第5章

CHAPTERXVI。

CANITBETRUE？

Thatannouncementcamewithalltheforceofaboltfromtheblue，andeventheprofessordroppedhisglasseswithagaspofamazement，whileBrunowouldhaveleapedtohisfeet，onlyforthehastygrabwhichhisbrothermadeatthetailofhiscoat。

"White——where？Surelyitcannotbethat——Edgecombe——"

"Augh，takeatumble，boy！"ejaculatedWaldo，givingajerkthatrenderedcompliancenearlyliteral，thoughscarcelyfullofgrace。"Wanttohavethewholegangmakeahowlingbreakthisway？Wantto——They’rewhiteallright，though！"

"Where？Whichdirection？Pointthemout，and——Ifailtoseeanythingwhichwouldbearoutyour——"

Theprofessorwassweepingyonderfieldwithhisglass，searchingfortheprimalcauseofthatlatestexcitement，butwithoutsuccess。Nosignofawhiteface，maleorfemale，rewardedhisefforts，andheturnedaninquiringgazeupontheyoungster。

Waldowaspeeringfrombeneaththeshadeofhishand，butnowdrewbackwithalongbreath，toslowlyshakehishead。

"They’vegonenow，butIdidseethem，andtheywerewhite，justaswhiteas——asanything！"

Brunofrownedabitatthatunsatisfactoryconclusion，buttheprofessorwasofmoreequabletemper，forawonder。Hesmilinglyshookhishead，whilegazingkindly，thenspoke：

"Imyselfmighthavemadethesameerror，Waldo，butyousurelywereinerror，foronce。"

"What！YoumeanIneversawthosewhitewomen，unclePhaeton？"

"No，no，Iamnotsoseriouslyfaultingyoureyesight，mydearboy，"cametheswiftassurance。"Buteventhebestofusareopentoerrors，andtherewereinoldentimesnotafewAztecswithfairskins；notexactlywhite，yetcomparativelyfairwhentheirracewasconsidered。And，nodoubt，Waldo，yousawjustsuchanotherabitago。"

Buttheyoungsterwasnotsoeasilyshakeninhisownopinion。

"Therewereacoupleof’em，notjustsuchanother，uncle。Andtheywerewhite，——purewhiteasevertheLordmadeawoman！

And——why，didn’tIseetheirhair，longandfloatingloose？Andwasn’tthatyellowas——asgold，orthesunshineitself？"

"Yellowhair？"

"Yes，indeedy！Yellowhair，whiteskins，——faces，anyway。

Blondes，thecoupleof’em；andtothatI’llmakemydavy！"

Andsotheyoungstermaintainedwithevenmorethanusualsturdiness，whenquestionedmoreclosely，pointingouttheveryspotuponwhichthestrangebeingswerestanding，thetopofalarge，tallbuilding，clearlyoneoftheseriesoftemples。

Invainthefield-glasswasfixeduponthatparticularpoint。

Thepartlyroofedazoteawaswhollydevoidofhumanlife，andthoughwatchwasmaintainedinthatdirectionformanyminutesthereafter，byoneorotheroftheair-voyagers，naughtwasseentoconfirmtheassertionmadebytheyoungerGillespie。

Forthemomentthatfactorfancydominatedallotherinterests，for，grantingthatWaldohadnotbeenmisledbyanaturallyfairIndianface，therewasroomforatrulystartlinginference。

"Coulditactuallybethey？"mutteredBruno，facepaleandeyesglitteringwithintenseinterest。"Couldtheyhaveescapedwithlifefromtheballoon，andbeenhereeversince？"

"Youmean——"

"ThewifeandchildofCooperEdgecombe，——yes！Whoelsecouldtheybe，unless——I’dgiveaprettypennyforonefairsquintatthem，rightnow！Iftherewasonlysomemethodof——Itwouldhardlydotoventuredownyonder，unclePhaeton？"

Theprofessorgaveasterngestureofdenial，frowningasthoughheanticipatedanactualbreakforyondertown，inspiteoftheoddsagainstthem。

"Thatwouldbemadness，Bruno！Worsethanmadness，byfar！Lookatyonderwarriors，allthoroughlyarmed，andeagertodrinkbloodasevertheywereincenturiesgoneby！Theyarehundreds，ifnotthousands，whilewearebutthree！Madness，myboy！"

"Four，withMr。Edgecombe，uncle。"

"Andthatmeansacompletehostsolongaswearebackedupbytheair-ship，"declaredWaldo，inhisturn。"Thosefellows！"

withasniffoftrueboyishscornforaughtthatwasnotfullyuptodate。"Whatcouldtheydo，ifweweretoopenfireonthemjustonce？"

"Proveourequals，manforman，armedastheyassuredlyare，"

justasvigorouslyaffirmedtheprofessor，inclinedrathertomagnifythandiminishtheimportanceofthese，hissorecentlydiscoveredpeople。"YouforgethowtheAztecansfoughtCortezandhismailedhosts。Yettheseareoneandidentical，sofarasvalourandtrainingandbloodcango。"

"Huh！Scaredofaruntyhorsesobadlythattheyprayedto’emastheydidtotheirowngods！"sniffedWaldo，betrayingaloreforwhichhedidnotordinarilyreceivefaircredit。"Why，unclePhaeton，letyoujustslamoneo’thosedynamiteshellsinsideachief——"

"Nay，Waldo，mustIrepeat，wearenothereforthepurposeofconquest，unlessbypurelyamicablemethods。Theremustbenofighting，fororagainst。Savagesthoughmostpeoplewouldbeinclinedtopronounceyonderrace，theyarehuman，withsoulsand——"

"ButIalwaysthoughttheywereheathens，unclePhaeton？"

Theprofessorsubsidedatthat，givingoverasworsethanuselesstheattempttoenlightentheirrepressibleyoungster，atleastforthetimebeing。

Silenceruledforsomelittletime，duringwhicheachoneofthetriokeptkeenwatchoverthevalley，thefield-glasschanginghandsatintervalsinordertoputalluponanequalfooting。

Onethingwasclearenoughuntoall：theIndianshadbeengreatlywroughtupbythebriefappearanceofsomequeerlyshapedmonsteroftheair，andwhileagoodlynumberoftheirbestwarriorshadhastenedoutofthevalleyandupthedifficultpasses，inhopesoflearningmore，stillotherswereastir，weaponsinhand，evidentlydeterminedtodefendtheirlivesortheirpropertyfromanyassault，shouldsuchbemade，whetherbyknownorforeignadversaries。

Thisbusystirandbustle，combinedwiththenovelarchitectureandsomanyvaryingpointsofinterest，wouldhavebeenamentalandvisualfeastforthetrioofair-voyagers，onlyforthatonedoubt：werewhitecaptivesactuallyinyondertemple？And，ifwhite，weretheythelong-lostrelativesoftheaeronaut，CooperEdgecombe？

QuitenaturallytheinterestdisplayedbytheIndianscentredinthequarteroftheheavenswherethatair-demonhadbeensighted，henceourfriendssawverylittlecauseforapprehensionontheirownparts。

Thustheyweregivenabetteropportunityforthinkingofandthendiscussingthenewmarvel。

AgaindidWaldovowthathiseyeshadnotbefooledhim。Againhepositivelyassertedthathehadseentwowhitewomen，wearingblondehairinloosewavesfaradowntheirbacks。AndonceagainBruno，inhalf-awedtones，wonderedwhetherornotheywerethemotherandchildborneawayuponthewingsofamightystorm，fifteenlongyearsgoneby。

"Itispossible，thoughscarcelycredible，"admittedunclePhaeton，ingravetones，ashewrinkledhisbrowsafterhispeculiarfashionwhenillateaseinhismind。"Edgecombelivedthroughjustsuchanotherexperience；though，tobesure，hewasamanofironconstitution，whiletheywerefarmoredelicate，asamatterofcourse。"

"Still，itmayhavehappenedso？"persistedBruno，takingastronginterestinthematter。"Youwouldnotcallittoofar-fetched，uncle？"

"No。Itmayhavehappened。Iwouldrathercallitmarvellous，yetstillpossible。Andifso——"

"Thereisbutasingleanswertothatsupposition，uncle；theymustberescuedfromcaptivity！"forciblydeclaredBruno。

"That’sright，"confirmedWaldo。"Ofcourseallwomenandgirls——Imeanotherpeople’skin——areatremendoussightofbotherandworry，andallthat；butwe’rewhite，andsoarethey。"

"Wemustrescuethem；there’snothingelsetodo，"againemphasisedtheelderGillespie。

"Thatisnodoubtthepropercaper，speakingfromyourboyishpointofview，mygenerous-heartednephews；but——justhow？"drylyqueriedtheprofessor。"Haveyouarrangedallthat，aswell，Bruno？"

"Yousurelywouldnotabandonthem，unclePhaeton？"askedtheyoungman，somethingabashedbythatveiledreproof。"Tosuchahorriblefate，too？"

"Afatewhichtheymusthaveenduredforfifteenyears，providedyourtheoryiscorrect，Bruno，"withafleetingsmile。"Don’tmistakeme，lads。Iamreadyandwillingtodoallthatamanofmypowersmay，providedIseejustandsufficientcausefortakingdecisiveaction。Thatisyetlacking。Wearenotcertainthattherearewhitewomenyonder。Or，ifwhitewomen，thattheyarecaptives。Or，ifcaptives，thattheywouldthankusforaidingthemtoescape。"

"Why，unclePhaeton！ThinkofMr。Edgecombe，andhow——"

"Iamthinkingofhim，andIwishtothinkyetalittlelonger，"

quietlyspoketheprofessor。"keepalookout，lads，andifyouseeaughtofWaldo’sfairwomen，praynotifyme。"

Forthebetterpartofanhourcomparativesilencereigned，theboysfeastingeyesuponyonderspectacle，theiruncledeeplyinreverie；butthenherousedup，hisfinaldecisionarrivedat。

"Iwilldoit！"werehisfirstwords。"Yes，Iwilldoit！"

"Dowhat，unclePhaeton？"askedWaldo，withpoorlysuppressedeagerness，asheturnedtowardshisrelative。

"GoafterCooperEdgecombe，——bringinghimhereinorderthathemay，soonerorlater，solvethisperplexingenigma。Come，boys，wemayaswellstartbacktowardstheaerostat。"

Butbothyoungstersobjectedinadecidedmanner，Waldosaying：

"No，no，unclePhaeton！Whyshouldwegoalong？You’llbecomingrightback，andwillbelesscrowdedintheshipifwedon’tgo。"

"Andwecanbetterwaitrighthere；don’tyousee，uncle？"

"TokeeptheLostCitysafelyfound，don’tyouknow？Whatifitshouldtakeasuddennotiontoloseitselfagain？"addedWaldo，innocently。

CHAPTERXVII。

ANENIGMAFORTHEBROTHERS。

Inplaceoftheindulgentsmileforwhichhewasplaying，Waldoreceivedafrown，anddirectlythereaftertheprofessorspokeintoneswhichcouldbynopossibilitybemistaken。

"Comewithme，bothofyou。Iamgoingbacktotheaerostat，andIdarenotleaveyouboysbehind。Come！"

KindofheartandgenerallycomplaisantthoughunclePhaetonwas，neitherBrunonorWaldocaredtocrosshiswillwhenmadeknowninsuchtones，andwithoutfurtherremonstrancetheyfollowedhislead，slippingawayfromthesnuglittleobservatorywithoutdrawingattentiontothemselvesfromanyofyonderbusyhorde。

Notuntilthetriowasfairlywithinthegulchdidtheprofessorspeakagain，andthenbutabriefsentenceortwo。

"Givemetimetoweighthematter，lads。PossiblyImayagree，butdon’ttrytohurrymycoolerjudgment，please。"

Waldogavehisbrotheraneagernudgeatthis，gesturesandgrimacesbeingmadetosupplythelackofwords。Butwhen，thebettertoexpresshisconfidencethatallwascomingtheirway，theyoungsterattemptedacaperofdelight，hisfootslippedfromaleaf-hiddenstone，andhetookanawkwardtumbleatfulllength。

"Nevertouchedme！"hecried，scramblingtohisfeetereahandcouldcometohisaid。"WhosaysIdon’tknowhowtostandonbothendsatthesametime？"

Barringthislittlecaper，naughttookplaceontheirwaytotheair-ship；andoncethere，theprofessorheavedamightysigh，wipinghisheatedfaceasonemightwhohasjustwonaworthyrace。Buthebetrayednoespecialhasteinsettingtheflying-machineafloatandWaldofinallyventured：

"Canwehelpyouoff，unclePhaeton？"

Buthewasassuredthereexistednonecessityforsuchgreathaste。

"Infact，itmightbedangeroustostartwhilesomanyoftheAztecsareuponthelookout，"cametheunexpectedaddition。"I

believeitwouldbevastlybetternottoleavehereuntilshortlybeforedawn，to-morrow。"

Ittookbutafewwordsfurthertoconvincethebrothersthatthisideawaswisest，andwhiletheyoungfellowsfeltsorrytohavetheirviewcutsoshort，neitherventuredtoactuallyrebel。

Afterall，thedaywaswell-nighspent，and，besidespreparingtheireveningmeal，itwasessentialthattheirplansfortheimmediatefutureshouldbeshapedasthoroughlyaspossible。

ProfessorFeatherwithadresolvedtofetchCooperEdgecombetothesceneofinterest，inordertogivehimatleastafairchancetosolvetheenigmawhichwasperplexingthemall。Evenso，hefeltthatnosmalldegreeofphysicaldangerwouldattendthatpresence，particularlyifitshouldreallyprove，astheycouldbutsuspect，thatbothwifeanddaughteroftheinvoluntaryexilewereyonder，amongtheAztecans。

Muchofthistheprofessormadeknowntohisnephewsduringthatevening，thetriothoroughlydiscussingthematterinallitsbearings，butbeforetheair-shipwaspreparedforthenight’srest，unclePhaetonmadetheyoungstershappybyconsentingtotheirremainingbehindasguardianstotheLostCity，whilehewentinquestoftheballoonist。

"Butbeareverinmindtheconditions，lads，"washisearnestconclusion。"Iplaceyouuponyourhonourtotakeallpossibleprecautionsagainstbeingdiscovered，orevenrunningtheleastunnecessaryriskduringmyabsence。"

"Don’tletthatbotheryou，unclePhaeton，"Waldohastenedtogiveassurance。"We’llbewiseaspigeons，andcautiousasanyoldsnakeyouevercaughtupatree；eh，Bruno，oldman？"

"Wepromiseallyouask，uncle，butdoesthatmeanwemuststayrighthere，withoutevenstealingaweentypeepattheLostCity？"

ProfessorFeatherwitfeltsorelytemptedtosayyes，butthen，knowingboyishnature（althoughBrunohadjustpassedhismajority，whileWaldowas"turnedseventeen"）sowell，hefearedtodrawthereinstootightlylesttheygivewayentirely。

"No；Idonotexpectquitethatmuch，mylads；butIdocountonyourtakingnounnecessaryrisks，andincaseofdiscoverythatyourathertrusttoflight，andmyfindingyoulateron，thantoactuallyfighting。"

Soitwasdecided，andatafairlyearlyhourthetriolaydowntosleep。Althoughsounusuallyexcitedbythemarvellousdiscoveriesofthedayjustspent，theiropen-airlifetendedtocalmtheirbrains，and，farsoonerthanmighthavebeenexpected，sleepcreptoverthem，oneandall，lastinguntilnearlydawn。

Perhapsitwasjustaswellthatthewakeningwasnotmoreearly，fortheprofessorwasbeginningtoregrethisweaknessofthepastevening，andhadtherebeenmoretimefordrawinglugubriouspicturesofprobablemishaps，hemightevenyethaveinsistedontakingtheyoungsterswithhim。

KnowingthatitwasrathermorethanprobablesomeoftheIndianswouldbestationeduponthehillstowatchforthequeerlyshapedair-demon，theprofessorfeltobligedtolosenofurthertime，andsotheseparationwaseffected，justastheeasternskywasbeginningtoshowstreaksandveinsofanewday。

"Touchandgo！"criedWaldo，withavastinhalationashewatchedtheaeromotorsailawaywiththeswiftnessofabirdonwing。

"AndforaweentybitIreckoned’twasyouandmeaspartofthego，too！"

Incompanytheladsenjoyedamoreleisurelymealthantheirrelativehaddaredwaitfor，knowingthat，attheveryleast，theywouldhavethewholeofthatdaytothemselves，sofarasunclePhaetonwasconcerned。Asamatterofcourse，hewouldnotattempttoreturnexceptundercoverofnight，orintheearlydawnofanotherday。

Allthathadbeenthoroughlydiscussedandprovidedfortheeveningbefore，andwasbarelytoucheduponbythebrothersnow。

TheirfirstandmostnaturalthoughtwasofyonderLostCity，withitsinhabitants，red，white，andyellow，asWaldoputit；

butbeingstillundertheforebodingfearsoftheprofessor，theyfinallyagreedtoremainwhereheleftthemuntilafterthesuncrosseditsmeridian。

Itwasaratherearlymealwhichthebrothersprepared，ifthewholetruthmustbetold；andthelastfragmentswereboltedratherthanchewed，feetkeepingtimewithjaws，astheyhastenedtowardstheobservatory。

Therewasprettymuchthesamesortofviewasonthedaybefore，themaindifferencebeingthatmanyoftheIndianswerelabouringinthefields，insteadofwatchingfortheair-demon。

Usingtheglassbyturns，theladskepteagerwatchforthewhitewomenwhomWaldostubbornlypersistedwerewithinthetown；buthourafterhourpassedwithoutthedesiredreward，andBrunobegantodoubtwhethertherewasanysuchvisiontobewon。

"Thesunwasinyoureyes，andyouletmadfancyrunawaywithyourbetterjudgment，boy，"hedecided，atlength。"Ifnot，why——whatnow？"

ForWaldogavealow，eagerexclamation，grippingthefield-glassasthoughhewouldcrushinthereinforcedleathercase。Afewmomentsthus，thenhelaughedinalmostfierceglee，thrustingtheglasstowardshisbrother，speakingexcitedly：

"Acrazyfoollunatic，amI？Well，now，youjusttakeasquintattheoldhouseforyourselfandseeif——bitingyou，now，isit？"

ForBrunoshowedevenmoreintenseinterestashecaughttherightline，theretakingnoteof——yes，theysurelywerewhitewomen！Faces，hair，allwenttoproclaimthatfact。Andmorethanthat，even。

"Fair——lovelyasapainter’sdream！"almostpainfullybreathedtheelderGillespie。"Ineversawsuchalovely——"

"Injunsquaw，ofcourse。Coupleof’em。Nobodybutafoolwouldeverthinkdifferent。Theideaoffindingwhitewomen——"

"Theyareladies，Waldo！Ineversawsuch——andIfeelthattheymustbetheoneslostbypoorEdgecombewhenthatstorm——"

"That’sallrightenough，oldfellow，"interruptedWaldo，claimingtheglassoncemore。"Noneedofyourplayingtheporkeronlegs，though，asIsee。Giveanotherfellowachancetosquint。Butaren’ttheyregularjo-dandies，though，forafact？"

Thetwowomeninquestion，cladinflowingrobesofwhite，lituphereandtherebyadashofcolour，wereslowlypacingtoandfrouponthetemplewherefirstdiscoveredbythekeen-eyedyoungster。Thankstotheexcellentglass，itwaspossibletoviewthemclearlyinspiteofthedistance，andtherecouldbenodisputeuponthatonepoint：bothmotheranddaughter（grantingthatsuchwastheirrelationship）weremorethanordinarilyfairandcomelyofbothfaceandperson。

Forthebetterpartofanhourthatslowpromenadelasted，anduntilthewomenfinallypassedbeyondtheirrangeofvision，thebrotherstookeagerandcopiousnotes。Then，inspiteofthefactthatscoresofotherfiguresstillcamewithintheirfieldofvision，curiositylagged。

"It’slikewatchingastreetmedicineshow，afterhearingPattiorseeingIrving，"mutteredBruno，drawingbackandstretchinghisweariedlimbsbeyondpossiblediscovery。

"OrtheABCclassplayingtwo-old-cat，afteraleaguegameofextrainnings；rightyouare，myhearty！"coincidedWaldo，feelingprettymuchthesameway，"onlywithadifference。"

Shortlyafterthis，Brunosuggestedaretreattotherendezvous，andforawonderhisbrotheragreedwithoutamendment。

Thebrotherspasseddowntothegulch，whichformedtheeasiestroutetotheirrefuge，sayingverylittle，andthatinloweredtones。Theconfirmationsorecentlywonservedtostirtheirheartsdeeply，andneitherboycouldasyetseeawayoutofthelabyrinththatdiscoverymostassuredlyopenedupbeforethem。

"Ofcoursewecan’tleavethemtheretodragonsuchawretchedexistence，"declaredBruno。"Wecouldn’tdothat，eventhoughwelearnedtheyheldnorelationshiptoMr。Edgecombe。But——how？"

"Ireckonit’s——what？"abruptlyspokeWaldo，grippinganarmandstoppingshortforafewseconds，butthenimpulsivelyspringingonwardagainaswildsoundsarosefromnogreatdistance。

Ascoreofsecondslatertheycaughtsightofahugegrizzlybearintheactoffallinguponaslenderstripling，whosebronzehueassurelyproclaimedoneoftheAztecchildrenfromyonderLostCity。

Whatwastobedone？Disobeytheiruncle，orleavethisladtoperish？

CHAPTERXVIII。

SOMETHINGLIKEAWHITEELEPHANT。

Onlyalad，slight-limbedandslenderlyframedtotheeye，yetforallthatgiftedwithagallantheart，elsehesurelymusthavebeencowedtoterrorbythehugebulkofsuchadireadversaryatclosequarters。

Insteadoftryingtofindsafetyinheadlongflight，theIndianstoodatbay，withbothhandsfirmlygrippingtheshaftofhiscopper-bladedspear，atfartooclosequartersforemployingbowandarrows，whilethecopperknifeinhissashwasheldinreserveforstillcloserwork。

Snarling，growling，displayingitsgreatteethwhileclumsilywavingenormouspawswhichboretalonsofmorethanafinger-length，thebearwasbalanceduponitshindquarters，evidentlyjustreadytolurchforwardwithstrikingpawsandgnashingteeth。

Itsenormousweightwouldprovemorethansufficienttoendthecontestereitfairlybegan，whileaslightstrokefromthosetalonedpawswouldbothslayandmutilate。

NoonewasbetterawareofallthisthantheIndianladhimself，yethetooktheinitiative，swiftlydartinghisspearforward，lendingtoitskeenpointallthepowerofbotharmsandbody。A

suicidalactitcertainlyappeared，yetonewhichcouldscarcelymakehispositionmoreperilous。

Anawfulroarburstfrombruinashefeltthatthrust，thebladesinkingdeepandbitingshrewdly；butthenheplungedforward，strikingsavagelyashedropped。

TheIndianstrovetoleapbackwardaninstantafterdeliveringhisstroke，butstillclungtothespear-shaft。Thishamperedhisactiontoacertaindegree，yetinallprobabilitythatstoutashenshaftpreservedhislife，whichthatwoundwouldotherwisehaveforfeited。

Thestrokebutbrushedashoulder，nordidaclawtakefaireffect，yetthestriplingwasfelledtoearthasthoughsmittenbyathunderbolt。

Allthisbeforethebrotherscouldsolvetheenigmathusofferedthemsounexpectedly；butthatfall，andtheawfulragedisplayedbythewoundedgrizzlyashebrieflyrearederecttogrindasunderthespearshaft，decidedthewhitelads，and，temporarilyforgettinghowdangerouslynighwereyonderAztecanhosts，bothBrunoandWaldoopenedfirewiththeirWinchesterrifles，sendingshotaftershotinswiftsuccessionintothebulkybrute，fairlybeatinghimbackwardundertheirstormoflead。

Victorycamerightspeedily，butitsfinalewasthrilling，ifnotfatal，thehugebeasttopplingforwardtodropheavilyupontheyoungsavage，justashewasrecoveringsufficientlyfromshockandsurprisetobeginastruggleforhisfooting。

Firinganothercoupleofshotswhilerifle-muzzlealmosttouchedanear，thebrothersquicklyturnedattentiontowardsthefallenIndian，morethanhalfbelievinghimacorpse，crushedoutofshapeupontheunderlyingrocksbythatenormouscarcass。

Fortunatelyforallconcerned，theyoungAztecwaslyinginanaturaldepressionbetweentwofirmrocks，andwhilehisextricationprovedtobeamatterofbothtimeanddifficulty，sayingnothingofmainstrength，successfinallyrewardedtheeffortsofouryoungSamaritans。

Thegrizzlywasstone-dead。TheIndianseemedbutatriflebetter，thoughthatcamethroughcompressionratherthananyactualwoundsfromtoothortalon。Andthebrothersthemselveswerefairlydismayed。

Notuntilthatrescuewasfinallyaccomplisheddideitherladgivethoughttowhatmightfollow；butnowtheydrewbackabit，interchanginglooksofpuzzleddoubtandworry。

"Rightinit，uptoournecks，oldman！Andwecan’tverywellkillthecritter，canwe？"

"Ofcoursenot；butitmaycauseussoretroubleif——"

JustthentheyoungAztecralliedsufficientlytomove，drawingastepnearerthebrothers，righthandcomingoutingreeting，whileleftpalmwaspressedcloseabovehisheart。And——stillgreatermarvel！

"Muchobliged——me，you，brother！"

Ifyonderbleedinggrizzlyhadrisenerectandmadejustsuchasalutationasthis，itcouldscarcelyhavecausedgreatersurprisetoeitherBrunoorWaldo，lookinguponthisbeing，astheyquitenaturallydid，inthelightofagenuine"heathen，"

henceincapableofspeakinganyknowntongue，muchlessthegloriousAmericanese。

True，therewasacertainoddaccent，acuriousdwellinguponeachsyllable，butthewordsthemselvesweredistinctlypronouncedandbeyondmisapprehension。

"Why，ItookyouforahowlingInjun！"fairlyexplodedWaldo，thensteppingforwardtoclasptheprofferedmember，givingitaregular"pump-handleshake"bywayofemphasis。"Andhereyouare，slingingthepureUnitedStatesaroundjustasthoughitdidn’tcostacent，andyouheldamortgageonthewholedictionary！Why，Ican’t——well，well，now！"

Foronceinawaytheglib-tonguedladwasatalossjustwhattosayandhowtosayit。For，afterall，thissurelywasaredskin，andtheprofessorhadexplicitlywarnedthemagainst——oh，dear！

Wasitalladizzydream？FortheAztecdrewback，speakingrapidlyinanunknowntongue，thensinkingtoearthlikeoneoverpoweredbysuddenphysicalweakness。

BrunoGillespie，too，wasrecallinghisuncle’searnestcautions，andnowtookpromptaction。HequicklysecuredtheweaponswhichhadbeenscatteredastheIndianfellbeforethegrizzly’spaw，thenthebrothersdrewalittleaparttoconsulttogether。

"What’llwedoaboutit？"whisperinglydemandedWaldo，keepingawaryeyeuponyonderredskin。"Youtell，forblamedifIknowhow！"

"Wedaren’tlethimgofree，elsehemightfetchthewholetribeuponourtrack，"saidBruno，inthesamelowtones，nowhitlesssorelyperplexedastotheirwisestcourse。

"No，andyetwecan’tverywellkillhim，either！Ifwehadn’tcomealongjustaswedid，orif——buthe’saman，afterall！WhocouldstandbyandseethatuglybrutemakeamealoffevenanInjun？"

Brunocastanuneasylookaround，atthesametimedeftlyrefillingthepartlyexhaustedmagazineofhisWinchester。

"Loadup，Waldo。Burningpowderreachesmightyfar，evenhereinthehills；andwhoknows，——thewholetribemaycomehelter-skelterthisway，toseewhathasbrokenloose！Andwecan’tfight’emall！"

"Notunlesswejusthaveto，"agreedtheyoungerGillespie，placingafewshellswheretheywouldbehandiestincaseofanotheremergency。"Butwhat’stheuseofrunning，ifwe’retoleavethisfellowbehindtoblazeourtrail？Ifheisourenemy——"

"Noen’my；Ixtlifriend，——heart-brother，"eagerlyvowedtheyoungAztec，onceagainstartlingtheladsbyhisstrangecommandofaforeigntongue。

Herosetohisfeet，thoughplainlysufferinginsomeslightdegreefromthatbriefcollisionwiththehugebeast，andsmilingfranklyintofirstoneface，thentheother，tookBruno’shand，toucheditwithhislips，thenbowedhisheadandplacedthewhiterpalmuponhisnowuncoveredcrown。

InlikemannerhesalutedWaldo，afterwhichhedrewbackabit，stillsmilinggenially，toadd，inslowlyspokenwords：

"YousaveIxtli。Bearkill——no；youkill——yes！Ixtliglad。SunChildrengreat——bigheartfulloflove。So——Ixtlineverdohurt，neverdowrong；dieforwhitebrother——so！"

Morethroughgesticulationthanbyspeech，theyoungIndianbravemadehissentimentsclearlyunderstood，andiftheycouldhaveplacedfulldependenceinthatpledge，thebrotherswouldhavefeltvastlyrelievedinmind。

Buttheyonlytooclearlyrecallednumerousinstancesofcunningill-faith，and，indespiteofall，theycouldnotwellavoidthinkingthatthiswasreallysomethinglikeawhiteelephantthrownupontheirhands。

"Allright。Playweswallowitall，butkeepyourbesteyepeeled，oldman，"guardedlywhisperedWaldo。"Fetchhimalong，yesorno，foritmaybegrowingworsethandangerousrighthere，aftersomuchshooting。"

"Youmeanforusto——"

"Takethefellowalong，andkeephimwithus，untilunclePhaetoncomesbacktofinallydecideuponhiscase，"promptlyexplainedWaldo。"Ofcourseweoughtto’velethimdie；ought，butdidn’t！

Wecouldn’tthen，wouldn’tnow，ifitwasalltodoover。Sowatchhimsocloselythathecan’tplaytricksevenifhewishes。"

Therewasnothingbettertopropose，andthoughthejobpromisedtobeanawkwardonetomanage，Ixtlihimselfrendereditmoreeasy。

Pastalldoubthecouldunderstand，aswellasspeak，theEnglishlanguage，forhetookastepinevidentsubmission，speakinggently：

"Ixtliready；heart-brothersaywherego，now。"

Againthebrothersfeltstartledbythatquaintlycorrectaccent，andalmostinvoluntarilyBrunospokeinturn：

"YoucantalkEnglish？Whendidyoulearn？Andfromwhom？"

AstillbrightersmileirradiatedtheAztec’sface，andturninghiseyestowardsthesecludedvalley，hebowedhisheadasthoughindeepreverence，thensoftly，lovingly，almostadoringly，responded：

"SHEtellmehow。Victo，——Glady，too。Ixtliknowlittle，notmuch；hisheartfeelbigforSunChildren，alltime。SoYOU，too，forkillbear，——likedat！"

Brunoturnedabitpalerthanusual，catchinghisbreathsharply，asherepeatedthosenames：

"Victo，——Glady，——Wasn’titbythosenames，Victoria，Gladys，thatMr。Edgecombecalledhislostones，Waldo？"

"Ican’tremember；butgetamoveon，oldman。Thesoonerwe’rebackwhereunclePhaetonleftus，wherewecanseeabitmoreofwhatmaybecoming，thesafermypreciousscalpwillfeel。ThisInjun——"

"Noscalp，"quicklyinterposedtheAztec，withadeprecatorygesturetomatchhiswords。"YousaveIxtli。Ixtlisaynohurtwhitebrothers。Datso，——datsurefortruth！"

Onlypartiallysatisfiedbythisearnestdisclaimerofevilintentions，WaldogrippedanarmandhurriedtheAztecalong，leavingthebearwhereithadfallen，intentsolelyuponreachingacomparativelysafeoutlookereworsecouldfollowupontheheelsoftheirlatestadventure。

AndBrunobroughtuptherearasguard，eyesandrifleready。

CHAPTERXIX。

THECHILDRENOFTHESUNGOD。

Nodifficultywhateverwasexperiencedinreachingthatretreat，andmilderprisonerneverknewaguardthanIxtliprovedhimselftobe，silentlyyieldingtoeachimpulselenthisarmbyWaldo，smilingwhen，assometimeshappened，hewasbroughtmorenearlyfacetofacewiththatarmedrear-guard。

NorweretheGillespiebrothersworriedbysound，sign，ortokenofmoreserioustroublefromothersofthatstrangelysurvivingrace。Anditwasnotlongafterreachingtherendezvousfromwhichtheprofessorhadsailedintheearlydawn，thattheyoungstersagreedtheechoesoftheirWinchesterscouldnothavereachedtheearsoftheLostCityinhabitants。

"That’splentygoodluckforonesoup-bunch，"quothWaldo，yetaddingadubiousshakeoftheheadashegazedupontheirbronzedcompanion。"Andifitwasn’tforthisgentlemaninmasqueradecostume——"

"Ixtlifriend。Ixtlifeellikeheart-brother，"cameinlow，mellowaccentsfromthosesmilinglips。

Therecertainlywasnaughtofguileorofevilcrafttobereadineithereyesorvisage，justthen；butthebrotherscouldnotfeelentirelyatease，evenyet。Howmanytimeshadwarriorsofhiscolourplayedacunningpart，onlytoendallbyblowoftomahawk，thrustofknife，orboltfromthebendedbow？

AtabarelyperceptiblesignfromBruno，hisbrotherdrewapart，leavingtheir"whiteelephant"byhimself，yetnonethelessunderavigilantguard。

"Heseemsallright，inhisway，"mutteredtheelderGillespie，"buthowfaroughtwetotrusthim，afterwhatwepromisedunclePhaeton？"

"Notquiteasfaraswecanseehim，anyway。Still，afellowcan’tfindthestomachtobowlhimoverlikeahare，——withoutaweentybitofexcuse，atleast。"

"That’sit！Ifhe’dtrytobolt，orwouldevenjumpononeofus，itwouldcomefarmoreeasy。Lookathimsmile，now！AndI

hatetothinkofclappingsuchabright-seemingladinbonds！"

"Timeenoughforallthatwhenheshowsuscause，"quicklydecidedWaldo，withavigorousnodofhiscurlypow。"Pityifacoupleofuscan’tkeephimoutofmischiefwithoutgoingthatfar。AndwewanttopumpthekiddrybeforeunclePhaetongetsback；understand？"

Brunogaveaslightstartatthesewords，buthiseye-glowandface-flushborewitnessthattheideathussuggestedhadnotbeenunthoughtofinhisowncase。

"Thenyoureallythink——"

"Thatthere’smorewaysthanoneofskinningacat，"oracularlyobservedWaldo。"Withoutshowingittoomightyplainly，oneortheotherofuscanalwaysbereadyandpreparedtodumptheladdy-buck，incasehetriestocomeanyofhisdidoes。And，atthesametime，wecanbehugginguptohimjustassweetlyasthoughweknewhewasonthedeadlevel。Understand？"

Possiblytheprogrammemighthavebeenalittlemoreelegantlyexpressed，butWaldo，asarule，caredmoreforsubstancethanform，andhisspeechpossessedonemerit，thatofperspicuity。

Havingreachedthisfairunderstanding，thebrothersdroppedtheiraside，andmovednearertheyoungAztec。

Ixtligazedkeenlyintofirstoneface，thentheother，plainlyenoughendeavouringtoreadthetruthasmightbeexpressedtherein，asrelatedtohimself。Whathesawmusthaveprovedfairlysatisfactory，sincehegaveanotherbrightsmile，thenspokeinreallymusicaltones：

"Good，——brother，now！Thatmoregood，too！"

Inspiteofthesuspicions，whichseeminbornwherepeopleoftheredraceareconcerned，bothBrunoandWaldofeltmoreandmoredrawntowardsthisremarkablespecimenofastillmoreremarkabletribe；andnotmanymoreminuteshadspedbyeretheyoungercouplewerechattingtogetherinamicablefashion，althoughfindingsomelittledifficultyinIxtli’sratherlimitedvocabulary。

Notalittletohiselderbrother’simpatience，Waldoapparentlytookadeeperinterestintherecentadventurethaninthesubjectwhichclaimedhisownbusiestthoughts，buthehardlycaredtocrowdtheyoungster，lesthemakemattersevenworse。

Aidedbythesortoffreemasonrywhichnaturallyexistsbetweenladsofanadventurousnature，WaldoreadilysucceededinpickingupconsiderableinformationfromtheAztec，evenbeforebroachingthatall-importantmatter。

IxtliwastheonlysonofafamedwarriorandchieftainoftheAztecanclans，bynameAztotl，ortheRedHeron。He，incommonwithsomanyofhispeople，hadwitnessedtheapproachandabruptdepartureofthestrangebirdintheair，andhadhastenedforthinquestofthemonster。

Hefailedtoseeaughtmoreofthestrangecreature，but，dislikingtoreturnhomewithoutsomethingtoshowforthetrip，remainedoutovernight，thenchancedtofairlystumbleintothewayofamightygrizzly。

Therewereafewmomentsduringwhichhemightpossiblyhaveescapedthroughheadlongflight，buthewastooproudforthat，andbutforthetimelyarrivalandpromptactiononthepartofhiswhitebrotherswouldalmostcertainlyhavepaidthepenaltywithhislife。

Thenfollowedmorethanksandbrokenexpressionsofgratitude，allofwhichWaldomagnanimouslywavedasideaswhollyunnecessary。

"Don’tworkupasweatforalittlethinglikethat，oldman。OfcoursewesawyouwereanInjunand——ahem！Imean，howintimedidyouhappentocatchholdofourlingosomightypat，laddy-buck？"

"Mybrothermeanstoaskwhotaughtyoutospeakaswedo，Ixtli？"amendedBruno，catchingatthewished-foropportunitynowitoffered。

"Andwhowasthatnicelittlegalwiththeyellowhair？Isshe——whatdidyoucallher？Gladys——AndtherestofitEdgecombe？"

Waldowaseagerenoughnowthattheicewasfairlybroken，buthisveryvolubilityservedtocomplicatemattersratherthantohastenthedesiredinformation。

IxtliapparentlythoughtinEnglishprettymuchashespokeit，——slowly，andwithcare。Whenhurried，hisbrainandtonguenaturallyfellbackuponhisnativelanguage。

Soundsissuedthroughhislips，but，despitealltheiranimation，theseprovedtobebutemptysoundstotheeagerbrothers。And，diviningthetruth，Brunocheckedhisbrother，himselfactingasquestioner，prettysoonstrikingtherightchord，afterwhichIxtlifaredverywell。

Still，thankstohisdifficultyinfindingtherightwordswithwhichtoexpresshisfullmeaning，ittookbothtimeandpatienceforevenBrunotolearnallhedesired；andevenifsuchacoursewouldbedesirable，lackofspaceforbidsgivingaliteralrecordofquestionsandanswers，sincethegeneralresultofthatcross-examinationmaybeputsomuchmorecompactlybeforethegenerousreader。

ThefirstpointmadeclearwasthattheyoungAztecowedhisimperfectknowledgeoftheEnglishlanguagetocertainChildrenoftheSun，whomhenamedasifchristenedVictoandGlady。Withthisasstarting-point，therestformedamerequestionoftimeandperseverance。

Growinginanimationasheproceeded，Ixtlitoldofthecomingtotheircityofthosegloriouschildren；ridinguponthewingsofanawfulstorm，yetissuingunharmed，unawed，brightofface，asthemightyorbthesonsofAnahuacworshipped。

Hetoldhowanenviousfewheldtothecontrary：thatthesefair-skinshadcomeasevilemissariesfromthestillmoreevilMictlanteuctli，mightyLordofDeath-land，whohadladenthemwithpestilenceandbrain-sorrowandeye-darkness，withorderstodevastatethis，thelastfaircityoftheancientrace。

Withlow，sternlysuppressedtones，theyoungwarriorwentontotellofwhatfollowed：ofthewickedattemptmadebythosemalcontentstopunishthebearersofdeathandmisery；then，hisvoicerisingandgrowingmoreclear，hetoldhow，fromaclearing-sky，therecameasingleshaftflungbythemightyhandofthegreatgod，Quetzalcoatl，beforewhichtheimpiousdogwentdownineverlastingdeath。

"Struckbylightning，eh？"interpretedWaldo，whoseemedbornwithouttheinfluenceofpoetry。"Servedhimmightyright，too！"

Bowingsubmissively，althoughitcouldbeseenhescarcelycomprehendedjustwhatthosebluntwordsweremeanttoconvey，Ixtlispokeon，seeminglywithperfectwillingness，solongastheadored"SunChildren"formedthesubject-matter。

Fromhislabouredstatement，Brunogatheredthatthesuddendeathofonewhohaddaredtoliftanarmedhandagainstthewomansomysteriouslyplacedthereintheirverymidstawedalloppositiontothegeneralbeliefinthedivineoriginofmotherandchild；

anderelongVictowasinstalledasasortofhighpriestessofthetemplemoreespeciallydevotedtotheSunGod。

Thatwaslongago，andwhenIxtliwasbutachild。Ashegrewolder，andhisfather，RedHeron，wasappointedaschiefofguardstotheSunChildren，Victotookmorenoticeofthelad，andendedinteachinghimboththeEnglishtongueanditsChristiancreed，sofaraslayinhispowertocomprehend。

ThencamelesspleasinginformationconcerningtheChildrenoftheSun，whichwentfartoprovethatthedeathofoneevil-mindeddoghadnotentirelypurgedtheLostCity，anditwaswithharshertonesandfrowningbrowsthatIxtlispokeoftheheadpriest，orpaba，Tlacopatheevil-minded，whohadbuiltupapowerfulanddangeroussentimentagainstbothVictoandGlady，evengoingsofarastodeclarebeforetheholystoneofsacrificethattheMotherofGodsdemandedthesefalselytitledChildrenoftheSun。

"Thefair-facedGodmustcomesoon，ortoolate！"sighedtheAztec，bowinghisheadinjoinedpalmsthebettertoconcealhisevidentgrief。"Hehaspromisedtocome，buthurry！Theydie——theydie！"

Thiswashardlyanacceptablestopping-point，butquestioningwasoflittleavailjustthen。Satisfiedofsomuch，thebrothersdrewapartashortdistance，yetkeepingwheretheycouldguardtheirmoreorlessdangerouscharge，conversinginlowtonesovertheinformationsofargleanedfromtheAztec’stalk。

"Well，we’llholdatightgriponhim，anyway，untilunclePhaetongetsback，"finallydecidedWaldo，speakingforhisbrotheraswell。

CHAPTERXX。

THEPROFESSORANDTHEAZTEC。

Fortunatelyforallconcerned，thereprovedtobenoseriousdifficultyattachedtothatsameholding。Sofarasoutwardsemblancewent，Ixtliwasverywellcontentwithbothpresentquartersandpresentcompanionship。

Helikewiseenjoyedthesupperthat，aidedbyasmallfirekindledinadepressionsolowthatthelightcouldbynomeansattractanyunfriendlyeye，Brunopreparedforthemall。Andjustpriortotakinghisfirsttaste，theyoungwarriorbowedhisheadtomurmurafewsentenceswhich，pastalldoubt，hadfirstcometohismindthroughthewonderfulVicto：asimplelittleblessing，whichcertainlydidnotaddtothedislikeoruneasinesswithwhichthebrothersregardedtheirguest。

"He’swhite，evenifheisred！"confidentiallydeclaredWaldo，athisfirstopportunity。"Moredangerofourspoilinghimthanhisdoingusdirt；andthat’sanhonestfactforaquarter，oldman！"

Brunofeltprettymuchthesame，yethisaddedyearsgavehimgreaterdiscretion，and，inspiteofthatgrowingliking，hekeptafairlykeenwatchandwardovertheAztec。

Aftersuppertherecamefurtherquestioningandanswers，Waldoasaruleplayinginquisitor，eagertolearnmoreanentthestrangeexistencewhichthesepeoplemustlive，socompletelyhemmedinfromalltherestoftheworldastheysurelywereinyondervalley。

Withoutatallbetrayingtheexile，Gillespiespokeofthelakeanditsmightywhirlpool，thenlearnedthattheIndiansreallymadesemi-annualtripsthitherforthepurposeoflayinginasupplyofdriedfishforthewinter’sconsumption。

Asthenightwaned，preparationsweremadeforsleeping，althoughitwasagreedbetweenthebrothersthatoneortheothershouldstandguardinregularorder。

"NotthatIreallybelievethefellowwouldplayusdirt，evenwitheverychancelaidopen，"Waldoadmitted。"Still，it’swhatunclePhaetonwouldadvise，andwecan’twelldolessthanfollowhiswill，Bruno。"

"Sincewebrokeitsocompletelybytacklingthegrizzly，"withabrieflaugh。

"That’sallright，too。Ofcoursewe’doughtto’veskulkedawaylikeacoupleofegg-suckingcurs，butwedidn’t，andI’mmightilygladofit，too。ForIxtli——whatanamethatistogotobedwitheverynight，though！——forIxtliisjustaboutaswhiteastheymake’em，nowadays；youhearmeblowmybazoo？"

Andsothelongnightworeitslengthalong，thebrotherstakingturnsatkeepingwatchandward，buttheAztecslumberingpeacefullythroughall，lookingtheleastdangerousofallpossiblecaptives。AndafterthislighteventhecautiousBrunobegantoregardhimerethefirststrokeofcomingdawncouldbeseenabovetheeasternhills。

Notbeingpositivejustwheretheair-shipwouldputinanappearance，sinceProfessorFeatherwithad，perforce，leftthatquestionopen，tobedecidedbycircumstancesoverwhichhemighthavenocontrol，eachguardinturndevotedconsiderableattentiontotheupperregions，hopingtoglimpsetheaerostat，andholdingmatchesinreadinesstoraiseaflarebywayofalightingsignal。ButitwasnotuntiltheearlydawnthatBrunocaughtsightoftheair-ship，justskimmingthetree-tops，thebettertoescapeobservationbyanyIndianlookout。

Afterthattherestcameeasilyenough。Acoupleofblazingmatchesheldaloftprovedsufficientcuetotheprofessor，andsoonthereaftertheflying-machinewassafelybroughttoland，sogentlythattheslumbersoftheyoungAztecwereundisturbed。

Brunogaveahastywordofwarningandexplanationcombined，evenbeforeheextendedawelcominghandtowardsMr。Edgecombe，whocertainlyappearedallthebetterforhisencounterwithpeopleofhisownrace。

ProfessorFeatherwittookakeen，eagerlookattheslumberingredskin，thendrewsilentlyback，towhisperinBruno’sear：

"Guardwellyourtongue，lad。Ihavetoldhimnothing，asyet，andwemustconsulttogetherbeforebreakingthenews。Fornowwehavehadnorest，soIbelievewewouldbetterliedownforanhourortwo。"

Mr。Edgecombeappearedtobeperfectlywillingtodothis，andsoontheweariedmenwerewrappedinblanketsandsleepingpeacefully。

Longbeforetheirlidsunclosed，Brunohadanappetisingmealinreadiness，althoughtheothershadbrokenfastlongbefore，andIxtli，hishandstightlyclaspedbehindhisback，asachildiswonttoresisttemptation，wasinspectingtheair-shipinawedsilence。