by a new development. - -Turning a bend in the road unexpectedly, he saw just ahead a large gang -of the pigmies congregated there. - -They had felled several tall palms, and they lay across the roadway -effectually blocking the passage of the Steam Man. - -Affairs had certainly reached a crisis. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - BARNEY MEETS A FRIEND. - - -But what of Barney, whom we have seen disappear in such a mysterious -manner beneath the stone dais? - -The astounded Celt felt the stone give way beneath him, but before he -had time to recover himself it had turned completely over, and he felt -himself descending through space and darkness. - -He struck upon his back upon some soft substance. - -How far he had dropped he had no means of knowing. - -All was darkness about him. He was quickly upon his feet, and began to -feel about him. - -The substance he had fallen upon he discovered by touch was a pile -of some sort of soft cloth-covered cushions. The Celt was more than -surprised. - -“Begorra, whereiver am I at all, at all?” he spluttered. “Phwat sort -av a place is this, I’d loike to know?” - -This was a question not easily answered owing to the dense gloom which -enshrouded it. - -As soon as he could collect his scattered senses Barney got upon his -feet and strove to pierce the gloom about him. - -Fortunately he had a small taper in his pocket. - -This he lit and its light displaced the gloom about him. - -Then he saw that he was in a square chamber of stone. - -He was standing upon a pile of soft cushions. Above him he could see -nothing but stone, just the same as the walls about. - -But leading out of this curious chamber was a narrow passageway. - -Barney started towards it, but at this moment his taper went out. - -The Celt muttered something not very polite and was about to light it -again, when he heard a creaking sound above, and two dark forms came -hurtling down through the gloom and struck the cushions near him. - -Barney’s eyes had become partly accustomed to the dim light, and a -momentary flash of daylight as the stone above turned showed him the -personnel of the intruders. - -At first he had instinctively fancied them his companions Frank and -Pomp. - -But second thought taught him better judgment. Instinctively he shrunk -back against the wall. - -The two new-comers with exclamations in a peculiar tongue quickly -picked themselves up. - -Before Barney could fully recover from his amazement they had gone. - -“Bejabers, I see it all now,” muttered the enlightened Irishman, “this -is only a quare sort av a dure by which the omadhowns enther their -undherground abode. Well, now, that’s quite clever, but howiver am I to -git back agin with Misther Frank an’ ther naygur?” - -This was, indeed, a problem. - -Barney again lit his taper and looked in vain for some method by which -he might climb out of the place. - -This was impossible. - -There seemed but one way, and this was to follow the passage which the -new-comers had just taken. - -Barney made no doubt that they were of the strange people who had built -the temple, but he was not by any means assured that they would be -especially friendly to invaders like himself. - -“Bejabers, it’s well to first git acquainted with the nature av the -baste,” he muttered, “an’ thin av it’s all right go ahead.” - -This was certainly sound logic, and it was well for Barney that he -adopted it. - -The strange people would not have received him cordially, and indeed -his precaution may be said to have been the saving of his life. - -But there seemed no other safe method of procedure but to attempt the -passage. - -Accordingly Barney entered it. - -He kept on in the darkness cautiously for a short distance. - -Then he saw a ray of light ahead. - -Also from the distance there came the murmur of many voices. - -Barney kept on with increased caution now. - -Very soon he saw that the passage would bring him into a mighty -illumined chamber under the temple. - -Oil lamps of various grotesque shapes furnished the means of light, and -a dense throng of the most curious looking people he had ever seen were -present. - -Barney gazed upon the scene with great interest. - -“Be me sowl, but ain’t they bits av men,” he muttered. “No wan av thim -is bigger nor a good sized Irish lad.” - -The pigmy women dressed much the same as the men, and seemed to busy -themselves in various quarters at the culinary art. - -Some time Barney spent in watching the curious people. - -The next moment he received the greatest surprise of his life. - -“For Heaven’s sake!” said a voice at his elbow. “Is it possible there -is a person in this place who can speak English too?” - -Barney turned like a flash. - -“Tare an’ ’ounds!” he gasped. “Who the divil are yez?” - -“On the other hand, let me ask the same question.” - -Barney was facing a young man, tall, straight and handsome. - -He was dressed in the garb of a native hunter, and carried a rifle. -A moment previous he had crept out of a niche in the wall just to -Barney’s right. - -The two white men stood gazing at each other in amazement. - -“Well, I niver!” gasped Barney. “Yez are not one of these haythins -that own this place, are yez?” - -“No. Are you?” - -“Divil a bit.” - -“Who are you?” - -“Me name is Barney O’Shea, and I’m a respictable Irish gintleman.” - -“Good! Give me your hand. I am an American, and the Irishman has no -better friend.” - -“Yez talk like a man, yez do,” cried Barney. “I’m delighted to meet -yez. But howiver did yez come here?” - -“Well,” replied the young man, “I was fool enough to step upon a -revolving dais in the temple above, and——” - -“Bejabers. I came here that same way mesilf,” cried Barney. - -“So? Well, we are in for it.” - -“Yez are roight.” - -“But what may I ask has brought you into this part of Yucatan?” - -“Shure, I come here wid the Steam Man, an’ Misther Frank Reade, Jr., -the worruld-famous invintor.” - -A gurgling cry escaped the other’s lips. - -“Frank Reade, Jr.?” he gasped. “Do you mean to say that he is near -here?” - -“Well, I lift him when I fell down into this place.” - -“The deuce!” exclaimed the young man, excitedly. “Why, Frank Reade, -Jr., is an old friend of mine. I must see him. Look here, what brought -him here?” - -“Shure, he’s lookin’ for a young man named Tony Buckden who got lost -down in this haythin region.” - -“Well, is this not luck? Look here, man, I am Tony Buckden——” - -Barney threw up his arms. - -“The divil yez say?” he exploded, in a hoarse whisper. “Shure, I’d -ought to have guessed that, an’ Mr. Frank will be deloighted to see -yez.” - -“And I shall be delighted to see him!” cried the millionaire’s son, -for such he was. “So he answered my letter in person?” - -“Yis.” - -“And he has the Steam Man here?” - -“Shure enough.” - -“Then the success of my plans are assured!” exclaimed Tony, -jubilantly. “That is, if we succeed in escaping from here.” - -“Shure we must do that,” declared Barney, confidently. - -At this moment there arose a great commotion among the pigmy people. - -Excited cries arose, and as with one accord they rushed from the place. -In less than no time the place was cleared. - -Tony Buckden and Barney were not a little surprised. - -“I wonder what that means?” exclaimed the New Yorker. - -“Bejabers, there’s no tellin’ but that they’ve heard of the Steam Man -and that’s phwat has drawn thim away.” - -“By Jove, I don’t know but that you are right, Barney,” declared -Buckden. “At any rate, it looks to me like a very good opportunity to -escape.” - -“Shure, it’s a foine chance.” - -Not one of the pigmy people were left in the place. - -Of course Barney and young Buckden did not hesitate a moment to avail -themselves of the opportunity. - -Buckden led the way and they crossed the broad chamber and came to a -passage which seemed to lead upwards. - -There were stairs cut in the stone, and up these the two imprisoned men -sprung. - -A moment later they came out into the main body of the temple. Now they -could hear the crack of fire-arms and the yells of the pigmy people. - -It was at the moment when the Steam Man was about to leave the -court-yard and had been attacked by the natives, if such they could be -called. - -Both Buckden and Barney could see the heads of the contestants beyond a -wall of stone. - -It was their impulse to go to the aid of Frank and Pomp. - -But this was seen at once to be clearly impossible. - -They could not hope to successfully fight their way through the crowd -of people. Moreover, a thrilling danger now confronted the fugitives. - -The three trained tigers from whom Frank and Pomp had so narrowly -escaped were gamboling in the court-yard. - -If they should chance to catch sight of young Buckden and Barney the -result would not be pleasant for them. - -Clearly the safest way for the two adventurers was to steal out of the -place and gain the forest beyond. - -Then they might trust to luck in rejoining the Steam Man. Certainly it -was the best method to pursue. - -This Buckden at once proceeded to do. He led the way boldly across the -court-yard and to a wall at its extremity. - -Fortune favored them, and they reached the wall in safety. - -Vaulting it, they dashed into the forest. - -Once among the thick undergrowth they were safe, at least for the time. - -“Whew!” exclaimed Buckden, suddenly pausing and wiping the -perspiration from his face. “We did that in fine shape, did we not, -Barney?” - -“To be shure, sor,” replied the Celt with a chuckle. - -“Now what shall we do?” - -“Shure, I think we had betther thry and foind the Stheam Man,” said -Barney. - -“Of course, but how shall we proceed to do that?” - -“Well, bejabers, I think the bist way is to make a cut through the -woods here and thrust to good fortune to foind Misther Frank out on the -open ground. I’m thinkin’ he’ll ’ave to return there afther lavin’ this -place, for shure.” - -“All right,” agreed Buckden. “Fortunately I know a path that will -lead directly there. In fact, I came here by it.” - -“That’s good luck!” cried Barney, joyfully. “It’s dyin’ I am to get -back to the Stheam Man once more.” - -“Well, we will try it hard!” declared Buckden, leading the way. “Come -on, Barney.” - -They set out through the forest without further comment. - -Buckden found little difficulty in finding the path by which he had -entered the place. - -Along this they sped swiftly. Soon the foliage began to grow thinner -and straggling rays of light ahead showed that they were approaching -the verge. - -A few moments later they emerged entirely from the forest and came out -upon the vast table-land. - -As far as the eye could reach extended the level expanse. - -Barney and his companion swept the plain eagerly with their eyes for -some trace of the Steam Man. - -Barney felt confident that the Man would return to the open plain. - -Therefore it was with a glad cry that he suddenly pointed down the line -of forest. - -“Luk!” he cried. “Wud yez see the loikes av that! Be me sowl, we’re in -luck, for it’s the Stheam Man.” - -Sure enough, coming along the edge of the forest at a rapid speed was -the famous Steam Man. - -Frank Reade, Jr., was at the throttle, and when he saw Barney waving -his arms he pulled the whistle valve open and sent up a shriek of -welcome. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - THE WONDERFUL CITY. - - -That the Steam Man had escaped from the attack of the pigmies, this -would make certain. - -Straight for the barrier erected by the foe Frank sent the Man. - -When twenty yards from it, he closed the throttle and applied the brake. - -“Now, Pompy!” he cried, “it’s a fight for life.” - -“Yo’ kin jes’ bet on dat, Marse Frank,” cried the plucky darky. - -“We must not waste a shot.” - -“Not a one, Marse Frank.” - -At the loopholes the two adventurers stationed themselves, and opened -fire upon the foe. - -The pigmies hurled their lances at the cage. - -But they were shattered against the steel netting and did no harm at -all. - -On the other hand, the repeaters did deadly work. - -No human power could face such a destructive fire. The pigmies were -driven from the barricade. - -Then Frank Reade, Jr., kept them at a distance, while Pomp dismounted -and set about clearing a pathway for the Man. - -This was not a very easy job, but Pomp finally succeeded and the Steam -Man passed through the barrier. - -A few shots were sent after the pigmies, and then the Man under Frank’s -skillful guidance set out for the plain. - -It was not long before the Steam Man was out of the forest. - -Once out upon the open plain, Frank set his course along the edge of -the forest. - -Suddenly Pomp sprang up with a sharp cry: - -“Golly sakes, Marse Frank, dar am dat I’ishman alibe an’ well as I’m a -nigger. Jes’ look dar.” - -“Barney!” gasped Frank. - -“Dat am a fac’.” - -“Thank Heaven.” - -Frank gazed in the direction indicated by Pomp, and saw Barney waving -his arms frantically in the air. - -At once Frank pulled the whistle valve and increased the Steam Man’s -speed. - -A few moments later the Steam Man came to a halt upon the spot where -Barney had stood. - -The meeting was a joyous one. Barney and Pomp embraced, and Frank -gripped Buckden’s hand. - -“Tony, I’m awful glad to see you,” he declared. “I feared you were -dead. They assured me at Campeachy that you would never be found -alive.” - -“Well, they didn’t know anything about it,” declared Tony, -sententiously; “then you got my letter?” - -“Yes.” - -“And you have answered it in person. Just like you.” - -“Look here, Tony,” said Frank, seriously; “I was sent here by your -father to look you up and bring you home.” - -“Humph!” exclaimed Tony, with a shrug of his shoulders. - -“That is the truth.” - -“Well, I’m not ready to go home yet.” - -“You are not?” - -“No.” - -“Why not?” - -“Because I propose to find the ruined city and its treasure first. I -thought that you had come here to help me.” - -“Do you believe it exists?” - -“Of course I do.” - -“Near here?” - -“Why, I believe that we are not ten miles from it.” - -“But if it is inhabited with people like these with whom we have just -had a little experience——” - -“But it is not. It is a ruined and deserted city. Come, Frank, with -your Steam Man we can find it. You must agree to go.” - -Frank was silent a moment. - -Now that he had accomplished the real object of his mission—the rescue -of Tony Buckden—he was quite willing to turn about and go home. - -But he knew Tony well enough to be sure that he was very much in -earnest. - -He would not leave his purpose unaccomplished, even though it cost him -his life. - -There was no doubt but that with the Steam Man the country could be -safely explored. - -Frank was a trifle skeptical now as to the real existence of Mazendla. - -But he reasoned that it would do no great harm to give at least another -week to exploration. - -In that time, no doubt, Tony would be satisfied, and then of course -would willingly return. - -So Frank extended his hand. - -“All right, Tony,” he declared, “I am with you.” - -“Good for you, old pard!” cried Buckden, joyfully. “I knew you would -do it. Now for Mazendla.” - -“But I must say I have no idea of the location of the city.” - -“But I do.” - -“You do?” - -“Yes.” - -“Where is it?” - -“I learned it from a native.” - -“Ah!” - -“Go due east across this table-land. When a tall, sugar-loaf shaped -mountain is directly ahead of you, bear to the right and enter a -canyon. It will take you directly to Mazendla, the most wonderful of -cities.” - -“All right,” cried Frank. “We will follow your directions. All -aboard, everybody!” - -All scrambled into the cage, and Frank set the Steam Man in motion. - -The temple in the forest and the strange race of pigmies were left -behind. Nothing more was seen of them. - -The Steam Man rapidly crossed the plain. - -In the course of an hour the distant shadowy peak of a mountain was -seen. - -It was some while before its shape became sufficiently clear to decide -the question as to whether it was the sugar loaf mountain they were in -quest of. - -But Buckden declared that it was, and that they were on the right track. - -So Frank kept the Steam Man going at full speed. - -Every moment now they drew nearer the mountain. - -“Look!” cried Buckden, suddenly springing up, “there is the canyon. I -tell you we are all right.” - -“Shall we go for the canyon?” asked Frank Reade, Jr. - -“Yes.” - -A short while later the Steam Man was picking his way along through a -mighty gorge fully a thousand feet deep. - -For hours the travelers toiled through this mighty gorge. - -Then suddenly the Steam Man came out on a mighty plateau. - -And before the explorers was now spread a most wonderful sight. - -Not one hundred yards distant was the mighty gateway of a city. - -The towers upon either side rose to a height of fully one hundred feet. - -The wall was high, massive and thick. But it was time cracked and -tumbling and decayed. - -It required but a glance, however, to detect the evidences of former -magnificence and grandeur. - -“Hurrah!” shouted young Buckden, completely beside himself. “At last -we have found the city of Mazendla.” - -All was excitement and our explorers could hardly contain themselves. - -Frank steered the Steam Man straight for the gateway and passed through -it. - -Before them stretched the wide street of the city. - -It was fully two hundred feet wide. Upon either side rose high -buildings and all in a state of decay. - -The wide street, which seemed to extend for miles through this mammoth -city, was paved with blocks of a species of sandstone. - -Between the stones grass had grown up, and in places trees had attained -a great height. - -Palms grew and flourished upon the roofs of many of the buildings, and -everywhere clinging vines bedecked the ruins. - -It was a wonderful sight, and one which our adventurers never forgot. - -The sight of this wonderful city of ruins awoke many strange thoughts -and sentiments in the breasts of all. - -The one question occurred to each: What manner of people had built this -wonderful city, how many centuries ago, and what had become of them? - -How long had it been since the feet of human beings had trod these -streets? - -It must have been many centuries previous, as the appearance of the -buildings would proclaim that they had not been erected in very recent -times. - -All this must remain a mystery. - -One day a powerful race had here flourished, enlightened, civilized, -and certainly intellectual. - -Now nothing remained of them but a few crumbling palaces. - -It was a wonderful thing to ponder upon. Indeed, the more one studied -upon it the more befogged one became. - -What had carried off this vast nation of people? - -Was it a pestilence, or a war of extermination, or had their seed by -some strange fate exhausted itself and they became extinct as the dodo -or the megatherium, or any other antediluvian animal? - -There was nothing at hand to answer this question, and there seemed no -other way but to accept it as a mystery never to be solved. - -The Steam Man jogged leisurely along the broad street. - -The occupants of the wagon gazed with wonder upon the stupendous piles -upon either side. - -Suddenly Barney gave an exclamation and picked up his rifle. - -From one of the buildings a spotted leopard had leaped. - -The pretty creature crouched for a moment in the Steam Man’s path, -snarling and defiant. - -“Begorra, ain’t he a beauty?” cried Barney, eulogistically. “Shure, I’m -goin’ to have the skin of the baste.” - -So without a moment’s hesitation the Celt drew aim and fired. - -The leopard gave a quick, sharp yelp of pain, leaped in the air and -fell dead. - -The bullet had sped true to the mark. Barney was a dead shot. - -“Hooray!” cried the excited Irishman. “I flunked him just off. Now av -yez plaze, Misther Frank, will yez jist howld an wan minnit?” - -Frank could not refuse this request, so he brought the Steam Man to a -halt, saying: - -“Pshaw! You don’t want his skin, Barney. It is of little use.” - -“Don’t I?” exclaimed the Celt. “Yez kin jist bate I do. I’ll take it -home to me friends in Ameriky, an’ tell thim what a foine shot I am.” - -Barney opened the rear door and leaped out of the cage. - -He went directly up to the leopard, and was about to lift the creature -upon his shoulders, when a thrilling thing occurred. - -Suddenly, from the same building, four more of the savage animals -appeared. - -They saw Barney, and without further ceremony came for him like a flash. - -The Irishman saw his predicament, and knew that he was in deadly peril. - -It required but a moment for him to act. - -“Whurroo!” he yelled. “I’m a son av a say cook if the woods ain’t full -av the divils. Luk out there, yez spotted imps. Be off, I say.” - -Barney fired at the first leopard, and the shot struck the animal’s -shoulder. - -For a moment it wavered and then tumbled in a heap. But the next moment -the three leopards left were upon Barney. - -The Celt went to the ground like a ten-pin. It began to look as if his -fate was surely sealed. - -With three of the animals upon him he would speedily have been clawed -to death. - -But fortunately for him Barney had valuable allies in the three friends -aboard the Steam Man. - -A startled cry came from Frank’s lips as he saw the leopards appear. - -He at once snatched up his rifle. - -“Heavens!” he cried. “Barney will be killed.” - -Pomp and Tony were no less quick in also coming to the rescue. - -All three fired. As chance had it all fired at the same leopard and -every shot told. - -The animal pitched forward dead across Barney’s body. The other -two leopards tumbled over him, and by the time they had recovered -themselves the repeaters had got into working order again. - -Crack—ack—ack! - -Another leopard tumbled over. Before the marksmen could again fire the -surviving animal with a snarling cry fled and was quickly out of range. - -Frank descended and rushed to Barney’s side. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - POMP’S THRILLING EXPERIENCE. - - -But before the famous inventor could reach him, Barney was upon his -feet. - -“Begorra, that’s something that ivery man can’t say!” he exclaimed, -with twinkling eyes. “I went out to get one leopard and was the cause -av baggin’ four av thim. Shure, I’ll have wan av thim skins tanned and -sind it to the Pope, so I will.” - -“You are a pretty good decoy for leopards,” laughed young Buckden. “By -Jove, Barney, you’re a valuable man.” - -“Have yez jist discovered that?” retorted the quick-witted Irishman. - -It required but a short time for Barney and Pomp to take off the -leopards’ skins. - -There was a skin for each of them, and they were carefully stowed away -in the wagon. - -Once more the Steam Man went on down the broad avenue. - -There were many other streets diverging from this one, but they were -more narrow and had not the appearance of this one. - -It was deemed best to keep to the main thoroughfare. - -At intervals a halt was called before some wonderful building of -curious architecture and time was spent in studying it. - -“Look here, Buckden!” said Frank, finally, “how is this? What of -that temple you wrote me about, which was so abundantly stocked with -anacondas?” - -“Oh, that is a good ways from here,” replied Buckden. “This street I -believe extends for a distance of twenty miles. Half way to the other -end is a public square and there we will find the temple. At least, so -I was informed by the native, Metlo.” - -“Very good! then we shall be on the lookout for the anacondas.” - -The words were not out of Frank’s mouth when a warning cry came from -Barney who was at the forward end of the wagon. - -“Luk out fer yesilf, Misther Frank!” he cried; “there’s a big log -acrost the road an’ if yez don’t luk out we’ll be overturned by it.” - -Frank quickly closed the throttle and applied the brake. - -Right across the Steam Man’s path was what looked like a log of palm, -and it stretched from a clump of palms to a thicket which grew out of -the paving stones full thirty feet away. - -But quick as he had been Frank was not in time to prevent the Steam Man -from stumbling against it. - -The result was terrifying. - -The log was instantly an animated creature. Quick as a flash it bounded -in air and ran up in huge coils, while the savage head of a huge -anaconda emerged from the palm clump. - -Before Frank could make a move to retreat, the big snake had thrown its -giant coils around the wagon and over the cage. - -The huge head was thrust against the steel netting, seeking an opening. - -“Tare an’ ’ounds!” yelled Barney in terror. “Av it ain’t another wan ov -the snakes! Be me sowl, he’s puttin’ his head in at the windy!” - -This was a terrifying fact. - -The anaconda’s head suddenly was thrust through one of the port-holes. - -This chanced to be one of large circumference and the snake’s whole -body began to slide into the cage. - -Frank Reade, Jr., seized a hatchet and made a blow at the snake. - -But the reptile’s head struck him in the breast and knocked him over. - -Its keen fangs tore his shirt and lacerated his flesh. When he picked -himself up he was alone in the wagon with the snake. - -The anaconda’s body was sliding rapidly in through the port-hole. -Barney and Pomp and Buckden had fled from the wagon through the rear -door. - -“Come, Frank, for God’s sake!” cried Buckden, reaching in and pulling -Frank toward the door. “Don’t stay there, or you will be killed.” - -Frank saw the snake making ready to dive at him again. - -He knew that it was folly to risk his life in such a manner. - -So accepting discretion as the better part of valor, the young inventor -dashed from the wagon. - -The huge snake’s body was rapidly sliding into the wagon. - -The explorers dumbfounded and irresolute stood outside and watched the -proceeding with curious sensations. - -“Well, upon me sowl,” cried Barney, “howiver will we get the omadhoun -out av’ that? Bad cess to his ugly shape, say I.” - -“By Jove, that is a stickler,” declared Buckden. “How will we ever -get him out of the cage?” - -“At present he is master of the situation,” declared Frank. - -“I jus’ fink dat ole snake am gwine fo’ to gib us some trubble,” -declared Pomp. - -“It looks like it.” - -“Begorra, why not give him a bit av cold lead?” - -But the words were not off Barney’s lips when an appalling thing -happened. - -The snake’s body was now all in the cage. The huge reptile was -squirming and thrashing about like mad. - -Suddenly the door of the cage shut with a snap. - -Then, to add to the horror and discomfort of the situation, the Steam -Man started away at full speed. - -The snake’s movements had in some way pulled open the throttle. - -A fearful groan escaped Frank’s lips. - -“My God! we are lost!” - -Cries of dismay escaped the others. - -“Catch him!” - -“Shut the valve!” - -But they might as well have tried to catch the wind. - -The Steam Man was off like a flash. Down the avenue he went with -clanking tread. - -After him with despairing souls ran the explorers, vainly trying to -overtake him. - -In the cage, unable to extricate himself, the huge anaconda was taking -an enforced ride. - -What more strange or thrilling predicament could be imagined? - -Down the avenue went the strange procession. The Steam Man went on and -was soon out of sight through a vista of trees and overhanging vines. - -The seriousness of the affair to our adventurers could not be estimated -at the moment. - -Left in that terrible wilderness to find their way on foot back to -Campeachy was not a pleasant thing to contemplate. - -There did not seem to remain any doubt but that the Steam Man would -keep on until it should come in disastrous collision with some object. - -The result would almost surely be to smash the machinery, and in that -out of the way part of the world it would be by no means easy to repair -it. - -All these misgivings and fears assailed the explorers. - -Frank Reade, Jr., was usually possessed of iron nerves. - -But if ever there was a time in his life when those nerves were sorely -tried, it was now. - -It did not seem to him possible that the Steam Man could escape -unharmed. - -“My soul!” he gasped, as he staggered on. “We are lost!” - -Indeed, it seemed true. - -Yet the explorers ran on, hoping at every turn to see the Steam Man all -safe and sound. - -But they seemed doomed to disappointment. - -Suddenly a terrible cry went up from Barney. - -“Howly Mither! Luk out!” he yelled. “Phwativer is that ahead of us?” - -Every one came to a halt. - -Just ahead of them lay what looked again like a prostrate palm trunk, -but the experienced gaze of our adventurers now proved its true -character. - -It was another huge anaconda which was stretching itself across the -roadway. - -The long, sinuous horrid body, in its immense proportions, was truly a -terrifying thing to look at. - -For a moment our adventurers stood looking at it with dismay. - -It had extended itself across the street, no doubt just after the Steam -Man had passed else the Man would have cut it to pieces. - -“Glory fo’ goodness!” cried Pomp, “whatebber will dis yer chile do? -Ugh! I nebber did like snakes!” - -“Nor I, Pomp!” cried Tony Buckden, with a shiver. “What shall we do -about it, Frank?” - -“Discretion is valor’s better part,” said Frank. “We will not try to -cut our way through the foe this time, but rather go around it.” - -“Good!” cried Tony. “But can we do it?” - -The avenue was fully one hundred feet wide here. - -It seemed easy enough to go the other side of the line of palms, and -the explorers made a move to do so. - -But they had barely reached the other side of the avenue when a -thrilling thing occurred. - -The space between the palms and the buildings was hardly ten feet. - -Suddenly, as they were passing through this narrow space, there was a -rustling sound above, and a long, sinuous body shot down from a window -of one of the buildings. - -The next moment Pomp was encircled by the folds of a huge anaconda. - -A startled yell went up from the astonished darky. - -The others recoiled in amazement and horror. - -Then, before any of them had time to act, Pomp was drawn up like a -puppet and through the window above. - -He went out of sight like a flash. - -But a tremendous uproar was heard in the building, and the pounding and -thumping of heavy bodies was heard. - -Pomp’s cries for help were agonizing. - -For a few moments our adventurers were so overcome with horror that -they hardly knew how to act or what to say. - -“My God!” cried Frank Reade, Jr., “Pomp is being killed. Why do we -stand here inactive? We must save him!” - -“Right!” cried Tony Buckden. “Come on, friends! Lively, now!” - -No second bidding was needed. - -Into the building they rushed. - -Some long stairs were encountered. Up these they sprung. - -This brought them to a landing above, and into a large chamber. - -Up through this and through the fallen roof there grew a high palm tree. - -Partly wound around the trunk of this were a part of the snake’s coils. - -The other part of the snake’s body was wound about Pomp, and the darky -was seen to be unconscious, and for aught his agonized friends knew, -dead. - -The monster anaconda’s head was erect, and its forked tongue was -darting from its mouth as it faced the new-comers angrily. - -Frank Reade, Jr., saw that if Pomp was to be saved, quick work must be -made. - -With a long drawn breath the young inventor sprang forward, crying: - -“Aim at his head, friends. Work quickly, for I fear Pomp is dead.” - -But no further adjuration was needed. - -The others did work quickly. - -Barney raised his rifle and took aim at the monster’s head. - -It was an uncertain aim, as the snake’s head kept gyrating and moving -about in a lively manner. - -But by great good luck the bullet struck the monster’s lower jaw. - -It was instantly broken and hung limply. The snake gave almost a shriek -of agony, and its folds partly relaxed. - -Instantly Frank sprang forward and made a blow at the reptile with his -knife. - -It was a lucky blow, and cut a deep gash in the monster’s body, half -severing it to the backbone. - -Barney also rushed upon the snake. - -The monster made a game fight, however. Its mighty coils relaxed, and -it dropped Pomp from them and began to thrash about in fury. - -Frank and Tony Buckden were knocked down like puppets. - -The snake’s huge body literally filled the huge chamber, and thrashing -about so furiously kept our explorers one moment upon their feet and -the next upon the floor. - -Hacking at the reptile with his knife, Frank had inflicted many wounds. - -Blood flowed in torrents, and the reptile was evidently weakening. - -Barney at an opportune moment raised his clubbed rifle and made a blow -at the snake’s head. - -It was a lucky stroke. - -The reptile was almost instantly brained, and the battle was over. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - INTO THE DEPTHS. - - -The battle was won, but what of Pomp? - -The darky lay in an inanimate heap upon the stone floor. - -Frank was quickly by his side, however. His first move was to feel the -darky’s pulse. - -With a cry of joy he reached for a whisky flask which Buckden produced. - -“He is alive!” he cried. “It is about certain that we shall save him.” - -This, however, could not yet be determined. The darky had suffered -quite a severe squeezing, and there was no certainty that bones had not -been broken. - -Frank applied the whisky to Pomp’s lips. Then the others rubbed his -hands and feet vigorously. - -In a few moments Pomp gasped and opened his eyes. - -“Glory for goodness, Marse Frank,” he whispered, hoarsely, “am dis -chile been sabed? I done fought I was a gone coon.” - -“You’re all right, Pomp!” cried Frank, joyfully. “You’re sure you can -move without pain, are you? Try and roll over.” - -Pomp did as he was bid. - -To the joy of all it was discovered that although the darky had -experienced quite a severe squeezing he was practically uninjured. - -In a few moments he was able to get upon his feet. - -He was a trifle stiff and sore, but this bid fair to desert him in a -short while. - -Then it was seen that the anaconda was a monster. - -Indeed its huge coils seemed to occupy the larger part of the chamber. - -All had good reason to congratulate themselves upon their escape from -what might have been death for Pomp at least. - -But now that the affair was over there was no use in further waste of -time in the vicinity. - -It was necessary at once to continue their quest for the Steam Man. - -Accordingly they started to descend the stairs. - -But the incidents of the moment were by no means spent. A strange and -startling thing occurred. - -No sooner had Barney put his foot upon the topmost stairs than the -whole affair crumbled and fell. - -Down went the Celt through a cloud of dust and rotten stone. It was a -sudden happening and took the others quite off their guard. - -“Heavens!” cried Frank, recoiling. “What does that mean?” - -“The stairs have given way!” cried Buckden, with horror. - -“Barney has gone down with them.” - -“He is likely killed.” - -“Massy sakes alibe!” cried Pomp, wildly. “Dat am awful. We must do -somfin’ fo’ to sabe Barney.” - -But now as the dust cleared, a horrible realization dawned upon the -explorers. - -At their feet yawned a dark abyss. - -How deep it was they could not guess, for the stairs and the floor -beneath had succumbed and gone down with Barney. - -The bottom of the abyss could not be seen. - -It was safe to assume, however, that it was really a cellar underneath -the building, and therefore not more than a dozen feet or more in depth. - -Frank leaned over and shouted: - -“Barney! If you are alive, answer me!” - -“Shure an’ I will that, Misther Frank,” came up the Celt’s voice from -the abyss. “It’s not kilt I am.” - -“Are you badly hurt?” - -“Shure, an’ not a bit av it, Misther Frank. Only a bit av a bruise on -me head an’ me arrum. Oi’m all roight.” - -“Thank Heaven for that.” - -But the question now was, how were the three men to descend from their -aerial position? - -There was no other stairs, and it was a little too great a height to -risk a jump with safety. - -But Frank Reade, Jr., was not the one to be long in a quandary. He -quickly hit upon a plan. - -Advancing to one of the windows, he looked down to the pavements below. - -It was a height of possibly twenty feet. But a jump was out of the -question. - -However, some stout vines grew over the face of the building. - -These offered a good safe hold, and by means of these the three -explorers clambered down to the ground floor. - -The first thing to do now was to rescue Barney. - -It was found, however, that the redoubtable Celt did not require any -assistance. - -He had discovered a way to clamber out of the cellar, and in a moment -came rushing out of the ruin. - -Congratulations were in order over the happy escape of all. - -The incidents of the day had their effect upon the explorers. - -Already Tony Buckden had begun to sicken of the enterprise. - -He had really gained the end he sought, which was to visit the city of -Mazendla. - -Of course he had not as yet succeeded in locating the treasure spoken -of by the Indian guide Metlo. - -But the treasure was only a slight inducement for Tony to remain amid -the innumerable perils of the Central American wilds. - -He had in fact more money at his command than he could expend, and, of -course, gold had little temptation for him. - -As for Frank Reade, Jr., the treasure had not constituted the object of -his visit. - -That he had already accomplished in finding Tony Buckden. - -Not one in the party but was badly disaffected and wanted to go home. - -“I jus’ fink home am de bes’ place aftah all,” said Pomp. - -“Begorra, that’s thrue,” sang Barney. “Be it iver so humble there’s no -place loike home, aven av it’s in a pig pen.” - -“Good!” cried Frank. “Well, we will soon give you a chance to see -home, boys, if we can find the Steam Man intact.” - -“Which Heaven grant we may,” said Tony, fervently. - -“Then you’re really ready to go home, Tony?” - -“Oh, yes. I am anxious to; the way of it is, I have sickened of roaming -in this accursed clime. Father says he will take me into Wall street -with him, and I’m going to accept his offer.” - -“Good for you, Tony!” cried Frank. “It is a good time for you to -settle down.” - -“I shall do it.” - -They were now once more pushing their way along the avenue. - -The Steam Man did not seem to be anywhere in sight. - -What was the fate of the invention they could only guess. - -They pushed on rapidly. - -Suddenly they came out into what seemed like the plaza, or public -square of the city. - -Here wonderful sights were presented. - -Mammoth ruins surrounded the square on all sides. - -These were overgrown with vegetation of all kinds. - -Clinging vines adorned the walls, and huge trees of the deciduous -species grew out of the roof and piles of moldering stone. - -Everywhere all was desolation and decay. - -But one building, massive and commanding, with huge pillars of some -strange blue stone, seemed comparatively well preserved. - -This building at once attracted Tony Buckden’s attention. - -He clapped his hands excitedly. - -“As I live!” he declared, “that looks like the temple described by -Metlo.” - -“Indeed!” exclaimed Frank. - -“That is the truth.” - -“But where are the anacondas?” - -“Where?” - -The two men exchanged glances. - -Certainly, there was not a big snake in sight. But after all, this did -not disprove Metlo’s story. - -“De snakes may be dar all de same, Marse Frank,” declared Pomp. - -“Of course,” agreed Tony. “That is logical enough.” - -“What shall we do?” - -“Enter of course.” - -“It is well to proceed with care.” - -“Very well, we can do that.” - -But Barney and Pomp had already sprung up the steps of the temple. The -next moment they disappeared inside of the place. - -Frank and Tony followed. - -As they entered the temple they saw that it was a high arched structure -with evidences of having once been a building of great beauty. - -There was not a snake to be seen. - -“Upon my word,” ejaculated Tony, “this has every appearance of being -the building described by Metlo.” - -“It very likely is,” said Frank. “I have no doubt of it.” - -“But he described it as being literally alive with anacondas.” - -“It may have been, and they may have lately deserted the place.” - -“It looks like it.” - -“Of course.” - -“Then we are in great luck.” - -“Yes.” - -“But the treasure—ah!” - -Buckden paused before a ring in the stone floor. - -It was an iron ring firmly joined to a slab of stone. The New Yorker -bent down and began to pull upon it. - -The instant he did so a thrilling thing happened. - -There was a strange whirring sound as of machinery buzzing, and then a -grating noise. - -Quick as a flash the stone dropped and Buckden went out of sight like a -meteor. - -Down into a black void went the young New Yorker. - -He was swallowed up as literally as if engulfed in the sea. - -For an instant Frank Reade, Jr., was so overcome with horror that he -did not know what to do. - -Then a wailing cry broke from his lips: - -“Oh, my God!” he cried. “Tony has gone to his death.” - -Of course Frank had no idea as to the depth of the abyss or where it -went to. - -Buckden, for aught he knew, had fallen to the center of the earth. The -young inventor was overcome with horror and agony. - -“Something must be done!” he cried, wildly. “He must be saved!” - -But what was to be done? - -It was an awful question. - -For a moment Frank knew not what answer to make. He stood like one in a -trance. - -Then he made sudden and swift action. He threw himself flat upon his -stomach and shouted down into the abyss of darkness. - -“Tony!” he cried, at the top of his voice. “Where are you? If you can -hear me, give me an answer!” - -But no sound came back. - -All was the stillness of the grave. - -It seemed as if Tony Buckden’s fate was sealed. Certainly, if alive and -uninjured, he would answer. - -Frank shouted again and again. - -But no answer came back from the awful stillness below. It was like the -silence of the grave. - -A queer sensation came over Frank. - -He felt as if likely to faint. - -A cold perspiration broke out upon him, and he seemed dizzy and sick. - -Then a strange and awful thing happened. - -Suddenly and without warning, the stone beneath him began to slide. He -felt himself going, and made a spasmodic effort to save himself. - -In vain was this. - -Just as he was about to recoil from the verge of the awful pit, there -was a grinding sound as of mortar giving way, and then, wholly unable -to save himself, Frank went headlong into the abyss. - -Down, down he felt himself going. - -He clutched at the air wildly, experienced a sense of suffocation, then -he felt a sudden shock and knew that he was in water. - -It seemed as if his breath must leave his body before he came up out of -this water. - -Coming to the surface, he drew in a deep breath, and then struck out to -swim. - -The water was icy cold, and he knew that its depth must be great. - -Also, he believed its extent to be considerable, as the reverberations -coming to his ears were far-reaching and loud. - -Frank had no means of knowing into what sort of place he had fallen, or -what was to be the outcome of this adventure. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - THE SEALED CHAMBER. - - -But he did know that he was in the embrace of some underground lake or -reservoir of water. - -That it was not a river he was assured as there was no current whatever. - -Involuntarily he looked about for light. - -There was a faint square far above his head. This he knew must be from -the aperture through which he had fallen. - -Certainly that must have been a fearful distance to have fallen. To -have survived that fall seemed a miracle. - -But that light was too far away to be of any service. - -All upon the surface of the underground lake was Stygian blackness. - -“I don’t know where I am, nor if I shall ever get out of here alive,” -muttered the young inventor, “but I must try. I will swim as far as I -can.” - -And this he proceeded to do. - -Striking out he forced his way swiftly through the water. - -Pausing to rest, he suddenly heard a startling sound near him. - -It was a splash in the water. - -At first Frank instinctively thought of the presence of some submarine -monster, but recollection came to him in time. - -“Tony!” he cried; “is that you?” - -“Thank God!” was the reply. - -Neither could see the other, but they swam side by side in the darkness. - -“Thank Heaven, you are alive!” said Frank, sincerely. “I feared you -were dead.” - -“I am alive,” said Buckden, “but I fear we will never get out of -this.” - -“Why did you not answer my call?” asked Frank. - -“I did not hear it.” - -“Is that possible?” - -“For some moments after coming to the surface the shock made me deaf.” - -“Oh, I see.” - -“What sort of a place are we in?” - -“I cannot imagine.” - -“I pray there is an outlet somewhere. If not, we are done for.” - -“That is true,” agreed Frank. “Let us pray for escape.” - -The words had barely left his lips, when Frank’s hand struck an object. -In a moment his fingers closed upon it. - -It was the edge of a stone coping, and quickly he drew himself out of -the water upon what seemed like a platform. - -It was really the shore of the underground reservoir or lake. - -Frank secured a foothold and then turned to Buckden. - -“Are you there, Tony?” - -“Yes.” - -“Give me your hand and I will help you up.” - -“All right.” - -The next moment Buckden was drawn safely up out of the water. - -Both men now stood once more upon terra firma. - -“Well, we’re out of the water, anyway,” cried Tony, as he proceeded to -wring the water out of his coat. - -“Yes.” - -“But where in the mischief are we?” - -“Give it up.” - -All was Stygian darkness about them. - -But Frank remembered suddenly that in an inner pocket he had a small -pocket lantern. - -This was in a water-proof case and consequently had not suffered by the -immersion. - -There were matches in the same case and Frank lit one on a dry part of -the stone coping. - -Then he lit the wick of the lantern and the vicinity was dimly -illumined. - -But the moment Frank turned the rays of the lantern to the rear both -gave a wild start. - -A frightful object confronted their gaze. At first sight Frank had -thought it a living object. - -It was a monster dragon with wide open mouth and awful jaws. - -But a second glance revealed the fact that it was not animate and could -consequently do them no harm. - -It was of some peculiar quality of dark colored greenish stone, and was -a remarkably life-like representation. - -“Jupiter!” exclaimed Buckden, “but that gave me a start.” - -“I must confess to the same,” said Frank, with a smile. - -“It is a clever imitation of a dragon, isn’t it?” - -“Indeed, it is.” - -Both adventurers now advanced and began to examine the monster -critically. - -It was a wonderful bit of workmanship in very truth. - -“Indeed!” exclaimed Buckden, “I doubt if our sculptors of the present -day could ever equal this.” - -“I do not think they could surpass it much.” - -“It certainly attests that the ancient inhabitants of Mazendla were a -remarkably talented people.” - -“Right you are.” - -“But the question now is, how are we to get out of this place?” - -“Exactly.” - -“There certainly must be some other way out besides that through which -we came—ah!” - -Frank gave a gasping cry and came to a halt. - -Just at his feet was a ghastly sight. - -It was a heap of bones. - -In a promiscuous fashion they were heaped there. Human bones and those -of the cayman, a species of crocodile, were there all piled up together. - -The two explorers gazed at the spectacle with amazement. - -This was the first indication of human remains that they had found thus -far. - -There were human skulls and the compete skeletons of the crocodiles. A -quick comprehension came to Frank. - -“I have it!” he cried. - -“Well?” - -“In my opinion this lake was once the abode of these crocodiles. The -ancient rulers placed them there for a certain purpose.” - -“What could it have been?” - -“Well, supposing a man committed some crime. It may be that he was -thrown into this place as a method of punishment, for the crocodiles to -tear to pieces.” - -“Indeed, I believe you are right, Mr. Reade,” cried Buckden, “but -what a number of victims they must have had.” - -“For aught we know the bed of this lake may be paved with human -skeletons.” - -It was a grim, horrible thing to think of. - -Both men shivered. - -Then Tony reached over to pick up one of the skulls. - -The mere motion caused the horrid pile to disintegrate and relapse into -a heap of gray dust. - -Ages had passed since these bones had been deposited there, as this -very action would attest. - -“Come away,” said Frank, with a shiver. “Let’s find our way out of -here.” - -Together they passed by the heap of moldering bones. - -A deep, arched passage lay before them. It was not a long one, and -suddenly came to an end in a startling manner. - -A huge iron gate made of transverse bars confronted them. - -It was a ponderous affair, and there were huge bolts to hold it shut. - -It did not seem as if they could ever hope to pass through it. - -“My soul, we are badly stuck!” cried Tony. “We’ll never get out of -here alive, Frank.” - -Frank looked aghast. - -There seemed no means at command to force the mighty gate. - -It certainly seemed an insurmountable barrier. It also seemed the only -means of exit from the place. - -The two men looked at each other in utter dismay. - -What was to be done? - -Could they remain here in this place and suffer tamely a death by -starvation? Frank was resolute. - -“There is just one thing about it,” he declared. “We’ve got to force -our way through that gate.” - -“Good for you!” cried Tony. “I’m with you!” - -“It must be done!” - -“But can it be done?” - -“I see no reason why not. We will make a valiant effort. It is better -than tamely submitting to death.” - -“Indeed, much better.” - -“Here goes!” - -Frank advanced and placed both hands upon one of the iron bars of the -gate. - -It was thickly encrusted with rust; yet neither looked for the result -which followed. - -Frank gave the gate a quick, sharp pull. Then he gave a leap backward. - -It was just in time. - -He was not a moment too soon. - -Down came the whole affair in a clanging heap. - -If it had struck Frank he might have been seriously injured. But -fortunately it did not. - -The action of time had rusted hinges and locks, and the gate was just -ready to fall. - -A great cloud of dust was raised which nearly overwhelmed the two -explorers. - -They emerged from it completely covered and wheezing and puffing. - -“Jupiter!” gasped Tony, “there’s no question about getting out of here -now, Frank.” - -“No, not if this dust don’t kill us,” replied Frank. - -“Whew! it is fearful.” - -After a time, however, the dust cloud was dispelled and they emerged -all safe. - -Then the first impulse was to break through the archway. - -This they did and came to a flight of stairs. - -Up these they ran at full speed. - -Arrived at the top, they were confronted by an astounding fact. - -They stood in a small square chamber. So far as they could see there -was no door or window or other mode of exit. - -Only bare walls of stone were about them upon all sides. - -“Well!” exclaimed Frank, in amazement. “What the deuce does this -mean?” - -“Where are we?” - -“Sure enough.” - -“Can you see any way out of here?” - -“I cannot.” - -The two men looked at each other blankly. It was some time before -either ventured to speak. - -“This is the toughest yet,” said Buckden, finally. “What is your -idea, Frank?” - -A light broke across the young inventor’s handsome face. - -“I have an idea!” he cried. - -“What is it?” - -Frank went and critically examined the walls of the chamber before he -ventured to answer. - -“This is a sealed chamber,” he said, finally. “It is sealed that -nobody may find the secrets of this underground charnel house.” - -“A sealed chamber!” gasped Buckden. “My God! then we are lost, for -that is equivalent to being buried alive. Our end has come!” - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -OUT OF IMPRISONMENT. - - -It was a terrible despairing cry which Tony Buckden gave. - -It came from the depths of his soul, and embodied utter hopelessness. - -Indeed, the situation looked to be a desperate one. If it was indeed -true that they were the inmates of a sealed chamber their fate seemed -sealed. - -What was to be done? - -Surely they could not submit to a slow lingering death by starvation in -that wretched place. - -Frank went forward and began to examine the masonry of the chamber -walls. - -The stone was a peculiar sandstone, and while it showed evidence of age -and the discolorations of time it was yet firm and hard. - -But the mortar would yield to the point of the knife. Frank at once -began work upon it. - -“My plan,” he declared, “is to displace the mortar as far as -possible, and perhaps we can loosen some of these stones and make an -aperture large enough to get out through.” - -“Good!” cried Buckden, joyfully. “You’ve hit the mark, Frank.” - -“I hope so,” said the young inventor, modestly; “time will tell. -First we must make sure that the mortar will give way.” - -Together they went to work upon the mortar. - -It yielded readily to the points of their knives and soon had been -displaced about one of the smaller stones. - -To their joy this yielded and the stone was removed. - -But a second layer was discovered just beyond. How many more were -beyond this they could not guess. - -But Frank believed that only this layer separated them from the outer -air and freedom. - -Accordingly with renewed hope the two imprisoned men went to work. - -With a will they hacked away at the crumbling stone and mortar. - -In a very short space of time another stone had been loosened. A third -was quickly displaced, making an aperture sufficiently large enough to -allow a body to pass through. - -Now the second layer was attacked. To the agreeable surprise of both it -was a very rotten stone and yielded readily. - -In a very few moments daylight streamed into the place. - -“Hurrah!” cried Frank. “We are sure to escape, Tony!” - -“So it seems!” cried the young New Yorker, cheerily. “This is what -comes of good pluck.” - -“You are right.” - -Peering through the small hole made, Frank saw that they would come out -right in the main body of the temple. - -Both men now worked like beavers. - -In a few moments one of the stones was displaced. Another quickly -followed, and then they crawled through and into the open air. - -The relief experienced was beyond description. - -To drink in the pure air and the health-giving sunlight once more was a -boon of no small sort. - -But after a time they began to think of Barney and Pomp and the Steam -Man. - -It was certainly advisable to find them at once. - -The fate of the Steam Man was a matter of conjecture. But Frank arose -from his reclining position and said: - -“Come, Tony, old man, we can’t stay here any longer. There’s work for -us to do.” - -“All right, Frank.” - -Frank started to leave the temple, but Tony chanced to glance across an -inner court-yard. - -“Wait a moment, Frank!” he cried. - -“What is it?” - -“Just look across that court-yard. What is it?” - -Frank looked and gave a start of surprise. - -“Upon my soul!” he exclaimed. “What sort of a creature can it be?” - -“Let us investigate.” - -“All right.” - -“Lead the way.” - -Through a series of arches they went and reached the court-yard. Across -it they made their way. - -The object of their surprise was a strange looking statue. - -It was sculptured out of the same peculiar greenish stone as the dragon -seen below stairs. - -The statue was a compromise between a man and some strange wild animal -resembling the panther. - -Certainly a more life like and hideous monstrosity they had never -beheld before. They gazed upon it in wonderment. - -“Have you ever seen its equal?” asked Tony in amazement. - -“Never!” - -“What is it intended to represent?” - -“Like the statues of Bacchus and the Centaurs found in ancient Greece, -it is a creation of mythical sort.” - -“I believe you’re right. Hello! What is this? Another trapdoor?” - -Tony paused before a heavy iron ring set in the tiled floor. - -“Don’t trouble it,” said Frank. “It may let us down into another -underground lake.” - -“Do you believe it?” - -“I should fear it.” - -But Tony could not resist the temptation to insert his fingers in the -ring and give the stone a lift. It was a reckless thing to do. - -The result was startling. - -The stone yielded, and the next moment Buckden lifted it from its bed, -disclosing a cavity beneath some four feet long by two wide. - -Stone steps were revealed leading downward. For a moment the two -explorers looked at each other. - -“What will we do?” asked Buckden. - -“Investigate,” said Frank, tersely. - -“But it is dark down there.” - -“That doesn’t matter,” said the young inventor, coolly. “We will -regulate that.” - -Then, from his pocket, Frank produced a small folding pocket lantern, -an invention of his own. - -He lit this and boldly ventured down into the place. - -He went down a dozen steps, and then a wonderful sight was spread -before him. - -A large chamber, about fifteen feet in length by ten in breadth, hewn -out of solid rock, was revealed. - -The walls were adorned with shelves, and about the stone floor were -chests of metal. - -These chests contained coins and silver and gold cups, flagons, pots -and all sorts of ware, thrown about promiscuously and in heaps. - -For a moment the two explorers, astounded, gazed at the scene before -them. - -Both were so dumbfounded that they could not speak. - -One thing was apparent to them, and it brought the blood in surges to -their temples. - -The treasure of Mazendla was found. - -It would be quite impossible to enumerate its mighty value. - -But it would seem that it must be up in the millions. For how many -centuries it had remained here it would be quite hard to say. - -“Heavens!” gasped Frank. “Here is enough to enrich us many times, -Tony.” - -“I should say so.” - -“It is the wealth of a king.” - -“To be sure.” - -“But what great good can it do us? We have got enough.” - -“That is so.” - -The two explorers proceeded to make an examination of the contents of -the treasure room. - -Among all the gold and silver Frank looked for diamonds. - -But these seemed scarce. - -However, he did find a few in a small silver casket. These he secured, -and, with Tony, took several bags of the coins and some of the quaint -silverware. - -“Well,” said Tony, speculatively, “what shall we do with all this -stuff, Frank? It is too bad to leave it here.” - -“I have an idea.” - -“What?” - -“Let us take it to New York, convert it into greenbacks and disperse -it in charities.” - -“Good!” cried Tony, readily, “that is a fine idea.” - -They now ascended to the main room of the temple. - -For the first time Frank thought of Barney and Pomp. - -The two servitors had wandered off in some other part of the temple and -were not in sight. - -Frank shouted for them, but no answer came back. - -This seemed a little strange to the young inventor, and he began to -fear that some harm had come to the two men. - -“That is queer!” he muttered. “Why don’t they answer?” - -Again Frank shouted. This time an answer came back, but it seemed a -mile away. - -Frank was not a little vexed. - -“Confound the rascals!” he muttered. “Where have they gone to?” - -“We had better go in quest of them,” suggested Tony. “Harm may have -overtaken them.” - -“You are right!” - -They were about to follow up this plan when a startling thing occurred. - -Suddenly from the distance beyond the temple doors there came a -thrilling and yet familiar sound. - -It was a prolonged shriek, a distant note from the ear-splitting -whistle of the Steam Man. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - WHICH IS THE END. - - -Frank Reade, Jr., gave a great cry of surprise and joy. - -“They have found the Man,” he cried. “We are in luck.” - -“No,” said Tony, putting a hand on Frank’s arm. “You are wrong. That -is not so. Listen!” - -The shrill whistle of the Steam Man was still going. - -“I have it,” said Buckden, positively. “In some manner the whistle -valve has opened, and it will continue to blow until steam is all -blowed off!” - -“Right!” cried Frank, excitedly; “why didn’t I think of that. Let us -go at once in quest of the machine.” - -The two men started at once out of the temple. - -But as they reached the paved street below Tony hesitated. - -“Wait,” he said. - -“What for?” asked Frank. - -“What about Barney and Pomp?” - -Here was a conundrum. - -There was little time in which to decide. But Frank decided quickly. - -“Enough!” he cried; “they must take care of themselves. They are -abundantly able. Our life all depends upon recovering the Steam Man.” - -“You are right!” cried Buckden. - -So away the two men sped. - -It was easy enough to locate the Man now, as the whistle was an -infallible guide. - -Straight across the plaza they ran, and turned into a broad avenue. -Here, on the verge of a clump of palms, they beheld a thrilling sight. - -There was the Steam Man standing motionless on the edge of the palm -clump. - -The huge anaconda was yet writhing in the cage. Frank guessed the -meaning of all at once. - -The Steam Man had been saved by a lucky chance. - -The snake, in its writhings, had not only closed the throttle by -twisting the rein about its body, but had also pulled open the whistle -valve in the same manner. - -The two explorers came to a halt at first, and regarded the spectacle -with much wonder. - -Then Frank cried: - -“Hurrah! We’ve got the best of it. We can easily end the fight now.” - -Straight up to the cage Frank ran. It was an easy matter to climb up -and draw aim at the anaconda’s head through the loophole. - -Crack! - -The shot pierced the snake’s brain. - -The head dropped lifeless, but the huge body continued to writhe in the -throes of death. - -Frank swung the door of the cage open. - -“Come, Tony!” he cried, cheerily. “Let’s pull the monster out, and -we will then have the Steam Man once more in our possession.” Buckden -needed no urging. - -Both laid hold of the snake’s huge coils. It was a hard tug, but the -huge monster was finally pulled out of the cage. - -Then the two men sprang in and proceeded to put things to rights. - -The snake had done no material damage, but the odor of its presence in -the cage was something frightful. - -However, Frank quickly dispelled this with a chemical, and then the -Man’s course was set for a return to the treasure temple. - -No obstacle was encountered upon the return. - -Soon the Steam Man came in sight of the temple. - -As it did so, Barney and Pomp were seen rushing down the steps. - -Their joy to discover that the Steam Man had been safely recovered knew -no bounds. - -“I tell yo’, Marse Frank, dat dar am big piles ob gold an’ silver in -dat ar temple,” cried Pomp. - -“Bejabers, that’s so!” cried Barney. “An’ I cud hardly get the naygur -to come away from it.” - -“Where did you rascals go?” asked Frank, sharply. - -“Way up in de top ob de temple,” replied Pomp. - -“Didn’t you hear me when I called?” - -“Bejabers, we did that, an’ it was mesilf as answered yez,” replied -Barney. “But I couldn’t get the naygur to come away.” - -“Did you hear the whistle of the Steam Man?” - -“I did that, an’ that brought us down quick enough,” replied Barney. - -“Well,” said Frank, with satisfaction, “we are in luck. Now for home.” - -“Ki dar, Marse Frank. What about dat gold an’ silver?” cried Pomp. - -Frank looked at Buckden. - -“Is it worth while to return for it?” he asked. - -“Oh, I think so,” replied the New Yorker. - -“All right.” - -Barney and Pomp eagerly started for the steps of the temple, but a -startling sight caused them to draw back. - -Suddenly, from what seemed like a deep archway leading into black -depths beyond at the lower end of the temple wall, a large anaconda -glided into view. - -It was a monster of its species. - -“Back into the cage,” shouted Barney and Pomp. - -The two servitors had barely time to accomplish this move when the -snake glided swift as the wind up over the temple steps. - -“Look—look!” cried Buckden. - -An astounding sight was next witnessed. Out from the archway there -emerged more of the huge reptiles. - -Some of them were monstrous in proportions. - -The archway was literally choked with them. - -All seemed to be making for the temple. Truly, the wonderful tale -rendered by Metlo was true after all. - -There seemed legions of the snakes. They swarmed over the temple wall -and through all the passages. - -Dumfounded, our adventurers stood and watched them. - -“Great heavens!” gasped Frank Reade, Jr., “what a sight that is!” - -“I never saw its equal!” - -“Golly! amn’t dem de bigges’ snakes we’se seed yit?” - -“Tare an’ ’ounds! av the divils get afther the Steam Man——” - -“Look out!” - -Several of the huge reptiles seemed making for the Steam Man. Frank’s -hand was on the throttle rein, and he was about to pull it, when a -terrible thing happened. - -There was a dull, distant rumbling like thunder. - -The air became suddenly still and oppressive. Instinctively Frank knew -at that moment what was coming. - -“The earthquake!” he shouted. “Steady, all! Look out for yourselves!” - -Frank gave the throttle rein a yank. The Steam Man ran instantly to the -center of the plaza and came to a halt. - -Then a mighty, sullen roar was heard, a terrific gust of wind swept -down the avenue, and the earthquake came. - -For a moment it seemed as if the Steam Man would be overturned. - -The ground rose and fell in billows. - -The air was filled with the thunder and crash of falling buildings. - -The temple of treasure, which was full of the anacondas, was literally -leveled to the dust. - -It remained a great, moldering heap of ruins. Dozens, perhaps hundreds -of the huge snakes were crushed in the ruins. - -The treasure of Mazendla was beyond the reach of our adventurers now. - -In three minutes the entire disturbance was over. - -The city presented a vastly different aspect now. - -Many of the mammoth buildings were a heap of ruins. Trees were -uprooted, and a scene of havoc was upon every hand. - -“Golly fo’ goodness!” gasped the startled Pomp, as he pulled himself -together. “I kain’t say dat I’m stuck on yarthquakes, am yo’ Marse -Frank?” - -“No,” replied Frank, as he adjusted a sprained shoulder. “And what -is more, we will start this very moment for civilization, and the land -where earthquakes never happen.” - -“Good!” cried Tony Buckden. “I’m with you.” - -“Bejabers, I’m the same,” cried Barney. - -Not one gave thought to the deeply buried treasure of Mazendla now. - -It proved in after days that their decision was a wise one. - -The silverware preserved by Frank and Tony, as well as coins, turned -out to be a weak alloy. The diamonds were the real treasure, and Frank -had secured them all. - -So the treasure of Mazendla yet remains unearthed. Certainly, it was -never thought worth while by our explorers to ever return for it. - -It required some time to pick their way out of the ruined city. - -But they finally succeeded, and emerged upon the vast table-land of -Tanada once more. - -The Steam Man at a rapid rate of speed kept on the return route to -Campeachy. - -But the return trip was not devoid of incident. - -When two days out from Mazendla, the Steam Man came to a vast morass -between high mountains, and surrounded by tall reeds. - -The Steam Man on the way out had found little difficulty in skirting -this to the eastward. - -But rains had since fallen and the morass was a lake. - -Any attempt to go over the return route now must result in sinking the -Steam Man in great depths of mire. - -So a halt was called and a consultation held. - -There seemed to be no other way of surmounting this obstacle but to -camp and wait patiently for the water to subside. - -This meant a delay of several days, but it was a virtuous necessity, as -it was clearly impossible for the Steam Man to climb the rough mountain -sides. - -Accordingly camp was made. - -A good clump of palms was found and the fires in the furnace were -banked. - -It was entirely out of the question for four men to remain cooped up -three or four days in the cage of the Steam Man, inactive and dull. - -The natural project was a hunting trip and this was at once decided -upon. - -What sort of game our explorers were in quest of it is not easy to say. -In fact, it might as well be said that their quest was as much one of -exploration as quest of game. - -They started early one morning and climbed the mountain side. - -This was rocky, but fortunately clear of brush or dense chaparral. - -Several rabbits were bagged and some birds of beautiful plumage. Then -just as they were upon the verge of the crater of an extinct volcano, -the stirring events of the day began. - -Suddenly Barney, who was skirting the edge of the crater, gave a sharp -cry, and as his companions turned, they were horrified to see him -suddenly disappear from sight. - -“Great heavens!” gasped Frank. “What has become of Barney?” - -All rushed to an opening in the ground through which the Celt had -disappeared. - -As they reached it, a terrific roar came up from below. - -It required but a glance for the explorers to perceive a horrible state -of affairs. - -Below, at a depth of some forty feet, was a cavern. - -The entrance seemed to be from the crater, and clinging vines lined the -passage down which Barney had fallen. - -A treacherous coating of moss had covered the hole, and the -unsuspecting Irishman had stepped full upon it, with the result we have -seen. - -In falling, Barney had clutched wildly at the vines, and now he hung -twenty feet from the bottom by a single vine, which swayed and seemed -likely to snap at any moment. - -Just below, upon the floor of the cavern, crouched two fierce tigers. - -They roared and snarled savagely and made upward leaps to reach the -Celt. - -Barney was white with fear and clung desperately to the swinging vine. - -“Help!” he shouted in terror. “Misther Frank, save me.” - -“Have courage, Barney!” cried Frank, resolutely. “Hang on and I will -do my best.” - -Barney did hang on with all his strength, and Frank cried, turning to -the others: - -“Draw a bead on the tigers. Be sure and make your shots tell.” - -The three rifles cracked, and one of the tigers turned over and lay -limp and lifeless upon the bottom of the cavern. - -The other was hit, but not badly wounded. - -The wound, however, had the effect of exciting the animal’s rage and -with a roar it vanished from sight for a moment. - -When it came into sight again it was seen coming up over the edge of -the crater to attack its human foes. - -Up over the rocks it came with mad leaps. - -“Look out!” cried Frank Reade, Jr.; “take good aim at the beast.” - -The three explorers fired. Whether the bullets struck the beast or not -it was not easy to say. - -But the tiger came on with long bounds. - -Before the repeaters could be worked again the tiger was upon them. He -struck Pomp first and the darky went over like a ten-pin. - -Buckden rushed to his rescue with clubbed rifle. - -But the tiger knocked the rifle from his hands and tumbled him over in -a heap. - -That moment would have been Tony’s last but for Frank, who rushed -forward and thrust the muzzle of his rifle close against the hide of -the beast. - -The bullet penetrated the tiger’s heart and he fell dead over Buckden’s -prostrate form. - -It was a narrow escape for all, for the tiger might have killed one of -them. Haste was made to relieve Barney from his irksome position. - -The exploration was continued, but no other such serious adventure -befell our friends. - -A few days later they were able to leave the morass behind them. - -Nothing worthy of note occurred during the remainder of the trip. - -Campeachy was safely reached and there the party received an ovation. - -Tony’s many friends were overjoyed to see him back alive. - -A few days later, however, saw them aboard a return steamer. New -Orleans was safely reached in due time. - -Here Mr. Buckden met the party and welcomed them home. - -He embraced Tony joyfully and at once made out a check to Frank Reade, -Jr., for the reward offered of $50,000. - -But Frank politely declined it, refusing to accept more than enough to -cover the actual expenses of the trip. - -Tony and his father returned to New York city. At last accounts the -young explorer had given up traveling and was engaged in the banking -business with his father. - -Frank Reade, Jr., Barney and Pomp returned to Readestown safely with -the new Steam Man. - -But their travels with the new Steam Man were not yet concluded by any -means, and a complete account of their thrilling experiences in their -next trip may be found in No. 4 of the FRANK READE LIBRARY, entitled: - -“FRANK READE, JR., WITH HIS NEW STEAM MAN IN TEXAS; OR, CHASING THE -TRAIN ROBBERS.” - - - - - HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.—Containing valuable information - regarding the collecting and arranging of stamps and coins. Handsomely - illustrated. Price 10 cents. For sale by all newsdealers in the United - States and Canada, or sent free of postage upon receipt of the price. - Address Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 and 36 North Moore Street, New - York. Box 2730. - - HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.—By Old King Brady, the world known detective. - In which he lays down some valuable and sensible rules for beginners, - and also relates some adventures and experiences of well-known - detectives. Price 10 cents. For sale by all newsdealers in the United - States and Canada, or sent to your address, post-paid, on receipt of - the price. Address Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 and 36 North Moore - Street, New York. Box 2730. - - HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Handsomely illustrated, and containing full - instructions for the management and training of the canary, - mocking-bird, bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, etc., etc. Price - 10 cents. For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, post-paid, on receipt - of the price. Address Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 and 36 North Moore - Street, New York. P. O. Box 2730. - - HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER.—Containing fourteen illustrations, giving - the different positions requisite to become a good speaker, reader - and elocutionist. Also containing gems from all the popular authors - of prose and poetry, arranged in the most simple and concise manner - possible. For sale by all newsdealers in the United States and Canada, - or sent to your address, postage free, on receipt of ten cents. - Address Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 and 36 North Moore Street, New - York. Box 2730. - - - - - “NONAME’S” Latest and Best Stories - - —— ABOUT——- - - Frank Reade and Frank Reade, Jr., - - ARE PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN - - FRANK READE LIBRARY. - - Price 5 Cents Per Copy. - - The Following Have Already Been Published: - - - No. 1. Frank Reade, Jr., and His New Steam Man; or, The Young - Inventor’s Trip to the Far West, By “Noname.” - ” 2. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in No Man’s Land; - or, On a Mysterious Trail, By “Noname.” - ” 3. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Central America, - By “Noname.” - ” 4. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Texas; or, - Chasing the Train Robbers, By “Noname.” - ” 5. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Mexico; or, Hot - Work Among the Greasers, By “Noname.” - ” 6. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man Chasing a Gang of - “Rustlers;” or, Wild Adventures in Montana, By “Noname.” - ” 7. Frank Reade, Jr., and His New Steam Horse; or, The Search for - a Million Dollars. A Story of Wild Life in - Mexico, By “Noname.” - - - If You Want to Have a Good Laugh, - - BUY A COPY OF - - The 5 Cent Comic Library. - - ISSUED EVERY SATURDAY. - -The Following VERY FUNNY Stories Have Already Been Published: - - No. 1. Two Dandies of New York; or, The Funny Side of Everything, - By Tom Teaser - ” 2. Cheeky Jim, the Boy From Chicago; or, Nothing too Good for Him, - By Sam Smiley - ” 3. Gymnastic Joe; or, Not a Bit Like His Uncle, - By Tom Teaser - ” 4. Shorty; or, Kicked into Good Luck, - By Peter Pad - - For sale by all newsdealers in the United States and Canada, or sent - to your address, post-paid, on receipt of price. Address - - -Box 2730. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 34 & 36 North Moore Street, New York. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK READE, JR., WITH HIS NEW STEAM -MAN IN CENTRAL AMERICA *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Central America</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Luis Senarens and "NONAME"</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: September 2, 2021 [eBook #66206]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: David Edwards, Les Galloway and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois University Digital Library)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK READE, JR., WITH HIS NEW STEAM MAN IN CENTRAL AMERICA ***</div> -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> - -<div class="transnote"> -<h3>Transcriber’s Notes</h3> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations -in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and -punctuation remains unchanged.</p> - -<p>The table of contents was added by the transcriber.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="cover" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover image" /> -</div> - -<p class="half-title">FRANK READE, JR., IN CENTRAL AMERICA.</p> -<div class="bt bb"> -<p class="center small">The subscription Price of the <span class="smcap">Frank Reade Library</span> by the year is $2.50: $1.25 per six months, post-paid. Address FRANK -TOUSEY, <span class="smcap">Publisher</span>, 34 and 36 North Moore Street. Box 2730.</p> -</div> - -<h1>FRANK READE, JR.,<br /> - -<small>With His New Steam Man in Central America.</small></h1> - -<p class="center">By “NONAME,”</p> - -<p class="center small">Author of “Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in No Man’s Land; or, On a Mysterious Trail,” etc., etc. -</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2>Table of Contents</h2> -</div> -<div class= "center small"> - -<ul> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></li> -<li><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></li> -<li><a href="#NONAMES_Latest_and_Best_Stories">“NONAME’S” Latest and Best Stories</a></li> -</ul> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.<br /> - - -<small>A STRANGE STORY FROM YUCATAN.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Frank Reade, Jr., the distinguished inventor of many wonderful -machines, and particularly the new Steam Man, sat in his library one -winter’s day reading a newspaper.</p> - -<p>His wife sat near him engaged in some light needle work. She -looked up to see a peculiar expression upon her husband’s handsome -face.</p> - -<p>“Well, that is strange,” exclaimed Frank Reade, Jr., with a whistle -of surprise. “I am positive that is my old friend, Buckden, whom I -knew at college. Upon my word, this breaks me all up.”</p> - -<p>“What is it, Frank?” asked Mrs. Reade, with interest.</p> - -<p>“Why, Tony Buckden, an old college mate of mine, it seems has -turned his wits to mining engineering. This has taken him down to -Central America, to Yucatan, and a cablegram has just been received -in New York, stating that Tony had become separated from his party -and lost in the jungle. For six weeks he was searched for in vain.”</p> - -<p>“How terrible.”</p> - -<p>“It is more than likely that he has fallen a prey to wild beasts. -Yet his father, the millionaire, Thomas Buckden, of New York, comes -out with an offer of $50,000 to the person who will furnish positive -proof that his son is alive, and bring him safely home.”</p> - -<p>“That is a large reward,” ventured Mrs. Reade. “I hope somebody -will win it.”</p> - -<p>“Poor Tony!” exclaimed Frank, with emotion. “I declare I almost -feel it my duty to go to his rescue.”</p> - -<p>“What! leave home again so soon?”</p> - -<p>“Yet what is my duty, dear wife? It would seem that my dear -friend’s life is at stake. Ought I not to sacrifice something to save -him?”</p> - -<p>“What? You don’t really think of going yourself?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know,” replied Frank, agitatedly pacing the floor. “I -don’t see who else can go and stand the rigors of that climate, dare -the dangers of the jungle, the wild beasts and natives, and succeed in -rescuing Tony.”</p> - -<p>“Are you sure that you can do it?”</p> - -<p>“Ought I not to be reasonably sure? Have I not the Steam Man? -Barney and Pomp I am sure would go with me.”</p> - -<p>“I hope you will not be so foolish as to go.”</p> - -<p>“I cannot say yet, my dear. I must satisfy myself completely that -it is my duty. But I think I will walk down to the shop and see the -Steam Man.”</p> - -<p>Frank bent down and kissed his wife and children and then left the -house.</p> - -<p>But just as he was going down the steps the mail carrier handed -him a letter. Thus it was superscribed:</p> - -<p class="center"> -“<span class="smcap">To Frank Reade Jr.,<br /> -Readestown, U. S. A.</span>” -</p> - -<p>Frank glanced at the foreign postmark and then broke the seal and -read:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Dear Friend Frank</span>—I have been thinking of you of late and so -feel constrained to write you. Moreover, I have a big scheme in which -I want to interest you. While at Campeachy I fell in with a native -trader from Valladolid. I was fortunate enough to do him a service -and gain his friendship, and as a reward he accorded me a most astonishing -tale and secret.</p> - -<p>“He told me of his travels in the interior through jungle and swamp -and forest. Also of the deadly animals and reptiles, the poisonous -insects, and all the great dangers and pitfalls of the traveler in those -latitudes.</p> - -<p>“But more than this, he told me a wonderful story of a ruined city -far up in the inaccessible table-lands of Tanada.</p> - -<p>“No doubt you are familiar with the accounts of the ancient cities -of Palonque and others. Well, I imagine that this ruined city, -Mazendla he called it, is one of the same sort.</p> - -<p>“But Metlo, which is the name of my informant, described a vast -temple in which he said there was vast treasures of gold, silver and -jewels. But ever since discovered this temple has been a perfect -nest of gigantic anacondas, and none of the natives have ever ventured -into the place.</p> - -<p>“Only one man ever lived to get out of the place, and he brought -forth enough gold and jewels to insure his wealth for life.</p> - -<p>“And there to-day lies untold wealth all in the possession of the -anacondas.</p> - -<p>“Many attempts have been made by the natives to destroy the -snakes. A great body of men once attempted it. Six of the snakes -were killed, but there seemed to be fully half a hundred left. The place -seemed alive with them, and a dozen men falling victims to the monsters -the attempt was abandoned.</p> - -<p>“From that day to this no attempt has been made to recover the -wealth. Metlo told me that no white man ever visited the region.</p> - -<p>“The journey thither is a dangerous one on account of beasts and -poisonous reptiles. Yet I believe it can be made. I have thought of -you and your wonderful Steam Man and I feel sure that with the aid of -you and your wonderful invention the treasure can be recovered.</p> - -<p>“Now, Frank, I humbly beg of you if possible come down here and -embark in this enterprise with me.</p> - -<p>“Of course I have plenty of money, my father being a millionaire, -but I have a powerful desire to visit the ruined city of Mazendla and -do battle with those anacondas.</p> - -<p>“I can do it alone, but I can succeed better with the aid of your -Steam Man. As a favor I beg of you to write me at once to Campeachy. -And now, my dear Frank, hoping to hear from you soon and -favorably, I am as ever your friend.</p> - -<p class="psig"> -<span class="smcap">Tony Buckden.</span>”</p> -</div> - -<p>Frank Reade, Jr., drew a deep breath as he finished reading this -stirring epistle.</p> - -<p>His eyes shone like stars and his whole being was stirred up.</p> - -<p>It was certainly just the kind of a trip he would fancy. His adventurous -spirit was fired and he muttered:</p> - -<p>“That is a new field to explore. Ah! I would like to try it. But -let me see! This letter has been coming by lazy stages and has been -three weeks on the way. The cablegram was received a few days ago. -Since then he has become lost in the jungle. Poor Tony! He must -be rescued, and who is there to do it but me?”</p> - -<p>Frank passed down the street in deep abstraction of mind.</p> - -<p>The wind was chill and piercing, and there was snow in the air, as -well as on the ground.</p> - -<p>Suddenly around a corner came a man on the dead run.</p> - -<p>But as his feet struck a bit of ice, they went out from under him, -and he went sliding clear across the sidewalk and into a vast snow -bank.</p> - -<p>He was literally buried, but quickly dug himself out, spluttering -and jawing like mad.</p> - -<p>“I jes’ pays yo’ back fo’ dat, I’ish. Yo’ jes’ stop yo’ foolin’ wif dis -chile, or yo’ gits inter trubbel right away. Jes’ yo’ hear dat.”</p> - -<p>“Whurroo! Bejabers, it’s a foine looking naygur yez are now. -Ha, ha, ha! Yez would pass for a Santa Claus now to be shure. It’s -nearer white yez are than yez iver will be agin.”</p> - -<p>The victim of the snow bank, who, as the reader may have guessed, -was a negro, dug the snow from his ears and eyes with supreme rage -and disgust.</p> - -<p>His companion was an Irishman, as his rich brogue would indicate. -They had been having a lark at snow-balling, and the Irishman was -chasing the negro around the corner when he took his fall.</p> - -<p>It required but a glance for Frank Reade, Jr., to recognize the skylarkers.</p> - -<p>They were faithful servitors of his, and were named Barney and -Pomp.</p> - -<p>They were a legacy from Frank’s father, and in all the famous -young inventor’s travels these servants had accompanied him.</p> - -<p>Nobody could be more attached to a master than they were to -Frank.</p> - -<p>And now, as they caught sight of him approaching, they straightened -up and both doffed their hats.</p> - -<p>“I’se done glad to see yo’, Marse Frank.”</p> - -<p>“I hope yez air well, Misther Frank.”</p> - -<p>“Barney and Pomp!” cried Frank, eagerly. “You are just the -fellows I want to see.”</p> - -<p>“Whurroo!” shouted Barney. “We’re ready for anythin’, Misther -Frank, from a shindy to a ruction.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t doubt it,” replied Frank with a smile. “But here’s a letter -you may read, and tell me what you think of it.”</p> - -<p>“A letther!” gasped Barney.</p> - -<p>He took the missive, and with Pomp at his shoulder, it was read by -both. Frank watched them intently.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span></p> - -<p>It was evident that the letter had made a powerful impression upon -them.</p> - -<p>“Well!” said Frank, when they had finished. “What do you think -of it?”</p> - -<p>“Be jabers I’d loike nothing betther than a go at some av them -forty foot snakes. Shure it’s a foine thrip that would be fer ther -Stheam Man, Misther Frank.”</p> - -<p>“Ki dar, Marse Frank!” cried Pomp, with eyes big as moons. -“Kain’t say dis chile likes snakes, but yo’ kin jes’ bet he’d like to go -dar jes’ de same.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” cried Frank, “then if I conclude to go, you’ll be all ready?”</p> - -<p>“Yo kin jes’ bet we will.”</p> - -<p>“Make no doubt av that.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” said Frank, buttoning his coat closer, “be in readiness -for I may decide to go.”</p> - -<p>The young inventor went on down the street.</p> - -<p>In a few moments he came to the entrance of the big yards of the -Reade Machine Shop.</p> - -<p>Here at the entrance was the sumptuously furnished office. Frank -entered, and an elderly patrician-looking gentleman who was pacing -the floor, excitedly rushed up to him, crying:</p> - -<p>“Are you Mr. Frank Reade, Jr.?”</p> - -<p>“I am,” replied Frank.</p> - -<p>“Thank God you have come at last! Here is my card.”</p> - -<p>Frank took it and read:</p> - -<p> -“<span class="smcap">Thomas Buckden, New York City</span>.”<br /> -</p> - -<p>“Indeed!” exclaimed the young inventor, affably. “I am glad to -welcome you here, Mr. Buckden. I believe I know your son well, -and——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, then you remember him well,” cried the old gentleman, excitedly. -“Thank Heaven for that! It will perhaps influence you to -accede to the request I have to make. Oh, have—have you heard -about my son?”</p> - -<p>“I have heard that your son at last accounts had become lost in -the jungle,” replied Frank.</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes, but we believe that he has been captured and held a -prisoner by a wild tribe of savages known in that vicinity as the Tanadas.”</p> - -<p>“It is quite likely.”</p> - -<p>“God grant it may be so. Oh, sir, listen to an agonized father’s -prayers. They tell me that you have the necessary equipments and -are the only man who can go into those wilds and rescue my boy. -Now I am a wealthy man and will pay——”</p> - -<p>“Stop!” said Frank, imperatively. “Do not speak to me of pay! -I knew your son; he was my college friend. I am only too glad to be -able to go to his aid. I will say this much—that before three days I -shall start from New Orleans with my Steam Man on board a special -steamer for Campeachy. You may if you choose see to the chartering -of the steamer.”</p> - -<p>“A fleet if you wish it!” cried Mr. Buckden. “Oh, accept my -deepest gratitude, Mr. Reade, and—bring my boy safely back.”</p> - -<p>“I will try,” replied Frank.</p> - -<p>“God bless you! But this wonderful Steam Man—I have never -seen it.”</p> - -<p>“Come with me and I will be glad to show it to you,” said Frank.</p> - -<p>The young inventor led the way into a high roofed chamber with -large doors which opened out into the yard.</p> - -<p>Here was a sight such as Mr. Buckden had never seen the like of.</p> - -<p>Standing in the center of the huge chamber was the Steam Man, -the wonder of the century.</p> - -<p>Since his western trip Frank had had the Man thoroughly repaired, -and he was now in perfect condition to go out upon a trip.</p> - -<p>“What do you think of him?” asked Frank.</p> - -<p>“Simply wonderful!” replied Mr. Buckden, admiringly.</p> - -<p>“If you will please step this way I will be glad to show you how -he is made, and how he is able to go.”</p> - -<p>Frank led the way to the other side of the invention, and then with -pardonable pride began explicitly to illustrate the fine points of the -Steam Man.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.<br /> - -<small>IN YUCATAN.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“You can see that he is constructed of plates of iron,” said Frank, -explanatively. “The legs are reservoirs for water, the furnace is in -his chest and the smoke-pipe is his high hat. The gauge and indicator -and throttle as well as steam chest are upon his back. In his -mouth you will see the whistle.</p> - -<p>“Then you will observe the steel driving rods down his legs. Of -course it required some clever mechanical skill, but it can be seen at -a glance that the machine is a practicable and feasible one. Just as -much so as a locomotive.”</p> - -<p>“But ten times more wonderful,” declared Mr. Buckden.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps so. Now you can see that this is the wagon drawn by -the Steam Man. In this wagon we carry a supply of coal, provisions -and weapons. It is covered with a wire screen made of toughest steel -and able to withstand a rifle ball.</p> - -<p>“Through this opening in the front come the reins by which I drive -the Man. The loopholes in the sides are to fire through. Indeed, sir, -the wagon is a small fortress in itself.”</p> - -<p>“I should say so,” agreed the millionaire, “and what an admirable -thing for this trip to Yucatan. In that land of poisonous reptiles and -insects you can travel with immunity for it would puzzle a fly to get -through that screen.”</p> - -<p>“I think it is the proper vehicle to travel with there,” agreed Frank. -“I believe that the region where your son will be likely to be found -is one of level sort, flat table-lands and plains.”</p> - -<p>“I believe so!”</p> - -<p>“Ah, well, I will promise to do the best I can to save him.”</p> - -<p>“I thank you!”</p> - -<p>A short while later Mr. Buckden took his departure.</p> - -<p>Now that Frank’s mind had been made up to take the trip, he lost -no time in making preparations.</p> - -<p>His father, when acquainted with the project, shook his head wistfully -and said:</p> - -<p>“I only wish I was as young and supple as I once was. How I’d -like to go along!”</p> - -<p>Barney and Pomp were over-enthusiastic over the project.</p> - -<p>They were on hand promptly and assisted in the preparations.</p> - -<p>The wagon was quite spacious and would carry a good deal. Provisions -of a portable kind were packed, and plenty of ammunition.</p> - -<p>Frank took care also to supply himself with drugs, for he did not -forget that it was a malarial country that he was going to.</p> - -<p>One thing was much in their favor, and that was the season of the -year, it being winter.</p> - -<p>Naturally the climate would not be so hot as in mid-summer.</p> - -<p>When the report was spread that Frank Reade, Jr., and his Steam -Man were going to Central America, the whole country was deeply -interested.</p> - -<p>The newspapers contained sketches of the young inventor and his -famous machine.</p> - -<p>People traveled hundreds of miles to Readestown for a look at the -great Steam Man, the wonder of the age.</p> - -<p>Scientists and explorers were continually besieging Frank, and the -young inventor was quite worn out with the importunities of many -when the day set for starting came.</p> - -<p>At length the day came.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man was placed aboard a special car and shipped to New -Orleans direct.</p> - -<p>Here Mr. Buckden had seen to the chartering of a steamer, aboard -which the travelers went.</p> - -<p>A tremendous crowd were at the wharf to cheer the voyagers.</p> - -<p>It was a great day for New Orleans.</p> - -<p>But at length the steamer’s bell rung for starting.</p> - -<p>Frank shook hands warmly with Mr. Buckden.</p> - -<p>“I feel sure that you will rescue my son,” declared the agonized father. -“Heaven will aid you.”</p> - -<p>“I will do all in my power,” said Frank, earnestly.</p> - -<p>The schooner cast loose from the levee and shot down into the current. -A band played, the people cheered, and Frank Reade, Jr., -Barney and Pomp and the Steam Man were really off upon their trip -to Central America.</p> - -<p>A short while later they passed through the jetties at the delta of -the Mississippi, and were in the waters of the Gulf.</p> - -<p>The voyage to Campeachy was not a long one and most propitious.</p> - -<p>When at length they entered the Bay of Campeachy the mild land -breeze and a view of the palm-studded shore told them that they were -in a tropical clime.</p> - -<p>To the surprise of our voyagers, a warm reception was accorded -them at Campeachy.</p> - -<p>The Spanish people, ever of an enthusiastic, sport-loving turn, -turned out in great force to welcome the distinguished visitors.</p> - -<p>Word had been received by cablegram of their coming.</p> - -<p>The governor of Campeachy warmly welcomed Frank, and for a few -hours he was taken charge of by a committee and treated to many -hospitalities.</p> - -<p>There were many of his own people in the town also—merchants -connected with houses in New York that dealt in dye stuffs, fruits and -many of the products of the country.</p> - -<p>Frank was deeply impressed with the warmth of the welcome given -him.</p> - -<p>He thanked all his benefactors kindly.</p> - -<p>Then at the most favorable moment he returned to the ship.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man was brought ashore and exhibited to the wondering -gaze of the people.</p> - -<p>But Frank knew the importance of quick and prompt action, and -was not the one to readily accede to delay.</p> - -<p>He knew that every moment was to the success of his enterprise of -vital worth.</p> - -<p>The people were all in sympathy with his enterprise.</p> - -<p>Tony Buckden had been well and favorably known in Campeachy.</p> - -<p>The young engineer was very popular there, and everybody was -deeply interested in his fate.</p> - -<p>But Senor Gonzales, one of the patrician gentlemen of Campeachy, -came to Frank and said:</p> - -<p>“Senor Americano, I hope you will succeed with all my heart. But -do not be disappointed if you do not find the young Senor Buckden.”</p> - -<p>“Ah, then you think the chances are few?” asked Frank.</p> - -<p>“I speak of what I know. The dangers of interior Yucatan are -known to none better than I. I fear the worst for your friend.”</p> - -<p>“But I can at least try.”</p> - -<p>“Si Senor. May the mother be with you,” said the Spanish gentleman, -warmly.</p> - -<p>Frank lost no time now in making the Steam Man ready for the -start.</p> - -<p>One day was consumed in making a map of his route, as nearly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span> -correct as he could gather in detail from the natives who penetrated -the interior.</p> - -<p>Frank had decided to proceed at once to the table-land of Tanada.</p> - -<p>This point gained he believed that he could there learn something -more of the fate of young Buckden.</p> - -<p>He consulted with every native guide and traveler who knew anything -about the route.</p> - -<p>But now a curious thing occurred.</p> - -<p>Every man he encountered seemed to have a different idea of the -table-lands.</p> - -<p>Some were inclined to Munchausen tales, while others pooh-poohed -them.</p> - -<p>At length in sheer disgust Frank said:</p> - -<p>“There is just one thing about it. I have got to proceed solely upon -my own judgment. If I adopted all the different plans accorded -me I should lead a queer course to be sure.”</p> - -<p>So with this decision Frank left Campeachy.</p> - -<p>Beyond the city, Frank found some fairly good roads which led -through a section devoted to the culture of fruits and vegetables of -various kinds.</p> - -<p>Then immense fields of the coffee plant were passed and finally the -country began to change its appearance.</p> - -<p>Immense tropical forests were encountered. These of course the -Steam Man could not travel through.</p> - -<p>But generally paths were found leading through the hills, and in -this way the explorers got along.</p> - -<p>A wild region was encountered, wilder than even Barney and Pomp -had seen in the heart of Africa.</p> - -<p>They were at the moment near the verge of a mighty forest.</p> - -<p>“Speaking of snakes,” cried Frank Reade, Jr., “Just look at -that.”</p> - -<p>All gazed in the direction indicated.</p> - -<p>Hanging from the limb of a mighty forest monarch was a gigantic -python or boa-constrictor.</p> - -<p>In the monster’s folds was a small wood fawn. It had been crushed -all to jelly by the powerful folds of the reptile.</p> - -<p>It reared its head and recoiled as the Steam Man appeared on the -scene.</p> - -<p>But it did not show fear, or seem to care in the least for the machine. -Indeed, it acted defiant and ready for battle.</p> - -<p>Barney shrugged his shoulders and picked up his rifle.</p> - -<p>“Begorra, I’d loike to spoil the appetite av ther baste,” he cried. -“An’ it’s that same I’ll do.”</p> - -<p>So with this the Celt up and fired at the python.</p> - -<p>The effect was curious.</p> - -<p>The huge snake received the bullet in its sinuous folds, and a jet of -blood marked the course of the ball.</p> - -<p>Hissing savagely with pain, the python released the wood fawn, -and without an instant’s warning charged directly at the man.</p> - -<p>In an instant Frank saw that they had committed an indiscretion.</p> - -<p>While to be sure they were protected by the steel screen of the -wagon, yet it was easy to reckon the effect of the python’s attack.</p> - -<p>That monster’s brown body came hurtling and hissing down the -slope like an avalanche.</p> - -<p>Swifter than a railroad train the enraged python charged upon its -foe.</p> - -<p>It would have required something more than an ordinary barrier to -withstand such an attack.</p> - -<p>Frank saw this and made quick action.</p> - -<p>With quick hand, he seized the throttle rein and started the Steam -Man ahead.</p> - -<p>Then he turned him face on to the reptile. He had barely time to do -this, when the monster struck the machine.</p> - -<p>In a flash the folds of the reptile were wound about the Steam -Man.</p> - -<p>The foresight and wisdom of Frank’s move were at once seen.</p> - -<p>If the snake had struck the wagon, he might have crushed the -screen with its leviathan folds.</p> - -<p>As it was, the air was instantly filled with the fumes of burning -snake flesh.</p> - -<p>The huge snake’s body coming in contact with the almost red hot -fire box of the Steam Man, received a terrific scorching.</p> - -<p>For an instant his snakeship did not seem to mind this and made -terrific blows with his head at the screen.</p> - -<p>He strove in vain to reach the men within.</p> - -<p>“Whurro!” yelled Barney. “Yez did a wondherful thing thin, -Misther Frank. Shure, the big divil is burnin’ up.”</p> - -<p>“Golly sakes, dat am a fac’,” cried Pomp, joyfully.</p> - -<p>But Frank knew that the battle was not over yet by any means.</p> - -<p>It had only just begun. The monster, feeling the terrible effect of -the hot iron, with an almost human-like cry unwound itself quickly -from the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>It went twisting and rolling about the plain in agony for a few moments.</p> - -<p>In its course bushes were uprooted, the ground was torn and the -air filled with dust.</p> - -<p>Frank knew that this would last but a few moments.</p> - -<p>The enraged monster would soon recover and renew the attack -with ten-fold fury.</p> - -<p>So the famous inventor took up his elephant rifle and thrust an explosive -shell into the breach.</p> - -<p>Going to a loophole in the screen he took careful aim.</p> - -<p>Crack!</p> - -<p>The rifle spoke sharply. Straight to its mark went the shell. The -next moment as it exploded the air was full of shreds of snake flesh -and flying dirt.</p> - -<p>The shell had torn a hole in the python’s side, but had not destroyed -the monster’s life.</p> - -<p>Terribly enraged, the monster snake now seemed to forget its pain, -and once more with mad fury charged down full tilt upon the Steam -Man.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.<br /> - - -<small>THRILLING ADVENTURES.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The crisis had come.</p> - -<p>Frank knew this, and that it would be either victory for one or the -other. If the python should succeed in overturning the wagon, he -might do great harm to the delicate machinery of the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>But Frank did not intend that this should happen if he could help it.</p> - -<p>He got one more shot at the reptile as it came on with a fearful rush.</p> - -<p>Crack!</p> - -<p>Once more the deadly elephant rifle spoke. This time an explosive -shell tore its way through the snake’s side.</p> - -<p>Yet it did not inflict a mortal wound.</p> - -<p>“Heavens!” gasped Frank. “That snake has more lives than a cat.”</p> - -<p>He essayed to meet the reptile as he had done before.</p> - -<p>But the wily monster, this time evaded the Steam Man and made -for the wagon.</p> - -<p>There was no such thing as turning aside that fearful attack.</p> - -<p>Like an avalanche the snake struck the wagon. Had not the wheels -been braced against a heap of stones, it would surely have been swept -over upon its side.</p> - -<p>But, by the best of good fortune it resisted the shock.</p> - -<p>Like a flash the snake’s coils went twining about the wagon. They -began to draw powerfully, and the metal work began to groan and -crack.</p> - -<p>“Quick, boys!” shouted Frank Reade, Jr., “Cut the folds in two -wherever you can.”</p> - -<p>But Barney and Pomp needed no bidding. They already had their -knives unsheathed, and where the snake’s body was exposed at the -loopholes began to slash and cut.</p> - -<p>Frank with his rifle tried to get a shot at the reptile’s head.</p> - -<p>If he could only blow it off with one of the shells, the battle would -be ended.</p> - -<p>But the monster did not give him this opportunity.</p> - -<p>Something desperate needed to be done. The metal work of the -wagon threatened to give way.</p> - -<p>Frank saw this and at once with his accustomed hardihood accepted -a desperate chance.</p> - -<p>Throwing open the door of the wagon, he sprang out.</p> - -<p>The reptile’s head was above the wagon, and Frank instantly fired -at it.</p> - -<p>He was a dead shot and, undoubtedly, would have hit it, had it not -been for the snake’s gyratory motion.</p> - -<p>The reptile’s attention was instantly attracted toward Frank.</p> - -<p>Singularly enough, its folds relaxed and it slid away from the wagon -and started for the young inventor.</p> - -<p>The snake was between Frank and the cage door.</p> - -<p>He knew that if those deadly folds were to close about him, there -would be little likelihood of ever escaping alive.</p> - -<p>The snake had acted with the rapidity of thought.</p> - -<p>Frank had not even time to thrust another cartridge into the breech -of his gun.</p> - -<p>He started to run. For a few paces he made good time, but what -is there on earth to equal the speed of an active python.</p> - -<p>Swift as the wind the monster was upon him.</p> - -<p>Frank felt its hot breath, and saw for a moment its glistening jaws -open over him.</p> - -<p>Instinctively he threw up one hand, and by chance his fingers -clutched the monster’s throat.</p> - -<p>Frank hung to this hold with a death-like grip. He felt the mighty -coils closing about him, and then with the desperation of one facing -certain death he clutched the hilt of his knife with his free hand.</p> - -<p>With all his strength he slashed at the monster’s throat.</p> - -<p>The first blow half severed the head from the body.</p> - -<p>A huge jet of black blood spurted into Frank’s face and nigh choked -him. But though half suffocated he made another blow.</p> - -<p>The snake’s folds began to loosen, and the monster writhed and -tried to free itself.</p> - -<p>Frank instantly realized that he had won the victory and fought -more coolly now.</p> - -<p>Once more he made a blow at the snake’s neck.</p> - -<p>This time it severed the head from the body completely.</p> - -<p>The body of the snake went twisting and writhing a hundred yards -across the plain, while Frank fell half fainting to the ground.</p> - -<p>Barney and Pomp were quickly by his side and the Celtic cried:</p> - -<p>“Be me sowl, Misther Frank, I did think yez wor done for, an’ it -was a good foight yez made to be shure. Are yez badly hurted?”</p> - -<p>“Not a bit, Barney,” said Frank, staggering to his feet. “It was -only a little faintness, that was all.”</p> - -<p>Pomp turned a hand spring.</p> - -<p>“Glory fo’ goodness!” cried the overjoyed darky. “I’se jes’ dat -glad, Marse Frank, dat I don’ jes’ know what fo’ to do dat yo’ was not -hurt.”</p> - -<p>The snake’s body now lay writhing and twisting far out on the -plain.</p> - -<p>The adventurers did not go near it. They had had snake experience -enough for one day and returned to the Steam Man.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p> - -<p>“The next time you see a big snake, Barney,” said Frank, “if he -is not disturbing us I think you had better let him alone.”</p> - -<p>The Steam Man now once more went on its way.</p> - -<p>Every day now they penetrated deeper into the jungles and wild -fastnesses of this wildest country on the globe.</p> - -<p>Many strange sights were seen and some thrilling experiences were -encountered.</p> - -<p>With difficulty the Steam Man found passage through the lowlands.</p> - -<p>At times it was necessary to cut a path through a dense forest in -order to reach clear country beyond.</p> - -<p>But one day they came out of a deep wood at the very base of a -mighty, volcanic mountain.</p> - -<p>Here higher ground was reached and a broad view enjoyed.</p> - -<p>And from here a view could be had of a part of the broad table-lands -of Tanada.</p> - -<p>It began to look as if the explorers would soon reach the end of -their journey.</p> - -<p>Now the table-lands were reached the next thing was to discover -the ruined city of Mazendla.</p> - -<p>Thus far, our adventurers had seen very few natives, and none of -them hostile.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man journeyed all that day upon the broad table-land of -Tanada.</p> - -<p>As night was coming on, a location was selected for a camping -place.</p> - -<p>It was a green spot close to a bubbling spring of water.</p> - -<p>Not more than one hundred yards distant was a dense grove of -trees.</p> - -<p>Barney and Pomp were busy aboard the Steam Man preparing the -evening meal.</p> - -<p>Frank fancied that through the dense foliage of the trees he could -discern the white walls of a building.</p> - -<p>Barney and Pomp could not see it, but Frank was sure that he -could. The famous inventor exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“I am not sure but that we are in the neighborhood of the ruined -city of Mazendla. It may be that yonder grove of trees conceals it.”</p> - -<p>“Begorra, Misther Frank, maybe yez are roight,” declared Barney, -“but be Mither Murphy’s pigs, I can’t see that same with me own -eyes!”</p> - -<p>“Can’t you? Look sharply now to the left.”</p> - -<p>Barney strained his vision.</p> - -<p>“Divil a bit av it.”</p> - -<p>“That is queer.”</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, I think so.”</p> - -<p>“Pomp, how is your eyesight?”</p> - -<p>“Golly, Marse Frank, dis chile kin see in de dark.”</p> - -<p>“Well, just take a look over there and tell me what you see through -those trees.”</p> - -<p>Pomp readily obeyed.</p> - -<p>But he could see nothing but the dense green foliage.</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, the naygur can’t see it if I can’t,” spluttered Barney.</p> - -<p>Pomp scratched his woolly head.</p> - -<p>“I mus’ say, Marse Frank, dat I kain’t see none ob dat what yo’ -says.”</p> - -<p>“Pshaw!” exclaimed Frank, testily. “Neither one of you have -good eyesight. It is plain enough to see.”</p> - -<p>With this, the famous inventor descended from the wagon.</p> - -<p>Barney and Pomp stood looking at each other and feeling a bit -crestfallen.</p> - -<p>“Begorra, I can see it if yez kin, naygur,” exclaimed Barney.</p> - -<p>“G’long, yo’ fool I’ishman. I has’n seen it m’se’f yet.”</p> - -<p>“You fellows look out for things until I come back,” shouted Frank, -starting toward the forest.</p> - -<p>Barney grabbed up his rifle.</p> - -<p>“Hould on a bit, Misther Frank,” he cried. “It ain’t a bit safe fer -yez to go off out there alone.”</p> - -<p>“Jes’ yo’ wait dar, I’ish, I’se gwine wid Marse Frank m’se’f.”</p> - -<p>“No, yez won’t.”</p> - -<p>“Yo’ jes’ bet I will.”</p> - -<p>The two zealous servitors were in imminent danger of a collision. -But Frank turned and said peremptorily:</p> - -<p>“Hold where you are. I am going alone. Look out for the Man -until I get back.”</p> - -<p>This settled the question.</p> - -<p>Reluctantly they turned back, and Pomp went about his cooking -duties, while Barney gazed wistfully after Frank and declared:</p> - -<p>“Be me sowl, it ain’t safe for that man to go out there alone. I’ll -just kape me eye out all the same.”</p> - -<p>So Barney proceeded to keep an eye out, while Pomp was busy -at his work.</p> - -<p>Reaching the woods, Frank entered them without hesitation.</p> - -<p>He was confident that he had really seen the walls of a ruined building -through the thick foliage.</p> - -<p>To his best belief it was some part of the ruined city they were in -quest of.</p> - -<p>But upon entering the forest, Frank found that progress was not -so easy as he fancied.</p> - -<p>The vines and matted shrubbery were almost impenetrable.</p> - -<p>The famous inventor, however, used a small hatchet, and proceeded -to cut his way through.</p> - -<p>In this manner he had very soon cleared quite a path.</p> - -<p>But suddenly he was brought to a halt in a most startling manner.</p> - -<p>Down through a network of vines he suddenly saw a glistening pair -of eyeballs.</p> - -<p>To his startled fancy they seemed veritable balls of fire, and for a -moment he could not act.</p> - -<p>They were fixed upon him with piercing and deadly earnestness.</p> - -<p>Frank instinctively knew that they belonged to some wild animal.</p> - -<p>Just what kind of a creature it was he could not at the moment -tell.</p> - -<p>But he was satisfied that his position was one of deadly peril.</p> - -<p>But he was not one given to fear or hesitation. His mind was -quickly made up as to what to do.</p> - -<p>Quick as thought he brought his rifle up and fired point blank directly -between the blazing eyeballs.</p> - -<p>The result was terrific.</p> - -<p>Frank had presence of mind enough to sink down upon his face -just as a tremendous tawny body rose out of the shrubbery and sprang -directly over him.</p> - -<p>It was as he saw at that moment a monstrous puma or panther, -called by the natives lion.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the genuine lion is not a more formidable beast to encounter -than the puma of Central America.</p> - -<p>It was a narrow escape that Frank had had.</p> - -<p>The puma had sprung clear over him and tumbled headlong into a -heap of brush, where he began to flounder and make the air hideous -with his cries.</p> - -<p>Frank was not sure whether he had given the beast a mortal wound -or not.</p> - -<p>Nor did he try to find out or follow up the contest.</p> - -<p>He knew well enough what a hand to hand encounter with one of -these monsters meant.</p> - -<p>He at once sprang out of the forest and started at full speed for the -Steam Man.</p> - -<p>But what was his horror upon looking over his shoulder to see the -lion coming after him.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.<br /> - - -<small>THE TEMPLE IN THE WOODS.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The sensation experienced by Frank Reade, Jr., at that moment, -was a most sickening and horrible one.</p> - -<p>He knew that it would be easy for the puma to overtake him.</p> - -<p>To be overtaken meant death.</p> - -<p>But still he ran with terrific speed across the plain. The panther -was close upon him, however.</p> - -<p>But, just as it began to look bad for Frank, a cry came from the -Steam Man.</p> - -<p>Barney had been upon the watch.</p> - -<p>He had heard the shot in the woods, and knew at once that Frank -was in trouble.</p> - -<p>He shouted to Pomp:</p> - -<p>“Come up quick, naygur. Bejabers, the masther’s in a heap av -thruble. I jist heerd his rifle go aff yender in the woods.”</p> - -<p>“Golly!” gasped Pomp, as he dropped his frying pan. “What’s -dat yo’ say, I’ish?”</p> - -<p>Barney seized the throttle rein and started the Steam Man toward -the woods.</p> - -<p>It was just at the moment when Frank emerged with the lion after -him.</p> - -<p>The lion was gaining with tremendous bounds upon Frank.</p> - -<p>But Barney set the Steam Man after him with all speed. A terrific -race followed.</p> - -<p>Pomp was at a loophole with his rifle.</p> - -<p>Drawing a bead on the animal, he fired. Barney lashed the throttle -rein and did the same.</p> - -<p>Both shots took effect.</p> - -<p>But they did not stay the panther’s course, though they drew a -howl of pain from him.</p> - -<p>But every moment increased Frank’s danger. He seemed certain -to be overtaken.</p> - -<p>“Be me sowl!” groaned Barney, in horror, “I belave the divil will -overthake Misther Frank. How many lives has the baste got, anyway?”</p> - -<p>But at that moment Barney hit upon a happy idea.</p> - -<p>By the best of good fortune Frank’s elephant rifle lay upon one of -the seats.</p> - -<p>It contained an explosive shell and was a weapon very deadly in -its effects.</p> - -<p>It did not take Barney long to make use of it.</p> - -<p>Seizing the rifle, he sprang to a loophole. The Steam Man had -gained, and was but twenty yards from the panther.</p> - -<p>But the beast was within ten feet of Frank Reade, Jr.</p> - -<p>Just as he made a long leap to overtake his victim Barney fired.</p> - -<p>If ever there was a time in his life that the Celt needed nerve and -accuracy of aim it was then.</p> - -<p>And straight to the mark sped the bullet.</p> - -<p>The explosive shell struck the panther full behind the shoulder.</p> - -<p>It tore its way through the beast’s heart and lungs. Death was instantaneous.</p> - -<p>But the beast’s body struck Frank and hurled him upon his face.</p> - -<p>And there the famous inventor lay with the panther’s form upon -him, with the hot blood surging over him in a stream.</p> - -<p>Barney closed the throttle, applied the brakes, and brought the -Steam Man to a halt.</p> - -<p>Then the two faithful servitors rushed out of the cage and to -Frank’s side.</p> - -<p>But the young inventor was unhurt, and scrambled quickly to his -feet as soon as the panther’s body was pulled off from him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span></p> - -<p>“Whurroo!” yelled Barney, in delight and triumph. “We’ve saved -yez, Misther Frank, an’ if we hadn’t yez would shurely ’av’ been kilt -entoirely.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I think I should,” agreed Frank. “And I owe my life to -you both. I shall not forget it.”</p> - -<p>The puma was the largest of his kind that our adventurers had ever -seen.</p> - -<p>It was at the time of year that his skin was worthless, being mangy, -so that it was not preserved.</p> - -<p>Frank was quite overcome with his experience, and went on board -the wagon to rest.</p> - -<p>As darkness was at hand, it was decided to make no further exploration -of the forest until morning.</p> - -<p>Frank was more than ever convinced, however, that there were -ruins in the forest.</p> - -<p>“To-morrow we will cut our way through,” he declared, “and I -will satisfy you, my friends, that I am right.”</p> - -<p>“A’right, Marse Frank,” agreed Pomp. “We’se open to conviction -jus’ de same.”</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, that’s right!” put in Barney.</p> - -<p>It was seldom deemed safe to sleep outside the wagon.</p> - -<p>So beds were made comfortably enough on the seats which ran -along the sides.</p> - -<p>Here our adventurers could sleep quite soundly. Barney and Pomp -were soon in the land of dreams.</p> - -<p>But Frank Reade, Jr., could not successfully woo the gentle goddess.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, as he lay there in a reverie, a sudden curious manifestation -caused him to start up.</p> - -<p>A ray of something, a trifle brighter than the moonlight, glinted its -radiance athwart the wire netting.</p> - -<p>For an instant Frank was puzzled.</p> - -<p>He rose to a sitting posture and glanced out upon the level plain.</p> - -<p>All was plain in the moonlight out there. But no sign of life was -to be seen.</p> - -<p>Then Frank turned his gaze toward the forest, and there he caught -the vivid glimmer of a light.</p> - -<p>Certainly it was not moonlight glinting on any bright substance, -but such a vivid radiance as could only be made by firelight.</p> - -<p>Either a torch or lantern it was, and its motion and changing of -base suggested that it was carried by human hands.</p> - -<p>Frank was deeply interested.</p> - -<p>“I knew it!” he muttered. “I’ll wager my life that there is a -building in that forest, but I did not dream that it was inhabited.”</p> - -<p>He watched the light intently.</p> - -<p>It moved back and forward, and was of such size as to dispel the -theory of the will-o’-the-wisp or ignis fatuus.</p> - -<p>Once from the distance Frank fancied he heard a distant outcry.</p> - -<p>But this he could not place reliance upon, as it might have been -made by some wild beast.</p> - -<p>But of one thing he was satisfied.</p> - -<p>There was certainly human life and habitation in the forest. On -the morrow he would learn what it meant.</p> - -<p>He was hardly able to restrain a strong desire to go alone upon an -exploring tour under cover of the night.</p> - -<p>But sober reflection persuaded him not to do this.</p> - -<p>It would be neither safe nor right. So Frank controlled his desire -until daybreak came.</p> - -<p>The young inventor had not slept that night.</p> - -<p>At an early hour he aroused Barney and Pomp.</p> - -<p>He did not tell them about the mysterious light, but bluntly informed -them that he meant to invade the forest that morning.</p> - -<p>“A’right, Marse Frank,” agreed Pomp. “Yo’ wo’d am law.”</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, that’s so,” cried Barney.</p> - -<p>Accordingly Frank laid out his map of procedure.</p> - -<p>First the Man skirted the edge of the grove looking for an entrance. -Failing to find this the adventurers would cut their way through the -dense undergrowth.</p> - -<p>But luckily a passage was found.</p> - -<p>To Frank’s gratification and the surprise of Barney and Pomp, a -broad paved roadway was discovered.</p> - -<p>Flat slabs of stone composed the roadway. This was much overgrown -with weeds and brush, but did not materially impede the progress -of the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>Beneath mighty overhanging trees the roadway extended for half a -mile.</p> - -<p>Then it suddenly brought the explorers out upon a wonderful scene.</p> - -<p>Cries of surprise and admiration escaped the lips of Barney and -Pomp.</p> - -<p>“Golly, Marse Frank, yo’ was right aftah all.”</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, that’s so.”</p> - -<p>Frank was intently engaged in studying the scene spread before him.</p> - -<p>He saw a strange looking building of whitest marble and mighty -dimensions before him.</p> - -<p>About the building were acres of paved courts and walls, with open -gateways and overgrown with all manner of vines and vari-colored -vegetation.</p> - -<p>The building occupied a space of over an acre, and in style of architecture -was not unlike some of the better class of pueblos in Mexico.</p> - -<p>But there were richly carved balconies and hanging gardens, piazzas -and porticoes, and all done in the whitest of marble.</p> - -<p>What was stranger yet, the building did not seem to be a ruin but -newly constructed and indeed not altogether finished.</p> - -<p>There was evidence that the workmen had not been absent many -hours.</p> - -<p>Beds of fresh mortar were in the court-yard, slabs of newly cut marble -were strewn about.</p> - -<p>As the Steam Man entered the court-yard, Frank noticed this and -looked for the appearance of any number of workmen.</p> - -<p>But to his surprise they did not appear. To all appearance the -temple or pueblo in the deep forest was deserted.</p> - -<p>For some time our adventurers continued to gaze upon the wonderful -building with curiosity and interest.</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, I don’t see phwativer they’d want for to build sich a foine -house in this place for,” exclaimed Barney. “I don’t undherstand it at -all, at all.”</p> - -<p>“I jes’ finks dat dis am a new race ob people dat we hab discobered, -Marse Frank,” suggested Pomp.</p> - -<p>“We can tell very quickly when some of them show up,” replied -Frank.</p> - -<p>“I wondah if dey am hostile to de white people, or to civilized -people,” asked Pomp.</p> - -<p>“Indeed!” replied Frank, “there is every indication that these -people are civilized. I wish some of them would show up.”</p> - -<p>After an hour of patient waiting, Barney suggested that they take -the liberty of exploring the place.</p> - -<p>“I reckon that’s the best way out av it,” recommended the Celt. -“An’ mebbe we can foind some av the gintlemen.”</p> - -<p>“It is possible,” said Frank.</p> - -<p>“P’r’aps they’re as good Americans as oursilves now,” rejoined -Barney.</p> - -<p>“No,” dissented Frank. “No American would build this kind of -a house.”</p> - -<p>“Phwativer koind of people do yez think they are, Misther Frank?”</p> - -<p>“Well,” replied the young inventor, slowly, “it is my opinion that -we have made a discovery valuable to science and the world.</p> - -<p>“Indeed it is not extravagant to assume that these people are a -remnant of the original inhabitants of Yucatan who built the famous -cities of Palenque and Mazendla.</p> - -<p>“If so, then I shall have the greatest curiosity to see them.”</p> - -<p>“I’se a heap ’fraid we won’t see ’em to-day, Marse Frank,” said -Pomp.</p> - -<p>Another hour passed slowly.</p> - -<p>Still the mysterious workmen did not return.</p> - -<p>At the expiration of this time Frank decided to take a look about -the premises.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man was left carefully adjusted, and the three adventurers -set out across the court-yard.</p> - -<p>Of course they were heavily armed and did not intend to go out of -sight of the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>In crossing the court-yard they came upon a wonderful bit of work.</p> - -<p>This was a square-shaped basin cut in whitest marble, and occupied -by a bubbling spring with water as pure and clear as crystal.</p> - -<p>In this water were fish of a peculiar green and vivid blue color, of -the gold fish species evidently.</p> - -<p>It was certainly a beautiful spectacle.</p> - -<p>Pomp tasted of the water.</p> - -<p>It was as pure and cool as could well be desired, and far superior -to the water usually found in that part of Central America.</p> - -<p>Passing by this they entered the main hall of the pueblo, if such it -could be called.</p> - -<p>It was a massive chamber, high roofed, with polished columns.</p> - -<p>It was a perfect wonder to the explorers, who could not conceal -their amazement.</p> - -<p>But at one end of the hall was a strange polished dais.</p> - -<p>Towards this Barney made his way. It seemed made of some -peculiar kind of beautiful stone like agate.</p> - -<p>Barney sprang upon it.</p> - -<p>“Bejabers!” he cried, “av this ain’t the place phwere they’ll set -their idol. If iver——”</p> - -<p>He did not finish his speech. In a twinkling a thrilling thing happened. -The polished stone, owing to some mysterious and inexplicable -agency, turned and Barney vanished like a flash.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.<br /> - - -<small>BATTLE WITH THE PIGMIES.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>No sooner had Barney mounted the polished dais, than with a -swift movement it turned and he vanished into a black aperture beneath.</p> - -<p>He went out of sight so suddenly that nothing could have been done -to prevent or save him.</p> - -<p>For a moment Frank Reade, Jr., and Pomp stood aghast gazing -at the treacherous slab of stone.</p> - -<p>“Great heavens!” gasped Frank. “What does it mean? Barney! -Where are you? Answer if you can.”</p> - -<p>A long wail went up from Pomp’s lips.</p> - -<p>“Lor’ sakes, Marse Frank, he am gwine gone to his death. Dat -big stone hab jes’ crushed him to death fo’ suah.”</p> - -<p>“It can’t be—it must not be so!” cried Frank, with horror, and half -insane, he was about to spring upon the stone himself, when Pomp -pulled him back.</p> - -<p>“Fo’ goodness, Marse Frank, don’ yo’ go an’ do dat same fing!” -cried the affrighted darky. “Yo’ will follow Barney, an’ den whatebber -dis chile do?”</p> - -<p>“But we must know Barney’s fate!” cried Frank, desperately.</p> - -<p>Again and again he called the name of his faithful servitor.</p> - -<p>But no answer came back.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></p> - -<p>All was the silence of the tomb.</p> - -<p>Bathed in cold perspiration, Frank laid his hands upon the stone -and essayed to move it.</p> - -<p>But he could not do this.</p> - -<p>What other resort he would have tried, it is impossible to say, but -at that moment a warning cry broke from Pomp’s lips.</p> - -<p>“Fo’ Hebbin’s sake, Marse Frank, jes’ yo’ look yender. I done fink -we bettah skip fo’ de Steam Man.”</p> - -<p>Frank glanced in the direction indicated.</p> - -<p>Through the arches of the temple he saw the court-yard beyond.</p> - -<p>Through this, three huge tigers were coming at full speed.</p> - -<p>There was not a moment to lose.</p> - -<p>In their exposed position Frank had no hopes of overcoming three -such savage brutes.</p> - -<p>Accordingly the safest method to pursue was to fly to the Steam -Man.</p> - -<p>Without further hesitation and with one impulse, Frank and Pomp -started.</p> - -<p>They sped through the court like a flash. One of the tigers let out -a tremendous savage roar.</p> - -<p>All of the savage beasts were in hot pursuit of the two men.</p> - -<p>Fortunately they had not far to go. Frank reached the wagon first -and sprang in.</p> - -<p>Pomp followed, and they had just time to shut the door in the cage, -when the foremost of the tigers came bounding against it.</p> - -<p>One of the tigers sprang on the top of the cage and crouched there, -trying to claw his way through the netting.</p> - -<p>The others kept leaping against the side of the wagon ferociously.</p> - -<p>Pomp had sprung for a rifle, and would have fired at the brutes.</p> - -<p>But a strange incident prevented.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the notes of a strange sounding horn sounded through the -arches of the temple.</p> - -<p>Instantly the three tigers leaped down and went skulking away -across the court-yard.</p> - -<p>Pomp and Frank were so completely amazed that they were for a -moment speechless and inactive.</p> - -<p>“Fo’ massy’s sake!” gasped Pomp, in utter amazement. “Whatebber -am de meanin’ ob dat?”</p> - -<p>“Why, it looks as if they were trained tigers,” replied Frank, a -swift comprehension breaking over him. “Ah, I was right—there is -their master.”</p> - -<p>Both saw, standing upon an angle of the court-yard wall, an individual, -the like of which neither had ever seen before.</p> - -<p>He was almost a pigmy in stature, but thickset and stout of frame.</p> - -<p>His complexion was the color of parchment, and his hair long, -black and wiry, hung down over his shoulders.</p> - -<p>His keen eyes looking furtively out from beneath heavy eyebrows -were fixed keenly upon the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>He was dressed in a curious-looking suit of some sort of queerly-woven -cloth, a compromise between the garb of a Turk and a native -Mexican.</p> - -<p>In his hand he carried a long lance steel tipped.</p> - -<p>For a full minute he stood gazing at the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>“Golly, Marse Frank,” muttered Pomp. “Dat am de funniest-looking -little man I eber seed.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you’re right, Pomp,” agreed Frank, regarding the other -with interest. “If he is a specimen of the aborigines of this country -they were a funny looking lot of people.”</p> - -<p>But the funny looking little man leaped down from his perch and -now advanced toward the Steam Man, gesticulating and talking in -some strange tongue.</p> - -<p>Frank could not understand a word he said.</p> - -<p>The famous inventor opened the door of the cage and stepped down -into the court-yard.</p> - -<p>At this the aborigine came to a halt not ten paces distant.</p> - -<p>He spoke to Frank in a strange tongue.</p> - -<p>Frank did not attempt to make it out, but replied:</p> - -<p>“I cannot talk your language, sir.”</p> - -<p>Again the little man spoke. Frank repeated his declaration.</p> - -<p>The pigmy gesticulated furiously and swung his lance threateningly. -But Frank tried to pacify him by resorting to signs.</p> - -<p>This had some little effect.</p> - -<p>The pigmy understood partly the signs Frank made.</p> - -<p>The young inventor pointed to the Steam Man and talked and gesticulated. -The pigmy’s confidence seemed to be gained and he approached -nearer.</p> - -<p>“Now, Pomp,” said Frank, “start the Man up a little.”</p> - -<p>Pomp pulled the throttle rein.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man gave a puff and began to move ahead.</p> - -<p>The effect upon the pigmy was rather startling. He dropped his -lance and stood for a moment trembling in abject terror.</p> - -<p>Then wheeling, with several cat-like leaps he gained the edge of -the parapet and went over it.</p> - -<p>Frank rushed to the wall and looked over.</p> - -<p>But the pigmy had gone.</p> - -<p>He was nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>Frank now began to fathom the mystery of the place. These strange -people had methods of living vastly at variance with American ideas.</p> - -<p>None of them were visible just now.</p> - -<p>He had read of a class of people in Africa who never showed themselves -above ground in daylight.</p> - -<p>All of their work was done at night, and during the daytime they -burrowed caverns in the ground and slept.</p> - -<p>These people of the marble pueblo might be much the same. Frank -began to believe that this was the way of it.</p> - -<p>The light which he had seen the night before was no doubt used by -the workmen in laying the stone and mortar for the structure.</p> - -<p>But where did they find hiding places during the day?</p> - -<p>Were there chambers or caverns underneath the marble pueblo?</p> - -<p>Certainly the pigmy could not have disappeared so easily if there -was not some method of hiding in some such manner.</p> - -<p>Frank vaulted the parapet and began to examine the stone walls.</p> - -<p>After some moments’ search to his surprise, as he touched one of -the stones, it swung inward.</p> - -<p>A long, narrow passage dark as Erebus was disclosed.</p> - -<p>The mystery was solved at last.</p> - -<p>This no doubt led to underground chambers where the pigmies -spent their days.</p> - -<p>And now Frank believed that he had solved the mystery of Barney’s -fate.</p> - -<p>The Celt had no doubt fallen through one of the mysterious entrances -into the underground abode of the pigmies.</p> - -<p>The marble dais in the temple was then, after all, but a curious -sort of entrance to the underground retreat.</p> - -<p>By leaping upon it, one was quickly carried down to the depths below.</p> - -<p>It had required something more than ordinary ingenuity to invent -this clever door of stone so nicely balanced.</p> - -<p>Certainly these remnants of a lost and almost extinct race were certainly -far from being fools.</p> - -<p>They were beyond doubt most clever and skillful mechanics, masons -and artisans.</p> - -<p>Frank was tempted to invade the underground retreat of the pigmies, -but sober second thought forbade.</p> - -<p>Again at this moment a warning cry came from Pomp, who was -aboard the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>“Come, quick, Marse Frank, fo’ yo’ life!” shouted Pomp.</p> - -<p>Frank lost no time in complying.</p> - -<p>And, as he leaped over the wall, he saw the cause of Pomp’s alarm.</p> - -<p>The court-yard was suddenly filling with a seeming legion of the pigmies.</p> - -<p>They were all armed as well, and were inclined to a warlike attitude. -Three tigers were now held in leash.</p> - -<p>Frank saw the first little man in the front rank.</p> - -<p>He seemed to be the leader of the band. Fully three hundred of the -pigmies had suddenly appeared.</p> - -<p>It was a most astonishing complication to Frank Reade, Jr.</p> - -<p>The pigmies were all armed with long lances and bore down toward -the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>Frank pulled the whistle valve and let out an ear-splitting shriek.</p> - -<p>For a moment the pigmies appeared to be literally paralyzed.</p> - -<p>They were thrown into the wildest confusion. Terror seemed to be -predominant, until the little old man ran in front of them and exhorted -them.</p> - -<p>His words seemed to act like magic upon them.</p> - -<p>They re-formed and once more the outlook became serious.</p> - -<p>With bristling lances they once more advanced toward the Steam -Man.</p> - -<p>There was no evading the issue now.</p> - -<p>Frank saw this at a glance.</p> - -<p>He was averse to killing any of the strange people unless compelled -to.</p> - -<p>Discretion seemed the better part of valor, and it appeared in order -to retreat in as graceful a manner as possible.</p> - -<p>Accordingly he started the Steam Man across the court-yard. With -clanking tread the Man crossed the space.</p> - -<p>This brought him out upon the roadway. The pigmies pursued -hurling their lances at the cage.</p> - -<p>But the steel netting was proof against them, and they fell off harmlessly.</p> - -<p>However, Frank saw that they were planning to annihilate the -Steam Man with a huge log thrown across the roadway by a party -who had headed the Man off.</p> - -<p>The tree would prevent the Man’s progress in that direction, and -Frank set his lips grimly.</p> - -<p>“They are after our lives, Pomp. I hate to fire into them, but it is -self-defense.”</p> - -<p>“Ob co’se it am, Marse Frank,” protested Pomp. “You’se jes’ a -good right to shoot ebery one ob dem, fo’ suah.”</p> - -<p>Frank picked up his rifle.</p> - -<p>The foe were swarming down upon the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>They evidently believed that they had their mysterious visitor cornered. -Loud cries of triumph pealed from their lips.</p> - -<p>But Frank opened fire with his Winchester repeater.</p> - -<p>Crack—ack—ack!</p> - -<p>The shots flew swift and true. One, two, three of the foe fell. Then -Pomp joined in the battle.</p> - -<p>Crack!</p> - -<p>Another of the pigmies fell. This had the effect of partially checking -them.</p> - -<p>Frank started the Steam Man forward. The huge log across the -road barred their progress, but a few shots from the Winchesters -scattered the foe there assembled.</p> - -<p>Then Pomp sprang down and moved the log.</p> - -<p>It required all the darky’s strength, but he succeeded and then returned -to the wagon.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span></p> - -<p>“Golly, Marse Frank!” cried the excited darky, “I reckon we’se -jes’ gib dem rascals a bit ob a lesson.”</p> - -<p>“I think we have, Pomp,” agreed Frank, “but I fear we’ve not -seen the last of this battle yet.”</p> - -<p>The young inventor’s fears were not without foundation.</p> - -<p>The pigmies had been for a few moments repulsed by the deadly -fire of the repeating rifles.</p> - -<p>But they had by no means given up the idea of capturing the Steam -Man.</p> - -<p>A large party of them had struck out into the forest, and now, as -Frank started the Steam Man for the table-land beyond, he was again -quickly brought to a halt by a new development.</p> - -<p>Turning a bend in the road unexpectedly, he saw just ahead a large -gang of the pigmies congregated there.</p> - -<p>They had felled several tall palms, and they lay across the roadway -effectually blocking the passage of the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>Affairs had certainly reached a crisis.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.<br /> - - -<small>BARNEY MEETS A FRIEND.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>But what of Barney, whom we have seen disappear in such a mysterious -manner beneath the stone dais?</p> - -<p>The astounded Celt felt the stone give way beneath him, but before -he had time to recover himself it had turned completely over, and he -felt himself descending through space and darkness.</p> - -<p>He struck upon his back upon some soft substance.</p> - -<p>How far he had dropped he had no means of knowing.</p> - -<p>All was darkness about him. He was quickly upon his feet, and -began to feel about him.</p> - -<p>The substance he had fallen upon he discovered by touch was a pile -of some sort of soft cloth-covered cushions. The Celt was more than -surprised.</p> - -<p>“Begorra, whereiver am I at all, at all?” he spluttered. “Phwat -sort av a place is this, I’d loike to know?”</p> - -<p>This was a question not easily answered owing to the dense gloom -which enshrouded it.</p> - -<p>As soon as he could collect his scattered senses Barney got upon -his feet and strove to pierce the gloom about him.</p> - -<p>Fortunately he had a small taper in his pocket.</p> - -<p>This he lit and its light displaced the gloom about him.</p> - -<p>Then he saw that he was in a square chamber of stone.</p> - -<p>He was standing upon a pile of soft cushions. Above him he could -see nothing but stone, just the same as the walls about.</p> - -<p>But leading out of this curious chamber was a narrow passageway.</p> - -<p>Barney started towards it, but at this moment his taper went out.</p> - -<p>The Celt muttered something not very polite and was about to light -it again, when he heard a creaking sound above, and two dark forms -came hurtling down through the gloom and struck the cushions near -him.</p> - -<p>Barney’s eyes had become partly accustomed to the dim light, and a -momentary flash of daylight as the stone above turned showed him -the personnel of the intruders.</p> - -<p>At first he had instinctively fancied them his companions Frank and -Pomp.</p> - -<p>But second thought taught him better judgment. Instinctively he -shrunk back against the wall.</p> - -<p>The two new-comers with exclamations in a peculiar tongue quickly -picked themselves up.</p> - -<p>Before Barney could fully recover from his amazement they had -gone.</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, I see it all now,” muttered the enlightened Irishman, -“this is only a quare sort av a dure by which the omadhowns enther -their undherground abode. Well, now, that’s quite clever, but howiver -am I to git back agin with Misther Frank an’ ther naygur?”</p> - -<p>This was, indeed, a problem.</p> - -<p>Barney again lit his taper and looked in vain for some method by -which he might climb out of the place.</p> - -<p>This was impossible.</p> - -<p>There seemed but one way, and this was to follow the passage which -the new-comers had just taken.</p> - -<p>Barney made no doubt that they were of the strange people who -had built the temple, but he was not by any means assured that they -would be especially friendly to invaders like himself.</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, it’s well to first git acquainted with the nature av the -baste,” he muttered, “an’ thin av it’s all right go ahead.”</p> - -<p>This was certainly sound logic, and it was well for Barney that he -adopted it.</p> - -<p>The strange people would not have received him cordially, and -indeed his precaution may be said to have been the saving of his life.</p> - -<p>But there seemed no other safe method of procedure but to attempt -the passage.</p> - -<p>Accordingly Barney entered it.</p> - -<p>He kept on in the darkness cautiously for a short distance.</p> - -<p>Then he saw a ray of light ahead.</p> - -<p>Also from the distance there came the murmur of many voices.</p> - -<p>Barney kept on with increased caution now.</p> - -<p>Very soon he saw that the passage would bring him into a mighty -illumined chamber under the temple.</p> - -<p>Oil lamps of various grotesque shapes furnished the means of light, -and a dense throng of the most curious looking people he had ever -seen were present.</p> - -<p>Barney gazed upon the scene with great interest.</p> - -<p>“Be me sowl, but ain’t they bits av men,” he muttered. “No wan -av thim is bigger nor a good sized Irish lad.”</p> - -<p>The pigmy women dressed much the same as the men, and seemed -to busy themselves in various quarters at the culinary art.</p> - -<p>Some time Barney spent in watching the curious people.</p> - -<p>The next moment he received the greatest surprise of his life.</p> - -<p>“For Heaven’s sake!” said a voice at his elbow. “Is it possible -there is a person in this place who can speak English too?”</p> - -<p>Barney turned like a flash.</p> - -<p>“Tare an’ ’ounds!” he gasped. “Who the divil are yez?”</p> - -<p>“On the other hand, let me ask the same question.”</p> - -<p>Barney was facing a young man, tall, straight and handsome.</p> - -<p>He was dressed in the garb of a native hunter, and carried a rifle. -A moment previous he had crept out of a niche in the wall just to -Barney’s right.</p> - -<p>The two white men stood gazing at each other in amazement.</p> - -<p>“Well, I niver!” gasped Barney. “Yez are not one of these -haythins that own this place, are yez?”</p> - -<p>“No. Are you?”</p> - -<p>“Divil a bit.”</p> - -<p>“Who are you?”</p> - -<p>“Me name is Barney O’Shea, and I’m a respictable Irish gintleman.”</p> - -<p>“Good! Give me your hand. I am an American, and the Irishman -has no better friend.”</p> - -<p>“Yez talk like a man, yez do,” cried Barney. “I’m delighted to -meet yez. But howiver did yez come here?”</p> - -<p>“Well,” replied the young man, “I was fool enough to step upon -a revolving dais in the temple above, and——”</p> - -<p>“Bejabers. I came here that same way mesilf,” cried Barney.</p> - -<p>“So? Well, we are in for it.”</p> - -<p>“Yez are roight.”</p> - -<p>“But what may I ask has brought you into this part of Yucatan?”</p> - -<p>“Shure, I come here wid the Steam Man, an’ Misther Frank Reade, -Jr., the worruld-famous invintor.”</p> - -<p>A gurgling cry escaped the other’s lips.</p> - -<p>“Frank Reade, Jr.?” he gasped. “Do you mean to say that he is -near here?”</p> - -<p>“Well, I lift him when I fell down into this place.”</p> - -<p>“The deuce!” exclaimed the young man, excitedly. “Why, Frank -Reade, Jr., is an old friend of mine. I must see him. Look here, -what brought him here?”</p> - -<p>“Shure, he’s lookin’ for a young man named Tony Buckden who got -lost down in this haythin region.”</p> - -<p>“Well, is this not luck? Look here, man, I am Tony Buckden——”</p> - -<p>Barney threw up his arms.</p> - -<p>“The divil yez say?” he exploded, in a hoarse whisper. “Shure, -I’d ought to have guessed that, an’ Mr. Frank will be deloighted to -see yez.”</p> - -<p>“And I shall be delighted to see him!” cried the millionaire’s son, -for such he was. “So he answered my letter in person?”</p> - -<p>“Yis.”</p> - -<p>“And he has the Steam Man here?”</p> - -<p>“Shure enough.”</p> - -<p>“Then the success of my plans are assured!” exclaimed Tony, jubilantly. -“That is, if we succeed in escaping from here.”</p> - -<p>“Shure we must do that,” declared Barney, confidently.</p> - -<p>At this moment there arose a great commotion among the pigmy -people.</p> - -<p>Excited cries arose, and as with one accord they rushed from the -place. In less than no time the place was cleared.</p> - -<p>Tony Buckden and Barney were not a little surprised.</p> - -<p>“I wonder what that means?” exclaimed the New Yorker.</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, there’s no tellin’ but that they’ve heard of the Steam -Man and that’s phwat has drawn thim away.”</p> - -<p>“By Jove, I don’t know but that you are right, Barney,” declared -Buckden. “At any rate, it looks to me like a very good opportunity -to escape.”</p> - -<p>“Shure, it’s a foine chance.”</p> - -<p>Not one of the pigmy people were left in the place.</p> - -<p>Of course Barney and young Buckden did not hesitate a moment to -avail themselves of the opportunity.</p> - -<p>Buckden led the way and they crossed the broad chamber and came -to a passage which seemed to lead upwards.</p> - -<p>There were stairs cut in the stone, and up these the two imprisoned -men sprung.</p> - -<p>A moment later they came out into the main body of the temple. -Now they could hear the crack of fire-arms and the yells of the pigmy -people.</p> - -<p>It was at the moment when the Steam Man was about to leave the -court-yard and had been attacked by the natives, if such they could be -called.</p> - -<p>Both Buckden and Barney could see the heads of the contestants beyond -a wall of stone.</p> - -<p>It was their impulse to go to the aid of Frank and Pomp.</p> - -<p>But this was seen at once to be clearly impossible.</p> - -<p>They could not hope to successfully fight their way through the -crowd of people. Moreover, a thrilling danger now confronted the -fugitives.</p> - -<p>The three trained tigers from whom Frank and Pomp had so narrowly -escaped were gamboling in the court-yard.</p> - -<p>If they should chance to catch sight of young Buckden and Barney -the result would not be pleasant for them.</p> - -<p>Clearly the safest way for the two adventurers was to steal out of -the place and gain the forest beyond.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p> - -<p>Then they might trust to luck in rejoining the Steam Man. Certainly -it was the best method to pursue.</p> - -<p>This Buckden at once proceeded to do. He led the way boldly -across the court-yard and to a wall at its extremity.</p> - -<p>Fortune favored them, and they reached the wall in safety.</p> - -<p>Vaulting it, they dashed into the forest.</p> - -<p>Once among the thick undergrowth they were safe, at least for the -time.</p> - -<p>“Whew!” exclaimed Buckden, suddenly pausing and wiping the -perspiration from his face. “We did that in fine shape, did we not, -Barney?”</p> - -<p>“To be shure, sor,” replied the Celt with a chuckle.</p> - -<p>“Now what shall we do?”</p> - -<p>“Shure, I think we had betther thry and foind the Stheam Man,” -said Barney.</p> - -<p>“Of course, but how shall we proceed to do that?”</p> - -<p>“Well, bejabers, I think the bist way is to make a cut through the -woods here and thrust to good fortune to foind Misther Frank out on -the open ground. I’m thinkin’ he’ll ’ave to return there afther lavin’ -this place, for shure.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” agreed Buckden. “Fortunately I know a path that -will lead directly there. In fact, I came here by it.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good luck!” cried Barney, joyfully. “It’s dyin’ I am to get -back to the Stheam Man once more.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we will try it hard!” declared Buckden, leading the way. -“Come on, Barney.”</p> - -<p>They set out through the forest without further comment.</p> - -<p>Buckden found little difficulty in finding the path by which he had -entered the place.</p> - -<p>Along this they sped swiftly. Soon the foliage began to grow thinner -and straggling rays of light ahead showed that they were approaching -the verge.</p> - -<p>A few moments later they emerged entirely from the forest and -came out upon the vast table-land.</p> - -<p>As far as the eye could reach extended the level expanse.</p> - -<p>Barney and his companion swept the plain eagerly with their eyes -for some trace of the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>Barney felt confident that the Man would return to the open plain.</p> - -<p>Therefore it was with a glad cry that he suddenly pointed down -the line of forest.</p> - -<p>“Luk!” he cried. “Wud yez see the loikes av that! Be me sowl, -we’re in luck, for it’s the Stheam Man.”</p> - -<p>Sure enough, coming along the edge of the forest at a rapid speed -was the famous Steam Man.</p> - -<p>Frank Reade, Jr., was at the throttle, and when he saw Barney waving -his arms he pulled the whistle valve open and sent up a shriek of -welcome.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.<br /> - - -<small>THE WONDERFUL CITY.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>That the Steam Man had escaped from the attack of the pigmies, -this would make certain.</p> - -<p>Straight for the barrier erected by the foe Frank sent the Man.</p> - -<p>When twenty yards from it, he closed the throttle and applied the -brake.</p> - -<p>“Now, Pompy!” he cried, “it’s a fight for life.”</p> - -<p>“Yo’ kin jes’ bet on dat, Marse Frank,” cried the plucky darky.</p> - -<p>“We must not waste a shot.”</p> - -<p>“Not a one, Marse Frank.”</p> - -<p>At the loopholes the two adventurers stationed themselves, and -opened fire upon the foe.</p> - -<p>The pigmies hurled their lances at the cage.</p> - -<p>But they were shattered against the steel netting and did no harm -at all.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, the repeaters did deadly work.</p> - -<p>No human power could face such a destructive fire. The pigmies -were driven from the barricade.</p> - -<p>Then Frank Reade, Jr., kept them at a distance, while Pomp dismounted -and set about clearing a pathway for the Man.</p> - -<p>This was not a very easy job, but Pomp finally succeeded and the -Steam Man passed through the barrier.</p> - -<p>A few shots were sent after the pigmies, and then the Man under -Frank’s skillful guidance set out for the plain.</p> - -<p>It was not long before the Steam Man was out of the forest.</p> - -<p>Once out upon the open plain, Frank set his course along the edge -of the forest.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Pomp sprang up with a sharp cry:</p> - -<p>“Golly sakes, Marse Frank, dar am dat I’ishman alibe an’ well -as I’m a nigger. Jes’ look dar.”</p> - -<p>“Barney!” gasped Frank.</p> - -<p>“Dat am a fac’.”</p> - -<p>“Thank Heaven.”</p> - -<p>Frank gazed in the direction indicated by Pomp, and saw Barney -waving his arms frantically in the air.</p> - -<p>At once Frank pulled the whistle valve and increased the Steam -Man’s speed.</p> - -<p>A few moments later the Steam Man came to a halt upon the spot -where Barney had stood.</p> - -<p>The meeting was a joyous one. Barney and Pomp embraced, and -Frank gripped Buckden’s hand.</p> - -<p>“Tony, I’m awful glad to see you,” he declared. “I feared you -were dead. They assured me at Campeachy that you would never be -found alive.”</p> - -<p>“Well, they didn’t know anything about it,” declared Tony, sententiously; -“then you got my letter?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“And you have answered it in person. Just like you.”</p> - -<p>“Look here, Tony,” said Frank, seriously; “I was sent here by -your father to look you up and bring you home.”</p> - -<p>“Humph!” exclaimed Tony, with a shrug of his shoulders.</p> - -<p>“That is the truth.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I’m not ready to go home yet.”</p> - -<p>“You are not?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?”</p> - -<p>“Because I propose to find the ruined city and its treasure first. I -thought that you had come here to help me.”</p> - -<p>“Do you believe it exists?”</p> - -<p>“Of course I do.”</p> - -<p>“Near here?”</p> - -<p>“Why, I believe that we are not ten miles from it.”</p> - -<p>“But if it is inhabited with people like these with whom we have -just had a little experience——”</p> - -<p>“But it is not. It is a ruined and deserted city. Come, Frank, -with your Steam Man we can find it. You must agree to go.”</p> - -<p>Frank was silent a moment.</p> - -<p>Now that he had accomplished the real object of his mission—the -rescue of Tony Buckden—he was quite willing to turn about and go -home.</p> - -<p>But he knew Tony well enough to be sure that he was very much -in earnest.</p> - -<p>He would not leave his purpose unaccomplished, even though it -cost him his life.</p> - -<p>There was no doubt but that with the Steam Man the country -could be safely explored.</p> - -<p>Frank was a trifle skeptical now as to the real existence of Mazendla.</p> - -<p>But he reasoned that it would do no great harm to give at least -another week to exploration.</p> - -<p>In that time, no doubt, Tony would be satisfied, and then of course -would willingly return.</p> - -<p>So Frank extended his hand.</p> - -<p>“All right, Tony,” he declared, “I am with you.”</p> - -<p>“Good for you, old pard!” cried Buckden, joyfully. “I knew you -would do it. Now for Mazendla.”</p> - -<p>“But I must say I have no idea of the location of the city.”</p> - -<p>“But I do.”</p> - -<p>“You do?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Where is it?”</p> - -<p>“I learned it from a native.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!”</p> - -<p>“Go due east across this table-land. When a tall, sugar-loaf shaped -mountain is directly ahead of you, bear to the right and enter a -canyon. It will take you directly to Mazendla, the most wonderful -of cities.”</p> - -<p>“All right,” cried Frank. “We will follow your directions. All -aboard, everybody!”</p> - -<p>All scrambled into the cage, and Frank set the Steam Man in -motion.</p> - -<p>The temple in the forest and the strange race of pigmies were left -behind. Nothing more was seen of them.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man rapidly crossed the plain.</p> - -<p>In the course of an hour the distant shadowy peak of a mountain -was seen.</p> - -<p>It was some while before its shape became sufficiently clear to decide -the question as to whether it was the sugar loaf mountain they -were in quest of.</p> - -<p>But Buckden declared that it was, and that they were on the right -track.</p> - -<p>So Frank kept the Steam Man going at full speed.</p> - -<p>Every moment now they drew nearer the mountain.</p> - -<p>“Look!” cried Buckden, suddenly springing up, “there is the -canyon. I tell you we are all right.”</p> - -<p>“Shall we go for the canyon?” asked Frank Reade, Jr.</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>A short while later the Steam Man was picking his way along -through a mighty gorge fully a thousand feet deep.</p> - -<p>For hours the travelers toiled through this mighty gorge.</p> - -<p>Then suddenly the Steam Man came out on a mighty plateau.</p> - -<p>And before the explorers was now spread a most wonderful sight.</p> - -<p>Not one hundred yards distant was the mighty gateway of a city.</p> - -<p>The towers upon either side rose to a height of fully one hundred -feet.</p> - -<p>The wall was high, massive and thick. But it was time cracked -and tumbling and decayed.</p> - -<p>It required but a glance, however, to detect the evidences of former -magnificence and grandeur.</p> - -<p>“Hurrah!” shouted young Buckden, completely beside himself. -“At last we have found the city of Mazendla.”</p> - -<p>All was excitement and our explorers could hardly contain themselves.</p> - -<p>Frank steered the Steam Man straight for the gateway and passed -through it.</p> - -<p>Before them stretched the wide street of the city.</p> - -<p>It was fully two hundred feet wide. Upon either side rose high -buildings and all in a state of decay.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></p> - -<p>The wide street, which seemed to extend for miles through this mammoth -city, was paved with blocks of a species of sandstone.</p> - -<p>Between the stones grass had grown up, and in places trees had attained -a great height.</p> - -<p>Palms grew and flourished upon the roofs of many of the buildings, -and everywhere clinging vines bedecked the ruins.</p> - -<p>It was a wonderful sight, and one which our adventurers never forgot.</p> - -<p>The sight of this wonderful city of ruins awoke many strange -thoughts and sentiments in the breasts of all.</p> - -<p>The one question occurred to each: What manner of people had -built this wonderful city, how many centuries ago, and what had become -of them?</p> - -<p>How long had it been since the feet of human beings had trod these -streets?</p> - -<p>It must have been many centuries previous, as the appearance of -the buildings would proclaim that they had not been erected in very -recent times.</p> - -<p>All this must remain a mystery.</p> - -<p>One day a powerful race had here flourished, enlightened, civilized, -and certainly intellectual.</p> - -<p>Now nothing remained of them but a few crumbling palaces.</p> - -<p>It was a wonderful thing to ponder upon. Indeed, the more one -studied upon it the more befogged one became.</p> - -<p>What had carried off this vast nation of people?</p> - -<p>Was it a pestilence, or a war of extermination, or had their seed by -some strange fate exhausted itself and they became extinct as the -dodo or the megatherium, or any other antediluvian animal?</p> - -<p>There was nothing at hand to answer this question, and there -seemed no other way but to accept it as a mystery never to be solved.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man jogged leisurely along the broad street.</p> - -<p>The occupants of the wagon gazed with wonder upon the stupendous -piles upon either side.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Barney gave an exclamation and picked up his rifle.</p> - -<p>From one of the buildings a spotted leopard had leaped.</p> - -<p>The pretty creature crouched for a moment in the Steam Man’s -path, snarling and defiant.</p> - -<p>“Begorra, ain’t he a beauty?” cried Barney, eulogistically. “Shure, -I’m goin’ to have the skin of the baste.”</p> - -<p>So without a moment’s hesitation the Celt drew aim and fired.</p> - -<p>The leopard gave a quick, sharp yelp of pain, leaped in the air and -fell dead.</p> - -<p>The bullet had sped true to the mark. Barney was a dead shot.</p> - -<p>“Hooray!” cried the excited Irishman. “I flunked him just off. -Now av yez plaze, Misther Frank, will yez jist howld an wan minnit?”</p> - -<p>Frank could not refuse this request, so he brought the Steam Man -to a halt, saying:</p> - -<p>“Pshaw! You don’t want his skin, Barney. It is of little use.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t I?” exclaimed the Celt. “Yez kin jist bate I do. I’ll take -it home to me friends in Ameriky, an’ tell thim what a foine shot I -am.”</p> - -<p>Barney opened the rear door and leaped out of the cage.</p> - -<p>He went directly up to the leopard, and was about to lift the creature -upon his shoulders, when a thrilling thing occurred.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, from the same building, four more of the savage animals -appeared.</p> - -<p>They saw Barney, and without further ceremony came for him like -a flash.</p> - -<p>The Irishman saw his predicament, and knew that he was in deadly -peril.</p> - -<p>It required but a moment for him to act.</p> - -<p>“Whurroo!” he yelled. “I’m a son av a say cook if the woods ain’t -full av the divils. Luk out there, yez spotted imps. Be off, I say.”</p> - -<p>Barney fired at the first leopard, and the shot struck the animal’s -shoulder.</p> - -<p>For a moment it wavered and then tumbled in a heap. But the -next moment the three leopards left were upon Barney.</p> - -<p>The Celt went to the ground like a ten-pin. It began to look as if -his fate was surely sealed.</p> - -<p>With three of the animals upon him he would speedily have been -clawed to death.</p> - -<p>But fortunately for him Barney had valuable allies in the three -friends aboard the Steam Man.</p> - -<p>A startled cry came from Frank’s lips as he saw the leopards appear.</p> - -<p>He at once snatched up his rifle.</p> - -<p>“Heavens!” he cried. “Barney will be killed.”</p> - -<p>Pomp and Tony were no less quick in also coming to the rescue.</p> - -<p>All three fired. As chance had it all fired at the same leopard and -every shot told.</p> - -<p>The animal pitched forward dead across Barney’s body. The other -two leopards tumbled over him, and by the time they had recovered -themselves the repeaters had got into working order again.</p> - -<p>Crack—ack—ack!</p> - -<p>Another leopard tumbled over. Before the marksmen could again -fire the surviving animal with a snarling cry fled and was quickly out -of range.</p> - -<p>Frank descended and rushed to Barney’s side.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.<br /> - - -<small>POMP’S THRILLING EXPERIENCE.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>But before the famous inventor could reach him, Barney was upon -his feet.</p> - -<p>“Begorra, that’s something that ivery man can’t say!” he exclaimed, -with twinkling eyes. “I went out to get one leopard and was the -cause av baggin’ four av thim. Shure, I’ll have wan av thim skins -tanned and sind it to the Pope, so I will.”</p> - -<p>“You are a pretty good decoy for leopards,” laughed young Buckden. -“By Jove, Barney, you’re a valuable man.”</p> - -<p>“Have yez jist discovered that?” retorted the quick-witted Irishman.</p> - -<p>It required but a short time for Barney and Pomp to take off the -leopards’ skins.</p> - -<p>There was a skin for each of them, and they were carefully stowed -away in the wagon.</p> - -<p>Once more the Steam Man went on down the broad avenue.</p> - -<p>There were many other streets diverging from this one, but they -were more narrow and had not the appearance of this one.</p> - -<p>It was deemed best to keep to the main thoroughfare.</p> - -<p>At intervals a halt was called before some wonderful building of -curious architecture and time was spent in studying it.</p> - -<p>“Look here, Buckden!” said Frank, finally, “how is this? What -of that temple you wrote me about, which was so abundantly stocked -with anacondas?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, that is a good ways from here,” replied Buckden. “This -street I believe extends for a distance of twenty miles. Half way to -the other end is a public square and there we will find the temple. -At least, so I was informed by the native, Metlo.”</p> - -<p>“Very good! then we shall be on the lookout for the anacondas.”</p> - -<p>The words were not out of Frank’s mouth when a warning cry -came from Barney who was at the forward end of the wagon.</p> - -<p>“Luk out fer yesilf, Misther Frank!” he cried; “there’s a big log -acrost the road an’ if yez don’t luk out we’ll be overturned by it.”</p> - -<p>Frank quickly closed the throttle and applied the brake.</p> - -<p>Right across the Steam Man’s path was what looked like a log of -palm, and it stretched from a clump of palms to a thicket which grew -out of the paving stones full thirty feet away.</p> - -<p>But quick as he had been Frank was not in time to prevent the -Steam Man from stumbling against it.</p> - -<p>The result was terrifying.</p> - -<p>The log was instantly an animated creature. Quick as a flash it -bounded in air and ran up in huge coils, while the savage head of a -huge anaconda emerged from the palm clump.</p> - -<p>Before Frank could make a move to retreat, the big snake had -thrown its giant coils around the wagon and over the cage.</p> - -<p>The huge head was thrust against the steel netting, seeking an opening.</p> - -<p>“Tare an’ ’ounds!” yelled Barney in terror. “Av it ain’t another -wan ov the snakes! Be me sowl, he’s puttin’ his head in at the -windy!”</p> - -<p>This was a terrifying fact.</p> - -<p>The anaconda’s head suddenly was thrust through one of the port-holes.</p> - -<p>This chanced to be one of large circumference and the snake’s whole -body began to slide into the cage.</p> - -<p>Frank Reade, Jr., seized a hatchet and made a blow at the snake.</p> - -<p>But the reptile’s head struck him in the breast and knocked him -over.</p> - -<p>Its keen fangs tore his shirt and lacerated his flesh. When he picked -himself up he was alone in the wagon with the snake.</p> - -<p>The anaconda’s body was sliding rapidly in through the port-hole. -Barney and Pomp and Buckden had fled from the wagon through the -rear door.</p> - -<p>“Come, Frank, for God’s sake!” cried Buckden, reaching in and -pulling Frank toward the door. “Don’t stay there, or you will be -killed.”</p> - -<p>Frank saw the snake making ready to dive at him again.</p> - -<p>He knew that it was folly to risk his life in such a manner.</p> - -<p>So accepting discretion as the better part of valor, the young inventor -dashed from the wagon.</p> - -<p>The huge snake’s body was rapidly sliding into the wagon.</p> - -<p>The explorers dumbfounded and irresolute stood outside and watched -the proceeding with curious sensations.</p> - -<p>“Well, upon me sowl,” cried Barney, “howiver will we get the -omadhoun out av’ that? Bad cess to his ugly shape, say I.”</p> - -<p>“By Jove, that is a stickler,” declared Buckden. “How will we -ever get him out of the cage?”</p> - -<p>“At present he is master of the situation,” declared Frank.</p> - -<p>“I jus’ fink dat ole snake am gwine fo’ to gib us some trubble,” declared -Pomp.</p> - -<p>“It looks like it.”</p> - -<p>“Begorra, why not give him a bit av cold lead?”</p> - -<p>But the words were not off Barney’s lips when an appalling thing -happened.</p> - -<p>The snake’s body was now all in the cage. The huge reptile was -squirming and thrashing about like mad.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the door of the cage shut with a snap.</p> - -<p>Then, to add to the horror and discomfort of the situation, the Steam -Man started away at full speed.</p> - -<p>The snake’s movements had in some way pulled open the throttle.</p> - -<p>A fearful groan escaped Frank’s lips.</p> - -<p>“My God! we are lost!”</p> - -<p>Cries of dismay escaped the others.</p> - -<p>“Catch him!”</p> - -<p>“Shut the valve!”</p> - -<p>But they might as well have tried to catch the wind.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man was off like a flash. Down the avenue he went with -clanking tread.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></p> - -<p>After him with despairing souls ran the explorers, vainly trying to -overtake him.</p> - -<p>In the cage, unable to extricate himself, the huge anaconda was -taking an enforced ride.</p> - -<p>What more strange or thrilling predicament could be imagined?</p> - -<p>Down the avenue went the strange procession. The Steam Man -went on and was soon out of sight through a vista of trees and overhanging -vines.</p> - -<p>The seriousness of the affair to our adventurers could not be estimated -at the moment.</p> - -<p>Left in that terrible wilderness to find their way on foot back to -Campeachy was not a pleasant thing to contemplate.</p> - -<p>There did not seem to remain any doubt but that the Steam Man -would keep on until it should come in disastrous collision with some -object.</p> - -<p>The result would almost surely be to smash the machinery, and in -that out of the way part of the world it would be by no means easy to -repair it.</p> - -<p>All these misgivings and fears assailed the explorers.</p> - -<p>Frank Reade, Jr., was usually possessed of iron nerves.</p> - -<p>But if ever there was a time in his life when those nerves were sorely -tried, it was now.</p> - -<p>It did not seem to him possible that the Steam Man could escape -unharmed.</p> - -<p>“My soul!” he gasped, as he staggered on. “We are lost!”</p> - -<p>Indeed, it seemed true.</p> - -<p>Yet the explorers ran on, hoping at every turn to see the Steam -Man all safe and sound.</p> - -<p>But they seemed doomed to disappointment.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a terrible cry went up from Barney.</p> - -<p>“Howly Mither! Luk out!” he yelled. “Phwativer is that ahead -of us?”</p> - -<p>Every one came to a halt.</p> - -<p>Just ahead of them lay what looked again like a prostrate palm -trunk, but the experienced gaze of our adventurers now proved its -true character.</p> - -<p>It was another huge anaconda which was stretching itself across -the roadway.</p> - -<p>The long, sinuous horrid body, in its immense proportions, was truly -a terrifying thing to look at.</p> - -<p>For a moment our adventurers stood looking at it with dismay.</p> - -<p>It had extended itself across the street, no doubt just after the Steam -Man had passed else the Man would have cut it to pieces.</p> - -<p>“Glory fo’ goodness!” cried Pomp, “whatebber will dis yer chile -do? Ugh! I nebber did like snakes!”</p> - -<p>“Nor I, Pomp!” cried Tony Buckden, with a shiver. “What shall -we do about it, Frank?”</p> - -<p>“Discretion is valor’s better part,” said Frank. “We will not try -to cut our way through the foe this time, but rather go around it.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” cried Tony. “But can we do it?”</p> - -<p>The avenue was fully one hundred feet wide here.</p> - -<p>It seemed easy enough to go the other side of the line of palms, -and the explorers made a move to do so.</p> - -<p>But they had barely reached the other side of the avenue when a -thrilling thing occurred.</p> - -<p>The space between the palms and the buildings was hardly ten feet.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, as they were passing through this narrow space, there -was a rustling sound above, and a long, sinuous body shot down from -a window of one of the buildings.</p> - -<p>The next moment Pomp was encircled by the folds of a huge anaconda.</p> - -<p>A startled yell went up from the astonished darky.</p> - -<p>The others recoiled in amazement and horror.</p> - -<p>Then, before any of them had time to act, Pomp was drawn up like -a puppet and through the window above.</p> - -<p>He went out of sight like a flash.</p> - -<p>But a tremendous uproar was heard in the building, and the pounding -and thumping of heavy bodies was heard.</p> - -<p>Pomp’s cries for help were agonizing.</p> - -<p>For a few moments our adventurers were so overcome with horror -that they hardly knew how to act or what to say.</p> - -<p>“My God!” cried Frank Reade, Jr., “Pomp is being killed. Why -do we stand here inactive? We must save him!”</p> - -<p>“Right!” cried Tony Buckden. “Come on, friends! Lively, now!”</p> - -<p>No second bidding was needed.</p> - -<p>Into the building they rushed.</p> - -<p>Some long stairs were encountered. Up these they sprung.</p> - -<p>This brought them to a landing above, and into a large chamber.</p> - -<p>Up through this and through the fallen roof there grew a high -palm tree.</p> - -<p>Partly wound around the trunk of this were a part of the snake’s -coils.</p> - -<p>The other part of the snake’s body was wound about Pomp, and -the darky was seen to be unconscious, and for aught his agonized -friends knew, dead.</p> - -<p>The monster anaconda’s head was erect, and its forked tongue was -darting from its mouth as it faced the new-comers angrily.</p> - -<p>Frank Reade, Jr., saw that if Pomp was to be saved, quick work must -be made.</p> - -<p>With a long drawn breath the young inventor sprang forward, crying:</p> - -<p>“Aim at his head, friends. Work quickly, for I fear Pomp is -dead.”</p> - -<p>But no further adjuration was needed.</p> - -<p>The others did work quickly.</p> - -<p>Barney raised his rifle and took aim at the monster’s head.</p> - -<p>It was an uncertain aim, as the snake’s head kept gyrating and -moving about in a lively manner.</p> - -<p>But by great good luck the bullet struck the monster’s lower jaw.</p> - -<p>It was instantly broken and hung limply. The snake gave almost a -shriek of agony, and its folds partly relaxed.</p> - -<p>Instantly Frank sprang forward and made a blow at the reptile -with his knife.</p> - -<p>It was a lucky blow, and cut a deep gash in the monster’s body, -half severing it to the backbone.</p> - -<p>Barney also rushed upon the snake.</p> - -<p>The monster made a game fight, however. Its mighty coils relaxed, -and it dropped Pomp from them and began to thrash about in -fury.</p> - -<p>Frank and Tony Buckden were knocked down like puppets.</p> - -<p>The snake’s huge body literally filled the huge chamber, and thrashing -about so furiously kept our explorers one moment upon their feet -and the next upon the floor.</p> - -<p>Hacking at the reptile with his knife, Frank had inflicted many -wounds.</p> - -<p>Blood flowed in torrents, and the reptile was evidently weakening.</p> - -<p>Barney at an opportune moment raised his clubbed rifle and made -a blow at the snake’s head.</p> - -<p>It was a lucky stroke.</p> - -<p>The reptile was almost instantly brained, and the battle was over.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.<br /> - - -<small>INTO THE DEPTHS.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The battle was won, but what of Pomp?</p> - -<p>The darky lay in an inanimate heap upon the stone floor.</p> - -<p>Frank was quickly by his side, however. His first move was to -feel the darky’s pulse.</p> - -<p>With a cry of joy he reached for a whisky flask which Buckden -produced.</p> - -<p>“He is alive!” he cried. “It is about certain that we shall save -him.”</p> - -<p>This, however, could not yet be determined. The darky had suffered -quite a severe squeezing, and there was no certainty that -bones had not been broken.</p> - -<p>Frank applied the whisky to Pomp’s lips. Then the others rubbed -his hands and feet vigorously.</p> - -<p>In a few moments Pomp gasped and opened his eyes.</p> - -<p>“Glory for goodness, Marse Frank,” he whispered, hoarsely, “am -dis chile been sabed? I done fought I was a gone coon.”</p> - -<p>“You’re all right, Pomp!” cried Frank, joyfully. “You’re sure -you can move without pain, are you? Try and roll over.”</p> - -<p>Pomp did as he was bid.</p> - -<p>To the joy of all it was discovered that although the darky had -experienced quite a severe squeezing he was practically uninjured.</p> - -<p>In a few moments he was able to get upon his feet.</p> - -<p>He was a trifle stiff and sore, but this bid fair to desert him in a -short while.</p> - -<p>Then it was seen that the anaconda was a monster.</p> - -<p>Indeed its huge coils seemed to occupy the larger part of the -chamber.</p> - -<p>All had good reason to congratulate themselves upon their escape -from what might have been death for Pomp at least.</p> - -<p>But now that the affair was over there was no use in further -waste of time in the vicinity.</p> - -<p>It was necessary at once to continue their quest for the Steam -Man.</p> - -<p>Accordingly they started to descend the stairs.</p> - -<p>But the incidents of the moment were by no means spent. A -strange and startling thing occurred.</p> - -<p>No sooner had Barney put his foot upon the topmost stairs than -the whole affair crumbled and fell.</p> - -<p>Down went the Celt through a cloud of dust and rotten stone. It -was a sudden happening and took the others quite off their guard.</p> - -<p>“Heavens!” cried Frank, recoiling. “What does that mean?”</p> - -<p>“The stairs have given way!” cried Buckden, with horror.</p> - -<p>“Barney has gone down with them.”</p> - -<p>“He is likely killed.”</p> - -<p>“Massy sakes alibe!” cried Pomp, wildly. “Dat am awful. We -must do somfin’ fo’ to sabe Barney.”</p> - -<p>But now as the dust cleared, a horrible realization dawned upon -the explorers.</p> - -<p>At their feet yawned a dark abyss.</p> - -<p>How deep it was they could not guess, for the stairs and the floor -beneath had succumbed and gone down with Barney.</p> - -<p>The bottom of the abyss could not be seen.</p> - -<p>It was safe to assume, however, that it was really a cellar underneath -the building, and therefore not more than a dozen feet or -more in depth.</p> - -<p>Frank leaned over and shouted:</p> - -<p>“Barney! If you are alive, answer me!”</p> - -<p>“Shure an’ I will that, Misther Frank,” came up the Celt’s voice -from the abyss. “It’s not kilt I am.”</p> - -<p>“Are you badly hurt?”</p> - -<p>“Shure, an’ not a bit av it, Misther Frank. Only a bit av a bruise -on me head an’ me arrum. Oi’m all roight.”</p> - -<p>“Thank Heaven for that.”</p> - -<p>But the question now was, how were the three men to descend -from their aerial position?</p> - -<p>There was no other stairs, and it was a little too great a height to -risk a jump with safety.</p> - -<p>But Frank Reade, Jr., was not the one to be long in a quandary. -He quickly hit upon a plan.</p> - -<p>Advancing to one of the windows, he looked down to the pavements -below.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></p> - -<p>It was a height of possibly twenty feet. But a jump was out of -the question.</p> - -<p>However, some stout vines grew over the face of the building.</p> - -<p>These offered a good safe hold, and by means of these the three -explorers clambered down to the ground floor.</p> - -<p>The first thing to do now was to rescue Barney.</p> - -<p>It was found, however, that the redoubtable Celt did not require -any assistance.</p> - -<p>He had discovered a way to clamber out of the cellar, and in a moment -came rushing out of the ruin.</p> - -<p>Congratulations were in order over the happy escape of all.</p> - -<p>The incidents of the day had their effect upon the explorers.</p> - -<p>Already Tony Buckden had begun to sicken of the enterprise.</p> - -<p>He had really gained the end he sought, which was to visit the -city of Mazendla.</p> - -<p>Of course he had not as yet succeeded in locating the treasure -spoken of by the Indian guide Metlo.</p> - -<p>But the treasure was only a slight inducement for Tony to remain -amid the innumerable perils of the Central American wilds.</p> - -<p>He had in fact more money at his command than he could expend, -and, of course, gold had little temptation for him.</p> - -<p>As for Frank Reade, Jr., the treasure had not constituted the object -of his visit.</p> - -<p>That he had already accomplished in finding Tony Buckden.</p> - -<p>Not one in the party but was badly disaffected and wanted to go -home.</p> - -<p>“I jus’ fink home am de bes’ place aftah all,” said Pomp.</p> - -<p>“Begorra, that’s thrue,” sang Barney. “Be it iver so humble -there’s no place loike home, aven av it’s in a pig pen.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” cried Frank. “Well, we will soon give you a chance to -see home, boys, if we can find the Steam Man intact.”</p> - -<p>“Which Heaven grant we may,” said Tony, fervently.</p> - -<p>“Then you’re really ready to go home, Tony?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes. I am anxious to; the way of it is, I have sickened of -roaming in this accursed clime. Father says he will take me into -Wall street with him, and I’m going to accept his offer.”</p> - -<p>“Good for you, Tony!” cried Frank. “It is a good time for you to -settle down.”</p> - -<p>“I shall do it.”</p> - -<p>They were now once more pushing their way along the avenue.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man did not seem to be anywhere in sight.</p> - -<p>What was the fate of the invention they could only guess.</p> - -<p>They pushed on rapidly.</p> - -<p>Suddenly they came out into what seemed like the plaza, or public -square of the city.</p> - -<p>Here wonderful sights were presented.</p> - -<p>Mammoth ruins surrounded the square on all sides.</p> - -<p>These were overgrown with vegetation of all kinds.</p> - -<p>Clinging vines adorned the walls, and huge trees of the deciduous -species grew out of the roof and piles of moldering stone.</p> - -<p>Everywhere all was desolation and decay.</p> - -<p>But one building, massive and commanding, with huge pillars of -some strange blue stone, seemed comparatively well preserved.</p> - -<p>This building at once attracted Tony Buckden’s attention.</p> - -<p>He clapped his hands excitedly.</p> - -<p>“As I live!” he declared, “that looks like the temple described -by Metlo.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed!” exclaimed Frank.</p> - -<p>“That is the truth.”</p> - -<p>“But where are the anacondas?”</p> - -<p>“Where?”</p> - -<p>The two men exchanged glances.</p> - -<p>Certainly, there was not a big snake in sight. But after all, this -did not disprove Metlo’s story.</p> - -<p>“De snakes may be dar all de same, Marse Frank,” declared Pomp.</p> - -<p>“Of course,” agreed Tony. “That is logical enough.”</p> - -<p>“What shall we do?”</p> - -<p>“Enter of course.”</p> - -<p>“It is well to proceed with care.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, we can do that.”</p> - -<p>But Barney and Pomp had already sprung up the steps of the -temple. The next moment they disappeared inside of the place.</p> - -<p>Frank and Tony followed.</p> - -<p>As they entered the temple they saw that it was a high arched -structure with evidences of having once been a building of great -beauty.</p> - -<p>There was not a snake to be seen.</p> - -<p>“Upon my word,” ejaculated Tony, “this has every appearance -of being the building described by Metlo.”</p> - -<p>“It very likely is,” said Frank. “I have no doubt of it.”</p> - -<p>“But he described it as being literally alive with anacondas.”</p> - -<p>“It may have been, and they may have lately deserted the place.”</p> - -<p>“It looks like it.”</p> - -<p>“Of course.”</p> - -<p>“Then we are in great luck.”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“But the treasure—ah!”</p> - -<p>Buckden paused before a ring in the stone floor.</p> - -<p>It was an iron ring firmly joined to a slab of stone. The New -Yorker bent down and began to pull upon it.</p> - -<p>The instant he did so a thrilling thing happened.</p> - -<p>There was a strange whirring sound as of machinery buzzing, and -then a grating noise.</p> - -<p>Quick as a flash the stone dropped and Buckden went out of sight -like a meteor.</p> - -<p>Down into a black void went the young New Yorker.</p> - -<p>He was swallowed up as literally as if engulfed in the sea.</p> - -<p>For an instant Frank Reade, Jr., was so overcome with horror -that he did not know what to do.</p> - -<p>Then a wailing cry broke from his lips:</p> - -<p>“Oh, my God!” he cried. “Tony has gone to his death.”</p> - -<p>Of course Frank had no idea as to the depth of the abyss or where -it went to.</p> - -<p>Buckden, for aught he knew, had fallen to the center of the earth. -The young inventor was overcome with horror and agony.</p> - -<p>“Something must be done!” he cried, wildly. “He must be -saved!”</p> - -<p>But what was to be done?</p> - -<p>It was an awful question.</p> - -<p>For a moment Frank knew not what answer to make. He stood -like one in a trance.</p> - -<p>Then he made sudden and swift action. He threw himself flat -upon his stomach and shouted down into the abyss of darkness.</p> - -<p>“Tony!” he cried, at the top of his voice. “Where are you? If -you can hear me, give me an answer!”</p> - -<p>But no sound came back.</p> - -<p>All was the stillness of the grave.</p> - -<p>It seemed as if Tony Buckden’s fate was sealed. Certainly, if alive -and uninjured, he would answer.</p> - -<p>Frank shouted again and again.</p> - -<p>But no answer came back from the awful stillness below. It was -like the silence of the grave.</p> - -<p>A queer sensation came over Frank.</p> - -<p>He felt as if likely to faint.</p> - -<p>A cold perspiration broke out upon him, and he seemed dizzy and -sick.</p> - -<p>Then a strange and awful thing happened.</p> - -<p>Suddenly and without warning, the stone beneath him began to -slide. He felt himself going, and made a spasmodic effort to save -himself.</p> - -<p>In vain was this.</p> - -<p>Just as he was about to recoil from the verge of the awful pit, -there was a grinding sound as of mortar giving way, and then, -wholly unable to save himself, Frank went headlong into the -abyss.</p> - -<p>Down, down he felt himself going.</p> - -<p>He clutched at the air wildly, experienced a sense of suffocation, -then he felt a sudden shock and knew that he was in water.</p> - -<p>It seemed as if his breath must leave his body before he came up -out of this water.</p> - -<p>Coming to the surface, he drew in a deep breath, and then struck -out to swim.</p> - -<p>The water was icy cold, and he knew that its depth must be -great.</p> - -<p>Also, he believed its extent to be considerable, as the reverberations -coming to his ears were far-reaching and loud.</p> - -<p>Frank had no means of knowing into what sort of place he had -fallen, or what was to be the outcome of this adventure.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.<br /> - - -<small>THE SEALED CHAMBER.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>But he did know that he was in the embrace of some underground -lake or reservoir of water.</p> - -<p>That it was not a river he was assured as there was no current -whatever.</p> - -<p>Involuntarily he looked about for light.</p> - -<p>There was a faint square far above his head. This he knew must -be from the aperture through which he had fallen.</p> - -<p>Certainly that must have been a fearful distance to have fallen. -To have survived that fall seemed a miracle.</p> - -<p>But that light was too far away to be of any service.</p> - -<p>All upon the surface of the underground lake was Stygian blackness.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know where I am, nor if I shall ever get out of here -alive,” muttered the young inventor, “but I must try. I will swim -as far as I can.”</p> - -<p>And this he proceeded to do.</p> - -<p>Striking out he forced his way swiftly through the water.</p> - -<p>Pausing to rest, he suddenly heard a startling sound near him.</p> - -<p>It was a splash in the water.</p> - -<p>At first Frank instinctively thought of the presence of some submarine -monster, but recollection came to him in time.</p> - -<p>“Tony!” he cried; “is that you?”</p> - -<p>“Thank God!” was the reply.</p> - -<p>Neither could see the other, but they swam side by side in the -darkness.</p> - -<p>“Thank Heaven, you are alive!” said Frank, sincerely. “I feared -you were dead.”</p> - -<p>“I am alive,” said Buckden, “but I fear we will never get out of -this.”</p> - -<p>“Why did you not answer my call?” asked Frank.</p> - -<p>“I did not hear it.”</p> - -<p>“Is that possible?”</p> - -<p>“For some moments after coming to the surface the shock made -me deaf.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I see.”</p> - -<p>“What sort of a place are we in?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot imagine.”</p> - -<p>“I pray there is an outlet somewhere. If not, we are done for.”</p> - -<p>“That is true,” agreed Frank. “Let us pray for escape.”</p> - -<p>The words had barely left his lips, when Frank’s hand struck an -object. In a moment his fingers closed upon it.</p> - -<p>It was the edge of a stone coping, and quickly he drew himself -out of the water upon what seemed like a platform.</p> - -<p>It was really the shore of the underground reservoir or lake.</p> - -<p>Frank secured a foothold and then turned to Buckden.</p> - -<p>“Are you there, Tony?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Give me your hand and I will help you up.”</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>The next moment Buckden was drawn safely up out of the water.</p> - -<p>Both men now stood once more upon terra firma.</p> - -<p>“Well, we’re out of the water, anyway,” cried Tony, as he proceeded -to wring the water out of his coat.</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“But where in the mischief are we?”</p> - -<p>“Give it up.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p> - -<p>All was Stygian darkness about them.</p> - -<p>But Frank remembered suddenly that in an inner pocket he had -a small pocket lantern.</p> - -<p>This was in a water-proof case and consequently had not suffered -by the immersion.</p> - -<p>There were matches in the same case and Frank lit one on a dry -part of the stone coping.</p> - -<p>Then he lit the wick of the lantern and the vicinity was dimly illumined.</p> - -<p>But the moment Frank turned the rays of the lantern to the rear -both gave a wild start.</p> - -<p>A frightful object confronted their gaze. At first sight Frank -had thought it a living object.</p> - -<p>It was a monster dragon with wide open mouth and awful jaws.</p> - -<p>But a second glance revealed the fact that it was not animate and -could consequently do them no harm.</p> - -<p>It was of some peculiar quality of dark colored greenish stone, and -was a remarkably life-like representation.</p> - -<p>“Jupiter!” exclaimed Buckden, “but that gave me a start.”</p> - -<p>“I must confess to the same,” said Frank, with a smile.</p> - -<p>“It is a clever imitation of a dragon, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p>“Indeed, it is.”</p> - -<p>Both adventurers now advanced and began to examine the monster -critically.</p> - -<p>It was a wonderful bit of workmanship in very truth.</p> - -<p>“Indeed!” exclaimed Buckden, “I doubt if our sculptors of the -present day could ever equal this.”</p> - -<p>“I do not think they could surpass it much.”</p> - -<p>“It certainly attests that the ancient inhabitants of Mazendla -were a remarkably talented people.”</p> - -<p>“Right you are.”</p> - -<p>“But the question now is, how are we to get out of this place?”</p> - -<p>“Exactly.”</p> - -<p>“There certainly must be some other way out besides that -through which we came—ah!”</p> - -<p>Frank gave a gasping cry and came to a halt.</p> - -<p>Just at his feet was a ghastly sight.</p> - -<p>It was a heap of bones.</p> - -<p>In a promiscuous fashion they were heaped there. Human bones -and those of the cayman, a species of crocodile, were there all piled -up together.</p> - -<p>The two explorers gazed at the spectacle with amazement.</p> - -<p>This was the first indication of human remains that they had -found thus far.</p> - -<p>There were human skulls and the compete skeletons of the crocodiles. -A quick comprehension came to Frank.</p> - -<p>“I have it!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“Well?”</p> - -<p>“In my opinion this lake was once the abode of these crocodiles. -The ancient rulers placed them there for a certain purpose.”</p> - -<p>“What could it have been?”</p> - -<p>“Well, supposing a man committed some crime. It may be that -he was thrown into this place as a method of punishment, for the -crocodiles to tear to pieces.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed, I believe you are right, Mr. Reade,” cried Buckden, -“but what a number of victims they must have had.”</p> - -<p>“For aught we know the bed of this lake may be paved with -human skeletons.”</p> - -<p>It was a grim, horrible thing to think of.</p> - -<p>Both men shivered.</p> - -<p>Then Tony reached over to pick up one of the skulls.</p> - -<p>The mere motion caused the horrid pile to disintegrate and relapse -into a heap of gray dust.</p> - -<p>Ages had passed since these bones had been deposited there, as -this very action would attest.</p> - -<p>“Come away,” said Frank, with a shiver. “Let’s find our way -out of here.”</p> - -<p>Together they passed by the heap of moldering bones.</p> - -<p>A deep, arched passage lay before them. It was not a long one, -and suddenly came to an end in a startling manner.</p> - -<p>A huge iron gate made of transverse bars confronted them.</p> - -<p>It was a ponderous affair, and there were huge bolts to hold it -shut.</p> - -<p>It did not seem as if they could ever hope to pass through it.</p> - -<p>“My soul, we are badly stuck!” cried Tony. “We’ll never get out -of here alive, Frank.”</p> - -<p>Frank looked aghast.</p> - -<p>There seemed no means at command to force the mighty gate.</p> - -<p>It certainly seemed an insurmountable barrier. It also seemed -the only means of exit from the place.</p> - -<p>The two men looked at each other in utter dismay.</p> - -<p>What was to be done?</p> - -<p>Could they remain here in this place and suffer tamely a death by -starvation? Frank was resolute.</p> - -<p>“There is just one thing about it,” he declared. “We’ve got to -force our way through that gate.”</p> - -<p>“Good for you!” cried Tony. “I’m with you!”</p> - -<p>“It must be done!”</p> - -<p>“But can it be done?”</p> - -<p>“I see no reason why not. We will make a valiant effort. It is -better than tamely submitting to death.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed, much better.”</p> - -<p>“Here goes!”</p> - -<p>Frank advanced and placed both hands upon one of the iron bars -of the gate.</p> - -<p>It was thickly encrusted with rust; yet neither looked for the result -which followed.</p> - -<p>Frank gave the gate a quick, sharp pull. Then he gave a leap -backward.</p> - -<p>It was just in time.</p> - -<p>He was not a moment too soon.</p> - -<p>Down came the whole affair in a clanging heap.</p> - -<p>If it had struck Frank he might have been seriously injured. But -fortunately it did not.</p> - -<p>The action of time had rusted hinges and locks, and the gate was -just ready to fall.</p> - -<p>A great cloud of dust was raised which nearly overwhelmed the -two explorers.</p> - -<p>They emerged from it completely covered and wheezing and puffing.</p> - -<p>“Jupiter!” gasped Tony, “there’s no question about getting out -of here now, Frank.”</p> - -<p>“No, not if this dust don’t kill us,” replied Frank.</p> - -<p>“Whew! it is fearful.”</p> - -<p>After a time, however, the dust cloud was dispelled and they -emerged all safe.</p> - -<p>Then the first impulse was to break through the archway.</p> - -<p>This they did and came to a flight of stairs.</p> - -<p>Up these they ran at full speed.</p> - -<p>Arrived at the top, they were confronted by an astounding fact.</p> - -<p>They stood in a small square chamber. So far as they could see -there was no door or window or other mode of exit.</p> - -<p>Only bare walls of stone were about them upon all sides.</p> - -<p>“Well!” exclaimed Frank, in amazement. “What the deuce -does this mean?”</p> - -<p>“Where are we?”</p> - -<p>“Sure enough.”</p> - -<p>“Can you see any way out of here?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot.”</p> - -<p>The two men looked at each other blankly. It was some time before -either ventured to speak.</p> - -<p>“This is the toughest yet,” said Buckden, finally. “What is your -idea, Frank?”</p> - -<p>A light broke across the young inventor’s handsome face.</p> - -<p>“I have an idea!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“What is it?”</p> - -<p>Frank went and critically examined the walls of the chamber before -he ventured to answer.</p> - -<p>“This is a sealed chamber,” he said, finally. “It is sealed that -nobody may find the secrets of this underground charnel house.”</p> - -<p>“A sealed chamber!” gasped Buckden. “My God! then we are -lost, for that is equivalent to being buried alive. Our end has -come!”</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.<br /> - - -<small>OUT OF IMPRISONMENT.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>It was a terrible despairing cry which Tony Buckden gave.</p> - -<p>It came from the depths of his soul, and embodied utter hopelessness.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the situation looked to be a desperate one. If it was indeed -true that they were the inmates of a sealed chamber their fate -seemed sealed.</p> - -<p>What was to be done?</p> - -<p>Surely they could not submit to a slow lingering death by starvation -in that wretched place.</p> - -<p>Frank went forward and began to examine the masonry of the -chamber walls.</p> - -<p>The stone was a peculiar sandstone, and while it showed evidence -of age and the discolorations of time it was yet firm and hard.</p> - -<p>But the mortar would yield to the point of the knife. Frank at -once began work upon it.</p> - -<p>“My plan,” he declared, “is to displace the mortar as far as possible, -and perhaps we can loosen some of these stones and make an -aperture large enough to get out through.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” cried Buckden, joyfully. “You’ve hit the mark, Frank.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so,” said the young inventor, modestly; “time will tell. -First we must make sure that the mortar will give way.”</p> - -<p>Together they went to work upon the mortar.</p> - -<p>It yielded readily to the points of their knives and soon had been -displaced about one of the smaller stones.</p> - -<p>To their joy this yielded and the stone was removed.</p> - -<p>But a second layer was discovered just beyond. How many more -were beyond this they could not guess.</p> - -<p>But Frank believed that only this layer separated them from the -outer air and freedom.</p> - -<p>Accordingly with renewed hope the two imprisoned men went to -work.</p> - -<p>With a will they hacked away at the crumbling stone and mortar.</p> - -<p>In a very short space of time another stone had been loosened. A -third was quickly displaced, making an aperture sufficiently large -enough to allow a body to pass through.</p> - -<p>Now the second layer was attacked. To the agreeable surprise of -both it was a very rotten stone and yielded readily.</p> - -<p>In a very few moments daylight streamed into the place.</p> - -<p>“Hurrah!” cried Frank. “We are sure to escape, Tony!”</p> - -<p>“So it seems!” cried the young New Yorker, cheerily. “This is -what comes of good pluck.”</p> - -<p>“You are right.”</p> - -<p>Peering through the small hole made, Frank saw that they would -come out right in the main body of the temple.</p> - -<p>Both men now worked like beavers.</p> - -<p>In a few moments one of the stones was displaced. Another -quickly followed, and then they crawled through and into the open -air.</p> - -<p>The relief experienced was beyond description.</p> - -<p>To drink in the pure air and the health-giving sunlight once more -was a boon of no small sort.</p> - -<p>But after a time they began to think of Barney and Pomp and the -Steam Man.</p> - -<p>It was certainly advisable to find them at once.</p> - -<p>The fate of the Steam Man was a matter of conjecture. But -Frank arose from his reclining position and said:</p> - -<p>“Come, Tony, old man, we can’t stay here any longer. There’s -work for us to do.”</p> - -<p>“All right, Frank.”</p> - -<p>Frank started to leave the temple, but Tony chanced to glance -across an inner court-yard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span></p> - -<p>“Wait a moment, Frank!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“What is it?”</p> - -<p>“Just look across that court-yard. What is it?”</p> - -<p>Frank looked and gave a start of surprise.</p> - -<p>“Upon my soul!” he exclaimed. “What sort of a creature can it -be?”</p> - -<p>“Let us investigate.”</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>“Lead the way.”</p> - -<p>Through a series of arches they went and reached the court-yard. -Across it they made their way.</p> - -<p>The object of their surprise was a strange looking statue.</p> - -<p>It was sculptured out of the same peculiar greenish stone as the -dragon seen below stairs.</p> - -<p>The statue was a compromise between a man and some strange -wild animal resembling the panther.</p> - -<p>Certainly a more life like and hideous monstrosity they had never -beheld before. They gazed upon it in wonderment.</p> - -<p>“Have you ever seen its equal?” asked Tony in amazement.</p> - -<p>“Never!”</p> - -<p>“What is it intended to represent?”</p> - -<p>“Like the statues of Bacchus and the Centaurs found in ancient -Greece, it is a creation of mythical sort.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you’re right. Hello! What is this? Another trapdoor?”</p> - -<p>Tony paused before a heavy iron ring set in the tiled floor.</p> - -<p>“Don’t trouble it,” said Frank. “It may let us down into another -underground lake.”</p> - -<p>“Do you believe it?”</p> - -<p>“I should fear it.”</p> - -<p>But Tony could not resist the temptation to insert his fingers in -the ring and give the stone a lift. It was a reckless thing to do.</p> - -<p>The result was startling.</p> - -<p>The stone yielded, and the next moment Buckden lifted it from -its bed, disclosing a cavity beneath some four feet long by two wide.</p> - -<p>Stone steps were revealed leading downward. For a moment the -two explorers looked at each other.</p> - -<p>“What will we do?” asked Buckden.</p> - -<p>“Investigate,” said Frank, tersely.</p> - -<p>“But it is dark down there.”</p> - -<p>“That doesn’t matter,” said the young inventor, coolly. “We -will regulate that.”</p> - -<p>Then, from his pocket, Frank produced a small folding pocket -lantern, an invention of his own.</p> - -<p>He lit this and boldly ventured down into the place.</p> - -<p>He went down a dozen steps, and then a wonderful sight was -spread before him.</p> - -<p>A large chamber, about fifteen feet in length by ten in breadth, -hewn out of solid rock, was revealed.</p> - -<p>The walls were adorned with shelves, and about the stone floor -were chests of metal.</p> - -<p>These chests contained coins and silver and gold cups, flagons, -pots and all sorts of ware, thrown about promiscuously and in heaps.</p> - -<p>For a moment the two explorers, astounded, gazed at the scene before -them.</p> - -<p>Both were so dumbfounded that they could not speak.</p> - -<p>One thing was apparent to them, and it brought the blood in -surges to their temples.</p> - -<p>The treasure of Mazendla was found.</p> - -<p>It would be quite impossible to enumerate its mighty value.</p> - -<p>But it would seem that it must be up in the millions. For how -many centuries it had remained here it would be quite hard to say.</p> - -<p>“Heavens!” gasped Frank. “Here is enough to enrich us many -times, Tony.”</p> - -<p>“I should say so.”</p> - -<p>“It is the wealth of a king.”</p> - -<p>“To be sure.”</p> - -<p>“But what great good can it do us? We have got enough.”</p> - -<p>“That is so.”</p> - -<p>The two explorers proceeded to make an examination of the contents -of the treasure room.</p> - -<p>Among all the gold and silver Frank looked for diamonds.</p> - -<p>But these seemed scarce.</p> - -<p>However, he did find a few in a small silver casket. These he secured, -and, with Tony, took several bags of the coins and some of -the quaint silverware.</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Tony, speculatively, “what shall we do with all this -stuff, Frank? It is too bad to leave it here.”</p> - -<p>“I have an idea.”</p> - -<p>“What?”</p> - -<p>“Let us take it to New York, convert it into greenbacks and disperse -it in charities.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” cried Tony, readily, “that is a fine idea.”</p> - -<p>They now ascended to the main room of the temple.</p> - -<p>For the first time Frank thought of Barney and Pomp.</p> - -<p>The two servitors had wandered off in some other part of the temple -and were not in sight.</p> - -<p>Frank shouted for them, but no answer came back.</p> - -<p>This seemed a little strange to the young inventor, and he began -to fear that some harm had come to the two men.</p> - -<p>“That is queer!” he muttered. “Why don’t they answer?”</p> - -<p>Again Frank shouted. This time an answer came back, but it -seemed a mile away.</p> - -<p>Frank was not a little vexed.</p> - -<p>“Confound the rascals!” he muttered. “Where have they gone -to?”</p> - -<p>“We had better go in quest of them,” suggested Tony. “Harm -may have overtaken them.”</p> - -<p>“You are right!”</p> - -<p>They were about to follow up this plan when a startling thing occurred.</p> - -<p>Suddenly from the distance beyond the temple doors there came -a thrilling and yet familiar sound.</p> - -<p>It was a prolonged shriek, a distant note from the ear-splitting -whistle of the Steam Man.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.<br /> - - -<small>WHICH IS THE END.</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Frank Reade, Jr., gave a great cry of surprise and joy.</p> - -<p>“They have found the Man,” he cried. “We are in luck.”</p> - -<p>“No,” said Tony, putting a hand on Frank’s arm. “You are -wrong. That is not so. Listen!”</p> - -<p>The shrill whistle of the Steam Man was still going.</p> - -<p>“I have it,” said Buckden, positively. “In some manner the -whistle valve has opened, and it will continue to blow until steam -is all blowed off!”</p> - -<p>“Right!” cried Frank, excitedly; “why didn’t I think of that. -Let us go at once in quest of the machine.”</p> - -<p>The two men started at once out of the temple.</p> - -<p>But as they reached the paved street below Tony hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Wait,” he said.</p> - -<p>“What for?” asked Frank.</p> - -<p>“What about Barney and Pomp?”</p> - -<p>Here was a conundrum.</p> - -<p>There was little time in which to decide. But Frank decided -quickly.</p> - -<p>“Enough!” he cried; “they must take care of themselves. They -are abundantly able. Our life all depends upon recovering the -Steam Man.”</p> - -<p>“You are right!” cried Buckden.</p> - -<p>So away the two men sped.</p> - -<p>It was easy enough to locate the Man now, as the whistle was an -infallible guide.</p> - -<p>Straight across the plaza they ran, and turned into a broad -avenue. Here, on the verge of a clump of palms, they beheld a -thrilling sight.</p> - -<p>There was the Steam Man standing motionless on the edge of the -palm clump.</p> - -<p>The huge anaconda was yet writhing in the cage. Frank guessed -the meaning of all at once.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man had been saved by a lucky chance.</p> - -<p>The snake, in its writhings, had not only closed the throttle by -twisting the rein about its body, but had also pulled open the whistle -valve in the same manner.</p> - -<p>The two explorers came to a halt at first, and regarded the spectacle -with much wonder.</p> - -<p>Then Frank cried:</p> - -<p>“Hurrah! We’ve got the best of it. We can easily end the fight -now.”</p> - -<p>Straight up to the cage Frank ran. It was an easy matter to -climb up and draw aim at the anaconda’s head through the loophole.</p> - -<p>Crack!</p> - -<p>The shot pierced the snake’s brain.</p> - -<p>The head dropped lifeless, but the huge body continued to writhe -in the throes of death.</p> - -<p>Frank swung the door of the cage open.</p> - -<p>“Come, Tony!” he cried, cheerily. “Let’s pull the monster out, -and we will then have the Steam Man once more in our possession.” -Buckden needed no urging.</p> - -<p>Both laid hold of the snake’s huge coils. It was a hard tug, but -the huge monster was finally pulled out of the cage.</p> - -<p>Then the two men sprang in and proceeded to put things to rights.</p> - -<p>The snake had done no material damage, but the odor of its presence -in the cage was something frightful.</p> - -<p>However, Frank quickly dispelled this with a chemical, and then -the Man’s course was set for a return to the treasure temple.</p> - -<p>No obstacle was encountered upon the return.</p> - -<p>Soon the Steam Man came in sight of the temple.</p> - -<p>As it did so, Barney and Pomp were seen rushing down the steps.</p> - -<p>Their joy to discover that the Steam Man had been safely recovered -knew no bounds.</p> - -<p>“I tell yo’, Marse Frank, dat dar am big piles ob gold an’ silver in -dat ar temple,” cried Pomp.</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, that’s so!” cried Barney. “An’ I cud hardly get the -naygur to come away from it.”</p> - -<p>“Where did you rascals go?” asked Frank, sharply.</p> - -<p>“Way up in de top ob de temple,” replied Pomp.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t you hear me when I called?”</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, we did that, an’ it was mesilf as answered yez,” replied -Barney. “But I couldn’t get the naygur to come away.”</p> - -<p>“Did you hear the whistle of the Steam Man?”</p> - -<p>“I did that, an’ that brought us down quick enough,” replied -Barney.</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Frank, with satisfaction, “we are in luck. Now -for home.”</p> - -<p>“Ki dar, Marse Frank. What about dat gold an’ silver?” cried -Pomp.</p> - -<p>Frank looked at Buckden.</p> - -<p>“Is it worth while to return for it?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I think so,” replied the New Yorker.</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>Barney and Pomp eagerly started for the steps of the temple, but -a startling sight caused them to draw back.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, from what seemed like a deep archway leading into -black depths beyond at the lower end of the temple wall, a large -anaconda glided into view.</p> - -<p>It was a monster of its species.</p> - -<p>“Back into the cage,” shouted Barney and Pomp.</p> - -<p>The two servitors had barely time to accomplish this move when -the snake glided swift as the wind up over the temple steps.</p> - -<p>“Look—look!” cried Buckden.</p> - -<p>An astounding sight was next witnessed. Out from the archway -there emerged more of the huge reptiles.</p> - -<p>Some of them were monstrous in proportions.</p> - -<p>The archway was literally choked with them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span></p> - -<p>All seemed to be making for the temple. Truly, the wonderful -tale rendered by Metlo was true after all.</p> - -<p>There seemed legions of the snakes. They swarmed over the temple -wall and through all the passages.</p> - -<p>Dumfounded, our adventurers stood and watched them.</p> - -<p>“Great heavens!” gasped Frank Reade, Jr., “what a sight -that is!”</p> - -<p>“I never saw its equal!”</p> - -<p>“Golly! amn’t dem de bigges’ snakes we’se seed yit?”</p> - -<p>“Tare an’ ’ounds! av the divils get afther the Steam Man——”</p> - -<p>“Look out!”</p> - -<p>Several of the huge reptiles seemed making for the Steam Man. -Frank’s hand was on the throttle rein, and he was about to pull it, -when a terrible thing happened.</p> - -<p>There was a dull, distant rumbling like thunder.</p> - -<p>The air became suddenly still and oppressive. Instinctively -Frank knew at that moment what was coming.</p> - -<p>“The earthquake!” he shouted. “Steady, all! Look out for yourselves!”</p> - -<p>Frank gave the throttle rein a yank. The Steam Man ran instantly -to the center of the plaza and came to a halt.</p> - -<p>Then a mighty, sullen roar was heard, a terrific gust of wind -swept down the avenue, and the earthquake came.</p> - -<p>For a moment it seemed as if the Steam Man would be overturned.</p> - -<p>The ground rose and fell in billows.</p> - -<p>The air was filled with the thunder and crash of falling buildings.</p> - -<p>The temple of treasure, which was full of the anacondas, was literally -leveled to the dust.</p> - -<p>It remained a great, moldering heap of ruins. Dozens, perhaps -hundreds of the huge snakes were crushed in the ruins.</p> - -<p>The treasure of Mazendla was beyond the reach of our adventurers -now.</p> - -<p>In three minutes the entire disturbance was over.</p> - -<p>The city presented a vastly different aspect now.</p> - -<p>Many of the mammoth buildings were a heap of ruins. Trees were -uprooted, and a scene of havoc was upon every hand.</p> - -<p>“Golly fo’ goodness!” gasped the startled Pomp, as he pulled -himself together. “I kain’t say dat I’m stuck on yarthquakes, am -yo’ Marse Frank?”</p> - -<p>“No,” replied Frank, as he adjusted a sprained shoulder. “And -what is more, we will start this very moment for civilization, and -the land where earthquakes never happen.”</p> - -<p>“Good!” cried Tony Buckden. “I’m with you.”</p> - -<p>“Bejabers, I’m the same,” cried Barney.</p> - -<p>Not one gave thought to the deeply buried treasure of Mazendla -now.</p> - -<p>It proved in after days that their decision was a wise one.</p> - -<p>The silverware preserved by Frank and Tony, as well as coins, -turned out to be a weak alloy. The diamonds were the real treasure, -and Frank had secured them all.</p> - -<p>So the treasure of Mazendla yet remains unearthed. Certainly, it -was never thought worth while by our explorers to ever return for -it.</p> - -<p>It required some time to pick their way out of the ruined city.</p> - -<p>But they finally succeeded, and emerged upon the vast table-land -of Tanada once more.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man at a rapid rate of speed kept on the return route -to Campeachy.</p> - -<p>But the return trip was not devoid of incident.</p> - -<p>When two days out from Mazendla, the Steam Man came to a -vast morass between high mountains, and surrounded by tall reeds.</p> - -<p>The Steam Man on the way out had found little difficulty in skirting -this to the eastward.</p> - -<p>But rains had since fallen and the morass was a lake.</p> - -<p>Any attempt to go over the return route now must result in sinking -the Steam Man in great depths of mire.</p> - -<p>So a halt was called and a consultation held.</p> - -<p>There seemed to be no other way of surmounting this obstacle but -to camp and wait patiently for the water to subside.</p> - -<p>This meant a delay of several days, but it was a virtuous necessity, -as it was clearly impossible for the Steam Man to climb the -rough mountain sides.</p> - -<p>Accordingly camp was made.</p> - -<p>A good clump of palms was found and the fires in the furnace -were banked.</p> - -<p>It was entirely out of the question for four men to remain cooped -up three or four days in the cage of the Steam Man, inactive and -dull.</p> - -<p>The natural project was a hunting trip and this was at once decided -upon.</p> - -<p>What sort of game our explorers were in quest of it is not easy to -say. In fact, it might as well be said that their quest was as much -one of exploration as quest of game.</p> - -<p>They started early one morning and climbed the mountain side.</p> - -<p>This was rocky, but fortunately clear of brush or dense chaparral.</p> - -<p>Several rabbits were bagged and some birds of beautiful plumage. -Then just as they were upon the verge of the crater of an extinct -volcano, the stirring events of the day began.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Barney, who was skirting the edge of the crater, gave a -sharp cry, and as his companions turned, they were horrified to see -him suddenly disappear from sight.</p> - -<p>“Great heavens!” gasped Frank. “What has become of Barney?”</p> - -<p>All rushed to an opening in the ground through which the Celt -had disappeared.</p> - -<p>As they reached it, a terrific roar came up from below.</p> - -<p>It required but a glance for the explorers to perceive a horrible -state of affairs.</p> - -<p>Below, at a depth of some forty feet, was a cavern.</p> - -<p>The entrance seemed to be from the crater, and clinging vines -lined the passage down which Barney had fallen.</p> - -<p>A treacherous coating of moss had covered the hole, and the unsuspecting -Irishman had stepped full upon it, with the result we -have seen.</p> - -<p>In falling, Barney had clutched wildly at the vines, and now he -hung twenty feet from the bottom by a single vine, which swayed -and seemed likely to snap at any moment.</p> - -<p>Just below, upon the floor of the cavern, crouched two fierce -tigers.</p> - -<p>They roared and snarled savagely and made upward leaps to reach -the Celt.</p> - -<p>Barney was white with fear and clung desperately to the swinging -vine.</p> - -<p>“Help!” he shouted in terror. “Misther Frank, save me.”</p> - -<p>“Have courage, Barney!” cried Frank, resolutely. “Hang on and -I will do my best.”</p> - -<p>Barney did hang on with all his strength, and Frank cried, turning -to the others:</p> - -<p>“Draw a bead on the tigers. Be sure and make your shots tell.”</p> - -<p>The three rifles cracked, and one of the tigers turned over and lay -limp and lifeless upon the bottom of the cavern.</p> - -<p>The other was hit, but not badly wounded.</p> - -<p>The wound, however, had the effect of exciting the animal’s rage -and with a roar it vanished from sight for a moment.</p> - -<p>When it came into sight again it was seen coming up over the -edge of the crater to attack its human foes.</p> - -<p>Up over the rocks it came with mad leaps.</p> - -<p>“Look out!” cried Frank Reade, Jr.; “take good aim at the -beast.”</p> - -<p>The three explorers fired. Whether the bullets struck the beast -or not it was not easy to say.</p> - -<p>But the tiger came on with long bounds.</p> - -<p>Before the repeaters could be worked again the tiger was upon -them. He struck Pomp first and the darky went over like a -ten-pin.</p> - -<p>Buckden rushed to his rescue with clubbed rifle.</p> - -<p>But the tiger knocked the rifle from his hands and tumbled him -over in a heap.</p> - -<p>That moment would have been Tony’s last but for Frank, who -rushed forward and thrust the muzzle of his rifle close against the -hide of the beast.</p> - -<p>The bullet penetrated the tiger’s heart and he fell dead over Buckden’s -prostrate form.</p> - -<p>It was a narrow escape for all, for the tiger might have killed one -of them. Haste was made to relieve Barney from his irksome position.</p> - -<p>The exploration was continued, but no other such serious adventure -befell our friends.</p> - -<p>A few days later they were able to leave the morass behind them.</p> - -<p>Nothing worthy of note occurred during the remainder of the -trip.</p> - -<p>Campeachy was safely reached and there the party received an -ovation.</p> - -<p>Tony’s many friends were overjoyed to see him back alive.</p> - -<p>A few days later, however, saw them aboard a return steamer. -New Orleans was safely reached in due time.</p> - -<p>Here Mr. Buckden met the party and welcomed them home.</p> - -<p>He embraced Tony joyfully and at once made out a check to Frank -Reade, Jr., for the reward offered of $50,000.</p> - -<p>But Frank politely declined it, refusing to accept more than enough -to cover the actual expenses of the trip.</p> - -<p>Tony and his father returned to New York city. At last accounts -the young explorer had given up traveling and was engaged in the -banking business with his father.</p> - -<p>Frank Reade, Jr., Barney and Pomp returned to Readestown safely -with the new Steam Man.</p> - -<p>But their travels with the new Steam Man were not yet concluded -by any means, and a complete account of their thrilling experiences -in their next trip may be found in No. 4 of the <span class="smcap">Frank Reade -Library</span>, entitled:</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span></p> - -<p class="center">“<span class="smcap">Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Texas; or, Chasing the Train Robbers</span>.”</p> - - -<div class="hangsection"> - -<p>HOW TO COLLECT STAMPS AND COINS.—Containing valuable information -regarding the collecting and arranging of stamps and -coins. Handsomely illustrated. Price 10 cents. For sale by all -newsdealers in the United States and Canada, or sent free of postage -upon receipt of the price. Address Frank Tousey, publisher, -34 and 36 North Moore Street, New York. Box 2730.</p> - -<p>HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.—By Old King Brady, the world known -detective. In which he lays down some valuable and sensible rules -for beginners, and also relates some adventures and experiences of -well-known detectives. Price 10 cents. For sale by all newsdealers -in the United States and Canada, or sent to your address, post-paid, -on receipt of the price. Address Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 and 36 -North Moore Street, New York. Box 2730.</p> - -<p>HOW TO KEEP BIRDS.—Handsomely illustrated, and containing full -instructions for the management and training of the canary, mocking-bird, -bobolink, blackbird, paroquet, parrot, etc., etc. Price 10 -cents. For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, post-paid, on receipt of -the price. Address Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 and 36 North Moore -Street, New York. P. O. Box 2730.</p> - -<p>HOW TO BECOME A SPEAKER.—Containing fourteen illustrations, -giving the different positions requisite to become a good speaker, -reader and elocutionist. Also containing gems from all the popular -authors of prose and poetry, arranged in the most simple and concise -manner possible. For sale by all newsdealers in the United States -and Canada, or sent to your address, postage free, on receipt of ten -cents. Address Frank Tousey, publisher, 34 and 36 North Moore -Street, New York. Box 2730.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span></p> - -<h2><a id="NONAMES_Latest_and_Best_Stories"></a>“NONAME’S” Latest and Best Stories</h2> - -<p class="center">—— <small>ABOUT</small>——-</p> - -<p class="center"><big>Frank Reade and Frank Reade, Jr.,</big><br /> - -<small>ARE PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN</small><br /> - -<big>FRANK READE LIBRARY.</big></p> -<hr class="small" /> -<p class="center">Price 5 Cents Per Copy.</p> -<hr class="small" /> -<p class="center"><small>The Following Have Already Been Published:</small></p> - - -<table class="standard" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">No. 1. Frank Reade, Jr., and His New Steam Man; or, The -Young Inventor’s Trip to the Far West,</td> -<td class="tdr">By “Noname.”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">” 2. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in No Man’s Land; or, - On a Mysterious Trail,</td> -<td class="tdr">By “Noname.”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">” 3. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Central America,</td> -<td class="tdr">By “Noname.”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">” 4. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Texas; or, Chasing the Train Robbers,</td> -<td class="tdr">By “Noname.”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">” 5. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man in Mexico; or, Hot Work Among the -Greasers,</td> -<td class="tdr">By “Noname.”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">” 6. Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Man Chasing a Gang of “Rustlers;” or, Wild -Adventures in Montana,</td> -<td class="tdr">By “Noname.”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">” 7. Frank Reade, Jr., and His New Steam Horse; or, The Search for a Million Dollars. A -Story of Wild Life in Mexico,</td> -<td class="tdr">By “Noname.”</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="center"><big>If You Want to Have a Good Laugh,</big><br /> - -<small>BUY A COPY OF</small><br /> - -<big>The 5 Cent Comic Library.</big></p> - -<p class="center">ISSUED EVERY SATURDAY.</p> - -<p><small>The Following VERY FUNNY Stories Have Already Been Published:</small></p> - - -<table class="standard" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">No. 1. Two Dandies of New York; or, The Funny Side of Everything,</td> -<td class="tdr">By Tom Teaser</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">” 2. Cheeky Jim, the Boy From Chicago; or, Nothing too Good for Him,</td> -<td class="tdr">By Sam Smiley</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">” 3. Gymnastic Joe; or, Not a Bit Like His Uncle,</td> -<td class="tdr">By Tom Teaser</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">” 4. Shorty; or, Kicked into Good Luck,</td> -<td class="tdr">By Peter Pad</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p class="center small">For sale by all newsdealers in the United States and Canada, or sent to your address, post-paid, on receipt of price. Address</p> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<p class="center small"> -Box 2730. FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 34 & 36 North Moore Street, New York.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANK READE, JR., WITH HIS NEW STEAM MAN IN CENTRAL AMERICA ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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