第6章

Takingadvantageofthispreoccupation，Brunoquicklyyetclearlyexplainedtohisuncleallthathadhappened，showingthatbyplayingamoreprudentparttheyoungwarriormustinevitablyhaveperished。

Then，makingsureCooperEdgecombewasnotnearenoughtocatchhiswords，BrunotoldinbrieftheinformationgleanedfromIxtliconcerningtheChildrenoftheSun，whomheandWaldomorethansuspectedmustbethelong-lostwifeanddaughteroftheexiledaeronaut。

Asmighthavebeenexpected，ProfessorFeatherwitwasdeeplystirredbyallthis，fidgetingnervouslywhilekeepingalertears，withdifficultysmotheringtheejaculationswhichfoughtforexitthroughhislips。

Aftersatisfyinghiscravingforfood，theprofessorledtheyoungAztecapartfromtherestoftheparty，speakingkindlyandsympatheticallyuntilhehadwonafairshareoflikingforhisown，thenbroachingthesubjectoftheSunChildren。

Afterthisitwasbynomeansadifficultmattertogetattheseatoftrouble，andlittlebylittleFeatherwitsatisfiedhimselfthatIxtliwoulddoall，dareall，forthesakeofbenefitingthewomanandmaidenwhohadtreatedhimsokindly。

Atacovertsignfromtheprofessor，Brunocametojoininthetalk，andhissympathymadetheyoungAztecevenmorecommunicative。AndIxtlispokemoreatlengthconcerningTlacopa，thepaba，andanotherenemywhomtheChildrenoftheSunhadnearlyequalcausetofear，oneHuatzin，orPrinceHua，chiefestamongthemightywarriorsoftheAztecanclans。

ThisevilprincehadforyearspastsoughtVictoforhisbride，whilehisson，Iocetl，triedinvaintowintheheart-smilesofthefairGlady，Victo’sdaughter。And，throughrevengeforhavingtheirsuitfrownedupon，thesewickedknaveshadjoinedhandswiththepriestintryingtodragtheSunChildrendownfromtheirloftypedestal。

Itdidnottakelongquestioning，orshrewd，toconvincetheprofessorthatinIxtlitheycouldcountuponatrueanddaringsupporterincasetheyshouldconcludetointerfereinbehalfofhispatronessandteacher，adoredVicto。

Theprofessorledthewayovertotheair-ship，thereproducingtheclothingandarmsoncewornbyanotherAztecwarrior，whichhehadcarefullystowedawayinthelocker，loathtolosesightofsuchvaluablerelics；trulyunique，asheassuredhimselfatthemoment。

Brunogavealittleexclamationatsightofthearticles，thenineagertoneshemadeknownthedaringideawhichthenflashedacrosshisbusybrain。

"Weoughttomakesurebeforetakingaction，unclePhaeton。Thenwhynotletmedontheseclothesandstealdownintothevalley，undercoverofdarkness，toseetheladiesand——"

"No，no，mylad，"quicklyinterruptedtheprofessor，grippinganarmasthoughfearfulofaninstantrunaway。"Thatwouldbetoorisky；thatwouldbealmostsuicidal！And——nousetalking，"withanobstinateshakeofhishead，asBrunoattemptedtoedgeinanexpostulation。"Iwillnevergivemyconsent；never！"

"Orhardlyever，"suppliedWaldo，comingthatwaylikeonewhofeelstheproprietieshavebeenmorethansufficientlyoutraged。

"Givesomeotherpersonachancetowaghischinabit，can’tye，gentlemen？Notthat_I_caretochattermerelyforsakeofhearingmyownvoice；but——eh？"

"Wewereconsideringwhetherorno’twouldbeadvisabletotakeawalkovertotheobservatory，"coollyexplainedtheprofessor。

"Ofcourse，ifyouwouldratherremainheretowatchtheaerostat——"

"LetBrunodothat，uncle。Hegrewthoroughlydisgustedwithwhathesawoveryonder，yesterday，"placidlyobservedtheyoungster。

"Waldo，youvillain！"

"Well，didn’tyouvowanddeclarethatyoucouldrecognisegraceandbeautyandallothervarietiesofattractivenessonlyin——darkbrunettes，oldman？"

ProfessorFeatherwithastilyinterposed，lestwordsbeletfallthroughwhichMr。Edgecombemightcatchaprematureideaofthepossiblesurpriseheldinstore；andshortlyafterwardsthestartwasmadeforthesnugcovertfromwhencetheLostCityhadbeenviewedonprioroccasions。

Naturallytheirrouteledthemdirectlypastthesceneofthebearfight，wherethehugecarcasslayasyetundisturbed，andcallingforthsundrywordsofwonderandevenadmiration，throughitsveryponderosityandnowharmlessferocity。

ProfessorFeatherwitdeemedithisdutytogravelyreprovehiswardsfortheirrashconduct，yetsomethinginhistwinklingeyesandinthekindlytouchofhisbonyhandtoldafardifferenttale。Hisangertooktheshapeofprideandofheart-love。

Induecourseoftimethelookoutwaswon，andwithoutdelaythesavantturnedhisfield-glassuponthetemplewhichappearedtoappertaintotheso-calledSunChildren；but，notalittletohischagrin，theazoteawasutterlydevoidofhumanlife。

Butthatdisappointmentwasofbriefexistence，for，almostasthoughhisactionwasthesignalforwhichtheyhadbeenwaiting，motheranddaughtercameslowlyintoview，arminarm，cladinrobesofsnowywhite，withtheirluxuriantlocksflowinglooseasuponformeroccasions。

Bothlads——threeofthem，tobemoreexact——gavelowexclamationsofeagerinterestasthoseshapescameinsight，whileevenCooperEdgecombegazedwithgrowinginterestuponthescene，whollyunsuspectingthoughhewasasyet。

Aslightnodfromtheprofessorwarnedthebrotherstostandreadyincaseofneed，thenheofferedtheexiletheglass，begginghimtoinspectyonderfairwomenupontheteocalli。

Theglasswaslevelledandheldfirmlyforahalfminute，thentheexilegaveachokingcry，gasping，erehefellasonesmittenbydeath：

"Mercifulheavens！Mywife——mychild！"

CHAPTERXXI。

DISCUSSINGWAYSANDMEANS。

Ingoodmeasurepreparedforsomesuchresult，incasetheirexpectationsshouldprovetrue，friendlyhandsatonceclosedupontheexile，hurryinghimback，andstillmorecompletelyundercover，asquicklyasmightbe。

CooperEdgecombeseemedaswaxintheirhands，notutterlydeprivedofconsciousness，butratherlikeonedazedbysometotallyunexpectedblow。Hemadenottheslightestresistance，yieldingtoeachimpulsegiven，shiveringandweakasonejustrallyingfromanalmostmortalillness。

Yettherecameanoccasionalflashtohiseyeswhichwarnedthewaryprofessorofimpendingtrouble，andasquicklyasmightbethestunnedaeronautwasremovedfromthepointofobservation，takenbyshortstagesbacktothespotwhererestedtheflying-machine。

Ixtliseemedsomethingawedbythis（tohim）inexplicableconductonthepartofthegaunt-limbedstranger，butgavehisnew-foundfriendsneithertroublenorcauseforworry，bearingthemcompanyandevenlendingahandwheneverhethoughtitmightbeneeded。

TheGillespiebrotherswerefarmoredeeplystirred，aswasnatural，butevenWaldocontrivedtokeepafairguardoverhisattimesunrulymember，speakingbutlittleduringthatretreat。

WitheachminutethatelapsedCooperEdgecombegainedinbodilypowers，andwhilehismentalstrengthwasslowertorespond，thatprovedtobeablessingratherthanotherwise。

Therendezvouswasbarelygainederehegaveahoarsecryofrevivingmemory，thenstrovetobreakawayfromthatfriendlycare，callingwildlyforhiswife，hisdaughter，fancyingtheminsomedireperilfromwhichalonehisarmscouldpreservethem。

Itwasapainfulsceneaswellasatryingone，thatwhichfollowedclosely，andrespiteonlycameafterbondshadbeenappliedtothelimbsofthemadman，——forsuchCooperEdgecombeassuredlywas，justthen。

Thereweretearsintheprofessor’seyes，ashestrovehardesttosoothethesufferer，assuringhimthathislovedonesshouldberestoredtohisarms，yetrepeatedlyremindinghimthatanyrashactiontakenthenmustalmostcertainlyworkagainsttheirbetterinterests。

Theexilegrewlessviolent，butthatwasmorethroughphysicalexhaustionthanaughtelse，andwhathad，fromtheveryfirst，appearedadifficultenigma，nowlookedfarworse。

Onlywhenfairlywellassuredthatthesuffererwouldnotattractunwelcomeattentiontheirwaythroughtooboisterousshouting，didtheprofessordrawfarenoughawayforquietconsultationwithhisnephews。

Mr。Edgecombewasdepositedwithintheair-ship，securedinsuchamannerthatitwouldbewell-nighimpossibleforhimtodoeitherhimselforthemachinematerialinjury，nomatterhowviolenthemightbecome；andhence，incaseofthreatenedtroublefromtheinmatesoftheLostCity，flightwouldnotbeseriouslyhinderedthroughcaringforhim。

ProfessorFeatherwitnowgleanedfromhisnephewsprettymuchalltheycouldtellhimconcerningsightsandeventssincehisdepartureinquestoftheexile。Thatprovedtobeverylittlemorethanhehadalreadylearned，andcontainedstilllesswhichseemedofespecialbenefittothatparticularenigmaawaitingsolution。

True，WaldosuggestedthatIxtlibeemployedasamediumofcommunicationbetweentheSunChildrenandthemselves；but，possiblybecause，asarule，thisirrepressibleyoungster’sideasweregenerallythewildestandmostfar-fetchedimaginable，unclePhaetonfrownedupontheplan。

No；theyoungAztecmightprovetrueatheart，evenasindicationswent，buttheriskofsotrustinghimwouldprovefartoogreat。

"That’sjustbecauseyouhaven’tknownandsleptwithhim，likewehave，"declaredWaldo。"He’sredontheoutside，buthe’sgotjustaswhiteasoulasthebestofus，——barnone。"

Brunolikewiseappearedtothinkwelloftheyoungbrave，andsuggestedanamendmenttoWaldo’smotion，——thatheaccompanyIxtliintothesunkenvalley，coveredbythefriendlyshadesofnight，theretoopencommunicationwiththeSunChildren。

"Bysodoing，wecouldmakecertainoftheiridentity，"theyoungmanargued，earnestly。"That，itappearstome，isthefirststeptobetaken。For，inspiteoftheapparentrecognitionbyMr。Edgecombe，itispossiblethatnoactualrelationshipexists。"

"Whatofthat？"bluntlycutintheyoungerGillespie。"Don’tyoureckonstrangers’dliketotakealittlewalk，justaswellasanyotherpeople？"

"Patience，mylad，"interposedtheprofessor。"Whileweseemindutyboundtolendaidandassistancetowomeninactualdistress，wecanonlyservethemwiththeirownfreewillandaccord。Grantingthatthewomenwesawupontheteocalliwereotherthanthosebelievedbyourafflictedfriend——"

"But，uncle，lookattheirnames！Anddon’tIxtlisay——tell’emalloveragain，pardner，won’tye？"urgedWaldo，takingaburninginterestinthematter，aswashiscustomwhenfairlyinvolved。

TheyoungAzteccompliedaswellaslaywithinhispower，givingitashisfixedopinionthatsoretrouble，ifnotactualperil，awaitedtheChildrenoftheSun，unlessassistedbypowerfulfriends。Hespokeofthemightychieftain，PrinceHua，andofthehighpriest，Tlacopa，whowas，toallseeming，playingdirectlyintothehandsofthe’Tzin。

"HesayMotherofGodscall——loud！Hesaysacrifice，anddat——no，no！Quetzal’send——Quetzal’save——MUSTsaveVicto，Glady！"

Furtherquestioningresultedinbutlittlemoreinformation，though，asIxtligrewcalmer，heemphasisedsuchstatementsashehadalreadymade，elaboratingthematrifle。And，bythis，hisquestionerslearnedthat，humanlyspeaking，thefateoftheSunGod’sChildrendependedalmostentirelyuponthewhimorfancyofthechiefpabaoftheteocalli。

ThroughTlacopaissuedtheawesomeoracles，andwhenhisvoicethunderedforththedreadfiat，whodaredtoopenlyrebel？

Furtherquestioningbroughtforthonemoreimportantfact，——thattherewasabsolutelynohopeofeitherVictoorGladycomingforthfromthevalley，eitherbynightorbyday。Whileostensiblyfreeofwillastheywereoflimb，neitherwomanwaspermittedtoleaveyondertemple，saveunderarmedescort；andguardswereondutyeachhourofthedayandnight。

"Butwecouldgettoseeandspeakwiththem，Ixtli？"askedBruno，eagertoreachsomefairunderstandingastothefuturecourseofaction。

"Yes，whitebrother，gowithIxtli，"camethehesitatingreply；

butthentheAzteccaughtoneofGillespie’shands，holdingitinclosecontrasttohisownbrownpaw，shakinghisheaddoubtingly。

"Nolike。Keeneye，dempeople。Watchclose。Find’notherwhiteskin——bad！"

"Youhearthat，Bruno？"askedtheprofessor，reallyrelievedatsuchpositiveevidenceinconflictwiththerashpropositionmadebytheyoungman。

"OfcourseIthoughtofgoingundercoverofthenight，uncle，andsurelyitwouldnotbesuchadifficultmattertodarkenmyfaceandhands？Withdirt，ifnothingbettercanbefound。AndifIworetheclothesyoubroughtfromthecavern，unclePhaeton？"

"That’stheticket！"brokeinWaldo，eagerly。"Why，inariglikethat，Icouldturnthetrickmyownself！"

TheconsultationwasbrokenoffatthisjuncturebyafaintsummonsfromCooperEdgecombe，andProfessorFeatherwitwasonlytoogladoftheexcuse，hurryingovertotheflying-machine，findingtohisgreatjoythattheexilewasnowfarmorelikehisold-timeself。

Still，greatcautionwasusedinrevealingall，anditwasnotuntilconsiderablylaterinthedaythatMr。Edgecombefeltcapableoftakingpartinthediscussionofwaysandmeans。

Hedeclaredthathisrecognitionhadbeencomplete，inspiteofthelongyearswhichhadelapsedsincelosingsightofhisdearones；andheearnestlyvowedtonevergiveoveruntiltheirrescuewaseffected，orhehadlosthislifewhilemakingtheattempt。

Whilethetwoair-voyagerswerethusengagedintalk，BrunosilentlystoleawaywithIxtli，takingabundlealong，andleavingWaldotothrowtheiruncleoffthetrackincasehissuspicionsshouldbeprematurelyawakened。Then，sidebyside，twoIndianbravessilentlyapproachedtheaerostat，causingProfessorFeatherwittomakeahastydiveforhisdynamiteguntorepelafanciedonslaught。

"Soldagain，andwhocomesnext？"merrilyexplodedWaldo，dancingaboutinhighgleeasthesupposedredskinslowlyturnedaroundforinspectionbeforespeaking，infamiliartones：

"Wouldtherebesuchanenormousriskofdiscovery，unclePhaeton，providedIputlockandsealuponmylips，savefortheladies？"

Thatexperimentprovedtobeacompletesuccess，andafterCooperEdgecombeaddedhispatheticpleadingstotheyoungman’sownarguments，ProfessorFeatherwitgraduallygaveway，thoughstillwithreluctance。

"Icouldneverfindforgivenessshouldharmcometoyourmother’sson，boy，"hehuskilymurmured，hisarmstealingaboutBruno’smiddle。"I’dfarratherventuremyself，and——whynot，pray？"asWaldoburstintoaninvoluntarylaugh。

ThenheturneduponIxtli，ahandrestinguponeachshoulderwhilehegazedkeenlyintothoselustrousdarkorbsforafullminuteinperfectsilence。Thenhespoke，slowly，gravely：

"Canwetrustyou，friend？Wouldyouselltheboytowhosearmyouoweyourownlife，untohisenemies？Wouldyouleadhimblindlytohisdeath，Ixtli，sonofAztotl？"

Awonderinggaze，thentheIndianappearedtoflushhotly。Heshookoffthosefarfromsteadyhands，drawinghisknifeandwithfreefingerstearingopenhisdressabovetheheart。ThrustingtheweaponintoBruno’shand，hespokeinclear，distinctaccents：

"Strikehard，whitebrother！Openheart；seeifallblack！"

Eyetoeyethetwoyouthsstoodforabriefspaceinsilence，thentheweaponwasletfall，andBrunogrippedtheIndian’shandandshookitmostcordially。

"Strikeyou，Ixtli？I’djustassoonsmitemybrotherbybirth！"

"Andthat’smightyright，too！"criedWaldo，impetuously。

"Ireallybegintobelievethatyouareallintheright，whileI

aloneamleftinthewrong，"franklyadmittedtheprofessor。

CHAPTERXXII。

ADARINGUNDERTAKING。

Still，thatpointwasoftoovitalimportancetojustifyhastydecision，andtheprofessordidnotmakehissurrendercompleteuntiltheshadesofanothernightwerebeginningtogatherovertheland。

Meantime，partlyforthepurposeofkeepingtheyoungstersemployedandthusoutofthewayoflessharmlessthings，theprofessorsuggestedthatthehugegrizzlybeflayed。Iftheproposedschemeshouldreallybeundertaken，thatmightypelt，ifuncomfortabletoconvey，wouldserveasafairexcusefortheyoungbrave’sasyetunexplainedabsencefromtheLostCity。

Asamatterofcourse，CooperEdgecombefeltintenseanxietythroughall，buthecontrivedtokeepfairmasteryoverhisemotions，readilyadmittingthathehimselfcoulddonaughttowardsvisitingtheLostCity。

"Iknowthatmylovedonesareyonder。Iwouldjoyfullysuffertenthousanddeathsbytortureforthechancetospeakonewordto——tothem。AndyetIknowanysuchattemptwouldprovefataltousall。Themeresightof——Iwouldgocrazywithjoy！"

Thereisnonecessityforrepeatingthevariousargumentsused，proandcon，beforethefinalagreementwasreached。Enoughhasalreadybeenputuponrecord，andtheresultmustsuffice：

ProfessorFeatherwityieldedthevitalpoint，and，havingoncefairlyexpressedhisfearsanddoubts，flunghiswholeheartintoperfectingthedisguisewhichwasnowcountedupontocarryBrunosafelyintoandoutofyondercity。

HewascarefullytriggedoutinthewarlikeuniformsecuredbyCooperEdgecombeatthecostofahumanlife，and，withfreshstainappliedtohisfaceandhands，theslightmoustacheheworewasnotdangerouslyperceptible。

"’Twouldtakeastronglightandmightykeeneyestoseeitatall，andevenifabodyshouldhappentonoticeit，he’dreckon’twasabitofsmut，orthelike，"generouslydeclaredWaldo。

Underlesstryingcircumstances，Brunomighthaveansweredinkind，butnowhemerelysmiledatthejester，thenturnedagaintoreceivetheearnestcautionsletfallforhisbenefitbytheprofessor。

Aboveallelse，hewastosteerclearoffighting，and，withouthesawafairchanceofwinningspeechwiththewhitewomen，hewastokeepinsuchhidingasIxtlimightfurnish，trustingtheyoungAztectoposttheChildrenoftheSunastowhatwasinthewind。

Tremulous，almostincapableofcoherentspeech，sointensewashisagitation，CooperEdgecombesentmanymessagestohislovedones，beggingforonewordinreturn。Andifnothinglesswouldserve——

Hisvoicechoked，andonlyhisfeverishlyburningeyescouldsaytherest。

Itwaswellpastsunseteretheyoungsterssetforthfromtherendezvous，accompaniedashortdistancebybothWaldoandtheprofessor；butthepartingcameingoodtime。ItwouldbeworsethanfollytoaddtotheexistentperilsthatofpossiblediscoverybysomeprowlingAztecwhomightworkseriousinjurytothemoneandall。

Thatgreatbear-hideprovedataxupontheirstrength，eventhoughthebullet-riddledhead-piecehadbeencarefullycutoffandburied，lestthosequeerholestellariskytaleoncloseexamination；butIxtli，aswellasBruno，wasupbornebyanexaltationsuchasneitherhadknownbeforethishour。

Therewasnothingworsethanthenaturalobstaclesinthewaytobeovercome，and，knowingeverysquareyardofgroundsothoroughly，Ixtlichosethemostpracticableroutetothathill-encircledtown。

Thestonypasswasfollowedtothelowerlevel，andtheyoungadventurershaddrawnfairlynearthefirstbuildingsereencounteringalivingbeing；andthenampletimewasgiventhemformeetingthedanger。

Alow-voicedcallsoundeduponthenightair，andIxtlirespondedinmuchthesametone。Bruno，ofcourse，wasutterlyinthedarkastowhatwasbeingsaid，buthestillheldperfectfaithinhiscopper-huedguide，andleftalltothesonofAztotl。

TheAztecbraveappearedtobeexplaininghisunusuallyprotractedabsence，forheproudlydisplayedthegreatgrizzlypelt，thenexhibitedthespear-headfromwhichprotrudedthetooth-markedwood。

Likeonewhowasalreadyfamiliarwiththedetails，Brunoslowlyloungedforwardapaceortwo，theninsilenceawaitedthepleasureofhiscompaniononthatnightjaunt。

IxtliwasnotmanyminutesinshakingofftheIndian，and，almoststaggeringbeneathhisshaggyburden，movedawayasthoughinhastetorejoinhisfamilycircle。

Fortunatelyfortheventure，theAztecansappearedtobelieveinthemaximofgoingtobedearly，fortherewereveryfewindividualsastiratthathour，youngthoughtheeveningstillwas。Andbytheclearmoonlightwhichfellathwartthevalley，itwasnodifficulttasktocatchsightbeforebeingseen，whereeyessobusyasthoseofthetwoyoungmenwereconcerned。

Onlyonceweretheyforcedtomakeabriefdetourinordertoescapemeetinganotherredskin，andthenaguardedwhisperfromthelipsoftheAztecwarnedBrunothattheywerealmostattheteocalliwhereintheChildrenoftheSunmadetheirhomeandabiding-place。

Leavingthegrizzlypeltatacorner，forthetimebeing，IxtliledhiswhitefriendupandintotheTempleoftheSun，pressingahandbywayofaddedcaution。

AlthoughhehaddeclaredthatanarmedguardwaskeptnightanddayovertheSunChildren，andthathehopedtopassBrunoaswellashimselfwithoutanyseriousdifficulty，sincehehadlongbeenafavouredvisitor，andeverwelcomedbyVictoandGlady，thetemplewasseeminglywithoutsuchprotectionuponthepresentoccasion。

Ixtliexpressedgreatsurprisewhenthisfactbecameevident，andheshoweduneasinessastothewelfareofhisbelovedpatronessandkindlyteacher。

Surelysomethingevilwasimpending！Hisfather，Aztotl，waschieftainoftheguards，andwhollydevotedtotheSunChildren，readyatalltimestorisklifeintheirbehalf。Now，iftheusualguardswerelacking，surelyitportendedevil，——treachery，nodoubt，atthebottomofwhichthepabaandthe’Tzinalmostcertainlylurked。

AllthisIxtlicontrivedtoconveytoBruno，whofairlywellsharedthatanxiety，butwhowasmoreforgoingaheadwithaboldrush，tolearntheworstasquicklyasmightbe。

Still，unfamiliarwiththeconstructionofthetempleashewas，Brunofelthelplesswithouthisguide，andsotimedhisprogressbythatofIxtli，righthandtightlygrippingthehandleofhis"hand-wood，"ormaquahuitl，resolvedtogiveagoodaccountofeitherofthoserascallyvarletsincasetroublelayahead。

TheunwonteddesolationwhichappearedtoreignonallsideswasplainlytroublingtheAztecbrave，andheseemedtosuspectacunningambuscade，judgingfromhisslowadvance，pausingatnearlyeverysteptobendearinkeenlistening。

Still，nothingwasactuallyseenorhearduntilaftertheyoungmenreachedtheupperelevation，uponaportionofwhichtheSunChildrenhadbeenfirstsightedbytheair-voyagers。

Herethefirstsoundofhumanvoiceswasheard，andBrunostoppedshortinobediencetothealmostfiercegripwhichIxtlicloseduponhisnearestarm，listeningforabriefspace，thenbreathing，lowly：

"Wesee，first。Datgood！Himseefirst，datbad！Eye，ear，twoboth。Youknow，brother？"

"Youmeanthatwearetolistenandplayspy，first，Ixtli？"

askedBruno，scarcelycatchingtherealmeaningofthosehurriedwords。

"Yes。Datbest。Come；steplikesnowfalls，brother。"

"Whoisit，first？"

"Victo，sheone。Odderman，notknowsure，butthinkHuatzin。

Hebad；allbad！Killhim，someday。Datgood；plentygoodallover！"

ThisgrimvowappearedtodotheAztecgoodfromamentalpointofview，andthenheledhiswhitefriendsilentlytowardsthecoveredpartoftheteocalli，fromwhencethosesoundsemanated。

Curtainsofthickstuffservedtoshutinthelightandtopartlysmotherthesoundofvoices，butIxtlicautiouslyformedacoupleofpeepholesofwhichtheyquicklymadegooduse。

Aportionofthesacredfirewasburninguponitsspecialaltar，whilealargelamp，formedofbakedclay，wassuspendedfromtheroof，sheddingafairlightaround，aswellasperfumingtheenclosurequiteagreeably。

Almostdirectlybeneaththishanging-lampstoodthetwoChildrenoftheSun，onetall，stately，almostqueenlyofstature，andnowlookingunusuallyimpressive，assheseemedtoactasshieldforherdaughter，slighter，moreyielding，butah，howlovelyoffaceandcomelyofperson！

EventhenBrunocouldnothelprealisingthosefacts，althoughhisearsweretinglingsharplywiththeharshaccentsfallingfromafardifferentpairoflips，thoseofatall，muscularwarriorwhoseformwasgorgeouslyarrayedinfeatherworkandcunningweaving，rich-hueddyeshavingbeencalledtoaidtheotherartsaswell。

IfthiswasactuallythePrinceHua，thenhewasamostbrutalsampleofAztecanaristocracy，andatfirstsightGillespiefeltafiercehatredfortheharsh-tonedchieftain。

Asamatterofcourse，Brunowasunabletocomprehendjustwhatwasbeingsaid，thankstohiscompleteignoranceofthelanguageemployed；buthefeltmorallycertainthatuglythreatswerepassingthroughthosethinlips，andevensosoonhishandsbegantoitchandhisbloodtoglow，bothurginghimtotherescue。

SwiftlyfellthereplymadebyVicto，andherwordsmusthavestungtheprincetothequick，sinceheutteredasavagecry，drawingbackanarmasthoughtosmitethatproudlybeautifulfacewithhishard-clenchedfist。

Thatprovedtobethecap-sheaf，forBrunocouldstandnomore。

Hedashedasidetheheavycurtainasheleapedforward，givingasterncryashecame，swingingthewarcluboverhisshouldertostrikewithallvengeanceatthestartledandrecoilingAztecan。

Onlytheyoungman’sunfamiliaritywiththeweaponpreservedPrinceHuafromcertaindeath。Asitwas，hereeled，tofallinanervelessheapuponthefloor，while，withastartledcry，anotherAztecbrokeawayinflight。

CHAPTERXXIII。

AFLIGHTUNDERGROUND。

ThatsuddenappearanceandflightofanothermantookIxtlievenmorebysurprisethanitdidBruno，forheneverevensuspectedsuchapossibility，knowingPrinceHuasowell。Still，theyoungbravewasswifttorally，swifttopursue，sendingamenaceofcertaindeathincasethefleeingcurshouldnotyieldhimself。

JustthenBrunohadeyesandthoughtsfortheSunChildrenalone，whoquitenaturallyshrunkbackinmingledsurpriseandalarmathisunceremoniousentrance。Heforgothisdisguise，forgoteverythingsavethatbeforehimstoodthefairbeingswhomhehadvowedtosaveatallhazardsfromwhatappearedtohimworsebyfarthanactualdeath。

Gillespieneverknewjustwhatwordscrossedhislipsduringthosefirstfewseconds，buthesawthatthewomen，inplaceofeagerlyacceptinghisaid，werevisiblyshrinking，apparentlymorealarmedthandelightedwiththeopportunitythusoffered。

DoubtlessthiswascausedmainlybythatoddblendingofAztecandpaleface，thecolourandgarboftheonejoinedtothetongueoftheother；buttheresultmighthavebeenevenworse，hadnotIxtlihastenedbacktoclearupmoremattersthanone。

Inspiteofhisutmostefforts，thesecondIndianhadescapedwithlife，althoughhereceivedaglancingwoundfromanarrow，asheplungeddowntowardsthelowerlevel；andnothingseemedmorecertainthanthatanalarmwouldrightspeedilyspreadthroughoutthetown，ifonlyforthepurposeofhurryingsuccourtotheLordHua。

AllthisrolledinswiftwordsoverIxtli’slips，hiswarningfindingcompletionbeforeeitherofthewomencouldfairlyinterrupttheyoungbrave。ButthentheonewhomIxtlitermedVictospokerapidlyinhismusicaltongue，onestrongwhitehandwavingtowardsthenowsomewhatembarrassedGillespie。

"Hefriend；comesaveyou，likesaveIxtli，"theAztechurriedlymadereply，withgeneroustactspeakingsothatBrunocouldcomprehendaswellasthewomen。"Hegood；allgood！Pababad；

’Tzinmorebad；beworsebadifstayhere，Victo——Glady。"

Thusgiventhepropercue，Brunotookfreshcourageand，inasfewwordsasmightbe，explainedhismission。HespokethenameofCooperEdgecombe，andforthefirsttimethatqueenlywomanshowedsignsofweakness，staggeringbackwithafaint，chokinggasp，onehandclaspedspasmodicallyabovehermadlythrobbingheart，theotherrisingtohertemplesasthoughinfearofcominginsanity。

"Heiswell；heissafeandlongingforhislovedones，"Brunoswiftlyadded，producingthebriefnotewhichtheexiledaeronauthadpressedintohishandatalmostthelastmoment。"Hewroteyouthat——hereitis，and——"

"Makehurry，quick！"sharplyinterposedIxtli，asominoussoundsbegantoarisewithouttheTempleoftheSunGod。"Doggit’way，howlformore。Comehere——killlikegodsbeglad。"

WithanevidenteffortVictorallied，tonesfarfromsteadyasshebeggedbothyoungmentosavethemselveswithoutthoughtofthem。

"Ithankyou；heavenaloneknowshowoverjoyedIamtohearfrommydearhusband，——mypoorchild’sownfather！Andheisnear，to——Butgo，go！Guideandprotecthim，Ixtli，for——Go，Iimploreyou，sir！"

"Buthow——wehaven’tarrangedhowyouaretoberescued，andI

mustunderstand——"

"Later，then；anothertime，throughIxtli，"interruptedMrs。

Edgecombe，sincetherecouldnolongerbeadoubtastoheridentity。"Iffoundhere’twillbeourruinaswellasyourown。

Go，andatonceIfearthatLordHuamay——"

"He’liveyet，"pronouncedIxtli，risingfromahastyexaminationofthefallenchieftain。"Datbad；muchmoreworsebad！Hedog；alloverdog！"

"AndIgreatlyfearhemusthaverecognisedyouasoneofaforeignrace，inspiteofyourdisguise，"addedtheelderwoman，troubleinherfaceevenasitshowedinhervoice。"Hewillbewildforrevenge，andIfear——Go，anddirectly，Ixtli！"

BrunoGillespiewasonlytoowellassuredthatthislatestfearhadfoundationontruth。Swiftlythoughhehadwieldedtheawkward（tohim）hand-wood，Huatzinhadsufficienttimetosighthisassailant，andalmostcertainlyhaddivinedatleastaportionofthetruth。

Doubtlessitwouldhavebeenthemoreprudentcoursetorepeatthatblowwithgreaterprecision；butBrunocouldnotbringhimselftodojustthat，eventhoughtheuglycriesweregrowinginvolumeonthegroundlevel；andhefeltthatcapturewouldbebuttheinitialsteptodeath，inalllikelihooduponthegreatstoneofsacrifice。

Imminentthoughtheirperilsurelywas，Brunocouldnotbetakehimselftoflightwithoutatleastpartiallyperformingthedutyforwhichhehadvolunteered；andsohetooktimetohurriedlyutter：

"Watchfromthetopofthetowerfortheair-ship，andbereadytoleaveatanymoment，Iimploreyou——both！"

Forevennowhisadmiringgazecouldwithdifficultybetornawayfromyonderyounger，evenmorelovely，visage；althoughasyetthemaidenhadspokennoword，evenshrinkingawayfromthisstrangelyspeakingAztecasthoughinaffright。

"Come，brother，ortoolate，"urgedIxtli，almoststernly。"Saveyou，orGlass-eyescallIxtlidog-liar。Come；mustrun，nofight；toobigmanyforthat。"

Andsoitseemed，whentheyoungmenrushedawayfromthelightedinteriorandgainedtheuncoveredspacebeyond。Loudcriescamesoaringthroughthenightfromdifferentdirections，anddim，phantom-likeshapescouldbeglimpsedinhurryingconfusion。

Apparentlythemajorityonlyknewthattroubleofsomedescriptionwasbrewing，andthatthecentreofinterestwaseitherinorneartheTempleoftheSunGod；yetthatwasmorethansufficienttoplacethewhiteintruderingreatperil，despitetheelaboratedisguisehewore。

Thenwithawfulabruptnesstherecameasoundwhichcouldonlybelikenedtorollingthunderbyoneuninitiated，butwhichcausedIxtlitoshrinkandalmostcower，eregasping：

"Thegreatwar-drum！NowMUSTgo！Sacrificeifcaught；come，whitebrother！See，datmorebadnow！"

Thosemightythrobsrolledandreverberatedfromthehills，fillingthenightairwithwavesofthunder，nonethelessawe-inspiringnowthattheirtrueimportwasrealised。

Theentirepopulationwasaroused，andeachbuildingseemedtocastforthanarmedhost，while，asthroughsomemagictouch，acircleoffiressprunguponallsides，beginningtoilluminebothvalleyandbarrier。

Brunostoodlikeoneappalled，reallyfascinatedbythistransformationsceneforwhichhehadbeensopoorlyprepared；

butIxtlibettercomprehendedtheirsituation，andgrippinganarmhemuttered，hastily：

"Come，brother；stopmore，maketoolate。Musthide，now。Datstopgobackwaycame。Come！"

Brunorousedhimselfwithaneffort，thenyieldedtotheAztec’sguidance，crouchinglowasthebriefbitofclearmoonlighthadtobetraversed。

Insteadofmakingforthestepswhich，ascustomary，reachedfromterracetoterraceateachcorner，Ixtlicrepttothecentre，wherethetemple-sidewascastintodeepestshadow，thenloweredhimselfbyhisarms，todropsilentlytothebroadpathbelow。

AwhisperedwordurgedBrunotoimitatethisaction，andthosefriendlyhandscaughtandsteadiedGillespieashetookthedrop。

Andso，oneafteranother，themightystepswerepassed，bothyoungmenreachingthegroundatthesameinstant，havingsucceededinleavingtheTempleoftheSunGodwithoutbeingglimpsedbyanIndianofallthosewhomthesonorousdrum-throbshadbroughtforthInarms。

"Whithernow？"askedBruno，inguardedtones，ashelookedforthfromshadowintomoonlight，seeingscoresuponscoresofarmedshapesflittingtoandfro，alllookingfortheenemy，yetnoneabletopreciselylocatethetrouble。

Justthenasavageyellbrokefromthetopofthetemple，followedbyafewfierce-soundingsentences，whichIxtlideclaredcamefromtheLordHua，thenadding：

"Hesaykillifcatch，butdat——no！Come，whitebrother。Ixtlishowhowplayfooldatdog；yes！"

"Allright，myhearty。Isitabreakforthehills？IreckonI

canbreakthrough。Ifnot——well，I’llleavesomemarksbehindme，anyway！"

"No，no，datbad！Can’tgotohills；musthide，"positivelydeclaredtheyoungAztec。"Come，now。Meshowgoodplace；alldeadbutwe。"

Evidentlytrustingtopassundetectedwheresomanyotherswererushingbackandforthinseemingconfusion，Ixtlibrokeawayfromtheshadowofthetemple，closelyfollowedbyGillespie，headingasdirectlyasmightbeforthestrangerefugewhichhenowhadinmind。

Thatprovedtobealow，unpretendingstructurewhichwasofnogreatextent，sofarasBruno’shastylookcouldascertain。

Still，thatwasnotthetimefordoubtingthewisdomofhisguide，noramomentinwhichtodiscusseithermethodsormeans；

andasIxtlipassedthroughamassiveentrance，thepalefacefollowed，givingalittleshiverasthebarrierswungtobehindthem。

"Whatsortofaplaceisit，anyway，Ixtli？"hedemanded，buttheAztecwastoohurriedforwords，justthen，saveenoughtowarnhiscompanioninperilthattheymustdescenddeeperintotheearth。

Itwasmoreofascramblethanadeliberatedescent，forthegloomwascomplete，andBrunohadnotimeinwhichtofeelforstepsorstairs。Onlyfortheaidingtouchofhisguide，hemusthavetakenmorethanoneawkwardtumbleerethatlowerlevelwasattained。

Thenabreathing-spellwasgrantedhim，and，whileIxtlibentearinlisteningtodiscoverifpursuitwasbeingmade，Brunodrewamatchfromtheliberalsupplyhehadtakentheprecautiontofetchalong，and，strikingit，heldaloftthetinytorchtoviewtheirpresentsurroundings。

Onlytogiveaninvoluntarystartandcryashecaughtindistinctglimpsesoffleshlessbonesandgrinningskulls，thosegrimrelicsofmortalityshowinguponeverysideashiswildeyesrovedaround。

Thenahandstruckdownthematch，andaswiftvoicebreathed：

"Deycomedisway。Seeushide——comehunt，now，tokill！"

CHAPTERXXIV。

THESUNCHILDREN’SPERIL。

NotuntilthetwoyoungmenpassedbeneaththoseheavycurtainsdideitheroneoftheSunChildrenreallygivethoughttotheirownpossibleperil，butstoodclosetogether，armofmotheraboutdaughterastheylistenedtotheominoussoundswithout，sorapidlygrowinginforceandnumber。

Then，justasthedeeptonesofthewar-drumboomedforthuponthenightair，thefallenAztecbetrayedsignsofrallyingwits，givingalowsoundwhichmighthavebeengroanofpainorcurseofbaffledrage。Bethatasitmay，thesoundservedonepurpose：VictoriaEdgecombe（toappendhercorrectnameforthefirsttime）drewherchildfartheraway，herrighthandreachingforthtopluckalightyeteffectivespearfromwhereitlayagainstthewall。

"Mother，mother！"faintlypantedthemaiden，plainlyatalosstocomprehendallthathadsorecentlytranspired。"Whatisit？

Whatdoesitallmean？SurelythatwasIxtli；and——theother？"

"Amessengerfromyourfather，child，and——"

"Myfather？Ithought——heisnot——notdead？"

"Thanksbetoheaven，notdead！"withhystericaljoyinfaceasinvoice。"Alive，andseekingus，Gladys！Comingtorescueusfromthisdeathinlife，andnow——toyourknees，mydaughter；tothyknees，andliftthanksuntothegoodFatherwhohasatlastlistenedtomymoans！"

Againthewar-drumboomedforthinanawesomeroll，butallunheedingthatominoussound，payingnoattentiontothestirringofyondersavage，whoselaceratedscalpwaspaintinghisfaceadeeperredthanevennatureintended，motheranddaughtersanktotheirknees，liftinghandsandheartstowardstheAll-Powerful，evenastheirgratitudefloatedtowardstheThroneofGrace。

ThenarosethehoarsetonesofHuatzin，biddinghisalliesfindandslaywithoutmercy；cursingthetreacherousAztecwhohadthusguidedoneofastrangetribeintotheveryheartoftheirbelovedcity。

Withashort，fierceejaculation，Victosprangtoherfeet，righthandonceagaingraspingshaftofjavelin，itscopperpointgleamingruddilyintheraysoflampasthoughalreadymoistenedbytheheart-bloodofyondervillain。

Fardifferentlyactedthemaiden，herfiguretremblingwithfearandwondercommingled，herlipsslightlyblanchedassheclungclosertohermother。Yetthroughallranatouchofgirlishcuriositywhichhelpedshapethewordsnowcrossingherlips。

"Whowasit，mother？Whocouldthestrangerbe？Andwhitherhashegone？"

"WithIxtli，mychild，andmaythegoodGodofourownpeoplegrantthembothlifeandliberty！IfIthought——yourfather，Gladys！Aliveandlookingforhisbelovedones！See！fromhisowndearhand，andhesays——Hold！whocomesthere？"

Butthealarmappearedtobewithoutactualfoundation，forthesoundscamenocloser，remainingbeyondthedraperypastwhichLordHuahadstaggeredonlyafewbriefsecondsbefore。

Gladysralliedmorespeedilythanonemighthaveexpected，andshespokewithevengreaterinterestthanatfirst。

"Mydearfather，andalive？Oh，mother，whyishenothereto——whyshouldhesendanother？Andthatone——hespokeourdearlanguage，mother；surelyheisnot——notasIxtli？"

"No；hewasofourownpeople，child，andIcanhardlyconceivehowhecamehither，savethatIxtlimusthaveactedasguide。"

"Andthoseawfulwarriors！"shiveringasthewar-criesfollowedthemuffledroarofthegreatdrum。"Iffound，hewillbeslain！

Doyouthinkthereisanyhopeforhim，mother？Andheseemedso——so——"

"HeisgonewithIxtli，andIxtliistruetotheverycore，"

Victohastenedtogiveassurance。"Iwouldrathertrusthimthanmanyanotherofthricehisyearsandwarlikeexperience。Ixtliistrue；ay，astrueandtriedashisfather，Aztotl！"

"Wholovesyou，mother，andwouldwin——"

"Hush，child！"justabitsharplyinterposedtheelderwoman，yetatthesametimetighteningthatlovingclasp。"MerelyasthedaughterofhisSunGod，Quetzalcoatl，and——ha！"

Onceagaintherecametheechoesofrapidfoot-fallsbeyondtheheavydraperies，andagainthisAmazonianmotherdrewhersuperbforminfrontofhershrinkingchild，poisingthejavelininreadinessforstrokeorcasting，asmightservebest。

Astrongarmbrushedthecurtainsasidesufficientlytoadmititsowner’spassage，butthearmedwarriorstoppedshortatsightingtheSunChildren，hisproudheadlowering，handscrossingoverhisbroadbosomintokenofadoration，——foritsurelywasmorethanmeresubmissiontooneheldhissuperior。

Withalowcry，Victodrewbackabit，weaponloweringassherecognisedfriendinplaceofenemy。

"Itisyou，Aztotl？"shespoke，inmellowtones。"Ithought——didyouremovetheusualguards，thisevening？"

"Theblamefallstomyshare，SunChild，"theRedHeronmadeanswer，withameeknessstrangeinoneofhisbuildandgeneralappearance，thatofakingamongordinarywarriors。

"Notjustly，northroughfaultofyourown，mygoodandtruefriend，"theelderwomanmadehastetogiveassurance。"NoteventhylipsshallspeakslanderofAztotltheTrue-heart，mybrother。"

WithaswiftadvancetheRedHeroncaughttheunarmedhand，tobendoverituntilhislipsbarelybrushedthesoft，perfumedskin。Thenhesanktooneknee，bowinghisheaduntilhisbrowtouchedthefloorbeneathhersandalledfeet。

Swiftly，gracefully，thesemovementsweremade，andwheretheywouldhaveappearedfulsomeordegradedinsome，withthiswarriortheeffectwasfarfromdisagreeabletoseeortoexperience。

Victoflushedwarmlyanddrewbackalittlefarther，forthememoryofthosewordsletfallbyGladyscamebackwithunpleasantdistinctness。AndwasshesocertainthatAztotllookeduponherasmerelyagod-descendedpriestess？

TheRedHeronaroseeasily，headrisingproudlyabovehisshapelyshouldersashemetthosegreatblueeyes，——eyesaspureandasfathomlessasthecloudlessskyinmidsummer。

Andthen，morelikeonegivingabarestatementoffactsthanoneofferingadefenceforhimself，Aztotlspokeofafaithlesssubordinate，whowasguiltyofeithercarelessneglect，orworse。

"ItmaybethatTezcatllosthiswitsthroughstrongwaters，SunChild，oreventhathetookevilpayfromstillmorevilehands。

Youhaveseenthelastofhim，though，ChildofQuetzal’l。"

"Yousurelydonotmeanthat——"

Aztotllightlytappedtheknife-hiltshowingabovehismaxtlatl，coldlyaddingwordstothatsignificantgesture：

"Thereisnoplaceforfoolortraitoruponthebody-guardoftheSunChildren。Tezcatlsinned；hehaspaidfullforfeit。Andjustsoshallallothersperishwhodarecastanevilglancetowards——ha！"

Anotheroutcryarosefromtheothersideofthecurtainedrecess，andtheRedHeroninstantlysprangawayinthatdirection，handsgrippingweaponsinreadinessforinstantuseincaseofneed。

Almostasswiftly，Victoandthemaidenfollowed，onethroughfear，theotherthroughutterlackoffear，forherself。

ThosesavagecriescamefromthelipsofnoneotherthanthechieftainwhosenowbareheadboresignificanttracesofBrunoGillespie’shandiwork，andheseemedbentonrushingdirectlyintothepresenceoftheSunChildren，untilRedHeroninterposed，sternandicy-toned：

"Standback，myLordHua！"heordered，lefthandadvancedwithopenpalm，butitsdextermatearmedandreadyforhotworkifthatmustcome。"Venturenocloser，onthyperil，chief！"

Huatzinrecoiledabit，thoughthatmighthavebeenmorethroughsurprisethanbecausehefearedthisproudwarrior。Hegrippedhisknife-hilt，andpartlydrewthebladefromitssupportingsash。Ahissingoathescapedhislips，andhecrouchedatrifle，asawildbeastgathersitsdeadliestforcepriortomakingadeathleap。

"Darestthoubarmypath，Aztotl？"hecried，hoarsely。"Makeway，Ibidthee；makeway，forIwillseetheSunChildrenand——"

"Notso，myLordHua，"coldlyinterruptedthemasterofguards，thatwarningpalmstillturnedtothefront。"Youareherewithoutlaworleave，andknowwhattheedictsays：fromthegoingtothereturnofthesun，thesestonesaresacredfromallfeetsavethoseoftheSunChildrenandtheirregularbody-guard。"

"WhatcareIforlaws？Orforsuchasthou，RedHeron？Iwillthatsuchathingshallbe，anditcomestopass。And——thoudaretobarmyway，Aztotl？"

"Ay。Bywordsiftheyprovesufficient。Byforceifcalledfor。

Bydeathifworstmustcome；eventhedeathofamightychieftainlikeLordHuawouldnotbetoogreatafeat。"

ForabriefspaceitseemedasthoughHuatzinwouldmakealeaptowhichtherecouldbebutonetermination，deathtooneortoboth。ButAztotlcoldlyspokeon：

"Ihavegivenyoufairandfriendlywarning，LordHua。Go，now，whilethepathofpeaceliesopen。Go，elseIsoundthecall，andmyguardwilltakeyouincharge，justastheywouldanyotherrascallyintruder。"

"Yourpreciousson，forinstance？"retortedthe’Tzin，viciously。