SUREr 
 

 YJXSC&. 
 
 I 
 
 * 
 a 
 
 j 
 
 (j 
 > 
 i 
 
 r 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 MRS. MARY WOLFSOHN 
 
 IN MEMORY OF 
 
 HENRY WOLFSOHN 
 
 
 

,' 
 
 r 
 
THE ALGER SERIES for BOYS 
 
 Uniform with This Volume. 
 
 This series affords wholesome reading for boys and girls, and all the 
 volumes are extremely interesting. Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette. 
 
 JOE'S LUCK ; or, A Brave Boy's Advent arer, in California. By 
 
 HORATIO ALGER, JR. 
 JULIAN MORTIMER : or, A Brave Boy's Struggles for Home 
 
 and Fortune. By HARRY CASTLEMON. 
 ADRIFT IN THE WILDS ; or. The Adventures of Two Ship- 
 
 wrecked Boys. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 
 FRANK FOWLER, THE CASH BOY. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 
 
 GUY HARRIS, THE RUNAWAY. By HARRY CASTLEMON. 
 
 THE SLATE-PICKER ; A Story of a Boy's Life in the Goal 
 
 Mines. By HARRY PRENTICE. 
 TOM TEMPLE'S CAREER. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 
 
 TOM, THE READY ; or, Up from the Lowest. By RANDOLPH HILL. 
 THE CASTAWAYS ; or, On the Florida Reefs. By JAMES OTIS. 
 
 CAPTAIN KIDD'S GOLD. The True Story of an Adventurous 
 
 Sailor Boy. By JAMES FRANKLIN FITTS. 
 TOM THATCHER'S FORTUNE. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 
 
 LOST IN THE CANON. The Story of Sam Willett's Adventures 
 
 on the Great Colorado of the West. By ALFRED R. CALHOUN. 
 A YOUNQ HERO ; or, Fighting to Win. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 
 
 THE ERRAND BOY ; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By 
 
 HORATIO ALGER, JR. 
 THE ISLAND TREASURE ; or, Harry Barrel's Fortune. By 
 
 FRANK H. CONVERSE. 
 A RUNAWAY BRIG ; or, An Accidental Cruise. By JAMES OTIS. 
 
 to the 
 
 s. 
 Became King 
 
 TOM THE BOOT-BLACK ; or, The Road to Success. By HORATIO 
 
 ALGER, JR. 
 BOY GILBERT'S SEARCH. A Tale of the Great Lakes. By 
 
 WILLIAM P. CHIPMAN. 
 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. A Boy's Adventures in Nicara- 
 
 ugra. By JAMES OTIS. 
 BUDD BOYD'S TRIUMPH; or, The Boy Firm of Fox Island. 
 
 By WILLIAM P. CHIPMAN. 
 TONY, THE HERO ; or, A Brave Boy's Adventures with a 
 
 Tramp. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 
 CAPTURED BY ZULUS. A Story of Trapping in Africa. By 
 
 HARRY PRENTICE. 
 
 THE TRAIN BOY. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 
 DAN THE NEWSBOY. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 
 SEARCH FOR THE SILVER CITY. A Story of Adventure 
 
 in Yucatan. By JAMES OTIS. 
 THE BOY CRUISERS ; or, Paddling in Florida. By ST. GEORGK 
 
 RATH BORNE. 
 
 The above stories are printed on extra paper, and bound In 
 Handsome Cloth Binding, in all respects uniform with this 
 volume, at $1.OO per copy. 
 
 * * 
 
Nearer and nearer came the big- canoe. The Indians were overhauling 
 their intended prey rapidly. (See page 207.) 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 A Boy's Adventures in Nicaragua. 
 
 BY JAMES OTIS. 
 
 Author of 
 
 A Runaway Brig," "The Castaways," "Toby Tyler," "Mr. Stubbs' 
 Brother," " Silent Pete," etc., etc. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER. 
 
COPYRIGHT 1889, BY A. L. BURT. 
 
THE TREASURE -FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE INDIGO PLANTATION. 
 
 BY FOLLOWING up the river to its source and 
 then keeping in the valley we can reach the 
 ruins in one day. Thirty-six hours there will give 
 us plenty of time in which to hunt and to be home 
 again before father comes." 
 
 " But I'm not sure I should like to loaf around the 
 ruins after dark. Tongla says those who go there 
 see horrible sights." 
 
 " Why, Dean Coloney, are you frightened at the 
 stories of an Indian boy like Tongla ?" 
 
 " It isn't fair to say I am frightened, Roy, simply 
 because I don't care about visiting a lot of tumble- 
 down buildings in which no one has lived for hun- 
 dreds of years." 
 
 " Perhaps not ; but it seems very much like it. 
 Before he went to Granada, father said we might go 
 for a long hunt, and there won't be another chance 
 this season, for it is nearly time to extract the in- 
 digo, when both of us must remain here." 
 
 "I would be perfectly willing if you hadn't got 
 
 147037 
 
6 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 into your head the crazy idea of exploring the 
 ruins." 
 
 "Will you be satisfied if I promise not to stay 
 near them except during the day-time ?" 
 
 "With that agreement I'll be only too glad to 
 go." 
 
 " Then it is settled. Let's begin to get ready now, 
 so as to be able to start at sunrise on the day after 
 to-morrow." 
 
 While the boys are preparing for the proposed ex- 
 cursion it may be well to formally introduce them as 
 Boy and Dean, sons of Myron Coloney. 
 
 The former was a stout-limbed lad who had just 
 passed his eighteenth birthday, while the latter, two 
 years younger, seemed all too delicate for such a life 
 as his coarse shooting-jacket, thick knee-boots and 
 belt, in which was carried the long knife or sword 
 known as a " machete," gave apparent evidence that 
 he followed. Both the boys were browne'd by many 
 weeks of exposure to a tropical sun, and looked so 
 thoroughly "American" as to contrast strangely 
 with their surroundings. 
 
 Eight months previous Mr. Coloney was a mer- 
 chant in New York City ; but, meeting with severe 
 losses which threatened speedily to bankrupt him if 
 some change was not made, he removed to the de- 
 partment of Granada, in the State of Nicaragua, 
 where, several years before, a tract of land had been 
 leased by himself and a number of other gentlemen 
 for the purpose of raising and manufacturing indigo 
 on a large scale. 
 
 The scheme was a failure, owing to the incompe- 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 7 
 
 tency of the overseer, and the property remained 
 idle until Mr. Colon ey took charge, in the hope of 
 retrieving his fortunes. 
 
 Roy and Dean accompanied him, and had ren- 
 dered no slight assistance, working like men, until 
 the broad fields gave every indication of large 
 returns for the outlay of labor. 
 
 Now, within the next ten days, the boys were 
 expecting to see their mother. She had remained 
 in New York while the experiment was being tried, 
 but at the first real sign of success signified her in- 
 tention of joining her loved ones. Mr. Coloney left 
 the plantation three days previous to meet her, and 
 as it was hardly probable he could get back in less 
 than two weeks from the time of departure, the 
 boys had ample opportunity to make the proposed 
 excursion before their parents arrived. 
 
 The estate comprised three hundred acres situated 
 on the river Mayales, about fifteen miles north of 
 the town of Juigalpa, and within sight of the 
 mountain range where has been found so many 
 evidences of a highly civilized but now extinct race. 
 To one living in this country the dwelling-house 
 would appear very odd ; it was a low, rambling 
 building, covering as much ground as we would think 
 necessary for forty homes, inclosed with high walls, 
 shaded by mango-trees, and surrounded by flowers 
 of every color, among which flitted gorgeously-hued 
 birds. 
 
 In this charming spot the boys thought life well 
 worth the living, even though they were deprived of 
 any society save such as might be found within the 
 
8 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 walls, and hut for the wonderful stories, as told by 
 Tongla, of the ruins which lay on the other side of 
 the mountain 'range, Hoy might not have cared to 
 extend his hunting trip beyond sight of the planta- 
 tion. 
 
 Despite all his fears Dean was forced to yield to 
 the fascination of exploring a city whose inhabit- 
 ants had passed away before the present race of 
 people sprung into existence ; but he strictly opposed 
 any such research as would necessitate their remain- 
 ing at the place during those hours when, according 
 to the tales of the Indians, evil spirits lay in wait to 
 entrap the stranger. 
 
 Once the expedition had been decided upon, both 
 boys hurried forward the preparations, for there 
 was very much to be done. It was necessary the 
 servants should cook plenty of tortillas, mix the 
 paste of sweetened maize, called pozol, and bake and 
 dry totopostes. 
 
 This extra amount of labor, to be performed after 
 the servants supposed the day's work was nearly 
 ended, quite naturally caused considerable excite- 
 ment, and before the boys had finished overhauling 
 the weapons, Tongla, breathless and warm because 
 of the unusual exertion of running, entered the 
 court-yard. 
 
 " Is it quite true the young masters would visit 
 the city beyond the range ?" he asked, speaking En- 
 glish so imperfectly that, as Dean said, " it became 
 an entirely different language." 
 
 " That is the exact truth, my dear boy, and you 
 are to go with us," Roy replied, laughingly. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 9 
 
 " But a man is not able to walk there and back to 
 the hills before the sun sets, even though he may 
 start at break of day." 
 
 " We can stay all night in the woods, I suppose," 
 and Roy observed the Indian closely as he spoke. 
 
 " There where the Sukia women say the evil spirit 
 has taken up his abode ?" Tongla asked, with no at- 
 tempt at disguising his fear. 
 
 " We shall stay there, although nobody believes 
 such stories, which were concocted for the purpose 
 of frightening children. If you want to make the 
 trip, well and good ; otherwise we can find plenty 
 who do not place such faith in those whom you call 
 the ' mother of tigers.' Will you go ?" 
 
 " Have I ever refused to do anything which the 
 young masters wish ?" 
 
 " In the first place, Tongla, we are not your mas- 
 ters, and in the second you are free to act as you 
 choose. We are going to the ruins beyond the 
 range ; if you wish to accompany us, both Dean 
 and I will be pleased ; but it'll also be perfectly sat- 
 isfactory if you prefer to remain here." 
 
 "Even though the young masters refuse to say I 
 am their servant, I shall go with them, and by their 
 side will I be when the evil spirits hover around." 
 
 " All of which means that you do not intend to 
 lose the chance of having lots of fun," Roy replied, 
 laughingly. " That's where you are right, my boy, 
 and early on the second day from this we start." 
 
 At least once each day during their eight months' 
 sojourn on the plantation had the boys tried to 
 teach Tongla that he should not call them "mas- 
 
10 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 ters ;" but all the labor had been in vain, despite the 
 fact that he was hired at regular wages like the 
 other servants ; and, what made the matter seem yet 
 more aggravating, he persisted in acting as if he 
 was a slave. 
 
 " It is a hobby of his to fancy we own him," Dean 
 said, after the Indian thus announced his intention 
 of attending them whatever supposed supernatural 
 dangers might threaten, "and I believe it would 
 really give him pleasure if we asserted the rights of 
 master." 
 
 " All of which is fortunate for us, so far as this 
 excursion to the ruins is concerned. If he refused 
 to go we might be obliged to stay at home, since he 
 is the only guide we have any authority from father 
 for taking." 
 
 Tongla certainly worked like a slave during the 
 time which intervened before the party set out, and 
 the fears of meeting with evil spirits were laid 
 aside, so far as could be seen, in order that the 
 proper arrangements should be made. He looked 
 after the cooks to make sure the requisite amount 
 of provisions were prepared; borrowed a second 
 spear as well as a large number of arrows, that he 
 might be ready to make a good defense in case of 
 tangible danger, and otherwise acted as if the trip 
 was one in which he felt the greatest interest. 
 
 There was no necessity of reminding him again 
 that the travelers were to start at early daybreak. 
 At the moment decided upon he awakened Eoy and 
 Dean, and the boys found breakfast already pre- 
 pared. It was only necessary they should make a 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. H 
 
 hurried toilet, eat a hearty meal of fish, plantains 
 and yams, after which there was nothing to further 
 delay the journey. 
 
 "Now we're ready, Tongla, if you are," Roy 
 said ; " and please say to the others that we will be 
 back in three days unless something very serious 
 happens." 
 
 " The old Sukia woman who was here last night 
 believes we shall be away many days," Tongla re- 
 plied, gravely. " It is not allowed that white men 
 may see the mysteries of Kucimen." 
 
 ' Cince we are only boys, perhaps there'll be an 
 exception made in our favor," Dean replied, with a 
 laugh, the Indian's fears apparently reviving his own 
 courage. "But whatever is going to happen we 
 can't loaf around here very much longer, or it will 
 be impossible to reach those famous ruins before 
 dark." 
 
 From 'this moment it seemed as if Tongla ban- 
 ished all his fears; he hesitated no longer, and 
 when the others would have delayed urged them 
 forward cheerily. 
 
 During the first three or four hours the young 
 travelers followed a course nearly parallel with the 
 base of the hill which jutted out on the limits of the 
 Coloney plantation, and through a tangled thicket 
 where Tongla was often forced to use his machete 
 in order to clear a path. Now and then they forded 
 a small stream of clear water which ran over bril- 
 liantly-colored pebbles, where the boys slaked their 
 thirst with avidity, for these mountain brooks were 
 filled with water deliciously cold. Then the path 
 
12 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 took an upward turn, and the fatiguing portion of 
 the trarnp was begun. 
 
 Birds of gorgeous plumage crossed their path ; 
 now and then evidences of wild hogs were seen, and 
 more than once the Indian rabbits, or agoutis, 
 offered tempting targets for the double-barreled 
 fowling-pieces with which the boys were armed ; but 
 not a shot was fired. The desire to explore the 
 ruins outweighed every thought of sport, and the 
 fact that they had only food sufficient for the time 
 proposed for the journey prevented any waste of 
 ammunition. 
 
 Tongla led the way, as if impatient to arrive at 
 the place where so much danger was to be appre- 
 hended, and not until the sun was high in the heav- 
 ens would he agree to make a halt. Then it was 
 the hour for the siesta, to which the boys had al- 
 ready become accustomed, and, after slinging the 
 light but stout hammocks, to guard against an at- 
 tack from snakes or venomous insects, the weary 
 travelers gave themselves up to the luxury of 
 slumber. 
 
 The afternoon was nearly half spent when Tongla 
 awakened his companions as he said : 
 
 " If you would see the walls of the silent city be- 
 fore dark it is time we were walking." 
 
 " We not only want to see them, but propose to 
 enter this very evening," Roy cried as he sprung to 
 his feet. 
 
 "It will not be possible to do that until to-mor- 
 row," the Indian boy replied. " Too much time has 
 been spent in slumber." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 13 
 
 Roy understood that Tongla had allowed them to 
 sleep until it was too late to reach the ruins that 
 evening, and he would have made an angry reply 
 but for Dean, who whispered : 
 
 " There is no use in showing anger now. He, like 
 me, is afraid to go there after dark, and nothing you 
 may say can mend matters. We'll make a camp at 
 the base of the hill, and by sunrise start again." 
 
 This was very good advice, since it was absolutely 
 impossible to do anything else, and once more the 
 boys followed their guide across the mountain spur, 
 making no halt until the shadows of night were 
 merged into gloom, when Tongla stopped beside a 
 small stream as he said : 
 
 " It is here we sleep. The city is among the trees 
 more than three miles away, and you shall see it 
 when the sun rises once again." 
 
 The boys were decidedly disappointed at being 
 forced to come to a halt while yet so far from their 
 destination ; but as Tongla had arranged the mat- 
 ter, they could do nothing but make their camp in 
 this very convenient place. 
 
 With an armful of leaves from the banana-plant 
 the Indian boy built a shelter which would at least 
 serve to protect them from the dew, and a huge 
 camp-fire was kindled in front to frighten away the 
 wild beasts and monkeys these last animals being 
 feared more than the first, because of their power to 
 do so much mischief. 
 
 Camping oat in Nicaragua is not as pleasant as in 
 very many other places, because of the number of 
 creeping things which seem to have been made for 
 
14 TBfl TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 the especial purpose of causing a human being dis- 
 comfort ; but Roy and Dean were sufficiently well 
 acquainted with the country to adopt all needful 
 precautions, and after a supper of totopostes, washed 
 down with water from the brook, they clambered 
 into the hammocks for the needed rest. 
 
 It had been arranged that Tongla should remain 
 on watch during a third of the night, the others re- 
 lieving him in turn ; but this was hardly looked 
 upon as labor since it was only required to keep the 
 fire alive, and even this did not necessitate the cut- 
 ting of fuel, for the dye-wood choppers had left 
 chips enough in the vicinity to feed the flames many 
 hours. 
 
TBE T&EASURE-FiNDER8. 15 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 IN CAMP. 
 
 THIS WAS the first . extended tramp Eoy and 
 Dean had taken among the forests of Nicara- 
 gua, and both were sadly disappointed because there 
 had been such a dearth of adventure. 
 
 "We've seen small game enough," Koy said as 
 they s \vung to. and fro in their hammocks, " but so 
 far as anything else is concerned we might as well 
 have been in the Adirondacks." 
 
 "What did you expect?" Dean asked with a 
 laugh. 
 
 " I would have felt satisfied with a drove of wild 
 hogs warees, Tongla calls them." 
 
 " No, no," the Indian boy said, quickly ; " we do 
 not want the warees. Too many come together, 
 and it is dangerous to meet them." 
 
 " I'd like to see one or two, at all events," Koy re^ 
 plied ; and Tongla shrugged his shoulders as if to in- 
 timate that he had no such foolish desire. 
 
 " How far are we from the ruins ?" Dean asked 
 when the Indian showed that he was interested only 
 in keeping at a respectful distance from the wild 
 hogs. 
 
 " One hour after sunrise to-morrow we shall bo 
 there, if all goes well to-night." 
 
16 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " I fancy it is safe to say nothing very serious 
 will happen to-night," Hoy said, as he closed his eyes 
 preparatory to indulging in slumber. 
 
 Dean was rapidly losing his fear of the ruins be- 
 cause their journey thus far had been so uneventful, 
 and, believing what his brother said, was about to 
 follow the latter's example, when Tongla leaped to 
 his feet with every appearance of most intense fear. 
 
 Jumping from the hammock, Hoy seized his gun 
 and pressed close to the Indian's side ; but the latter 
 motioned for him to move back into the thicket 
 
 " What's the matter ?" Dean asked nervously as, 
 arming himself, he joined his companions. 
 
 " Hist ! Do not speak, lest the eyes of the Sukia 
 woman fall upon us and prevent us from ever leav- 
 ing this place. Go back into the thicket, where you 
 cannot be seen." 
 
 "What good will that do? The light of the fire 
 shows where we are." 
 
 " I shall remain ; the Sukia does not harm one of 
 her own race. Hide before it is too late !" 
 
 The boy displayed so much fear that Roy and 
 Dean could do no less than obey his wishes, even 
 though the alleged danger of a glance from an old 
 witch's eyes had no terrors for them. They crept 
 into the underbrush where it would be possible to 
 see all that took place, and watched eagerly for the 
 form which Tongla thought so terrible. 
 
 During the conversation, and for several moments 
 after the boys were hidden, nothing save the usual 
 night-sounds of the forest could be heard, and those 
 in hiding were beginning to believe their companion 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 17 
 
 had been mistaken, when a low, wailing cry or song 
 rose and fell on the air, as if from a very great 
 distance. 
 
 "They are not coming this way," Dean Whis- 
 pered. " Tongla has heard so much about Sukias 
 that he gets frightened at his own shadow. I be- 
 lieve that noise is made by a bird." 
 
 " He doesn't think so," and Roy pointed to where 
 the Indian boy stood silent and motionless save for 
 a slight swaying of his body to and fro, gazing out 
 into the gloom like one fascinated by some horrible 
 sight. 
 
 Nearer and nearer the wailing cry approached 
 until there could no longer be any question but that 
 it was made by human beings. Now and then a 
 sharp scream, as if caused by intense pain, mingled 
 with the weird sounds, making the general effect 
 decidedly terrifying to one of weak nerves. 
 
 Nearly ten minutes elapsed before those in the 
 thicket could see the approaching party, and then 
 there passed within a few feet of the fire, as if un- 
 conscious of its nearness, a wrinkled old crone, clad 
 in a single garment of white, which left the shriv- 
 eled arms exposed. She it was who chanted the dis- 
 mal song as she waved her hands to and fro ; and 
 immediately behind followed a party of natives, all 
 reeling as if drunk, and occasionally giving vent to 
 cries, as if in pain. 
 
 They marched straight onward, looking neither 
 to the right nor the left, much as if under the influ- 
 ence of some drug, and the statue-like Tongla was 
 unheeded, evidently to his great relief. 
 
18 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 "When the unpleasant-looking procession disap- 
 peared in the black forest, Hoy and Dean would 
 have come from their hiding-place, but the Indian 
 boy's quick ear caught the rustling of the leaves as 
 they arose, and he whispered, hoarsely : 
 
 "Go back, if you wish to live! Remain there 
 until the voices of those who speak with the gods 
 can no longer be heard.' 1 
 
 " He will certainly die of fright if we venture to 
 disobey," Roy said to his brother. " We may as 
 well stay here a few minutes longer ; but so far as 
 our lives are in danger, that is all nonsense. I'd as 
 soon meet the entire disreputable party if I had my 
 gun." 
 
 " They must be able to work some harm, for there 
 isn't an Indian on the plantation who would will- 
 ingly pass a Sukia woman when she marches out at 
 night with some of her most promising followers." 
 
 " I wonder where they are bound ?" 
 
 " To the ruins, most likely ; and if that is the case, 
 we shall have hard work to make Tongla go where 
 we wish." 
 
 " Then we'll stay here until the orgy is finished, 
 and after that he can't object." 
 
 " I would like to have followed on behind and 
 seen the performance." 
 
 " And you are the same fellow who was afraid to 
 stay at the ruins all night," Roy said, laughingly. 
 What has made you so bold ?" " 
 
 " That crowd. Now I've seen what the ministers 
 to the supposed spirits look like, there isn't any- 
 thing so very terrible to Tongla's stories ; for, ac- 
 
TSE TREASURE-FINDERS. 10 
 
 cording to the appearance of him, this is about the 
 worst of the whole matter." 
 
 By this time the wailing chant had died away in 
 the distance. The Indian boy's rigid form seemed 
 to relax, and motioning for his companions to come 
 from the thicket, he began to replenish the fire, 
 which had burned itself out until only a few smol- 
 dering embers remained. 
 
 "Well, Tongla, what was all that fuss about?" 
 Eoy asked, as he busied himself with preparing a 
 pot of chocolate a beverage which in Nicaragua is 
 drank at all hours of the day or night. 
 
 " The Sukia is about to speak with the gods ; we 
 must turn back, or death is certain." 
 
 " Have they gone to the ruins you intended to 
 show us ?" 
 
 " Much further than that. Up the other side of 
 the range many leagues." 
 
 " Then what is to prevent our doing as we pro- 
 posed ? We sha'n't interfere with them." 
 
 " It is not allowed." 
 
 " Who will prevent us ?" Dean asked, impatiently. 
 
 " It is not allowed," Tongla repeated ; nor would 
 he make any other answer, despite the many ques- 
 tions with which the boys plied him. 
 
 After trying in vain to learn the meaning of his 
 words, Roy said, sharply : 
 
 " Listen to me, Tongla, and remember that I 
 speak only the truth. These gods which you tell 
 about are only images of stone, and can harm no 
 one. Those old mummers who passed here are no 
 stronger than you, and if the whole crowd stared at 
 
20 T&E TREASU&E-PINDERS. 
 
 us for twenty-four hours there would be no damage 
 done. Dean and I are going to the ruins when it 
 shall be light enough to admit of our seeing the 
 way. If you choose to come, well and good ; other- 
 wise we'll separate here, and you .can go home to 
 say why we were left without a guide." 
 
 " Turn back now, and next week I will come with 
 you, when we can stay two, three or four days, even, 
 in the hall of the gods, if you wish." 
 
 "The indigo-vats will be filled then, and you 
 know very well we can't get off. Now the ruins 
 are but an hour's journey away, and I am going to 
 see them." 
 
 The Indian remained silent, and after repeating 
 his determination to see them on the following day, 
 Roy said to his brother : 
 
 " We will go to sleep now. Tongla can awaken 
 us when he gets tired of watching, and there are not 
 many hours left for rest." 
 
 The boy remained silent by the fire as his white 
 companions clambered into the hammocks, and when 
 they opened their eyes as the first rays of the rising 
 sun lighted up the recesses of the forest he was in 
 the same position. 
 
 " Why didn't you call one of us ?" Eoy asked as 
 he sprung to his feet. " There was no reason why 
 you should do all the watching." 
 
 " Sleep comes not when one is near death," Tongla 
 replied, solemnly. 
 
 " Then you must be expecting to get the fever, for 
 just now there are no signs of death in your face. 
 Tell the steward to give you a dose of quinine, and 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 21 
 
 we shall be back before you have time to be very 
 sick." 
 
 "I shall not return to the plantation. If the 
 young masters refuse to go I must remain with 
 them." 
 
 " That is a matter which shall be settled to suit 
 yourself. We are certainly going to the ruins, but 
 you are at liberty to turn back." 
 
 " It is not allowed, but I shall go," Tongla re- 
 plied, moodily ; and then he refused to speak another 
 word. 
 
 " Let him alone," Koy whispered, as Dean was 
 about to make some remark. "He'll get over it 
 after awhile, and laugh at his foolish fears before 
 we reach home. Let's turn to and get breakfast 
 quickly, for we mustn't spend too much time here." 
 
 But few moments were required to prepare the 
 morning meal, and then the travelers started ; but 
 now Tongla took up his position in the rear, direct- 
 ing Roy from time to time how to proceed. 
 
 " Why don't you go ahead ?" Dean asked. 
 
 " It is my duty to follow, but I will not be the one 
 to lead others into forbidden places," the Indian re- 
 plied, gloomily. 
 
 The path now led through the dense portion of 
 the forest, where it was often necessary for Koy to 
 use his machete in order to clear a path among the 
 tangled vines, and after half an hour of this labori- 
 ous traveling they ascended a small but steep hill, on 
 the very top of which stood the ruins of a colossal 
 building. Because of having come upon the glisten- 
 ing stones so suddenly they seemed even larger than 
 
22 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 really was the fact, and the boys stood, as if spell- 
 bound, gazing at the massive pillars of an enormous 
 gallery. 
 
 " Why, it's a regular palace !" Dean exclaimed as 
 he forced his way through the underbrush ; and Roy 
 following, they found themselves in front of an edi- 
 fice fully three hundred feet square, of which the 
 first and second stories yet remained virtually in- 
 tact. In the front was the broad veranda or gal- 
 lery, and leading from it could be seen a large 
 number of spacious apartments half-filled with vines 
 and creepers, and tenanted only by bats and scor- 
 pions. 
 
 " There's no need of building a camp while such a 
 place as this is near," Dean said enthusiastically as 
 he looked in at first one and then another of the 
 rooms, composed entirely of marble, and decorated 
 with forms beautiful and grotesque, hewn from the 
 white stone. " Before we left home I heard of the 
 buried cities of Central America, but never imagined 
 they were anything like this. We should have staid 
 here last night, instead of camping under a few plan- 
 tain-leaves. With our two guns we could hold a 
 regiment of Sukia women at bay." 
 
 " Then you don't have any objections to sleeping 
 here ?" Hoy asked, with a smile. 
 
 "Why should I have? This building is much 
 finer than our hacienda, and we could stay a month 
 without fear of being molested." 
 
 " Then suppose we clear out one of these rooms 
 and make preparations for spending the night ? I 
 want to see the other buildings before we leave, for 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 23 
 
 father said there were very many. Where is Ton- 
 gla?" 
 
 Until this moment Dean supposed the Indian boy 
 was close at their heels, but on looking around no 
 sign could be seen of him. 
 
 " Where are you ?" he called, and from the foot of 
 the hill came the reply : 
 
 " Here, waiting until you have seen the forbidden 
 place. It is not for me to enter there." 
 
 " Nonsense !" Eoy cried, sharply. " We have con- 
 cluded to stay until morning, and want your help in 
 making one of these rooms habitable." 
 
 During fully a minute not a word was spoken, 
 and then Tongla appeared, looking very much 
 frightened, but yet determined to do his full share 
 of the work. 
 
 " Don't be foolish, but help us set matters to 
 rights," Dean said, as he attacked a huge bunch of 
 weeds which covered fully one-half of the chamber 
 floor. "We are going to sleep here to-night, and 
 these things must be cleared away, otherwise the 
 scorpions will have full play, which won't be pleas- 
 ant for us." 
 
 It was as if Tongla had waited to be commanded 
 before doing anything to aid his companions, for 
 after Dean thus peremptorily summoned him to as- 
 sist, not a word of disapproval was heard. He 
 labored as if his comfort depended upon the arrange- 
 ments made, and only ceased when Roy insisted 
 that it was useless to do anything more. Then the 
 room presented a very habitable appearance, and 
 the boys deposited their knapsacks in one corner. 
 
24 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 much as if this act was necessary to prove owner- 
 ship. 
 
 " We are nicely fixed, even if it is decided that 
 we had better stay here a week," Roy said in a tone 
 of satisfaction, " and it will be well to look around 
 for water." 
 
 Tongla made no reply ; but one could see that 
 this decision did not please him, although he made 
 no verbal objection to the delay. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 25 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. 
 
 SO FAE as a shelter from the weather was con- 
 cerned the boys could have found no better 
 camping-place. The second story of the palace 
 formed a roof above the chamber of which they had 
 taken possession, and by moving a thin slab of mar- 
 ble the door- way would be closed against any animal 
 that might frequent the ruins after nightfall. Had 
 Tongla not exhibited so much fear Eoy and Dean 
 would have decided to remain there several days, 
 for it appeared to be a particularly pleasant abiding- 
 place; but under the circumstances there was no 
 idea of staying longer than the time originally set. 
 
 When their belongings were inside the room the 
 heat of the sun forbade any excessive labor, and all 
 three gave themselves up to the repose of a siesta 
 which dwellers in a tropical climate consider so nec- 
 essary. The hammocks were slung, and even the 
 Indian boy indulged in slumber until the sun had 
 passed the meridian, when Eoy aroused the party 
 by crying : 
 
 " Come, fellows, turn out, if there is any idea of 
 finding more ruins in this buried city! We have 
 slept too long already and must get to work !" 
 
 Tongla aroused himself at once ? built a fire on the 
 
26 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 spacious veranda, made the chocolate, and while his 
 companions were drinking it stood silently by, as if 
 awaiting orders. 
 
 " Why don't you eat ?" Dean asked. 
 
 " It will be time for me to do that when we are 
 among the hills once more." 
 
 " If you could sleep so soundly, I can't see what 
 is to prevent your having some chocolate," Dean 
 said ; but Tongla made no reply, and the boys fin- 
 ished their meal in silence. 
 
 " Now let's see if there are other buildings like 
 this," Eoy cried, as he leaped to his feet. " Will 
 you come with us ?" he added, turning to the In- 
 dian boy, " or do you prefer to stay here ?" 
 
 Tongla nodded his head in the direction of the 
 baggage ; and, understanding that he intended to 
 remain rather than profane the supposed sanctuary 
 of the gods, the boys left him in the chamber as 
 they walked swiftly down past the row of massive 
 pillars to the white stones that marked the lines of 
 other buildings. 
 
 The only idea in the boys' minds was to see the 
 extent of this ancient city, and to this end they 
 walked straight past the palace and half a dozen 
 ruins which adjoined it until they were in what had 
 once been a broad street, but now appeared to be 
 little more than an avenue of bushes and tangled 
 vines. 
 
 Surrounded as they were on every hand by the 
 luxuriant vegetation, it was possible to see but few 
 of the wonders of this deserted city, yet the cir- 
 cumscribed view was sufficient to call forth exclama- 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 27 
 
 tions of wonder and surprise. Even in the thor- 
 oughfares of New York the boys had never seen 
 nobler buildings than these must have been before 
 the ruthless destroyer Time laid his withering 
 hand upon them ; and full of silent amazement they 
 continued on until Hoy said, as he halted in front of 
 a stately edifice, which must once have been a place 
 of worship : 
 
 " Let's go in here. I'd like to see one of their 
 idols." 
 
 "All right; but it's lucky Tongla didn't come 
 with us, or he'd cried out against such a sacrilege." 
 
 " There's no reason why we shouldn't take in all 
 the sights, more especially if we have to leave here 
 soon on account of his fears. At all events, I'm go- 
 ing to know what that huge pile of stones was 
 built for." 
 
 As he spoke Koy entered a ruin, at the further end 
 of which a dozen marble slabs were piled, one on 
 the other, something after the fashion of an altar, 
 and began throwing down the crumbling stones un- 
 til an exclamation of astonishment burst from his 
 lips, causing Dean to run to his brother's side. 
 
 " Here is a regular treasure-chamber !" Koy cried, 
 pointing to a small excavation which had been dis- 
 closed, wherein could be seen several objects of a 
 dull yellow color. "Those images must be gold, 
 and it looks as if they had been here a very long 
 time." 
 
 The receptacle which had thus been opened by 
 chance was not unlike a huge and very thick chest, 
 and by bending over, the oddly-fashioned figures 
 
28 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 could readily be reached ; but they were very much 
 heavier than either of the boys had supposed. 
 
 The largest, and evidently most important of the 
 three idols for such they undoubtedly were was 
 not more than twelve inches high, and had been 
 rudely carved to represent an animal of the cat' 
 family seated on its haunches, with the head hang- 
 ing low on the chest. It was about eight inches in 
 thickness, and on attempting to lift it Roy had no 
 longer any doubt as to the metal. 
 
 " Nothing but gold could be as heavy," he said, 
 raising the grotesque figure with difficulty. " It 
 weighs fully twenty pounds, and judging from our 
 success in idol-hunting, it is decidedly more profit- 
 able than cultivating indigo." 
 
 Dean seized one of the other figures, which was 
 almost half as heavy as the first, and represented a 
 human being with an enormous head seated on a 
 square throne. 
 
 For at least five minutes the boys stood gazing in 
 silence at the valuable discovery, and heeding not 
 the fact that two Indians, dressed similarly to those 
 who had followed the Sukia woman on the night- 
 march, had crept up among the foliage within half 
 a dozen yards, watching every motion jealously. 
 The new-comers were even more excited than the 
 boys, and one glance at their faces could have told 
 that they would make every effort to prevent the 
 uncouth gods from being carried away. 
 
 "How much do you suppose these things are 
 worth ?" Dean finally asked. 
 
 " If this is pure gold, and it certainly appears to 
 
THE TREASURE-FINbEHS. 29 
 
 be, there must be eight or ten thousand dollars' 
 worth here ; but don't let us stand like fools. Pick 
 up the little fellows, and I'll carry the big one. 
 Tongla's eyes will stick out now, if they never did 
 before." 
 
 The idea that they might have been seen by 
 strangers never entered the boys,' minds, and they 
 were so excited by the wonderful find that neither 
 so much as looked back after leaving the ruined 
 temple, otherwise the Indians, who were following 
 cautiously, must have been seen. 
 
 Tongla's eyes did "stick out" when his com- 
 panions entered with their precious load ; but it was 
 fear, not surprise, which caused it. 
 
 " Where did you find them ?" he asked, in tones 
 of alarm. 
 
 " Under a pile of stones in what must once have 
 been a temple. It was fortunate that we did not 
 let you prevent us from coming by the stories of 
 what could be seen here. I'd like to be frightened 
 in this same way every day for a week." 
 
 " Carry them back !" Tongla cried, as Koy ceased 
 speaking. " By working hard we can bury the gods 
 again before those who passed us last night come 
 back!" 
 
 "You don't fancy we'd be so foolish as that," 
 Dean replied, quickly. " If you are afraid of the 
 crowd we can start for home at once, and by travel- 
 ling all day reach there before midnight." 
 
 " Even now it may be too late to gain the range. 
 Take the gods to their resting-place, and let us 
 shake the dust of this city from our feet " 
 
30 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " Don't be foolish," Eoy said, sternly. " There is 
 nothing here to harm us, and we have no idea of 
 throwing a fortune away. Repack the knapsacks 
 and we will go. Forty pounds or so added to our 
 loads will make considerable extra work; but in 
 view of the fact that it is gold, I guess we shall be 
 able to get through with it all right." 
 
 Thus assured that the boys really intended to 
 carry their prizes away, Tongla's fear became pain- 
 ful to witness. He threw himself at their feet, 
 begging them not to incur the displeasure of the 
 "gods," and in every possible way exhibiting the 
 greatest mental distress. 
 
 As may be imagined, neither Roy nor Dean were 
 willing to abandon that which had been found ; and 
 on learning that his appeals were useless, Tongla 
 said, as he stood erect and determined because of 
 despair : 
 
 " I shall not leave the young masters while they 
 thus defy the gods, because now both need the aid 
 of friends ; but it will not be possible to bear the 
 images from here to the plantation, and we shall all 
 perish in the attempt." 
 
 " I don't believe any such foolish thing, and am 
 quite certain you do not. It is our intention to carry 
 these idols home, and you may stay with us or re- 
 main to meet those who possibly will try to prevent 
 us." 
 
 " They are here now, and it is for you to brave the 
 anger of the gods," Tongla said as he pointed to the 
 veranda, where could be seen two Indians, who must 
 have overheard at least a portion of the conversation. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 31 
 
 " The Sukia's escort has come. What reply will you 
 make to them ?" 
 
 " The same that I would to you," Hoy said, boldly. 
 " What we have found we shall keep, and if it be- 
 comes necessary our guns will make answer to any 
 attempt at detaining us. Dean and I found idols of 
 gold which we intend to carry home. If you or they 
 try to prevent us we shall defend both ourselves and 
 tk>? treasure." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTEE IY. 
 
 BESIEGED. 
 
 A LTHOUGH Eoy replied to Tongla as if he had 
 <~\. no fears regarding any attack which the In- 
 dians might make, he was far from feeling perfectly 
 comfortable in mind. Not knowing that he and 
 Dean had been observed in the ruins at the time of 
 finding the treasure, there was no thought that the 
 Indians would demand the prizes ; but the possibility 
 of their insisting upon an immediate departure, when 
 the idols would very likely be seen, was by no means 
 pleasant. 
 
 The new-comers, who had halted about thirty feet 
 away, were covered with gaudy-colored ponchos, 
 which constituted their only clothing, and around 
 their feet were raw-hide shoes of home manufac- 
 ture, with leggings of the same material, to protect 
 their limbs from snakes. They stood motionless as 
 statues, as if expecting the boys would make some 
 excuse for having visited the ruins at such a time; 
 but neither of the three spoke. Eoy and Dean 
 remained side by side just within the door- way, 
 while Tongla was on the veranda a few paces be- 
 yond. 
 
 During two or three moments and the time 
 seemed very much "longer to the boys this ominous 
 
silence continued, and then one of the Iniians 
 spoke in a harsh tone to Tongla. The boy replied, 
 also in his native tongue, and Eoy asked, sharply : 
 
 "What does he say?" 
 
 "They want to know why we came here after 
 seeing the Sukia woman." 
 
 " Tell him that we do not intend to interfere in 
 his movements, nor shall he question ours!" Roy 
 said, sternly. " Where the Sukia went we did not 
 follow; but these ruins are free to any one who 
 chooses to visit them." 
 
 After this was repeated, both the Indians talked 
 for some time with Tongla, and then he turned to 
 his companions as he said : 
 
 " They asked me if I told you that it was forbid- 
 den to come here at this time, and it would be worse 
 than death had I told a lie. Now it is demanded 
 that you go at once and leave behind that which was 
 found in the ruins of the temple." 
 
 " Did you tell them we had the idols ?" 
 
 " I am not a parrot, nor is it necessary any one 
 should do so, for all which happens is known to the 
 Sukia." 
 
 " Don't be foolish, Tongla !" and now Roy spoke 
 angrily. " Since these men have learned about the 
 idols, they must have seen us when we overturned 
 the pile of stones or listened to our conversation. 
 The main question is, What are they likely to do ?" 
 
 "Everything," the Indian boy cried. "If the 
 word is but spoken we shall not be able to leave this 
 place, no matter how many come to help us." 
 
 It was as if Tongla' s cowardice aroused Dean's 
 
34 TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 courage, and he said, holding his fowling-piece in 
 one hand : 
 
 " With two of these, and in what will be a regular 
 fort, the entire gang who went past last night can 
 do us no harm. There are stone slabs enough here 
 to barricade the door- way and window in good 
 shape." 
 
 " But are we warranted in staying where the In- 
 dians can virtually hold us prisoners '?" Hoy asked, 
 in a tone of perplexity. " Suppose we start now, 
 while there are only two to oppose us ?" 
 
 " The others cannot be far away, and it will not 
 be safe. We had better stay under cover ; they 
 won't dare to do very much, knowing some one from 
 the hacienda is sure to come in search of us if we 
 are absent longer than was agreed upon." 
 
 " I fancy you are right," Roy said ; and then turn- 
 ing to Tongla he added : " Tell the Indians that we 
 are well armed, and shall shoot the first who dares 
 molest us. If necessary we can remain here until 
 those who know where we are come to our aid." 
 
 That this was not an agreeable message for the 
 boy to deliver could be told by the deprecatory tone 
 which he used, and J rom his gestures, Hoy and Dean 
 believed he tried to excuse himself for repeating the 
 harsh words. 
 
 The men made a lengthy reply in an angry tone, 
 after which they walked gravely toward the path 
 by which the boys had ascended to the ruins. 
 
 " Are they going away ?" Dean asked. 
 
 " Only to the brow of the hill, in order to prevent 
 us from passing in that direction," Tongla replied, 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 35 
 
 sadly. "We have offended those who minister to 
 the gods, and our punishment will be great. Al- 
 ready are the others approaching, and escape is im- 
 possible unless the sacred figures are given into the 
 charge of the Sukia woman." 
 
 " See here, Tongla," Eoy said, decidedly, " there is 
 nothing to keep you here. We are willing you 
 should go and make your peace ; but we shall stay, 
 and it'll be a long while before that crowd can rob 
 us. It is gold they want, and the talk about gods is 
 only made for effect. No one knew anything about 
 the idols, otherwise they would have been taken 
 away many years before this. Now, having found 
 a large amount of treasure, and nothing which is 
 sacred, we do not intend to be deprived of it. Dean 
 and myself are both satisfied to have you join 
 them." 
 
 Tongla listened in silence until Eoy ceased speak- 
 ing, and then with a dignity the boys had never seen 
 him display before he said, firmly : 
 
 " I am but a poor Indian who has never seen the 
 great world from which you came, but my heart is 
 as true as if my skin were white. It is not possible 
 we can depart from this place with the golden gods ; 
 but death is more pleasant than treachery. I shall 
 remain." 
 
 From both the manner and tone it was certain 
 the boy had fully decided upon his course of action, 
 and the others were a little ashamed for having sug- 
 gested his leaving them. 
 
 " You are a good fellow, Tongla," Eoy said, as he 
 took him by the hand, " and we won't forget this 
 
36 fSE TREASURE-FINDfiM. 
 
 very soon. Now put out of your mind all idea that 
 these men, or even the Sukia woman herself, can do 
 anymore than you or I, and we'll soon be out of 
 this scrape. Do you think the rest of the crowd are 
 so near it would be impossible for us to give them 
 the slip ? It won't be much of a job to get past the 
 two old redskins who are trying to blockade the 
 path." 
 
 u To the hacienda is more than a long day's walk. 
 Before noon they could overtake us, even though 
 the remainder of the party are now two leagues 
 away." 
 
 " That's a fact ; and it would be pretty hard to 
 hold our own in the woods where they could sur- 
 round us without much trouble. We'll stay here 
 for awhile, and begin work by barricading this 
 door." 
 
 It required half an hour's severe labor to fortify 
 the place in such a manner that it could not be 
 taken by any ordinary assault, and then the boys 
 felt reasonably secure. The enemy were armed 
 only with machetes and short, spear-like clubs; 
 therefore the two fowling-pieces would be sufficient 
 to hold them in check, and these weapons were to 
 be used behind the barrier of stone, where aper- 
 tures had been left between the slabs. 
 
 The day was well advanced when these prepara- 
 tions for defense were completed, and had they been 
 at home on the indigo plantation all three would 
 have indulged in a siesta, for during three or four 
 hours in the middle of the day every one sleeps, the 
 heat rendering almost disagreeable any exercise. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 37 
 
 Under the present circumstances, however, such 
 indulgence was not to be thought of, and the boys 
 seated themselves on the stone floor, where a view 
 of the veranda as well as the forest directly in front 
 of the ruins could be had through the loop-holes. 
 
 " They wiD not trouble us until nightfall," Tongla 
 had said ; but Eoy believed it best to be on the 
 alert. 
 
 " One of us might sleep, if the hammocks could 
 be hung," he said ; " but I don't fancy either cares 
 very much about lying on this hard floor." 
 
 " I will remain on guard while you rest," the In- 
 dian boy said. " Then during the night all can 
 watch, for at that time the servants of Kabul are 
 certain to come for the gods." 
 
 " Who is Kabul ?" Dean asked, curiously. " That 
 is a name I never heard before." 
 
 " He is there," Tongla replied, reverentially, as he 
 pointed toward the veranda. 
 
 The boys looked out, expecting to see one of the 
 party which the Sukia woman had led ; but to their 
 surprise not a person was in sight. 
 
 " There," Tongla repeated; and following with 
 their eyes his outstretched finger they saw a num- 
 ber of rude figures painted oh the marble column 
 directly in front of their place of refuge. 
 
 " Do you mean those queer pictures ?" Koy asked. 
 
 Tongla nodded his head. 
 
 " I can't make out what they mean, except that 
 there are about a dozen big red hands, and some- 
 thing which looks like a snake." 
 
 "It is Kabul, God of the Working Hand," the 
 
38 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 Indian boy said, gravely ; and Dean was quite posi- 
 tive he bowed in adoration before this rude symbol 
 of a divinity. 
 
 " Have you ever seen his statue-figures like those 
 we found, I mean r Roy asked. 
 
 "Very many times. He is here among the ruins, 
 and with him are other gods whom nobody knows." 
 
 But for Tongla's reverential air the boys would 
 have laughed outright ; the idea of a crowd of gods 
 whom "nobody knew" seemed very comical. It 
 would have been useless to make any attempt at 
 showing him the absurdity of idol - worship, for 
 many times had the old priest, who visited the haci- 
 enda now and then, tried without the slightest show 
 of success to point out his errors; and although the 
 boy listened attentivelv, it could be seen that he did 
 not believe a single statement. 
 
 %i Do you know the names of the gods we found P 
 Roy asked, after a short pause. 
 
 " I never saw them before. Perhaps the people 
 who built this city left them." 
 
 " Of course they did. and that is why the demand 
 of those Indians is so absurd.*' 
 
 %% The Sukia can take what she wants," Tongla re- 
 plied, with an air of the most profound conviction ; 
 and Roy rose to his feet impatiently, thus bringing 
 the conversation to an abrupt close. 
 
 " Let's get something to eat," he said. " I'm be- 
 ginning to feel hungry, and we'd better have lunch 
 while our enemies are quiet." 
 
 Leaving Tongla on guard. Dean joined his brother 
 at the further corner of the chamber, where the 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 39 
 
 knapsacks had been left, and before any prepara- 
 tions for the meal were made a most startling fact 
 was discovered. 
 
 " There isn't a cup of water in the canteens, and 
 we stand a good chance of being shut up here two 
 or three days !" Roy cried, in alarm. 
 
 " I filled both the vessels when we crossed the 
 stream this morning," the Indian boy said. 
 
 " Yes," Dean cried, bitterly, " and I washed ray 
 hands with the contents of mine, thinking it would 
 be easy to get more !" 
 
 " Well, it's no use to scold about what can't be 
 helped. Unless those fellows out there change their 
 minds before to-morrow morning we shall have to 
 give up the idols or take the chances of fighting our 
 way through." 
 
 " On the other side of this hill, past the ruins, is a 
 stream. I will go there now. In an hour, when all 
 the Sukia's followers come, it may not be possible to 
 depart from here." 
 
 As Tongla spoke he began to clamber over the 
 barricade ; but Roy pulled him back as he said : 
 
 " If any one goes it must be me. Explain where 
 the stream is located, and I will make the attempt." 
 
 Dean was most decidedly opposed to this plan ; 
 but one argument sufficed to convince him that des- 
 perate measures should be adopted. 
 
 "In twenty-four hours all three of us will be 
 forced to surrender unless we have the means of 
 quenching our thirst. By filling both canteens and 
 the chocolate-pot the siege can be sustained, on 
 very short allowance, three times as long. Tongla 
 
40 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 does not understand the use of fire-arms, therefore 
 the two who are here could easily capture him. I 
 shall be able to hold them in check, unless more 
 have arrived, and shall bring back the water." 
 
 " If it is yet possible to go through the ruins to 
 the other side of the hill, why wouldn't it be best 
 for all hands to leave here?" Dean asked. "We 
 could easily keep out of the way in the dense forest, 
 no matter how many should come in pursuit, and 
 flight is preferable to remaining with every prospect 
 of a fight, in which it will be three against eighteen 
 or twenty." 
 
 " I'm not sure but that would be a good plan," 
 Eoy said, thoughtfully. " What do you think, Ton- 
 gla?" 
 
 "Beyond is a river, and if we should cross, it 
 would be to find ourselves in the land of the Woolwa 
 Indians, who are not to be trusted. It is better to 
 stay here until the end." 
 
 " Were you ever in that section of the country ?" 
 
 " My people do not go there. I have never even 
 crossed the river." 
 
 " That settles it," Koy said to his brother. " We 
 would be foolish to take the risks of traveling in a 
 wild section, each step carrying us further from 
 home. I will go now, and you stand by, ready to 
 come out in case there is a row." 
 
 " Why not let me go with you l n 
 
 " Because some one beside Tongla must stay to 
 guard the gold." 
 
 " I will answer for the safety of the little gods," 
 the Indian boy said, quickly. " With my machete 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. \ 
 
 the entrance can be defended, at least until you re- 
 turn. It would be well for both to go." 
 Koy hesitated only an instant, and then he said : 
 "Very well; we mustn't waste any more time. 
 Climb over the stones and I will pass out the can- 
 teens." 
 
 or THI ' 
 
 UNIVERSITY] 
 
 or 
 
43 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTEK Y. 
 
 THE WATER-CARRIERS. 
 
 THE SLABS of stone which were piled in the 
 door-way to a height of about seven feet were 
 so placed that the ends on the inside projected one 
 above another like a flight of steps, thus throwing 
 the opposite or outer portion at such an angle that 
 the enemy could not clamber up while making an 
 attack. 
 
 Thus the boys had no difficulty in leaving their 
 retreat, and on the return Tongla would be able to 
 give the necessary aid in surmounting the obstacle. 
 Dean went first, scrutinizing the surrounding forest 
 and ruins closely before leaping on to the veranda, 
 and when the vessels in which the precious liquid 
 was to be brought had been passed out, Eoy fol- 
 lowed. 
 
 Cautiously the two proceeded down the broad 
 platform in the direction of that portion of the 
 ruins from which the idols had been taken, but 
 nothing could be seen of the enemy in either direc- 
 tion. 
 
 " Do you suppose they have gone away ?" Dean 
 asked, in a whisper. 
 
 "No such good luck as that. The forest is so 
 dense that they might stand within a dozen yards, 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 43 
 
 and we would be unable to see them. Knowing 
 what the country beyond here is, I suppose the two 
 whom we saw think there is no need of guarding 
 this side of the hill until they get ready to close in 
 on us." 
 
 With their guns in their hands ready for immedi- 
 ate use the boys continued on the full length of the 
 veranda, then down past the ruined temple, skirted 
 the base of fourteen or fifteen huge piles of stone 
 which marked the site of some magnificent building, 
 and, almost without warning, were in the gloom of 
 such a forest as they had never seen before enor- 
 mous logwood-trees, gigantic vines, towering palms, 
 flowers of gorgeous hues, strange plants hanging to 
 the limbs of trees, all serving to form a most 
 marvelous picture. Here and there a few golden 
 shafts made their way through the foliage, lighting 
 up the wondrous scene in the immediate vicinity, 
 and beyond in every direction the darkness seemed 
 profound. 
 
 Despite the dangers to which they were exposed 
 the boys halted in silent amazement, gazing about 
 as if bewildered by the beauty on every hand until 
 Roy roused himself with a start. 
 
 " This won't do," he said. " It's water we have 
 come for, and too long a delay here may shut off all 
 chance of rejoining Tongla. Come on." 
 
 " If all the forest east of the hill is like this, I 
 don't wonder that he didn't want to take the risk of 
 making his way through to escape the Indians. A 
 fellow who should get lost in" these woods would 
 have a slim chance of ever getting out." 
 
44 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 "And it stands us in hand to walk mighty 
 straight. He said we were to go through the forest 
 about a hundred yards before reaching the stream. 
 We must have come more than half that distance 
 already." 
 
 Roy had hardly ceased speaking before he was on 
 the bank of a brook where the vines and creepers 
 hung in such profusion that one could not see the 
 water until directly over it. 
 
 By bending down from a fallen tree-trunk the 
 boys soon brought up the scanty supply which 
 could be carried, and without further delay the 
 return was begun. 
 
 On emerging from the bewildering forest no 
 sounds of life were to be heard ; even the animals 
 and insects were enjoying a siesta, and the very 
 silence caused Dean to grow suspicious. 
 
 " I don't see why Tongla should have thought it 
 best that both of us should come when there isn't 
 the slightest danger, unless 
 
 " Unless what ? " Roy asked, as his brother 
 paused. 
 
 "Well, it's a mean thing to say, but I couldn't 
 help thinking how readily Tongla might get out of 
 the scrape by delivering up the idols. The moment 
 we left, a signal to the Indians would bring them to 
 the ruins, and he could either go with them or say 
 he was overpowered." 
 
 " He wouldn't do anything like that," Roy said, 
 very positively ; but yet he quickened his pace mate- 
 rially, and the boys were running when the veranda 
 was reached. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 45 
 
 That such suspicions were unjust was shown when 
 they reached the door-way and found him perched 
 on top of the slabs awaiting their arrival. 
 
 " Make haste ! Give me the water and guns !" he 
 whispered, nervously. " I have seen five or six In- 
 dians come from among the trees to look at the pal- 
 ace, and it must be that the Sukia woman and her 
 followers are here." 
 
 First the canteens and pot were passed up, after 
 which Koy stood on guard with leveled weapon as 
 Dean handed Tongla his gun and then was helped 
 to the top by the faithful servant, when he assumed 
 the duties of guard until the others were in the cham- 
 ber once more. 
 
 " We neither saw nor heard any one, and I 
 wouldn't be afraid to go a dozen times," Koy said 
 when all three were sitting in front of the loop- 
 holes. 
 
 " It was not dangerous when you started, but 
 now it is," Tongla replied, gravely. " At this time 
 Indians are posted entirely around us, for they know 
 that one visit to the stream has been made, and will 
 prevent a second. That they have traveled during 
 the time of their siesta shows us what may be ex- 
 pected. Unless help comes from the hacienda we 
 shall be overpowered soon." 
 
 " Now don't begin again to croak," Koy said, 
 petulantly. "I thought all that was ended when 
 you insisted on remaining with us." 
 
 " One may tell himself the result and yet not be a 
 coward." 
 
 " You are right, Tongla ; but at the same time no 
 
46 TSE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 good can come of continually repeating that we are 
 doomed." 
 
 " I shall say no more. Lie down and rest until 
 the night comes." 
 
 Again the boys refused to take advantage of the 
 opportunity, and a few moments later they had 
 plenty to occupy their attention. 
 
 Unquestionably the entire party of Indians had 
 arrived, for at half a dozen different points men 
 could be seen passing to and fro, as if taking up 
 positions for an attack, while four or five were 
 directly opposite the chamber. 
 
 "I don't see any guns," Koy said, after a long 
 scrutiny, "and it seems as if they had only such 
 weapons as we at first surmised." 
 
 " That is true," Tongla replied. " But few of my 
 people own any, and those who do would not carry 
 them while engaged in the service of the gods." 
 
 " It can be nothing less than suicide for them to 
 make an attack, and I question very much if there 
 will be any fighting unless we are driven out of here 
 through hunger or thirst." 
 
 " Whatever the Sukia commands they will do, 
 even though certain death awaits every one." 
 
 " How many cartridges have you got, Dean?" 
 
 " Twenty." 
 
 " And mine bring the number up to forty-three. 
 With that amount we should be able to make mat- 
 ters very uncomfortable for those gentlemen, even 
 though they are charged only with heavy shot." 
 
 It would have been an easy thing to hit any of the 
 Indians in sight ; but neither Koy nor Dean cared to 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 47 
 
 open the battle, for the idea of shooting at a human 
 being was terrible. 
 
 Save when the Indians moved from one point to 
 another there was no change in the condition of 
 affairs until after nightfall, and then the boys un- 
 derstood why the natives believed the ruined city 
 was peopled with spirits. 
 
 Fire-flies, so brilliant that it was difficult to be- 
 lieve they were not tiny wisps of flame, darted here 
 and there, causing the white stones to glow as if a 
 bit of phosphorus had been passed across them. 
 Sounds from the forest, which the listeners could at- 
 tribute to no familiar cause, floated on the air; 
 something very like a sob came at irregular inter- 
 vals from the ruins, and again it was as if a plain- 
 tive voice called in an unknown or forgotten tongue. 
 Everywhere was the appearance of life, and the 
 dullest imagination might readily fancy that the 
 shadowy forms of that ancient race which built the 
 city had revisited the scenes of their lives. 
 
 " After to-night I won't say a word to Tongla for 
 being afraid of this place," Koy whispered, as he 
 wiped the perspiration from his face. " It wouldn't 
 take much more of this sort of thing to make me 
 run, no matter how many Indians there may be 
 waiting to catch us." 
 
 "Of course there is nothing unnatural about the 
 sounds," Dean replied, nervously ; " but a fellow 
 has mighty hard work to convince himself of that 
 fact. I wonder if it is always like this ?" 
 
 " Always," Tongla said, he having overheard the 
 last portion of Dean's remark. " I was here once, 
 
48 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 before you came to this country ; but we could not 
 stay. It was better to travel all night, in danger of 
 losing our way in the forest, than remain in the 
 home of the gods." 
 
 " An attack would be preferable to sitting here 
 idle with such good opportunities for fancying dis- 
 agreeable things," Eoy said after a short pause ; and 
 almost at the same moment Dean whispered : 
 
 " They are closing in on us ! I am positive I 
 heard footsteps on the veranda, and the crowd in 
 front are advancing." 
 
 That this was correct all three of the watchers 
 could see a few seconds later. The Indians, who 
 had been stationed directly opposite their place of 
 refuge, came boldly forward until they were within 
 a dozen yards of the barricaded door, and as they 
 halted a perfect cloud of spears were thrown, some 
 striking harmlessly against the pile of slabs, while 
 the greater portion passed over into the apartment. 
 
 Sheltered as they were, the boys escaped unin- 
 jured, and before the first surprise had passed four 
 or five men made a dash at the barrier. 
 
 "Fire!" Eoy cried, "and reload as quickly as 
 possible." 
 
 There was no time to take aim. Already had one 
 of the men succeeded in gaining the top, and Dean 
 discharged his weapon just in time to save Tongla 
 from a spear-thrust. 
 
 A cry of pain was mingled with the report of 
 Eoy's gun, and during the next five minutes neither 
 of the defenders knew exactly what was done. 
 Shouts, screams, the sound of steel striking against 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 49 
 
 the stones as the enemy used their machetes over the 
 top of the barricade, the reports of the fowling- 
 pieces, and now and then, above the uproar, strains 
 of a wild song, served to confuse the boys until the 
 struggle seemed like some horrible nightmare. 
 
 No one knew how the battle was going, save as 
 he himself was concerned, until the Indians with- 
 drew as suddenly as they had come, and the most 
 profound silence reigned. 
 
 " Well," Roy said, as he saw the enemy helping 
 four wounded men away, " I'm glad we didn't kill 
 any of the scoundrels, although they would have 
 had little mercy for us if that pile of stones hadn't 
 been quite so high. Is any one hurt ?" 
 
 " The point of a spear went through my jacket 
 and tore the sleeve out ; but that was the only dam- 
 age done," Dean replied. " How did you fare, Ton- 
 gla?" 
 
 " I am not wounded," was the low-spoken answer, 
 "but it is yet too early to count the loss. The 
 Sukia's followers will soon return, and we must be 
 prepared for the second struggle." 
 
 " You're right, my boy. Our guns are reloaded, 
 and it won't be a bad idea to gather up these spears ; 
 it seems as if the floor was covered with them." 
 
 Then Roy began collecting the weapons which 
 had been thrown during the first portion of the en- 
 gagement, while Tongla busied himself with push- 
 ing back into place such slabs as were forced inward. 
 
 The smoke from the powder hung dense in the 
 chamber, causing the boys to crouch low as they 
 worked, in order to breathe without pain ; and after 
 
50 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 groping around several moments Dean asked, im- 
 patiently : 
 
 " What did you do with the water, Eoy ? My 
 throat is so dry that I can hardly speak." 
 
 " I put the canteens in the corner, and the choco- 
 late-pot a little this side. Give me a drink when 
 you find it." 
 
 Dean was silent for a moment, and then the 
 others were startled by hearing him cry as if in 
 pain. 
 
 " What's the matter? Have you run across a 
 scorpion ?" 
 
 " Look !" And Dean advanced toward the door, 
 where the faint light which came in above the bar- 
 ricade disclosed to the view of his startled compan- 
 ions two articles he held. 
 
 One was the empty pot, and the other a canteen, 
 through which a spear had passed. 
 
 "There isn't a drop of water in either !" he ex- 
 claimed, " and it seems as if I could drink a quart 
 without satisfying my thirst." 
 
 Tongla and Eoy stood as if stupefied at this mis- 
 fortune which had come upon them, and then the 
 former groped about on the floor until the second 
 canteen was found. 
 
 " This is yet full," he said, " and if we do no more 
 than moisten our lips it may serve until morning." 
 
 " How could we have been so careless," Roy cried, 
 in distress. " To put that upon which all our hopes 
 depend where nearly every spear thrown in must 
 reach it was the act of a fool, and I am the one on 
 whom all the blame must fall !" 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 51 
 
 "Don't talk that way," Dean said, soothingly. 
 " Tongla or I would have done the same thing, for 
 it was only natural to stow them out of the way, 
 otherwise we might have trampled on them." 
 
 All thoughts of their severe loss were dispelled at 
 this juncture by a cry from Tongla, who had taken 
 up his station once more at the loop-holes : 
 
 "The followers of Kabul are advancing once 
 more, and this time the Sukia comes to give them 
 courage !" 
 
 
52 THE THEASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 AN OPPORTUNE DISCOVERY. 
 
 'THHE BOYS were at their places behind the 
 
 JL barricade in an instant after Tongla made the 
 
 unwelcome announcement, and then the Indians 
 
 were so near as to be distinguished without difficulty. 
 
 As if there was nothing to be feared from the 
 fire-arms, they remained in the open space four or 
 five minutes while the Sukia woman chanted an 
 appeal or an invocation, and the boys could have 
 shot several had it not been for their horror of 
 shedding human blood. 
 
 " If that old wretch was out of the way I am cer- 
 tain there would be no more fighting," Roy whis- 
 pered to Dean. "It seems tough to shoot at a 
 woman ; but in this case it is absolutely necessary. 
 The shot won't kill her, but one charge will teach a 
 good lesson. When the crowd start toward us you 
 look out for the men, and I'll fire at her." 
 
 Dean nodded his head, but could not reply other- 
 wise, for this deliberate planning as to which of the 
 party should be shot savored too much of murder, 
 although absolutely necessary for the preservation 
 of their own lives. 
 
 The Indians joined in the last line of the chant, 
 and when it was ended dashed forward with wild 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 53 
 
 screams, which were probably intended to dismay 
 the boys and strengthen their own courage. 
 
 Eoy paid no attention to the yelling pack, but re- 
 mained at the loop-hole from which he could com- 
 mand a view of the old crone, who still continued 
 her song, and before the men were on the veranda 
 he fired two shots. 
 
 The second struck the target, and with a wild cry 
 of pain the Sukia ran toward the thicket, while her 
 followers halted as if suddenly converted into 
 statues. Then it was that Koy fancied a yet fiercer 
 charge would be made, but in this he was happily 
 mistaken. 
 
 The old woman continued to scream, thus show- 
 ing that she was not mortally wounded, and her fol- 
 lowers fled toward her with even more swiftness 
 than while approaching the palace. 
 
 "What happened to the Sukia ?" Tongla asked in 
 surprise, as the assailants disappeared in a twink- 
 ling. 
 
 " I put a charge of shot in her arm, and it has 
 saved us from a hand-to-hand fight." 
 
 The Indian boy shook his head decidedly. 
 
 "You have made a mistake. She cannot be 
 harmed by any one of this world. The gods pro- 
 tect her." 
 
 " They didn't this time, and if she shows herself 
 I'll prove that the dose can be repeated." 
 
 It was not until both Koy and Dean had told over 
 and over again of the proposition made by the 
 former before the advance was begun that Tongla 
 would believe the woman could have been harmed 
 
54 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 by the shot, and then he appeared both alarmed and 
 perplexed. 
 
 " My people never knew of such a thing before. 
 Even the flames pass her by, and the deadly nalm- 
 yaca that snake from whose bite none can re- 
 cover is afraid to strike when she walks through 
 the forest." 
 
 Now Roy and Dean understood why the Indians 
 had abandoned the attack at the very moment when 
 it was to be begun. They, like Tongla, believed she 
 was invulnerable, and the wound had caused more 
 alarm than the death of half their number would 
 have done. 
 
 " When they come again it will be to kill us, or 
 die in the attempt," Dean said, as if alarmed at the 
 success of his own party. 
 
 "At all events the Sukia won't do much more 
 singing," Roy replied ; " and we've got time to pre- 
 pare for the next charge." 
 
 For this purpose no very lengthy delay was 
 needed, since everything possible had already been 
 done. The boys moistened their parched lips from 
 the canteen, which was but little relief when each 
 could have drank the entire contents without fully 
 quenching his thirst, and then they sat down at the 
 barricade to watch for what all believed would 
 speedily come. 
 
 Again the weird noises from the forest and ruins 
 were heard ; but the Indians made no sign. Hour 
 succeeded hour until the pale whisks of light in the 
 sky told that night was abdicating in favor of day, 
 and a great hope sprung up in Dean's breast. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 55 
 
 " Perhaps they have gone away," he whispered. 
 " Knowing that we could wound her whom they be- 
 lieved proof against all harm, the whole crowd may 
 have sneaked off." 
 
 " There is no hope of that," Tongla replied, 
 gravely. " Those who so much as touch her when 
 she comes to visit the gods are put to death ; there- 
 fore greater must be our punishment." 
 
 " When they have killed us there can be nothing 
 worse," Roy said, smiling at Tongla's remark. 
 
 " A blow from a machete is more merciful than 
 other forms of death that can be inflicted in the 
 forest ;" and with these ominous words the Indian 
 boy relapsed into silence. 
 
 "They must get at us before anything can be 
 done, and a fellow holds out pretty long with such 
 a prospect before him," Roy said, after a short 
 pause. "I'm going to have one more swallow of 
 water, even if it is the last." 
 
 Never before did it seem as if a canteen had been 
 emptied so rapidly. Although the boys hardly 
 moistened their lips four times during the night, the 
 contents were nearly consumed, and when Dean 
 placed the vessel carefully in the corner, under the 
 window, it was with the knowledge that no more 
 than two mouthfuls for each remained. 
 
 Day breaks quickly in the tropics. It was but a 
 few moments after the first shafts of light were 
 
 o 
 
 seen before the sun had risen, and the surrounding 
 forest was alive with life in varied forms. Hum- 
 ming-birds, with plumage so vivid in color that it 
 was as if each feather had been set with glittering 
 
56 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 stones, fl : Hed to and fro past the veranda. Green 
 and purgie dragon-flies caused the massive columns 
 to appear as if incrusted with jewels. The song of 
 birds came from the deep recesses of the woods, 
 and all nature seemed rejoicing at the birth of 
 another day. 
 
 It was to none of these beautiful sights that the 
 besieged first glanced when it became possible to see 
 surrounding objects. Their eyes roved to and fro 
 searching for the enemy, and nearly all were . soon 
 found. 
 
 Stationed at different points, in a half -circle, were 
 the Indians, watching for any movement on the 
 part of the boys, and from their attitude Roy fan- 
 cied he could read their determination to remain on 
 duty until those who had seized the idols should be 
 starved into surrender. 
 
 "They will not fight, but wait," Tongla said, 
 when the scrutiny was ended ; and then he began 
 overhauling the stock of provisions for breakfast. 
 " We can eat, though it is not well to take much be- 
 cause of the thirst which is certain to follow." 
 
 The desire for water w r as already so great that 
 neither Roy nor Dean felt the pangs of hunger, and 
 both refused to join in the repast. 
 
 When Tongla had eaten sparingly he again ad- 
 vised his companions to sleep, and this time they did 
 as he requested, for in slumber thirst could be for- 
 gotten. 
 
 Lying on the stone floor, they soon closed their 
 eyes ; but even in dreams the one want made itself 
 felt ; and at midday, when all nature seemed to be 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 57 
 
 indulging in a siesta, the intense heat awakened 
 them. The dark forest looked cool and inviting, 
 while in the chamber not the slightest breath of 
 moving air could find its way, and the heat was al- 
 most unbearable. 
 
 " There is just about one mouthful of water for 
 each of us," Dean said as he rose to his feet and 
 seized the canteen. "It will do no good to wait, 
 and after my share has been drank I can be no 
 worse off. Let's pour this into the pot, where it can 
 be divided." 
 
 The others came toward him. By using the lower 
 portion of the shattered canteen it was possible to 
 measure the precious liquid, and each sipped his 
 allowance slowly, that the poor pleasure might be 
 prolonged. 
 
 However slow their movements, the small supply 
 was soon consumed, and Dean said, as he drained the 
 last drop : 
 
 " The question now is whether we can hold out 
 until morning ? That will be the utmost limit ; and 
 then, if help does not come, we must give up the 
 gold, regardless of how much money it may repre- 
 sent. I'd be willing to surrender now, in order that 
 I might bury my head in that stream." 
 
 " It is too late for surrender," Tongla said, 
 gloomily. "After what has been done, the fol- 
 lowers of Kabul will not allow us to leave here alive." 
 
 " Do you mean that they won't let us go if we 
 give up the idols ?" Dean asked ; and incredulity was 
 so apparent in his tones that instead of replying 
 Tongla said, sharply : 
 
58 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " Give me the white cloth you carry in your 
 pocket." 
 
 Roy gave him his handkerchief, and he sprung 
 upon the pile of stones, waving it until one of the 
 sentinels advanced a few paces, and shouted in his 
 native tongue". 
 
 " I will now ask the question," Tongla said ; and 
 for some moments he talked rapidly with the Indian, 
 who shook his head while replying, after which he 
 disappeared among the foliage. 
 
 " He has gone to consult with the others," Tongla 
 said as he remained on the barricade. " We shall 
 have an answer soon. Are you willing to give up the 
 golden gods if they permit us to go unharmed ?" 
 
 " Yes, yes !" Dean replied ; but Eoy was not so 
 impetuous. He thought the matter over calmly, and 
 there could be but one result to his deliberations. 
 Thirst would soon drive them out, and life was more 
 precious than gold. 
 
 " We will surrender them," he said, just as the In- 
 dian appeared. 
 
 The answer of the besiegers was very brief. Half 
 a dozen words were spoken, and Tongla' s voice trem- 
 bled as he translated them. 
 
 " One shall go free, but two must die !" 
 
 The boys stood as if stunned. Until this moment 
 both Koy and Dean believed they could purchase 
 freedom by surrendering the treasure. The reply 
 seemed to deprive them of the small remnant of 
 courage left, and neither spoke until after Tongla 
 said, in low, firm tones : 
 
 " I will be one of the two," 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 59 
 
 " If they would allow us to go in consideration of 
 our giving only you up, we should not think of ac- 
 cepting. We will live or die together. Say to that 
 fellow that we are determined to fight until the last 
 moment, and more than one of them shall go before 
 us." 
 
 Tongla repeated the words. The Indian made no 
 reply, but retreated once more to the welcome 
 shade of the trees, and as the Indian boy descended 
 from the barricade the little party resumed their 
 task of watching. 
 
 " There is no question but that they can soon wind 
 up this affair," Roy said, quietly. " When it is im- 
 possible to stay here any longer we will make a rush, 
 and settle while fighting. If we could dispose of the 
 idols so the villains wouldn't find them I'd be better 
 satisfied." 
 
 While speaking he brought from the corner, where 
 they had remained almost unnoticed after the mo- 
 ment when the Indians appeared, the three figures 
 of gold, placing them as if on exhibition. 
 
 Tongla hardly glanced at the images, but looking 
 around the room replied : 
 
 " There is nothing we can do except watch. Work 
 is better than idleness. If a stone was taken from 
 the floor we could bury the gods beneath it." 
 
 " That's a grand idea !" Roy exclaimed. " Any- 
 thing is preferable to sitting still, and one at the 
 loop-holes will be enough. Stay here, Dean, while 
 Tongla and I begin the job." 
 
 Upon surveying the huge blocks which formed 
 the lower portion of the chamber the task seemed 
 
60 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 impossible ; but the Indian boy set about it reso- 
 lutely, after selecting the smallest. With his machete 
 he first worked along the edges, trying to find a 
 point where sufficient of the stone could be crum- 
 bled away to admit of using the weapon as a lever, 
 and Roy did the same, each moving in an opposite 
 direction until they met at the end toward the 
 wall. 
 
 Here for an instant the weight of both was on 
 one corner, and suddenly the huge block began to 
 turn downward, as if on a pivot. 
 
 " It's dropping !" Roy cried, and would have leaped 
 off but that Tongla held him firmly until the move- 
 ment ceased, when the latter cried to Dean : 
 
 " Bring here one of the guns ! We have found a 
 way of escape !" 
 
 Now Roy could see that as one end sunk the other 
 rose, therefore it was not an accident, and he liter- 
 ally trembled with excitement as his brother tried 
 to prop up the highest end of the block. 
 
 " Brace the gun under it !" he said, nervously. 
 " You can hold it in that way until Tongla and I 
 find something better." 
 
 With the butt of the weapon pressed firmly 
 against the edge of the solid flooring, and the muz- 
 zle just beneath the lifted rock, Dean succeeded in 
 doing as he was bidden, and in a few moments the 
 other two had completed the work with their ma- 
 chetes. 
 
 There was now an aperture the entire width of 
 the block and about three feet high, through which 
 either of the boys could pass without difficulty ; but 
 
TREASURE-FINDERS. 61 
 
 before venturing below, it would be necessary to as- 
 certain what was underneath. 
 
 Tongla gathered bits of branches from the cor- 
 ners where the room had not been thoroughly 
 cleaned, and holding these tightly together, asked 
 Koy to light a match. 
 
 It was by no means a good torch, but would serve 
 to give at least a glimpse of where the opening led 
 to, and the little party crouched close by the edge 
 as he lowered the feeble flame. 
 
 No one thought there might be any danger in 
 thus forsaking the loop-holes, and neither would 
 probably have heard the approach of a dozen men 
 had they come at this moment when was to be de- 
 cided the value or uselessness of this discovery. 
 
62 THE TKEASURE-FINbEHS. 
 
 CHAPTEK YIL 
 
 THE TUNNEL. 
 
 THANKS to the light of the improvised torch, 
 it was possible for the boys to see, after the 
 foul air had ascended sufficiently to permit of the 
 flame, what appeared to be a flight of stone steps, 
 and Dean would have started down at once but for 
 Tongla, who said, as he held the former back : 
 
 " We do not know yet where this may lead, and 
 it is not safe that more than one should take the 
 risk of going. You and your brother are needed to 
 guard the chamber ; I will discover the secret and 
 return to tell you." 
 
 Eoy was on the point of insisting that some one 
 should accompany him because of the possible dan- 
 ger ; but he held his peace when the thought came 
 to his mind that the Indian boy could be in no 
 greater peril than those who remained behind. 
 
 First gathering all the materials for a torch which 
 could be found, and then arming himself only with 
 a machete, Tongla descended. 
 
 " Be careful !" Roy called after him, and from the 
 gloom came the reply : 
 
 " Be watchful ! The followers of Kabul may 
 have an idea of what is being done, and choose this 
 time to make an attack !" 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 63 
 
 "If things turn out as now seem probable we 
 sha'n't fear them much longer," Dean said, glee- 
 fully, as he resumed the duties of sentinel by seat- 
 ing himself in front of one of the loop-holes. 
 
 " They may come before we are ready unless we 
 keep sharp watch, and now there is but one gun to 
 hold them in check. To let them know that there 
 is no idea of surrendering, it will be well to fire at 
 every one who shows himself." 
 
 " I don't see any but that old fellow with whom 
 Tongla talked, and he is so far away that it would 
 be a waste of ammunition to shoot at him." 
 
 " Take the gun. I'm going to get things ready 
 for a quick move in case that hole turns out to be a 
 regular tunnel." 
 
 Then Eoy began to gather up the stock of pro- 
 visions, which he placed in one of the knapsacks to- 
 gether with the smallest idol, and in the other he 
 packed the two remaining golden figures. The 
 chocolate-pot, canteen, hammocks, and such articles, 
 were piled near the aperture where they could 
 readily be gotten at, and everything was prepared 
 for the flight in case Tongla brought back a favor- 
 able report. 
 
 " Any signs of a movement among the villains ?" 
 he asked, on approaching his brother. 
 
 "None. They are waiting until it grows cooler, 
 or perhaps think there is no need of fighting when 
 we must necessarily be starved out so soon. Asking 
 for terms of surrender showed to what straits we 
 were reduced." 
 
 " So much the better for us, since it gives plenty 
 
64 THE TREASTTRE-FINDERS. 
 
 of time for an examination of the tunnel. It seems 
 to me that Tongla is staying a long while." 
 
 " That's proof the excavation is something more 
 than a hole in the ground," Dean replied, cheerily, 
 for the chances of escape now seemed so good that 
 thirst and even the fear of death were at least par- 
 tially banished from his mind. 
 
 The boys waited and watched fully half an hour 
 more, and then Tongla appeared, breathing hard, 
 like one who has been running. 
 
 " What did you find?" his companions asked in 
 chorus, and growing pale through fear that their 
 new-born hopes rnigkt be dashed by his report. 
 
 "It extends a long distance, but in which direc- 
 tion I cannot say. It will be possible to live there 
 as many hours as if we remained here, therefore it 
 is well to leave this place without delay." 
 
 " We are all ready," and Dean picked up one of 
 the knapsacks as if to descend at once, when the 
 boy said, stepping toward the barricade : 
 
 " There is very much to be done here first, other- 
 wise the enemy will follow us. When this stone is 
 dropped the cracks can tell the story ; and, besides, 
 we need torches." 
 
 " I don't see how you will get them ; and as for 
 the stone, that can't be helped. We shall be no 
 worse off, if they come, than here after our ammuni- 
 tion is exhausted," Koy said. 
 
 " All can be arranged if you do as I wish." 
 
 "Give your orders, and we'll obey; but work 
 quick, or there'll be another fight on our hands." 
 
 " Go on the pile of stones with your gun, that 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 65 
 
 they may not be able to prevent my coming back ;" 
 and as Tongla spoke, he ran swiftly up the barricade 
 and leaped over, greatly to the surprise and alarm 
 of his companions. 
 
 Seizing the fowling-piece, Hoy followed to the top 
 of the slabs, and there he saw the reason for this 
 singular maneuver. 
 
 On the veranda at either side of the entrance to 
 the apartment in which the boys had taken refuge 
 was a quantity of twigs and broken branches, while 
 twined around each column were a profusion of 
 vines. These twigs Tongla gathered and threw over 
 the barricade, working rapidly, as one naturally 
 would, knowing that a vengeful enemy might attack 
 him at any moment. 
 
 In fact the Indians began to show signs of activity 
 the instant the boys appeared above the slabs. From 
 every point at which sentinels had been stationed 
 men sprung out from the bushes; but on seeing 
 that Tongla was making no effort to run away, and 
 perhaps deterred by the sight of Eoy's gun, they 
 remained at a distance, ready to run forward if any 
 threatening movement was indulged in. 
 
 Thus the boy had ample opportunity to gather a 
 plentiful supply of wood ; and, in addition, he pulled 
 down or chopped off huge bunches of vines. 
 
 " Now help me up," he said, extending his hand 
 to Eoy ; and in another instant he was inside the 
 chamber binding the branches into torches with the 
 pliable vines, the others keeping close watch upon 
 the enemy meanwhile. 
 
 When twelve of these bundles had been made he 
 
66 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 broke the remaining pieces of wood into small frag- 
 ments, and with the utmost care piled them on the 
 inclined stone, more particularly near the edges. 
 
 " Can you give me some powder ?" he asked, when 
 these preparations had been completed. 
 
 " How much do you want ?" 
 
 " What I can hold in my hand." 
 
 Koy broke open two cartridges and poured out 
 the contents, which Tongla distributed in a thin line 
 around the edge of the floor adjoining the movable 
 stone. Over all he placed tangled masses of the 
 vines in such a manner that they could not be caught 
 when the huge block was allowed to drop into its 
 place. 
 
 "We are ready now," he said, "Throw down 
 the goods which we are to carry, and then go on 
 the stairs where it will be possible to hold up this 
 weight when I have taken away the gun and ma- 
 chetes." 
 
 After one more glance outside to satisfy them- 
 selves that the Indians were not ready to make an 
 immediate attack, the boys obeyed. 
 
 It was not difficult to reach the upper end of the 
 block by standing on the broad stair or platform 
 which surmounted the steps, and the united strength 
 of both was sufficient to uphold the weight. By 
 raising the stone a trifle Tongla was enabled to re- 
 move the weapons, and when these had been carried 
 below he proceeded to cover their tracks as far as 
 this trap-door was concerned. 
 
 He lighted the dry wood in half a dozen places, 
 and, making certain it would soon be fanned into a 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 6? 
 
 strong blaze, gave word for the boys to lower the 
 block. 
 
 " Let it come down gently," he said, aiding them 
 in the work. " If the fuel is not disturbed it will 
 burn close to the edge of the stone, the powder must 
 be ignited, and if all goes well, some time is certain 
 to pass before the followers of Kabul discover how 
 we have escaped." 
 
 The only thing which could mar the success of 
 Tongla's plan was that the Indians might make a 
 charge to ascertain the meaning of the smoke ; but 
 this did not seem probable, in view of the fact that 
 they had every reason to believe it would be impos- 
 sible for the boys to leave the chamber without their 
 knowledge, and also that they were already on the 
 point of surrendering, as shown by the proposition 
 Tongla made. 
 
 Not until after the stone was in its place did Ton- 
 gla light one of the torches, and the boys saw a 
 flight of eight steps which led to a passage about 
 six feet wide and eight high, the sides and top cov- 
 ered with what looked not unlike brick-work. 
 
 "We will walk fast, for too many torches must 
 not be burned," Tongla said. " If there is no other 
 opening we shall need some light by which to re- 
 trace our steps." 
 
 He led the way, holding the bundle of wood in 
 such a manner as to economize fuel, at the same time 
 that sufficient blaze was produced to partially light 
 the way ; and he also carried his full share of the 
 traps. 
 
 During ten minutes the boys continued on through 
 
68 TffJS TREASVRE-F1NDEH8. 
 
 the tunnel, seeing no break in the solid walls, and 
 then they arrived at a point where two other pas- 
 sages led out from the main one at right-angles. 
 
 Here the Indian boy halted for an instant as if to 
 ask which course should be pursued, and Hoy said : 
 
 " It will be safer to go straight ahead. This looks 
 like the principal tunnel, and we had better remain 
 in it." 
 
 " Did you come through here without a light ?" 
 Dean asked ; and Tongla replied : 
 
 "For a short distance the little torch showed the 
 way ; but after that expired I depended on my hands 
 as a guide, therefore could not have come as far as 
 this, or I would have found the other passages." 
 
 Ten minutes more elapsed, and then, as Tongla 
 halted again, this time in a listening attitude, a cry 
 of joy burst from Dean's lips. 
 
 He heard the musical gurgle of water, and never 
 did such a sound seem sweeter. 
 
 Tongla stopped only long enough to satisfy him- 
 self there could be no mistake, and then he dashed 
 on at a swift pace until the little party arrived at a 
 chamber or break in the tunnel where was an apart- 
 ment about six feet square, in the center of which 
 was a spring of sparkling water. 
 
 The torch was flung down regardless of whether 
 the flame was extinguished, and all three knelt on 
 the ground, literally plunging their faces beneath 
 the surface as they drank, paused to regain their 
 breath, and then drank again, until it seemed as. if 
 their thirst would never be quenched. 
 
 How delicious were those first draughts ! The 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 69 
 
 most expensive beverage ever concocted could not 
 have tasted half so refreshing. 
 
 " If that don't atone for what we have suffered I 
 am very much mistaken," Dean said, when he was 
 finally forced to stop, because he could not swallow 
 another mouthful. " Now if the Indians follow us 
 we shall be able to give them a fairly good recep- 
 tion." 
 
 "We must not wait for them," Tongla said, 
 quickly. " It is certain they will soon discover how 
 we escaped, and more are sure to join them when 
 the Sukia summons. We must leave here while 
 there is time." 
 
 " We'll be pleased to do so if it is possible," Koy 
 replied, laughingly. He could smile, now that the 
 danger of immediate death had passed. 
 
 " This passage must have been built in order that 
 those who lived in the palace might escape in times 
 of trouble, and we shall soon be in the open air once 
 more." 
 
 " But on which side of the hill ?" Koy asked. 
 
 " That I cannot say. It is enough for us if we get 
 beyond the ruins. The country of the Wool was 
 will be safer than any place east of the range." 
 
 During all this time they had been in total dark- 
 ness ; but now Tongla rekindled the torch, and, re- 
 freshed both in body and mind, the boys continued 
 on through the passage in the same order as before. 
 
 Now the tunnel no longer appeared to extend in 
 a straight line, but wound from side to side in a 
 zigzag course, as it appeared to the boys. Once 
 they passed a spot where the masonry was damp 
 
70 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 with moisture, and Tongla said, as if positive his con- 
 jecture was correct : 
 
 " This is where the stream passes over. "We shall 
 find ourselves beyond the hill, and perhaps on the 
 bank of the river." 
 
 "Then it will be necessary to make our way 
 through the forest, of which you know nothing," 
 Dean said, apprehensively. 
 
 " It would be better to wander there until we died 
 than fall into the hands of Kabul's followers." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 71 
 
 ' CHAPTEE YIII. 
 
 * 
 
 THE BIVER. %* 
 
 THE FEAE that they might be forced to travel 
 many days through the trackless forest before 
 reaching the hacienda had a depressing effect upon 
 the boys despite the fact of having escaped from 
 foes more pitiless than the wild beasts, and they 
 walked on in silence until the narrowing of the tun- 
 nel told that they were approaching the end. 
 
 Three of the torches had already been consumed, 
 and Tongla was beginning to grow nervous lest the 
 supply become exhausted before they arrived at the 
 terminus. 
 
 " If we are obliged to go back, it won't be difficult 
 to make our way in the darkness," Eoy said, cheer- 
 ily. " With the exception of the place where the 
 two tunnels branch off it is a straight road, and I 
 wouldn't be afraid to travel the entire distance with- 
 out a light." 
 
 " It is not of the return that I am thinking," the 
 boy replied. " If the enemy should come, and we 
 found no way to leave here, torches would be of 
 great value." 
 
 " At all events we needn't worry about that yet 
 awhile. To escape when flight seemed impossible 
 should be sufficient to make us very happy for one 
 day at least." 
 
72 TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 The burdens which the boys were carrying, in- 
 creased as they were by the weight of the idols, 
 prevented them from traveling very rapidly, and 
 twice after leaving the spring a halt was called. 
 The tunnel grew smaller as they advanced until it 
 was barely large enough to admit of Roy's stand- 
 ing erect, and when it seemed as if they could go 
 no further it made an abrupt turn to the right, 
 where could be seen thin rays of light, which made 
 their way through the tangled foliage at the mouth. 
 
 " Hurra !" Roy and Dean shouted in chorus ; and 
 Tongla ran swiftly ahead, throwing down his load 
 and the torches as he began to chop at the vines 
 and bushes with his machete. 
 
 In five minutes an opening sufficiently large to 
 admit of their crawling through had been made, 
 and the fugitives stood on the bank of a swiftly- 
 running river in the very midst of the forest. On 
 every hand the thicket seemed to be impenetrable. 
 Huge trees grew to the water's edge, their trunks 
 festooned with vines whose stems were from one to 
 three inches in diameter ; while, choking all the in- 
 tervening space, and shutting out even the horizon 
 from view, were a profusion of plants with lustrous 
 leaves not unlike and quite as large as those of the 
 banana-tree. The boys were literally hemmed in 
 by the rank vegetation, and with nothing in view 
 save the dark water. 
 
 " Take care !" Tongla shouted, as Roy pressed for- 
 ward in the hope of getting a more extended view 
 from the edge of the river. " Snakes are here in 
 plenty, and to be bitten by them means death !" 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 73 
 
 " We can't stand still, no matter how many there 
 may be crawling around." 
 
 " Strike with your machete wherever you see 
 what looks like a good hiding-place for them, and 
 when you are in grass so tall that the earth cannot 
 be seen. Do you think it is well to loiter here when 
 even at this moment the followers of Kabul may be 
 coming through the passage?" 
 
 " What do you advise ?" 
 
 " That we go down the river a short distance, and 
 there make a shelter in which to spend the night, 
 for we need much rest before beginning the long 
 journey." 
 
 " Go on. Lead the way and we will follow. A 
 hearty meal won't come amiss, for I feel as if I 
 hadn't had anything to eat since we left the haci- 
 enda." 
 
 Tongla made no effort to hide the trail. He knew 
 that if the Indians should discover the tunnel they 
 would at least understand in which direction the 
 fugitives had gone, and it was too soon yet to spend 
 much time trying to throw them off the scent. 
 
 Walking slowly, and striking the vines and creep- 
 ers with his machete from time to time, the boy led 
 the way toward the south within twenty feet of the 
 river until the little party was about a mile from 
 the outlet to the passage, when he came to a halt at 
 a place where three logwood-trees stood very near 
 together, in the form of a triangle. 
 
 Here the knapsacks were unstrapped, and, with 
 the remainder of the goods, piled up in one place, 
 after which all hands set about clearing away the 
 
74 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 foliage. "While this was being done Tongla uttered 
 a loud exclamation of joy as he held high in the air 
 a handful of what to his companions were ordinary 
 weeds. 
 
 " What is it ?" Dean asked in surprise, as he ceased 
 his fatiguing labors for an instant. 
 
 " The guaco the plant which cures the bites of 
 all snakes save those of the deadly nahuyaca. With 
 these, we need no longer fear to walk through the 
 forest." 
 
 " That is all very well," Dean replied, laughingly ; 
 " but if I can prevent it there will be no chance of 
 trying it on me, for I intend to give snakes a wide 
 berth, as I always have done ever since we came to 
 this queer country." 
 
 Tongla tied the precious guaco-leaves together 
 and deposited them in one of the knapsacks with 
 more care than he would have shown in the disposi- 
 tion of the golden idols, and then he went to work 
 as if with renewed courage. 
 
 The afternoon was hardly more than half -spent 
 when the temporary camp had been completed. The 
 hammocks were suspended from the trees, and just 
 above them was a roof formed of the large leaves 
 which grew in such profusion. The river was hardly 
 ten feet away, and near the edge of the bank Ton- 
 gla cleared a spot where a fire might be built with- 
 out fear of a general conflagration. 
 
 " With what food we've got on hand I don't be- 
 lieve there'll be much cooking done," Roy said, with 
 a laugh. " Unless you are intending to make more 
 tortillas, we will have a cold meal." 
 
 
TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 75 
 
 " I shall get meat, and you will take dinner with 
 me." 
 
 " It is just what we would like to do ; but unless 
 you use the bow and arrows there'll be no game, for 
 it isn't safe to discharge the guns while we are so 
 near the tunnel." 
 
 " There shall be no noise made. Lie down to rest, 
 and when I return we will eat." 
 
 With his bow in one hand and a machete in the 
 other Tongla set out, moving through the foliage 
 with the utmost caution, and when they were alone 
 Koy suggested that some chocolate be made. 
 
 " We have had a few hours' sleep, while he hasn't 
 closed his eyes since we arrived at the ruins, and it 
 is but right for us to help a little." 
 
 " I'm willing to do my full share, so get the choco- 
 late ready while I build a fire." 
 
 This task had hardly been begun when Tongla re- 
 turned, literally staggering under the weight of a 
 huge bunch of plantains, and two agouti which he 
 had shot not more than a hundred yards from the 
 camp. 
 
 " Well, you've got food enough to feed us a week ; 
 but how do you propose to cook it?" Koy asked, as 
 he helped unload the young hunter. 
 
 " You shall see." And Tongla set about the task 
 without loss of time. 
 
 He first dug a deep hole in the sand near the 
 water, filled it with a quantity of dry wood such as 
 could be found in abundance anywhere in the vicin- 
 ity, and after setting this on fire, proceeded to dress 
 the rabbit-like animals. 
 
76 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 When the wood had been reduced to coals he 
 raked them apart in the middle, wrapped the agouti 
 in plantain-leaves, after sprinkling them with salt, 
 and laid the whole in the fiery excavation, carefully 
 covering them with embers. 
 
 " It will be ready in half an hour," he said. 
 
 " The whole thing will be burned up in less than 
 that time," Dean replied, laughingly, as he made an 
 attack upon the ripe fruit. 
 
 (Satisfied that his portion of the work had been 
 well done, Tongla laid down in his hammock and 
 swung leisurely to and fro, enjoying the fragrant 
 odor of the chocolate, until sufficient time had 
 elapsed for the game to cook. Then, to the sur- 
 prise of his companions, he took the roast in prime 
 condition from the ashes. As a matter of course 
 the outside leaves were burned ; but the inner 
 wrappings remained uninjured, and both Koy and 
 Dean were forced to admit that they had never 
 eaten more delicious meat. 
 
 " You shall be chief cook after this, Tongla,"' Eoy 
 said, as he sipped his chocolate lazily when the feast 
 was ended, " and we will be content to act the part 
 of assistants." 
 
 " We shall have fish to-morrow, and armadillo the 
 day following, all prepared Indian fashion." 
 
 " Do you think we will be wandering around as 
 long as that ?" Dean asked, in surprise. 
 
 " We have yet to remain in the forest a long while. 
 Even though the followers of Kabul were not hunt- 
 ing for us, it would require many days to reach the 
 hacienda from here, unless we went by way of the 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. ?? 
 
 ruins, and with them to guard the passes of the 
 range our journey will be a weary one," the Indian 
 boy replied. " But we must not complain, since we 
 were allowed to leave the abiding-place of the gods." 
 
 "I won't do any grumbling; but if father and 
 mother reach the plantation before we do they will 
 be terribly worried." 
 
 u Don't speak of that, Dean," Koy said. " Our 
 courage will soon be gone if we keep in mind what 
 may happen at home. We'll simply think of what's 
 before us, and get back in the least possible time, 
 which is all that can be done under the circum- 
 stances." 
 
 "Watch must be kept to-night," Tongla said, 
 when his companions ceased their mournful conver- 
 sation, " and I will go to sleep now in order to have 
 my eyes open during the hours of darkness." 
 
 " Yery well ; but we don't intend that you shall 
 perform the whole of that work. Each one is to do 
 his full share." 
 
 The Indian made no reply, and a few moments 
 later his loud, regular breathing told that he was 
 enjoying the well-earned slumber. 
 
 Koy and Dean busied themselves by putting the 
 camp to rights for the night. The knapsacks con- 
 taining the idols were hung on the tree above Eoy's 
 hammock; the fowling-pieces rested across the 
 lower limbs, where they could be gotten at ieadily ; 
 and the remainder of the outfit, including such of 
 the plantains as were left from dinner, were disposed 
 of in various places, where they could not be injured 
 by reptiles or wild beasts. 
 
78 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 When everything was arranged to their satisfac- 
 tion the shadows were beginning to lengthen, and 
 the night-sounds of the forest, similar to what had 
 been heard while in the ruined palace, caused the 
 boys to feel decidedly nervous. 
 
 " I suppose there are jaguars around these parts," 
 Dean said, as he clambered into his hammock once 
 more ; " and although we are no safer up here, one 
 can't help feeling that there is less danger." 
 
 " I have been thinking about wild beasts ever since 
 Tongla spoke so positively about our being many 
 days in the woods. Fowling-pieces are not exactly 
 the sort of weapons with which to meet even a 
 puma, sneak though he is, and we are certain to run 
 across plenty of them in this wild portion of the 
 country." 
 
 " Couldn't we build some kind of a boat and sail 
 down the river a piece 2" 
 
 " If Tongla intends to follow along the bank very 
 far before striking across to the range I shall insist 
 on making a raft, and then we can at least sleep 
 with some degree of security." 
 
 Any reference to the direction in which they 
 were to travel naturally led the conversation to a 
 question as to the probable time when they could 
 get home, and, despite Eoy's desire to keep all such 
 thoughts far from his mind, they talked of nothing 
 else until night had fully settled down. 
 
 The sense of loneliness experienced at the ruins was 
 here intensified ; the vastness of the forest terrified 
 them, and it was a positive relief when Tongla awoke 
 and asked : 
 
THE THEASURE-FlNDEItS. ?9 
 
 " Have I been asleep long ?" 
 
 " It hasn't seemed such a very great while except 
 since the sun set. Can't you take another nap? 
 Neither Dean nor I feel like sleeping yet awhile." 
 
 " My eyes are rested, and it is time to be on 
 guard." 
 
 Koy felt quite positive he would not sink into 
 slumber amid such surroundings ; but after an hour 
 had passed, and the Indian boy positively refused to 
 talk or allow his companions to do so, both the 
 white members of the party were wrapped in bliss- 
 ful unconsciousness. 
 
 Tongla no longer remained stretched out at full 
 length, but sat upright listening intently to every 
 sound, as if expecting each instant to hear the voices 
 of those who had been left behind at the ruins. 
 
 Suddenly a faint squeak was heard far away in 
 the distance, and the Indian boy reached cautiously 
 for his bow and arrows, which were twisted in the 
 cords of his hammock. Then a grunt, such as one 
 would have said was made by a common hog, and 
 instantly it seemed as if from every quarter pigs of 
 all sizes and shapes flocked toward the fugitives. 
 Save for the absence of a tail, and a very sharp 
 nose, they were like those seen in our farm-yards, 
 but their behavior was entirely different. 
 
 One old fellow with long, yellow tusks, which 
 gleamed in the moonlight, leaped upward as if to 
 satisfy himself as to the contents of the hammocks, 
 and then the sleepers were awakened by such a din 
 as they had never heard before. 
 
 " What is the matter ?" Roy asked, in bewilder- 
 
80 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 ment ; and then, as his eyes fell upon the grunting, 
 squealing, leaping mass below, he added, " Why, 
 they are hogs !" 
 
 " Warees," Tongla replied, laconically ; " and it is 
 time to have your guns ready, for if one should get 
 hold of a hammock the struggle would be short 
 for us." 
 
TREASURE-* INDEHti. 81 
 
 T 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 RAFT-B TJILDING. 
 
 HE BOYS could hardly have been more awk- 
 wardly situated than now, when they were 
 called upon to defend themselves against the drove 
 of warees. All the fighting must necessarily be 
 done from the hammocks, and the first incautious 
 move would precipitate the careless one to the 
 ground, where a horrible death could not be escaped. 
 
 Roy would have opened fire regardless of the fact 
 that the supply of ammunition had been sadly re- 
 duced during the battle at the ruins ; but Tongla 
 prevented him by saying : 
 
 " We should do no good in killing them. Twelve 
 would take the place of each one that dropped. Re- 
 main on the alert, for the moment may come when 
 every shot must count in defense of our lives." 
 
 After a second survey of the scene the boys real- 
 ized how little execution they could do among such 
 a number. The ground appeared to be actually 
 alive with hogs, while hundreds among the foliage 
 were fighting to gain admittance to the space which 
 had been cleared between the trees. They were so 
 numerous that not a few were literally pressed up- 
 ward on the backs of their fellows, thus bringing 
 them so much nearer the hammocks. 
 
&2 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 Half a dozen times did Tongla, leaning over, with 
 his legs twined firmly around the cords, strike with 
 his machete, and at each blow the other animals 
 seized upon the wounded one, tearing him into 
 shreds almost before his last squeal had died away. 
 
 Koy and Dean were eager to join in this kind of 
 attack; but the Indian boy peremptorily insisted 
 that they remain passive. 
 
 " You are not able yet to use the machete with 
 skill, and to fail of a stroke would be fatal. If the 
 hammock should turn under you, all would be over." 
 
 There was little need to tell the boys this, for 
 even in their efforts to see what their companion 
 was doing, it became difficult to prevent being 
 thrown out. 
 
 Koy noticed that Tongla did not dare to strike 
 save when the target was presented fairly, and in 
 such a manner that there was no possibility of sink- 
 ing the weapon so deep that it could be pulled from 
 his hands. 
 
 How long this singular attack lasted none of the 
 boys could say with any degree of accuracy. It 
 seemed, however, as if many hours elapsed before 
 detachments of the animals began to move away. 
 As fast as one drove, wearied with their vain exer- 
 tions, left the cleared space to seek a more promis- 
 ing place for obtaining food, another took their 
 place, and thus the useless battle was waged until 
 nearly daybreak. 
 
 During that time Tongla had wounded not less 
 than twenty of the hogs, and nothing save the bones 
 served to show that any had fallen. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 83 
 
 It was with the most intense relief that the boys 
 heard the grunting of the last drove as they plunged 
 into the underbrush squealing in baffled rage, and 
 Dean said, as he drew a long breath expressive of 
 satisfaction : 
 
 " I began to think they would never get discour- 
 aged. It was luck for us that a jaguar didn't hap- 
 pen along while those hogs were dancing so near." 
 
 "The jaguar never comes when he hears the 
 warees. Before he could kill one the others would 
 eat him," Tongla replied in his usual sedate manner. 
 " Will you sleep now ?" 
 
 "I should as soon think of singing," Eoy said, 
 quickly. " After five or six hours of such experience 
 a fellow's eyes are propped wide open. It can't be 
 very long before sunrise, and let's decide upon what 
 is to be done when daylight comes. How far do 
 you propose to go down the river before trying to 
 cross the range?" 
 
 " To the land of the Kama Indians, where is a pass 
 to the Poderoso river. From there to the lake we 
 shall be among friends, and it will be easy to reach 
 the Coloney plantation." 
 
 "How long will it take?" 
 
 "Ten days if we walk rapidly, and are not stopped 
 by the Woolwas." 
 
 " Then it will be much better to build a raft. It 
 won't delay us more than one day, and by anchor- 
 ing we can sleep on board with some little degree of 
 comfort compared to such lodgings as these, where 
 hogs and mosquitoes congregate in equal numbers." 
 
 " It might be well," Tongla replied, doubtfully ; 
 
84 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 "but there are many dangers to be met on the 
 water." 
 
 " I'll answer for it they can't be as great as on the 
 land, where wild beasts and snakes threaten a fellow 
 at every step. With forty pounds of gold to carry, 
 our luggage is pretty heavy through this matted 
 foliage." 
 
 "We will begin work on the raft when the day 
 appears ; but it is not certain the followers of Kabul 
 are beyond sound of our machetes." 
 
 " Such trees as we need can be cut down the first 
 thing, and after that there will be very little reason 
 for making a noise." 
 
 It was not necessary to remain long idle. In less 
 than an hour the day began to break, and the 
 instant it was light enough to see surrounding 
 objects clearly all the party were at work. A break- 
 fast of plantains sufficed, in view of the fact that the 
 enemy from the ruins might be in close pursuit ; and, 
 using the machetes as axes, the boys felled ten palm- 
 trees, cutting the trunks into twelve-foot lengths. 
 
 Many times while this work was in progress did 
 Tongla go back toward the outlet of the tunnel to 
 learn whether any one was in the vicinity, and on 
 each occasion his report was the same : 
 
 " They have not come yet ; it must be that our 
 flight is yet undiscovered." 
 
 " Probably all hands are sitting around the ruins 
 waiting to starve us out," Roy said, laughingly ; and 
 then he and Dean gathered vines to be used as ropes 
 while Tongla lashed the logs together. 
 
 There was no thought of indulging in a siesta. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 85 
 
 The work must be finished in the least possible time, 
 and despite the intense heat which threatened to 
 overpower them, as well as the vast clouds of 
 mosquitoes whose skill in blood-letting never 
 diminished, each member of the party labored in- 
 dustriously. 
 
 It was yet an hour before nightfall when the 
 frail craft floated near the bank, fastened by its 
 hawser of twisted vines, and the fugitives prepared 
 to go on board for the night. 
 
 The raft was twelve feet square, with an upright 
 at either corner to which the hammocks could be 
 slung, and in the middle a quantity of earth whereon 
 a fire might be built without fear of destroying the 
 timbers. A large pile of fuel was heaped beside it, 
 not expressly for cooking purposes, but in order to 
 raise a smoke as a check to the blood-thirsty mos- 
 quitoes. 
 
 The knapsacks containing the idols were lashed 
 securely to one of the uprights ; the remainder of 
 the traps were deposited on various portions of the 
 craft in such a manner as to keep her in trim; 
 Tongla procured another bunch of plantains, and 
 ever\ r thing was in readiness for departure. 
 
 " We'll let her drift half an hour or so, and then 
 anchor where the current does not run too strong," 
 Roy said, as he seized one of the poles which had 
 been cut for the purpose of guiding the clumsy 
 craft. 
 
 Dean joined his brother, Tongla looked around 
 once more to make sure nothing had been left be- 
 hind, and the hawser was cast off. 
 
80 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 The raft drifted at the rate of about two miles an 
 hour, which was quite as fast as the boys could 
 have walked with their burdens through the matted 
 foliage, and for the first time since learning how 
 long a distance lay before them, Koy and Dean be- 
 gan to believe the distance might be safely traversed. 
 
 It was not allowed them to remain idle ; prudence 
 demanded that the frail craft should be kept so near 
 the bank that they could land whenever it became 
 necessary, and to do this the raft must be guided in 
 a certain degree. Each of the voyagers used his 
 pole whenever the collection of logs veered too far 
 from the shore, and a few minutes before sunset, 
 having arrived opposite a small cove, the raft was 
 forced in beyond the influence of the current. 
 
 It was a safe place in which to pass the night, so 
 far as ability to gain the land in case of a sudden 
 storm was concerned ; but the insect life told that 
 the voyagers' slumbers would not be undisturbed, 
 for, as Dean said, "Everything with wings and 
 stings came to welcome them." 
 
 Tongla built a fire on the mound of earth, after 
 the raft had been anchored, and by sprinkling the 
 embers with water from time to time a dense smoke 
 was raised, in which the boys found some little re- 
 lief while eating the supper of plantains and tor- 
 tillas. 
 
 " There's one big satisfaction," Eoy said, deter- 
 mined to extract all the comfort possible from a 
 very disagreeable position ; " we can't be attacked by 
 warees while lying here, and there is no danger of 
 running across snakes, jaguars or pumas." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 87 
 
 "I believe these mosquitoes bite right through 
 my clothes," Dean added, as he flourished vigor- 
 ously the branch of a tree, such as all were using to 
 brush off the pests. " People who complain of the 
 number to be found in Jersey should come here 
 awhile." 
 
 " I'm going to put " 
 
 "Hist!" Tongla interrupted, suddenly, leaning 
 forward in a listening attitude. 
 
 The boys followed his example, but could hear 
 nothing until after several moments, when the 
 sounds of voices were distinguished. 
 
 " They have come," Tongla whispered. 
 
 "Who?" 
 
 "The followers of Kabul." 
 
 " That can't be possible, or we should have heard 
 them before leaving the shore." 
 
 " It is an hour since we started, and in that time 
 they could have walked from the tunnel to this 
 point." 
 
 "But if " 
 
 "Be quiet; they are coming to the water ;" and, 
 wetting his poncho thoroughly, Tongla threw it 
 over the fire. " Lie down, that you may not be 
 seen." 
 
 The boys threw themselves at full length on the 
 logs, the Indian alone raising his head, that he might 
 hear what was said. 
 
 Nearer and nearer approached the pursuers, until 
 the hum of voices could be heard distinctly, and 
 then a faint glow told that the party had come to a 
 bait 
 
88 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " It'll be a fortunate thing for us if the scoundrels 
 build much of a fire," Roy whispered to Dean, " for 
 then there well be less chance of their seeing the 
 raft." 
 
 " Why don't we pull up the anchor and put off ?" 
 
 " We shall be obliged to do it before morning, if 
 they stay as long ; but it's a little too risky yet 
 awhile. There is the blaze, and now we can see 
 what is going on." 
 
 The boys raised their heads cautiously in imitation 
 of Tongla, and saw, close by the edge of the water, 
 a party of five men, two of whom were making 
 preparations for roasting an armadillo. So far as 
 could be seen their only weapons were machetes 
 and arrows; but these would be very effective in 
 case the fugitives should be hemmed in where flight 
 was impossible. 
 
 The new-comers were talking rapidly r and as they 
 pointed down the river from time to time there 
 could be no question but that the subject of conver- 
 sation was regarding the probable whereabouts of 
 those who had carried away the golden idols. 
 
 " They know we are on the river," Tongla whis- 
 pered. 
 
 " How did they find it out ?" 
 
 " The signs of our work were plain enough for a 
 child to read." 
 
 " Are you sure these men were at the ruins ?" 
 
 " He who is speaking now was the one I talked 
 with about surrendering. They do not believe we 
 will .dare to sail at night, and think to overtake us 
 to-morrow," 
 
'It you wish to live, work now," Tongla said, as two arrows struck: 
 the water net more than three feet away. 
 
90 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 "Then the crowd are to start before sunrise?" 
 Eoy asked, quickly, fancying there was a chance the 
 raft would not be discovered. 
 
 " They will stay until the day has dawned ; and 
 later, when some are wrapped in slumber, we must 
 leave." 
 
 " And allow them to overtake us ? Those fellows 
 can travel faster than this raft will drift." 
 
 " True ; but we shall try to gain the other shore, 
 where, in a place like this, we can remain hidden 
 until they give up the chase." 
 
 This was clearly the best and only thing which 
 could be done under the circumstances, and the 
 boys waited patiently until the time for action 
 should arrive. 
 
 During fully two hours the men lounged around 
 the fire, eating and smoking, and then one after an- 
 other laid down until only the sentinel remained 
 awake. 
 
 " Now we must start," Tongla whispered to Koy. 
 " Pull up the anchor without making a ripple in the 
 water, and I will begin to push off." 
 
 Dean was to aid the Indian boy, and while the 
 two settled the poles carefully over the end nearest 
 the shore, Roy hauled in the anchor of stones. 
 
 The crew of the raft worked silently as shadows, 
 and the collection of logs had already begun to move 
 from the cove, when the pole in Tongla's hands broke 
 with a crash sufficient to awaken the sleepers. 
 
 Dropping the fragments, he sprung for the other, 
 which Koy was just picking up ; but before it could 
 be used a harsh voice from the shore hailed them. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 93 
 
 " If you wish to live, work now !" Tongla said, 
 hoarsely, as two arrows struck the water not more 
 than three feet away ; but his injunction was not 
 needed, for both Roy and Dean were fully aware of 
 the danger which menaced them. 
 
92 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 A PERILOUS TRIP. 
 
 FOKTUNATE indeed was it for the boys that 
 the Indians had built the fire ; the glare of the 
 flames prevented them from seeing the fugitives, 
 and the great number of arrows sent immediately 
 after the discovery were necessarily shot at random. 
 
 Now that there were but two poles remaining, Roy 
 and Dean used one while Tongla worked with the 
 other ; and it can well be fancied all did their utmost, 
 for after the first shower of arrows the men ran with 
 great speed around the shore of the cove to shoot 
 down the fugitives when the raft should pass out. 
 
 Although the craft was clumsy, her timbers were 
 so light that the force expended sent her ahead very 
 rapidly, and before the enemy could reach the point 
 of the indentation she struck the current, which 
 whirled her quickly beyond reach of the primitive 
 weapons. 
 
 As a matter of course the poles were useless when 
 the raft was in deep water, save as they might be 
 worked, in a very feeble way, after the fashion of 
 oars, and as the white members of the party ceased 
 pushing they could not refrain from a triumphant 
 cheer. 
 
 " We have escaped for awhile," Tongla said, with- 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 93 
 
 out any show of exultation ; " but they know we 
 must continue on down the river, and will keep pace 
 with us until morning, when we will be at their 
 mercy." 
 
 " I thought you were going to the other side and 
 stay in hiding two or three days," Koy exclaimed, 
 thinking the boy had suddenly changed his plans. 
 
 " It is what I would like to do, but unless the 
 river carries us there we will remain in the current. 
 The raft cannot be guided, therefore we are help- 
 less." 
 
 This idea was intensified by the manner in which 
 the bamboo-logs were whirled to and fro in the dark- 
 ness. Not being able to see the shore, the twisting 
 and turning of the raft appeared doubly violent, 
 until it was as if the fugitives had suddenly been 
 thrown upon some vast inland sea. 
 
 From the time of leaving the cove nothing was 
 heard from the enemy ; but Tongla felt certain they 
 were following down the course of the river, and 
 twice he cautioned his companions against speaking 
 above a whisper, since the sound of their voices 
 would serve to tell the pursuers where they were. 
 
 One, two hours passed, with all hands ignorant of 
 the progress they might be making, and then Ton- 
 gla, who had been using his pole as an oar rather 
 than remain idle, said in a hoarse whisper : 
 
 "We are in shoal water, and, I believe, on the 
 side of the river we wish to gain. Push, now, and 
 we shall soon know if the Fates have been kind to 
 us." 
 
 During the next ten minutes the boys worked 
 
94 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 with a will, and then the question was decided in a 
 manner which gave them the greatest possible pleas- 
 ure. The raft had been swung to the opposite 
 shore, and when she was firmly fixed on the sand 
 Tongla leaped among the foliage. 
 
 "Make certain she doesn't float away while I 
 hunt for a sheltered place in which we can remain. 
 Everything must be arranged before daylight, or it 
 will be too late." 
 
 Even as the remark was concluded he had started 
 down the bank, and Hoy and Dean waited with as 
 much patience as they could command for his re- 
 port. 
 
 " It's pretty tough to be obliged to stay some- 
 where around here when we should be traveling at 
 our best gait toward home," the latter said, sorrow- 
 fully, and his brother replied : 
 
 " It can't be helped, and we must make the best of 
 it. Tongla has shown himself to be in the right thus 
 far, and it would be folly to refuse his advice. Be 
 sides, we already have good proof of what the In- 
 dians will do in order to get the idols, and at the 
 same time punish us for wounding the Sukia woman. 
 It would be better to stay a month rather than risk 
 an encounter between here and the other side of the 
 range, where they could shoot us down from the 
 thicket." 
 
 " Of course I know all this is correct, and that we 
 could not safely pursue any other plan ; but a fel- 
 low can't help feeling badly." 
 
 " You must help it ! If we grow discouraged, the 
 chances of ever getting home again are very much 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 95 
 
 lessened. Try and think it is a trip of our own 
 choosing." 
 
 " I wish I could ;" and Dean spoke in such a lugu- 
 brious tone that his brother was forced to laugh, 
 even though he felt very little like merry-making. 
 
 " I'd willingly pitch the idols overboard, regardless 
 of their value, if it would do any good," Hoy said, 
 musingly ; " but since nothing can be effected by 
 such a course, it would be folly to throw away so 
 much treasure." 
 
 " If we can escape from the men it will be pos- 
 sible to carry the gold with us, and we'll stick to it 
 until the last moment." 
 
 " The Indians must tire of the chase in two or 
 three days if we succeed in hiding ourselves, and 
 either give it up entirely or search further down 
 the river ; therefore I don't think our stay here will 
 be very long. Keep up your courage, and we will 
 come out all right." 
 
 " I hope so," was the fervent ejaculation, and then 
 the conversation was interrupted by Tongla's ar- 
 rival. 
 
 " I do not find any cove below here," he said ; 
 " therefore it only remains for us to take the raft to 
 pieces, for she must be completely hidden by day- 
 light." 
 
 " Did you go up stream ?" Eoy asked. 
 
 " It would be useless labor to do that ; for how- 
 ever good a harbor might be found, we could not 
 drag the raft against the current." 
 
 " But it seems such a waste of work to take her 
 apart after all the trouble of making her." 
 
96 THE TREASURE-BINDERS. 
 
 " Better that than a visit from the followers of 
 Kabul, and their eyes are keen. We can use the 
 timbers to build a house, and when the search is 
 ended use them again. It will be necessary to work 
 in the darkness, and no time is to be lost, for not a 
 sound must be made after the sun has risen." 
 
 Stifling his regret because the little craft was to 
 be destroyed, Roy began to bring their goods ashore, 
 and Dean helped Tongla unfasten the ropes of bark, 
 all of which were to be carried into the thicket lest 
 by floating down stream they might disclose at least 
 a portion of the secret. 
 
 It was by no means safe to enter the forest when 
 the darkness was so profound that neither of the 
 workers could have any idea what might be his path ; 
 but the Indian boy led the way, as if there was 
 nothing to cause alarm, and the others could do no 
 less than follow his example 
 
 Tongla would allow no loud talking, nor would 
 he listen to Eoy's proposition that they clear the 
 ground, as had been done at the last halting-place. 
 Selecting a spot in the immediate vicinity of some 
 logwood-trees he formed a hut sufficiently large to 
 shelter them at night, and strong enough to resist 
 an attack from wild animals, unless the warees 
 should pay them a visit. 
 
 The bamboo timbers were simply set up like an 
 " A " tent and tied securely at the top, the bottom 
 ends being spread about six feet. The rear of this 
 poor apology for a hut, as well as the bottom, was 
 closed with brush and smaller timbers, as a partial 
 protection against visits from scorpions and such 
 
THE 
 
 other disagreeable creeping things, while the front 
 remained open. 
 
 Working in the darkness, as they did, it was im- 
 possible to form a very good idea of their handi- 
 work until after sunrise, when no one felt particu- 
 larly well pleased. It was little more than a shel- 
 ter, and in order to swing three hammocks it would 
 be necessary to have them hang very near the 
 ground. 
 
 " It will seem a little better when we cut away 
 the foliage," Koy said, after a critical examination 
 of the place. " We must have all that sort of stuff 
 out before it's safe to stay very long inside, for no 
 one knows what kind of tenants we may already 
 have." 
 
 "That can easily be done without making any 
 noise," Dean replied ; and the three set about the 
 task at once, for all felt the need of sleep. 
 
 Previous to this, and just about daybreak, Tongla 
 went to the water's edge and obliterated, so far as 
 was possible, the footprints on the sand, saying, as 
 he returned : 
 
 " It is necessary great care should be taken when 
 we visit the river, for the Indians ?nay search this 
 side, and a footprint would tell them very much." 
 
 There was yet quite an amount of the agouti 
 roast yet remaining, and this, together with what 
 had been brought from home and the plantains, 
 stocked the larder plentifully for the coming twenty- 
 four hours. 
 
 When a hearty breakfast had been eaten Eoy 
 proposed that each stand watch at some point near 
 
98 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 the river for one hour at a time. By this means 
 every fellow would get two hours sleep on a stretch, 
 and by nighfall all be so far rested that, if neces- 
 sary, the entire party could remain awake. 
 
 To this Tongla agreed, with the proviso that he 
 take the first watch, and the others very willingly 
 threw themselves in their hammocks while he began 
 beating down the shrubs and vines in the midst of 
 a clump of plantain-trees which overlooked the river. 
 
 When Hoy was called to do his share of the guard 
 duty he found quite a comfortable place in which to 
 spend an hour, providing, of course, that no account 
 is taken of the swarms of hungry mosquitoes which 
 hung everywhere around in the immediate vicinity 
 of the river until it was as if one looked through a 
 veil. Tongla had cleared a spot in the midst of the 
 plantain-trees, so far as was possible without strik- 
 ing any heavy blows, and the Indians' eyes would 
 have been very sharp had they detected the sentinel 
 while passing on a boat or raft. 
 
 " There is no fear of snakes," Tongla said, " and 
 by trampling down the earth now and then we can 
 prevent the scorpions from finding a hiding-place. 
 Call me at once if you should see the followers of 
 Kabul." 
 
 " I'll promise to do that ; and now you scoop in all 
 the sleep possible, otherwise we shall have you on 
 our hands sick." 
 
 " It is the white men whom the fever attacks, not 
 an Indian who has always lived in the country," 
 Tongla replied ; but he did as Roy advised without 
 loss of time. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 During the hour which followed, Roy alternately 
 looked up and down the river, fought mosquitoes, 
 and tramped to and fro to get the earth into proper 
 condition. It was not particularly hard work ; but 
 he did not feel sorry to arouse Dean, for his eyes 
 were decidedly heavy with sleep. 
 
 " You needn't speak so loud," Dean said, as his 
 brother called him. "I have been awake for the 
 last half hour." 
 
 "What is the matter?" 
 
 " I feel cold, and my head aches. Walking around 
 on guard will warm me up, I reckon, and the head- 
 ache comes from the excitement. Matters have 
 been so lively that I didn't have time before to find 
 out how tired I was." 
 
 Eoy did not pay any particular attention to his 
 brother's complaints. It seemed only reasonable 
 that all the party should feel rather the worse for 
 wear, and he fancied twenty -four hours of rest would 
 work a complete change. 
 
 " You'll sleep after standing watch an hour," he 
 said, carelessly ; and as Dean walked away he laid 
 down in the hammock, rejoicing in the thought that 
 it would be a hundred and twenty minutes before 
 his turn as sentinel came around again. 
 
 It seemed to Roy as if he had but just closed his 
 eyes in slumber when Dean shook him by the 
 shoulder. 
 
 " What's up ?" he cried, springing to his feet ; and 
 there was no need to repeat the question. One 
 glance at Dean's face was sufficient to show that the 
 boy was very ill. He was pale, his teeth chattered 
 
100 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 as if with the cold, and every movement betokened 
 severe pain. 
 
 " I couldn't stay out there any longer," the poor 
 fellow said, as he clambered into the hammock. " It's 
 tough to shirk work, but walking didn't do any 
 good, and I knew you'd help me through by doing a 
 double share of watching until this queer feeling 
 passes away." 
 
 u You ought not have staid there a single minute. 
 I should have seen that you were not well." And 
 Hoy's face told how frightened he was, for should 
 his brother be dangerously ill just at this time, the 
 result could hardly fail of being fatal. 
 
 By this time Tongla was awake, and after one look 
 at Dean he ran out of the hut without speaking, a 
 proceeding which served to increase Roy's fears. 
 
 "Tongla is frightened, thinking it some contagious 
 disease, and has run away," he said to himself, 
 " while I haven't the slightest idea what to do." 
 
 Dean ceased to complain, but lay as if insensible, 
 and his brother stood gazing at him in speechless 
 terror. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 101 
 
 CHAPTEE XL 
 
 FEVER AND AGUE. 
 
 ROY HAD good cause for fear. In a trackless 
 forest, closely pursued by vengeful enemies, 
 where nothing save the simples of the woods could 
 be procured to arrest disease, this sudden illness 
 seemed more like the blow of an assassin's knife than 
 something which could be warded off. The unhaj^y 
 boy was firmly convinced that Tongla had fled, and 
 with him went all hope of finding their way back to 
 the plantation, even should Dean recover immedi- 
 ately. 
 
 " If I only knew what to do !" he cried, chafing 
 his brother's hands and covering him with every- 
 thing which promised to counteract the dreadful 
 chill. 
 
 Then the thought occurred that a cup of hot 
 chocolate might give relief, and he began to build a 
 fire, regardless of the fact that the smoke might be 
 seen by those who were seeking to destroy them. 
 
 Hurriedly gathering such fragments of dry wood 
 as could be found near the hut, he was about to 
 start a blaze, when Tongla arrived, panting and 
 heated, as if from rapid traveling. 
 
 " You must not do that !" the Indian boy cried, 
 excitedly, as he scattered the pile of kindlings with 
 
102 TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 his. foot. " The followers of Kabul are yet too near, 
 and one puff of smoke would bring them upon 
 us." 
 
 " But we can't let Dean lay there without trying 
 in some way to aid him, no matter how many men 
 may be around here," Roy said, petulantly. 
 
 " What were you about to do ?" 
 
 " Make some chocolate and try to warm him." 
 
 "That would be of no use. He has the fever 
 which attacks the white man, and with these we can 
 cure him. It is not dangerous, but painful." 
 
 For the first time Roy began to understand the 
 cause of his brother's sudden sickness. He had a 
 severe attack of fever and ague, brought about by 
 the night spent on the river, and the knowledge 
 that matters were no worse caused such a revulsion 
 of feeling that he came very near shedding tears of 
 
 " Isn't there anything we can do to relieve him 2" 
 he asked. 
 
 "When his blood grows hot and greater pain 
 comes we will give him these," and Tongla showed 
 four small nuts which he held in his hand. " I 
 will pound them into powder, and after an hour he 
 will be better." 
 
 " Was it to get those that caused you to leave so 
 suddenly ?" 
 
 "Certainly. I knew why he suffered, and that 
 the physic-nuts could alone relieve him." 
 
 " And I thought you had run away," Roy said, 
 reproved because he had done his companion such 
 great injustice. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 103 
 
 " I once offered to give my life for yours ; there- 
 fore you should not believe me a coward." 
 
 " That is true, Tongla, and I am sorry I so much 
 as fancied such a thing. You have been a good 
 friend to us, and I will never doubt again ; but it 
 did look strange to see you run away the moment 
 we learned that Dean was ill." 
 
 " I was not certain the nuts could be found near 
 here, and no time was to be lost, for we must keep 
 watch lest the men come upon us unawares. I ran 
 swiftly, that we might be together more quickly." 
 
 Having thus defended himself when no explana- 
 tions were necessary, Tongla set about grinding the 
 nuts between two stones, and before the task was 
 finished a great change came over Dean. The sen- 
 sation of chilliness had left him, and in its stead was 
 a raging fever, accompanied by pains in every joint. 
 The coverings were thrown off, and he tossed to 
 and fro on the swinging bed, trying in vain to find 
 relief. 
 
 As soon as possible after this the Indian boy ad- 
 ministered a large dose of the powdered nuts, caus- 
 ing the patient to vomit violently, and when this 
 effect passed away Dean fell into a profound sleep, 
 during which he perspired profusely. 
 
 " To-morrow he will feel well, and on the next day 
 be sick again; but not as he was a few moments 
 ago. Now, if you watch the river he is sure to be 
 wrapped in slumber many hours I can go hunt for 
 cinchona-bark, with which to make the tea that cures 
 the fever." 
 Convinced by the general appearance of his brother 
 
104 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 that the illness had been dissipated in a great meas- 
 ure, Koy went- once more to the river-bank, and Ton- 
 gla vanished in the gloomy recesses of the forest. 
 
 The Indian boy returned two hours later with a 
 handful of bark, which he showed to Roy as he said: 
 
 " The chocolate-pot must be used to boil the tea, 
 and until your brother is well we shall drink water 
 or palm- juice." 
 
 "I can get along without anything if the poor 
 fellow recovers; but what do you mean by palm- 
 juice?" 
 
 " You shall see in a few moments. It is not well 
 to build a fire until the night comes ; therefore we 
 have plenty of time. Have you seen the enemy ?" 
 
 "No one has passed up or down since I have 
 been here, and hello, here comes a boat from the 
 direction of the tunnel! It may be some of the 
 people from the plantation in search of us." 
 
 Excited by this thought, Roy would have rushed 
 recklessly out had not Tongla forcibly restrained 
 him, as he asked : 
 
 "Where would our friends get a canoe? The 
 strangers are Woolwas, unless the followers of 
 Kabul have been gathered in larger force to search 
 for us." 
 
 Creeping as close as possible to the edge of the bank, 
 without exposing himself to view, Tongla watched 
 the approaching craft intently. She was manned 
 by four men, although a dozen could have had 
 ample accommodations in her, and instead of using 
 their paddles the crew wer^ drifting with the cur- 
 rent. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 105 
 
 Even Eoy understood the reason for their com- 
 ing when he observed that they were keeping care- 
 ful watch of either bank, and Tongla whispered : 
 
 " The Sukia has sent them, and many days will 
 pass before they give up the search. The raft will 
 serve us no longer ; we must seek safety in the land 
 of the Woolwas." 
 
 u Do you mean that we are to follow the river no 
 further ?" 
 
 " Answer the question yourself. With nine men, 
 and a boat in which to go and come as they please, 
 is it possible for us to take passage on the raft, un- 
 less we desire to be made prisoners ?" 
 
 Koy remained silent. Only by sheer force of will 
 had he been able to preserve even the semblance of 
 courage ; and now, with Dean sick and the number 
 of the enemy increased, he broke down. Throwing 
 himself on the ground he gave full sway to grief, 
 and Tongla made no attempt to cheer him until the 
 first violence of the outburst had passed away, 
 when he said, soothingly : 
 
 " I have heard you say that to grow disheartened 
 is to die. The gods have not yet decreed that we 
 must perish because of what was done at the ruined 
 temple, else these men would have found us at once. 
 To-morrow and the next day must be spent here, 
 for Dean will not be able to travel ; but after then 
 we can escape to the interior, and by following the 
 Siguia River reach the coast." 
 
 " What is to prevent our crossing while these men 
 are out of sight, and taking our chances on the 
 range ?" Roy asked, passionately. 
 
106 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 "Could your brother walk now? Would it be 
 possible to guide the raft across ? She would float 
 many miles before gaining the other side, and one 
 of the searchers must see us. If all these things 
 were to be guarded against, there yet remain the 
 Sukia and those who are with her to cut off our re- 
 treat. They know it is to the Coloney plantation 
 we wish to go, and every pass will be watched. 
 That way lies almost certain death, while here we 
 may outwit them all." 
 
 " At the expense of falling into the hands of the 
 "Woolwas." 
 
 " Who can say that we shall not be treated like 
 brothers among them ? With the followers of Ka- 
 bul they are not at peace ; but will those who flee 
 from the Sukia be injured ?" 
 
 This argument was not needed to convince Eoy 
 that it would be in the highest degree unsafe to 
 make any attempt at crossing the river, and his 
 grief having exhausted itself, he said, earnestly : 
 
 " I won't make a fool of myself again, Tongla. It 
 would be unwise to do other than as you propose, 
 and we will strike into the interior as soon as Dean 
 can walk. Are you not afraid the Indians may 
 come back before we are ready to leave ?" 
 
 " It will take two or three days to search the west 
 bank of the river, and until that has been done we 
 shall not be troubled," Tongla replied, in a positive 
 tone. "Others may come down; but all believe 
 we would try to gain the pass where the Poderoso 
 Eiver could be reached, as, except by way of the ruins, 
 it is our only chance of getting to the plantation." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 107 
 
 " Shall I watch here any longer ? If you are so 
 certain regarding the men's movements there is no 
 need of posting sentinels." 
 
 " Go to your brother ; if he is asleep, lie down and 
 rest. I will remain here." 
 
 "But you are even more tired than I. Take 
 another nap now, and then I'll try my hand at it." 
 
 " While you and your brother kept watch I slept, 
 and am now refreshed." 
 
 It was in vain that Koy insisted the Indian boy 
 should return to the hut. He positively refused to 
 leave the bank of the river, and since it was needless 
 for two to remain on guard, Roy joined his brother. 
 
 Dean was in a profound slumber; there was 
 nothing to be done, and the tired boy lay down in 
 the hammock, but not to sleep. The knowledge of 
 their desperate situation prevented his eyes from 
 closing, and after remaining inactive until the heat 
 of the day had come he went to where Tongla sat, 
 with his gaze fixed upon the swiftly running water. 
 
 " I must have finished my nap before Dean awak- 
 ened me," he said, " and it is impossible to lie down 
 any longer. If you feel like it, turn in, for I'm 
 going to stay here until night comes." 
 
 It was quite probable that Tongla was more dis- 
 turbed in mind than he was willing to admit, for he 
 refused to take advantage of the opportunity, and 
 both boys remained on guard until late in the after- 
 noon, when a feeble cry from Dean caused Roy to 
 run toward the hut. 
 
 " I was afraid something had happened when I 
 found myself alone. Where have you been ?" 
 
108 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 "With Tongla, keeping watch. He was gone 
 quite a while hunting for medicine which you are to 
 take as soon as we can make it. After he got back 
 I felt so thoroughly awake that it seemed useless to 
 lie down. How are you by this time?" 
 
 "The pain isn't as great, but I am very thirsty. 
 How good a glass of lemonade would taste !" 
 
 "I'll ask Tongla if you can have the water; but 
 the lemons are a trifle beyond us. Suppose you try 
 a plantain ?" 
 
 " No, no, I only want something to drink." 
 
 Roy went to the sentinel, repeated what Dean 
 had said, and asked if there would be any danger in 
 giving him water. 
 
 "Let him have what he wants, and this evening I 
 will get that which shall be as refreshing as lemons. 
 Come back to keep watch while I am away." 
 
 Dean appeared to be perfectly satisfied the Indian 
 boy would fulfill his promise, and after a copious 
 draught he sunk into slumber once more, when Eoy 
 rejoined Tongla. 
 
 " ]STow I will get the lemonade," the latter said, as 
 he started through the thicket after assuring him- 
 self that Roy was where he could keep the river in 
 view. 
 
 The ripples of light on the water, the hum of 
 insects and the low songs of birds served to make 
 the scene one of perfect peace, and it was difficult 
 for the watcher to keep constantly in mind the fact 
 that lurking, perhaps in the immediate vicinity, 
 among the trees, or sailing on the river, were men 
 intent on deeds of blood. It was only necessary, 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 10$ 
 
 however, for him to glance around him to have the 
 disagreeable fact presented very plainly, and then 
 all beauty vanished from the picture. 
 
 Tongla was absent fully an hour, and when he re- 
 turned he had half a dozen trunks of young palm- 
 trees in his arms. 
 
 "What are you going to do with those?" Roy 
 asked, curiously. 
 
 "Make the drink which Dean wants," the boy re- 
 plied. " Watch, for it may be that some time you 
 will wish to quench thirst in the forest when there 
 is no water to be had." 
 
 With his knife the boy cut through the shell of 
 the tree near the top, taking out a round piece of 
 the wood-like outer covering as one would make a 
 second lid for a box. Then he pushed the blade far 
 down into the pulp or pith, and after thus wounding 
 it replaced the section which had been removed. 
 This done, he leaned the trunk against a tree that it 
 might stand upright, and treated the others in the 
 same manner. 
 
 Nearly an hour was thus occupied, and when the 
 task was completed he cut a small, hollow reed, plac- 
 ing one end in the aperture first made, and motioned 
 for Roy to drink. 
 
 To the latter's great surprise he drew in a mouth- 
 ful of a rich but rather sharp-flavored liquid, sweet, 
 delicious and decidedly invigorating. 
 
 " Why, it's the best drink I ever tasted ! I believe 
 it would be possible to empty all those reservoirs if 
 a fellow was thirsty." 
 
 " You can drink it, and to-morrow there will be 
 
HO THE 
 
 just as much there again. Each day more flows, 
 therefore it is not necessary to save any. Should 
 we take none out it soon ferments, and in two weeks 
 the cheechee is made, when a very little makes a 
 man drunk." 
 
 " We'll take it this way," Koy cried, delightedly, 
 "and be mighty glad of the chance. Now let's 
 carry Dean some, for the poor fellow must be thirsty 
 again by this time." 
 
 The invalid had just awakened when the boys 
 reached the hut, and the eagerness with which he 
 drank the palm-juice pleased his companions hugely. 
 
 " It seems as if the fever was driven away by it," 
 he said, after exhausting two of the natural vessels. 
 "Will there be any harm if I drink a great deal?" 
 
 " Have all you want ; it will do you good ; but in 
 the morning we shall give you what is not so nice " 
 And Tongla turned away to begin the work of brew- 
 ing the cinchona. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. Hi 
 
 CHAPTEK XII. 
 
 THROUGH THE FOREST. 
 
 W HEIST DEAN'S thirst had been satisfied, and 
 Roy had gone back to the river's bank to re- 
 sume the weary work of watching, Tongla set about 
 his medicine-making with the utmost deliberation. 
 
 He first dug with his machete a deep hole in the 
 ground where the hut would serve to hide from the 
 river any blaze, and then filled it with dry wood. 
 Across the top he placed two stout branches, such as 
 would not be burned quickly, as supports for the 
 chocolate-pot. In this latter utensil he placed the 
 bark previously gathered, and covered it with 
 water. 
 
 Dean had been watching the maneuvers intently, 
 and when Tongla ceased, as if the task were accom- 
 plished, he asked : 
 
 " Is that all you're going to do T 
 
 " When it is so dark that the smoke cannot be 
 seen I will start the fire." 
 
 " But the flames can be seen." 
 
 " I will not allow them to come above the top of 
 the hole, and we can also screen them with our bod- 
 ies It is not necessary the fire should be very great, 
 as we do not care to have the water boil." 
 
112 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 As if it pained him to remain idle, Tongla darted 
 into the forest when he ceased speaking, and did not 
 return until the shadows of night were beginning 
 to gather. 
 
 Eoy had just come to the hut in response to his 
 brother's cry for more of the palm-juice, and glanc- 
 ing at the long strips of bark which Tongla had in 
 his arms, he asked : 
 
 "What are you going to do with that? Make 
 more drink for Dean ?" 
 
 " It is from the mohoe-tree, and with it I shall 
 weave hats for us all, as well as cords with which to 
 carry the loads more easily. When one's fingers 
 are occupied the eyes will remain open longer." 
 
 "Do you think we ought to stand watch to- 
 night?" 
 
 u It would not be safe to sleep while so many are 
 hunting for us. One hour in the hammock will 
 be enough for me." 
 
 " I shall do my full share," Eoy replied, " and will 
 begin by sitting up until midnight, when you can 
 finish the job." 
 
 " After I am rested you can go to bed," Tongla 
 said, as if determined not to sleep half the night ; 
 and Koy made no reply, for he intended the matter 
 should be carried out as he had arranged. 
 
 It was now time to begin brewing the medicine ; 
 and running to the river-bank once more, to satisfy 
 himself there was no one in sight, Tongla lighted 
 the fire. By the use of a branch, which he wet 
 from time to time, it was not difficult to keep the 
 flames below the edge of the excavation, and one 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 113 
 
 might have passed within twenty yards of the en- 
 campment without knowing any human being was 
 near. 
 
 The wood was not replenished. When it had 
 burned to coals the Indian boy removed the sup- 
 ports and placed the pot on the embers, saying, as 
 he did so : 
 
 " It will cook there before morning, and to-mor- 
 row night we can build another fire to roast some 
 meat, for the tortillas are nearly gone." 
 
 "I would like almost anything in the way of 
 game just now," Roy said with a grimace. " A diet of 
 corn, no matter how it is prepared, gets monotonous 
 after awhile, and much as I dislike those little beans 
 they call frijoles, I could eat a quart of them for the 
 sake of a change." 
 
 "When we are away from the river it will be 
 possible to have plenty." 
 
 " Unless the Woolwas object to our traveling 
 across their country," Roy replied, as he took one of 
 the despised tortillas and went slowly to stand his 
 portion of the watch. 
 
 Dean slept peacefully. Tongla clambered into 
 his hammock, and was soon in the same state of 
 blissful unconsciousness, while Roy paced to and fro, 
 listening for sounds of the enemy's approach, since 
 it was too dark to permit of so much as a glimpse 
 of the river. 
 
 " It isn't very jolly out here in the thick dark- 
 ness," he said to himself ; " but we can thank our 
 lucky stars that this trouble occurred while the 
 moon was in the last quarter. If she had been full 
 
114 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 yesterday there is little chance we should have es- 
 caped from those villains." 
 
 He was beginning to learn, as so many have done 
 before him, that even in the most dangerous situa- 
 tions one can always find something for which to be 
 thankful. 
 
 Whatever Tongla may have intended to do, he 
 certainly did not prevent Eoy from standing his full 
 half of the watch. When midnight came the In- 
 dian was still sleeping, and the sentinel aroused him 
 with the words : 
 
 "It is time you turned out, and I'll try my 
 chance at snoring." 
 
 " Is it twelve o'clock so soon ?" Tongla asked, in 
 surprise, as he leaped to the ground. 
 
 " Indeed it is ; and I'm mighty glad, for things are 
 riot very lively out there." 
 
 " I am a fool ! It was my place to do the watch- 
 ing, and I did not intend to sleep more than an 
 hour." 
 
 " It is only fair to divide the work," Eoy replied 
 as he clambered into the hammock ; and the last he 
 saw of Tongla for some time was when the boy 
 dragged the long strips of bark from the hut. 
 
 The day had fully dawned when he next opened 
 his eyes, and the odor of roast fish caused him, to 
 look around in astonishment. 
 
 Dean was already up, and bore tokens of having 
 made a toilet in the river. He seemed to be thor- 
 oughly refreshed, and his brother gazed in vain for 
 any signs of sickness. 
 
 " I'm feeling all right now," he said, laughingly ; 
 
TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 115 
 
 " but Tongla tells me the chill will come again to- 
 morrow. Say, Roy, did you ever eat aloes ?" 
 
 " Of course not. Why ask such a question ?" 
 
 " Because if you had it would be possible to have a 
 faint idea of what that tea is like. I was obliged to 
 take a big dose, and it doesn't seem possible that I 
 shall ever be able to get the terrible taste out of my 
 mouth." 
 
 " No matter about that if the stuff cures you." 
 
 " It must be a case of kill or cure, then ;" and 
 Dean laughed so heartily that Eoy no longer felt 
 any anxiety concerning his health. 
 
 " Where did that fish come from, and how does it 
 happen to be roasted ? I thought it was supposed to 
 be dangerous to build a fire ?" 
 
 " Tongla speared it with one of the poles we used 
 on the raft. When I turned out he was putting a 
 sharp point on it, and in less than five minutes he 
 had this fellow. It was barely daylight, so we came 
 back here, dug the hole in which the cinchona was 
 brewed a little deeper, kept the flames down as you 
 did, and roasted him. How does that strike you for 
 breakfast instead of tortillas ?" 
 
 " I'll show y^ou after my face is washed ;" and Eoy 
 ran to where the river had eaten its way into the 
 bank, thus forming a concealed bath-tub. 
 
 Ten minutes later the fugitives were eating a 
 breakfast such as none could have found fault with. 
 A small supply of salt and pepper had been brought 
 from the hacienda, and with these condiments the 
 fish was as palatable as if it had been prepared by 
 the most expert cook. 
 
116 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " It was dangerous to build a fire," the Indian boy 
 said while they were enjoying what seemed like a 
 veritable feast, "but you were on such bad terms 
 with the tortillas that I thought we might take the 
 chances." 
 
 " This will reconcile us to maize in any form until 
 we are where a fire can be built with safety," Eoy 
 replied, laughingly. " I'll eat tortillas for the next 
 two days without a murmur." 
 
 "After to-night there will be none left, and we 
 shall be fortunate if we get any more this side of the 
 range." 
 
 This intimation that the stock of provisions was 
 running low caused all of Koy's mirth to disappear, 
 and he asked, gravely : 
 
 " Was everything quiet after I came to bed ?" 
 
 " I heard nothing ; but it is likely the men in the 
 canoe will come back some time before to-morrow 
 night, and I think we had better leave this camp. 
 Dean feels well now ; but in twenty-four hours he 
 will be sick again, and unless we start it will be im- 
 possible to move until after the followers of Kabul 
 are close upon us." 
 
 " Do you think you could stand a long tramp ?" 
 Hoy asked his brother. 
 
 " We shall not travel far on this first day," Ton- 
 gla interrupted. " Three hours in the morning, and 
 as many after the siesta." 
 
 " I can hold out as long as you can," Dean said, 
 decidedly. " If we are to go, let's start while it is 
 cool." 
 
 Tongla had already packed the belongings, which 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 117 
 
 were decreasing each day. With ropes twisted 
 from the mohoe-bark he made two sacks with bands 
 to pass around the forehead, after the fashion of his 
 own people when they carry heavy burdens, and in 
 these everything, including the idols, was placed. 
 
 "Where's my load ?" Dean asked when the Indian 
 took up one of the sacks, four of the palm-trunks, 
 and motioned Eoy to attend to the remainder. 
 
 "It is not well that you should have any. To 
 carry the guns and chocolate-pot will be enough 
 until the fever has left you," Tongla replied, raising 
 his burden as if to intimate that they should be off 
 without further delay. 
 
 Dean understood that it would be useless to make 
 a protest, and, in fact, he did not really feel as if he 
 could perform any very severe labor because of the 
 great lassitude which already threatened to over- 
 power him. 
 
 No attempt was made to destroy the camp. It 
 would have been impossible to cover all traces of 
 their presence there, therefore nothing could be ef- 
 fected had every timber been carried away. 
 
 It could readily be seen that Tongla was by no 
 means confident of his own ability to lead them in a 
 direct line through this dense forest. He insisted 
 that Dean should walk not nearer than ten paces be- 
 hind him, while Roy was to remain the same distance 
 in the rear of his brother. 
 
 " If it appears that I move to the right or the 
 left, shout," he said, " for there must be no chance 
 of our turning ever so slightly. The Si^uia Eiver is 
 straight ahead, and the distance so far that we can- 
 
118 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 not afford to make it any greater by going out of 
 the true course." 
 
 " He's afraid of getting lost," Koy said to himself, 
 " and that shows how much show either Dean or I 
 would have if by any means the party should get 
 separated." 
 
 Tongla did not intend that such an accident should 
 happen if he could prevent it by excessive cautious- 
 ness. He advanced slowly, stopping from time to 
 time to look first in the rear and then ahead, while 
 more than once he blazed a tree with his machete as 
 additional aid in keeping a true course. 
 
 Quite naturally the progress, under such circum- 
 stances, was very slow, and when the leader came to 
 a halt at the end of about three hours' travel, no one 
 believed they were more than five miles from the river. 
 
 It was quite time, however, that Dean be allowed 
 to rest. The expression on his face gave proof oi 
 extreme weariness, even though he insisted he was 
 able to continue the pace all day, and Tongla's first 
 care was to see that he took a copious draught of 
 cinchona. 
 
 Dean made a very wry face over the dose, but he 
 swallowed it without hesitation ; and when it was 
 down the Indian boy said, much as if proposing a 
 reward for obedience : 
 
 " Now I will go in search of game. There can be 
 no danger in building a fire here, and we will have 
 another feast, that the tortillas may be saved awhile 
 longer." 
 
 Armed only with his bow and arrow Tongla set out, 
 leaving to Koy the work of slinging the hammocks, 
 
TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 119 
 
 after which he and Dean stretched themselves on 
 the network of ropes with the pleasing conscious- 
 ness that they were at least in no danger of being 
 disturbed by the Sukia woman's messengers. 
 
 Dean was tired, not sick, and he and Eoy discussed 
 the chances of reaching home by way of the sea- 
 coast, which now seemed very good since they had 
 put so much distance between themselves and the 
 enemy. 
 
 Eoy repeated what Tongla had said regarding 
 the probable treatment they might expect from the 
 Woolwas, and Dean announced as his conviction 
 that the journey would not only be made in safety, 
 but the time prove less than was anticipated. 
 
 " Perhaps father and mother won't reach the 
 plantation as soon as we expected, and we shall be 
 home before they do much worrying. Once at 
 Greytown we can easily hire a bongo and crew to 
 carry us up to the lake by promising to pay imme- 
 diately after we arrive." 
 
 " There'll be no difficulty about that portion of it," 
 Eoy replied, with a smile ; " but just now I would 
 like to know where Tongla is. It must be an hour 
 since he left, and the game is so plenty that he 
 wouldn't have to do much hunting." 
 
 " I reckon he's after an armadillo. You know he 
 said we should have one." 
 
 Eoy was by no means satisfied with this supposi- 
 tion, but he did not think it well to arouse Dean's 
 suspicions ; therefore he changed the conversation 
 by speaking once more of the Indians through whoso 
 country they must pass, 
 
120 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 Another hour elapsed. Dean fell asleep, and 
 Roy's anxiety increased. He listened intently for 
 the slightest sound, but could hear nothing. It was 
 the time of the siesta, and all nature seemed to be in 
 a state of repose. 
 
 Dean did not awaken until the noonday heat gave 
 place to cooler evening ; but now he was alone even 
 Eoy had disappeared. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 121 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 SUSPENSE. 
 
 FOE SEYEEAL moments after he awakened, 
 Dean felt no anxiety because neither his 
 brother nor Tongla was in the vicinity. He fan- 
 cied they were making preparations for the night, 
 and were close at hand ; therefore he paid but little 
 attention to the matter until half an hour passed. 
 
 Then, hearing no sound from either, he sprung to 
 his feet in alarm, calling them loudly by name as he 
 ran to and fro, taking good care, however, to keep 
 within sight of the halting-place. 
 
 The hum of insects, the twitter of birds and rus- 
 tling of the leaves was the only reply. 
 
 Terrified and bewildered, he leaned against a tree 
 to collect his thoughts. That an accident had hap- 
 pened to Tongla there could be little doubt, and it 
 was reasonable to suppose Eoy had set out to find 
 him ; but Dean knew his brother would not dare to 
 travel very far from the camping-place. The danger 
 of being lost in the forest was too great to warrant 
 him in making any lengthy excursion, and Dean 
 could arrive at no satisfactory conclusion regarding 
 his absence. 
 
 " I am certain he wouldn't have gone beyond 
 sound of my voice," he said to himself ; " and since 
 
122 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 he does not answer, it must be that the Indians have 
 tracked us here. Perhaps both the boys have been 
 made prisoners and the idol-worshipers are only 
 waiting an opportunity to seize me !" 
 
 This possibility caused him to look around for 
 some means of defending himself. One of the fowl- 
 ing-pieces yet remained where it had been placed 
 when the halt was first made, thus .showing that 
 Eoy had taken the other ; and, making sure the 
 weapon was loaded, Dean stood with his back 
 against a tree waiting and expecting to be attacked. 
 
 As the minutes wore on and neither friend nor 
 enemy appeared, Dean's fear increased. 
 
 " The Indians will wait until dark, and then creep 
 up to surround me so that there can be no chance of 
 my making any defense. Knowing we were armed 
 with guns, they do not intend to expose themselves." 
 
 That he would soon be captured, or pierced with 
 arrows by unseen foes, now became a certainty to 
 Dean, and one can imagine in some slight degree 
 the mental agony which he suffered. Although the 
 afternoon was cool as compared to the previous por- 
 tion of the day, the perspiration streamed from his 
 face as it never had done even while traveling under 
 the full rays of the sun, and from time to time he 
 shook as if the ague was upon him again. Each 
 sixty seconds seemed almost like an hour, and the 
 minutes dragged on until they appeared to be inter- 
 minable. 
 
 But for the fact that the sun was yet illumining 
 certain portions of the forest with tiny shafts of 
 light he would have thought it was midnight, when 
 
TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 123 
 
 a faint cry from far away in the distance caused the 
 blood to bound in his veins. It might have been the 
 call of a bird ; but the possibility that Koy was re- 
 turning plunged him in a perfect delirium. With- 
 out waiting to ascertain if it really was a human 
 voice, he shouted again and again at the full strength 
 of his lungs, pausing not to listen until his breath 
 literally failed him. 
 
 Then he waited for a reply, counting the seconds 
 that he might have some idea of the passage of time % 
 and as he whispered "twenty" the night wind 
 bore to his eager ears the cry, now so distinct that 
 there could be no doubt : 
 
 "Hel-l-o! Dean!" 
 
 " Roy ! Eoy !" he replied ; and then understand- 
 ing that his brother was shaping a course by aid of 
 his voice, he continued to call until the crashing of 
 bushes near by told that one of the missing boys 
 had returned. 
 
 "Where have you been?" Dean cried, as he 
 clasped Koy in his arms as if to assure himself there 
 could be no mistake. 
 
 " Lost in the woods, and when I heard you shout 
 was about to start off in another direction. I went 
 out intending to go only so far as I could keep this 
 place in sight, but before many minutes got com- 
 pletely bewildered ;" and Roy threw himself on the 
 ground like one on the verge of exhaustion. 
 
 " How long have you been tramping around ?" 
 
 " Two or three hours, I should judge." 
 
 " And you saw no signs of Tongla ?" 
 
 " Not a thing. He also must have lost his way, 
 
124 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 and may be traveling on a course directly opposite 
 to the true one, unless he is already exhausted, for 
 he has been absent ever since we halted." 
 
 " Do you think there is any chance the Indians 
 from the ruins have caught him 3 I began to think 
 they had both of you, and would capture or kill me 
 when it was dark enough to permit of their doing 
 so without exposing themselves." 
 
 "That cannot have happened, otherwise they 
 would certainly have made me prisoner Avhile I was 
 roaming around. He has lost his way, and, judging 
 from my own experience, there is little chance of 
 our ever seeing him again." 
 
 u And if that is ,the case, what shall we do ?" Dean 
 asked, his voice trembling with fear. 
 
 " I know of but one thing, which is to find our 
 way back to the river again." 
 
 " That would be to fall into the hands of the In- 
 dians who are hunting us." 
 
 " It is certain death to stay here in the forest. 
 We have only got water enough to last until morn- 
 ing, and must move by daylight whether Tongla 
 comes or not." 
 
 Dean could make no reply. At the very time 
 when he was beginning to think they might pos- 
 sibly have put a safe distance between themselves 
 and the enemy, this disaster, which promised to be 
 the last of many, had come upon them. The short- 
 lived hope fled, leaving in its place a dull despair. 
 
 No one surrenders life, however, without a strug- 
 gle ; and as the darkness closed in while they stood 
 under the gigantic trees in silence, he asked : 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 125 
 
 ""What are we to do from now until morn- 
 ing ? There may be jaguars about, and the ham- 
 mocks won't be a guard against them, as in the case 
 of the warees." 
 
 " We'll build a fire. Matters can't be made much 
 worse than they now are, and a blaze will serve to 
 keep the beasts away." 
 
 " But if the Indians are near, it will be seen," 
 
 " We may as well meet them here as at the river," 
 Hoy replied, moodily ; and then he began gathering 
 branches and twigs, with but little regard to the 
 scorpions or snakes which might be beneath the de- 
 caying wood. He was in that frame of mind when 
 one no longer thinks it worth his while to guard 
 against new dangers. 
 
 Hewing down with his machete the vines and 
 shrubs a short distance beyond where the hammocks 
 had been suspended, he soon started a cheery blaze, 
 and was on the point of proposing that they try to 
 eat something when a groan from Dean told that he 
 was suffering from another attack of chills and fever. 
 
 "Get into the hammock !" he cried, all his fears 
 for the future being forgotten in this additional 
 cause for anxiety. 
 
 Dean managed to throw himself on the swinging 
 bed, and Hoy forced him to swallow a large draught 
 of the cinchona. This done, he covered him with 
 everything at hand, including his own jacket, and 
 then the only occupation possible was to keep the 
 fire burning and wait for the dawn of another day, 
 when the condition of affairs could hardly be 
 changed for the better. 
 
126 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " If Dean is sick in the morning we can't leave 
 here," he said to himself, " and the palm-juice must 
 serve us in the place of water." 
 
 The trunks of the palm-trees had been placed in 
 an upright position near the hammocks, and he now 
 examined them to make sure that none of them 
 were overturned. 
 
 Toward midnight the chill left Dean and the 
 fever took its place, when the sick boy called at 
 brief intervals for a cooling drink. 
 
 The work of attending to him and keeping the fire 
 burning brightly occupied nearly all of Koy's time 
 until sunrise ; and this was a great relief, since it 
 served in some slight degree to prevent his mind 
 from dwelling on their forlorn condition. 
 
 When the morning dawned Dean was yet so ill 
 that it was with difficulty he could raise his head 
 from the pillow of plantain-leaves which Koy had 
 placed in the hammock, and the question of chang- 
 ing camp was settled for that day at least. 
 
 Now he no longer expected to see Tongla again, 
 and began to overhaul the baggage with a view of 
 reducing the load to such weight that he might 
 carry everything. The golden idols must perforce 
 be left behind, and with them all except the guns, 
 hammocks, chocolate and the pot of cinchona. 
 
 " Although it isn't likely we could find this place 
 again, I'll bury the idols," he thought. " Those In- 
 dians sha'n't get hold of them if I can prevent 
 it." 
 
 Despite his troubles hunger began to assert itself, 
 and when Dean refused to take any food he made a 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 12? 
 
 light breakfast of tortillas, eating but one, although 
 he could have consumed the entire lot without dis- 
 comfort. 
 
 Another dose of the bitter mixture was given to 
 the invalid ; the fire was allowed to die out, and then 
 Koy had before him another dreary time of waiting, 
 broken only when Dean asked for a draught of the 
 refreshing palm- juice. 
 
 It seemed as if each succeeding hour lengthened ; 
 the sounds of forest life irritated him, and he began 
 to ask himself if it would not be safe to travel a 
 short distance after the evening shadows began to 
 gather, in case Dean felt better, when the sound as 
 of some heavy body forcing its way through the 
 underbrush caused him to spring to his feet. 
 
 Cocking the gun, he stole forward cautiously, 
 ready to fire at the first glimpse of what he sup- 
 posed was a wild beast, when Tongla appeared from 
 among the foliage and fell senseless at his feet. 
 
 Mingled surprise and joy prevented Roy from so 
 much as moving for several seconds; and then 
 throwing aside his weapon, he dragged the lifeless 
 boy into the clearing. 
 
 " Tongla has come !" he shouted, and despite the 
 fever which had such a firm hold upon him, Dean 
 leaped to his feet ; but he also fell prostrate before 
 it was possible to advance a single step. 
 
 " Come, old fellow, this won't do," Roy said as he 
 left the Indian for a moment to aid his brother into 
 the hammock again. " If I'm to have two sick fel- 
 lows on my hands, the least they can do is to remain 
 quiet, and not go tumbling around like this." 
 
128 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " But what is the matter with Tongla ? He looks 
 as if he were dead." 
 
 " I don't know what ails him, unless he's got a 
 touch of your fever. I'll lift him into the hammock 
 and give him some water ; perhaps that will bring 
 him to his senses." 
 
 During the next ten minutes Roy had quite as 
 much work on hand as he could conveniently per- 
 form. After raising Tongla from the ground to the 
 bed of cords he put the half-filled canteen to his 
 lips, and the boy swallowed the entire contents be- 
 fore opening his eyes. Then he spoke a few words 
 in his native language, stared around as if surprised 
 at finding himself in such a place, and laid back en- 
 tirely exhausted. 
 
 "He's used up; that's what's the matter," Roy 
 said. " I wouldn't wonder if the poor fellow had 
 been without food or water since yesterday morning. 
 I'll try him on the last of the tortillas, anyway." 
 
 Still appearing oblivious to his surroundings, the 
 Indian boy ate ravenously, and not until the last 
 tortilla had disappeared did Roy cease feeding him. 
 
 " That settles our supply of food, and it will be a 
 fast-day with us unless I can manage to find some 
 game close around the camp." 
 
 " Never mind, so long as he is with us," Dean said, 
 cheerily. " An hour ago we'd been willing to give' 
 up a good deal more than the food for the sake of 
 seeing him." 
 
 " Don't think I'm worrying about what he's eat- 
 ing. I'd make him a present of all the idols if 
 they'd do any good. He appears to be going to 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 129 
 
 sleep now, and you'd better try to do the same thing. 
 I'll sit two or three yards away, in the hope of shoot- 
 ing something eatable." 
 
 " Don't go beyond the sound of my voice." 
 
 "You needn't fear that I'll run the chance of get- 
 ting lost again. One such experience is more than 
 I need. It was terrible, Dean, to wander around 
 without the slightest idea of the right direction, and 
 seeing what looked like the same trees over and 
 over again, no matter how fast or far I walked. 
 There was one spell when it seemed as if I was in- 
 sane, and then it was necessary to sit down until I 
 could pull myself together. In a forest like this 
 there is nothing to guide a fellow, and the sense of 
 utter helplessness is something which cannot be de- 
 scribed." 
 
 " Don't talk of it," Dean replied, with a shiver. 
 "We may all' have a taste before we strike the 
 river Tongla tells about." 
 
 " If we are together it can't seem so terrible, al- 
 though I don't care to repeat the experience, even 
 with others to keep me company." 
 
 Then Eoy insisted that his brother should drink 
 more of the cinchona ; and looking earnestly at Ton- 
 gla to make sure he was not in a swoon but sleeping 
 peacefully, he went a short distance from the en- 
 campment in the poor hope that some game would 
 be accommodating enough to come within range. 
 
130 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTEE XIY. 
 
 AN INDIAN VILLAGE. 
 
 ROY HAD but little faith that any game would 
 pass within shooting distance; therefore he 
 felt quite as much surprise as delight when, about 
 an hour after taking up his position at the foot of a 
 tree, four agouti come from the bushes fiardly a 
 dozen feet away. 
 
 They appeared to have no fear of him, and by 
 using his gun skillfully and rapidly two were killed, 
 at the expense of a cartridge from each barrel. 
 
 " That is a pretty high price to pay for a dinner, 
 considering the fact that we haven't got very much 
 ammunition left," he said, as he picked up the rab- 
 bit-like animals and started toward the encampment. 
 " I ought not to grumble, though, for we'd be on 
 mighty short allowance if they hadn't come along." 
 
 Dean was awake when Roy approached, but 
 Tongla's eyes were yet closed. The reports of the 
 gun had not disturbed him, and Dean asked : 
 
 " Can you cook them as he did ?" 
 
 " I'm going to try it. A fellow can do a good 
 deal when it's a case of must. Besides, I want 
 Tongla to sleep as long as possible." 
 
 Since there was no particular reason why he 
 should hurry, Roy set about the task in a leisurely 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 131 
 
 fashion. He dug a hole at the place where the 
 camp-fire had been built on the previous night, filled 
 it with wood sufficient to make a large bed of coals, 
 and while this was burning dressed the game. 
 
 An hour later the roast was ready, and cooked 
 quite as well as if the Indian boy had superintended 
 the operation. Hoy awakened Tongla after con- 
 siderable difficulty, and Dean's fever was so nearly 
 gone that he seemed eager for his share of the meat. 
 
 " Where did you find me ?" Tongla asked, as he 
 descended from the hammock and approached the 
 plantain-leaf table. 
 
 " Yon came here without assistance," Roy replied, 
 in surprise. " Don't you remember ?" 
 
 "I know of nothing that happened after being 
 convinced it would be impossible to find you again." 
 
 "When was that?" 
 
 "When the sun rose this morning, and I could not 
 decide in which direction the river lay. I remem- 
 ber running with all speed, thinking to meet death 
 while still struggling to escape from the horrible 
 gloom, but that is all." 
 
 " Then without being conscious of the fact you 
 must have come directly here, and I saw you as you 
 fell. I've been doing the hunting to-day, and after 
 eating some of this roast you can tell us the story." 
 
 " There is not much more than you know," Tongla 
 replied, as he began the meal. " On leaving here I 
 wandered around a long while without seeing any- 
 thing which would serve as food, and on trying to 
 retrace my steps, learned that I was lost. From 
 that moment I thought of nothing save finding you. 
 
132 TffE TREASURE 
 
 Not for a single instant did I rest during the night, 
 for your lives as well as my own depended on our 
 being together once more." 
 
 "After this we will do the hunting in company 
 or go without food," Roy replied ; and then he gave 
 his undivided attention to the meat, of which he 
 stood so sadly in need. 
 
 When the meal was finished Dean, who had eaten 
 but sparingly, said : 
 
 " There is no chance that I shall go to sleep again 
 very soon, therefore both of you must lie down 
 while I stand watch. It can be done in my ham- 
 mock, consequently I shall feel none the worse for 
 it." 
 
 Tongla insisted that he was completely rested; 
 but Roy was determined he should spend the re- 
 mainder of the day in slumber, and the boy reluc- 
 tantly returned to the swinging bed. 
 
 " Now you do the same," Dean said, and after a 
 moment's hesitation the command was obeyed. 
 
 Roy had indulged in but little sleep since they 
 left the ruins, and Tongla was yet thoroughly 
 weary, therefore these two slumbered dreamlessly 
 and uninterruptedly while the invalid kept watch 
 from his couch. 
 
 In this manner the entire day was spent, and the 
 gloom of night had enshrouded the forest when 
 Tongla awoke. 
 
 " You should have called me many hours ago," he 
 said, springing from the hammock, and his voice 
 aroused Roy. 
 
 "You looked so comfortable that I enjoyed the 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 133 
 
 * sight ; and, besides, I'm feeling so much better that 
 there is no reason why I should not do a portion of 
 the work. Now that the water is gone I begin to 
 dislike the palm-juice. Don't you suppose we could 
 get a drink by digging a deep hole ?" 
 
 " There is no need of doing that. I saw the rain- 
 plant near by when we halted, and. by making a 
 torch we can soon find it," Tongla said, as he groped 
 around for dry wood, 
 
 " The rain-plant ?" Roy repeated. " "What do you 
 mean ?" 
 
 Tongla waited until he had made and lighted a 
 torch, when he said : 
 
 ".Come ; I will show you." 
 
 The boys were too curious to reject the invitation, 
 and followed their companion a short distance away, 
 where was a dense mass of vines depending from the 
 trees. 
 
 " There !" be said, pointing to the fork or crotch 
 of a logwood, where, apparently growing in the 
 solid trunk, was a parasitic plant, with broad leaves 
 which curled around until a vessel somewhat after 
 the shape of a " horn of plenty " was formed. " In 
 each of those we shall find water enough to keep us 
 from thirst until morning." 
 
 With a little assistance from Roy the Indian 
 climbed up the trunk, and cutting one of these 
 Nature's goblets passed it down to Dean, who 
 found in it fully a quart of clear water. 
 
 "Why, it's almost as good, although not quite as 
 cold, as that which we had in the tunnel!" Dean ex- 
 claimed, in surprise. 
 
134 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " It is the rain and dew which the leaf collects for 
 him who travels through the forest. The God of the 
 Working-Hand placed it there that the Indian might 
 not perish when the white men drove him from his 
 home. We will not take any more than we need, 
 for others may pass this way thirsty." 
 
 Tongla handed one more leaf to Koy, and then 
 descended, having satisfied his own wants by drink- 
 ing from one vessel without cutting it from the stem. 
 
 On returning to the hammocks Roy explained 
 that he had kept a fire going during the night Ton- 
 gla was absent, and proposed that the same plan be 
 pursued now. 
 
 The Indian readily agreed, since the light of the 
 flames could not be seen a dozen yards owing to the 
 density of the foliage ; and soon the boys were sit- 
 ting in front of a cheery blaze discussing the work 
 of the next day. 
 
 Roy and Tongla divided the watching on this 
 night, it not being thought advisable to let Dean do 
 any portion of it until he was stronger, and when 
 the sun rose once more nothing had been seen or 
 heard to cause alarm. 
 
 This was the day when the^victim of chills and 
 fever should feel comparatively well, although it 
 was expected the illness would return twenty-four 
 hours later, and when the remnants of the agouti 
 had been eaten by way of breakfast, Tongla pro- 
 posed that the journey be continued. 
 
 " We have many leagues before us," he said, " and 
 unless each day sees some advance we shall be a very 
 long time on the road."- 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 135 
 
 Dean declared that he felt able to perform as 
 much labor as any other member of the party, and 
 in a few moments everything was in readiness for 
 the tramp. As before, Boy and Tongla insisted on 
 carrying all the burden ; but the palm-trunks were 
 left behind, because there were plenty more to be 
 found and the juice was beginning to ferment. 
 
 Now, with the memory of his sufferings fresh in 
 mind, the Indian proceeded more cautiously than be- 
 fore, to prevent any possibility of traveling in a cir- 
 cle, and the advance was necessarily slow ; but when 
 they came to a halt at about ten o'clock- it was be- 
 lieved not less than five miles had been traversed. 
 
 " We should be at least ten miles from the river, 
 providing we have traveled in a straight line," Eoy 
 said as he threw himself upon one of the hammocks, 
 after they had been slung and the foliage beaten 
 down. " That is surely far enough to make it cer- 
 tain we are well clear of the Sukia's messengers, and 
 we have nothing to fear from them until we strike 
 the range again." 
 
 "And that we shall not do unless the Wool was 
 drive us from their country," Tongla replied, decid- 
 edly. " Now I will hunt for our dinner." 
 
 " We'll all go with you ;" and Koy sprung to his 
 feet. " The last time you tried that job we didn't 
 see you for twenty-four hours, and it sha'n't happen 
 again." 
 
 " I am only going to that plantain-tree ;" and the 
 Indian pointed a short distance away. " You need 
 not fear that I shall get in the same trouble twice. 
 If we have meat to-night, that will be enough." 
 
136 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 The atmosphere was so hot that a dinner of fruit 
 satisfied every desire, and when it had been eaten 
 all hands composed themselves for a long siesta, 
 since there did not appear to be any good reason 
 why a watch should be kept when they were so far 
 from the followers of Kabul. 
 
 At about four o'clock Tongla aroused the boys, 
 measured out a dose of cinchona for Dean, and pro- 
 posed that the journey be continued. Refreshed by 
 the long nap the others were willing, and again the 
 little party forced their way through the rank vege- 
 tation toward the Siguia River. 
 
 One does not indulge in much conversation while 
 traveling heavily laden where progress is made only 
 after a severe struggle with vines and bushes, and 
 from the time of starting until shortly before sunset 
 not a word was exchanged. 
 
 Then Tongla came to a full halt as he motioned 
 for his companions to remain silent, while he peered 
 through the undergrowth with every evidence of 
 uneasiness. 
 
 The white boys stood like statues until the In- 
 dian, stepping back a few paces,, whispered, as he 
 pointed straight ahead : 
 
 "There is a Woolwa village. It is too late to 
 make our way around it before dark, and 1 do not 
 dare stay here until morning." 
 
 Full of curiosity, Roy and Dean pressed forward 
 to where Tongla had been standing, and saw, instead 
 of a collection of huts, as would have been inferred 
 from their companion's words, a single building 
 about a hundred feet long and twenty wide. The 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 137 
 
 roof was upheld by stout posts, and thatched with 
 leaves ; the front and ends were open, while at the 
 back were a series of little rooms which looked very 
 much like stalls in a stable. The floor appeared to 
 be formed of stone, and raised six inches or more 
 above the earth. 
 
 In this odd "village" could be seen half a hun- 
 dred men, women and children, some working, others 
 playing, and the majority swinging in hammocks 
 suspended from the roof. They did not seem to be 
 a very ferocious party, and Eoy whispered to Ton- 
 gla: 
 
 " Are you certain they would do any mischief if 
 we showed ourselves ?" 
 
 " They are the enemies of my people." 
 
 " Of course you know best ; but if we must stay 
 in this portion of the country any length of time, it 
 strikes me it would be a good idea to make friends 
 with them." 
 
 Tongla did not reply for some moments, but stood 
 as if buried in deep thought, while Eoy gazed up 
 and down the narrow stream which ran between 
 them and the building, to discover some way of 
 crossing it without swimming. 
 
 While he was thus engaged a number of women 
 came out with what appeared to be earthen jars, 
 and walked directly to the middle, where they filled 
 the vessels with water. Eoy could see that they 
 stepped on a long row of stones, which evidently 
 led entirely across ; therefore he was satisfied there 
 Avould be no trouble in gaining the village if a visit 
 should be decided upon. 
 
138 THE TREASUHE-FINDERS. 
 
 At this juncture Dean asked what his brother had 
 been saying to Tongla, and on being informed, at 
 once declared his belief in the advisability of trying 
 to make terms with the tribe. 
 
 " We shall be obliged to pass more than one town 
 like this before reaching the coast, and it is well 
 to know now what may be expected. With our 
 guns we can hold the whole crowd in check, if they 
 turn ugly ; but I am sure it will be all right when 
 Tongla tells them that we are running away from 
 their enemies." 
 
 " I will visit them," the Indian said, at length ; 
 "but they must not know you are here until 
 I have learned whether it is safe for all to proceed." 
 
 To this plan Eoy objected most strenuously. 
 
 " If you go alone, and they are disposed to do any 
 harm, we shall not be there to aid you ; while if all 
 march over, the sight of our guns may force them 
 to be at least civil." 
 
 "I must cross alone," Tongla said, decidedly; 
 " but I will remain near the stream, and if they 
 threaten, you can discharge the guns. Then they 
 will not know but that there is a large force con- 
 cealed in the thicket." 
 
 " The matter looks different when you put it that 
 way, and I won't say any more. Go ahead ; Dean 
 and I will stand ready in case there is any trouble ; 
 but don't let them entice you up to the building un- 
 til there can be no doubt about their honesty." 
 
 " I will be careful," Tongla said, and laying down 
 everything, he went out in full view of those in the 
 village with not so much as a stick in his hands. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 139 
 
 The white boys watched from the thicket ; saw 
 him cross the stream and halt on the bank, as the 
 dwellers from the long building came toward him 
 in a perfect throng, and then he was hidden from 
 view by press of numbers. 
 
HO THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTEE XY. 
 
 SUSPICIONS. 
 
 IT "WAS fully five minutes before the boys in the 
 thicket could see Tongla, because of the crowd 
 which pressed around him, and more than once did 
 Dean insist that it was their duty to show* them- 
 selves. 
 
 " They may have killed him by this time, for all 
 we know," he said anxiously. " If nothing has hap 
 pened he would stand where we could see him." 
 
 " You may be certain he'd manage, in some way, 
 to let us understand if matters were going wrong," 
 Koy replied. " A single scream would be enough." 
 
 " Perhaps they have taken good care to prevent 
 anything like that." 
 
 "It isn't reasonable to suppose such a state of 
 affairs. They seem to be friendly, and if he is go- 
 ing into details regarding our trouble at the ruins 
 it will require a long while." 
 
 Five minutes more elapsed, and then the watch- 
 ers' fears were dispelled by seeing Tongla step from 
 amid the throng as he pointed in the direction where 
 the boys were concealed. 
 
 " It's all right," Roy added, in a tone of relief. 
 <r N"ow he's telling them about us, and it won't be 
 long before the matter is settled." 
 
THE TREA S URE-FINDERS. 141 
 
 Almost immediately after Hoy ceased speaking 
 Tongla began to cross the stream, followed by two 
 old men, and the boys stepped from out the thicket 
 to meet them. 
 
 As they came into view the crowd on the opposite 
 shore began to shout and gesticulate in the most 
 friendly manner, and Dean whispered : 
 
 " We had better lay down our guns to show that 
 we have no idea of fighting." 
 
 Roy followed his brother's example by dropping 
 his weapon and standing with outstretched hands 
 as Tongla and his companions came up the slight 
 elevation. 
 
 Before the Indian boy could speak, even had he 
 been intending to do so, the old men saluted Eoy 
 and Dean by placing their open hands on the latters' 
 heads, and then turned to descend the slope, utter 
 ing at the same time a single word. 
 
 " Follow," Tongla said, in a low tone, as he lifted 
 one of the sacks, and the boys waited only long 
 enough to gather up the remainder of the property 
 before obeying. 
 
 The crowd on the bank of the stream gave way as 
 the party approached, and amid a silence which 
 seemed almost ominous the visitors were escorted to 
 the house, one of the stall-like apartments being 
 pointed out as their quarters. 
 
 This being done the old men left them, and, save 
 for the throng of curious children \vhich stood a 
 longdistance away, the fugitives were comparatively 
 alone. 
 
 " I call this a lucky hit !" Dean exclaimed, as he 
 
142 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 proceeded to unpack the sacks of twine that the 
 hammocks might be slung before dark. " What did 
 they say to you, Tongla?" 
 
 " I told the story, except in regard to the idols, 
 and the people acted as if glad of the chance to help 
 us escape. The head man said we should stay here 
 until they were ready to go down the river, which 
 would be in a few days, and travel with them." 
 
 " It begins to look as if our finally reaching home 
 was a settled fact, for once at Bluefields there will 
 be no further trouble," Eoy added, in a tone of 
 delight. " We can very well afford to stay a week, 
 if necessary, and perhaps by that time Dean will 
 have got rid of his fever and ague." 
 
 Tongla did not display as much joy as his com- 
 panions ; he was grave while they were radiant, and 
 noticing this, Dean asked : 
 
 "What is the matteH Don't things suit you?" 
 
 "They should," was the evasive reply. "I am 
 thinking that we must be careful to keep the figures 
 of the gods concealed." 
 
 " Why ? These people do not worship them." 
 
 " I am not certain ; but they are of gold, and it is 
 not well to let it be known we have so much treas- 
 ure. If we remain long they must be hidden, or 
 one of us keep a watch both night and day." 
 
 The conversation was interrupted by the entrance 
 of two women who brought a calabash of stewed 
 meat, and bread made of ground cassava baked in 
 the ashes. A girl pushed slyly into the apartment a 
 gourd of water, and when the food had been placed 
 on the floor the attendants withdrew. 
 
* THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 143 
 
 " There ain't much danger of our starving yet a 
 while," Koy said, gleefully ; " but I would like to be 
 told what kind of meat this is. Knowing that some 
 of the tribes in this country are cannibals, a fellow 
 natuially feels suspicious." 
 
 " This is waree," Tongla replied, quickly. " The 
 Wool was do not eat their enemies." 
 
 " It tastes a great deal better than the ugly things 
 look when they are just under your hammock in the 
 night," Dean said, as, using his machete for a fork, 
 he brought out from the calabash a generous portion. 
 
 It was a hearty meal which the boys made, and 
 the party of children who watched them did not in 
 any way interfere with its full enjoyment. All ate 
 until it was impossible to take another mouthful, and 
 then went to the open part of the building, where 
 the Indians were evidently awaiting their arrival. 
 
 The men were clad in what appeared to be white 
 ponchos wound twice around their bodies and fast- 
 ened at the waist with a girdle of mohoe-bark ; the 
 boys sported a much smaller garment of the same 
 fashion, while the women and girls were clad in a 
 single petticoat. A white cotton band tied tightly 
 about the head, probably to keep the hair in place, 
 was conspicuous among the females, and, as Dean 
 said, " was mighty convenient for the purpose of 
 distinguishing a boy from a girl." 
 
 When the guests joined the main body of the 
 community they found a circle of old men, each with 
 a small torch in his hand, seated within a ring of 
 raised stones at one corner of the building, and here 
 Tongla came to a full stop. 
 
144 THE TREASURE-FINDMH. 
 
 " What's going on ?" Roy whispered, and the In- 
 dian replied : 
 
 " These are the head men, and they will want to 
 hear our story again." 
 
 In this Tongla was not mistaken. A few seconds 
 later one of the men advanced, took Roy by the hand 
 and led him into the circle, the other two boys fol- 
 lowing. 
 
 Here they stood while the men remained seated, 
 and the eldest of the party began what sounded 
 very much like a regular speech, Tongla translating 
 it when the speaker came to a close. 
 
 " He says that we are welcome to stay here until 
 it pleases us to go down the river ; that they are 
 friends of the white men, and shall continue to be ; 
 but he asks that we tell the story of our flight in 
 order that all may understand whether there is any 
 chance that the followers of Kabul will come this 
 way in search of us." 
 
 " That's all right, of course ; but you'll have to do 
 the talking," Roy replied. - 
 
 Without hesitation Tongla began, the women and 
 children gathering near the ring of stones to listen ; 
 and that he gave a detailed account of their misad- 
 ventures the boys understood from the length of 
 time occupied in the recital. 
 
 When he had finished there was profound silence 
 for fully a minute, after which one of the party 
 arose, fanned his torch into a blaze by swinging it 
 around his head several times, and then began what 
 Roy thought was a reply to Tongla's story. 
 
 He talked rapidly for some time, gesticulating 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 145 
 
 Violently, and pointing from one guest to another, 
 until Dean felt quite certain he objected to their re- 
 maining in the village. 
 
 "What's the matter now ? ' he whispered to Ton- 
 gla. 
 
 "This man does not believe I have told every- 
 thing. He says the followers of Kabul, treacherous 
 though they are, do not war upon children." 
 
 " Do they suspect the real cause ?" Roy asked, ap- 
 prehensively. 
 
 " If they did, the demand for the idols would have 
 been made before this. I 
 
 He was interrupted by one of the party who ap- 
 proached, spoke a few words in a low tone, and then 
 returned to his seat. 
 
 " We are to go away while the council is being 
 held," Tongla said as he walked toward their own 
 apartment; and the curious ones on the outside 
 were so deeply interested in what was being dis- 
 cussed that no attention was paid to their move- 
 ments. 
 
 Roy looked around inquisitively as they walked 
 the entire length of the building for the second 
 time, and observed that the inside of the roof was 
 hung with bunches of plantains, bananas, yams and 
 dried meat until it resembled a vast store-house. 
 Prosaic as the articles were, the sight reassured him ; 
 for, despite what Tongla had said, he could not re- 
 press the fear that these people might be cannibals. 
 He remembered reading, just before leaving home, 
 when he and Dean were studying the histories re- 
 garding their future dwelling-place, that certain 
 
146 THE TREASURE-BINDERS. 
 
 tribes in Nicaragua were addicted to the use of hu- 
 man flesh, and this had troubled him not a littla 
 since arriving at the village. 
 
 " Now what are they up to ?" Dean asked, when 
 they were in the " pen," as Eoy termed the room. 
 
 " I don't know. Perhaps they have a suspicion 
 of why we came here, and do not wish us to hear 
 them discussing it." 
 
 " If it's no worse than that we needn't worry," 
 Dean replied ; " but I fancied that two or three of 
 those old fellows didn't like the idea of our being 
 here." 
 
 " They seemed to be willing to have us come," 
 Eoy said, thoughtfully. " So far as we could see, 
 the invitation was a cordial one." 
 
 " Those who came to meet us were very friendly," 
 Tongla added. " It is some who were not consulted, 
 and they appear to think there is danger in allow- 
 ing us to remain." 
 
 " Then go back and tell them we will leave this 
 very night. Say we can sleep in the woods, and 
 our guns are sufficient with which to procure 
 food." 
 
 " It is best to wait until the council is finished," 
 Tongla replied. " It may be that they will decide 
 in our favor." 
 
 " We won't wait for that ;" and Koy spoke in a 
 tone of great determination. " Tell them now, and 
 if they are so disposed we'll clear out at once." 
 
 This was neither more nor less than a command, 
 and the Indian boy obeyed, but not with a very 
 good grace. He walked half the length of the 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 14? 
 
 building, called one of the women to his side, and 
 by her sent some message to those in council. 
 
 She went toward the circle of stones, waited un- 
 til the man who was delivering an impassioned 
 speech had ceased, and then spoke. A moment 
 later she returned to Tongla and led him forward. 
 
 From their "pen" the boys watched him, saw 
 that he spoke gravely for a few seconds, and was 
 about to retire when one of the party prevented 
 him. Then ensued a long and noisy discussion, at 
 the end of which the Indian boy came slowly back, 
 looking very much troubled. 
 
 " Well, are we to go ?" Dean asked, impatiently. 
 
 " They will not allow us to leave, however eager 
 we may be to do so. I cannot understand why 
 there is any question regarding our staying or de- 
 parting." 
 
 The white boys could not but be disturbed by this 
 answer, as well as by the evident anxiety of their 
 companion, and Koy said, regretfully : 
 
 " It is my fault that we came here at all ; but at 
 the time it seemed to be the wisest course. Mat- 
 ters begin to look as if we had got into another 
 scrape, and the question is, What shall we do I" 
 
 "We are powerless," Tongla replied. "Until 
 they decide, we are the same as prisoners." 
 
 " I'm going to learn whether we are or not ;" and 
 Roy walked quickly out of the building, following 
 along the stream until he disappeared in the under- 
 growth. 
 
 Watching those at the other end of the house, 
 Dean and Tongla saw that notice had been taken of 
 
148 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 the boy's departure, and almost immediately two of 
 the younger men lounged toward the water-course, 
 as if going for a stroll ; but they took good care to 
 follow Eoy's footsteps. 
 
 " That settles it !" Dean said, in dismay. " If one 
 goes out alone he will be watched, and if all three 
 should attempt to leave I reckon there would be 
 trouble." 
 
 " That is true. We are prisoners." And Tongla 
 threw himself on his hammock, where he remained 
 in moody silence until Dean asked : 
 
 " Can't we hide the idols somewhere ? Matters 
 might be worse, if that be possible, in case they are 
 found." 
 
 "We would be obliged to take them from the 
 house, and while they watch every movement there 
 is no opportunity." 
 
 By this time Koy could be seen coming up the 
 stream, with the two men about a dozen paces in 
 the rear, and Dean went to meet him. 
 
 "That question was settled very emphatically," 
 Koy said to his brother, with a mirthless laugh. 
 " These fellows were behind me before I got fairly 
 out of sight." 
 
 " We saw them, and Tongla seems thoroughly dis- 
 couraged. If we could only bury those idols !" 
 
 "That's just what I've been thinking of; but 
 there's no way to fix it. Our only course is to hang 
 around as if we didn't want to leave, and perhaps 
 they'll come to the conclusion that there is nothing 
 very dangerous about us ; but the idols must be kept 
 under cover." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 149 
 
 " If these men take a notion to search our stuff 
 we can't help ourselves." 
 
 " We won't worry about that yet awhile. There's 
 enough disagreeable to think of without speculating 
 upon something which may never happen." 
 
 "rW 
 UNIVERSITY ^ 
 
 Of 
 
150 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTEK XYL 
 
 PRISONERS. 
 
 IT CAN" well be fancied that the boys were not 
 feeling particularly cheerful when they were 
 alone in the "pen" once more. There could no 
 longer be any question but that they were prison- 
 ers, for a certain length of time at least, and the 
 uncertainty regarding the future was even worse 
 than the knowledge of positive suffering would have 
 been. 
 
 Tongla bestirred himself to set the place to rights, 
 and when that was done re-hung his hammock in 
 such a manner that it partially blocked the entrance 
 to their apartment. Then he laid down with his 
 machete by his side, and Roy asked : 
 
 " What is that for ? Do you fear an attack 3" 
 
 " It is well to be prepared." 
 
 "But we would surely get the worst of a row 
 while there are so many against us." 
 
 "One never knows what may happen. I shall 
 watch, and you can go to sleep." 
 
 " I don't fancy either of us will do much of that 
 sort of thing to-night. A fellow's eyes are pretty 
 sure to stay open under such circumstances as 
 these." 
 
 As could be seen by peering around the partitions 
 formed of sections cut from the cabbage-palm, the 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 151 
 
 old men were yet in council, and the remainder of 
 tfie inhabitants were so interested in the proceedings 
 that they stayed where all which was said might be 
 verheard. 
 
 " I wonder how long they'll keep that up ?" Dean 
 asked, as he placed one of the fowling-pieces near 
 his hammock preparatory to retiring. 
 
 "Until our fate has been decided. It's a pity 
 Tongla didn't hang around near by to find out some- 
 thing." 
 
 "That was not allowed," the Indian boy said, 
 with a smile. " We were invited to go to bed, and 
 matters might have been uncomfortable had we re- 
 fused to accept the invitation." 
 
 All the guests laid down, for it was not well to 
 show their suspicions at this early stage ; but neither 
 intended to indulge in sleep. Yet despite the pos- 
 sible danger, both Koy and Dean were soon slumber- 
 ing as sweetly as if nothing had occurred to cause 
 alarm. 
 
 The sun had looked over the tree-tops some time 
 before either awakened, and then leaping quickly 
 down Koy said to Tongla, who was seated just outside 
 the "pen:" 
 
 " Why, the Indians have all disappeared ! Where 
 are they ?" 
 
 The boy pointed toward the stream, which just 
 below the ford widened into a regular basin, and 
 there could be seen nearly the entire population of 
 the village enjoying a bath. They were swimming 
 around like ducks, shouting, talking and laughing in 
 the j oiliest manner possible. 
 
152 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " I shouldn't mind sharing in the sport ; but I sup- 
 pose it will be better to wait until we know what 
 they propose to do with us ?" 
 
 " No one would find fault. You and Dean can go 
 while I stay here to watch the treasure." 
 
 Tongla seemed positive that, whatever the decision 
 arrived at on the previous night, the boys were at 
 liberty to bathe, and they went at once toward the 
 river, but, after partially undressing, plunged in at 
 a point some distance from the gay throng. They 
 were not to be alone very long, however, for as soon 
 as a party of Indian boys caught a glimpse of the 
 white lads they swam up stream laughing and jell- 
 ing, as by gestures they invited the new-comers to a 
 race. 
 
 Koy and Dean joined in the,, sport with hearty 
 good-will, although they could not hope to excel 
 these dark-skinned fellows, who appeared to be per- 
 fectly at home in the water ; and during nearly an 
 hour the older inhabitants of the village enjoyed the 
 trials of skill, in which the visitors were invariably 
 beaten. 
 
 Then the entire crowd trooped up to the building 
 where some of the women had been preparing a 
 breakfast of fruit, and bread somewhat resembling 
 tortillas. The new-comers were fed in their own 
 apartment, as on the previous evening, and when the 
 meal was finished each person went about, ^he 
 business or pleasure of the day without paying the 
 slightest attention to the little party, who had good 
 reason to consider themselves prisoners. 
 
 " I wonder what they mean to do 2" Roy asked, 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 153 
 
 in a tone of perplexity, as he stood with Dean and 
 Tongla by the entrance to their " pen." 
 
 " "We shall hear in good time," the Indian boy re- 
 plied. " I think they are waiting to learn if the fol 
 lowers of Kabul are on our track, for before you 
 awakened this morning I saw the men collecting 
 their weapons, as if preparing for an attack." 
 
 " But are we to remain under cover all day ?" 
 
 "I do not think anything would be said if we 
 went out, providing we remain near the house." 
 
 " Then let's see what is going on ; it will be better 
 than standing here moping." 
 
 Dean followed his brother ; but Tongla clambered 
 into the hammock again in order to watch over the 
 golden gods which he feared might lead them into 
 yet greater difficulties. 
 
 The white boys saw plenty to attract their atten- 
 tion. Here were a party of women and girls grind- 
 ing maize between two stones, the bottom one very 
 large and hollowed in the center, and the other small 
 enough to be held conveniently in both hands. 
 Others were crushing, in the same manner, wild 
 sugar-cane, and mixing the juice with powdered 
 cacao, to make, as Tongla afterward told them, a 
 kind of liquor called ulung. 
 
 Some of the older women were spinning and 
 weaving native cotton in a clumsy sort of fashion. 
 In fact all the female portion of the community 
 were laboring industriously, while the men and boys 
 appeared to take life very easily. 
 
 Half a dozen young men were exhibiting their 
 skill in throwing a short wooden spear, and from the 
 
154 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 precision with which they hit the target at a distance 
 of from twenty to thirty paces it could readily be 
 ^een how slight a chance the little party, with their 
 two fowling-pieces, would have in case of a pitched 
 battle. 
 
 Next in interest to this last scene was that pre- 
 sented by the roof of the building, where were con- 
 gregated a number of tame parrots and macaws 
 trying to defend themselves against four or five 
 small monkeys who were making strenuous efforts 
 to pluck out the gaudy feathers from the tails of 
 these winged residents. Now and -then one of the 
 birds would strike viciously at an over -brave 
 monkey, and in case of success each parrot and 
 macaw seemed to consider it his especial duty to 
 make the greatest possible amount of noise. 
 
 Although there were so very many strange and 
 curious things to be seen, the boys did not spend 
 very much time out of doors. The mental anxiety 
 was so great that after a few moments both re-en- 
 tered the building to discuss the situation with 
 Tongla for at least the twentieth time. 
 
 They arrived just as the Indian had conceived 
 what he believed to be a brilliant scheme for dis- 
 posing of the golden idols, and he unfolded it with- 
 out delay. 
 
 "The stones which form this floor are not fast 
 ened together," he said; and Koy asked, in sur- 
 prise : 
 
 " What if they are not ? It doesn't make any 
 difference to us, as I can see." 
 
 " But we might raise one now, when all the peo- 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 155 
 
 pie are outside, and bury the figures of the gods 
 beneath it," Tongla added, eagerly. 
 
 "And then perhaps not have a chance to get at 
 them again," Dean said. " After carrying them so 
 far, we don't want to run the risk of losing them." 
 
 " If these people see the gods, as I am certain 
 they will if we keep them in the sacks, we shall 
 not only lose all, but be in great trouble besides." 
 
 " Tongla's plan is a good one," Koy said, approv- 
 ingly. "If we are forced to remain here many 
 days, it is safe to say the Indians will find out what 
 we've got in our knapsacks, when there's every chance 
 of a big row, more especially if these fellows are 
 idol- worshipers. Now the gold will be just as safe, 
 so far as we are concerned, under one of these 
 stones, and it wouldn't be much trouble to take it 
 out again when we have a chance to leave." 
 
 Dean was silenced, but not convinced. He un- 
 derstood that the Indians might seize the gods at 
 any moment, and yet to bury them seemed like re- 
 linquishing all title to the treasure. Not being able 
 to say why Tongla's plan was unwise he offered no 
 further objections, and his companions proceeded to 
 carry it into effect without delay. 
 
 By lowering the hammocks a trifle, and pushing 
 the sacks near the entrance to the "pen," it was pos- 
 sible so to conceal their movements that no one 
 could see what was going on, except by coming di- 
 rectly into the room. 
 
 After trying all the stones, it was found that a 
 block at the extreme end of the apartment could 
 be moved more readily than any of the others, and 
 
156 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 by using their machetes as levers the task was ac- 
 complished with but little labor. 
 
 Beneath it the earth was packed hard, although 
 not so solidly but that a hole could be bored with 
 their weapons, and in less than ten minutes from the 
 time the plan was proposed the golden gods were 
 buried in such a manner that they could readily be 
 taken out when the proper time arrived. 
 
 Then the stone was replaced, and the boys spent 
 some time in trampling upon it, that there might be 
 no evidence of its removal. 
 
 " Now we can all go out," Tongla said, in a tone 
 of satisfaction, as he begaii to replace their goods as 
 before. " No one can suspect we have hidden any- 
 thing, and the men may search the sacks when they 
 please." 
 
 Relieved at being no longer obliged to guard the 
 treasure, Tongla went at once to the stream and en- 
 joyed his long-delayed bath, while Roy and Dean 
 sought a shady spot near the bank where they could 
 keep him in view. 
 
 To this outing none of the villagers appeared to 
 object ; but after a few moments the boys noticed 
 that at different points men suddenly came into 
 view as if by accident, and they were stationed in 
 such manner that there would have been no chance 
 to escape had the little party been disposed tp adopt 
 desperate measures. 
 
 " If we didn't know it before, there' d be no ques- 
 tion now about our being prisoners," Roy said, 
 mournfully ; " and what is more, they don't intend 
 to give us the slightest chance of escaping." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 157 
 
 "I don't understand their reason for keeping us. 
 It can't be in order to steal our traps, for those 
 might easily have been taken last night." 
 
 " There's no means of finding out until they get 
 ready to tell us," Roy replied, with a sigh ; and then 
 Tongla, his bath finished, joined them. 
 
 During the two hours which followed the boys re- 
 mained out of doors, but always under supervision 
 of five or six men, and then, the time for the siesta 
 having arrived, they returned to the building. 
 
 Dean led the way to their "pen," and as he 
 reached the entrance started back with a cry of dis- 
 may. 
 
 " They've stolen our things and put a whole fam- 
 ily in here with us !" he said, as Roy and Tongla 
 crowded past him. 
 
 A woman and two small children were occupying 
 the apartment, and the former did not so much as 
 look at the boys when they approached. The ham- 
 mocks had been taken down and others put in their 
 places, while nothing could be seen of the weapons 
 or sacks. 
 
 The three stood gazing at these evidences of evic- 
 tion in speechless astonishment until a very old 
 man came toward them and spoke a few words to 
 Tongla. 
 
 " He says that this place was not good enough for 
 us, and that our traps have been moved nearer the 
 middle of the building," Tongla said, when the man 
 had finished. " We may as well find out where the 
 place is." 
 
 " But we can't leave here on account of the buried 
 
158 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 treasure," Dean whispered, forgetting in his excite- 
 ment that none save his own party could have 
 understood him, however loud he may have spoken. 
 "Tell him that this 'pen' suits us much better 
 than any other in the house, and we must stay 
 here." 
 
 " It would be useless ; there is some reason for 
 moving us, and we shall only cause them to grow 
 suspicious by making objections." 
 
 "Come along!" Koy said, sternly, pulling his 
 brother by the coat-sleeve. "That old fellow is 
 watching every movement we make, and he'll have 
 a fine yarn to tell the others if we stand here dis- 
 puting." 
 
 Thus urged, Dean could do no less than follow 
 Boy and Tongla, who were being conducted by the 
 old man to another "pen" nearly midway of the 
 row, where there were ample evidences of recent oc- 
 cupancy. 
 
 " This doesn't begin to be as good as the other," 
 Roy said, as he inspected the uncleanly place, 
 " therefore the excuse which has been made is a 
 false one." 
 
 " Do you not see that from here they will have 
 less trouble watching us ?" the Indian boy asked. 
 " There we were at the extreme end, and might pos- 
 sibly be able to slip out ; now the prisoners will be 
 in the midst of their captors, and every move must 
 be known." 
 
 The old man gazed at the little party intently, as 
 if to learn their ideas regarding the change, and 
 when his curiosity was satisfied he walked slowly 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 159 
 
 a\vay, leaving them to rearrange their scanty house- 
 hold goods. 
 
 " It begins to look as if we had said good-by to 
 the idols," Roy said, ruefully. " I can't see how it, 
 will ever be possible to dig them up without telling 
 the whole story." 
 
 Now he and Tongla regretted not having listened 
 to Dean a few hours longer, for the gods might have 
 been buried in that apartment as well as the other, 
 and a short delay Would have prevented this appar- 
 ent disaster. 
 
100 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTEE XVII. 
 
 THE LOST IDOLS. 
 
 IT IS NOT to be wondered at that the boys were 
 disheartened by this loss of the treasure through 
 their own act, and during the time of the siesta but 
 little else was spoken of. Sleep did not visit their 
 eyelids, and while the other occupants of the build- 
 ing gave very palpable evidence of being wrapped in 
 slumber they bewailed their misfortune, with hardly 
 a thought that the gods might yet be recovered. 
 
 Tongla did not hesitate to say this last disaster 
 was caused by the direct interference of Kabul, and 
 stated as his firm belief that they would never reach 
 the Coloney plantation until the idols had been re- 
 stored to their worshipers. 
 
 " Suppose for a moment these images really are 
 gods," Roy said, impatiently ; " how are we to do as 
 you say, provided we could get them in our posses- 
 sion ? You don't know what gods they are never 
 saw the same kind of figures before, and concluded 
 they must have been worshiped by those who built 
 the ruined city. Having been forgotten, we can't 
 restore them to any one, and they really are nothing 
 more than so much gold. It is for that reason only 
 the Sukia and her friends are so eager to get posses- 
 sion of them. If they were nothing but stone we 
 would not have been molested." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 161 
 
 "It makes no difference to the Sukia whether 
 they are precious metal or decaying wood ; they are 
 the gods, and as such must be protected." 
 
 " Now you're talking foolishly, Tongla. The 
 Sukia cares nothing for idols of stone, because your 
 people have assisted in carrying a number of such 
 material out of Nicaragua, and they are to be seen 
 at the Smithsonian Institute at Washington, in my 
 country." 
 
 " Have you seen them there ?" Tongla asked, in- 
 credulously. 
 
 "Certainly, and so has Dean. The gentleman 
 who was Minister from my country to yours in the 
 year 1849 sent several on, and in order to do so it 
 was necessary the Indians should aid him. Some 
 came from the very city where we found the ones 
 just lost, and your people were perfectly willing he 
 should carry them away. If they had been made of 
 gold, like those we found, most likely there would 
 have been a big row. Judging from that fact, you 
 can see why the followers of Kabul are eager to 
 catch us." 
 
 Tongla remained silent for several moments. He 
 could not doubt what Koy told him, and perhaps for 
 the first time he really questioned the divine attri- 
 butes of his gods. 
 
 " It may be we shall find a way to recover 
 them," lie said, finally. " The women were making 
 ulung this morning, and when it has become strong 
 enough all the people will have a grand festival. 
 Then the guard may not be kept so strict, and pos- 
 sibly we can escape." 
 
162 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " How long before it is likely to take place ?" 
 
 " In six or seven days." 
 
 " And we are to be kept here all that time ?" Dean 
 asked, in dismay. 
 
 " We shall be fortunate to get away then, unless 
 the suspicions which these men have can be dis- 
 pelled, and in order that such may be the case we 
 must not appear unwilling to stay. Act as if a long 
 rest was necessary, and while doing so become ac- 
 quainted with the country." 
 
 u In what way ?" 
 
 " Do you see those bales of bark on the swinging 
 platforms under the roof ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " It is sarsaparilla, and has been gathered that it 
 may be sold. That can only be done at the coast, 
 and these people would not try to go on foot. Some- 
 where, not far from here, the stream widens until 
 boats can be used, or there is another water-way 
 near by. We must know the direction, in order to 
 be ready when the moment arrives. By talking 
 with the young men I can learn where the nearest 
 village is, that We may not pass it during the day. 
 We cannot gain too much knowledge, and the time 
 from now until the drinking of the ulung is short." 
 
 This was the sort of talk to revive the boys' 
 drooping courage, and it did them a world of good. 
 They no longer believed the idols were irrevocably 
 lost, and the fact that there was work to be done 
 prevented their thoughts from dwelling upon the 
 possibility that the imprisonment might be made 
 more rigorous. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 163 
 
 After some discussion it was decided that Dean 
 should start down stream when the siesta was sup- 
 posed to have come to a close, and, without paying 
 the slightest attention to whoever might follow, un- 
 less absolutely obliged so to do, try to learn where 
 the boats were kept. 
 
 Eoy was to remain quietly in the village as a sort 
 of hostage, while Tongla proposed to cultivate the 
 acquaintance of those who had swam with the 
 white boys by challenging them to race with him. 
 
 There yet remained some time before these plans 
 could be put into execution, and the Indian im- 
 proved the opportunity by impressing upon his com- 
 panions' minds the necessity for patience. 
 
 " Do not try to learn too much in one day," he 
 said. " We cannot leave here for a week, however 
 well prepared for the journey; therefore move 
 slowly." 
 
 Then he explained every detail which it was nec- 
 essary they should know before an escape could be 
 attempted with any prospect of success, and by 
 the time these instructions had been brought to an 
 end the occupants of the village were bestirring 
 themselves. The siesta was ended, and the work 
 or play began once more. 
 
 With an assumption of indifference as to where 
 his stroll should lead him, Dean walked slowly from 
 the house to the woods, entering the thicket some 
 distance from the stream, but moving obliquely in 
 order to strike the water-way about a mile from the 
 village. 
 
 Immediately three of the younger men evinced a 
 
164 THE TREASVRE-FiNDM8. 
 
 v great desire to pursue the same course, and Eoy 
 said, as he saw them start off in the direction taken 
 by his brother : 
 
 " They don't intend that even one of us shall get 
 away. It's foolish to follow him now, for it isn't 
 reasonable to suppose he would attempt to escape, 
 leaving two here." 
 
 "Perhaps they believe our coming was only to 
 prepare the way for an attack by the Sukia's mes- 
 sengers, and dog his steps to learn if he meets any 
 one in the forest." 
 
 " I hope that is the reason, for if we are to be 
 chased in this manner there'll be small chance of 
 ever giving them the slip." 
 
 " After two or three days they may be less watch- 
 ful," Tongla replied, as he left the building to join a 
 group of half a dozen young fellows who were stand- 
 ing near the stream. 
 
 Roy saw him enter into conversation with them, 
 and a few moments later all stepped toward the 
 water, the unemployed inhabitants of the village 
 gathering on the bank in response to the calls of 
 Tongla's companions. 
 
 Seated on the edge of the raised platform which 
 formed the floor of the house, that every one could 
 see him, Roy pretended to watch the swimmers 
 with great interest, when in reality he was thinking 
 of their defenceless condition and the poor prospect 
 of ever seeing the Coloney plantation again. 
 
 Tongla was sparing no pains to make himself ac- 
 quainted with and liked by the young fellows. 
 During nearly an hour he remained in the water 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 165 
 
 with them, and at each exhibition of skill he was 
 beaten because he chose to be, Roy thought ; but 
 the victory was never an easy one, consequently all 
 were in the best of spirits. 
 
 At the conclusion, some of the party evidently in- 
 vited him to accompany them up the stream, for 
 what purpose Eoy could not guess, and he started 
 off as if perfectly contented with all his surround- 
 ings. 
 
 Two hours later, while Tongla was still absent, 
 Dean returned looking weary, as if after a long 
 tramp, and seating himself by his brother's side 
 began a detailed account of the excursion. 
 
 "I've found the boats, although they must be as 
 much as two miles away, and at every step I could 
 see that the Indians were close around me. One or 
 the other has kept me in sight all the time, and I 
 hope they're satisfied with the investigations. Here 
 the sneaks come now," he added, as three men ap- 
 peared from the thicket. "If it hadn't been such 
 hard work I'd have given them a walk to be remem- 
 bered." 
 
 " Does the stream widen as you go down ?" 
 
 " Another one empties into it, and the two make 
 quite a river most likely the one Tongla wanted to 
 find, for it flows in a south-easterly direction." 
 
 " How many boats are there ?" 
 
 "Eight or ten; but close by is a shanty in which 
 five or six people are living, and I judged they were 
 stationed at the place to look out for the fleet. 
 Even if we succeed in getting away from here 
 there's not much chance of seizing a craft." 
 
166 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " Did they show any surprise at seeing you ?" 
 
 "Not a bit." 
 
 " How long did you stay ?" 
 
 " Only a moment. I didn't want it to appear as 
 if I had come simply to look at the boats, so kept 
 straight on about half a mile more. Where's 
 Tongla?" 
 
 " Gone up stream with a crowd. Here come the 
 women with our supper, and I'm going to eat out of 
 doors if we can make them understand what we 
 mean." 
 
 After a series of the most extravagant gestures 
 Roy succeeded in making his wishes known, and a- 
 wooden tray in which was baked fish, together with 
 plenty of cassava bread, was placed before them. 
 
 "Whatever else we may do, it is impossible to 
 complain of the food," Dean said, as he began the 
 meal with an appetite sharpened by his long walk. 
 "One could almost fancy they wanted to fatten 
 us." 
 
 This was an unfortunate turn in the conversation 
 for the boys' peace of mind. The one thing which 
 had been haunting them was that they were among 
 cannibals, and this reference to being fattened 
 caused both a very unpleasant sensation. 
 
 Fortunately they were not left to these mournful 
 thoughts many moments, for before the bread had 
 grown cold Tongla arrived, evidently on the best of 
 terms with his Woolwa companions, as could be told 
 by the manner in which they took leave of him. 
 
 He questioned Dean eagerly as to the result of his 
 stroll through the woods, and then said, with a vi- 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 1C? 
 
 vacity such as the boys had not seen him display 
 since they left the hacienda : 
 
 " The ulung-drinking will take place on the second 
 day. The nearest village is twenty miles away, and 
 the river Dean saw leads to the coast. We must 
 now meet the boat-keepers several times, so we may 
 recognize them if they come to the festival, and 
 make friends with the family who live where we 
 buried the idols of gold." 
 
 Tongla was in such high spirits, and seemed so 
 positive they could make their escape, that the boys 
 soon forgot their dismal forebodings, and spent al- 
 most a happy evening sitting on the platform discus- 
 sing plans for the future, when they should be glid- 
 ing swiftly down the river toward the coast. 
 
 As soon as it became dark the old men, each 
 holding a lighted torch, assembled within the circle 
 of stones, evidently for the purpose of holding coun- 
 cil, and from the curiosity displayed by the other 
 occupants of the village Tongla believed he and his 
 companions were the subject of discussion, more 
 particularly since the man who had appeared to be 
 their enemy on the previous evening now continued 
 his remarks with great vehemence. 
 
 " If there is so much fuss about our staying, why 
 don't they turn us out ?" Roy asked. 
 
 " Because for fear the followers of Kabul may be 
 near. Those whom I was with this afternoon say 
 the man who is speaking thinks we have come as 
 spies and all the weapons are at the temple, where 
 a battle, if there is any, will take place." 
 
 " Then if the Sukia's messengers should track us 
 
168 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 here I suppose that would be proof enough that the 
 talkative old fellow is correct in his surmises," Eoy 
 said, nervously, 
 
 "We would be killed immediately the news of 
 their coming was brought by those who have been 
 sent into the thicket to keep watch," Tongla replied 
 in a matter-of-fact tone. 
 
 " That's a cheerful prospect for us," Dean added, 
 with a laugh which was little more than an hysterical 
 cry. " If the men from the ruin catch us we'll be 
 put to death, and in case they so much as make a 
 try for it this crowd will act as executioners." 
 
 " They will not come here until after we have es- 
 caped," Tongla said, positively. " If it was known 
 where we were the followers of Kabul would be 
 obliged to wait for a larger force, and it will require 
 some days to gather a hundred men, even though 
 the Sukia herself goes to summon them." 
 
 Then, observing that his companions were rapidly 
 sinking into a despondent mood, the Indian boy 
 spoke once more of what must be done during the 
 time which would elapse before the festival, and 
 finally succeeded in causing them to forget their fears. 
 
 The council was brought to an end at an early 
 hour, as compared with the night previous, and from 
 the manner in which they were regarded by the 
 young fellows Tongla felt certain the suspicious old 
 Indian had not convinced his fellow-officers that the 
 visitors A\ 7 ere dangerous characters. 
 
 " It is well," Tongla said as they went to the " pen " 
 assigned them. "We will not be disturbed, and in 
 two more days the attempt shall be made." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 169 
 
 A 
 OFTHf 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 CHAPTEK XYIIL 
 
 PREPARATIONS. 
 
 EYEN if Koy and Dean had not been apprised 
 of the fact by Tongla, they would have known 
 that some important event was about to take place 
 from the bustle of preparation everywhere apparent 
 next morning. 
 
 The breakfast was served sooner than usual, the 
 time for the bath was curtailed, and each occupant 
 of the building appeared to feel a heavy weight of 
 responsibility. 
 
 At a comparatively early hour six men came into 
 the village from the forest literally staggering under 
 the weight of vvarees, a dozen or more of which were 
 piled on each litter ; and as there were three of these 
 apologies for hand-barrows, the amount of meat can 
 readily be computed. 
 
 " They must have gone into the thicket last night," 
 Tongla said as Roy asked if the new-comers were 
 strangers. " I am certain I saw two of them yester- 
 day, and if the others had come on a visit we should 
 see the head men greet them formally." 
 
 .The hunters were evidently about to clean and 
 cook their game, for while some built fires the re- 
 mainder of the party began carving a number of 
 the animals, for the purpose, as Tongla explained, of 
 curing the meat by means of smoke. 
 
170 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 All the women were industriously making bread, 
 grinding maize or crushing cassava, while the girls 
 pressed plantains into a paste known as bisbire, a 
 very palatable article of food, as the boys after- 
 ward learned, and one which will remain sweet a 
 long while when formed into rolls and wrapped in 
 leaves. 
 
 The old men were engaged in what Dean and Roy 
 believed to be an incantation of some kind. One of 
 the number had brought in a quantity of vines, and 
 when these had been bruised with stones they were 
 placed in large earthen pots over a fire, the Indians 
 gravely walking around them meanwhile. 
 
 " What is going on there ?" Koy asked, curiously ; 
 and Tongla replied, as if the matter was of but little 
 consequence : 
 
 "They are only making bequipe, with which to 
 catch fish. Some of the young men have gone 
 down the stream to set a net-work across, and this 
 afternoon fish for the festival will be taken." 
 
 "Can we see it?" Dean asked, eagerly. 
 
 " I will learn when those with whom I swam yes- 
 terday return." 
 
 With the exception of the three visitors all in the 
 village worked industriously until the hour for the 
 siesta, and even this time of repose was shortened 
 materially, for the bequipe was ready. 
 
 It was yet quite early in the afternoon when 
 every occupant of the building went toward the 
 stream, and, having gained permission to accom- 
 pany them, the boys followed, 
 
 Fifteen or twenty young men were detailed to go 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 171 
 
 up the river, and after half an hour they reappeared, 
 wading in a line stretched entirely across from bank 
 to bank, beating the water vigorously with long 
 poles. As this party arrived opposite the village 
 the contents of the pots were emptied directly in ad- 
 vance of them. 
 
 The beaters continued on their way until fish of 
 all sizes and shapes carne to the top of the water, as 
 if dying, and the entire mass was swept along until 
 it seemed as if they were packed solidly between 
 the banks at the rude dam of brush-wood. 
 
 Now men, women and children waded in, and be- 
 gan to throw the larger fish on shore, not ceasing 
 the labor until the best had been secured. 
 
 These were carried back to the building by the 
 women, the brush-wood dam was removed, and the 
 intoxicated fish were allowed to drift down stream. 
 
 " There isn't much sport in that kind of fishing," 
 Dean said, regretfully. "They have killed five 
 times as many as were carried away." 
 
 " None of them are dead," Tongla replied, laugh- 
 ingly. " In a little while half an hour, perhaps 
 they will be all right. It's only a big drunk, the 
 same as you can see here to-morrow." 
 
 " I shouldn't think they would be good to eat." 
 
 * There is no more difference in the taste than if 
 they had been taken with a spear, as you shall learn 
 in the morning. We will go back with the men or 
 they may think we wish to run away." 
 
 During the remainder of the day cooking was 
 carried on by wholesale, and yet quite as much 
 was laid aside to be put into the ovens of earth 
 
172 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 next morning. Tortillas were stacked up like 
 monuments ; rolls of bisbire formed a veritable hill 
 in front of the building, and everywhere were pots 
 of ulung placed where they would be most conveni- 
 ent for the feasters. 
 
 " Are you certain, Tongla, that there are to be no 
 visitors here ?" Dean asked, as he viewed the scene 
 in amazement. 
 
 "No one will come, unless the followers of Kabul 
 have tracked us through the forest." 
 
 "But it doesn't seem possible that these people 
 can eat all this stuff. There is enough here for a 
 regiment of soldiers." 
 
 " The Wool was make beasts of themselves at the 
 drinking of the ulung," Tongla replied, gravely. 
 
 There was no council held on this night. Every- 
 one retired early, as if to prepare for the next day's 
 festivities; and the guests, or captives, whichever 
 they should be known as, would have remained 
 seated on the platform, enjoying the cool night-air, 
 but for an old woman who ordered them into their 
 hammocks without ceremony. 
 
 Tongla made a laughing reply to her harsh words, 
 which had the effect of mollifying her anger decid- 
 edly, for she actually patted him on the shoulder as 
 he passed her. 
 
 " What's the trouble now ?" Koy asked, when they 
 were inside the rude apartment. 
 
 " She says that we ought to sleep a long while in 
 order to be ready for the festival, and I told her no 
 one could hope to equal a Woolwa in the matter of 
 eating, which was a great compliment." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 173 
 
 It seemed to the boys as if they had but just fallen 
 asleep when the beating of drums caused them to 
 spring from their hammocks in alarm ; but the in- 
 stant he was on his feet Tongla appeared ashamed 
 for having allowed himself to be frightened. 
 
 " It is the beginning of the festival," he said, with 
 a laugh. 
 
 " But it isn't daylight," Dean said in surprise ; and 
 looking at his watch, Roy replied : 
 
 " Only half -past one. At such a rate they should 
 have begun the spree last night." 
 
 " This is the boys' part. After daylight they will 
 be forced to stay outside the building with the 
 women until the dances are finished." 
 
 The beating of drums continued with undimin- 
 ished vigor until nearly sunrise, and then were min- 
 gled with the discordant noises the notes as of a 
 flute, produced by a hollow reed with four vents 
 
 Now the older members of the tribe appeared, and 
 as if by magic the alleged musicians ceased the din. 
 A roll of bis hire was given to each person by way 
 of breakfast, and then the women proceeded to 
 sweep the stone floor with brooms made by tying 
 bunches of bushes together. 
 
 After this had been done, and when the golden 
 rays of the sun were just appearing above the hori- 
 zon, the old men, each with the inevitable torch in 
 his hand, formed a circle in the center of the build- 
 ing, where, to the monotonous droning of the reed 
 flutes, they whirled around and around in the most 
 grotesque manner until forced to cease from sheer 
 exhaustion. 
 
174 TBE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 When the last had seated himself on the floor near 
 the family "pens," or had been thrown there be- 
 cause of his too violent exertions, the younger men, 
 armed with lances, ranged themselves in two lines, 
 each facing the other. They advanced and retreat- 
 ed, brandished their weapons while the drums and 
 flutes were pounded and blown until the din was 
 terrific, and after a mimic battle had been fought 
 all the late combatants joined in the wildest kind of 
 a wild dance. 
 
 This closed the early morning exercises, and with 
 the least possible delay preparations were made for 
 the more serious portion of the festival. On the 
 ground about twenty paces from the building, near 
 the bank of the stream, plantain-leaves had been 
 laid down to form a table, and on them was spread 
 the meat cooked during the previous day. 
 
 It was not to be eaten immediately, however. The 
 excavations which had been made were refilled with 
 wood, and while this was burning, the warees and 
 fish were wrapped in leaves, preparatory to being 
 roasted. 
 
 Since the women were attending to this portion of 
 the work the male members of the tribe lounged 
 around in the immediate vicinity as if enjoying the 
 sight of so much which was eatable, and the white 
 boys, with Tongla, sat on the edge of the platform, 
 to repeat once more the plans already formed for 
 escape. 
 
 u As things are going now we sha'n't have much 
 chance of getting into the 'pen' without being 
 seen," Dean said, disconsolately. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 1?5 
 
 " We do not want to make a start before evening, 
 and then you will understand how easily it can be 
 done. The most important matter is to learn 
 whether the boat-keeper has come." 
 
 " I saw him a few moments ago, just before the 
 last dance ended, and he had all his family marching 
 behind in solemn state." 
 
 " Then they will not return to trouble us. We 
 must join in with the boys and seem to be enjoying 
 ourselves." 
 
 " What about those who were sent out to watch 
 for the Indians from the ruins ?" Roy asked. 
 
 "They are yet in the forest, and must remain 
 there." 
 
 " Some may be down stream, where we shall run 
 right into their arms." 
 
 "There is no chance of that. Danger cannot 
 come from the river. We have only to fear some 
 of the men have been instructed to remain sober in 
 order to watch us." 
 
 " In which case we should stand a poor chance of 
 getting away." 
 
 "There is no need to seek for trouble. Let us 
 walk around, and avoid talking together any more 
 than is necessary." 
 
 As he spoke Tongla went toward the boys whose 
 acquaintance he had made, and the white lads fol- 
 lowed him, feeling decidedly nervous because of the 
 bold stroke for freedom which was to be begun so 
 soon. 
 
 There was very little to do or see just at this time. 
 Everyone waited impatiently for the moment when 
 
176 THE TREAStlRE-FINDBllB. 
 
 the feast should be spread, and each was so intent 
 upon the wonderful gastronomic feats he intended to 
 perform that conversation could not be indulged 
 in. 
 
 When, however, four warees roasted nearly whole 
 and fully a hundred fishes were placed with the 
 other delicacies, the scene changed suddenly. 
 
 The old man who had welcomed the white boys 
 to the village approached the nearest pot of ulung, 
 dipped from it a cocoa-nut shell full of the liquid, 
 and as he raised it to his lips a general rush was 
 made for the other pots or the table. In the twink- 
 ling of an eye every person except the prisoner- 
 guests was eating or drinking as if his or her life 
 depended upon swallowing a certain amount in a 
 given time, and the festival had really begun. 
 
 It was some m )ments before Tongla and his 
 friends were able to get the smallest portion of food ; 
 but they succeeded after the first mad scramble was 
 over, and when their hunger had been appeased, all 
 three went to the building to watch the perform- 
 ances from the elevation afforded by the stone floor. 
 
 The entire population were gorging themselves in 
 the most ravenous manner, and after the novelty 
 wore away the scene became disgusting. 
 
 " How long will they keep this thing up ?" Koy 
 asked. 
 
 " Until it is impossible to eat or drink any more." 
 
 " Then this is the whole of the festival ?" 
 
 " The whole until the ulung makes them so drunk 
 that the fighting begins, and at that time we must 
 take good care to be out of the way, or the old fel- 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 177 
 
 low who mistrusts us may take it into his head to 
 settle the matter with a blow of his spear. No one 
 is punished for what may be done during the drink- 
 ing of the ulung." 
 
 "That's a cheerful prospect for us," Dean said, 
 grimly ; and then the boys watched those around 
 them in silence for some time, until Koy asked, 
 abruptly : 
 
 "What are you looking for, Tongla?" 
 
 "A drunken man or boy." 
 
 " You needn't wait long, for here comes one of the 
 fellows who was swimming with you, and it is about 
 all he can do to stand." 
 
 Tongla glanced in the direction indicated, and 
 then ran at full speed toward the young man, who 
 was nearly helpless from the fumes of the ulung. 
 
 To their amazement Eoy and Dean saw their 
 friend urge the fellow to have more, and even pre- 
 tend to drink with him, after which the two entered 
 the building, Tongla half -carrying, half -dragging his 
 companion to their " pen." 
 
 "What is he putting him in there for?" Dean 
 asked, impatiently. " It can only hinder us if we 
 see a chance to slip away." 
 
 Before Roy could reply the Indian boy stood be- 
 fore them, looking triumphant and happy. 
 
 " Now we can go back to our old room. If the 
 rightful occupants come it will be only necessary to 
 say a man is in ours, therefore we returned because 
 acquainted with them. It is time to dig up the 
 golden gods. If we Avait too long there may be a 
 drunkard on every hammock." 
 
178 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 The boys understood now why Tongla had in- 
 duced the Indian to drink when he was already 
 nearly stupefied, and literally trembling with sup- 
 pressed excitement, they followed him to the place 
 where the treasure was secreted. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTEE XIX. 
 
 THE FLIGHT. 
 
 THE FESTIVAL was now at its height, and but 
 little attention was paid to the white boys, so 
 far as they themselves could judge ; but on mention- 
 ing this to Tongla as they walked toward the " pen " 
 where the idols had been hidden, he said, pointing to 
 the merry-makers : 
 
 "Do you not see that, even though drunk, the 
 men have seated themselves in such a manner that 
 to leave here we shall be obliged to walk over 
 them?" 
 
 Koy and Dean had not noticed particularly the 
 manner in which the Indians had arranged the ta- 
 bles of leaves. When Tongla spoke they saw that 
 the feasters were seated in a half-circle, starting 
 from the western corner of the building and end- 
 ing at the eastern extremity, thus preventing any 
 one in the house from gaining the stream without 
 forcing his way directly through this chain of 
 drunkards. 
 
 " It looks like a mighty slim chance for running 
 away," Koy said, after gazing at the scene a moment. 
 "We are completely hemmed in, and they must be 
 absolutely insensible before escape is possible. Since 
 it isn't probable the women and children will get in 
 that condition, we're likely to stay here a long while. 
 
180 THE 
 
 However, it will be something gained if we get the 
 idols." 
 
 " The festival is but just begun," Tongla replied, 
 with an expressive gesture, " and before it is ended 
 there may be many changes." 
 
 By this time they were at the apartment where 
 the golden gods had been secreted, and there was 
 not a moment to be wasted, for the occupants of the 
 room might put in an appearance before the work 
 was finished. 
 
 Tongla began by lowering one of the hammocks 
 in such a manner that the rear of the place would 
 be screened from casual observation, and then said 
 to Dean : 
 
 "Get in here while Eoy and I raise the stones. 
 Keep careful watch, and give the alarm if any one 
 comes this way." 
 
 The boy obeyed, and his companions, each with 
 his machete, attacked the heavy blocks. 
 
 From this point Dean had a better view of the 
 feasters than while on the floor. The men were 
 seated as has been said, and the women worked in- 
 dustriously, carrying ulung from one to the other, 
 that there might be no delay in getting drunk, 
 which was evidently the serious work of the day. 
 Each man drained his gourd instantly it was handed 
 him, and while refilling the vessels the women did 
 not neglect to take their full share. The musicians 
 worked industriously, bent on getting noise rather 
 than melody from their instruments ; and in a short 
 time the confusion was increased by the feasters, 
 who- added their sharp cries to the general din. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 181 
 
 Before Eoy and Tongla had finished their work, 
 every one staggered to his or feet and began a 
 tipsy sort of dance around the table, in which even 
 the children joined. Now and then some of the 
 party would indulge in what was probably called a 
 song, and as the fumes of the ulung overcame them, 
 others took up the alleged refrain, to prevent 
 the volume of sound from diminishing. If the fol- 
 lowers of Kabul had been in the vicinity, the inhab- 
 itants of the village might have been vanquished 
 with but little difficulty. 
 
 Dean had given, in a low tone, all the particulars 
 of what was taking place ; and while the frenzied 
 dance was at its height Koy and Tongla emerged 
 from the gloom, the perspiration streaming from 
 their faces, but looking triumphant, as they dis- 
 played the images of gold. 
 
 The Indian boy raised the hammock to its former 
 position, and then led the way with all speed to 
 where the drunken Woolwa lay snoring in Hoy's 
 swinging bed. 
 
 It was now but the work of a few moments to se- 
 crete the idols, and the little party had another op- 
 portunity of surveying the disgusting scene. The 
 greater portion of the men lay on the ground help- 
 less, and the women and musicians had taken their 
 places, but without any pretense of dancing. They 
 were gathered in little groups around the earthen 
 pots, each drinking as rapidly as possible ; and even 
 as the boys watched, the last one fell insensible. 
 
 Of all the tribe, only a few small children were 
 in possession of their faculties. 
 
182 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " Now's our time," Dean whispered ; " but it's 
 going to be tough traveling at noonday." 
 
 " We shall not leave here until after the sun has 
 set," Tongla replied. 
 
 " But by that time all hands will have recovered, 
 and there'll be no chance of getting away." 
 
 "After lying here in the sun a few hours the 
 effects of the ulung will pass off, and then begins 
 another drunk, for no Woolwa lets the night come 
 on this festival while he can stand. It is the second 
 time of intoxication when we can leave without 
 taking very much risk. By going now our flight 
 would be discovered in two or three hours. If, on 
 recovering their senses, they find us here, there will 
 be an end to any suspicions, and we can feel cer- 
 tain of having a ten-hour start." 
 
 " But suppose some of the party don't drink any 
 more after once regaining their senses?" 
 
 " There is no chance of that. The next stage will 
 be worse than this." 
 
 It seemed to Dean that it would be safer to go 
 while they were certain of the opportunity ; but 
 Tongla was really the leader, and he made no fur- 
 ther question. 
 
 The Indian boy had yet considerable to do before 
 he was ready for the flight. He insisted that Eoy 
 and Dean should sit at the entrance of their " pen," 
 in order to prevent any more of the drunkards from 
 finding their way into it, and then he went boldly 
 out where the field was strewn with Woolwas. 
 
 Enormous quantities of food were yet remaining, 
 and from the collection he took a dozen rolls of bis- 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 183 
 
 hire, which was all he could carry at one load. 
 Bringing this back to the apartment, he returned 
 for a smoked leg of waree and two fishes. The 
 third excursion yielded an armful of tortillas, and 
 the food supply had been collected. It was neces- 
 sary these things should be stowed in such a man- 
 ner that they could be conveniently carried, and 
 Tongla packed them, with the idols, into the two 
 sacks. 
 
 " It's time I did my share of carrying the bur- 
 dens," Dean said, as he saw that but two bundles 
 had been made up. " I no longer have any fever, 
 and am as strong as when we started." 
 
 " You will have a full share. The hammocks, 
 cartridges and both guns make as big a load as 
 either of these. We shall abandon everything else 
 except the chocolate-pot, which, with some choco- 
 late, I am to take." 
 
 The boys were not now at liberty to leave their 
 apartment lest some of the less intoxicated might 
 overhaul the baggage or take refuge there, and all 
 sat at the entrance during the time of the siesta, 
 looking out upon the brutes who, with faces up- 
 turned to the glowing sun, were snoring vigor- 
 ously. 
 
 It was quite late in the afternoon before the first 
 of the revelers bestirred himself and began industri- 
 ously kicking or shaking his stupefied companions, 
 until all were seated once more around the plantain- 
 leaf tables. 
 
 Such of the women as were able to attend to their 
 masters' wants passed around the gourds, and in a 
 
184 THE TREASURER-FINDERS. 
 
 short time the orgy was in full blast once more. 
 The young fellow whom Tongla had enticed into 
 the boys' " pen " now aroused himself sufficiently to 
 reach the feasters, and during the next two hours 
 the scenes previously described were re-enacted. 
 
 Everything was in readiness for the attempt at es- 
 cape. It was only necessary to wait until an oppor- 
 tunity should occur, and the boys sat in painful sus^ 
 pense watching narrowly every member of that 
 brutish party. If only one should refrain from 
 drinking too much the plan would be a failure, there- 
 fore their anxiety can readily be imagined. 
 
 It was nearly sunset when the last ulung-dr inker 
 capitulated to the insidious foe, and, as before, none 
 save the small children were capable of locomotion. 
 The greater number were plunged into a profound 
 slumber ; but here and there some fellow sat upright 
 against one of the huge jars, staring straight before 
 him, and Dean pointed them out to Tongla. 
 
 " They don't show any signs of lying down, and 
 before long some of the others may awaken." 
 
 u Ve have nothing to fear from them," the In- 
 dian boy replied. " Their eyes are open, but not to 
 see. It is time to go ; gather up your load and fol- 
 low me." 
 
 In the shortest possible space of time the fugitives 
 were ready, and Tongla led the way with an as- 
 sumption of carelessness from that end of the build- 
 ing nearest the stream. 
 
 Once a cry caused them to look around in alarm ; 
 but they continued on after seeing that it had been 
 uttered by those in a drunken stupor, and Tongla 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 185 
 
 walked at a slow pace until they were sheltered by 
 the thicket. 
 
 " Now follow fast," he whispered. " Those who 
 were watching for the followers of Kabul may come 
 in from the forest to share in the feast, and to be 
 caught now would mean speedy death." 
 
 There was no necessity of reminding the boys that 
 they were yet in danger. Neither could feel that 
 the escape was an accomplished fact until many 
 miles separated them from the Wool was, and both 
 kept pace with Tongla as he ran along the edge of 
 the stream. 
 
 Every member of the party was panting and al- 
 most breathless when the fleet was reached; but 
 there was no time for rest, and the Indian boy se- 
 lected one of the small pitpans as the craft to be 
 taken. 
 
 All the canoes were drawn high up on the shore ; 
 but desperation lent the fugitives fictitious strength, 
 and in a twinkling the little vessel was in the water. 
 It had been hollowed from a solid piece of cedar, the 
 bottom slightly flattened, and the sides only of suf- 
 ficient thickness to prevent any likelihood of their, 
 being crushed in by too sudden contact with a rock. 
 
 Safety demanded that the craft should be loaded 
 with care, for a pitpan has an awkward fashion of 
 turning bottom up at the slightest provocation, and 
 Tongla attended to this matter with as much de- 
 liberation as if they had plenty of time at their dis- 
 posal. 
 
 " Hurry !" Dean said, impatiently. " At this rate 
 the entire Tillage will be sober before we start," 
 
186 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " It is better to spend a few moments now than 
 run the risk of being capsized just when the slightest 
 accident would be fatal ;" and Tongla continued his 
 work until the little craft was properly trimmed. 
 
 Not before this had been done did he show any 
 sign of being pressed for time. He directed Eoy to 
 sit in the bow, stationed Dean amidships, and then 
 running to the boat-keeper's hut returned with four 
 paddles. 
 
 " We will take an extra one in case of accident," 
 the boy said, in reply to Roy's look of inquiry, as he 
 seated himself in the stern and with one vigorous 
 push sent her toward the channel. "We are to 
 paddle for life, and the labor must not cease until 
 we have passed the next village." 
 
 The boys obeyed with a will, and the light craft 
 glided over the waters at a rate that promised to 
 defy pursuit. 
 
 Night had come ; but the light of the new moon 
 enabled them to see the water-way sufficiently to 
 avoid any obstacles, and no one spoke until fully 
 half an hour after the voyage was begun. 
 
 " If they don't start in pursuit of us before morn- 
 ing, we stand a pretty good chance of getting away," 
 Dean said, with a long-drawn breath of relief. 
 
 " The current must be running at the rate of three 
 miles an hour, and if the next village is only twenty 
 miles away we should pass it a little before mid- 
 night ; but until that has been done we are not safe," 
 Tongla replied, as he used the paddle yet more 
 vigorously. "There must be no thought of rest 
 until the pitpan is well down the river," 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 187 
 
 "You needn't fear our wanting to let up," Koy 
 said, with a smile. " Dean and I are too eager to 
 reach the coast to waste any time except when it 
 can't be helped. I wonder if our friends at the vil- 
 lage are still carousing ?" 
 
 " Most likely all are as when we left them ; but 
 even if two or three should awaken, they will not be 
 in condition to know whether we are there or not." 
 
 Then came another long interval of silence during 
 which the paddles were plied incessantly, Tongla 
 steering from his seat in the stern, and all keeping a 
 sharp lookout for the town where there was rather 
 more than a possibility they might be halted. 
 
 " We didn't bring any water," Dean suddenly ex- 
 claimed, in a tone of dismay. 
 
 " Why should we, when it is only necessary to 
 reach over the side in order to get a drink. The 
 water of the river will be fresh until we are where 
 the tide enters." 
 
 "I didn't think of that," and Dean spoke as if 
 ashamed of having forgotten that they must be 
 many days where the supply of liquids would be 
 more than abundant. 
 
 As nearly as could he judged, five hours had 
 elapsed, when Tongla uttered a warning hiss as he 
 silently pointed ahead ; but strain their eyes as they 
 might, the boys could see nothing. The moon had 
 long since passed out of sight, and the darkness was 
 most profound. 
 
 " It is the village," Tongla whispered. " Take in 
 your paddles, and do not so much as move, no mat- 
 ter what happens.." 
 
188 TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 "If you can see anything resembling a building 
 ahead, your eyes must be like an owl's," Koy re- 
 plied, as he obeyed the command and peered into the 
 darkness. 
 
 At the stern Tongla dipped his paddle only now 
 and then, when it was necessary to force the light 
 craft to one side or the other, that she might feel 
 the full force of the current, and before many mo- 
 ments passed both Roy and Dean could see a faint 
 gleam of light on the left bank, which betokened a 
 settlement. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 189 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THE STORM. 
 
 SO FAR as could be told in the darkness, this 
 town boasted only of a single building, like 
 the one just left, and the outlines of the house might 
 be fairly discerned by the faint light which came 
 from the smoldering embers of half a dozen fires. 
 It appeared to be very much larger than the other, 
 therefore it was reasonable to suppose the number 
 of inhabitants was greater. 
 
 Tongla managed the canoe skillfully. When they 
 were directly opposite the village he had forced her 
 toward the right bank, where the shadows cast by 
 the foliage would prevent her from showing as a 
 dark mass against the lighter water, and under 
 cover of this friendly gloom he gently urged her 
 forward until at least two miles separated them 
 from the town. 
 
 " Now paddle," he said in a low tone to his com- 
 panions. " It will soon be morning, and we must 
 not halt within ten miles." 
 
 " Why do you stop at all ?" Roy asked, in sur- 
 prise. "We can hold out for twenty-four hours, 
 knowing how much depends upon it." 
 
 " It is not safe to sail during the day. We do not 
 know where the next village is located, and it would 
 be as dangerous to be seen while passing as to meet 
 
190 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 any canoes coming up the river. We must remain 
 in the forest except during the hours of darkness." 
 
 "But those who will start in pursuit of us can 
 easily paddle further in one day than we shall be 
 able to during the night." 
 
 " If they should pass, we must remain hidden un- 
 til the canoes have come back," Tongla replied, in a 
 tone which admitted of no argument. 
 
 When they had taken time to think of the matter 
 the boys understood that their companion's plan was 
 a wise one, and they exerted every effort to send 
 the canoe ahead more swiftly, until the pale gray 
 streaks in the sky told that the sun was about to 
 show his face once more. 
 
 Not until the day had fully dawned did Tongla 
 turn the pitpan's bow toward the shore ; and then 
 he said, guiding her among a mass of overhanging 
 foliage : 
 
 " There can be no danger in stopping here. I will 
 see if it is possible to take the canoe out of the 
 water." 
 
 He leaped ashore, was lost to view a moment, and 
 then returned with the cheering intelligence that no 
 better spot for a temporary camp could have been 
 found. 
 
 " Pass me the packs, and then we can manage to 
 lift thu pit pan without leaving any traces, by pull- 
 ing her over the branch of this tree." 
 
 Ten minutes later the boys were lying in what ap- 
 peared like a natural camp. Five gigantic log wood - 
 trees stood in a circle, their limbs draped with trail- 
 ing vines, and in the very midst of these was a 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 191 
 
 cleared space about ten feet in diameter. Here the 
 pitpan lay, with the provisions stowed under her, 
 and by a few skillful strokes with his machete Ton- 
 gla had made an aperture in the foliage sufficient to 
 admit of their looking out upon the river. 
 
 It was about as snug a place as a party of fugi- 
 tives could have desired, and for the first time since 
 leaving the intoxicated villagers did the boys feel as 
 if they were really free. 
 
 " If it wasn't for the great desire to get home as 
 soon as possible, I could content myself here a 
 week," Roy said in delight. 
 
 " It is a pleasant resting-place ; but after one day 
 you would wish to leave," Tongla replied, as he un- 
 packed the sacks in order to lay out the food for 
 breakfast. " A little rain, and all the beauty would 
 be gone. Let us eat, and then each take his turn 
 watching while the others sleep, for we must be in 
 condition to do a hard night's work." 
 
 The boys were very hungry, therefore Tongla was 
 not obliged to urge them, and all ate heartily of the 
 generous store with which they were provided. 
 
 This very pleasing duty ended, Dean took his first 
 trick at watching, with the understanding that he 
 was to keep his eyes upon the river, regardless of 
 the attacks of mosquitoes and other winged pests, 
 for one hour, when his brother would relieve him. 
 
 Then Roy and Tongla laid down in the hammocks 
 which had been stretched from one tree to another, 
 and the sentinel could soon hear their very loud 
 breathing, telling that the summons for sleep had 
 been answered quickly. 
 
192 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 When half an hour passed Dean saw two Indians 
 paddling up stream in a canoe, and he realized that 
 but for Tongla's forethought they would have been 
 seen by these fellows, and perhaps chased to the 
 next village below, from whence escape might not 
 be possible. 
 
 This one craft was the only sign of human life he 
 saw, and when his time as sentinel expired he called 
 Roy. 
 
 The latter's watch had but just begun, and Dean 
 was not yet asleep, when the heavens were shrouded 
 with dark clouds as if in a twinkling, and Roy had 
 barely time to cry warningly to his companions, 
 when a thunder-clap which seemed to shake the very 
 earth crashed out the Storm King's defiance. The 
 trees were shaken by the hot puffs of wind which 
 came up the river, and the air suddenly became 
 heated as if from an oven. 
 
 Then a flash of lightning which was almost blind- 
 ing, another terrific peal of thunder, and the rain de- 
 scended in torrents, drenching the boys thoroughly 
 in an instant, despite the partial protection of the 
 foliage. From that moment the crashing of thun- 
 der and the electric glare seemed incessant. It was 
 as if the entire heavens had been rift asunder, and 
 to avoid the painful light Tongla threw himself face 
 downward on the earth. 
 
 The boys had heard of the violence of a tropical 
 storm, but until this moment the descriptions they 
 had read seemed overwrought and unreal. 
 
 This conflict among the clouds continued for two 
 hours 5 but the sun's rays could not be seen when it 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 193 
 
 was ended. The atmosphere appeared to be more 
 sultry than before, and both Eoy and Dean began 
 to suffer from raging headaches. 
 
 " It is well we found this place, for we are to 
 have a temporal, and here we may be able to rig up 
 some kind of a shelter." 
 
 "What is a temporal?" Koy asked, with a look 
 of bewilderment. 
 
 " It is what my people call a long time of rain. 
 It may be a week before the sun shows his face 
 again, and we must remain here 'until it is ended." 
 
 "Wet as we are now, it can't make much differ- 
 ence if we keep on," Dean said, with a grimace. " I 
 think paddling the boat would be a relief rather 
 than otherwise." 
 
 " It is not the rain we must avoid, but the wind, 
 which shifts suddenly, and the pitpan would soon be 
 overturned." 
 
 The boys had already learned that when Tongla 
 made a positive statement there could be little doubt 
 as to its correctness, and, disheartened at the pros- 
 pect of remaining an indefinite time so near those 
 who had held them prisoners, they set about mak- 
 ing such preparations against the storm as were 
 possible. 
 
 " The place don't look nearly as inviting as it did 
 when I turned in," Koy said, grimly, " and I'll take 
 back the statement that I'd be willing to stay a 
 week, although we may be obliged to do so. In that 
 time the Wool was can do about as they please with 
 us." 
 
 " If any have started from the village they will 
 
194 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 return at once," Tongla replied. " Those who know 
 the river do not care to trust it during a temporal." 
 
 " Then the storm will be a sort of blessing in 
 disguise, eh ?" 
 
 " It aids in our escape," the Indian boy said, 
 gravely ; and then he pushed his way among the wet 
 foliage in search of plantain-leaves with which to 
 build a shelter. 
 
 It was not a difficult task to find that for which 
 he sought, and in half an hour before the rain be- 
 gan to fall again a huge pile had been brought 
 into the clearing. Now Tongla did not appear to 
 think that silence was necessary ; he used his ma- 
 chete as a hatchet in felling half a dozen small trees 
 to serve as posts upon which to raise the boat, and 
 afterward chopped into pieces, convenient for carry- 
 ing, a well-seasoned log. 
 
 The pitpan, turned bottom up, was raised about 
 three feet from the ground, the timber set in apeak, 
 and at the back Tongla fastened, by means of vines 
 and brushwood, the broad leaves, something after 
 the fashion of shingles on a roof. 
 
 It was a poor shelter in which to remain several 
 days ; but, as Dean said, " It went a long way 
 ahead of nothing." If the ground had not already 
 been well soaked with water there would be a pos- 
 sibility of keeping almost dry ; but as it was, a wet 
 sponge represents very fairly the floor of the hastily 
 constructed camp. To improve this in some slight 
 degree plantain-leaves were spread down until the 
 whole was covered reasonably well, when Tongla 
 built a fire. 
 
THE TREASVRE-FItfl)ER 195 
 
 " Ain't you afraid the smoke will be seen ?" Roy 
 asked, in surprise. 
 
 " There will be no one here. In a temporal the 
 Indian prefers to remain at home, for the river is 
 treacherous. Can you find something with which 
 to wrap the guns ? They will grow rusty if it is 
 not done." 
 
 Another plantain-leaf was the only thing avail- 
 able, and with both weapons in a green covering 
 they were hung inside the pitpan, the three gods 
 being suspended in the same place by a piece of mo- 
 hoe-bark torn from the sacks. 
 
 Before Roy and Dean finished their work in the 
 camp a cheery fire was burning, and just as Tongla 
 crawled under the not very well constructed hut 
 the rain began to fall not moderately, as one might 
 expect in the case of a storm which has come for a 
 long stay, but in torrents, like a summer shower. 
 
 The fugitives were fully protected from the wind 
 by the gigantic- trees inclosing their camping-place, 
 but the swaying of the stout branches told of the 
 gale which might wreck any craft exposed to its 
 fury. 
 
 " We shan't have this fire a great while," Roy 
 said, as the rain-drops beat the flames down now and 
 then. "It won't take many hours to soak every- 
 thing, and there'll be no fuel." 
 
 " I only hoped to dry the inside. After to-night 
 we must do without such a luxury ; but it will not 
 be cold." 
 
 There was no longer any necessity of keeping 
 watch, and during the earlier portion of the day all 
 
196 THE TREAStrnfi-FINi>fi& 
 
 hands indulged in the much-needed slumber ; but on 
 awakening to find the fire extinguished and the rain 
 still descending in torrents, a sense of general dis- 
 comfort took possession of the party. Tongla tried 
 to make them more cheerful by recalling to mind 
 the pleasing fact that they were not only free, but 
 so far down the river that the villagers would 
 hardly come in pursuit. There was very much to be 
 thankful for ; but the disagreeable condition of 
 affairs remained unchanged, and no one could even 
 put on the semblance of comfort. 
 
 At nightfall they ate a hearty supper, and from 
 that time until sunrise tried to sleep, but without 
 much success. 
 
 Next morning the storm raged with the same 
 fury as when it commenced ; but before the sun set 
 again there was sufficient to cause the gravest 
 anxiety. The river had begun to rise, and as their 
 camp was situated hardly more than six feet above 
 its natural level, there was every prospect they 
 might be forced to seek shelter in the trees. 
 
 To cross where the land was much higher would 
 have been in the highest degree foolhardy ; the cur- 
 rent was running like a mill-race, bearing in its 
 course huge trees, logs, and even large, half-stove 
 boats, to meet which would have crushed the little 
 pitpan like an egg-shell. 
 
 The second morning found the water within ten 
 inches of the edge of the bank, and yet the river was 
 rising. There appeared to be no indications that 
 the storm would cease on this day, and Tongla did 
 not think it prudent to delay any longer in making 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 197 
 
 provisions against the time when the shore should 
 be submerged. 
 
 Taking off the loose trousers and blouse which he 
 wore, thus exposing his naked body to the storm, he 
 ascended one of the logwood-trees to learn what 
 might be done. 
 
 "We can build a platform among these large 
 branches," he shouted, after a long survey of the 
 surroundings, " and it must be accomplished before 
 many hours have passed, or we shall be drowned 
 out." 
 
 " That means we've got to strip and go at it," Roy 
 said, with a laugh. " After being cooped in here so 
 long, a little exercise won't hurt either of us." 
 
 The boys were not many moments in preparing 
 to venture out. The fact that there would be no 
 dry clothes to put on necessitated their undressing, 
 as Tongla had done, save that they did not remove 
 their boots, and, with the machetes, both began 
 hewing such small trees as would serve to. make a 
 platform. 
 
 During two hours they worked with a will, and 
 then, carrying plenty of vines to serve as ropes, 
 Tongla climbed up to the place where the new hut 
 was to be built, the others passing to him the fruits 
 of their labor as wood-choppers. It was late in the 
 afternoon before the task was accomplished, and 
 then the river had begun to encroach upon their 
 camping-place. 
 
 A reasonably stout platform had been laid from 
 one branch to another, and above it was a roof which 
 would keep off a portion of the rain. 
 
198 THE TREASURE FINDERS. 
 
 After the goods not forgetting the golden idols- 
 were passed up, the canoe was stood on end against 
 the trunk of the tree and bound securely with vines, 
 so there could be no possibility of her being swept 
 away. 
 
 Then, when the water was nearly to their knees, 
 the boys clambered into the tree, with but little 
 prospect before them of continuing their journey for 
 several days. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 199 
 
 CHAPTEE XXI. 
 
 PURSUED. 
 
 WHEN the boys were finally in the lofty camp, 
 with a plentiful supply of plantain-leaves at 
 hand to repair whatever damage the wind might do, 
 Tongla insisted that each should rub the other until 
 the proper circulation of blood was restored. 
 
 For this purpose he twisted the hammocks into 
 the smallest possible compass, and with these towels 
 of cord, which were quite the reverse of soft, the 
 fugitives scrubbed each other until every fellow was 
 in a perfect glow. The partially dry clothes were 
 then put on, and the boys cowered in one corner 
 of the poor shelter to pass the night as best they 
 could. 
 
 It was already dark. The wind howled and 
 shrieked among the trees, threatening each moment 
 to blow from its fastenings the frail roof, and below, 
 the water could be heard dashing against the trunk 
 of the tree. The river was no longer confined within 
 its banks, but had overrun the lower portion of the 
 country, converting it into an inland sea. 
 
 " If any heavy objects drift this way the canoe 
 will soon be crushed," Dean said in a loud tone, 
 that his voice might be heard above the roar of the 
 waters. 
 
200 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " The other trees will prevent any accident of that 
 sort," Roy replied. " These logwoods form a natu- 
 ral breakwater, and from danger of that kind we are 
 safe. My fear is that we may be driven out of this 
 place of refuge." 
 
 " It is not impossible," Tongla said, gravely ; and 
 then he let himself carefully down from one of the 
 branches to learn the condition of affairs. 
 
 The flood already covered the spot upon which 
 they had been encamped to the depth of three or 
 four feet, and the rain was still falling furiously. 
 
 He returned to the shelter without speaking, and 
 understanding that there was no cheering informa- 
 tion to be imparted, his companions refrained from 
 asking any questions. They feared to know the 
 worst. 
 
 The continued moisture had affected all the food 
 save the bisbire. The fish and waree meat was 
 spoiled to such an extent that they did not take 
 either with them into the tree, and the tortillas had 
 been converted into a sort of paste, which was far 
 from pleasing to the taste. If the temporal con- 
 tinued two days more they would be without food, 
 and while the surrounding country was flooded no 
 more could be obtained. 
 
 Until midnight the boys were in a most wretched 
 condition both mentally and bodily, and then to 
 their inexpressible delight the rain ceased to fall. 
 One by one the dark clouds floated off into the east, 
 and the stars shone out as if with increased brillian 
 cy because of having been screened from view so 
 long. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 201 
 
 "The storm is over!" Tongla cried in delight. 
 u To-morrow the sun will show his face once more, 
 and by steering with great care to avoid floating ob- 
 stacles, we can resume our journey as soon as it is 
 light." 
 
 " I thought you were afraid to travel in the day- 
 time ?" Roy said, in surprise. 
 
 " That was before this flood came. Now the peo- 
 ple living near the river will have plenty to do try- 
 ing to save their property and we need not fear." 
 
 "What about the danger of being swamped ?" 
 
 " Listen ! Can you not tell that the wind is being 
 hushed to rest? By morning the only thing to fear 
 will be such objects as the waters have swept away, 
 and skill with the paddle is needed. The river runs 
 much swifter than before, but the waves are sub- 
 siding." 
 
 Any change must be for the better, and the 
 knowledge that they would be on their way to the 
 coast in a few hours caused the boys to forget, or let 
 pass unheeded, present discomforts. 
 
 Slowly the hours went by until the gray light of 
 day appeared in the eastern sky ; but it was not un- 
 til the sun had risen that they could distinguish sur- 
 rounding objects, because of the dense foliage which 
 inclosed them. 
 
 When it was possible to see, the prospect was far 
 from cheering. The entire forest appeared to be 
 submerged, and fully one-half of the canoe was 
 under water. 
 
 Once more Tongla threw off his clothes, and, ma- 
 chete in hand, leaped down from the tree to cut the 
 
202 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 boat adrift. In a very few moments this task was 
 accomplished ; and then he righted her, bailing out 
 the water with his hat. 
 
 The day gave promise of being excessively warm. 
 Already the heat was so great as to be uncomfort- 
 able, and the slightest exertion caused the perspira- 
 tion to flow profusely. The fugitives' clothing was 
 dried on their bodies as quickly as if subjected to 
 the heat of an oven, and the hut among the branches 
 looked really inviting, now that they were on the 
 point of leaving it. 
 
 The guns were in a sorry condition ; thickly coat- 
 ed with rust, one might well have believed they had 
 lain at the bottom of the river for a month, and, 
 with nothing in the shape of oil, it was well-nigh 
 impossible to clean them. 
 
 " They are of no more use than a club," Eoy said, 
 as he took them from the plantain-leaves. " It would 
 be a good deal like committing suicide to discharge 
 one ; and what makes the matter worse, I don't see 
 how it will be possible to get them in working-order 
 again." 
 
 " When the river returns to its proper level we 
 can shoot some animal with arrows, and the fat thus 
 obtained will take away the rust." 
 
 " I guess that's about the best that can be done ; 
 but it'll be rather tough on us if we need them be- 
 fore any hunting can take place." 
 
 It was of no use to mourn over the fact, however, 
 and Eoy laid them in the stern of the boat, while 
 Dean lowered down the now scanty stock of pro- 
 visions. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 203 
 
 The day was hardly more than an hour old when 
 everything had been made ready for departure. 
 Tongla took his old seat in the stern, the others 
 were stationed as before, and all hands pulled at the 
 branches or pushed with the paddles until the little 
 craft was out of the forest. 
 
 Once where the influence of the current could be 
 felt the pitpan was whirled down stream with great 
 rapidity, turned first in one direction and then an- 
 other by the eddies, until it seemed certain she 
 would be capsized before the voyage was well be 
 gun. Tongla's skill as a helmsman served them in 
 good stead, and after some sharp work he succeeded 
 in heading her properly. 
 
 " We must paddle now," he said, "for unless the 
 pitpan is forced on faster than the current she can- 
 not be guided." 
 
 Koy and Dean worked manfully, while the Indian 
 boy had quite as much as he could do to steer, and 
 the canoe raced toward the coast at the rate of not 
 less than six miles an hour. 
 
 That the- navigation was decidedly dangerous, 
 and the slightest inattention on the part of the 
 helmsman would result in shipwreck, could be told 
 by the floating objects everywhere around. Here 
 an entire tree, whose submerged roots or branches 
 threatened to overturn the frail craft, was avoided 
 only after the most violent exertions on Tongla's 
 part. There a half-sunken log, drifting sidewise, 
 showed itself directly ahead, and every swirling 
 eddy threw some obstruction in the fugitives' 
 course. 
 
204 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " There'll be no more night-work until the flood 
 is over," Eoy said, as Tongla, exerting all his 
 strength, sent the canoe off at an angle in order to 
 pass clear of half a dozen bushes, large enough to 
 swamp the voyagers. " These things couldn't be 
 seen in the darkness, and the trip would come to an 
 end before it was begun." 
 
 " The flood should mean safety for us," the Indian 
 boy replied. " Unless they know why we are go- 
 ing down the river, those whom we may meet will 
 not try to stop us, and the coast must be very near 
 when the waters are at their former level." 
 
 "What is to be done after we arrive at Blue- 
 fields ?" Dean asked ; the rapid pace at which they 
 Were traveling causing it to seem as if the end of 
 the journey was very near at hand. 
 
 "All our troubles will be over then. We shall 
 find an American Consul there, and he will make 
 the necessary arrangements for sending us home. I 
 don't think we need begin to worry about that part 
 of the journey yet, for there are many miles be- 
 tween here and the coast." 
 
 During this conversation all the boys were work- 
 ing vigorously, and Koy had hardly ceased speaking 
 when Tongla said, in a low, sharp tone : 
 
 " Paddle now for your lives. Here is a village, 
 and we must pass it before the men have a chance 
 to shoot." 
 
 Looking up quickly, the boys saw what appeared 
 to be quite an important town. It boasted of four 
 long buildings instead of one, and was situated on a 
 small hill ; therefore the rising waters had done no 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 205 
 
 injury save to some fields of maize near the bank. 
 Judging from the accommodations, and admitting 
 that each house had as many occupants as the one 
 from which they were escaping, it was reasonable to 
 suppose there were three or four hundred people 
 living here a supposition which caused Tongla no 
 little uneasiness. 
 
 "I was a fool to think all the villages were 
 flooded," he said, bitterly. "There is nothing to 
 prevent these Indians from coming in pursuit, since 
 they must be better boatmen than I, and there is no 
 lack of canoes." 
 
 Fifty or sixty pitpans and dorys were drawn up 
 on the bank near the houses, all apparently ready 
 for use, and even Eoy and Dean understood that 
 pursuit was probable. They were near enough by 
 this time to see a crowd of men and boys gazing at 
 them intently, and there seemed little chance the 
 strange craft would be allowed to go past without a 
 satisfactory explanation. 
 
 " Do not pay any attention to them," Tongla said, 
 nervously. "Paddle with all your strength, but try 
 to avoid the appearance of being in a hurry." 
 
 It was rather difficult to obey this last order ; but 
 the boys attempted it by taking a longer stroke than 
 usual, and refrained from gazing at the town. 
 
 Swiftly the little craft approached. A large 
 throng gathered near the shore, as if expecting a 
 landing would be made, and when there was no evi- 
 dence of such intention after the pitpan had arrived 
 opposite the settlement, the men set up a loud shout, 
 probably intended as a command to stop. 
 
206 ^-&0 TREASURE-FIN DE&S. 
 
 Tongla replied in his native tongue, pointed up 
 stream as if to call their attention to something 
 which would soon be seen, and then sunk his paddle 
 in the water until the handle bent like a bow. 
 
 " What did they say ?" Eoy asked. 
 
 " I do not know," the Indian boy replied. " I 
 have told them the followers of Kabul were close 
 behind, and while they are expecting to see enemies 
 we must force the pitpan as she never went before." 
 
 Down the river, at a speed which caused the water 
 to boil and bubble under the bow, danced the little 
 craft, the helmsman running her dangerously near 
 the drifting logs and trees rather than lose time by 
 giving them a wide berth ; and when two or three 
 minutes had passed, Tongla said : 
 
 "They are launching five of the largest canoes, 
 and the women are bringing bows and spears to the 
 men. They intend to chase us and be ready to fight 
 the followers of Kabul if any appear." 
 
 Roy glanced over his shoulder for an instant, and 
 saw that his companion had spoken only the truth. 
 Even now one of the canoes, in which were six men, 
 had pushed off from the shore, each of the crew 
 bending to a paddle, and with such odds against 
 them the pursuit could have but one ending. 
 
 " How long will it take them to overhaul us ?" he 
 asked, speaking as if the sight of danger had sud- 
 denly dispelled his fears. 
 
 " We have a good start, and may keep ahead half 
 an hour," Tongla replied, thoughtfully. "If the 
 forest was not flooded we might escape by landing 
 on the opposite side." 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 20? 
 
 "If we had delayed to clean the guns properly 
 they could have been stopped at once," Dean said, 
 regretfully. " Why not try a shot as it is ?" 
 
 " The weapons are so rusty that an explosion 
 would be almost certain. When they are within 
 arrow range and we can see no possible means of 
 escape it may be as well to run the risk, but not 
 now," Roy replied. 
 
 Another backward glance showed that the second 
 canoe had started in pursuit, while the other three 
 were being pulled up stream to intercept those who 
 were supposed to be coming down. 
 
 " Your lie has saved us from being chased by all 
 hands, even if it does no other good," Koy said, 
 grimly. " With but one of the guns in good condi- 
 tion we could make a big difference in the appear- 
 ance of affairs." 
 
 " I have my bow and arrows." 
 
 "That is true; but when it becomes possible to 
 use them they will have the same advantage." 
 
 After this nothing was said for several moments. 
 The boys were straining every muscle in the effort 
 to keep ahead, but were already tired from pre- 
 vious labor, while the pursuers had entered the race 
 fresh. 
 
 Nearer and ^nearer came the big canoe. The In- 
 dians were overhauling their intended prey rapidly, 
 and unless something happened to favor the fugi- 
 tives the chase, would soon be ended. 
 
 "You must use the guns now, whatever happens !" 
 Tongla said, between his tightly -closed teeth, as he 
 saw the men in the foremost boat fitting arrows to 
 
208 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 their bows. " It is better to die fighting than be 
 carried back to those who will kill us slowly." 
 
 " Pass the guns forward !" and Roy's face was pale 
 as death. " I will try the first shot, and if the bar- 
 rels hold, Dean can take a hand." 
 
 Extracting the cartridges, which were held quite 
 firmly by the rust, Roy replaced them with fresh 
 ones, and said to Tongla, as he knelt in the bottom 
 of the craft : 
 
 " Don't pay any attention to me, but attend to the 
 boat. The gun will probably kick badly, if nothing 
 worse happens, and you must guard against cap- 
 sizing." 
 
Nearer and nearer came the big- canoe. The Indians were overhauling 
 their intended prey rapidly. (See page 207.) 
 
210 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 I 
 
 CHAPTEE XXII. 
 
 STRATEGY. 
 
 XCEPT that their situation seemed about as 
 -L- -f desperate as it well could be, Roy would not 
 have thought of discharging his gun while in such a 
 rusty condition. Now, however, it appeared to be 
 the only hope, for if it did not explode, the pursuers 
 might be kept at a distance. 
 
 Kneeling on the bottom of the boat, with the 
 weapon resting upon the rail, he took careful aim ; 
 but before it was possible to press the trigger an 
 exclamation of delight burst from Tongla's lips, and 
 Roy looked quickly up to learn the cause. 
 
 A short distance ahead, on the right bank of the 
 river, was a small but very swift stream which ran 
 off at an angle as if connecting with some other 
 body of water, and the Indian boy said, as he worked 
 the paddle yet more vigorously to force the pitpan's 
 bow into this new channel : 
 
 " Do not take the risk of firing yet. This stream 
 is so shoal that the other boats cannot follow, and we 
 may escape." 
 
 "But if it leads into the river again at a point 
 further down, as seems to be the case, we shall only 
 find ourselves in a trap." 
 
 " You will at least have time to get the guns in 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 211 
 
 working order, and with them we can beat those 
 Indians off," 
 
 "You're right!" Roy exclaimed joyfully; and, 
 dropping his weapon, he seized a paddle, using it 
 with such energy that the light craft was soon enter- 
 ing this new water-way, while the pursuers were 
 not yet within range. 
 
 A shout of triumph from the occupants of both 
 the large crafts told that Roy's surmises were cor- 
 rect. At some place well known to the enemy the 
 stream probably found its way into the river again, 
 and the boys would be shut in completely. 
 
 Tongla did not look at all disturbed when the 
 canoes were paddled straight on without so much as 
 an effort to prevent the fugitives from thus making 
 a detour, and Dean cried, bitterly : 
 
 " We might just as well have surrendered at once, 
 for now the game is over." 
 
 The Indian boy made no reply. This small water- 
 way ran through high land which was not yet sub- 
 merged, and when they were a dozen yards from the 
 mouth he headed the light craft for the shore at a 
 point where a clump of palm-trees grew close by the 
 edge of the stream. 
 
 " What are you stopping here for ?" Eoy asked, 
 impatiently. 
 
 " You shall see," was the reply, as Tongla sprung 
 ashore, pulling the pitpan high up on the bank. 
 " Come with your machetes and help me chop down 
 these palms." 
 
 " If anything of that kind is to be done we should 
 work from the other end, wher,e the men will try to 
 
THE TllfiASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 ascend. This will only result in shutting ourselves 
 up more completely than before." 
 
 " There is no time to talk. Try my plan and all 
 may be well. Delay, and they are certain to take 
 us prisoners." 
 
 While speaking Tongla had begun to chop at one 
 of the trees with feverish energy, and Roy did not 
 wait longer. He remembered that thus far the In- 
 dian boy had suggested nothing which did not result 
 favorably for them, whgreas he and Dean had often 
 found themselves mistaken, therefore he urged his 
 brother to make haste by crying, sharply : 
 
 "Turn to, here, Dean. One poor plan well car- 
 ried out is better than two or three half-done." 
 
 At the end of ten minutes there was a regular 
 bridge, formed by six palm-trees, stretched across the 
 stream, and Tongla got into the boat again, urging 
 the others to follow without delay. 
 
 " I will paddle while you clean the guns as well 
 as possible ; but do not speak nor make any noise." 
 
 " If you are going to keep on down the stream it 
 looks very much as if we were doing our best to run 
 into that crowd. They'll surely come up if we don't 
 show ourselves at the other end." 
 , " I hope so ; and now remain silent." 
 
 By observing the formation of the land Tongla 
 could get a pretty good idea of how near the river 
 might be, and while the boys hurriedly swabbed the 
 barrels of their guns with wet handkerchiefs tied to 
 the ramrods, he kept the pitpan in the outer edge of 
 the current, where it would be possible to land with- 
 out delay at any moment. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 213 
 
 Once during this queer voyage Roy raised his 
 head as if to speak, but a warning gesture from the 
 helmsman caused him to remain silent, although he 
 felt positive the boy was making a fatal mistake. 
 
 Half an hour passed. The high land was sloping 
 down toward the natural level of the river beyond, 
 and again the canoe was turned toward the shore 
 at a point where the foliage was thickest. 
 
 " Get out," Tongla whispered, as he ran the pitpan 
 among the leaves and vines ; and when Roy and 
 Dean had obeyed he followed, pulling the little craft 
 entirely on the land. 
 
 When this was done he crouched among the tan- 
 gled vegetation, forcing his companions to do the 
 same, and remained silent and motionless. 
 
 " This is the most senseless proceeding I ever 
 knew him to be guilty of," Roy said to himself. 
 " He must think those fellows are fools if we can re- 
 main here hidden very long. Soon all the men in 
 the village will be hunting us out like rabbits in a 
 clover-patch;" and he would have spoken his 
 thoughts if Tongla had not pressed one hand over 
 his mouth. 
 
 While he tried to release himself the noise of pad- 
 dles was heard, and he ceased struggling as both 
 canoes passed on up the stream at full speed, the oc- 
 cupants taking no heed as to whether they might be 
 heard by their intended victims. 
 
 When the foremost craft was directly opposite 
 the boys' place of concealment she was hailed by 
 those in the rear, and Tongla looked decidedly happy 
 when he heard the reply. 
 
214 THE TREASURE -FINDERS. 
 
 Then the boats passed ; but the Indian boy did 
 not so much as move for ten minutes, when he whis- 
 pered to Roy : 
 
 " Do you think the guns can be used now ?" 
 
 " It will be possible to fire three or four rounds 
 without any danger." 
 
 " Come ; and work as you never worked before. 
 This lot of palms are to be cut down, as were 
 the others, and the falows must be delivered 
 quickly." 
 
 Even now neither Eoy nor Dean understood what 
 their companion hoped to effect ; but this ignorance 
 did not prevent them from obeying the orders with 
 the utmost haste. 
 
 Near where the pitpan had been dragged ashore 
 stood a veritable thicket of palms, and here Tongla 
 pursued the same tactics as before. Wielding the 
 machetes with a celerity which would have been im- 
 possible under other circumstances, they felled five 
 trees of such size that the stream was spanned, and 
 the butts and tops extended some distance in-shore 
 on either side. 
 
 "Now quick, and we are off!" Tongla cried, 
 ceasing work only when the voices of the enemy 
 could be heard a short distance above. " We can 
 carry the pitpan around the bridge." 
 
 The little craft was not heavy, and the three boys 
 made short work of the task. Before those who 
 were returning down the stream had appeared in 
 view the boat was in the water once more, and 
 Tongla said, as he took his old seat in the stern : 
 
 " Shove off, Roy, and then sit in the middle with 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 215 
 
 your gun ready for use. Dean, paddle the best you 
 know how." 
 
 " But those fellows can bring their boats through 
 the woods exactly as we did," Eoy said, as he 
 obeyed ; and the light craft, under the impulse of 
 both the oar and the current, dashed on down the 
 stream like a feather on a mountain torrent. 
 
 " Their boats are too heavy and too large to be 
 carried as this was," Tongla replied, in a tone of 
 satisfaction. " It would be impossible to get them 
 between the trees, and our bridges must be cleared 
 away before they can get out. I was afraid they 
 might work at the first obstruction we made, but 
 that was not done, and it will be many minutes be- 
 fore the chase can be continued." 
 
 "Why am I sitting here instead of paddling 1" 
 
 "Look ahead near where the stream joins the 
 river. There were only five men in each of the 
 boats, and the crews numbered six when they 
 left the village. By counting I knew two had been 
 landed, to make sure we didn't double back, and 
 also to shoot from the bank when we came past. 
 Hold your gun ready to fire, and I will hail the sen- 
 tinels." 
 
 Hoy could see the Indians near the water's edge, 
 preparing to send their arrows aboard, and looking 
 decidedly surprised at seeing the boys, when it was 
 probably not thought possible they could pass the 
 other boats without being captured. 
 
 Tongla shouted a few words in a warning tone as 
 the pitpan came within hailing distance, and to the 
 surprise of both Dean and Roy the men lowered 
 
216 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 their weapons submissively, making not so much as 
 a threatening gesture. 
 
 " Now take up the paddle and work," the Indian 
 boy cried, when they were in the river once more. 
 " If we can hold out to do our best for half an hour, 
 the danger will be over." 
 
 " I'll guarantee to jump at it twice as long as you 
 wish. A trick like that prevents a fellow from 
 feeling tired; but what did you say to those 
 men ?" 
 
 " I told them you had the iron which shoots 
 twice, and promised that both should be killed if 
 they raised their bows. The gun could be seen, so 
 the threat had some influence, and their fears settled 
 the rest. They must have thought the gods were 
 with us if we could come down the stream without 
 being taken prisoners by the ten who went in the 
 same direction." 
 
 "The whole thing was done mighty well, and 
 after this I'll never stop to ask a question, whatever 
 you may attempt to do," Roy said, with a laugh. 
 " I couldn't see any way out of what looked like a 
 regular trap, and thought you'd suddenly lost your 
 senses." 
 
 "It wasn't certain the plan would succeed. If 
 their canoes had been smaller, if one boat-load had 
 stayed near the mouth of the stream instead of land- 
 ing those men, or if they had not paddled up so far, 
 we should have failed. It was a chance only, but 
 turned in our favor." 
 
 " What if it had failed ?" 
 
 " We could have carried the canoe across the land 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 21? 
 
 to the river, and during the march found some game 
 which would have yielded fat enough to clean your 
 guns, and then put off at the most favorable mo- 
 ment. This was the best, for we will be nearly out 
 of sight when they get past the logs." 
 
 " I should say it was the best," Dean replied, with 
 a laugh. " We shut them up like cows in a pasture, 
 and then walked off in great shape." 
 
 " It is not certain yet that we shall be able to 
 walk very far," Tongla replied, as if he feared his 
 companions were boasting too soon. " If we are a 
 long distance ahead when they come out, the chase 
 may be abandoned." 
 
 This was a delicate hint that they should not 
 spend their breath talking when it was necessary 
 every nerve must be strained to send the pitman 
 ahead, and the white boys so understood it, for 
 neither spoke again until fully half an hour had 
 passed, when Tongla finally said, in a tone of re- 
 lief: 
 
 "We can afford to rest, now that it is so near 
 noon. The enemy are not in sight, and it seems 
 certain they have returned to the village." 
 
 "It's time we slacked up a little, for I have 
 paddled until it seems as if my arms would drop 
 off ;" and then Dean made haste to add : u I'm will- 
 ing to work a good while longer, though, so that we 
 are headed for the coast." 
 
 " But you won't get much chance to rest, Tongla," 
 Eoy said, as he and his brother threw down their 
 paddles, while the former was forced to work nearly 
 as hard as before in order to avoid the many 
 
218 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 obstacles in the way. "Don't you believe we'd 
 better haul up awhile ?" 
 
 "I was thinking to do so. "We need food, and 
 grease enough for the guns ; therefore when a spot 
 not yet submerged is found, we will take our siesta." 
 
 For such an opportunity the voyagers had not 
 long to wait. Within half an hour from the time 
 Hoy and Dean ceased paddling, the canoe was oppo- 
 site a long stretch of high land, and the helmsman 
 headed her for the shore. 
 
 In case the Indians whom they had left should be 
 in pursuit, and also in case boats might come from 
 below, the pitpan was lifted out of the water and 
 carried into the thicket, Tongla returning to 
 erase, so far as possible, the footprints from the 
 bank. 
 
 Nothing was done toward making a camp save to 
 sling the hammocks. The tortillas were spread out 
 in the sun to dry, the golden idols were hung against 
 a tree as if they also needed the sunlight, and then 
 all hands laid down without the formality of stand- 
 ing watch. 
 
 The river was now so broad that one boat could 
 no longer block the passage, and whether a craft 
 passed up or down Tongla determined to resume 
 the journey after the weapons were in order, trust- 
 ing that it would be possible to fight their way 
 through. 
 
 Believing they were safe for the time being, the 
 fugitives gave themselves up to the sweet repose of 
 sleep. 
 
 It was four o'clock before either awakened, and 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 219 
 
 five minutes later everything was in readiness for 
 the hunt which Tongla proposed to make. 
 
 At first Koy insisted that he and Dean should 
 accompany him : but the Indian objected, because 
 one must be left in charge of the boat and treasure. 
 Therefore, after a short discussion, he set out alone. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 HUNTING. 
 
 TONGLA was not long absent from the encamp- 
 ment. Before his companions thought it pos- 
 sible that he had reached a spot where game might 
 be found he returned with four fat quail, and imme- 
 diately proceeded to cover them with mud, prepara- 
 tory to baking. 
 
 "There is plenty of game here," he said. "By 
 spending one day enough can be shot to keep us in 
 food until we arrive at the coast, and it would be 
 wise to take our provisions now while there is 
 time." 
 
 "Do you think it is safe to stay so near those 
 whom we outwitted ?" Roy asked, anxiously. 
 
 " They will think we have kept on, and it may not 
 be possible to iind another place so good as this. 
 The villages are nearer together as we approach 
 the sea, and we shall not dare to stop at any of 
 them." 
 
 " Do as you choose ;" and Roy laughed to think he 
 should so soon have forgotten his promise. " I said 
 I never would question again what you might do, 
 and here I am at the same trick within a few hours 
 after you got us out of the scrape so nicely." 
 
 " We can stay until food for the trip has been se- 
 cured, and each moment the flood will grow less. 
 
THE TREASVRE-FINDERS. 221 
 
 By to-morrow night it should be safe to go down 
 the river after dark." 
 
 There was no further discussion on the subject, 
 and while Tongla dug the hole which was to serve 
 as oven his companions put up a slight roof of 
 plantain-leaves over the hammocks to protect them 
 from the dew. 
 
 The fugitives were not so bold as to build a fire 
 while it was yet light, and when the former work 
 had been completed the Indian boy proposed a reg- 
 ular hunting excursion. 
 
 " It is not here as it was in the forest before we 
 reached the river," he said. " The vegetation is 
 less dense, and this headland is surrounded by water, 
 so there can be no chance of losing our way." 
 
 " Then we'll both go with him," Dean said, ex- 
 cited by the prospect of a hunt, even though they 
 were yet in such peril. 
 
 "The guns must not be used," Tongla replied; 
 " but there is nothing to prevent your coming. We 
 can put the boat and the golden gods out of sight. 
 It will be better so, although I do not believe any 
 one is likely to come until the river is lower." 
 
 The pitpan was dragged into a clump of bushes, 
 the idols were hidden beneath a fallen tree, the 
 guns concealed in the same place, and the little party 
 started toward the middle of the headland, where 
 Tongla declared game would be found in great 
 abundance. 
 
 Before they had walked twenty yards the Indian 
 boy stopped, and said, as he pointed straight ahead, 
 with a look of satisfaction : 
 
222 THE TREASURE FINDERS. 
 
 " There is a cabbage-palm ; to-morrow we shall 
 have vegetables with our meat." 
 
 " I don't understand how you are going to get 
 them here, no matter what kind of a palm that is," 
 Hoy replied, laughingly. 
 
 " You will see in the morning ;" and before Ton- 
 gla could say any more a covey of what Dean 
 thought were red partridges settled with a great 
 whirring of wings among the undergrowth, a short 
 distance in advance of the hunters. 
 
 Motioning for his companions to follow his ex- 
 ample, the Indian crept cautiously ahead, under 
 cover of the vines and plants, until the birds could 
 be seen feeding upon a small red berry or plum, 
 which grew at that particular place in great abund- 
 ance. 
 
 Dean and Eoy saw their companion fit an arrow 
 to his bow, draw it to the very tip, and an instant 
 later one of the birds lay dead, with not so much as 
 a flutter of its wings. 
 
 The others in the covey did not appear to take 
 any notice of this sudden death, and five times Ton- 
 gla drew his bow, a bird falling at each shot, before 
 the stupid partridges were sufficiently alarmed to fly 
 away; 
 
 " At this rate we shall be ready to leave here in 
 the morning if we feel so disposed," Dean cried, joy- 
 fully, as he gathered up the game. " A bow and 
 arrow goes way ahead of a gun, and we must prac- 
 tice with them, Eoy." 
 
 The Indian boy showed no signs of pride. That 
 he should hit the mark at such short range was 
 
THE TREASVRE-FINDERS. 223 
 
 nothing more than natural, according to his ideas, 
 and this sort of hunting was very tame sport. 
 
 Dean ran back to the encampment with the spoils 
 of the chase, after the arrows had been removed, 
 and when the first fruits of the excursion had been 
 deposited in the pitpan the three pushed on further 
 into the thicket. 
 
 Five minutes later two fat curassows were added 
 to the list, and then Tongla saw that which caused 
 an expression of joy to come upon his face. 
 
 It was nothing more than a well-beaten path 
 among the bushes, and covered with queer ly-shaped 
 footprints; but after examining them closely the 
 Indian said, in a tone of most intense satisfaction : 
 
 " The road has been made by a tapir ; now there 
 will be no lack of meat, and we need not waste our 
 time killing birds." 
 
 " I don't see how you figure that any time has 
 been wasted, when we have got game enough al- 
 ready to provide us with food sufficient to last three 
 or four days," Koy replied. " According to my way 
 of thinking, it has been a very successful hunt even 
 if we don't get anything more." 
 
 " But we shall have a tapir, which is better than 
 all I have shot. You must help me to chop down 
 some of these trees. They will check him, and with 
 the spears he can soxm be killed." 
 
 "Have we got to build a regular pen?" Dean 
 asked, fancying the labor might be too great a price 
 to pay for a single tapir when birds were so plenty. 
 
 " No ; anything which will stop him in the path is 
 enough. He will not try to go around ; but on see- 
 
224 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 ing us, he will make every effort to break through , 
 when the spear can be used." 
 
 " Why not run the risk of being heard and use 
 the guns?" 
 
 " A bullet would hardly go through his hide, and 
 the shot which you have could do little more than 
 tickle the animal. The spear and machetes are the 
 best ; but we must take care he does not get past 
 us, for a tapir swims as well as an Indian, and once 
 in the water we should never taste his flesh." 
 
 " Then show us what to do, and we will begin 
 work," Koy said, impatiently. "There are not 
 many hours of daylight remaining, and this thing 
 can't be managed very well in the night." 
 
 Tongla's plan was not an intricate one. He 
 marked three trees on either side the path that were 
 to be felled in such a manner that they would form 
 an angle with the point in the direction of the camp, 
 and the boys began the task, laboring industriously 
 until nearly sunset, when it was finished. 
 
 Then he led the way back to where the hammocks 
 had been slung, explaining that the tapir would not 
 venture out until late in the evening, and there was 
 plenty of time to complete in a leisurely manner the 
 remaining preparations for the hunt. 
 
 It was now so nearly 'dark that there seemed little 
 chance that the smoke of their fire could be seen, 
 and Dean was installed as cook while Tongla and 
 Hoy converted two of the machetes into spears by 
 lashing them firmly to a stout sapling. 
 
 The quail were roasted to a turn when the 
 laborers were ready for supper, and the Indian 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 225 
 
 method of cooking was highly appreciated. They 
 came from the coals looking like lumps of well-baked 
 clay ; but on breaking these balls open the skin and 
 feathers were found adhering to the covering, and 
 the delicious white meat was exposed to view. 
 
 " Save the fat for your guns," Tongla said, as Koy 
 and Dean began the feast with well-sharpened appe- 
 tites, and before the meal was concluded they had 
 enough to clean half a dozen weapons. 
 
 It was about nine o'clock when the hunters set 
 out, Tongla carrying his short spear, and the others 
 armed with the lengthened machetes. The moon, 
 although in its first quarter, gave sufficient light to 
 disclose surrounding objects, and since the forest at 
 this point was not very dense the tapir's path could 
 be seen with reasonable distinctness. 
 
 " We shall'hide until he conies^" Tongla explained 
 as they approached the barricade, " and when I give 
 the word you are to thrust with the machetes until 
 he is dead." 
 
 " The chances are that he will show fight, I sup- 
 pose," Eoy said, with a perceptible tone of appre- 
 hension in his voice. 
 
 " Not at all. His only desire will be to get away, 
 and that we must prevent, for in his body is as 
 much meat as we shall need this side the coast." 
 
 It was difficult for Eoy to believe an animal as 
 large as Tongla represented the tapir to be would 
 not do something in defense of himself, and 
 the fact that they had no other weapons than the 
 improvised spears troubled him considerably. It 
 was too late to draw back now save at the expense 
 
226 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 of being thought a coward, and he took his stand in 
 the thicket at the right of the path, as the Indian 
 indicated. Dean remained with him, while Tongla 
 stationed himself directly opposite. 
 
 " Do not even breathe loud, and when I give the 
 word, come out in such a manner that he can be at- 
 tacked from behind." 
 
 These were the final directions, and then Tongla 
 vanished from view without a sound to betoken his 
 passage through the thicket. 
 
 During the next hour the boys remained in ambus- 
 cade, not daring to move save when fatigue forced a 
 slight change of position, and both had begun to 
 think their companion was mistaken in regard to the 
 habits of the animal, when a heavy but rapid tread 
 could be heard some distance up the path. 
 
 Dean clutched his brother by the arm as if fearing 
 he had not heard the noise, and in another moment 
 a large, drab-colored animal, with a tail like a pig 
 and an abbreviated trunk instead of a snout, came at 
 a swinging, awkward trot directly toward the fallen 
 timbers. 
 
 He turned neither to the right nor the left, but 
 crashed into the ambuscade, where he tried in vain 
 to force a passage. 
 
 4 'Come on!" Tongla shouted, as he leaped from 
 his place of concealment and began making furious 
 thrusts at the beast with his spear. " Move quickly, 
 or he will succeed in breaking through !" 
 
 Hoy and Dean were at the tapir's side in an 
 instant, and as the former tried to cut through the 
 animal's thick hide with the point of his machete 
 
THE TREASURE-BINDERS. 22? 
 
 he realized how useless would have been a charge of 
 shot in such an encounter. It required all his 
 strength to penetrate the flesh, and after one unsuc- 
 cessful thrust he shouted to Dean : 
 
 " Strike hard ! The skin is like leather, and an 
 ordinary blow will amount to nothing." 
 
 It is doubtful if the white boys unaided would 
 have succeeded in even disabling the animal. None 
 of the wounds inflicted by them appeared to have 
 any effect on him, and he was on the point of break- 
 ing down the obstruction when Tongla drove his 
 spear directly through the tapir's body from side to 
 side. 
 
 The awkward animal fell to his knees with a grunt, 
 and then rolled over dead, greatly to the joy of his 
 executioner, .who indulged in a fantastic sort of 
 dance expressive of pleasure and triumph. 
 
 Now that the tapir had been killed, it was a task 
 of no mean magnitude to carry the carcass to the 
 camp. Tongla began by disemboweling him, and 
 then divided the flesh into quarters, to each of 
 which a rope of vines was attached, after which the 
 hunters dragged the portions where the hammocks 
 had been slung. 
 
 The Indian boy's first care was to skin the head, 
 wrap it in leaves, and then dig a large hole in which 
 it could be roasted. Roy and Dean brought fuel, 
 built the fire, and when a large quantity had been 
 reduced to coals the not very inviting-looking flesh 
 was put upon them and covered with an unusually 
 high pile of earth. 
 
 " Now we must smoke the rest of the meat," Ton? 
 
228 THE TREASURE-FINDER. 
 
 gla said, as he turned once more to the carcass. 
 "Dig five or six ovens like this one and build small 
 fires in them, while I cut up the body." 
 
 Since every fellow knows how game "is cured by 
 smoking, it is unnecessary to go into details ; suffice 
 it to say that the entire night was spent in the work, 
 and even then the Indian declared it was not 
 finished. 
 
 " We must stay here' twenty -four hours longer," 
 he said, " because it is not safe to keep the fires go- 
 ing, now that the day has come. We will have 
 the tapir's head for breakfast, and then I'll weave 
 some sacks of mohoe-bark in which the meat can 
 be carried." 
 
 Despite all Tongla had said regarding the deli- 
 cious quality of the roast, neither of the white boys 
 thought it particularly good. It was not to be de- 
 spised, by any manner of means, for they were as 
 hungry as they were tired, and all ate without stint. 
 
 When the meal came to an end Koy and Dean 
 set about putting their guns in order, for the supply 
 of grease was more than abundant, and in an hour 
 the weapons were as serviceable as before the tem- 
 poral. 
 
 During this time Tongla had gathered a quantity 
 of mohoe-bark, and was weaving bags for the 
 smoked meat, when Eoy proposed that they lie down 
 for awhile. 
 
 " You shall sleep until noon, and then I will take 
 my turn," the weaver replied ; and since this would 
 be but a just division of guard duty, the white boys 
 at once sought the needed repose. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 229 
 
 CHAPTER XXIY. 
 
 DISAGREEABLE NEIGHBORS. 
 
 WHEN Eoy and Dean awakened, Tongla had 
 not only finished his task of weaving bark 
 sacks, but was gathering wood with which to con- 
 tinue the work of smoking the meat as soon as 
 night should come. The birds were incased in mud, 
 that they might be cooked at the same time, and 
 nothing remained to be done until after the sun 
 should set. 
 
 Both had had quite as much sleep as was needed, 
 and in the absence of anything better to do they 
 sat just within the thicket watching the swiftly -run- 
 ning river, but seeing no signs of human life until, 
 when the shadows were beginning to lengthen, Ton- 
 gla arose. 
 
 From that time till morning each boy had plenty 
 to do. With seven or eight fires to be attended to, 
 neither of which was allowed to burn brightly, but 
 simply to send out the largest possible quantity of 
 smoke, all were kept busy. When the flames rose 
 too high water was sprinkled, by means of a wet 
 branch, to deaden them, and this portion of the work 
 required incessant attention. 
 
 The game was cooked during the earlier part of 
 the night, and the laborers made a delicious mid- 
 
230 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 night meal and breakfast from one of the curas- 
 sows. 
 
 The sun was just rising when the last pieces of 
 tapir were taken from the fire and packed in the 
 bags of mohoe-bark. Apparently everything was 
 in readiness for departure, and Dean was about to 
 drag the pitpan from the bushes, when Tongla pro- 
 posed that they go back for a cabbage-palm, which, 
 until this moment, had been forgotten. 
 
 " We can cook it at the next place we stop," he 
 said, "and it will make the meat taste better." 
 
 It surely seemed like a willful waste of time, more 
 especially since they had plenty of provisions on 
 hand ; but neither Roy nor Dean thought it well to 
 object, because their companion was so eager to pro- 
 cure the dainty. 
 
 Under ordinary circumstances the Indian would 
 have climbed the tree in order to procure the edible 
 portion without destroying the palm ; but that there 
 might be less delay he felled it, and from the vase- 
 like protuberance at the top of the trunk cut a white 
 core or pith eight or nine inches in circumference. 
 It looked not unlike a raw turnip, and Tongla as- 
 sured his companions that when roasted with meat 
 no vegetable had a more delicious flavor. 
 
 Now nothing remained to be done, and the little 
 party walked rapidly toward the pitpan, Dean, from 
 force of habit, glancing toward the river when they 
 approached the thicket. 
 
 "Look! look!" he cried in a low, sharp tone. 
 " There is a canoe which appears to be headed di- 
 rectly for this place I" ^ 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 231 
 
 The information was well calculated to startle his 
 companions, and running to the very edge of the 
 foliage, they peered out. A boat in which were five 
 men was being pulled up stream, and from the oppo- 
 site bank, the occupants evidently intending to land 
 near where the boys were concealed. 
 
 "Can it be that those are the same men who 
 chased us through the stream ?" Eoy asked. " They 
 might have passed in the night and are just going 
 back." 
 
 Tongla gazed long and earnestly before replying, 
 and then said, slowly : 
 
 " This canoe has come from far down the river ; 
 they look like Kama Indians, and if so, are going to 
 the ruins to celebrate the festival of the sacred ser- 
 pent." 
 
 "Is there any chance they would try to stop us if 
 we started before the boat got here?" Roy asked, 
 anxiously. 
 
 " It would not be safe to show ourselves. Have 
 your guns ready ; we can beat them off if they dis- 
 cover us and attempt to do any mischief." 
 
 As he ceased speaking Tongla ran with all speed 
 to the scene of their late culinary operations, cov- 
 ered the ashes with the sand which had been taken 
 from the excavations, tore down the frames which 
 had been used for hanging the meat, and in every 
 way consistent with the speed necessary, tried to 
 give the place an air of long abandonment. 
 
 When he finished and. crept once more into the 
 thicket where the boys were crouching by the side 
 of the pitpan, the canoe was but a short distance 
 
232 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 from the shore ; but the current had carried her 
 some distance down stream, and it was evident she 
 would be beached about twenty yards from where 
 the fugitives lay. 
 
 " Are you going to trust to the chance that we 
 can remain hidden here ?" Roy asked, when the In- 
 dian lay down by his side. 
 
 " There is no other course to pursue, unless we are 
 willing to take the risk of a fight on the water. We 
 shall be able to hold our own here with less danger 
 because of the protection afforded by the trees. It 
 is possible they will not come up as far as this if the 
 landing is for the purpose I think." 
 
 "What is that?" 
 
 " We shall see," was the evasive answer ; and then 
 the strangers were so near that it was no longer safe 
 to indulge in conversation. 
 
 At the point where the canoe was run ashore the 
 land sloped gently down, and there were no trees to 
 obstruct the view of those in hiding. They saw the 
 men step gravely ashore, seat themselves in a circle 
 as if the only purpose in landing had been to rest 
 their limbs, and then light loosely -rolled cigars with 
 a splinter of some resinous wood which one of the 
 party had set on fire after making a series of the 
 most grotesque bows and grimaces. 
 
 u It is as I thought," Tongla whispered, softly. 
 " They are the worshipers of Yotan on their way 
 to the ruined city, and have stopped to prepare them- 
 selves for the holy task." 
 
 So far as the boys could see, this preparation con- 
 sisted chiefly in smoking at a furious rate, and for 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 233 
 
 the next two hours nothing else was done. No con- 
 versation was carried on among them ; but each 
 puffed sedately, lighting a fresh cigar as fast as one 
 was consumed. 
 
 " It begins to look as if we shouldn't leave here 
 this forenoon," Roy whispered impatiently, as the 
 ceremony, if such it could be called, was continued, 
 
 " They will not start until after the siesta," Ton- 
 gla replied. " The end is approaching, and then all 
 will lie down." 
 
 As the Indian boy spoke the eldest of the party 
 took from the bow of the canoe a horn, curved like 
 a ram's, and as he did so the others threw off their 
 loose cotton blouses, thus exposing the upper portion 
 of their bodies. 
 
 The priest, or head man, whichever he should be 
 termed, drew from his girdle a short knife, holding 
 the horn in his left hand, and as the first Indian in 
 the circle stretched his arm upward a quick cut was 
 made on the fleshy portion, the blood running quite 
 profusely into the horn held to receive it. In a like 
 manner each member of the party was treated, and 
 then the priest slashed his own arm until the en-, 
 sanguined fluid spurted out and mingled with the 
 rest. 
 
 This done, and while the horn with its contents 
 was held high in the air, the entire party joined in 
 what sounded very like a chant, each man keeping 
 time with the arm from which the blood was yet 
 flowing. 
 
 It was a weird and by no means pleasing-looking 
 spectacle. The voices sounded harsh and threaten- 
 
234 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 ing, and both Hoy and Dean felt decidedly relieved 
 when it was brought to a close by all rising while 
 the priest touched the forehead of each with the 
 horn, after which he threw it far out into the river. 
 
 This performance was followed by another pro- 
 longed smoke, and then, as Tongla had said, all lay 
 down on the ground as if to sleep. At least three 
 hours had been spent in this mummery, and the heat 
 was now so great that any very active exercise was 
 out of the question. 
 
 "They will remain there the entire time of the 
 siesta," Roy said, in dismay. 
 
 " It will be well for us if they spend it in that 
 place. Should we be discovered, all would know we 
 had witnessed the offering to Yotan, and would con- 
 sider it their duty to carry us to the ruins that the 
 crime might be atoned for." 
 
 " I thought those who worshiped Kabul were the 
 ones who had a right to the ruins. How is it that 
 these people can go there ?" 
 
 " In this country are many gods ; but those who 
 visit the buried city have stated times, and when 
 Yotan is to be worshiped the followers of Kabul 
 will go back to the range." 
 
 " Perhaps one of the idols we found represents 
 the god they worship," Dean suggested; and his 
 brother replied, impatiently : 
 
 "Now don't try to find trouble. Owing to this 
 multiplicity of gods we are in a bad scrape already, 
 and I don't want to so much as fancy that it might 
 be worse." 
 
 " But it will be if those fellows happen to take a 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 235 
 
 stroll up this way after they awaken. Don't you 
 think it would be a ^ood idea to leave this section of 
 the country ? We could find plenty of chances to 
 hide by starting now." 
 
 " Then if they did come this way we should not 
 only lose our boat, but all the meat we have spent 
 so much time preparing. I think our best plan is to 
 stay right here, and if we are discovered fight for 
 the property, without which we stand precious little 
 chance of ever reaching home again." 
 
 " That is what must be done," Tongla added, and 
 Dean had no further suggestions to make. He 
 would have preferred to leave such a dangerous 
 locality, but since his companions were opposed to 
 the plan there was nothing more to be said. 
 
 The boys had a long, weary time of waiting, and 
 the possibility that on awakening the Indians might 
 discover their whereabouts did not tend to make 
 them feel any more cheerful. The mosquitoes 
 swarmed everywhere around, and not daring to 
 move very much, the little party were bitten until 
 Koy's and Dean's faces and hands were swollen ter- 
 ribly. Tongla would have brought out some of the 
 provisions, that they might have lunch; but his com- 
 panions were in such a condition of mental anxiety 
 that food seemed distasteful. 
 
 Slowly the hours wore away. The time of the 
 siesta was drawing to a close, and just when Hoy 
 began to fear their disagreeable neighbors might 
 conclude to remain all night one of the party awoke. 
 He started to his feet as if to walk along the shore, 
 and the white boys grasped their guns ; but there 
 
236 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 was no occasion to use them then, for after a mo- 
 ment of hesitation the man turned to arouse his 
 companions. 
 
 In a few moments the worshipers of Votan were 
 standing on the bank conversing in low tones, and 
 even Tongia looked disturbed because of the unac- 
 countable delay. 
 
 Finally the canoe was pushed off, the men clam- 
 bered in, and with steady, powerful strokes began to 
 propel her up stream. 
 
 " Well," Dean said, with a long-drawn sigh of re- 
 lief, when the boat was so far from the shore that 
 his words could not be overheard, " this is about the 
 worst day I have spent since we left home. Sitting 
 still, waiting to be attacked, and not daring to so 
 much as brush a mosquito from one's face, is more 
 trying than a regular battle." 
 
 " It makes a fellow feel mighty good to have a 
 chance to stretch his legs ;" and Roy tramped up and 
 down behind the trees at a furious pace. " When is 
 it safe for us to start, Tongia?" 
 
 " JSTot until they are out of sight." 
 
 " It'll be nearly dark by that time." 
 
 " So much the better for us. There is not much 
 floating in the river now, and for many hours the 
 moon will give light enough for us to see the way." 
 
 "At least let us get the pitpan into the water. 
 That will save just so many minutes." 
 
 Tongia would not allow a movement to be made 
 outside the thicket ; the risk of being seen was too 
 great, and he had no idea of bringing a new set of 
 enemies upon them. The boys dragged the idols 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 237 
 
 from their hiding-place and wrapped them in leaves, 
 so that in case any stranger chanced to get a glimpse 
 of the pitpan's bottom the treasure might appear 
 the same as the provisions ; and so much care was 
 bestowed on this work that when it was finished 
 Tongla believed the journey might safely be re- 
 sumed. 
 
 To carry the light craft to the river and load her 
 with the generous supply of provisions delayed them 
 at least half an hour longer. Then the voyagers 
 stepped aboard, and once more the current was bear- 
 ing them toward the coast. 
 
 u We've got about three hours of daylight, and if 
 you conclude to sail until the moon sets a good 
 many miles should be covered," Eoy said, bending 
 to the paddle as if the exercise was a pleasure. 
 " What is to be done if we come to a village ?" 
 
 " Trust to our strength in case it is yet light, and 
 after dark try to slip past under the shadow of the 
 opposite bank." 
 
238 TBE TREASURE FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 TONGLA'S STOEY. 
 
 WHEN they were ' well underway, and being 
 carried down stream by the current even 
 faster than they could have paddled, Tongla advised 
 his companions to work moderately in order that 
 they might be comparatively fresh in case of an- 
 other pursuit. 
 
 " If I had not urged you to make every effort to 
 force the boat ahead, we might have outstripped 
 those who gave chase from the last village without 
 being obliged to spend so much time in the small 
 stream," he said. " Now we will do little more than 
 keep the pitpan in the current, and if other enemies 
 spring up we shall be in condition to run away from 
 them." 
 
 Acting under this advice, the boys did not exert 
 themselves save at such times as it was necessary to 
 swing the little craft around suddenly in order to 
 avoid some obstacle in the river, and this portion 
 of the journey was more like some pleasure excur- 
 sion than a flight from vengeful enemies. 
 
 After an hour had passed and the dreary time of 
 waiting for the worshipers of Yotan to depart had 
 been partially forgotten, Eoy and Dean grew hun- 
 gry. Some of the roasted meat was set out, and 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 239 
 
 all hands partook of a hearty meal, after which 
 they were in fit condition to enjoy what was really 
 a charming sail. 
 
 The undulating country on either side of the 
 river was covered with foliage to the very edge of 
 the water, owing to the flood, and every where were 
 bits of color from the gorgeously -hued birds or bril- 
 liant flowers, like jewels set in green enamel. 
 
 Beautiful though the scenery was, the eye, grown 
 accustomed to the many changes, soon tired of it; ; 
 and as the coining night caused the forest to send 
 out long masses of black into the river, the elation 
 of the white boys was turned to something very 
 nearly approaching despondency. At such a time 
 conversation seemed necessary, and, tired of discuss- 
 ing their chances of reaching the coast in safety, 
 Eoy said, abruptly : 
 
 " Before coming here, Dean and I read a great 
 deal about this country, Tongla, and it appeared as 
 if your people have been used mighty rough." 
 
 For fully a minute Tongla remained silent, as if re- 
 peating to himself the many acts of cruelty which 
 had been told by father to son, thus keeping alive 
 the enmity against the hated Spaniard, although 
 centuries have elapsed since the most atrocious 
 deeds were committed. 
 
 " The one aim of the white man has been to kill 
 the Indians, that the rightful owners of this most 
 beautiful land may not rise to punish the murderer 
 and thief," he said at length, in a tone such as the 
 boys had never heard him use before. " Many years 
 ago this country, under the wise rule of my fore- 
 
246 P&E TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 fathers, was like the gardens your people delight to 
 see around their haciendas. From the lagoons to 
 the great lake the Indians were happy, rich and 
 peaceful. Then came the Spaniard. It was as if 
 those with dark skins were less than the fierce dogs 
 the invaders brought with them. Knowing little of 
 war, because we had never fought among ourselves, 
 the white men easily conquered, demanding gold as 
 the ransom for a life, and slaying women and chil- 
 dren for the pleasure of seeing blood flow. 
 
 " Gold, corn and slaves were demanded at stated 
 times from every cazique, and a cruel death followed 
 if the tribute was not paid. Thousands and thou- 
 sands were sent away in chains each year, to be sold 
 like hogs. Hundreds were killed ; not as we killed 
 the tapir, that he might serve for food, but to gratify 
 the desire which the conquerors felt to witness the 
 death-struggles. Shall I tell you of one merry-mak- 
 ing which the Spaniards had at Leon ? It was many 
 years ago, but the Indian will always remember as 
 if it were yesterday. Two Spaniards left the city 
 to extort fresh . tribute from the unhappy ones in 
 their power, and during the journey they were mur- 
 dered by members of their own party. 
 
 " Although the rightful rulers of the country had 
 no hand in the murder, seventeen caziques were 
 taken from different portions of the country and car- 
 ried to Leon. There, in the public square, each was 
 armed with a stick and told to defend himself from 
 the dogs which were to be set loose. Powerless, as 
 against the white men's wickedness, the brave In- 
 dians stood shoulder to shoulder surrounded by sol- 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 241 
 
 diers, and with the conquerors as spectators. That 
 they might not die too quickly, the young and un- 
 trained dogs were at first freed, and for half an 
 hour the cruel sport was continued, my ancestors 
 having been torn and mangled, but not killed. Then 
 the older brutes were set on, and the Spaniards en- 
 joyed the scene until the victims were dead and 
 their bodies half -eaten. Even then the usurpers 
 were not satisfied, but refused to allow the dismem- 
 bered bodies to be buried until the fourth day, when 
 the stench was so great that they feared some ter- 
 rible plague would come upon them, and the mass of 
 decaying flesh which had once formed noble men 
 was shoveled like offal into a hole. 
 
 "It is such deeds, which I could recount until we 
 reach the coast, never ceasing for want of more to 
 tell, that has made the Indian a slave, and you can- 
 not wonder why those who have been driven into 
 the forest look with distrust and hate upon a white 
 skin. My people will not always be slaves ; the day 
 shall come when you may seek in vain from the 
 mouth of the San Juan Eiver to the Bay of Fonseca 
 for one drop of Spanish blood." 
 
 It would have been impossible for anyone to hear 
 these words without feeling the deepest sympathy 
 for the abused people of this beautiful country, and 
 the white boys were deeply moved. It was not in 
 their power to speak words of cheer, for the strength 
 of this once mighty nation had been broken; but, 
 leaning over, Dean laid his hand on Tongla's in 
 silent sympathy, and the latter pressed it long and 
 warmly. 
 
242 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 During the next half-hour hardly a word was 
 spoken; amid a profound silence the canoe sped 
 swiftly on, the light of the moon causing it to look 
 as if she were sailing over a river of molten silver, 
 and then Tongla said, as he pointed ahead to where 
 it appeared as if the waters ran directly beneath a 
 high cliff : 
 
 " That is the home of the river god. He has built 
 up the hill that none may pass through save by his 
 consent. I have been told that the channel is full of 
 rocks, and we must remain on this side until morn- 
 ing." 
 
 The voyagers were within sight of a deep can- 
 yon, much as if at some time the river, having been 
 diverted from its natural course, had cut its way 
 directly through the center of a hill, and the roaring 
 of the waters told how full of danger must be the 
 passage, now that the flood prevented the obstacles 
 from being seen. 
 
 They could already feel the increased strength and 
 velocity of the current, and the narrow way looked 
 so dark and forbidding that the boys were only too 
 glad to make a halt. 
 
 It was nearly midnight ; in four or five hours the 
 new day would come, and then the journey could be 
 resumed. 
 
 Now all hands were forced to exert their full 
 strength at the paddles to force the pitpan out of 
 the current, and only after a most severe struggle 
 was the little craft beached, hardly more than ten 
 yards above the dark portals of the gateway. 
 
 " Are we to stand watch ?" Koy asked, when they 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 243 
 
 had stepped on shore and drawn the canoe high up 
 on the bank. 
 
 " There is no reason for it. The Indians do not 
 remain near this place at night, for it is believed the 
 river god claims for his victims all who venture here 
 after the night has come." 
 
 " He'd surely have a good hold on any one who 
 tried to go through there in the darkness," Dean 
 said, nervously, as he tried in vain to peer through 
 the gloom which shrouded the sinister-looking place. 
 " Must we go in there ? Wouldn't it be possible to 
 carry the pitpan over the hill ?" 
 
 " It is difficult for a man with nothing in his 
 hands to ascend the cliff, and if the pitpan was only 
 half as large we could not take her across. When 
 my people come up the river they drag the canoes 
 with a long rope by making their way over the top 
 and pulling from this side, for the distance is not 
 long." 
 
 Positive that no enemy was lurking in the vicinity, 
 Tongla built a fire, that they might be free from the 
 winged pests by lying or sitting in the smoke, and 
 the boys gathered around it to sleep or talk, as they 
 chose. 
 
 After awhile the roar of the torrent became 
 familiar, and one by one they fell asleep, not to 
 awaken until the sun's bright rays fell full on their 
 faces. 
 
 Naturally the first glance of each was toward 
 that narrow strip of foaming, seething water, and 
 the view was quite the reverse of cheering. Im- 
 agine a river a hundred yards wide, and overflow- 
 
244 TfffS TftfiASVRE-FINDERS. 
 
 ing its banks because of a flood, suddenly narrowed 
 to twenty or thirty feet, and some idea may be had 
 of the passage through which the boys must pass in 
 order to reach the coast. 
 
 " Our craft wouldn't live a minute in that terrible 
 place," Dean said, with a shudder. " I had rather 
 set her adrift and make my way over the cliffs, with 
 the chance of picking her up on the other side, than 
 attempt to sail over those rapids." 
 
 " It is only necessary .to steer carefully," Tongla 
 replied. " If you and Roy lie flat in the bottom I 
 will take her through safely." 
 
 "I had rather try to go over the range alone, 
 despite the followers of Kabul, who may be waiting 
 for us, than trust myself in the canoe on such a tor- 
 rent." 
 
 " You can climb the cliff, and I will wait on the 
 other side until you come." 
 
 This was an arrangement which both Roy and 
 Dean would have been only too glad to make ; but 
 it savored so much of cowardice that the former in- 
 stantly rejected the plan, although he was eager to 
 spare his brother the mental suffering consequent 
 upon the short journey. 
 
 " Could Dean find his way over the cliff alone ?" 
 he asked. 
 
 " Yes ; but he could not reach the opposite side 
 until late in the night, and it is possible we may find 
 Rama Indians below waiting for the waters to sub- 
 side before they come up." 
 
 " Then you think that it would be dangerous to 
 stay on the other side, if only for one day ?" 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 245 
 
 " I do ; but if Dean does not wish to go through 
 on the pitpan we can remain until he arrives, unless 
 there are too many for us to hold in check." 
 
 " I'll settle this discussion," Dean said, quickly, 
 and with an effort to appear unconcerned. " It is 
 foolish for me to be frightened I will go in the 
 canoe, and if anything happens we shall at least be 
 together." 
 
 " It is well," Tongla replied, gravely. " In ten 
 minutes we shall be through, floating on the broad 
 bosom of the river, and no accident will hap- 
 pen." 
 
 The journey was delayed only until the Indian 
 boy made some chocolate, and a hurried breakfast 
 of cold roast curassow had been eaten, after which 
 preparations were made for the perilous passage. 
 Now Tongla was more particular than ever in re- 
 gard to the stowing of the cargo. A single mis- 
 placed package might cause a wreck, and twice was 
 every article taken out to be replaced differently be- 
 fore he felt satisfied. 
 
 The large idol was placed in the bow, and the 
 smaller ones aft, with the provisions packed snugly 
 around them ; while underneath all, in the center, 
 were the weapons. 
 
 " You are to sit in the bow with a paddle, to be 
 used in case it is necessary," Tongla said to Roy. 
 " Do not dip in the water unless I give the word, and 
 then remember not to lean over the side. Sit per- 
 fectly straight, whatever happens, that all the weight 
 may be in the middle." 
 
 The pitpan was lying along the bank, held in posi- 
 
246 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 tion by Dean, who had quite as much as he could do 
 to prevent the current from wresting her out of his 
 clutch upon the rail, and in obedience to Tongla's 
 instructions, Eoy stepped aboard. 
 
 His weight caused the little craft to careen, and 
 this movement invited the catas' rophe. 
 
 As the bow swung a few inches from the land the 
 stern was forced out so violently that Dean could 
 not retain his hold. He had only time to utter one 
 despairing cry, and before Tongla could leap to his 
 aid the light craft, depressed at the bow, was swept 
 away by the current. 
 
 " Do not attempt to rise !" the Indian boy shouted 
 as Eoy, looking ghastly pale, made a movement to 
 change his position. " Lie down ! For your life, lie 
 down 1" 
 
 Dean was so terrified by seeing his brother car- 
 ried into this mad vortex that he did not know 
 whether the command was obeyed or not. Although 
 in no way to blame, it was to a certain degree be- 
 cause of him that the terrible accident had hap- 
 pened, and, seized with a vertigo of fear, he fell like 
 one dead. 
 
 Tongla, paying no heed to his companion, saw the 
 little craft whirled twice around as she reached the 
 middle of the foaming stream, and then dash straight 
 as an arrow down the awful incline. 
 
 Eoy had covered his face with his hands as if to 
 shut out from sight that terrible scene which it 
 seemed could only end with his death, and was be- 
 ing carried backward when the walls of the cliff 
 shut him out from view. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 247 
 
 Tongla stood gazing at the spot where his friend 
 had disappeared as if unable to move. Horror was 
 expressed in every feature, and his lips were livid as 
 he muttered : 
 
 " It is the vengeance of the gods 1" 
 
 k VNIYER8ITY ) 
 
!48 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTEE XXYI. 
 
 OVER THE CLIFFS. 
 
 HOW LONG he remained staring into the nar- 
 row passage stupefied with fear Tongla never 
 knew. It must have been quite a while, however, 
 for he was only aroused from the lethargy when 
 Dean revived sufficiently to ask : 
 
 "Is he dead?" 
 
 " When the waters swept him around the bend in 
 the wall he was alive and unharmed. But come; 
 we must not stand here ! He may have been flung 
 ashore if the pitpan capsized, and his life can be 
 saved, perhaps, if we reach him in time." 
 
 Even as Tongla spoke he realized that there was 
 no possibility they could make their way over the 
 cliffs before nightfall; but it was as well Dean 
 should believe his brother might be aided, for the 
 journey was long and difficult, filled with dangers 
 such as would require something more than fear for 
 his own safety to urge him on. 
 
 All the provisions were in the boat, and they had 
 no vessel in which to carry water, therefore it would 
 not be possible to eat or drink during all the long 
 hours which must elapse before the task had been 
 accomplished, 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 249 
 
 It was necessary to restrain Dean rather than 
 urge him on. The Indian had not ceased speaking 
 when the almost distracted boy started toward the 
 cliff without heed as to whether he struck the trail 
 or not. 
 
 " Wait !" Tongla shouted, as he ran to overtake 
 him. " It must be there is a path here, and unless 
 we find it we may go so far astray that to reach him 
 before morning will be impossible." 
 
 "Lead the way and I will follow; but move 
 quickly, for every moment is precious now," Dean 
 replied, his voice so choked with sobs that the words 
 'sounded strange and indistinct. 
 
 Tongla set about the task with deliberation, real- 
 izing fully the truth of the old adage that " haste 
 makes waste," and after walking to and fro at the 
 base of the cliff several times /found that for which 
 he sought. 
 
 It was the faintest of trails, but sufficient to point 
 out the course to be pursued, and the ascent was be- 
 gun at once. 
 
 To travel with any degree of speed up the almost 
 perpendicular face of the hill was impossible. The 
 boys were obliged to pick their way carefully 
 around one projecting spur, or make a long detour 
 where a smooth wall of rock forbade further prog- 
 ress in that direction, and oftentimes clambering 
 where the slightest misstep would hurl them into 
 the torrent below. During the first three hours 
 they had ascended not more than half the distance 
 to the summit, and as he stopped for an instant to 
 regain his breath Dean said, mournfully : 
 
250 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " It will be night before we reach the valley be- 
 yond, and no matter how much Eoy may need our 
 aid, we shall arrive too late." 
 
 "There is nothing which can be done save to as- 
 cend the hill. I have great hopes we shall find your 
 brother safe. The pitpan had turned until the 
 stern, which was raised high out of the water, went 
 through the rapids first, and it is as reasonable to 
 suppose she floated clear of all obstructions as that 
 he has been thrown out. The flood has covered the 
 rocks with water, therefore we have only to fear the 
 trees which may have lodged there." 
 
 Dean found nothing in these words to give him 
 hope. He could not believe any craft would pass 
 over the roaring torrent without a helmsman un- 
 harmed, and that Eoy was even now dead or dying 
 seemed certain. 
 
 He did not allow himself to continue the halt any 
 longer than was absolutely necessary, and then the 
 difficult journey was continued up, up among the 
 rocks where the noonday sun beat down pitilessly 
 upon their unprotected heads. Not a breath of air 
 was moving, and the heat threatened to put a speedy 
 end to the labor if 'it were not ceased for a time. 
 
 "We must stop," Tongla said, at length. "To 
 keep on while the god of light is so high in the sky 
 will be to fall exhausted, and Koy would wait for 
 us in vain." 
 
 At first Dean refused to listen to such advice ; but 
 when another hour had passed it was literally im- 
 possible to proceed further. The thirst which as- 
 sailed him was worse than he had known in the 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 251 
 
 ruins, and his brain whirled until he could no longer 
 distinguish surrounding objects. 
 
 " Doesn't the rain-plant grow here ?" he asked, 
 feebly. 
 
 " ISTot in the hills. Chew some of these leaves ; 
 they will moisten jour mouth." 
 
 Tongla handed him a small bunch of green which 
 he had gathered from time to time during the pain- 
 ful journey, and after some difficulty the distressed 
 boy succeeded in finding a little relief, although his 
 thirst was not assuaged in any degree. 
 
 Dean lay under the shadow of a rock in a semi- 
 unconscious condition until the sun had sunk so far 
 in the western sky that the hill sheltered the boys 
 from its rays, and then the march was resumed. 
 
 An hour later they were at the summit, looking 
 eagerly for some signs of Eoy, but nothing could be 
 seen. 
 
 Dean moaned in his grief, and Tongla said, sooth- 
 ingly : 
 
 " It does not prove that he is dead because we 
 can see nothing of him. The forest is so dense in 
 the valley that a hundred boys might be encamped 
 on the bank of the river and yet we be unable to 
 see them." 
 
 " But the Indians ? You feared there might be 
 some waiting to come up." 
 
 " They could travel faster than we have, and if 
 any were on the way we should have met them be- 
 fore this. The road is not so difficult now, and we 
 shall soon be at the river ; but be careful of your 
 steps, for a fall from the ledge would be fatal," 
 
252 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 Now that the descent had begun the task was not 
 as laborious ; but it required the greatest caution. 
 Each moment the heat became less intense, and, de- 
 spite his thirst, Dean revived as he descended. 
 
 Moving in a zigzag course, to guard against a fall, 
 the boys continued the journey until they were two- 
 thirds of the distance down, when a faint cry at- 
 tracted their attention. 
 
 " Was that a bird ?" Dean asked, as he came to a 
 full stop. 
 
 Tongla hesitated about saying exactly what he 
 believed it was until a small object could be seen 
 running along the river-bank, and then he cried, ex- 
 citedly : 
 
 " It's Roy ! He's safe ! He's safe ! Look near 
 the water and you can see him plainly !" 
 
 In another instant Dean had distinguished his 
 brother's form, and he shouted for very joy as he 
 waved his hat vigorously. 
 
 Roy responded by the same gesture, and Dean 
 cried, as he started at full speed : 
 
 " Come on, Tongla ! I can't really believe he has 
 escaped from that torrent until I have my arms 
 around him." 
 
 " There is no question about its being him, and I 
 advise less haste, or he will be the mourner. A sin- 
 gle misstep and it will be impossible to put your 
 arms around any one." 
 
 Dean moderated his pace somewhat, although he 
 continued with more speed than was consistent with 
 safety, halting not till he and his brother were em- 
 bracing each other, as if after a long absence. 
 
THE T&fiASTTnE-FINbEtiS. 253 
 
 "How did you get through that terrible place 
 alive ?" Dean asked, hysterically. 
 
 " I can't tell. There was hardly time to realize 
 the danger before the pitpan was floating on the 
 river below, and I had nothing more serious to do 
 than paddle her to the shore, which was such a job 
 that it wasn't finished until I was two or three miles 
 from here. Then I dragged her among the bushes, 
 as we did night before last, slung the hammocks, 
 buried the idols, hung the meat where the animals 
 couldn't get at it, and came up to see where you 
 were." 
 
 " Wasn't any damage done ?" 
 
 " Not a bit ; we came through as well as if Tongla 
 had steered ; and, what is more, we didn't ship so 
 much as a drop of water." 
 
 By this time the Indian boy had arrived, and to 
 him Eoy repeated the short story he had just told 
 Dean. 
 
 As a matter of course Tongla was delighted at 
 meeting the companion whom he feared was dead ; 
 but he did not express as much joy as Dean thought 
 proper. 
 
 " One would think you were not particularly glad 
 to see him," he said. 
 
 " I can never be more happy than I am now ; but 
 I am troubled for the future." 
 
 "What is the matter?" Koy asked, anxiously. 
 "Did you see anything on the mountain which 
 looked suspicious ?" 
 
 " So far as I know there is no cause to fear, save 
 for that which we have with us." 
 
254 TEE TREASURE FINDERS. 
 
 " What is the matter, Tongla ? Don't let's wear 
 long faces when we should be rejoicing at Roy's es- 
 cape from what seemed certain death." 
 
 " I fear the vengeance of the gods," the boy re- 
 plied, solemnly, and looking around quickly as if 
 fearing to see some startling proofs of their dis- 
 pleasure. 
 
 " Vengeance of the gods ?" Roy repeated, in per- 
 plexity. "What do you mean? If I believed in 
 your gods I should say they had shown themselves 
 particularly well disposed in allowing me to come 
 down the rapids in safety." 
 
 " That was done to show you what they could do. 
 Did you ever know of so many disasters in such a 
 short time as we have had since the golden gods 
 were stolen?" 
 
 " Now see here, Tongla " and Roy spoke in a de- 
 cided tone " I don't like that word ' stolen.' We 
 found the figures where they had been lying no one 
 knows how many hundred years, and it surely was 
 not stealing to take them away. I will admit that 
 we've had many misadventures, but if we'd never 
 seen the idols there would have been no difference 
 since we left the ruins." 
 
 " We shall not see the hacienda again if the gods 
 are not given to those who will worship them." 
 
 " I can't believe, Tongla, you really mean that," 
 Roy said, earnestly. " If I were disposed to listen 
 to you, how do you know who their worshipers are ? 
 You never saw such figures, and they have probably 
 been long since forgotten." 
 
 " We can throw them in the river, and thus free 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 255 
 
 ourselves from the vengeance," Tongla replied, with 
 a certain doggedness. 
 
 " I don't intend to give up so much treasure be- 
 cause you are superstitious," Roy said, firmly. 
 " That three images of gold, which we can melt or 
 beat out of shape at will, have any influence upon 
 us is ridiculous, and it isn't well to discuss such a 
 foolish subject." 
 
 " As you please," the Indian boy said, quietly ; 
 but both Roy and Dean could see that his belief re- 
 mained unchanged. " Shall we go now to the camp ? 
 It will be dark in an hour." 
 
 Roy led the way down the river, feeling decidedly 
 disturbed in mind because of the stand taken by his 
 companion. It might lead to very serious difficul- 
 ties in the future ; but yet he could see no way to 
 convince him of his error, save by repeating over 
 and over again that which he had already said 
 many times. 
 
 The sun was sinking below the horizon when the 
 boys arrived at the camp on the banks of the river, 
 and those who had made their way over the cliff 
 felt the necessity of both food and rest. 
 
 Tongla made a generous pot of chocolate, warmed 
 one of the roasted partridges by a small fire, and 
 after a hearty meal Roy proposed that the two who 
 had worked so hard should take the rest they 
 needed. 
 
 " I have done next to nothing to-day," he said, 
 " and can stand watch as well as not. Neither of 
 you are in a condition to resume the journey, and 
 we will stay here q."i ^ly until morning." 
 
256 wra TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXYII. 
 DEAN'S MISHAP. 
 
 DEAN and Tongla certainly did need a long rest 
 after their fatiguing journey over the cliff, and 
 neither made any protest against taking advantage 
 of Roy's proposition. In a very few moments both 
 were sleeping soundly, while the sentinel paced to 
 and fro in front of the fire which had been left burn- 
 ing as a slight protection in case of a visit from wild 
 beasts. 
 
 The rushing of the waters drowned the ordinary 
 noises of the forest, therefore those peculiar sounds 
 which had caused even Tongla to be nervous could 
 not be heard, and the night watch was robbed of 
 its most disagreeable feature. 
 
 Roy did not arouse either of his companions until 
 nearly two o'clock, when he called Dean, saying, as 
 the latter rubbed his eyes vigorously to insure their 
 remaining open : 
 
 " If you stay on duty an hour, and then awaken 
 Tongla, it will not be hard for either, while I shall 
 have sufficient rest to brace me up for to-morrow's 
 journey. There really doesn't seem to be any reason 
 why any one should stand watch ; but I suppose it 
 should be done in case of fresh arrivals." 
 
 " Of course we are to leave here at sunrise ?" 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 25? 
 
 " Earlier, if possible. Tell Tongla to get break- 
 fast just before daylight, and we can leave at the 
 first signs of dawn." 
 
 Then Eoy threw himself in his hammock, and 
 Dean was virtually alone, the roar of the waters 
 coaxing his sleepy eyes to close. He sat in front of 
 the fire until he found himself on the verge of 
 dreamland, and, realizing the danger of slumbering 
 at his post, began to pace to and fro, as Koy had 
 done. 
 
 The fire was burning low, and this gave him an 
 opportunity of arousing himself. He gathered dry 
 wood here and there in such a manner as would re- 
 quire the most exercise, and in doing so strayed 
 some distance from the rays of light. It was where 
 the gloom prevented a good view of the surround- 
 ings that he saw what appeared to be a dry branch 
 divested of foliage, and without the least thought of 
 danger picked it up. 
 
 In another instant the sleepers were awakened by 
 a shrill cry of pain and terror, and on leaping to 
 their feet saw Dean standing near the fire, ghastly 
 pale, hurriedly baring his left leg. 
 
 "What is the matter?" Roy asked, excitedly. 
 " Did you see something that frightened you ?" 
 
 " Look out ! You're walking directly over him ! 
 I have been bitten by a snake." 
 
 Now both Roy and Tongla could see that which 
 Dean referred to, and, seizing his machete, the latter 
 cut in two pieces with one dexterous stroke the 
 long, writhing strip of brown which was wriggling 
 its way toward the hammocks. 
 
258 TS TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " Is it a poisonous snake ?" Hoy asked in alarm. 
 
 "A rattlesnake," was the ominous reply; and 
 then Tongla cast one hasty glance at the wound. 
 " Help me to dig a hole," he cried, using the machete 
 as a spade, and Eoy lost no time in obeying the 
 order. 
 
 An excavation sufficiently large to contain the in- 
 jured limb was soon made, and, seated on the 
 ground, Dean allowed his leg to be covered with the 
 fresh earth to the depth of twelve or fifteen inches 
 after a ligature had been placed below the knee and 
 above the wound to prevent, so far as possible, the 
 virus from infecting the blood. 
 
 " It would have been better if we had left the 
 golden gods instead of the guaco," the Indian boy 
 said, bitterly. " We have brought away the treas- 
 ure and left that which was of far greater value in 
 order to reduce the burdens." 
 
 While speaking he was hastily lighting a piece of 
 resinous wood, and when a torch had thus been 
 made he added : 
 
 " Remain with him while 1 am away, and force 
 the boy to talk. He must not grow sleepy, nor will 
 it be safe to give anything to drink until the tea has 
 been brewed, if, indeed, the gods permit that I shall 
 find what we have wickedly wasted." 
 
 Dean was thoroughly frightened ; but otherwise 
 there appeared to be no change until five minutes 
 had passed, when he began to experience great 
 pain. 
 
 "It surely seems as if we were not to reach home 
 together," he said, sadly. "Perhaps Tongla is 
 
TBE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 right, and we have done wrong in bringing away 
 the idols." 
 
 " Don't talk about not getting home," Eoy said, 
 in an agony of apprehension. " He must find the 
 guaco, and it cannot be that there will be any more 
 serious results to the accident than the severe pain 
 which is sure to follow. Keeping up your courage 
 is more then half the struggle ; and for mother's 
 sake, if not for mine, you are bound to fight against 
 this thing." 
 
 " Of course I will do that, Hoy ; I know by my 
 feelings when you were carried through the canyon 
 how terrible it would be for the one who was left if 
 death should end the flight. The pain is growing 
 intense, though, and if Tongla doesn't come soon it 
 will be too late." 
 
 There was nothing Koy could do to hasten the re- 
 turn of the boy upon whom they relied so fully in 
 this time of deadly peril, nor would the words of 
 cheer come to his lips, for his hope that the poison 
 would be neutralized had now grown very faint. 
 
 For five minutes more the brothers sat clasping 
 each other by the hand, and to one, at least, each 
 sixty seconds seemed like an hour. Then the Indian 
 returned with a handful of purple leaves, saying 
 hurriedty, as he approached the fire : 
 
 " The gods have been good ; I found the most ef- 
 fective of the three varieties. Wash the chocolate- 
 pot quickly." 
 
 Koy darted with all speed to the bank of the 
 river, while Tongla crushed in his hands the herb on 
 the efficacy of which Dean's life depended. 
 
60 
 
 " How much water do you want ?" 
 
 " Bring the pot half-full," Tongla replied ; and an 
 instant later it was on the fire, while both the boys 
 heaped dry wood around it, that the virtue of the 
 leaves might be extracted in the shortest possible 
 time. 
 
 Instantly the odor of the guaco was perceptible a 
 generous portion was poured into the canteen and 
 the pot replaced on the fire again, Eoy insisting on 
 his brother's drinking while the liquid literally 
 burned his throat. 
 
 The tincture was weak; but yet the effects were 
 noticed within five minutes from the time it had 
 been taken. Dean's eyes grew brighter, and the 
 stupor which could already be perceived gave place 
 to increased animation. 
 
 " It seems as if I felt that stuff in every vein," he 
 said, and from the tone of his voice one understood 
 that hope, which apparently deserted him a short 
 time before, was returning. 
 
 " Is the pain as bad ?" Eoy asked, solicitously. 
 
 " It seems to be growing worse ; my knee is be- 
 ginning to ache." 
 
 " That is well," Tongla replied, joyfully. " If the 
 guaco is to cure, the pain must increase. When the 
 tea is a little stronger we will give you another 
 drink, and unfasten the cord from your leg." 
 
 " Perhaps that is what makes my knee ache." 
 
 " The guaco struggles against the poison, that is 
 all ;" and Tongla appeared to be so well pleased with 
 the symptoms that Eoy felt wonderfully encour- 
 aged. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 261 
 
 Ten minutes later half a pint of the hot infusion 
 was administered, and without taking the limb from 
 the earth the Indian boy removed the ligature, 
 when Dean's sufferings were increased tenfold. 
 Fortunately he was not fully conscious ; it seemed 
 as if the tea intoxicated him, a ad he talked at ran- 
 dom until a third dose had been poured down his 
 throat, when he sunk back in a sort of lethargy. 
 
 "It is well," Tongla said, gravely. "The guaco 
 has conquered, and it will only be necessary that he 
 recover from its effects. He must not be moved 
 for twenty-four hours at least, and we cannot safely 
 stay here, where the Woolwas or llamas may come 
 at any moment." 
 
 " Have we got to make another long halt ?" Hoy 
 asked, in dismay. 
 
 " There is no help for it. His life would be in as 
 much danger as it was half an hour ago, if we put 
 him on the pitpan where the guaco could not be 
 given regularly until noon." 
 
 " Of course that settles it," and Eoy tried to speak 
 cheerfully. " We can't stay so near the bank of the 
 river, and the sooner another camp is made the 
 better." 
 
 "I will attend to that. Eemain here; if he 
 awakens give more tea until he falls asleep again, 
 and do not let the leg get uncovered." 
 
 The light of dawn was rapidly dissipating the 
 gloom, and Tongla could make his way through the 
 thicket without the aid of a torch. 
 
 " Is it safe to wander around without so much as 
 a light ?" Roy asked, and the boy replied : 
 
TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " There cannot be any wild beasts near here. The 
 gods have warned us by means of the snake that the 
 golden figures should be returned, and they will not 
 send any more trouble until we neglect to do their 
 bidding." 
 
 " Now don't get back on that foolish strain," Eoy 
 said, petulantly. " You know, as well as I, that we 
 have only taken metal, not an image to be worshiped ; 
 and there can be no question of replacing them, even 
 if it were possible." 
 
 " It has been spoken, first among the Woolwas, 
 then in the flood, again at the cliff, and now the 
 snake. Is it not enough ?" 
 
 " To induce me to carry those idols back ? Cer- 
 tainly not. All these things would have happened 
 if we had given them up to the Sukia and then fol- 
 lowed the same course." 
 
 Tongla did not reply. The sound of some one 
 making his way through the foliage told that he 
 was pushing straight back from the river, and Eoy 
 could not repress a sigh as he thought of what might 
 be the result if the Indian should insist on retracing 
 his steps to deliver the images of gold to those who 
 had demanded them. 
 
 " We couldn't go on without him," he said to him- 
 self, " and it would be little less than suicide to re- 
 turn now." 
 
 These dispiriting thoughts were interrupted by a 
 movement on the part of Dean. The unconscious 
 boy attempted to turn on his side, an action which 
 would have forced the wounded limb from the cov- 
 ering of earth, and Eoy held him firmly with one 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 263 
 
 hand as he administered with the other a fourth 
 dose of the guaco. 
 
 It was rather a difficult matter to do this success- 
 fully while Dean struggled to prevent it; but he 
 managed after a time in doing as he wished, at the 
 expense of spilling nearly half the contents of the 
 pot, and his brother had sunk once more into a con- 
 dition of profound lethargy when a piercing scream, 
 mingled with a hoarse growling, came from the 
 thicket. 
 
 " Tongla ! Tongla !" Koy shouted as he leaped to 
 his feet, seizing at the same instant one of the fowl- 
 ing-pieces. 
 
 " Help ! The jaguar I" 
 
 The voice sounded stifled, but full of agony, and 
 with a mental prayer Koy dashed into the under- 
 growth at full speed, shouting encouraging words, 
 but hearing nothing more until, on bursting through 
 a clump of bushes, the sound of a struggle could be 
 distinguished, apparently close at hand. 
 
 For an instant he stood undetermined how to pro- 
 ceed. It was impossible to say exactly where the 
 animal lay, and quite probable that by advancing at 
 random he would find himself seized, as Tongla had 
 been. 
 
 "Help! help!" came from the foliage almost 
 directly in front of him, and he hesitated no 
 longer. 
 
 Forcing his way through the tangled shrubbery 
 he reached a small clear space between two gigantic 
 trees, where a beast four or five feet long, of a 
 tawny color spotted with black, was snarling and 
 
264 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 growling over what might have been mistaken for a 
 bundle of bloody rags. 
 
 As Roy appeared the animal turned half-round, 
 but in such a position that the boy did not dare to 
 discharge the weapon lest he should hit his friend. 
 
 Moving cautiously to the left, Eoy hoped to find 
 the desired opportunity. The jaguar moved also, 
 and the condition of affairs remained unchanged. 
 
 " Why do you not fire ?" Tongla asked in a low 
 tone, as he tried to i*each his machete, which lay a 
 few feet from him ; but the beast rolled him back 
 with one paw as a cat plays with a mouse, keeping 
 its head turned toward Roy meanwhile. 
 
 " If I should shoot now, some of the shot would 
 be sure to strike you." 
 
 " Better that than to be killed by these teeth. 
 Fire, and pay no heed to me !" 
 
 It was not probable Roy could kill the jaguar 
 .with such cartridges as his gun contained. The 
 most he hoped for was to wound the animal suffi- 
 ciently to draw him from his victim, and then finish 
 the battle with the machete. 
 
 " I shall fire," he said, sharply. " Roll out of his 
 reach, if possible, whenl count three, and get hold 
 of your weapon." 
 
 " Quickly ! Shoot quickly ; he is crushing my life 
 out !" 
 
 During this short conversation the beast stood 
 gazing at Roy, switching its tail to and fro angrily, 
 and the boy dropped on one knee as he counted, 
 rapidly : 
 
 " One, two, three !" 
 
Quickly 1 Shoot quickly ; he is crushing my life out," Ton*la cried 
 to Roy. 
 
266 
 
 TUE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 With the last word he discharged both barrels, al- 
 most at the same instant, and it seemed as if the 
 noise of the discharge had but just rung out when 
 he was thrown to the earth by a heavy body, while 
 his face was covered with some hot liquid. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 267 
 
 CHAPTEE XXVIII. 
 
 THE HUT IN THE WILDEKNESS. 
 
 \ If 7 HEN Eoy next realized anything he was 
 V V lying on his back a few feet away from the 
 dead jaguar, and close by Tongla sat, trying to 
 staunch the flow of blood from many ugly-looking 
 wounds. 
 
 " Did the small shot kill him ?" Eoy asked, in sur- 
 prise, as he rose to his feet. 
 
 "They struck him full in the eyes, and as he 
 leaped against you I managed to give one thrust 
 with the machete. We have nothing more to fear 
 from him. Are you wounded ?" 
 
 " I don't think so," the boy replied ; and then, as 
 he saw the ensanguined liquid which completely 
 covered his garments, he added, " It seems as if 
 something must be the matter, else where did so 
 much blood come from ?" 
 
 " The greater portion probably flowed from the 
 jaguar's body." 
 
 " I remember it all now. I was knocked over as 
 he leaped ; but what about yourself? Are you hurt 
 much ?" 
 
 Tongla would have made light of his wounds if 
 it had not been possible for Eoy to see several of 
 them from which the life-current was flowing pro- 
 
268 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 fusely, and the instant he realized that the boy's life 
 might be in danger everything else was forgotten. 
 
 Kneeling by his side, he strove to bind up the 
 ugly gashes with strips torn from his own shirt, and 
 when the task had been accomplished in a clumsy 
 sort of fashion, the Indian showed every sign of ex- 
 haustion. 
 
 " Can you walk as far as the hammocks ?" Roy 
 asked, anxiously. 
 
 '* I must ; unless it might be better to stay here, 
 and you and Dean come with me, wh'ere we shall be 
 partially hidden in case any one should pass up or 
 down the river." 
 
 u lt is barely daylight now, and there is little 
 chance of visitors for several hours. You shall lie 
 near Dean while I search for a good place in which 
 to hide. According to the appearance of things we 
 are likely to remain here several days." 
 
 Tongla made no further protest. He was grow- 
 ing so weak that it was absolutely necessary he 
 should find at once a bed, and, leaning heavily on 
 Roy's shoulder, he walked slowly to where Dean 
 had been left. 
 
 The rattlesnake's victim remained in a semi-un- 
 conscious condition, as when the last dose of guaco 
 had been administered, and before paying any at- 
 tention to him, Roy assisted Tongla into the ham- 
 mock. 
 
 " Is there anything more T can do?" Roy asked. 
 " I know very little about dressing wounds, but will 
 try my best to carry out whatever you may sug- 
 gest." 
 
fHE TREASURE-FINDERS. 269 
 
 "If you knew how to find the leche Maria these 
 cuts would soon be healed." 
 
 " Tell me what it looks like, and there will be no 
 harm done if I fail." 
 
 The Indian described the general appearance of 
 the plant, told where it would most likely be found, 
 and Roy started through the thicket, searching for 
 something he had never seen. During this walk he 
 had ample opportunity to reflect upon the very 
 serious turn in affairs. Unskilled though he was, 
 only one glance at Tongla's wounds had been suffi- 
 cient to show him it would be necessary for them 
 to remain in camp many days, and it was in the 
 highest degree important that a location be found 
 where there would be no danger of discovery from 
 those who might travel to and fro on the river. 
 
 " What is to be done with the boat beats me," Hoy 
 said to himself. "I can't drag it through the 
 thicket alone, and whoever saw it would know 
 some one was hiding in the vicinity. She could be 
 set adrift, but it seems as if that ended our chances 
 of ever reaching the coast." 
 
 These gloomy reflections were interrupted by the 
 sight of a low, thick-leaved shrub such as Tongla had 
 described the leche Maria to be, and pulling it up by 
 the roots he hurried back to the camp. 
 
 " That is what will make me well in a few days," 
 the Indian said in a feeble but joyful tone. " Bruise 
 the leaves into a paste, and we can bind it over the 
 wounds." 
 
 An hour was spent in this work ; the morning was 
 so far advanced that the heat became almost oppres- 
 
2 ?() THE TREA SURE FIND ER8. 
 
 sive. Dean had so far recovered consciousness that 
 Tongla advised he be put in his hammock, since it 
 was no longer necessary the limb should remain 
 buried, and Koy lifted his brother as if he had been 
 but a child. 
 
 " There is no longer any fear of the poison," the 
 Indian said, confidently. " The guaco has done its 
 work, and to-morrow he will be well." 
 
 " If he doesn't feel able to move around some, I 
 don't know what is to be done. We are taking big 
 risks in staying so near the river even for a few 
 hours, and after I find a location for the new camp 
 the boat must be taken care of ; she would betray 
 our whereabouts as certainly as if we hung out a 
 sign stating that we were near-by." 
 
 " In two or three days I can help you." 
 
 " If your wounds are so far healed as to permit of 
 your moving around in a week, I shall think we are 
 fortunate. Help from you is out of the question, so 
 think up some scheme while I am away." 
 
 " Where are you going '$" 
 
 " To find a camping-place. We will locate a good 
 distance from the river, and it will take some time 
 to find the proper spot." 
 
 Tongla made no reply, and Eoy, after another 
 look at his brother, who appeared to be in a pro- 
 found slumber, left the camp armed with one of the 
 fowling-pieces and eleven cartridges, all that re- 
 mained of their store. 
 
 It was necessary no time should be lost in making 
 a change of quarters, and Eoy was fully sensible of 
 this fact. Now' he resolutely put from his mind all 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 2?1 
 
 thoughts of danger, and set about finding such a 
 ulace as promised complete concealment from 
 travelers. 
 
 To this end he went due west from the water, 
 scanning the forest jealously, and before walking 
 ten minutes came upon an open spot which bore 
 every evidence of having been cultivated. 
 
 This promised to be a very disagreeable discovery, 
 for it was only reasonable to suppose a tribe of 
 Indians were in the vicinity, and he stole cautiously 
 forward until it was possible to see a tiny hut which 
 looked hardly large enough to provide a shelter for 
 more than one or two persons. 
 
 " According to the size of that there can't be very 
 many people living here," he said to himself, " and 
 I'll run the risk of asking them for assistance." 
 
 He had hardly arrived at this conclusion, and was 
 about to step out from among the foliage, when a 
 man came around the corner of the building. 
 
 This in itself would have caused Koy no surprise, 
 for he was half expecting some such appearance ; 
 but his astonishment bordered on bewilderment as 
 he saw that the stranger was white. 
 
 In another instant he had come into full view, and 
 now the surprise was mutual, the man gazing at the 
 boy as if doubting the evidence of his own senses. 
 
 In the fewest possible words Koy explained why 
 he was there, concluding by saying : 
 
 " Both my companions are unable to move ; there 
 is every chance Indians will come up the river, and 
 we shall be taken prisoners, as at the Woolwa vil- 
 lage, unless some move is made immediately." 
 
TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 The stranger looked at the lad curiously for a mo- 
 ment and then called, sharply : 
 
 "Pedrito!" 
 
 In response to this summons a small boy, who 
 evidently had both Spanish and Indian blood in his 
 veins, came from among the foliage in the rear of 
 the house and stood as if awaiting orders. The man 
 spoke rapidly, in a language which Koy did not un- 
 derstand, and then said to his visitor : 
 
 " We will go at once for your friends. They can 
 remain with me until you are ready to leave. Shall 
 you tramp over the range in order to reach the Col- 
 oney plantation ?" 
 
 " We don't dare to go that way. Tongla thought 
 it would be best to keep on to the coast." 
 
 " Is your father at home ?" 
 
 " He should be by this time," 
 
 "And he is alarmed because of your long ab- 
 sence P 
 
 u I am afraid so." 
 
 The stranger halted, talked for several moments 
 with the half-breed boy, and then turning abruptly, 
 walked with the little fellow into the hut. 
 
 Unable to account for this strange proceeding, 
 Hoy remained where he had been left for ten or fif- 
 teen minutes, and at the end of that time the man 
 reappeared alone. 
 
 " You and I can bring the invalids here," he said 
 as he started in the direction of the river, leaving 
 his guest to follow or remain behind, as might best 
 suit him. 
 
 As a matter of course Roy kept very near the 
 
THE TREASURE^FINDERS. 
 
 stranger ; but not another word was spoken until 
 they arrived at the river-bank, when Hoy took the 
 lead and conducted his new friend to the encamp- 
 ment. 
 
 The man first examined Dean, much as a physi- 
 cian might have done, and after a few moments said, 
 quietly : 
 
 " He is in no danger. To-morrow it will be pos- 
 sible for him to move around a little." 
 
 Then he approached Tongla, who displayed every 
 evidence of surprise at seeing a white man in that 
 place, and after taking off the bandages, shook 
 his head to imply that he thought this a serious 
 case. 
 
 " I will maken litter," he said to Roy. " The In- 
 dian must be carried, or the wounds may re-open, 
 when he would surely bleed to death." 
 
 " Is he wounded badly ?" 
 
 " He may recover sooner than I expect," was the 
 evasive reply, as the man set about hewing down 
 several small saplings with which to construct a 
 litter. 
 
 Roy insisted on aiding him, and while they worked 
 the stranger became more communicative. 
 
 " It kinder surprised you to see a white man in 
 this part of the country, I reckon ?" 
 
 " That is a fact. I don't think even Tongla knew 
 any one lived near here." 
 
 " It ain't safe to make many acquaintances, an' I 
 keep pretty snug the greater portion of the time. 
 You see I've got considerable curiosity in these 'ere 
 buried cities, an' as there happens to be one close by 
 
274 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 that hasn't been overhauled very much, I kinder lay 
 low, with Pedrito an' his father to help along in 
 the way of huntin' an' fishinV 
 
 Eoy believed he knew why this man, who used 
 such an unmistakable Yankee twang, was interested 
 in buried cities. The golden idols, which looked like 
 so many packages of provisions, told what might be 
 found among these vestiges of a forgotten race, and 
 it was safe to assume the stranger had come in 
 search of treasure. 
 
 " How long have you been here ?" 
 
 " Nigh on to a year." 
 
 " Do you intend to remain permanently ?" 
 
 " Bless you, no. I'm about ready to leave now, 
 an' shouldn't be surprised if we traveled together 
 when that Indian of yours can walk." 
 
 " We shall be more than glad of your company, 
 Mr. " 
 
 "My name is Wiggle Seth Wiggle." 
 
 " If you are with us, there will be more chance of 
 resisting an attack in case one is made." 
 
 "I don't count on takin' any risks when I get 
 ready to leave this place. I haven't got much truck 
 to carry, but want to count on takin' through what 
 I've been gather in'." 
 
 At this intimation of hig having found treasure, 
 at least that was the construction Roy put upon it, 
 the latter was almost tempted to reveal his own 
 secret ; but after a few seconds' reflection he decided 
 it might not be safe. Forty pounds of gold would 
 induce many men to commit a great crime ; and al- 
 though Mr. Wiggle appeared to be honest, there 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 2?5 
 
 was no urgent reason why he should be given an 
 opportunity to act otherwise. 
 
 While working, the searcher among buried cities 
 asked many questions relative to Koy's father, and 
 his prospects for making indigo-raising a profitable 
 enterprise, and by the time his curiosity had been 
 gratified the litter was completed. 
 
 " We'll carry your brother first," Mr. Wiggle 
 said, as he approached the hammock. "You 
 needn't take him out, but just slack up on the ropes 
 till he is lowered gently on to the wagon." 
 
 By traveling as rapidly as the tangled foliage 
 would permit, the first invalid was swinging in his 
 hammock under the shade of a venerable logwood- 
 tree at the rear of the Yankee's hut in a very short 
 space of time, and the bearers were on their way to 
 the encampment again. 
 
 Tongla had grown rapidly worse when they saw 
 him again, and the man said, with a troubled look : 
 
 " That is just what I was afraid of. The fever 
 has set in, an' we shall have him on our hands a long 
 spell." 
 
 " Why should he have a fever 2" Koy asked, in 
 surprise. 
 
 " It most always follows a row of this kind ; but 
 if he comes out of it the marks of the jaguar's 
 claws won't amount to very much, though he'll be 
 likely to carry the scars as long as he lives." 
 
 The Indian boy was placed on the litter, as Dean 
 had been; and then the bearers were forced to walk 
 slowly lest too severe jolting should prove fatal. 
 
 It was nearly noon when Tongla Had been cared 
 
THEASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 for ; and, despite the intense heat, Mr. Wiggle pro- 
 posed that no time be lost in putting the pitpan out 
 of sight. 
 
 " I don't reckon your luggage is very valuable," 
 he said ; " but you'll likely need it, an' we'd better 
 get the stuff up here right soon." 
 
 Roy thought it strange that Pedrito was not 
 called to remain with the invalids during his and 
 Mr. Wiggle's absence; but as the latter gave no 
 sign of summoning him, nothing could be said. 
 
 But little time was spent in caring for the pitpan. 
 She was carried into the thicket, about a hundred 
 yards from the river, and there left to the mercy of 
 the first who might chance to discover the hiding- 
 place. 
 
 When it came to a question of transporting the 
 provisions to the hut, Hoy was careful to take the 
 bundles in which were packed the idols lest the 
 great weight should arouse suspicion, and he stag- 
 gered on under the burden, trying to appear as if it 
 was no heavier than Mr. Wiggle's share. 
 
 Both the laborers felt thoroughly tired when this 
 last task had been performed, and until the sun had 
 sunk low in the western heavens nothing was done 
 save to wait upon the invalids. 
 
 Dean was very nearly himself by this time, but 
 Tongla had continued to grow worse, until now he 
 did not appear to know those around him, but talked 
 constantly in his native language. 
 
 "What shall we do if he is sick a long while?" 
 Dean asked, anxiously; and his brother replied, 
 with a sigh : 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 277 
 
 " I don't know ; but one thing is certain we are 
 bound to stay by him." 
 
 " That goes without saying ; but, Roy, it surely 
 does seem as if there was some truth in what he has 
 said about the vengeance of the gods. I don't be- 
 lieve three fellows could again run into as much 
 danger in the same time as we have since leaving 
 the ruins. Matters seemed bad enough when we 
 were at the Woolwa village, but they are much 
 worse now, and it appears as if we should never 
 reach the coast." 
 
 " We mustn't think of such foolish things. Of 
 course we know those images of gold can have 
 nothing to do with our misadventures, and it isn't 
 well even to speak of the ridiculous idea. When we 
 leave here this man is to go with us, and I fancy our 
 troubles will be over." 
 
 " What's that ? Talkin' about gettin' home, eh ?" 
 And as he spoke Mr. Wiggle came from the hut, 
 where he had been enjoying his siesta. " Don't gei 
 downhearted, for I'll see to it there's nothin' to 
 harm when we shake the dust of this place off our 
 feet. I'm countin' on goin' to the indigo plantation 
 with you, for it may be I'll try my hand at the same 
 business, an' it'll be a good chance to see how the 
 thing's done." 
 
 Then the gentleman began to cook a hearty sup- 
 per, not hesitating to avail himself of Hoy's offer 
 that the roasted birds and tapir-meat be used, and 
 the boys were at a loss to understand the reason for 
 Pedrito's continued absence. 
 
 Mr. Wiggle was by no means an adept in the art 
 
278 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 of preparing chocolate ; but he made up in quantity 
 what was lacking in quality, and the white boys 
 were not disposed to find fault. But for this man 
 they would have been alone with Tongla, uncertain 
 as to what should be done to give him relief, and 
 everything seemed very nearly correct. 
 
 When the evening meal had been eaten the In- 
 dian boy's hammock, with him in it, was carried to 
 the one room of the hut where he would be shel- 
 tered from the dew, and then Mr. Wiggle proposed 
 that they " turn in " for the night. 
 
 " I'll allow that it's a little early," he said, " but 
 we've got considerable work to do, an' the mos- 
 quitoes make things a trifle lively unless a fellow 
 sticks his head into smoke so thick that it's an open 
 question in my mind as to which is the worst." 
 
 " Don't you stand watch ?" Koy asked. 
 
 "Not a bit of it. Why should we? This is too 
 near what the Indians call the river god's home for 
 us to be bothered with visitors, an' I go in for get- 
 tin' a full night's sleep." 
 
 This arrangement was perfectly satisfactory to 
 Roy, and it was not yet nine o'clock when all the 
 party, with the possible exception of Tongla, were 
 wrapped in profound slumber. 
 
THE TREA8UHE-FINDERS. 279 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 RESCUED. 
 
 QEVERAL times during the night Mr. Wiggle 
 O attended to the wounded boy's wants in the 
 way of giving him water, renewing the poultices of 
 cooling leaves, or feeding him with small portions of 
 plantains, and when the morning dawned he ap- 
 peared to be quite comfortable. 
 
 Dean was as well as usual. The effects of the 
 guaco yet remained in some slight degree, but not 
 to the extent of impairing his health. 
 
 " I feel even better than before the snake bit me," 
 he said, laughingly ; " and if Mr. Wiggle wants any 
 work done, I'm the one on whom to call." 
 
 " You can tend to the Indian, your brother may 
 see to the cooking, an' I'll snoop 'round a bit on a 
 job that oughter be 'tended to right away." 
 
 Roy began his portion of the task at once, for the 
 host had started toward the river as he ceased 
 speaking, and Dean took advantage of the oppor- 
 tunity to search for the same kind of palm-trees as 
 Tongla had used in making the imitation lemonade. 
 
 " I know how good that stuff tastes when a fellow 
 is sick and thirsty," he said, " and we'll give him all 
 he wants," 
 
280 TEE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 Dean had finished the work, five palms standing 
 against the hut as proof of his industry, when Mr. 
 Wiggle returned. The breakfast had been prepared 
 for some time, and the re-warmed roasts not im- 
 proved by waiting ; but the owner of the hut did 
 not make any comments ; he appeared troubled, and 
 Roy asked : 
 
 " Did you see anything while at the river ?" 
 
 " I didn't go there." 
 
 "I thought from the way you looked that the 
 Indians might be around." 
 
 "It wouldn't trouble me much if fifty of 'em 
 should send word that they were coniin' to clean me 
 out. A good repeatin' rifle an' two revolvers will 
 keep a whole tribe at a respectful distance. I was 
 kinder fussin' about somethin' else." 
 
 Inasmuch as he did not explain what this " some- 
 thing " was, Roy remained silent, and after a few mo- 
 ments Dean was about to stroll through the thicket 
 at the back of the hut, when Mr. Wiggle said, 
 almost sharply : 
 
 " Hold on a minute, I've got a word to say." 
 
 Dean sat down on the ground prepared to give 
 his undivided attention, and Roy looked up expect- 
 antly ; but the gentleman showed no sign of saying 
 his " word." 
 
 Five minutes passed, and when the boys had 
 begun to believe they were mistaken in thinking he 
 requested them to remain, Mr. Wiggle said, speak- 
 ing with great deliberation : 
 
 " I've never told you why I camped out here in the 
 wilderness, nor I wouldn't if the thing could be 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 281 
 
 helped ; but seein's how we'll most likely travel to- 
 gether after Pedrito gets back, it's no use to hang 
 off. I come here to snoop 'round these buried cities 
 thinkin' I might find somethin' worth carryin' off." 
 
 " You mean gold," Roy interrupted. 
 
 " Why ? What do you know about such a metal 
 bein' in these places ?" 
 
 Roy hesitated an instant, and then replied, cau- 
 tiously : 
 
 "There could hardly be anything else, for these 
 towns have been abandoned hundreds of years." 
 
 " Can you tell me who did build 'em ?" and now 
 Mr. Wiggle showed signs of great interest. "I've 
 puzzled my head a sight tryin' to figger out how 
 an' why the fine houses, for they ain't much less 
 than palaces, have been left to go to the dogs." 
 
 " A good many people have tried the same thing, 
 but no one has yet succeeded to the satisfaction of 
 the students in such matters." 
 
 " Tell me what you've heard about them." 
 
 " I have read that the ruins were discovered by 
 the Spaniards in the year 1750, and they then ap- 
 peared to have been long deserted. Some believe 
 they were built by the Toltecs, and others that the 
 Aztecs or a portion of the nation were in pos- 
 session of the country as far south as this. It seems 
 to be the opinion of all who have studied them that 
 the cities were built about the year 1100, and it is 
 said that the general style of the buildings are 
 strikingly like specimens of architecture known to 
 have been erected by the Toltecs in the seventh cent- 
 ury," 
 
282 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 " That's quite a spell ago, ain't it ?" 
 
 " Yes," Koy replied, laughingly ; " but I thought 
 you had something to tell us about the ruins." 
 
 " Me ? Bless you, no leastways, nothin' about 
 the towns themselves. I kinder drifted 'round here, 
 thinkin' it might be possible to dicker with the na- 
 tives, an' got set on the piles of stone, thinkin' 
 gold might be found, for people do say there has 
 been a pile of the yellow stuff in this country." 
 
 " And you have been hunting for it ?" 
 
 " Well, to tell the truth I have done somethin' of 
 that sort." 
 
 "Did you find any?" 
 
 Mr. Wiggle looked at the questioner an instant, as 
 if asking himself whether it would be safe to trust 
 the boys, and, evidently deciding in the affirmative, 
 he began, with a great show of confidence : 
 
 " I ain't sayin' as this story'd been told if I didn't 
 count on leavin' here with you, when the whole 
 thing would have to come out. I've found a little 
 of what the miners call i color,' an' it's goin' to 
 make a decently big load." 
 
 Now Koy did not hesitate to reveal his secret, and 
 he asked, as he unrolled the largest idol from its 
 wrapping of leaves : 
 
 " Did you find your gold in this form ?" 
 
 " Geewhittaker ! If I didn't know you brought 
 that with you I'd say it was one I've got up here in 
 the woods. Where did you get it ?" 
 
 Eoy told his story in detail, and when he con- 
 cluded the elder treasure-finder said, thoughtfully : 
 
 "I never thought the Indians might kick up a 
 
or TMI 
 UNIVERSITY ) 
 
 Of / 
 
 - 
 
 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 283 
 
 row about them little figgers bein' lugged off 1 So 
 that was why you didn't dare to go over the 
 range ?" 
 
 " The Sukia and her followers are probably guard- 
 ing all the passes, in the belief that we must cross 
 in order to reach home." 
 
 "You'll outwit 'em yet," Mr. Wiggle said, with a 
 chuckle of satisfaction. 
 
 " I wish we were sure of that," Dean replied, de- 
 spondently ; " but according to the way we have 
 been traveling we shall be gray -headed before get- 
 ting out of the river." 
 
 "I'll answer for it that that part comes all 
 right. Hold on a bit, an' I'll show you some of my 
 figgers." 
 
 Mr. Wiggle ran into the thicket hastily, and 
 while he was absent Roy said, hopefully : 
 
 " I truly believe the greater portion of our troub- 
 les are over. lie is quite as eager as we to leave 
 here, and will find a way when Tongla is able to 
 travel." 
 
 At this point the Indian boy awoke, and asked for 
 a drink of water. 
 
 " You shall have what you gave me," Dean cried, 
 as he brought one of the palm-trunks. " I fixed it 
 a few hours ago, and there is enough for a good, big 
 drink." 
 
 The liquid was refreshing, and after Tongla had 
 satisfied his thirst with a generous quantity he 
 whispered : 
 
 " Where are we 2" 
 
 Boy told him all they had learned regarding Mr. 
 
284 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 Wiggle, and he closed his eyes with the air of one 
 who feels perfectly at ease. 
 
 " There will be no trouble if you have found an- 
 other white man, and I must make haste to get well 
 that we may start once more for the hacienda." 
 
 " There is plenty of time ; no move will be made 
 until you are strong again." 
 
 At this moment the owner of the hut returned, 
 bearing in his arms, as if they were a heavy burden, 
 four golden figures similar to those the boys had 
 brought so far. 
 
 " Not bad, eh ?" Mr. Wiggle asked with pride, as 
 he stood them against the hut and then stepped back 
 a few paces to observe the general effect. " I've got 
 two more, an' reckon the mine is about cleaned out. 
 It may be that the place yours came from would 
 pan out pretty well, but more'n one man would be 
 needed." 
 
 Tongla raised his head sufficiently to see the yel- 
 low^ gu res, and then laid back again with a long- 
 drawn sigh. That which caused the white members 
 of the party so much joy was to him the symbol of 
 suffering to be endured in the future, and the sight 
 was not pleasing. 
 
 During the remainder of the day but little was 
 talked of save the idols, and only when the party re- 
 tired was the subject dropped. Mr. Wiggle offered 
 to take them to the ruins where his discoveries were 
 made, but the invitation was rejected, because they 
 had no especial desire to see what could be but little 
 different from the collection of buildings where 
 many disagreeable hours had been spent. 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 285 
 
 There was nothing to be done save wait until 
 Tongla recovered, and during the next week Hoy 
 and Dean did little else save sit by his side or lounge 
 in their hammocks. 
 
 Mr. Wiggle did all the hunting necessary to sup- 
 ply the household with food, and insisted on acting 
 as cook, because, as he said, " some folks could fix 
 up a meal better than others." 
 
 It was a reflection upon Koy's skill as cook, but 
 that did not trouble him, in view of the fact that he 
 was thus relieved from a very disagreeable duty. 
 He and his brother waited attentively upon the in- 
 valid, and had the great satisfaction of seeing him 
 improve each day, until the time came when he was 
 able to take short walks during the earlier portions 
 of the day. 
 
 "It won't be long now before we can leave," 
 Dean said, on the morning of the ninth day. " With 
 Mr. Wiggle to help, we can do the paddling, and all 
 he has to do is play the part of passenger." 
 
 " I am ready now," the Indian said, quickly. " It 
 is not well to stay here too long, although the white 
 man should know best." 
 
 " Let's speak to him about going," Dean suggest- 
 ed ; and his brother replied : 
 
 " I fancy he has sent that boy Pedrito somewhere, 
 and does not intend to leave here until he comes 
 back." 
 
 " Then we are likely to start pretty soon ;" and 
 Dean pointed toward a more open portion of the 
 forest, where the boy was emerging from among the 
 trees. 
 
286 THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 As Hoy looked up two or three men appeared di- 
 rectly behind Pedrito, as if following him. 
 
 "Do you suppose he went for them?" Dean 
 asked ; and the next instant he leaped to his feet 
 with a cry of joy, for he saw directly in the rear of 
 the new-comers his own father, who appeared to be 
 leading quite a body of men. 
 
 The boys were plunged into a state of almost de- 
 lirious delight, and it was not until nearly a quarter 
 of an hour had elapsed that they thought to ask 
 how he happened to be there in Pedrito's company, 
 
 " I reckon I'm to blame for that part of it," Mr. 
 Wiggle said, with a smirk of satisfaction. " When 
 you told me where his plantation was located, I 
 kinder figgered that Pedrito could find the place, or 
 his father might, which amounts to the same thing, 
 so I packed him off before we brought either Dean 
 or Tongla up to the hut." 
 
 " Then mother is at home ?" Hoy asked. 
 
 " Yes, and has been in a painful state of anxiety 
 until this boy arrived, but now believes I will bring 
 you back in safety." 
 
 Not until after a hearty meal had been served 
 would Mr. Wiggle give his guests an opportunity 
 for a confidential chat. 
 
 " It don't pay to talk on an empty stomach, an' I 
 reckon you'll do a good deal of chinnin' before the 
 yarn has been spun." 
 
 It was a long story which the boys had to tell, 
 and then their host had a few words to say. 
 
 " I counted on a little lift when I sent Pedrito 
 after you," he said to Mr. Coloney. " I've got a bit 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 28? 
 
 of gold myself, an' if we all travel together there 
 won't be much danger of losin' it. It'll be a fair 
 thing all around, an' you've got men enough to 
 divide up the loads so they won't be heavy." 
 
 " What you have done for my sons is sufficient to 
 make me your creditor, and I shall be only too well 
 pleased to render any service in my power." 
 
 This portion of the matter being settled, it simply 
 remained to fix the time of departure, which Tongla 
 insisted should be on the next day. 
 
 " With no load to carry I can travel as well now 
 as before the jaguar leaped upon me, therefore it is 
 not necessary to remain a moment after you are 
 rested." 
 
 Mr. Coloney thought as did the Indian, and it was 
 decided to leave on the following morning at sun- 
 rise. 
 
 There is no reason to write any more relative to 
 the treasure-finders. Mr. Coloney's party was so 
 large that the Sukia's followers were not feared, and 
 the journey was made without incident. One week 
 from the time of Perdito's return the boys were 
 ' with their mother, and no happier family could have 
 been found in Nicaragua. 
 
 Mr. Wiggle remained on the plantation a fort- 
 night, when, with an escort consisting of four 
 trusty Indians, Perdito and his father, he started for 
 the ruins where the boys found their treasure. 
 Whether he succeeded in his purpose none of our 
 friends ever knew, for not one of the party was 
 seen again, and if they did not follow down the 
 river to* the coast, the Sukia's followers must have 
 
THE TREASURE-FINDERS. 
 
 wreaked the vengeance from which the boys es- 
 caped. 
 
 What was done with the three idols ? 
 
 At present they are still in Mr. Coloney's posses- 
 sion, but a letter from Roy states that they are soon 
 to be sold, and with the proceeds a second indigo 
 plantation is to be purchased for the young TREAS- 
 
 URE-FlNDERS. 
 
 THE END. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW 
 
 OCT 21 1916 
 DEC 2 l$lf 
 
 r 
 
 AUG 30 
 
 1931 
 
 30m- 6, '14 
 

 
 
 c