第7章

"Hecamewithonewhom——oneofadifferentracefromourown，Aztotl！Atraitorinthyownfamily，yetthoudaresthintat——"

Aztotlliftedabentfingertohislips，soundingashrill，far-penetratingwhistle。Theresponsewaspromptindeed，anarmedforceadvancingwithweaponsheldready，awaitingonlywordfromcommandertopunishthatrashintruderbyhurlinghimtodeathovertheterraces。

Althoughnearlybesidehimselfwithfury，Huatzinglareddefianceatbothguardanditscommander，thenturnedmoredirectlyupontheSunChildren，speakinginsavagetones：

"Untoyou，proudVicto，I’lleitherwinyouasmy——"

"Goon，LordHua，"coldlyspokethewoman，ashisvoicechoked。

"I’llwinandwearyouasmysquaw，orelsegiveyoutothestoneofsacrifice！"hesnarled，thenturnedawayasAztotlmotionedhisguardstoclearthetempleofallintruders，thenseethatnoneotherdaredenter。

CHAPTERXXV。

WALDOGOESFISHING。

Itwaswithstrongerforebodingsthanhedaredacknowledgeeventohimself，thatProfessorFeatherwitwatchedthetwoyoungmenoutofsightintheearlygloom，andscarcelyhadhisnephewpassedbeyondhearingthanunclePhaetonwouldgladlyhaverecalledBruno。

Waldomadelightofallfears，prophesyingcompletesuccess，andevengoingsofarastopredictBruno’sreturnaccompaniedbytheChildrenoftheSun；enthusiasticwordswhichsettheexiletotremblingwithexcessofjoyandanticipation。

What，then，wastheblankdismayofallwhen，floatingthroughthenight，camethehollowthrobbingofyondermightywar-drum，fetchingeachpersontohisfeetandholdinghimspellboundforthefirstfewseconds。

CooperEdgecombeturnedsickatheart，evenwhileignorantastothemethodofsendingforththatalarm，hishollowgroanbeingthefirstsoundtofollowthesimultaneousexclamationwhichburstfromthreepairsoflipsasthesurprisecame。AndbutabreathlaterWaldobrokeforthwiththeexcitedquery：

"Whatisit？What’sbrokenloosenow？Surely——thunder？"

OnlyProfessorPhaetonatoncerecognisedthesound，throughdescription，andeachoneofthoseswiftlysucceedingstrokesseemedfallinguponhisheart，biddinghimmournforhisbelovednephew，uponwhomhisagedeyeshadsurelylookedtheirlastinthislife！

Yetitwastheprofessorwhotookpromptaction，speakingsharplyashedartedacrosstowheretheair-shiprested：

"Come；getaboard，andletusdowhatliesinourpower。Itwascriminaltosendthepoorladintothejawsofdeath，butnow——hasten，theremaybeachance，evenyet！"

Thecallwasstillhotuponhislipswhenhistwocompanionsenteredtheaerostat，grippingtightthehand-railasProfessorFeatherwitsentthevesselafloatwithrecklesshaste。Asbyamiracletheyescapeddisasterthroughrushingintoabushytreetop，andthatfactservedtosteadytheaeronaut’snerves。

"Onguard，unclePhaeton！"criedWaldo，makingaluckysnatchathiscap，whichoneofthestiffboughsbrushedoffhishead。

"Ay，ay，lad，"respondedthemanattheguiding-gear，astheair-shipshotonwardandupward，nowheading，asdirectlyaswaspracticable，fortheLostCityoftheAztecs。"ThatwastheverylessonIneeded。Iamsteadyofnerve，now，andwillshownolack，——heavengrantthatwemaynotbeforevertoolate，though！"

"Whatdoyoureckoncouldhavekickedupsuchabobbery，uncle？

Andwhat——ugh！"asthewardrum’sthrobbingsagainswelledforthingrimalarm。"Whatintimeisthat，anyway？"

Asbrieflyasmightbe，theprofessorexplained，andalmostforthefirsttimeWaldofeltathrillofdread。

"Ifthey’vegotBruno，whatwilltheydowithhim？"

ThatverydreadwasworryingunclePhaeton，andalreadythroughhisbusybrainwereflashinghorridpicturesofpunishmentandsacrifice，ofhideousscenesoftorture，whereintheeldestsonofhisdeadsisterplayedaprominentrole，perforce。

Hedarednottrusthistonguetomakeanswer，justthen，andsenttheaeromotoronwardattopspeed，leaningfarforwardtowintheearliestglimpseof——what？

HecaughtsightofblazingbeaconsfairlyencirclingtheLostCity，formingacordonthroughwhichnostrangercouldhopetopassunseen。Hebeheldhundredsofarmedshapesrushingtoandfro，plainlylookingforsomeintruderorotherenemy，yetalmostascertainlyfailingasyettomakethelonged-fordiscovery。

NotuntilthatmomenthadunclePhaetondaredindulgeineventheshadowofahope。TheawfulalarmseemedproofconclusivethatpoorBrunohadbeentaken，throughthetreacheryofIxtli。

Naturallyenough，thatwashisfirstbelief，butnow，astheair-shipslackenedpacetocirclemoredeliberatelyabovethevalley，alleyesontheeagerwatchforeitherBrunoorsomethingtohintathisfate，ProfessorFeatherwitlostaportionofthatconviction。

IfBrunohadindeedfallenvictimtomisplacedconfidence，andhadbeencraftilyluredintothisdenofraveningwildbeasts，whyallthisconfusionandmadskurry？Whyhadnotthetraitorfirstmadesureofhisvictim？Whysuchageneralalarm？

Althoughsuchhasteingettingafloathadbeenmade，somelittletimehadbeenthusconsumed，and，beforetheaerostatwasfairlyabovetheLostCity，BrunoandIxtlihaddroppedbystagesdowntheshadowedsideoftheTempleoftheSunGod，toburrowunderneaththegroundastheirsurestmethodofeludingpursuit。

Onlyforthat，theendmighthavebeendifferent，for，oncesighted，Gillespiewouldhavebeenrescuedbyhisfriends，orthosefriendswouldsurelyhaveshareddeathwithhim。

Andsoitcametopassthat，circlethoughtheymight，callingearstosupplementtheireyes，swoopingperilouslylowdownintheirfierceeagernesstosighttheirimperilledone，neveraglimpseoftheyoungmancouldtheyobtain，norevenadefinitehintastowherenexttolookforhim。

"SurelytheycannothavecapturedBruno，asyet？"huskilymutteredunclePhaeton，hungrilystraininghiseyeswithoutreward。"Ifthepoorboyhadactuallyfallenintosuchevilhands，whysuchcrazyconfusion？Why——oh，whydidIpermithiscoaxingstooverpowermybetterjudgment？WhydidIsendhiminto——"

Thewordsstuckinhisthroatandrefusedtoissue。PhaetonFeatherwitjustthenfelthimselflittlelessthanacold-bloodedassassin。

Mr。Edgecombewasbutlittlelessdeeplystirred，althoughhisfeelingsweremoreofamixture。HegrievedforBruno，andwouldwillinglyriskhislifeinhopesofdoingtheyoungmanaservice，yethisgazewasdrawnfarmorefrequentlytowardsyondertemple，onthetopofwhichhehad——surelyheHADcaughtsightofhiswife，hisdaughter！

"Letmedownandtrytofindhim，"heeagerlybegged，asonemightpleadforagreatboon。"Ipromisetosavehimifyetalive，and——letmetry，professor；Ibegofyou，givemethischancetoshowmyheartfeltgratitude。"

ButProfessorFeatherwitshookhisheadinnegation。

"Thatwouldonlyaddtoourtrouble，friend。Knowingnothingofthedialect，youwouldbewhollyataloss。And，lookingsoentirelydifferentineveryrespect，howcouldyouhopetopassinspection？"

"Allseemssoconfused，thatImight——surelyitisworthtrying。"

"Itwouldbesuicidal，sosaynomoreonthatscore，"almostharshlyspoketheusuallymild-manneredaeronaut，sendinghisvesseluponanothercircuit，onlywithsternvigilancechokingbacktheappealingshouttohislostnephew。

ThistimetheaerostatwasbroughtdirectlyabovetheTempleoftheSun，wherethereappearedtobesomeunusualdisturbance，anumberofarmedguardsfairlydrivingagailyarrayedIndiandowntothelowerlevels，andthatgreatlyagainsthisinclinations，judgingfromtheharshcriesandringingthreatswhichburstfromhislips。

Recognisingthebuilding，andunabletoholdhisintenseemotionslongerundersterncontrol，CooperEdgecombecalledaloudthenamesofhiswifeanddaughter，beggingthattheymightcometohim；butthentheair-shipwassentonwardandupward，withadizzyingswoop，andProfessorFeatherwitgrippedanarm，sternlyspeaking：

"Quiet，sir！AnotheroutbreaklikethatandI’lllockyourlips，ifIhavetosendabulletthroughyourmadbrain！"

"Iforgot。Icouldnotwaitlonger，knowingthatmylovedones——"

"Youforgotthatthelivesofalldependuponourremainingatliberty，"coldlyinterruptedFeatherwit。"Withoutthismeansofconveyance，howcanyourlovedonesescape？Now，yoursolemnpledgetomaintainuttersilence，orIwilltakeyoubacktoyonderwilderness，leavingyoutoshiftforyourselfasbestyoucan。Promise，sir！"

"Iwill，——Ido。Forgiveme，forIwascarriedawayby——’twasthereIsaw——aftersomanyhorribleyears！"huskilymutteredtheexile，fairlycoweringthere，beforehissaviourfromthewhirlpool。

"Enough；bearinmindthattherescueofyourlovedonesdependonourefforts。Ifdiscoveredbyyondersnarlingbeasts，andthemachineisinjured，——farewell，allhopes！Now，quiet，andlookforBruno！"

Againtheair-shipcircledoverthevalley，inspiteofthemoonlightpassingwhollyunseenandunsuspectedbytheAztecs，whoseenergieswerebentonferretingoutmortalfoes，notdemonsoftheupperworld。

Waldoleanedfartheroverthehand-railastheyfloatedclosertoanexcitedgroupofwarriors，thecentralfigurebeingLordHuahimself，fiercelydenouncingAztotlandhisson，Ixtli，astraitorstothecommonwelfare，andcallinguponallhonestbravestometeforthbefittingpunishment。

ProfessorFeatherwitcaughtonenameindistinctly；thatoftheyoungAztecinwhosecompanyBrunohadsetforthonhisill-starredventure；andhopingtolearnmoreofimportance，hecausedtheaerostattohoverdirectlyabovethatparticulargroupofredskins。

Waldo，neverstoppingtocounttheriskhemightthusfetchuponthemall，silentlyloweredthegrapnel，bymeansofthedrag-rope，givingaboyishchuckleasthethree-prongedhookdescendedamidstthatgathering，thesightcausingmorethanonesuperstitiousbravetoleapaside，withcriesofamazedaffright。

Theair-shipgaveasuddenswoop，andthegrapnelcaughtHuatzinbyhisgirdle，jerkinghimfairlyoffhisfeet，andswinginghimintoair，prettymuchasayoungstermightlandawrithingfish。

Butnofisheversentforthsowildascreechofmingledrageandterrorassplittheairjustthen。

Althoughhardlyrealisingwhatwashappening，ProfessorFeatherwitsenttheaeromotorupwardwithamightyjerk。Theshockprovingtoomuchforthatsash，LordHuafellbacktoearth，literallybitingthedust，althoughhemetwithnobodilyharmbeyondsundrybruises。

"Caughtasucker，and——I’llneverdoitagain，uncle！"explodedWaldo，asheswiftlyhauledinhisnovelfish-line；buthehadtotakeaseverelecturefromtheprofessorbeforethesubjectwasfinallydropped。

And，worsethanallelse，theair-demonwasnowthetargetforbotheyesandarrows，and，perforce，sailedswiftlyawayintothenight。

CHAPTERXXVI。

DOWNAMONGTHEDEAD。

Ixtlispokewithadegreeofearnestnesswhichleftnoroomfordoubt，eveniftheyoungman’sownkeensenseofhearinghadnotgivenwarningbutaninstantlater。

Ominoussoundscamefromtheentrance，whichhadservedthembutsobriefatimegoneby，andBrunoknewthat，eveniftheyhadescapedbeingseenwhilethusattemptingtowinsuchagruesomerefuge，thepossibilityoftheirhavingelectedjustsuchalineofflighthadoccurredtosomeoftheredskins。

Gillespieheardtheheavydoorsopen，thenclangtoagain。HewasfairlyconfidentthatsomeoftheAztecshadentered，althoughasyettheutterdarknesshinderedfurtherrecognition。

"Whatnext，Ixtli？"hewhispered，lipsalmosttouchingthefaceofhisyoungguide，astheystoodclosetogetherinthemirk。

"Theycan’ttakemealive！Isitfight，or——"

"Nofightyet，"gentlybreathedtheAztecinturn。"Deylook，datnotmakesurefind。Deytrysee；wetrynotseealltime。

Deycome，wego，——likedis！"

Catchingahandwithinhisownclasp，IxtliledBrunoawayinthatutterdarkness，seeminglywellacquaintedwiththelayoftheground，althoughitquicklybecameevidentthattheremustbemorethanonedirectpassage。Brunofeltconvincedthattherewereotherchambersturningatrightanglestotheirpresentcourse，thoughitmighthavebotheredtheyoungmantogiveentirelysatisfactoryreasonsforsuchbelief。

Ixtlididnotfleefastnorfar，inthatfirstspurt，pausingshortlytoturnfacetowardstherear，alow，musicalchucklecomingthroughhislips。

"Deycomelook，gotnoeyesforseeindark，"heexplained，barelyloudenoughforBrunotocatchhismeaning。"Weplayfooldemall；datbefun；heapfunalltimeover！"

Ixtliwasscarcelyaspreciseofspeechwhileundertheinfluenceofexcitementaswhenhehadampletimeinwhichtopickandchoosehiswords；buttherewaslittleroomformistakinghismeaning，which，afterall，isfairlysufficient。

Butthistimetheyoungbravewasinerror，foronlyafewmomentslaterbothfugitivescaughtsightofadimlightinhurriedmotionfartowardstheentrancetotheseundergroundcrypts。Thatwarnedthemofaddedperil，andIxtli’schucklediedabruptlyaway。

"They’llfetchusnow，"grimlymutteredBruno，shakinghisfairlyathleticshouldersandfingeringtheknifeathisbeltasthoughmakingpreparationsforaninevitablestruggle。"Allright。

Theymaykill，butI’llfurnishsomeredpaintformytombstone，anyway！"

ItmaybedoubtedwhetherIxtlifullyappreciatedthisconclusion，yethedivinedsomethingofwhatwasspoken，andmadeswiftresponse：

"Nokillyet。Deylook，wehide。Mebbenotfind。Mebbeplayfoolallover——yes！"

"Wherecanwehidethatlightswon’tferretusout，though？Ifafellowmightonlyhavethesameadvantage；hereinthisdarknessI’mnotworthasickkitten！"

Justabitdisgustedlycamethewords，butBrunowasnotgivingoverinweakdespair。Nomatterhowvasttheoddsmightshowagainsthim，hewouldputupagallantfightaslongashecouldlifthishandorstrikeablow。

Still，hewasbynomeansanxiousforthecrisistoarrive。Hewouldfarratherrunthanfight，underexistingcircumstances；

butwhither，andhow？

Ixtlitookituponhimselftosolvetheperplexingenigma，inawhisperbiddinghiswhitebrotherfollowwithaslittlesoundasmightbe，oncemorehurryingawaythroughthegloomyblackness，whichwasbynomeansrenderedmoreagreeabletoBrunobythatfleetingglimpseofthedeadmen’sbones。

Therewaslittleroomleftfordoubtingthetruth。Theirpresenceinthedeath-cellssurelywasmorethansuspected，judgingfromtheactionsofyonderredskins，whoflashedthelightoverandintoeachangleandcorner，eachnicheandjog，whereahumanbeingmightpossiblyseekconcealment。

Theywerenotsomanyinnumber，butstillalargerforcethancouldwellbemetwithsuccessbytwoyouths，evengrantingthatIxtliwouldturnlethalweaponsagainsthisownpeople，whichBrunofeltwasbynomeansasettledfact。

Forsomelittletimetheyoungmenkeptwithoutthatlimitedcircleoflight，watchingeachmovementmadebythesearchers，andatthesametimetakingcarethatnoneofthelittlepartystoleadangerousmarchuponthembyhasteninginadvanceofthelights。

Ixtliapparentlyenjoyedtheaffair，muchasachildmightasuccessfulgameofI-spy，forheemittedoccasionalchuckles，andletfallsoftwhisperswhich，ifcaughtbyotherears，certainlywouldnothavedeeplybenefitedthefugitiveswhencaptured。

Thankstothatslowprogress，renderedthusbythecareandminutenessofthesearch，Brunobegantomarvelattheextentofthecatacombs，andalmostinvoluntarilycalculatehowmanycenturiesitmusthavetakentoaccumulatesuchenormousquantitiesofremains。For，thankstoyonderpryinglight，hecouldseehowhighthosegrimrelicsofperishingmortalitywerepiledupintiers，withhereandthereuprightskeletonsinpositionofgreaterprominence。

PerhapsGillespiemighthavebeenbetterabletoappreciateIxtli’samusementhadheevenaninklingastohowthisgameofhide-and-go-seekwasfatedtoend。Thatanendmustcome，eventually，wasaforegoneconclusion。Andthen？

HeventuredtoaskIxtlihowtheyweretoescapedetectionwhentheycouldretreatnofarther，butbeforeananswercouldbefairlyshaped，thatendseemedactuallyuponthem。

Withoutsoundorwarningofanysort，anotherbrightlightshowedataconsiderabledistanceintheoppositedirection，and，asBrunostaredthatway，hemadeoutseveralarmedwarriorswhoappearedtobeengagedinthatsameoccupation：searchingthatcityofthedeadfortheliving！

Thuscaughtbetweentwofires，thereseemedonlyonecoursetopursue，and，withthecourageofhisfathers，Brunospokeinlow，grimtonestohisyoungguide：

"Nouseforyoutojoininthemix，Ixtli。I’lldothebestI

knowhow，butifIcan’tmaketheriffle，ifIgodownforgoodandall，Iaskyoutoconveythenewstomyfriends。Youwill？"

ButIxtliwasnotattheendofhisresources，andgrippingawrist，heurgedBrunotowardsyondersecondlight，speakinghastilyastheymovedalongtowardstheedgeofthatwidepassage。Nofight，yet。Besthide；mebbenofind；datbesttryfirst。DenIxtlifightlikewhitebrother，——fast！"

Therewastimeforscantspeech，forjustthenthetwopartiesseemed，forthefirsttime，tocatchsightofeachother，andwhilethebravebearingtherudelanternstillmaintainedhisslowmovements，searchingwellashecame，theotherIndianscameinadvance，givingthefugitivesbarelytimeinwhichtocrouchdownundertemporarycover。

Themomenttheseenemieshadpassedthemby，IxtliurgedBrunoon，then，inswiftwhispers，instructedhimhowtoperfecthishiding，evenaidingtheyoungpalefaceintooneoftheuprightcrypts，backofagrimskeleton，themoulderingblanketsassistingincoveringtheoneoffleshandblood。

Afterlikefashion，theAztecsoughtcoverontheoppositesideofthepassage。Nonetooquickly，either；fornowthesinglesearcherdrewdangerouslynigh，peeringintoeverypracticablehiding-placeoneitherside，beforemovingonward。

Littlebylittlehedrewcloser，whiletheotherbandofsearchersapparentlyturnedoffintoasidepassage，orlargechamber，sincenothingcouldbeseenorheardofthembythefugitives。

Inallprobability，Ixtli’sboldrusewouldhaveprovedacompletesuccess，fortheAztecwarriorshowednosuspicionashedrewnearer；butitwasnottobethus。

Fairlyholdinghisbreath，lesthedisturbsomeofthedrybonesimmediatelyinfrontofhimself，Brunowaitedandhoped，onlytofeelhisbloodchill，andhisheartfailhim，asasickeninghorrorcreptoverhisbrain；norwasthattheonlycreepingthing，——worseluck！

Pastallroomfordoubting，hisentranceintothatcrypthaddisturbedthereposeofasnakeofsomedescription；fornowhecouldfeeltheloathsomereptilecrawlingslowlyuphisback，turningtheskinbeneathtoscorchingiceinitshorridpassage。

Onehorriblenightmareminutethatlasted，thentheserpentpauseduponhisshoulderandbiceps，touchinghischeekwithnose，thendrawingbackitsuglyheadtogiveanominoushiss。

Humanfleshandbloodcouldendurenomore，andBrunoflungthesnakeviolentlyoff，strikingforciblyagainstthatmassofdrybonesashedidso。Witharattlingclatter，theskeletonlostitsfrailcoherenceandtumbledoutward，leavingBrunofairlyexposedwithintheniche。

WithacrytheAztecwarriorturnedinthatdirection，buterehecouldfetchhislighttobearupontherightspot，Ixtlisprungforthtotherescue，hootinglikeafrightenedowl，ashedashedthelighttoearth，and，atthesametime，deftlytrippingtheIndianheadlong。

Swiftasthoughtitselfhefolloweduptheadvantagethuswon，smitingthefallenbraveheavilyuponthecrownwithaclubbedthighbone，deprivinghimofsensibilityforthetimebeingatleast。Andthensnatchingupthestillburninglight，hecalled，inguardedtones，tohiswhitefriend：

"Come，brother，playhunt，now！Fast——notstophere；datbadforyouseebydemsosoon。Datgoodyougo——likedisway！"

ScarcelyrealisingjustwhatfreshrusetheAztechadinmind，butfarfromrecoveredfromthathorriblefearofdeathfrompoisonousfangs，Gillespiesubmitted，Ixtlihurryinghimaway，turningoffintowhatappearedtobeasidepassage，lessspaciousthanthattowhichtheyhaduntilthenconfinedtheirretreat。

TheyoungAztechastilyexplainedhispresentscheme，whichwastoplaytheroleofsearchersaswell；andscarcelyhadhemadethatprojectknown，thananotherdifficulttestwasofferedtheircourage。

CHAPTERXXVII。

PENETRATINGGRIMSECRETS。

Brunocaughtanimperfectviewofmovingfiguresatnogreatdistanceahead，buterehecouldfairlydecidejustwhattheymightbe，hisred-skinnedguideswiftlywhispered：

"Morecomelook。Youdon’tsay。Ixtlifool’em——easy！"

Makingnottheslightestattempttoavoidtheissue，theyoungAztecsteppedalittleinadvanceofGillespie，thuscastinghimintopartialeclipse，speakingbriskly，ashemetthetwoIndians，onlyoneofwhomborealight：

"Itistroublefornothing，brothers。Thereisnosignhere。Ifhesawaught，’twasinadream，Ithink。Andnow——hark！"

EventhereinthesubterraneanrecessessomethingofthewildlyexciteduproarwhichfollowedWaldo’srashattempttogoa-fishingafterhisfellowmen，andthesightingofthatawfulair-demonbytheIndians，couldbeheard，and，withoutdiviningitsactualimport，Ixtliadroitlyturnedittohisownadvantage。

"Theyhavefoundthestrangedogwithout！"hecried，sharply。

"Come，mybrothers，elsewewillbetoolatefor——hasten，all！"

Butonlyone-halfofthepresentgroupobeyed，thetwoIndiansdashingatfullspeedtowardsthemainentrancetothecityofthedead，leavingBrunobehind，whollyunsuspected，andIxtlichucklinggleefullyoverthefavourablechangeinthesituation。

"Deygo——wecome。Disway，brother，"theAztecspoke，movingintheoppositedirection，followedwillinglyenoughbythenowprettywellbewilderedpaleface。

"Whitherarewegoing？"Brunofeltimpelledtoask，afterafewmomentsmoreofblindobedience。"Howarewegoingtogetout？

Andmyfriends，——theymusthavebeenalarmedbythatgreatdrum！"

Ixtlimaderesponsebytouchratherthaninwords，and，givinghiscompanionbarelytimesufficienttoreadarightthatlookofwarning，heextinguishedthelight，leavingthemselvesincompletedarkness。

Naturallyanticipatingfreshdanger，Brunostrainedhisearstocatchatleastaninklingofitsprecisenatureerethetroublecouldfairlyclosein；butonlysilencesurroundedthem，——silence，andanalmostpalpablegloom。

"Notcat，"assuredIxtli，inasoft-tonedwhisper，ashedivinedtheexpectationsentertainedbyhiscomradeinperil。"Nobodycome，now。Allgoneseewhatnoise’bout，yonder。You，me，allright。Bestmeknobigtalk，dough。Come——see！"

ApparentlytheyoungAztecfounditnoeasymattertoelectwordswhichshouldfairlyconveyhisdesiredmeaning，and，abruptlygivingovertheeffort，hemovedon，onehandlightlycloseduponBruno’swristtoguardagainstpossibleseparationinthatutterdarkness。

NothingfurtherwassaiduntilIxtliagaincametoahalt，Gillespiegivingalowexclamationashefeltwhatappearedtobeablankwallbeforethem。Wasthisnothoroughfare？Weretheyblockedin，toperishofstarvation，unlessearlierdiscoveredbythered-skinnedsearchers？

Farfromagreeablethoughts，yetsuchswiftlyflashedacrosstheyoungman’sbrain，lendinganechoofharshnesstohisvoiceashespoke。

"Wherearewenow，Ixtli？Howarewegoingtogetoutofthis？

Ifyouhaveledmeintoatrap——"

Finger-tipslightlybrushedhislips，thentheAztecexplainedaswellhewasable，thankstohislimitedvocabulary。

Escapefromthecatacombbythesameroutetheyhadtakeninseekingrefugetherewasentirelyoutofthequestion。Eventhoughtheredskinsmighthaveabandonedthesearchinthatprecisequarterforthetimebeing，thankstothesuddenalarmwhichhadbrokenforthinthevalley，almostcertainlytherewouldbeanarmedguardsostationedastointerceptanyorallpersonswhomightsoattempttoemerge。

ThismuchBrunogathered，thentookhisturnattheverbaloars。

"Butwecan’tstayhere，man，dear。Nothingtoeatortodrink，andmyfriendsworryingoverus，outside。We’vegottogetout；

Ihave，atanyrate。Theonlyquestionis，justhow，andwhere？"

"Dereonewaygo，"Ixtlimadereply，evenhisloweredtonesbetrayingmorethanordinaryimpressiveness，Brunofancied。

"Mebbeeasy，mebbehard。Finddat，whentry。Wegodisway。

Bestbestill，dough！"

Brunowasreadyenoughtopromiseallthat，justsoactionwasbeingtaken，hisuneasinessbeingbyfartoodeepforrestorrepose。Moreonaccountofhisuncleandhisbrother，though，thanforhisownsafety。Hehadnotyetlosthopeofextricationfromtheperilswhichsurelysurroundedthem，notquiteabandonedhopeofrescuingtheChildrenoftheSunaswell。

Turningabruptlytotheleft，Ixtliledthewayintowhatappeared（throughthesensesoftouchandhearing）tobeanarrow，windingtunnel，whichpresentlytookanupwardincline，thenbroadenedintoachamberofgreaterorlesserdimensions；

thefaintechoestoldGillespietherewasanenlargementofsomedescription，buttheutterdarknessveiledallelse。

Barelyhadthetwoadventurousyouthscometoapause，thandull，uncertainsoundscamefromalmostdirectlyabovetheirheads；

and，afterlisteningforabriefspace，Ixtlidisappointedlybreathedafearthattheywouldhavetowaitforthetimebeing。

"Why？What’sgoingonupyonder？Andwherearewe，anyway？"

Beneaththegreatteocalli，Ixtlimadeanswerinhisdisjointedwayofspeaking。Theretheevil-mindedpaba，Tlacopa，reignedsupreme。Andthere，almostdirectlyabovetheirheads，stoodthesacrificialstone，uponwhoseflatsurfacetheSunChildrenwouldbedoomedtosufferthelastpenalty，providedTlacopawonhiswickedwill。

Brunothrilledtohiscentrewithfierceindignationashe，littlebylittle，gatheredthisinformation。Perishbysuchhideousmethods？Giveupherfairyounglife——

For，ratherqueerly，consideringthatIxtlispokeofbothVictoandGlady，henowhadthoughtof——couldseebutthatonelovelyfaceandshrinkingfigure，——faceandformofthedaughteralone。

Discoverymighthavecomealltoosoon，butforIxtli’sslippingapalmoverthoseindignantlipsandthussmotheringtheoutbreakwhichtheyoungmancouldnotavoid；then，recalledtoordinaryprudence，Brunotalkedandlistenedbyturns。

Ixtlicontrivedtomakehiswhitebrotherunderstandjusthowtheyweresituatedatthetime：inasecretchannelofcommunicationwiththegreatwartemple，throughwhichsanctuaryhehadhopedtoleadhisfriend，thencetoescapefromthevalleyitself，ifafavourablechanceshouldoffer。Nowtheirwaywasbarred，andtheycouldonlywait。Unless——wouldBrunokeepcloseguardoverhistongue？

Yes。Anything，ratherthanremainwhollyidle，likethis。

Addingafewminorcautions，IxtlitookGillespiebyawrist，andstolenoiselesslyforward，climbingupward，overandintoacontrivancewhichBrunovainlysoughttorecognisebythesenseoftouch，butgivingathrillofamazementwhenhisguidepausedlongenoughtowhisperinhisnearestear：

"Diswar-godbody。Standupinteocalli，lookonkill-stone。

Wait；yousee，hear，alldat，now！"

Thankstothecloseassociationofthatnight，withallitsattendantperils，Brunowasgrowingfairlyskilfulininterpretingthebrokensentencesofhiscopper-huedchum，andhenowknewtheyweremovingaboutwithinthehollowimageoftheAztecanwar-god，Huitzilopochtli，while——

Hecaughtsightofseveralsmallapertures，throughwhichyellowlightcamedimly，and，almostwithoutthinking，appliedhiseyestotheonemostconvenient，peeringforthuponthebroadsacrificialstone，withitsfoul，blood-stainedsurface，thelittlechannelsintendedtodrainoffthesuperfluoushemorrhage，togetherwiththegloomy，repulsivesurroundings。And，too，amostabominablestenchappearedtorisefromthealtarofdeath，andBrunoshrunkbackwithashiverofdisgust。

"Notalkloud！"softlybreathedIxtli，grippinganarmwithforce。"Deykill，iffindnow。Look，datoneTlacopa；bigpriest，youcall。DEMhelppabafoolallpeople；so！"

Althoughhismeaningwasnotfullyapparent，Brunocaughtrenewedinterest，andoncemorepeeredforthuponthescene，weirdandimpressiveenough，evenfromaChristianpointofview。

HeadedbyTlacopa，aceremonyofsomedescriptionwastakingplace，lesserpriestsandotheracolytesperformingtheirvariousparts，theincantationsrisingnowloudly，nowsinkingtoahollowmonotone，thewholeaffairbeingnonethelessabsorbingwhenBrunorememberedthat，perhaps，itmighthavesomeconnectionwiththevileplotsagainsttheSunChildren，ifnotendangeringlifeitself。

Gillespielikewisetooknoteofvariousothergravenimages；

amongthemoneofthenotlesshideouswar-goddess，Teoyaomiqui，or"divinewardeath，"fittingconsortforthemighty"humming-bird"himself。

Meanwhile，Ixtli，whoappearedtolookuponthewholeaffairasamoreorlessjollygoodjestattheexpenseofhissuperstitiouspeople，tookoccasiontogivehiswhitebrotherafewpointers，lettinghimseehoweasyitwasforfalseoraclestobemanufacturedtoorder；howcertainthelightestwishesoftheheadpriestweretofindspeedyfulfilmentatalltimes。

Whilethusdivulgingpartofthemysteriesofthetemple，thatceremonyreachedafinale，andthelittlecrowdslowlymeltedaway，leavingbutTlacopaandaselectfewofhistrustedhenchman。AndIxtlicertainlycaughtenoughoftheirtalktoalterhismannermostmaterially。

"Come，quick！"hefiercelywhisperedinBruno’sear，grippinganarm，andfairlyforcingtheyoungmantoaccompanyhisretreat。

Notanotherwordwasspokenbeforethelowerlevelwasreached，andthenGillespiebroketheice，askingwhatwasthematter。

Darkthoughitwasallaroundthem，Brunocouldtellbysenseoftouchthathisguidewaspowerfullyagitated，and，thoughIxtliclearlyhesitatedbeforeimpartingtheasked-forinformation，persistencewonthepoint；andthen——

Imperfectlythoughthatdiscoverywassetforth，Gillespiecontrivedtogatherthismuch：TlacopadecreedthattheSunChildrenshouldbebroughttotrial，ifnottoactualexecution，whenthemorningsunarose！

"Never！"fiercelyvowedBruno，allonfire，asherecalledthatmorethanfairface。"Never，——whileIliveanddrawbreath！"

CHAPTERXXVIII。

BROUGHTBEFORETHEGODS。

OnceagainAztotl，theRedHeron，wasbowinghumblybeforetheChildrenoftheSunGod，butnowtherewassterngriefimpresseduponhisvisage，ratherthanpuredevotion，suchasonemightfeelatthefeetofadivinity。

AndthefaceofVictowasunusuallypale，herlipstightlycompressedtokeepthemfromtremblingtoovisibly，whileherarmclaspedGladyswithalmostfierceloveinitswarmstrength。

Aztotlglancedupwardsforamoment，thenslowlyspoke：

"Sucharethecommandslaiduponthycaptainofguards，DaughterofQuetzal’，theFairGod。HehathbeencommandedtofetchVictoandGladytotheteocalli，theretobe——no！"withanoutbreakoffiercerebellion，drawinghissuperbfigureerect，andgrippingjavelinuntilthespringyashquivered，asthoughsuddenlywinninglifeforitself。"Thegodslie！Theyarespeakingfalsely，or——orthepabalies，whentryingtothusinterprettheoracle！"

Gladysshrunkaway，buthermotherstoodfirm，seemingtogainincoolnessandnervewhatthisardentservantwaslosing。

"Itmustbethus，mygoodfriend，"shespoke，inlow，eventones。

"Thewordhathcometoasoldier，andobedienceishisfirstduty。"

"Notwhenobediencemeansleadingtosacrifice——"

"Thatmaynevercome，goodAztotl。Wehavecommittednosin，indeedorinthought。TheMotherofGodswillnotlayclaimtoaninnocentvictim。Or，eventhen，therightshalltriumph！

Tlacopaispowerful，buthathVictonoinfluence？LordHuamaythrowHISinfluencetothewrongside，buthathtruthnoanswer？"

"Ifnottruth，thendeath！"sternlyvowedthecaptainofthebody-guard。"IfTonatiuhfailstopunishtheenemiesofhisdaughter，thenthisrightarmshallhurlthefalseprincedowntoMictlanteuctli，grimlordoftheunder-world！"

"Whatisitallabout，mother？"murmuredGladys，clinginginsoreaffrighttothesideofherAmazonianrelative。"Surelythepeoplewillnot——surelyweneednotgoforthto——"

Amother’skissclosedthosequiveringlips，andthen，withfarmoreassurancethanshereallycouldfindinherheart，Victoriabadeherchildfearnothing；thatallwouldcomearightinabriefwhile。

Littlebylittle，themaiden’sterrorswerecalmed，andthenshetookpositionbyherparent’ssidewithagreaterdisplayofnervethanmighthavebeenanticipated。

Throughall，Aztotlwaited，fiercelysilent，heldfromopenrebelliononlybytheinfluenceofthewomanwhoseverylifewasnowmenaced。AndastheSunChildrenstoodbeforehim，inreadinesstocomplywiththecommandsissuedbythoseinhighauthority，theRedHeronbrokebonds。

"Saybutoneword，DaughterofQuetzal’，andallthisshallnevercometopass！Givemebutpermissionto——"

"Whatwouldstthoudo，goodAztotl？"

"SurroundtheSunChildrenwiththeirloyalbody-guardanddefendthem，whileonebravemightstrikeblow，orholdshieldinfrontoftheirsacredcharge，"slowlyyetfiercelydeclaredthecaptain，eyestellinghowdearlyhelongedtoreceivethatpermission。

ButVictoshookherheadinslownegation。Shewasstillcoolofbrainenoughtorealisehowfatalsuchcoursewouldbeintheend。Ifonedeadlyblowshouldbedealt，theendcouldbebutone，——annihilationtobothdefendedanddefenders。

Then，too，sherecalledthewondroustidingsbroughttheeveningbeforebyIxtliandhiscomrade。Friendswereseekingtorescuethem，andifonlytimemightbewon——itmustbeplayedfor，then！

Andso，hispetitionfinallydenied，withnoothercourseleftopentotake，theRedHeronsummonedhispickedbandand，withtheSunChildrenintheirmidst，leftthetemple，crossedtheplain，andslowlymarchedintotheWarGod’steocalli。

InawedsilenceavastnumberofAztecsfollowedthatlittleprocession，silentasthey，yetclearlyanticipatingeventsoffarmorethanordinaryimportance。Andthustheforedoomedwomenweretakenbeforethegreatstoneofsacrifice，whereuponlayasnow-whitelamb，boundpastthepossibilityofstruggling。

Closebesidethepreparedsacrificestoodtheheadpriest，Tlacopa，robedfortheawesomeceremony，sacrificialknifeinhand，templescrownedascustomsdictated，eyesblazingasvividlyastheymightifbackedbylivingfire。

NotfardistantstoodHuatzin，headbandagedandfacenonethebetterlookingforhisflounderingfallwhenhissashgavewaytheeveningbefore。Andashecaughtthepassinggazeofthewomanwhomhehadsobaselypersecuted，arepulsivesmileshoweditself，thegrinofaveritablefiendinhumanguise。

Sternlycold，andoutwardlyunmoved，thecaptainofguardsperformedhisswornduty，theningrimsilenceawaitedtheend。

Andinlikemannereachmanofthatcarefullyselectedbandresteduponhisarms。

Abriefpause，duringwhichtheuttersilencegrewactuallyoppressive，thentheheadpriestliftedahandasthoughcommandingfullattentionbeforeheshouldspeak。

Then，intoneswhichwerebynomeansloud，yetwhichweremodulatedsoastofillthatexpansemostperfectly，TlacoparecitedthegraveaccusationsbroughtagainstthefalsechildrenofthemightySunGod。

Totheirevilinfluenceheattributedthecomparativefailureofcropswhichhadnowcursedtheirfairpeoplethroughoutthepastyears。Untothem，heclaimed，belongedtheevilcreditofmanyuntimelydeathswhichhadcoveredsomanyproudheadswiththeashesofmourningandofdespair。Totheirdoormightbetracedallofmisfortunewithwhichthefavouritechildrenofthemightygodshadbeensosorelyafflicted。

InproudsilenceVictolistenedtothisdeliberatearraignment，notdeigningtointerposedenial，orofferpleainself-defence，untilthepabawasclearlyatanend。AndeventhenshegazeduponTlacopawitheyesofscorn，andlipswhichcurledwithcontempt。

Alowmurmurfromtheeagercrowdtoldhowanxioustheyweretohearmore，and，takinghercuefromthat，Victomadeagracefulmotionwithherwhitehand，followingitbywordsthatsoundedrarelysweetintheirdeepmellowness，aftertheharsh，drynotesofthepaba。

"WhodarestobringsuchbasechargesagainsttheDaughtersofQuetzal’？Whoareouraccusers，headpriest？"

DidTlacopashrinkfromthatqueenlypresence？Ifso，’twasbutanothercunningdeviceintendedtopavethewaytocompletesuccess；tocatchtheficklefancyofhisaudiencebyrenderinghisretortallthemoreeffective。

"Whodaresaccuseusofwrong-doing？"againdemandedtheAmazonianmother，speakingforherchildaswell，aroundwhosewaistherleftarmwasclingingasaneededsupport。

"TheMotherofallthegods！"forciblyrepliedthepriest，nowcastingasideallpresenceoftimidity，andgazingintothatproudfacewitheyeswhichwerefilledwithfireofhatredandjealousy。"Theall-powerfulCenteotlhathmadeknowntheawfultruththroughthelipsoftheinfallibleoracle，mychildren！

ShehathdeclaredthatnosmilesshallbeturnedtowardsthechildrenofAnahuacsolongasfalseprophetsdisgracethisgreatcity！Shehathdemandedthesacrifice——"

"Whocanbearwitnesstoanysuchdemand？"sternlyinterposedthecaptainofthebody-guard，unabletolistenlongerinsilence。

Tlacopaflashedanevillookhisway，butfromtheaudienceissuedanothermurmur，risinglouderuntilittookuponitselftheshapeofwords，demandingindubitableproofthattheoraclehadindeedspokenthus。And，nolongerdaringtorelyuponhisownauthority，Tlacopaturnedtothesacrificialstonewhereuponlaythehelplesslamb，bowingkneeandliftingfaceashevolublyrepeatedthecustomaryinvocation；justthenitappearedfarmorenearlyanincantation。

Havingthuscompliedwithalltherequirementsofhisoffice，thepabafirstkissedhisbladeofsacrifice，thenseizedthelambandturnedituponitsback，onehandholdingithelplesswhilewiththeotherherippedthepoorbeastwidefromthroattotail，then，makingaswiftcross-slash，laidbarethecavityandexposedthequiveringheart。

Droppinghisknife，Tlacopagraspedthisvitalorgan，fiercelytearingitaway，drawingbackwhereallmightseeasbeliftedtheheartonhighforinspection。

Onebrieflookappearedtosatisfyhisneeds，forhegaveafierceshoutashehurledthebleedinghearttowardstheaccused，thencried：

"Anomen！Anomen！TheMotheroftheGodsclaimshervictims！"

CHAPTERXXIX。

BENEATHTHESACRIFICIALSTONE。

ContrarytotheexpectationsofIxtliescapebywayoftheWarGod’stemplewasbarredthroughouttheremainderofthateventfulnight。Tlacopa，theheadpriest，togetherwithanumberofhisacolytes，varyingastoforce，yetevertoopowerfulforanytwomentoforceapassagecontrarytothewilloftheirleader，remainedondutyeachandeveryhour。Andhenceitcametopassthatthoseearlyhoursfoundourfugitivesstillbeneaththetemple，wornthroughlossofsleepandstressofanxiety，yetfirmlyresolvednottopermitthatintendedoutragewithoutatleaststrikingonefairblowfortheChildrenoftheSun。

Slowlyenoughthetimepassed，yetitcouldhardlybecalledmonotonous。Wheneverweariedoftheirdarksomewaiting，theyoungmenwouldstealagainintothehollowimageofHuitzil’，theretoutilisethecunninglyarrangedpeepholes，nowlookingoutuponthepriests，orlisteningtocatchsuchwordsasfellfromthelipsofthosenearestthestoneofsacrifice。

InthismannerIxtlicontrivedtopickupquitealittlefundofinformation，mainlythroughtheconfidencesreposedinacertainfavouredfewofthebrotherhoodbythechiefpaba。Andthis，inturn，filteredthroughhislipsafterthechumsonceagainretreatedtothelowerregionsforbothsafetyandcomfort。

AndthenBrunolearnedhowtheadventurousyoungAztec，farlesssuperstitiousthanthevastmajorityofhispeople，thankstothekindlyteachingofVicto，ChildofQuetzal’，hadinhisexplorationsdiscoveredsomanysecretsofthetempleandpriesthood，secretswhichhenowhadnoscrupleincommunicatingtoanotherofadifferentrace。

Ixtlitoldhow，onvariousoccasions，hehadlurkedbehindthesceneswhilethemiraculous"oracle"wasdeliveringfiatorprophecy，andthenhetoldhiswhitebrotherhowTlacopameanttocompletelyconfoundtheChildrenoftheSunwhenoncebroughtbeforethegods。

"Hetellslavewhatsay。Slavecomedisway。HideinWarGod。

Waitfortime，dentellTlacopa’swords！"

Amostinfernalscheme，yetthedangerofwhichBrunocouldreadilyrecognise，togetherwiththeseriousdifficultyofrefutinganysuchsupernaturalevidence。

"Surelyyourpeoplewillnotsufferafewdirtycurstodosuchhorriblewrongtoladieslike——Why，Ixtli，eventhegodsyoufellowsbowthekneetoinworship，oughttoriseupintheirdefence！"

ButIxtlimerelysighed，thenspokeinsadtones，explaininghowhealonehadbeentakenwhollyintotheconfidenceoftheSunChildren。EventhecaptainoftheirguardsknewVictoandGladyasbutdescendantsofthegreatFairGodwhomtheaudacioustrickeryofarivalsentfarawayfromthelandofhisfavouredpeople，tofindanabiding-placeinthesunitself。

"Hegoodbrave。Hediefordem，——easy！Buthenotknowall。Hethinkdropfromsun，toleadpeoplebacktolight。Ifthinknotso，datmakefaceturnblack；datmakemadcome——greatbig！"

Aswaseverthecasewhenhisfeelingseemeddeeplystirred，Ixtlifounditdifficulttofullyorfairlyexplainhissentiments；butBrunocaughtsufficientofhismeaningtogiveafairguessattherest。

HefoundarayofhopeinthebeliefthatAztotlatleastwoulddefendtheChildrenoftheSun，andIxtlipredictedwithapparentconfidencethatthemembersofthebody-guardwouldstandfirmundertheRedHeron’sleadership。

Keepingthusuponthealertthroughouttheremainderofthatnight，theyoungmenwereabletotakepromptactionwhenthecrisisdrewnigh。

Ixtlicaughtthefirstinklingofwhatwascoming，andhastilysentBrunoawayfromthepeepholes，droppingawordinhisearastheybothpreparedforcleanwork。

Throughasecretentrance，shapedamidstthedraperywhichsurroundedthepedestalofthemightyHuitzil’，aslaveofthetemplecrepttoplaythepartofechotoTlacopa’sevilwill；andscarcelyhadhesecuredwhatwastobeaplaceofwaitingandwatchingthantheattackwasmadefromoutthedarkness。

Ixtliflunghistunicovertheslave’shead，twistingbothendstightlyabouthisthroat，effectuallysmotheringallattemptatcryingaloudforaid，whileBrunoclaspedarmsabouthismiddle，holdinghandspowerlesstostrikeortodrawweapon。

Abriefstruggle，whichproducedscarcelyanynoise，certainlynotsufficienttoreachtheearsofpriestorhelper，thenthetrembling，unnervedslavewasbundleddownthatnarrowpassage，tobedumpedinaremotecorner，andthereeffectuallyboundandgaggedbytheyoungmen。

Allthiswasperformedwithouthitchormishap，andthen，nervedtofightingpitch，IxtliandBrunowentbackbeneaththestoneofsacrifice，resolvedtoplaytheirparttotheendinmanfulfashion。

Therewasnofurtherfearofintrusion，for，ofcourse，Tlacopawouldneverthinkofendangeringhisownevilschemebyriskinganexposuresuchaswouldfollowdiscoveryofhisslave-oracle。

AsIxtlitrulysaid，suchdiscoverywouldendinthepaba’sbeingslainbyhisbefooledpeople。

Theirpatiencewassorelytried，eventhen，thoughagoodlyportionoftheblamebelongedtotheirfearsfortheSunChildren，ratherthantotheactuallengthofwaiting。Butthen，amidstthesolemninvocationsledbythehighpriest，thebody-guardmarchedintotheHallofSacrifice，andBrunocaughthisbreathsharplyashebeheld——Gladys！Nothermother，justthen。Forthefirstminute，only，——Gladys！

ThencamethebitterdenunciationbyTlacopa，followedbythecoldlydignifiedwordsofVicto，afterwhichtheinnocentlambyieldedupitslifeinorderthatthefuturemightbepredictedthroughthestillquiveringheart。