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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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