The Lost City.......................................................................................................................................................1

Joseph E. Badger, Jr. ................................................................................................................................1

"Wonder if this isn't a portion of the glorious climate, broken loose from its native California, and drifting up

"If so, said lark must be roasted to a turn," declared the third (and last) member of that little party, drawing a

curved forefinger across his forehead, then flirting aside sundry drops of moisture. "I can't recall such another

muggy afternoon, and if we were only back in what the scientists term the cyclone belt"

"We would be all at sea," quickly interposed the professor, the fingers of one hand vigorously stirring his

gray pompadour, while the other was lifted in a deprecatory manner. "At sea, literally as well as

metaphorically, my dear Bruno; for, correctly speaking, the ocean alone can give birth to the cyclone."

"Why can't you remember anything, boy?" sternly cut in the roguisheyed youngster, with admonitory

forefinger, coming to the front. "How many times have I told you never to say blue when you mean green?

Why don't you say Kansas zephyr? Or windyauger? Or twister? Or whirlygust on a corkscrew

wigglewaggle? Orwell, almost any other old thing that you can't think of at the right time? Whew!

Who mentioned sitting on a snowdrift, and sucking at an icicle? Hot? Well, now, if this isn't a genuine old

Waldo Gillespie let his feet slip from beneath him, sitting down with greater force than grace, back supported

against a gnarled juniper, loosening the clothes at his neck while using his other hand to ply his crumpled hat

Bruno laughed outright at this characteristic anticlimax, while Professor Featherwit was obliged to smile,

"Well, uncle Phaeton, have it your own way. Under either name, I fancy the thingamajig would kick up a

high old bobbery with a man's political economy should it chance to go bu'st right there!

And, besides, when I was a weenty little fellow I was taught never to call a man a fool or a liar"

"So long as I knew myself to be in the wrong," coolly finished the youngster, face grave, but eyes twinkling,

"There is one thing neither cyclone nor tornado could ever deprive you of, Kid, and that is"

"My beauty, wit, and good sense,thanks, awfully! Nor you, my dear Bruno, although my inbred politeness

There was a queersounding chuckle as Professor Featherwit turned away, busying himself about that

rudebuilt shed and shanty which sheltered the pride of his brain and the pet of his heart, while Bruno smiled

indulgently as he took a few steps away from those stunted trees in order to gain a fairer view of the stormy

Far away towards the northeast, rising above the distant hill, now showed an uglylooking cloudbank which

Had it first appeared in the opposite quarter of the horizon, Bruno would have felt a stronger interest in the

clouds, knowing as he did that the miscalled "cyclone" almost invariably finds birth in the southwest. Then,

too, nearly all the other symptoms were noticeable,the close, "muggy" atmosphere; the deathlike stillness;

the lack of oxygen in the air, causing one to breathe more rapidly, yet with far less satisfying results than

Even as Bruno gazed, those heavy cloudbanks changed, both in shape and in colour, taking on a peculiar

His cry to this effect brought the professor forth from the shedlike shanty, while Waldo roused up

"To say nothing of yonder formation way out over the salty drink, my worthy friends, who intimated that a

Professor Featherwit frowned a bit as his keen little ratlike eyes turned towards that quarter of the heavens;

Where but a few minutes before there had been only a few light clouds in sight, was now a heavy bank of

remarkable shape, its crest a straight line as though marked by an enormous ruler, while the lower edge was

broken into sharp points and irregular sections, the whole seeming to float upon a low sea of grayish copper.

"Well, well, that looks ugly, decidedly ugly, I must confess," the wiry little professor spoke, after that keen

"Really, now?" drawled Waldo, who was nothing if not contrary on the surface. "Barring a certain little

topsyturvyness which is something out of the ordinary, I'd call that a charming bit ofGreat guns and little

For just then there came a shrieking blast of wind from out the northeast, bringing upon its wings a brief

shower of hail, intermingled with great drops of rain which pelted all things with scarcely less force than did

"Hurrah!" shrilly screamed Waldo, as he dashed out into the storm, fairly revelling in the sudden change.

"Who says this isn't 'way up in G?' Who saysout of the way, Bruno! Shut that trapdoor in your face, so

another fellow may get at least a share of the good things coming straight down fromowwow!"

Through the now driving rain came flashing larger particles, and one of more than ordinary size rebounded

from that curly pate, sending its owner hurriedly to shelter beneath the scrubby trees, one hand ruefully

Faster fell the drops, both of rain and of ice, clattering against the shanty and its adjoining shed with an

The rain descended in perfect sheets for a few minutes, while the hailstones fell thicker and faster, growing in

size as the storm raged, already beginning to lend those red sands a pearly tinge with their dancing particles.

Now and then an aerial monster would fall, to draw a wondering cry from the brothers, and on more than one

occasion Waldo risked a cracked crown by dashing forth from shelter to snatch up a remarkable specimen.

"Talk about your California fruit! what's the matter with good old Washington Territory?" he cried, tightly

clenching one fist and holding a hailstone alongside by way of comparison. "Look at that, will you? Isn't it a

beauty? See the different shaded rings of white and clear ice. Seebrother, it is as large as my fist!"

But for once Professor Phaeton Featherwit was fairly deaf to the claims of this, in some respects his favourite

nephew, having scuttled back beneath the shed, where he was busily stowing away sundry articles of

importance into a queerly shaped machine which those rough planks fairly shielded from the driving storm.

Having performed this duty to his own satisfaction, the professor came back to where the brothers were

standing, viewing with them such of the storm as could be itemised. That was but little, thanks to the driving

rain, which cut one's vision short at but a few rods, while the deafening peals of thunder prevented any

"Good thing we've got a shelter!" cried Waldo, involuntarily shrinking as the plank roof was hammered by

several mammoth stones of ice. "One of those chunks of ice would crack a fellow's skull just as easy!"

Yet the next instant he was out in the driving storm, eagerly snatching at a brace of those frozen marvels,

heedless of his own risk or of the warning shouts sent after him by those coolerbrained comrades.

Thunder crashed in wildest unison with almost blinding sheets of lightning, the rain and hail falling thicker

and heavier than ever for a few moments; but then, as suddenly as it had come, the storm passed on, leaving

"Isn't that pretty nearly what people call a cloudburst, uncle Phaeton?" asked Bruno, curiously watching that

"Those wholly ignorant of meteorological phenomena might so pronounce, perhaps, but never one who has

given the matter either thought or study," promptly responded the professor, in no wise loth to give a free

lecture, no matter how brief it might be, perforce. "It is merely nature seeking to restore a disturbed

equilibrium; a current of colder air, in search of a temporary vacuum, caused by"

"But isn't that just what produces cytornadoes, though?" interrupted Waldo, with scant politeness.

"Precisely, my dear boy," blandly agreed their mentor, rubbing his hands briskly, while peering through

raindampened glasses, after that departing storm. "And I have scarcely a doubt but that a tornado of no

ordinary magnitude will be the final outcome of this remarkable display. For, as the record will amply prove,

the most destructive windstorms are invariably heralded by a fall of hail, heavy in proportion to the"

"Then I'd rather be excused, thank you, sir!" again interrupted the younger of the brothers, shrugging his

shoulders as he stepped forth from shelter to win a fairer view of the space stretching away towards the south

and the west. "I always laughed at tales of hailstones large as hen's eggs, but now I know better. If I was a

hen, and had to match such a pattern as these, I'd petition the legislature to change my name to that of

Bruno proved to be a little more amenable to the law of politeness, and to him Professor Featherwit confined

his sapient remarks for the time being, giving no slight amount of valuable information anent these strange

He spoke of the different varieties of landstorms, showing how a tornado varied from a hurricane or a gale,

then again brought to the front the vital difference between a cyclone, as such, and the miscalled "twister,"

which has wrought such dire destruction throughout a large portion of our own land during more recent years.

While that little lecture would make interesting reading for those who take an interest in such matters, it need

scarcely be reproduced in this connection, more particularly as, just when the professor was getting fairly

warmed up to his work, an interruption came in the shape of a sharp, eager shout from the lips of Waldo

A small clump of trees growing upon a rising bit of ground interfered with the view of his brother and uncle,

for Waldo was pointing almost due southeast; yet his excitement was so pronounced that both the professor

and Bruno hastened in that direction, stopping short as they caught a fair sight of the object indicated.

A mighty mass of wildly disturbed clouds, black and green and white and yellow all blending together and

constantly shifting positions, out of which was suddenly formed a still more ominous shape.

A mass of lurid vapour shot downwards, taking on the general semblance of a balloon, as it swayed madly

back and forth, an elongating trunk or tongue reaching still nearer the earth, with fierce gyrations, as though

Not one of that trio had ever before gazed upon just such another creation, yet one and all recognised the

truth,this was a veritable tornado, just such as they had read in awed wonder about, time and time again.

Neither one of the brothers Gillespie were cravens, in any sense of the word, but now their cheeks grew paler,

and they seemed to shrink from yonder airy monster, even while watching it grow into shape and awful

Professor Featherwit was no less absorbed in this wondrous spectacle, but his was the interest of a scientist,

"I hardly believe we have anything to fear from this tornado, my lads," he said, taking note of their

uneasiness. "According to both rule and precedent, yonder tornado will pass to the east of our present

position, and we will be as safe right here as though we were a thousand miles away."

"As a rule, yes; but there are exceptions, of course. And unless this should prove to be one of those rare

"Look!" cried Waldo, with swift gesticulation. "It's coming this way, or I neverISN'T it coming this way?"

"Unless this should prove to be one of those rare exceptions, my dear boy, I can promise you thatUpon my

soul!" with an abrupt change of both tone and manner, "I really believe it IS coming this way!"

"It isit is coming! Get a move on, or we'll never knowhunt a hole and pull it in after you!" fairly

"To the house!" cried the professor, raising his voice to overcome yonder sullen roar, which was now

beginning to come their way. "Trust all to the aeromotor, and 'twill be well with us!"

The wiry little man of science himself fell to work with an energy which told how serious he regarded the

Just as had been done many times before this day, a queerlooking machine was shoved out from the shed,

gliding along the wooden ways prepared for that express purpose, while Professor Featherwit hurried aboard

a few articles which past experience warned him might prove of service in the hours to come, then sharply

"Get aboard, lads! Time enough, yet none to spare in idle motions. See! The storm is drifting our way in

Now fairly at its dread work of destruction, tearing up the rain dampened dirt and playing with mighty

boulders, tossing them here and there, as a giant of olden tales might play with jackstones, snapping off

sturdy trees and whipping them to splinters even while hurling them as a farmer sows his grain.

Just the one brief look at that aerial monster, then both lads hung fast to the handrail of rope, while the

professor put that cunning machinery in motion, causing the airship to rise from its ways with a sudden

swooping movement, then soaring upward and onward, in a fair curve, as graceful and steady as a bird on

All this took some little time, even while the trio were working as men only can when dear life is at stake; but

the flyingmachine was afloat and fairly off upon the most marvellous journey mortals ever accomplished,

"Grand! Glorious! Magnificent!" fairly exploded the professor, when he could risk a more comprehensive

look, right hand tightly gripping the polished lever through which he controlled that admirable mechanism. "I

have longed for just such an opportunity, and nowthe camera, Bruno! We must never neglect to improve

"Get out of the road, rather!" bluntly shouted Waldo, face unusually pale, as he stared at yonder awful force

in action. "Of course I'm not scared, or anything like that, uncle Phaeton, butI want to rack out o' this just

"Wonderful! Marvellous! Incredible! That rara avis, an exception to all exceptions!" declared the professor,

more deeply stirred than either of his nephews had ever seen him before. "A genuine tornado which has no

eastern drift; which heads as directly as possible towards the northwest, and at the same timeincredible!"

Only ears of his own caught these sentences in their entirety, for now the storm was fairly bellowing in its

might, formed of a variety of sounds which baffles all description, but which, in itself, was more than

sufficient to chill the blood of even a brave man. Yet, almost as though magnetised by that frightful force, the

professor was holding his airship steady, loitering there in its direct path, rather than fleeing from what

For a few moments Bruno withstood the temptation, but then leaned far enough to grasp both hand and tiller,

forcing them in the requisite direction, causing the aeromotor to swing easily around and dart away almost at

That roar was now as of a thousand heavily laden trains rumbling over hollow bridges, and the professor

could only nod his approval when thus aroused from the dangerous fascination. Another minute, and the

airship was floating towards the rear of the balloonshaped cloud itself, each second granting the passengers

True to the firm hand which set its machinery in motion, the flyingmachine maintained that gentle curve

until it swung around well to the rear of the cloud, where again Professor Featherwit broke out in ecstatic

" 'Tis worth a life's ransom, for never until now hath mortal being been blessed with such a magnificent

The professor nimbly ducked his head to dodge a ragged splinter of freshly torn wood which came whistling

past, cast far away from the tornado proper by those erratic winds. And at the same instant the machine itself

recoiled, shivering and creaking in all its cunning joints under a gust of wind which seemed composed of

"Oh, I say!" gasped Waldo, when he could rally from the sudden blow. "Turn the old thing the other way,

uncle Phaeton, and let's go look forwell, almost anything's better than this old cyclone!"

"Tornado, lad," swiftly corrected the man of precision, leaning far forward, and gazing enthralled upon the

vision which fairly thrilled his heart to its very centre. "Never again may we have such another opportunity

They were now directly in the rear of the storm, and as the airship headed across that track of destruction, it

gave a drunken stagger, casting down its inmates, from whose parching lips burst cries of varying import.

"Air! I'm choking!" gasped Bruno, tearing open his shirtcollar with a spasmodic motion.

"Hold me fast!" echoed Waldo, clinging desperately to the lifeline. "It's drawing meinto theah!"

Even the professor gave certain symptoms of alarm for that moment, but then the danger seemed past as the

ship darted fairly across the stormtrail, hovering to the east of that aerial phantom.

There was no difficulty in filling their lungs now, and once more Professor Featherwit headed the

flyingmachine directly for the balloonshaped cloud, modulating its pace so as to maintain their relative

"Take note how it progresses,by fits and starts, as it were," observed Featherwit, now in his glory, eyes

asparkle and muscles aquiver, hair bristling as though full of electricity, face glowing with almost painful

"Sort of a hop, step, and jump, and that's a fact," agreed Waldo, now a bit more at his ease since that awful

"I thought they all went in holy hurry, like they were sent for and had mighty little time in which to get there.

"Another exception to the general rule, which is as you say," admitted the professor. "Different tornadoes

have been timed as moving from twelve to seventy miles an hour, one passing a given point in half a score of

seconds, at another time being registered as fully half an hour in clearing a single section.

"Take the destructive storm at Mount Carmel, Illinois, in June of '77. That made progress at the rate of

thirtyfour miles an hour, yet its force was so mighty that it tore away the spire, vane, and heavy gilded ball

"Still later was the Texas tornado, doing its awful work at the rate of more than sixty miles an hour; while

that which swept through Frankfort, Kansas, on May 17, 1896, was fully a halfhour in crossing a halfmile

stretch of bottomland adjoining the Vermillion River, pausing in its dizzy waltz upon a single spot for long

"Couldn't have been much left when it got through dancing, if that storm was anything like this one,"

declared Waldo, shivering a bit as he watched the awful destruction being wrought right before their

Trees were twisted off and doubled up like blades of dry grass. Mighty rocks were torn apart from the rugged

hills, and huge boulders were tossed into air as though composed of paper. And over all ascended the horrid

roar of ruin beyond description, while from that misshapen ballooncloud, with its flattened top, the electric

fluid shone and flashed, now in great sheets as of flame, then in vicious spurts and darts as though

Still the aerial demon bored its almost sluggish course straight towards the northwest, in this, as in all else,

seemingly bent on proving itself the exception to all exceptions as Professor Featherwit declared.

The savant himself was now in his glory, holding the tiller between arm and side, the better to manipulate his

handcamera, with which he was taking repeated snapshots for future development and reference.

Truly, as he more than once declared, mortal man never had, nor mortal man ever would have, such a

glorious opportunity for recording the varying phases of nature in travail as was now vouchsafed themselves.

"Just think of it, lads!" he cried, almost beside himself with enthusiasm. "This alone will be sufficient to carry

our names ringing through all time down the corridors of undying fame! This alone would be more than

In spite of that awful vision so perilously close before them, and the natural uncertainty which attended such

a reckless venture, Waldo could not repress a chuckle at that comical conclusion, so frequently used towards

"Is itsurely this is not safe, uncle Phaeton?" ventured Bruno, as another retrograde gust of air smote their

"Let's call it a day's work, and knock off," chimed in Waldo. "If the blamed thing should take a notion to

Professor Featherwit made an impatient gesture by way of answer. Speech just then would have been worse

than useless, for that tremendous roaring, crashing, thundering of all sounds, seemed to fall back and envelop

A shower of sand and fine debris poured over and around them, filling ears and mouths, and blinding eyes for

the moment, forcing the brothers closer to the floor of the aerostat, and even compelling the eager professor

Then, thin and reedlike, yet serving to pierce that temporary obscurity and horrible jangle of outer sounds,

"Fear not, my children! The Lord is our shield, and so long as he willeth, just so long shall weHa! didn't I

For the blinding veil was torn away, and once again the trio of adventurers might watch yonder grandly

"Heading direct for the Olympics!" declared Professor Featherwit, digging the sand out of his eyes and

striving to clean his glasses without removing them, clinging to tiller and camera through all. "What a grand

"If we could only hitch onlike a tin can to the tail of a dog!" suggested Waldo, with boyish sarcasm. "Not

There came no answer to his words, for just then that swooping airdemon turned to vivid fire, lightning

playing back and forth, from side to side, in every conceivable direction, until in spite of the broad daylight

"Did you ever witness the like!" awesomely cried Bruno, gazing like one fascinated. "Who could or would

ever believe all that, even if tongue were able to portray its wondrous beauty?"

"What a place that would be for popping corn!" contributed Waldo, practical or nothing, even under such

peculiar circumstances. "If I had to play poppy, though, I'd want a precious long handle to the concern!"

More intensely interested than ever, Professor Featherwit plied his shutter, taking shot after shot at yonder

aerial phenomena, feeling that future generations would surely rise up to call him blessed when the results of

And hence it came to pass that still more thrilling experiences came unto these daring navigators of space,

and that almost before one or the other of them could fairly realise that greater danger really menaced both

Another whirlygust of sand and other debris assailed the flyingmachine, and while sight was thus rendered

almost useless for the time being, the aerostat began to sway and reel from side to side, shivering as though

caught by an irresistible power, yet against which it battled as though instinct with life and brainpower.

Once again the adventurers found it difficult to breathe, while an unseen power seemed pressing them to that

Just as before, that cloud was swept away, and again air came to fill those painfully oppressed lungs. Once

again the trio cleared their eyes and stared about, only to utter simultaneous cries of alarm.

For, brief though that period of blindness had been, 'twas amply sufficient to carry the aeromotor perilously

near yonder stormcentre, and though Professor Featherwit gripped hard his tiller, trying all he knew to turn

"Haste,make haste, uncle Phaeton!" hoarsely panted Bruno, leaning to aid the professor. "We will be

Whether it was that the airship itself had increased its speed during those few moments of dense obscurity,

or whether the madly whirling winds had taken a retrograde movement at that precise time, could only be a

The aerostat was fairly over the dangerline, and, despite all efforts being made to the contrary, was being

drawn directly towards that howling, crashing, thundering mass of destructive energy.

Already the inmates felt themselves being sucked from the flyingmachine, and instinctively tightened their

grip upon handrail and floor, gasping and oppressed, breath failing, and ribs apparently being crushed in by

"Hold fastfor life!" pantingly screamed Professor Featherwit, as he strove in vain to check or change the

course of his aeromotor, now for the first time beyond control of that masterhand.

A few seconds of soultrying suspense, during which the flyingmachine shivered from stem to stern, almost

like a human creature in its deathagony, creaking and groaning, with shrill sounds coming from those

A merciful darkness fell over those sorely imperilled beings, and the vessel itself seemed about to be

overwhelmed by an avalanche of sand and dirt and mixed debris. Then came a dizzy, rocking lurch, followed

by a shock which nearly cast uncle and nephews from their frantic holds, and the airship appeared to be

whirled end for end, cast hither and yon, wrenched and twisted as though all must go to ruin together.

A blast as of superheated air smote upon them one moment, while in the next they were whirled through an

icy atmosphere, then tossed dizzily to and fro, as their toofrail vehicle spun upward as though on a journey

A shrieking blast of wind served to briefly clear away the choking dust, affording the trio a fleeting glimpse

of their immediate surroundings: hurtling sticks and stones, splintered tops of trees, shrubs with wildly

lashing roots freshly torn from the bed of years, all madly spinning through a blinding, scorching, freezing

mass of crazily battling winds, the different currents twining and weaving in and out, as so many hideous

A moment thus, then that horrid uproar grew still more deafening, and the airship was whirled high and

higher, in a dizzy dance, those luckless creatures clinging fast to whatever their frenzied hands might clutch,

Further sight was denied them. They were powerless to move a limb, save as jerked painfully by those

shrieking currents. Breath was taken away, and an enormous weight bore down upon them, threatening to

Upward whirled the flyingmachine, powerless now as those wretched beings within its cunning shape,

smitten sharply here and there by some of those ascending missiles, yet without receiving material injury;

A dizzying swoop downward, but not to death and destruction, for the aerostat alighted easily upon what

appeared to be a sort of aircushion, and, though unsteady for a brief space, then settled upon an even keel.

"Cling fastfor life!" huskily gasped the professor, unwittingly repeating the caution which had last crossed

his lips, which he had ever since been striving to enunciate, faithful to his guardianship over these, his sole

Waldo lifted his head to peer with halfblind eyes about them, in which action he was imitated by both

All around the aeromotor rose a wall of whirling winds, seemingly impenetrable, apparently within reach of

an extended arm, changing colour with each fraction of a second, hideously beautiful, yet never twice the

A hollow, strangely sounding roar was perceptible; one instant coming as from the far distance, then from

nigh at hand, causing the airship to quiver and tremble, as a sentient being might in the presence of a

"Lookupward!" panted Bruno, a few seconds later, his face as pale as that of a corpse, in spite of the dirt

and blotches of sticky mud with which he had been peppered during that dizzy whirl.

Mechanically his companions in peril obeyed, catching breath sharply, as they saw a clear sky and yellow

sunshine far above,so awfully far they were, that it seemed like looking upward from the bottom of an

And then the marvellous truth flashed upon the brain of Phaeton Featherwit, almost robbing him of all power

Then those whirling winds closed quickly above them, shutting out the sunlight, hiding the heavens from

their view, enclosing that vehicle and its occupants, as they were borne away into unknown regions, within

Yet, incredible as it surely seems, no actual harm came to the trio or to their flyingmachine as it swayed

gently upon its airy cushion, although from every side came the horrid roar of destruction, while ever and

anon they could glimpse a wrestling tree or torn mass of shrubbery whizzing upward and outward, to be flung

Once more came that awful sense of suffocation. That painted pall closed down upon them, robbing their

lungs of air, one instant fairly crisping their hair with a touch of fire, only to send an icy chill to their veins a

In vain they struggled, fighting for breath, as a fish gasps when swung from its native element. While that

Again the pall lifted, folding back and blending with those madly circling currents, once again affording a

glimpse of yonder faraway heavens, so marvellously clear, and bright, and peaceful in seeming!

Weakened by those terrible moments, Bruno and Waldo lay gasping, trembling, faint of heart and ill of body,

yet filling their lungs with comparatively pure air,pity there was so little of it to win!

Professor Featherwit still had thought and care for his nephews rather than himself alone, and pantingly

spoke, as he dragged himself to the snug locker, where many important articles had been stowed away:

With husky cries the brothers caught at the tubes offered, the method of working which had so often been

Once more the tube became a chamber, and that horrid force threatened to flatten their bodies; but the worst

had passed, for that precious cylinder now gave them air to inhale, and they were enabled to wait for the

Thanks to this important agency, strength and energy both of body and of mind now came back to the

airvoyagers, and after a little they could lift their heads to peer around them with growing wonder and

There was little room left for doubting the wondrous truth, and yet belief was past their powers during those

All around them whirled and sped those maddened winds, curling and twisting, rising and falling, mixing in

Now dull, now brilliant, never twice the same, but ever changing in colour as in shape, while stripes and

zigzags of lightning played here and there with terrifying menace, those walls of wind held an awfully

From every side came deadened sounds which could bear but a single interpretation: the tornado was still in

rapid motion, was still tearing and rending, crushing and battering, leaving dire destruction and ruin to mark

In goodly measure revived by the compressed air, which was regulated in flow to suit his requirements by a

device of his own, Professor Featherwit now looked around with something of his wonted animation,

heedless of his own peril for the moment, so great was his interest in this marvellous happening.

So utterly incredible was it all that, during those first few minutes of rallying powers, he dared not express the

belief which was shaping itself, gazing around in quest of still further confirmation.

He took note of the windy walls about their vessel, rising upward for many yards, irregular in shape and

curvature here and there, but retaining the general semblance of a tube with flaring top. He peered over the

edge of the basket, to draw back dizzily as he saw naught but yeasty, boiling, seething clouds below,a

veritable aircushion which had served to save the pet of his brain from utter destruction at the time of falling

Yes, there was no longer room for doubt,they were actually inside the distorted balloon, so dreaded by all

"What is it, uncle?" huskily asked Bruno, likewise rallying under that beneficial influence. "Where are we

"Where I'm wishing mighty hard we wasn't, anyhow!" contributed Waldo, with something of his usual

energy, although, judging from his face and eyes, the youngster had suffered more severely than either of his

Professor Featherwit broke into a queerly sounding laugh, as he waved his free hand in exultation before

"Where no living being ever was before us, my lads,riding the tornado like augh!"

The airship gave an awkward lurch just then, and down went the little professor to thump his head heavily

against one corner of the locker. Swaying drunkenly from side to side, then tossing up and down, turning in

unison with those fiercely whirling clouds, the aeromotor seemed at the point of wreck and ruin.

Desperately the trio clung to the lifelines, clenching teeth upon the lifegiving tubes as that terrible pressure

increased so much that it seemed impossible for the human frame to longer resist.

Fortunately that ordeal did not long endure, and again relief came to those so sorely oppressed. A brief

gasping, sighing, stretching as the aerostat resumed its level position, merely rocking easily within that partial

No doubt this was meant for a feeble attempt at joking, but Professor Featherwit took it for earnest, and made

"That is precisely the case, my dear lad, and I am greatly joyed to find that you are not so badly frightened

but that you can assist me in taking notes of this wondrous happening. To think that we are the ones selected

"If this thing is really sick at the stomach, when will it erupt? I'd give a dollar and a half to just get out o' this,

"Patience, my dear boy," gravely spoke the little man of science, busily studying those eddying currents like

one seeking a fairly safe method of extrication from peril. "It may come far sooner than you think, and with

results more disastrous than feeble words can tell. We surely are a burden such as a tornado must be wholly

unaccustomed to, and I really believe these alternations are spasmodic efforts of the cloud itself to vomit us

forth; hence you were nearer right than you thought in making use of that expression."

Again those involuntary riders of the tornado were tossed violently to and fro in their seemingly frail ship,

while the balloon itself appeared threatened with instant dissolution, those eddying currents growing broken

and far less regular in action, while the fierce tumult grew in sound and volume a thousandfold.

All around the airship now showed ugly debris, limbs and boughs and even whole trunks of giant trees

being whirled upward and outward, each moment menacing the vessel with total destruction, yet as

Sand and dirt and fragments of shattered rock whistled by in an apparently unending shower, only with

Speech was utterly impossible under the circumstances, and the fatetossed voyagers could only cling fast to

Never before had either of the trio heard such a deafening crash and uproar, and little wonder if they thought

The tornado seemed to reel backward, as though repulsed by an immovable obstacle, and then, while the din

was a bit less deafening, Professor Featherwit contrived to make himself heard, through screaming at the top

That sentence was perforce left incomplete, since the stormdemon gave another mad plunge to renew the

battle, bringing on a repetition of that drunken swaying so upsetting to both mind and body.

A few seconds thus, then the tornado conquered, or else rose higher in partial defeat, for their progress was

The higher clouds curved backward, affording a wider view of the heavens far above, and, as all eyes turned

"It's the middle o' next week; no less!" positively affirmed his brother. "Don't tell me! We've been in here a

Instead of making reply such as might have been expected from one of his mathematical exactness, Professor

Featherwit gave a cry of dismay, while hurriedly moving to and fro in their contracted quarters, for the time

"What is it, uncle Phaeton?" asked Bruno, rising to his knees in natural anxiety. "Surely nothing worse than

"Worse? What could be worse than losing for everthe camera, boys; where is the camera, I ask you?"

Certainly not where the professor was looking, and even as he roared forth that query, his heart told him the

sad truth; past doubting, the instrument upon whose aid he relied to place upon record these marvellous facts,

so that all mankind might see and have full faith, was lost,thrown from the aerostat, to meet with certain

"Gone,lost,and now who will believe that we everoh, this is enough to crush one's very soul!"

mourned the professor, throwing up his hands, and sinking back to the floor of the flyingmachine in a limp

Neither Bruno nor Waldo could fully appreciate that grief, since thoughts and care for self were still the

ruling passion with both; but once more they were called upon to do battle with the swaying of the winds, and

once again were they saved only through that lifegiving cylinder of compressed air.

Presently, the heartbroken professor rallied, as was his nature, and, with a visible effort putting his great loss

"So far we have passed through all danger without receiving material injury,to ourselves, I mean,and

surely it is not too much to hope for eventual escape?" he said, earnestly, pressing the hands of his nephews,

"Yes," hesitated Bruno, with an involuntary shiver, as he glanced around them upon those furiously boiling

clouds, then cast an eye upward, towards yonder clear sky. "Yes, butin what manner?"

"What'll we do when the cyclone goes bu'st?" cut in Waldo, with disagreeable bluntness. "It can't go on for

"I wish it lay within my power to give you full assurance on all points, my dear boys," the professor made

reply. "I only wish I could ensure your perfect safety by giving my own poor remnant of life"

"How cheerfully, if I only might!" insisted the professor, his homely face wearing an expression of blended

regret and unbounded affection. "But for me you would never have encountered these perils, nor ever"

Again he was interrupted by the brothers, and forced to leave that regret unspoken to the end.

"Only for you, uncle Phaeton, what would have become of us when we were left without parents, home,

fortune? Only for you, taking us in and treating us as though of your own flesh and blood"

"As you are, my good lads! Let it pass, then, but I must say that I do wishwell, well, let it pass, then!"

A brief silence, which was spent in gripping hands and with eyes giving pledges of love and undying

confidence; then Professor Featherwit spoke again, in an entirely different vein.

"If nothing else, we have exploded one fallacy which has never met with contradiction, so far as my poor

"Observe, my lads," with a wave of his hand towards those whirling walls, and then making a downward

motion. "You see that we are floating in a partial vacuum, yet where there is air sufficient to preserve life

under difficulties. And by looking downwardcareful that you don't fall overboard through dizziness,

"Looks as though we were floating just above a bed of ugly wind!" declared Waldo, after taking a look

"Precisely; the aerostat rests upon an aircushion amply solid enough to sustain far more than our combined

"Thanks. Yet you are now far wiser than all of the scientists who have written and published whole libraries

concerning these storm formations, but whose fallacies we are now fully prepared to explode, once for all,

Strange though it may appear, the professor forgot the mutual danger by which they were surrounded, and

trotted off on his hobbyhorse in blissful pride, paying no attention to the hideous uproar going on, only

"The common belief is that, while these tornadoes are hollow, even through the trunk or tongue down to its

contact with the earth, that hollow is caused by a constant suction, through which a steady stream of debris is

flowing, to be sown broadcast for miles around after emerging from the open top of the socalled balloon."

"But it isn't at all like that," eagerly cried Waldo, pointing to where the fragments were flowing upward

through those walls themselves, yet far enough from that hollow interior to be but indistinctly seen save on

rare occasions. "Look at 'em scoot, will ye? Oh, if we could only climb up like that!"

Professor Featherwit was keenly watching and closely studying that very phenomena through all, and now he

gave a queer little chuckle, as he nodded his head with vigour, before dryly speaking.

"Well, it might be done; yes, it might be done, and that with no very serious difficulty, my lad."

"To meet with instant death outside?" sharply queried Bruno. "It would be suicidal to make the attempt, even

Waldo gave a sudden cry, pointing upward where, far above that destructive storm, could be seen a brace of

"If we were only like that!" the lad cried, longingly. "If a flyingmachine could be built like those

turkeybuzzards! I wishwell, I do suppose they're about the nastiest varmints ever hatched, but just now

Apparently the professor paid no attention to this boyish plaint, for he was fumbling in the locker, then

withdrew his hand and uncoiled an ordinary fishline, with painted float attached.

Before either brother could ask a question, or even give a guess at his purpose, Professor Phaeton flung hook

and cork into those circling currents, only to have the whole jerked violently out of his grip, the line flying

That jerk was powerful enough to cut through the skin of his hand, but the professor chuckled like one

"I knew it! It CAN be done, and if the worst should come to pass, why should it not be done?"

Before an answer could be vouchsafed by either of the brothers, the pall swooped down upon them once

more, and again the supply of natural air was shut off, while their vessel was rocked and swayed crazily, just

For several minutes this torture endured, each second of which appeared to be an hour to those imperilled

beings, who surely must have perished, as they lay pinned fast to the floor of the aerostat by that pitiless

weight, only for the precious airtubes in connection with that cylinder of compressed air.

After a seeming age of torment the awful pressure was relaxed, leaving the trio gasping and shivering, as they

lay side by side, barely conscious that life lingered, for the moment unable to lift hand or head to aid either

In spite of his far greater age, Professor Featherwit was first to rally, and his voice was about the first thing

"Shall we take our chances, dear boys?" the professor was saying, in earnest tones. "I believe there is a

"Anythingeverythingjust to get out o' here!" supplemented Waldo, for once all spirits subdued.

"It may be death for us all, even if we do get outside," gravely warned the professor. "Bear that in mind, dear

"How much better to remain here?" interrupted Bruno. "I felt death would be a mercythen! And I'd risk

anything, everything, rather than go through such another ordeal! I say,escape!"

"Me too, all over!" vigorously decided Waldo, lifting himself to both knees as he added: "Tell us what to do,

Even now Professor Phaeton hesitated, his eyes growing dimmer than usual as they rested upon one face after

But, as the brothers repeated their cry, he turned away to swiftly knot a strong trailrope to a heavy iron

grapnel, leaving the other end firmly attached to a stanchion built for that express purpose.

"Hold fast, if you value life at all, dear boys!" he warned, then added: "Heaven be kind to you, even if my life

Without further delay, he cast the heavy grapnel into that mass of boiling vapour, then fell flat, as an awful

There was neither time nor opportunity for taking notes, for that long rope straightened out in the fraction of a

second, throwing all prostrate as the flyingmachine was jerked upward with awful force.

All around them raged and roared the mighty winds, while missiles of almost every description pelted and

pounded both machine and inmates during those few seconds of extraordinary peril.

Fortunately neither the professor nor his nephews could fairly realise just what was taking place, else their

brains would hardly have stood the test; and fortunately, too, that ordeal was not protracted.

A hideous experience while it lasted, those vicious currents dragging the aerostat upward out of the

airchamber by means of grapnel and rope, then casting all far away in company with wrecked trees and

bushes, and even solider materials, all shrouded for a time in dust and debris, which hindered the eyesight of

Through it all the brothers were dimly aware of one fact uncle Phaeton was shrilly bidding them cling fast

All at once they felt as though vomited forth from a volcano which alternately breathed fire and ice, the clear

light of evening bursting upon their aching, smarting eyes with actual pain, while that horrid roar of warring

"We're falling tomerciful heavens! Hold fast, all!" screamed the professor, desperately striving to regain

To all seeming, the aerostat had sustained some fatal damage during that brief eruption caused by the

professor's little experiment, for it was pitching drunkenly end for end, refusing to obey the hand of its

Half stupefied with fear, the brothers clung fast to the lifeline and glared downward, noting, in spite of

themselves, how swiftly yonder dark treetops and gray crags were shooting heavenward to meet them and

With fierce energy Professor Featherwit jerked and wrenched at the steeringgear, uttering words such as had

long been foreign to his lips, but thenjust when destruction appeared inevitablea wild cry burst from his

lungs, as a broken bit of native wood came away in his left hand, leaving the lever free as of old!

And then, with a dizzying swoop and rapid recovery, the gallant airship came back to an even keel, sailing

along with oldtime grace and ease, barely in time to avoid worse mishap as the crest of a tall tree was

"Saved,saved, my lads!" screamed the professor, as his heartpet soared upward once more until well past

the dangerline. "Safe and sound through all,praises be unto the Lord, our Father!"

Neither brother spoke just then, for they lay there in half stupor, barely able to realise the wondrous truth: that

That swooping turn now brought their faces towards the tornado, which was at least a couple of miles distant,

rapidly making that distance greater even while continuing its work of destruction.

"And wewere in it!" huskily muttered Bruno, his lids closing with a shiver, as he averted his face,

"Heap sight worse than being in the soup, too, if anybody asks you," declared Waldo, beginning to rally both

in strength and in spirit. "Butwhat's the matter with the old ship, uncle Phaeton?"

For the aerostat was indulging itself in sundry distressing gyrations, pretty much as a boy's kite swoops from

side to side, when lacking in tailballast, while the professor seemed unable to keep the machine under

"Nothing serious, onlyhold fast, all! I believe 'twould be as well to make our descent, for fear

Just ahead there appeared a more than usually open space in the forest, and, quite as much by good luck as

through actual skill, Professor Featherwit succeeded in making a landing with no more serious mishap than

As quickly as possible, both Bruno and Waldo pitched themselves out of the partially disabled aeromotor, the

elder brother grasping the grapnel and taking a couple of turns of the strong rope around a convenient

"No need, my gallant boy!" assured the professor, an instant later. "All is well,all IS well, thanks to an

In spite of this expressed confidence, he hurriedly looked over his pet machine, taking note of such injuries as

had been received during that remarkable journey, only giving over when fairly satisfied that all damage

might be readily made good, after which the aerostat would be as trustworthy as upon its first voyage on high.

Then, grasping the brothers each by a hand, he smiled genially, then lifted eyes heavenward, to a moment

Bruno and Waldo imitated his action, and, though no audible words were spoken, never were more heartfelt

Boy, youth, and man alike seemed fairly awed into silence for the next few minutes, unable to so soon cast

off the spell which had fallen upon them, one and each, when realising how mercifully their lives had been

As usual, however, Waldo was first to rally, and, after silently moving around the aerostat, upon which the

professor was already busily at work by the last gleams of the vanished sun, he paused, legs separated, and

hands thrust deep into pockets, head perking on one side as he spoke, drawlingly:

"Whoever heard it would swear we were baldheaded liars right from Storytown! And yet,did it really

Professor Featherwit gave a brief, dry chuckle at this, rising erect to cast a deliberate glance around their

"Without I am greatly mistaken, my dear boy, you will have still other marvellous happenings to relate ere we

"For one thing, my lad, we are now fairly entered upon a terra incognita, so far as our own race is concerned.

Both Bruno and Waldo cast their eyes around, but only a circumscribed view was theirs. The shades of

evening were settling fast, and on all sides they could see but mighty trees, rugged rocks, a mountain stream

"Nothing so mighty much to brag of, anyway," irreverently quoth Waldo, after that shortlived scrutiny. "It

wouldn't fetch a dollar an acre at auction, and for my part,wonder when the gong will sound for supper?"

That blunt hint was effective, and, letting the subject drop for the time being, even the professor joined in the

Although some rain had fallen at this point as well, no serious difficulty was experienced in kindling a fire,

Through countless ages the forest monarchs had been shedding their superfluous boughs, while here and

there lay an entire tree, overthrown by some unknown power, and upon which the brothers made heavy

Professor Featherwit took from the locker a supply of tinned goods, together with a patent coffeepot and

With water from the little river, it took but a few minutes more to scent the evening with grateful fumes, after

which the adventurous trio squatted there in the ruddy glow, eating, sipping, chatting, now and again forced

to give thanks for their really miraculous preservation after all human hopes had been exhausted.

Although Professor Featherwit was but little less thankful for the wondrous leniency shown them, he could

not altogether refrain from mourning the loss of his camera, with its many snapshots at the tornado itself, to

say nothing of what he might have secured in addition, while riding the storm so marvellously.

More to take his thoughts away from that loss than through actual curiosity in the subject offered by way of

"Of course it isn't really an unknown land, though, uncle Phaeton?" he added, almost apologetically. "In this

"Indeed? And, pray, how long since has it been that you would, with at least equal positivity, have declared it

impossible to enter a tornado while in wildest career, yet emerge from it with life and limb intact?"

"In one sense, yes; in another, no," affirmed the professor, with emphatic nod, brushing the tips of his fingers

together, as he moved back to assume a more comfortable position inside the airship, then quickly preparing

"Washington has her great unknown land, quite as much as has the interior of Darkest Africa, my boys,

besides enjoying this peculiar advantage: while adventurous white men have traversed those benighted

regions in every direction, even though little permanent good may have been accomplished, this terra

"That here in the Olympic region you see what is literally an unknown, unexplored scope of country, as

foreign to the foot of mankind as it was countless ages gone by. So far as history reads, neither white man nor

red has ever ventured fairly within these limits; a mountainous waste which rises from the level country,

within ten or fifteen miles of the Straits of San Juan de Fuca, in the north, the Pacific Ocean in the west,

"This irregular range is known upon the map as the Olympics, and, rising to the height of from six to eight

"The Indians have never penetrated it, so far as can be ascertained, for their traditions say that it is inhabited

by a very fierce tribe of warriors, before whose might and strange weapons not one of the coast tribes can

"One of the Lost Tribes of Israel, shouldn't wonder," drawlingly volunteered Waldo, stifling a yawn, and

Professor Featherwit, though plainly absorbed in his curious theory, was yet quick to detect this evidence of

weariness, and laughed a bit, with change of both tone and manner, as he spoke further:

"That forms but a partial introductory to my lecture, dear lads, but perhaps it might be as well to postpone the

rest for a more propitious occasion. You have undergone sore trials, both ofHark!"

Some sound came to his keen ears, which the brothers failed to catch, but as they bent their heads in listening,

another noise came, which proved startling enough, in all conscience,a shrill, maniacal screech, which sent

Instinctively the brothers drew nearer each other, as though for mutual protection, each one letting hand drop

to belt where a revolver was habitually carried, but which was lacking now, thanks to the great haste with

"What is it? What can it mean?" asked Bruno and Waldo, almost in the same breath, as those fierce echoes

Professor Featherwit made no immediate reply, but by the glow of yonder campfire he fumbled inside the

From the opposite quarter came what might easily have been an echo of that first wild screech, only louder,

Prepared though they now were, neither brother could refrain from shrinking and shuddering, so hideously

"There is nothing supernatural about that, my lads. A panther or mountain lion, I dare say, scenting the fumes

"Then it isn'tNothing spookish, uncle Phaeton?" ventured Waldo, in slightly unsteady tones.

The professor gave swift assurance upon that point, and, rallying as few youngsters would have done under

like circumstances, the brothers grasped the weapons supplied their hands, waiting and watching for what

Once, twice, thrice those savage calls echoed far and wide, but with each repetition losing a portion of their

terrors; and knowing now that prowling beasts surely were drawing nigh the campfire, the flying machine

was abandoned by the trio, all drawing closer to the fire, which might prove no slight protection against

Then followed a period of utter silence, during which their eyes roved restlessly around, striving to sight the

Professor Featherwit was first to glimpse a pair of greenish eyes in silent motion, and, giving a low hiss of

warning to his nephews, that same sound serving to check further progress on the part of the wild beast, his

Only the keenest of ears could have noted that, for only the fraction of an instant later followed a sharp

"That's enough,beware its mate!" cried the professor, keenly alert for whatever might ensue; but the words

were barely across his lips when, with a vicious snarl, a furry shape came flying through the air, knocking

Featherwit over as he instinctively ducked his head with arm flying up as additional guard.

Both man and beast came very near falling into the fire itself, and there ensued a wild, confused scramble, out

of which the brothers singled their enemy, Waldo opening fire with a revolver, at close range, each shot

A catlike recovery, then the fatal leap might have followed, for the confused professor was rising to his feet

again, fairly in front of the enraged brute; but ere worse came, Waldo and Bruno were to the rescue, one

firing as rapidly as possible, his brother driving a keenbladed knife to the very hilt just back of that

One mad wrestle, in which both lads were overthrown, then the gaunt and muscular brute stretched its length

Just as the professor hurried to the front, beseeching his boys to keep out of peril if they loved him; at which

Waldo laughed outright, although never had he felt a warmer love for the same oddspeaking, queeracting

"Without a scratch to remember it by," promptly asserted the elder brother, likewise regaining his feet and

taking hasty account of stock. "No fault of his, though!" giving that carcass a kick as he spoke. "My gracious!

I caught just one glimpse of them, and I was ready to make affidavit that each fang would measure a foot,

"Would pass through an elephant and clinch on the other side," declared Waldo, stooping far enough to lift

one of those armed paws. "But, I say, Bruno, how awfully they have shrunk, since then!"

Whether so intended or not, this characteristic break caused a mutual laugh, and, as there was neither sound

nor sign of further danger from like source, one and all satisfied their curiosity by minutely inspecting the

"An ugly customer, indeed, if we had given him anything like a fair show," gravely uttered the professor.

"Only for your prompt assistance, my dear boys, what would have become of poor me?"

"We acted on our own account, as well, please remember, uncle. And even so, after all you have done for us

"What was it you shot at, uncle Phaeton?" interrupted Waldo, who was constitutionally averse to aught which

Snatching up a blazing brand, the lad moved off in that direction, whirling the torch around his head until it

burst into clear flame, then lowering it closer to a bloody heap of fur and powerful limbs, to give a short

It was a headless body upon which he gazed, ragged fragments of skin and a few splinters of bone alone

Professor Phaeton gave another of his peculiar little chuckles, as he drew near, then patted the compact little

rifle with which he had wrought such extraordinary work: a weapon of his own invention, as were the

"Although I am rather puny myself, boys, with this neat little contrivance I could fairly well hold my own

"What a dandy Jack the Giantkiller you would have been, uncle Phaeton, if you had only lived in the good

old days! I wishand yet I don't, either! Of course, it might have been jolly old sport right then, but

"A day on which has happened a miracle far more marvellous than all that has been set down in fairyland

romance, my dear son," earnestly spoke the professor. "And when the astounding truth shall have been

"How thoroughly we shall be branded liars, and falsificationers from 'way up the crick'!" exploded the

youngster, making a wry grimace and moving on to view the headless lion from a different standpoint.

"He means well, uncle Phaeton," assured Bruno, in lowered tones. "He would not knowingly hurt your

"One to be loved and reverenced, rather," with poorly hidden emotion; then rallying, to add, "But when one

finds it impossible to realise all that has happened this afternoon, when one feels afraid to even make an

effort at such belief, how can the boy be blamed for feeling that all others would pronounce us mad

Professor Phaeton saw the point, and made a wry grimace while roughing up his pompadour and brushing his

closely trimmed beard with doubtful hand. After all, was the whole truth to be ever spoken?

"Well, well, we can determine more clearly after fully weighing the subject," he said, turning back towards

the flyingmachine. "And, after all, what has happened to us thus far may not seem so utterly incredible after

"Of the Olympic mountains, and all their mountainous chain may encompass,yes," curtly spoke the man of

Waldo took greater pleasure in viewing the mountain lion towards whose destruction he had so liberally

"Why take so much trouble for nothing, Waldo? Even if we could stow the pelts away on board, they would

make a far from agreeable burden. And if what I fancy lies before us is to come true, the more lightly we are

weighted, the more likely we are to come safely towell, call it civilisation, just for a change."

"Then you believe that uncle Phaeton is really in earnest about exploring this region, Bruno?"

"He most assuredly is. Did you ever know him to speak idly, or to be otherwise than in earnest, Waldo?"

A friendly palm slipped over those lips, cutting short the speech which might perchance have left a sting

behind. And yet the worthy professor had no more enthusiastic acolyte than this same reckless speaking

Leaving the animals where they had fallen, for the time being, the brothers passed over to where rested the

aeromotor, finding the professor busily engaged in rigging up a series of fine wires, completely surrounding

"Beginning to feel as though you could turn in for all night, eh, my boys?" came his cheery greeting.

"Well, somehow I do feel as though 'the sandman' had been making his rounds rather earlier than customary,"

dryly said Waldo, winking rapidly. "I believe there must have been a bit more wind astir today than

Professor Featherwit chuckled softly while at work, but neither he nor Bruno made reply in words. And then,

his arrangements perfected save for closing the circuit, which could only be done after all hands had entered

"Come, boys. You've had a rough bit of experience this day, and there may be still further trouble in store,

here in this unknown land. Better make sure of a full night's rest, and thus have a reserve fund to draw upon

There was plenty of sound common sense in this adjuration, and, only taking time to procure a can of fresh

water from yonder stream, the two youngsters stepped within that charmed circle, permitting their uncle to

close the circuit, and then test the queer contrivance to make sure all was working nicely.

A confused sound broke forth, resembling the faraway tooting of tin horns, which blended inharmoniously

with the ringing of nearer bells, all producing a noise which was warranted to arouse the heaviest sleeper

"That will give fair warning in case any intruder drifts this way," declared the professor, chucklingly, then

sinking down and wrapping himself up in a closewoven blanket, similar to those employed by the boys.

But that proved to be far more readily spoken than lived up to. Not but that the brothers were weary, jaded,

and sore of muscle enough to make even the thought of slumber agreeable; but their recent experience had

been so thrilling, so nervestraining, so far apart from the ordinary routine of life, that hours passed ere either

Still, when unconsciousness did steal over their weary brains, it proved to be all the more complete, and after

that neither Bruno nor Waldo stirred hand or foot until, well after the dawn of a new day, Professor

A stretch and a yawn, which in Waldo's case ended in a prolonged howl, which would not have disgraced

either of their fourfooted visitors of the past evening, then the brothers Gillespie sprung forth from the

flyingmachine, entering upon a race for the brawling mountain stream, "shedding" their garments as they

"First man in!" cried Bruno, whose clothes seemed to slip off the more readily; but Waldo was not to be

outdone so easily, and, reckless of the consequences, he plunged into the eddying pool, with fully half of his

The water proved to be considerably deeper than either brother had anticipated, and Waldo vanished from

sight for a few seconds, then reappearing with lusty puff and splutter, shaking the pearly drops from his

"Another vile fabrication nailed to the standard of truth, and clinched by the hammer ofouch!"

A wild flounder, then the youngster fairly doubled himself up, acting so strangely that Bruno gave a little cry

of alarm; but ere the elder brother could take further action, Waldo swung his right arm upward and outward,

sending a goodly sized trout flashing through the air to the shore, crying in boyish enthusiasm:

"Glory in great chunks! I want to camp right here for a year to come! Will ye look at that now?"

Bruno had to dodge that writhing missile, and, before he could fairly recover himself, Waldo had floundered

ashore, leaving a yeasty turmoil in his wake, but then throwing up a dripping hand, and speaking in an

"Whist, boy! On your life, not so much as the ghost of a whimper! The hole's ramjammed chuck full of trout,

Bruno picked up the trout, so queerly brought to light, really surprised, but feigning still further, as he made

"It really IS a trout, andhow long have you carried this about in your clothes, Waldo Gillespie?"

"Not long enough for you to build a decent joke over it, brother mine. Just happened so. Tried to ram its nose

in one of my pockets, and of course I had to take him in out of the wet. Pool's just full of them, too, and I

Vigorously though he spoke, Waldo wound up with a shiver and sharp chatter of teeth as the fresh morning

air struck through his dripping garments. He gave a coltish prance, as he turned to seek his fishing tackle; but,

unfortunately for his hopes of speedy sport, the professor was nigh enough to both see and hear, and at once

"Wet to the hide, and upon an empty stomach, too! You foolish child! Come, strip to the buff, and put on

And thus taken in tow, the lad was forced to slowly but thoroughly toast his person beside the freshly started

fire, ruefully watching his brother deftly handle rod and line, in a remarkably short space of time killing trout

"And I was the discoverer, while you reap all the credit, have all the fun!" dolefully lamented Waldo, when

the catch was displayed with an ostentation which may have covered just a tiny bit of malice. "I'll put a tin

"All right; we'll have a merry go together, after you've cleaned the trout for cooking, lad," laughed his elder.

Waldo gazed reproachfully into that bright face for a brief space, then bowed head in joined hands, to sob in

heartfelt fashion, his sturdy frame shaking with poorly suppressed griefor mirth?

Bruno passed an arm caressingly over those shoulders, murmuring words of comfort, earnestly promising to

never sin again in like manner, provided he could find forgiveness now. And then, with deft touch, that same

hand held his garment far enough for its mate to let slip a wriggling trout adown his brother's back.

Waldo howled and jumped wildly, as the cold morsel slipped along his spine, and ducking out of reach, the

Although laughing heartily himself, Professor Featherwit deemed it a part of wisdom to interfere now, and,

ere long, matters quieted down, all hands engaged in preparing the morning meal, for which all teeth were

If good nature had been at all disturbed, long before that breakfast was despatched it was fully restored, and

"Why, just think of it, will you?" he declaimed, as well as might be with mouth full of crisply fried mountain

trout. "where the game comes begging for you to bowl it over, and the very fish try to jump into your

"Button up, or you'll turn to be a Sorrycustomer, old man," came the swift retort, with a portentous

frown. "But, joking aside, why not? With such hunting and fishing, I'd be willing to sign a contract for a

Leaning back far enough to pluck a handful of green leaves, which fairly well served the purpose of a napkin,

Professor Featherwit brought forth pipe and pouch, maintaining silence until the fragrant tobacco was well

"It has been the dearest dream of my life for more years gone by than you would readily credit, my lads; or,

in fact, than I would be wholly willing to confess. And it was with an eye single to this very adventure that I

"A marvel in itself, uncle Phaeton. Only for that, where would we have been, yesterday?" seriously spoke the

"Nor here, where you can catch brook trout in your clothes without the trouble of taking them off, youngster."

"And where you'll catch a precious hiding, without you let up harping on that old string; it's way out of tune

"Tit for tat. Excuse us, please, uncle Phaeton. We're like colts in fresh pasture, this morning," brightly

Apparently the professor paid no attention to that bit of sparring between his nephews, staring into the

glowing campfire with eyes which surely saw more than yellow coals or ruddy flames could picture; eyes

"The dearest dream of all my life!" he repeated, in half dreamy tones, only to rouse himself, with a a start and

shoulder shake, an instant later, forcing a bright smile as he glanced from face to face. "And why not? How

better could my last years be employed than in piercing the clouds of mystery, and doubt, and superstition,

"Is it really so unknown, then, uncle Phaeton?" hesitatingly asked Bruno, touched, in spite of himself, by that

intensely earnest tone and expression. "Of course, I know what the Indians say; they are full of a rude sort of

"Which is one of the surest proofs that truth forms a foundation for that very superstition," quickly interjected

the professor. "It is an undisputed fact that there are hundreds upon hundreds of square miles of terra

incognita, lying in this corner of Washington Territory. No white man ever fairly penetrated these wilds, even

so far as we may have been carried while riding the tornado. Or, if so, he assuredly has never returned, or

"Provided there was anything beyond the ordinary to see or experience, shouldn't we add, uncle?" suggested

"There is,there must be! No matter how wildly improbable their traditions may seem in our judgment, it

only takes calm investigation to bring a fair foundation to light. In regard to this vast scope of country, go

where you will among the natives, question whom you see fit, as to its secrets, and you will meet with the

same results: a deepseated awe, a belief which cannot be shaken, that here strange monsters breed and

flourish, matched in magnitude and power by an armed race of human beings, before whose awful might

Waldo let escape a low, prolonged whistle of mingled wonder and incredulity, but Bruno gave him a covert

kick, himself too deeply interested to bear with a careless interruption just then.

"Of course there may be something of exaggeration in all this," admitted the enthusiastic professor.

"Undoubtedly, there is at least a fair spice of that; but, even so, enough remains to both waken and hold our

"You have often enough, of late days, noticed these mountains, and if you remark their altitude, the vast

scope of country they dominate, the position they fill, you must likewise realise one other fact: that an

immense quantity of snow in winter, rain in spring and autumn, surely must fall throughout the Olympics.

"Then tell me this: where does all the moisture go to? What becomes of the surplus waters? For it is an

acknowledged fact that, though rivers and brooks surely exist in the Olympics, not one of either flows away

The professor paused for a minute, to let his words take full effect, then even more positively proceeded:

"You may say, what I have had others offer by way of solution, that all is drained into a mighty inland sea or

enormous lake. Granting so much, which I really believe to be the truth as far as it goes, why does that lake

never overflow? Of all that surely must drain into its basin, be that enormously wide and deep as it may, how

much could ordinary evaporation dispose of? Only an infinitesimal portion; scarcely worth mentioning in

Another pause, during which neither Gillespie ventured a solution; then the professor offered his own

"It must flow off in some manner, and what other manner can that be thanthrough a subterranean

Bruno gave a short ejaculation at this, while Waldo broke forth in words, after his own particular fashion:

"Jules Verne redivivus! Why can't WE take a trip through the centre of the earth, ororany other little old

"With the tank of compressed air as a lifepreserver?" laughed Bruno, in turn. "That might serve, but;

If the professor heard, he heeded not. Still staring with vacant gaze into the fire, his face bearing a rapt

"An enormous inland sea! Where float the mighty ichthyosaurus, the megalosaurus, in company with the

gigantic plesiosaurus! Upon whose sloping shores disport the enormous mastodon, the stately megatherium,

For Waldo was now afoot, brandishing a great branch broken from a dead tree, uttering valiant warwhoops,

and dealing tremendous blows upon an imaginary enemy, spouting at the top of his voice a frenzied jargon,

Bruno, ever sensitive through his affectionate reverence for their uncle, caught the youngster, and cast him to

"Go on, please, uncle Phaeton. It's next thing to a museum and menagerie combined, just to hear"

"Will you hush, boy?" demanded Bruno, yet unable to wholly smother a laugh, so ridiculous did it all sound

But Professor Featherwit declined, his foxy face wrinkling in a bashful laugh. Whether so intended or not, he

had been brought down to earth from that dizzy flight, and now was fairly himself again.

"Well, my dear boys, I dare say it seems all a matter of jest and sport to you; yet, after our riding in the centre

of a tornado for uncounted miles, coming forth with hardly a scratch or a bruise to show for it all, who dare

"But,those strange creatures are gone; the last one perished thousands upon thousands of years ago, uncle

"So it is said, and so follows the almost universal belief. Yet I have seen, felt, cooked, tasted, and ate to its

last morsel a steak from a mammoth. True, the creature was dead; had been preserved for ages, no doubt,

within the glacier which finally cast it forth to human view; yet who would have credited such a discovery,

only fifty years ago? He who dared to even hint at such a thing would have been derided and laughed at,

pronounced either fool or lunatic. And so,if we should happen to discover one or all of those supposedly

extinct creatures here in this terra incognita, I would be overjoyed rather than astounded."

Bruno looked grave at this conclusion, but Waldo was not so readily impressed, and, with shrugging

"Well, uncle, I'm not quite so ambitious as all that comes to. May I give you my idea of it all?"

"You can take all those big fellows with the jawbreaking names, but as for me, smaller game will do. Maybe

a fellow couldn't fill his bag quite so full, nor quite so suddenly, but there would be a great deal more sport,

It was by no means difficult to divine that the professor had not yet spoken all that busied his brain, but the

thread was broken, his pipe was out, and, emptying the ashes by tapping pipebowl against the heel of his

"You will have to clear up, lads, for I must make such few repairs as are necessary to restore the aerostat to a

state of efficiency. So long as that remains in serviceable condition, we will always have a method of advance

That dry tone and quiet sentence did more than all else to impress the brothers with a sense of their unique

position. Back came the remembrance of all they had gathered concerning this strange scope of country since

first settling down fairly within the shadows of the Olympics, there to put that strange machine together,

preparing for what was to prove a wondertour through many marvellous happenings.

Times beyond counting they had been assured by the natives that no mortal could fairly penetrate that vast

wilderness. Natural obstacles were too great for any man to surmount, without saying aught of what lay

beyond; of the enormous animals, such as the civilised world never knew or fought with; of the terrible

natives, taller than the pines, larger than the hills, more powerful by far than the gods themselves, eager to

slay and to devour,so eager that, at times, living flesh and blood was more grateful than all to their

"Do you really reckon there is anything in it all, Bruno?" asked the younger brother in lowered tones,

glancing across to where their uncle was busily engaged in those comparatively trifling repairs.

"It hardly seems possible, and yetwould the members of four different tribes tell a story so nearly alike,

"That's right. And yetthe inland sea sounds natural enough. We know, too, that there are such things as

underground rivers, outside of Jules Verne's yarns. But those animals,or reptiles,which?"

"That's all right, old man. I never was worth a continental when it came to such things. I prefer to live in the

In surprise Waldo pointed across to where a bovine shape showed not far beyond the pool at the base of the

miniature waterfall; but his brother had a fairer view, and, instantly divining the truth, grasped an arm and

"Quick! the guns are in the machine! Down, Bruno, and maybe we can get a shot and"

His eager whisper was cut short, though not by grip of arm or act by his brother. A rumbling roar broke forth

from the further side of that mountain stream, and as the dense bushes beyond were violently agitated, the hill

Just as a long head and mighty shoulders spread the shrubbery wide apart, jaws opening and lips curling back

to lay great teeth bare, while another angry sound, half growl, half snort, only too clearly proclaimed that

"Smoke o' sacrifice!" gasped Waldo, as the grizzly suddenly upreared its mighty bulk, head wagging, paws

waving in queer fashion, lolling tongue lending the semblance of drollery rather than viciousness.

"This way; to your guns, boys!" cautiously called out the professor, whose notice had likewise been caught

by those unusual sounds, and who had already armed himself with his pet dynamite gun.

"Careful! He'll make a break for us at first sight, unlessdown close, and crawl for it, brother!"

Bruno set the good example, and Waldo was not too proud of spirit to humble himself in like manner.

Although this was their first glimpse of "Old Eph" in his native wilds, both brothers entertained a very

Under different circumstances their expectations might have been more fully met, but just now the grizzly

seemed wholly occupied with the buffalo bull, whose sturdy bulk and armed front so resolutely opposed his

The boys quickly reached the flyingmachine and gripped the Winchester rifles which Professor Featherwit

had drawn forth from the locker at first sight of the dangerous game. Thus armed, they felt ready for whatever

"Will you look at that, now?" excitedly breathed Waldo, eyes aglow, as he saw the bull cock its tail on high

and tear up the soft soil with one fierce sweep of its cloven hoof, shaking head and giving vent to a low but

"It's dollars to doughnuts on the bear," predicted Waldo. "Scat, you bullheaded idiot! Don't you know that

"Are you mighty sure of all that, boy?" laughingly cut in Bruno; for at that moment the buffalo made a

sudden charge at his upright adversary, knocking the grizzly backward in spite of its viciously flying paws.

Even the professor was growing excited, holding the dynamite gun under one arm while gently tapping palms

Naturally enough, their sympathies were with the buffalo, since the odds seemed so immensely against him;

but their delight was shortlived, for, instead of following up the advantage so bravely won, the bull fell back

With marvellous activity for a brute of his enormous bulk and weight, the grizzly recovered its feet, then

Nothing loath, the buffalo met that charge, and for a short space of time the struggle was veiled by showers of

leafmould and damp dirt cast upon the air as the rivals fought for supremacyand for life.

For that this was destined to be a duel to the very death not one of those spectators could really doubt. That

encounter may have been purely accidental, but the creatures fought like enemies of long standing.

As their relative positions changed, the buffalo contrived to get in another vigorous butt, sending bruin end

for end down that gentle slope to souse into the pool of water, that cool element cutting short a savage roar of

Then the trio of spectators could take notes, and with something of sorrow they saw that the buffalo had

already suffered severely, bleeding from numerous great gashes torn by the grizzly's long talons, while one

Nor had bruin escaped without hurt, as all could see when he floundered out of the water, bent upon renewing

the duel; but there was little room left for doubting what the ultimate result would be were the animals left to

Like all bold, freehearted lads, Waldo ever sympathised with the weaker, and now, unable to hold his

feelings in check, he gave a short cry, levelling his Winchester and opening fire upon the grizzly, just as it

Stung to fury by those pellets, the brute reared up with a horrid roar, turning as though to charge this new

enemy; but ere he could do more, the professor's gun spoke, and as the dynamite shell exploded, bruin fell

Heedless of all else, the wounded buffalo charged with lusty bellow, goring that quivering mass with

unabated fury, though its life was clearly leaking out through those ghastly cuts and slashes.

A brief pause, then Professor Featherwit swiftly reloaded his gun, sending another shell across the stream,

Smitten fairly in the forehead, the bull dropped as though beneath a bolt of lightning, life going out without

"Twas better thus," declared the professor, as Waldo gave a little ejaculation of dismay. "He must have bled

to death in a short time, and this was true mercy. Besides, buffalo meat is very good eating, and the day may

After the animals were inspected, and due comment made upon the awfully sure work wrought by the

dynamite gun, the professor suggested that, while he was completing repairs upon the aeromotor, the brothers

should secure a supply of fish and of flesh, cooking sufficient to provide for several meals, for there was no

"Just as soon as we can put all in readiness," he continued, "I am going to leave this spot. My first wish is to

thoroughly test the aerostat, to make certain it has received no serious injury. Then, if all promises well, I

mean to begin our tour of exploration, hoping that we may, at least, find something well worthy the strange

Without raising any objections, the brothers fell to work, Bruno looking after the flesh, while Waldo

undertook to supply the fish. That was but fair, since he had been cheated out of catching the first mess.

Not a little to his delight, the professor found that the flyingmachine would promptly answer his touch and

will, rising easily off the ground, then descending at call, evidently having passed through the ordeal of the

Still, all this consumed time, and it was after a late dinner that everything was pronounced in readiness for an

ascension: the meat and fish nicely cooked and packed for carriage, a pot of strong coffee made and stowed

beyond risk of leakage, the flyingmachine itself quivering in that gentle breeze as though eager to find itself

Waldo expressed some grief at leaving a spot where game came in such plentitude to find the hunter, and

trout simply longed to be caught; but upon being assured of other opportunities, perhaps even more

"Onlydon't ask me to tackle any of those big dictionary fellows such as you talked about this morning,

uncle Phaeton, for I simply can't; they'd get away with my baggage while I was trying to spell their names

Without any difficulty the aeromotor was sent out of and above the forest, heading towards the northwest;

that is, direct for the heart of the Olympics, of whose marvels Professor Featherwit held such exalted hopes

Grim and forbidding those mountains looked as the airship sailed swiftly over them, opening up a wider

view when the bare, rugged crest was once left fairly to the rear. Save for those bald crowns, all below

appeared a solid carpet of treetops, now lower, there higher, yet ever the same: seemingly impenetrable to

Once fairly within the charmed circle, leaving the rocky ridge behind, Professor Featherwit slackened speed,

permitting the ship to drift onward at a moderate pace, one hand touching the steeringgear, while its fellow

All at once he gave a halfstifled cry, partly rising in his excitement, then crying aloud in thrilling tones:

At nearly the same moment both Bruno and Waldo caught a glimpse of water, shining clear and distinct

amidst that sombre setting; but as yet a treecrested elevation interfered with the prospect, and it was not

until after the course of the airship had been materially changed, and some little time had elapsed, that aught

This proved to be considerable, although it needed but a single look into the professor's face to learn that his

"Well, it's a sea all right," generously declared Waldo, giving a vigorous sniff by way of strengthening his

words. "I can smell the salt clear from this. A sea, even if it isn't quite so large as others,what one might

If nothing else, that generous effort brought its reward in the dry little chuckle which escaped the professor's

lips, and a kindly glow showed through his glasses as he turned towards Waldo with a nod of

"Barring the salty scent, my dear boy, which probably finds birth in your kindly imagination. So, on the

"True, Bruno," with a nod of agreement, yet with forehead contracting into a network of troubled lines.

"Naturally so, and yetsurely this must be merely a portion? Unlessyet I fail to see aught which might be

Promptly responding to each touch of hand upon steeringgear, the aeromotor swung smoothly around,

sailing on even keel right into the teeth of the gentle wind, by this time near enough to that body of water for

the airvoyagers to scan its surface: a considerable expanse, all told, yet by no means of such magnitude as

Too deeply absorbed in his own thoughts to notice the little cries and ejaculations which came from the

brothers, he caused the aerostat to rise higher, slowly sweeping that extended field with his glasses.

He could see where several streams entered the body of water, coming from opposite points of the compass,

and thus confirming at least one portion of his explained theory; but, so far as his visual powers went, there

"Yet, how can that contracted basin contain all the drainage from this vast scope of country? How can we

An abrupt break, but one caused by the eager cry and loud speech from the lips of the younger Gillespie.

"Looky yonder! Isn't that one o' those sourus dictionary fellows on a bender? Isn't thatbut I don'tno, it's

"Only a partly decayed tree gone afloat!" volunteered Bruno, with a merry laugh, as his eager brother drew

"Well, that's all right. It ought to've been one, even if it isn't. What's the use in coming all this way, if we're

not going to discover something beyond the common? And my sourus is worth more than one of the other

kind, after all; get it ashore and you might cook dinner for a solid month by it; now there!"

It was easily to be seen that Waldo had been giving free rein to his expectations ever since the professor's

little lecture, but his natural chagrin was quickly forgotten in a matter of far greater interest.

Professor Featherwit had resumed his scrutiny of yonder body of water, slowly turning his glasses while

For a brief space nothing interfered with the steady motion of the fieldglasses, but then something called for

a more thorough examination, and little by little the savant leaned farther forward, breath coming more

Bruno took note of all this, and, failing to see aught to account for the symptoms with unaided eyes, at length

Professor Featherwit gave a start, then lowered the glasses and reached them towards his nephew, speaking

"You try them, Bruno; your eyes are younger, and ought to be keener than mine. Yonder; towards the lower

Nothing loath, Gillespie complied, quickly finding the correct point upon which the professor's interest had

centred, holding the glasses motionless for a brief space, then giving vent to an eager ejaculation.

"What is it all about, bless you, boy?" demanded Waldo, unable longer to curb his hot impatience. "Another

"I knew it! I felt that must be the true solution of it all!" cried uncle Phaeton, squirming about pretty much as

one might into whose veins had been injected quicksilver in place of ordinary blood. "The outlet! Where the

"I say, give me a chance, can't you?" interrupted Waldo, grasping the glasses and shifting his station for one

He had seen sufficient to catch the right angle, and then gave a suppressed snort as he took in the view. Half a

"Now I DO see something! And it isn't a drifting tree, either! Or, that is, something else whichshove her

closer, uncle Phaeton! True as you live, there's something caught in yonder big suck which iscloser, for

"No, no, I tell you, Bruno! Shove her over, uncle, for, without this glass is hoodooed, we're needed right

Little need of so much urging, by the way, since Professor Featherwit was but slightly less excited by their

double discovery, and even before the glasses were clapped to Waldo's eyes the aerostat swung around to

"What is it you see, then, boy?" demanded Bruno, itching to take the glasses, yet straining his own vision

"Something likeoh, see how the water is running out,just like emptying a bathtub through a hole at the

bottom! And see whata man caught in the whirl, true's you're a foot high, uncle!"

"A man? Here? Impossible,incredible, boy!" fairly exploded the professor, not yet ready to relinquish his

The airvoyagers were swiftly nearing that point of interest, and now keeneyed Bruno caught a glimpse of a

drifting object which had been drawn within the influence of yonder whirlpool, but which was just as

"Another floating treetrunk for Waldo!" he cried, with a short laugh, feeling far from unpleased that the

intense strain upon his nerves should be thus lessened. "Try it again, lad, and perhaps"

"Try your greatgrandmother's cotton nightcap! Don't you suppose I can tell the difference between a tree

"Ranting, prancing, cavorting 'sourus' right out of Webster's Unabridged, eh, laddybuck?"

"That's all right, if you can only keep on thinking that way, old man; but if yonder isn't a fellow being in a

mighty nasty pickle, then I wouldn't even begin to say so! Andyou look, uncle Phaeton, please."

Nothing loath, the professor took the proffered glasses, and but an instant later he, too, gave a sharp cry of

amazement, for he saw, clinging to the trunk of a floating tree, swiftly moving with those circling waters, a

And but a few seconds later, Bruno made the same discovery, greatly to the delight of his younger brother.

"Of course; reckon I'd make such a howl about a floater?" bluntly interjected Waldo. "But I'll do my crowing

later on. For now we've got to get the poor fellow out of that,just got to yank him out!"

Through all this hasty interchange of words, the aeromotor was swiftly progressing, and now swung almost

directly above the whirlpool, giving all a fair, unobstructed view of everything below.

The suction was so great that a sloping basin was formed, more than one hundred yards in diameter, while the

Halfway down that perilous slope a great tree was revolving, and to this, as his forlorn hope, clung a

halfclad man, plainly alive, since he was looking upward, andyes, waving a hand and uttering a cry for

"White,an American, too!" exploded Waldo, taking action as by brilliant inspiration. "Hang over him,

Waldo was tugging at the grapnel and long dragrope. Bruno was quick to divine his intention, and lent a

deft hand, while the professor manipulated the helm so adroitly as to keep the flyingmachine hovering

directly above yonder imperilled stranger, leaning far over the handrail to shout downward:

"Have courage, sir, and stand ready to help yourself! We will rescue you if it lies within the possibilities

"You bet we just will, and rightlike this," spluttered Waldo, as he cast the grapnel over the rail and swiftly

lowered it by the rope. "Play you're a fish, stranger, and when you bite, hang on like grim death to asteady,

Fortunately nothing occurred to mar the programme so hastily arranged, for the drift was drawing nearer the

centre of the whirl, and if once fairly caught by that, nothing human could preserve the stranger from death.

"Make a jump and grab it, if you can't do better!" cried Waldo, intensely excited now that the crisis was at

The long rope with its iron weight swayed awkwardly in spite of all he could do to steady it, and as each one

of the three prongs was meant for catching and holding fast to whatever they touched, there was no slight risk

of impaling the man, thus giving him the choice of another and still more painful death.

Then, with a desperate grasp, a deathclutch, he caught one arm of the grapnel, holding fast as the shock

came. He was carried clear of the tree, and partly submerged in the water as his added weight brought the

"Up, up, uncle Phaeton!" fairly howled Waldo, at the same time tugging at the now taut rope, in which he

Then the noble machine responded to the touch of its builder, lifting the dripping stranger clear of the

whirling currents, swinging him away towards yonder higher level, where a fall would not prove so quickly

fatal. And then the eager professor gave a shrill cheer as he saw the man, by a vigorous effort, draw his body

Knowing now that the rescued was in no especial peril, uncle Phaeton left the airship to steer itself long

enough for his nimble hands to take several turns of the dragrope around the cleat provided for that express

purpose, thus relieving both Bruno and Waldo of the heavy strain, which might soon begin to tell upon them.

"Hurrah for we, us, and company!" cried Waldo, relieving his lungs of a portion of their pentup energy, then

leaning perilously far over the edge of the machine to encourage the queer fish he had hooked.

Despite their very natural excitement, caused by this peril and its foiling, Professor Featherwit retained nearly

Readily realising that after such a grim ordeal would almost certainly come a powerful revulsion, his first aim

was to swing the stranger far enough away from the whirlpool to give him a fair chance for life, in case he

should fall, through dizziness or physical collapse, from the end of the dragrope.

This took but a few seconds, comparatively speaking, though, doubtless, each moment seemed an age to the

rescued stranger. Then the professor slowed his ship, looking around in order to determine upon the wisest

For one thing, it would be severe work to draw the stranger bodily up and into the aerostat. For another,

unless he should grow weak, or suffer from vertigo, both time and labour would be saved by taking him

As soon as the rope was made fast, and the strain taken off their muscles as well as their minds, Bruno

flashed a look around, naturally turning his eyes in the direction of the whirlpool.

Although less than a couple of minutes had elapsed since the man was lifted off the circling drift, even thus

quickly had the end drawn nigh; for, even as he looked that way, Gillespie saw the great trunk sucked into the

hidden sink, the top rising with a shiver clear out of the water as the butt lowered, a hollow, rumbling sound

"Gone!" cried Bruno, in awed tones, as the whole drift vanished from sight for ever.

"Sucked in by Jonah's whale, for ducats!" screamed Waldo, excitedly. "Fetch on your blessed 'sourus' of

both the male and female sect! Trot 'em to the fore, and if my little old suck don't take the starch out of their

Professor Featherwit frowned, and shook his head in silent reproof. More nearly, perhaps, than either of the

boys, he realised what an awful peril this stranger had so narrowly escaped. It was far too early to turn that

He leaned over the handrail, peering downward. He could see the rescued man sitting firmly in the bend of

the grapnel, one hand tightly gripping the rope, its mate shading his eyes, as he stared fixedly towards the

There was naught of debility, either of body or of mind, to be read in that figure, and with his fears on that

particular point set at rest, for the time being, Professor Featherwit called out, distinctly:

"Is it all well with you, my good friend? Can you hold fast until the shore is reached, think?"

"Heaven bless you,yes!" came the reply, in halfchoked tones. "If I fail in giving thanks"

"Never mention it, friend; it cost us nothing," cheerily interrupted the professor, then adding, "Hold fast,

The flyingmachine was now fairly headed for a strip of shore which offered an excellent opportunity for

making a safe landing, and as that accelerated motion did not appear to materially affect the stranger, it took

"Stand ready to let go when we come low enough, please," warned the professor, deftly managing his pet

The stranger easily landed, then watched the flyingmachine with painfully eager gaze, hands clasped almost

as though in prayer. A more remarkable sight than this halfnaked shape, burned brown by the sun, poorly

protected by light skins, with sinew fastenings, could scarcely be imagined; and there was something close

akin to tears in more eyes than one when he came running in chase, arms outstretched, and voice wildly

"Oh, come back! Take me,don't leave me,for love of God and humanity, don't leave me to this living

Professor Featherwit called back a hasty assurance, and brought the airship to a landing with greater haste

than was exactly prudent, all things considered; but who could keep cool blood and unmoved heart, with

When he saw that the flyingmachine had fairly landed, and beheld its inmates stepping forth upon the sands

with friendly salutations, the rescued stranger staggered, hands clasping his temples for a moment of drunken

Professor Featherwit called out a few curt directions, which were promptly obeyed by his nephews, and after

a few minutes' welldirected work consciousness was restored, and the stranger feebly strove to give them

In vain these were set aside. He seemed like one halfinsane from joy, and none who saw and heard could

think that all this emotion arose from the simple rescue from the whirlpool. Nor did it.

Wildly, far from coherently, the poor fellow spoke, yet something of the awful truth was to be gleaned even

For ten years an exile in these horrible wilds. For ten years not a single glimpse of white face or figure. For

ten ages no intelligible voice, save his own; and that, through long disuse, had threatened to desert him!

"Ten years!" echoed Waldo, in amazement. "Why didn't you rack out o' this, then? I know I would; even if

A low, husky laugh came through those heavily bearded lips, and the stranger flung out his hands in a

sweeping gesture, sunken eyes glowing with an almost savage light as he spoke with more coherence:

"Why is it, young gentleman? Why did I not leave, do you ask? Look! All about you it stretches: a cell,a

deathcell, from which escape is impossible! Here I have fought for what is ever more precious than bare

life: for liberty; but though ten awful years have rolled by, here I remain, in worse than prison! Escape? Ah,

how often have I attempted to escape, only to fail, because escape from these wilds is beyond the power of

"Ten years, you say, good friend? And all that time you have lived here alone?" asked the professor,

"Ten years,ten thousand years, I could almost swear, only for keeping the record so carefully, so

religiously. Andpitiful Lord! How gladly would I have given my good right arm, just for one faraway

glimpse of civilisation! How oftenbut I am wearying you, gentlemen, and you maypray don't think that

Both the professor and Bruno assured him to the contrary, but Waldo was less affected, and his curiosity

"I say, friend, what were you doing out yonder in the big suck? Didn't you know the fun was hardly equal to

"Easy, lad," reproved the professor; but with a a smile, which strangely softened that haggard, weatherworn

"Nay, kind sir, do not check the young gentleman. If you could only realise how sweet it is to my poor

ears,the sound of a friendly voice! For so many weary years I have never heard one word from human lips

which I could understand or make answer to. And now,what is it you wish to know, my dear boy?"

"Well, since you've lived here so long, surely you hadn't ought to get caught in such a nasty pickle; unless it

"It was partly accidental. One that would have cost me dearly had not you come to my aid so opportunely.

And yet,only for one thing, I could scarcely have regretted vanishing for ever down that suck!"

His voice choked, his head bowed, his hands came together in a nervous grip, all betokening unusual

agitation. Even Waldo was just a bit awed, and the stranger was first to break that silence with words.

"How did the mishap come about, is it, young gentleman?" he said, a wan smile creeping into his face, and

relaxing those tensely drawn muscles once more. "While I was trying to replenish my stock of provisions,

"I was fishing from a small canoe, and as the bait was not taken well, I must have fallen into a day dream,

thinking ofno matter, now. And during that dreaming, the breeze must have blown me well out into the

lake, for when I was roused up by a sharp jerk at my line, I found myself near its middle, without knowing

"I have no idea what sort of fish had taken my bait,there are many enormous ones in the lake,but it

proved far too powerful for me to manage, and dragged the canoe swiftly through the water, heading directly

"The line was fastened to the prow, and I could not loosen it in time. I drew my knife,one of flint, but keen

enough to serve,only to have it jerked out of my hand and into the water. Then, just as the fish must have

"That's just what I was wondering about," declared Waldo, with a vigorous nod of his head. "Yet we found

"Because I am a wretchedly poor swimmer. I managed to reach a drift which had not yet fairly entered the

whirl, but I could do nothing more towards saving myself. Thenyou can guess the rest, gentlemen."

"And the canoe?" demanded Waldo, content only when all points were made manifest.

"I saw it dragged down the centre of the suck," with an involuntary shiver. "The fish must have plunged into

the underground river, whether willingly or not I can only surmise. But all the while I was drifting yonder,

around and around, with each circuit drawing closer to the awful end, I could not help picturing to myself

A shuddering shiver which was more eloquent than words; but Waldo was not yet wholly content, finding an

"Of course, I can only guess at the facts, my dear boy," the stranger made reply, smiling once more, and, with

an almost timid gesture, extending one hairy paw to lightly touch and gently stroke the arm nearest him.

Bruno turned away abruptly, for that gesture, so simple in itself, yet so full of pathos to one who bore in mind

those long years of solitary exile, brought a moisture to his big brown eyes of which, boylike, he felt

Professor Featherwit likewise took note, and with greater presence of mind came to the rescue, lightly resting

a hand upon the stranger's halfbare shoulder while addressing his words to the youngster.

A tremulous sigh escaped those bearded lips, and their owner drew closer to the wiry little aeronaut, plainly

drawing great comfort from that mere contact. And with like ease uncle Phaeton lifted one of those hairy

"There is only one way of demonstrating the truth more clearly, my youthful inquisitor, and that is by sending

"Not this evening; some other evening,maybe!" drawing back a bit, with a shake of his curly pate to match.

"Allow me to complete my say, first, dear boy," with a bland smile. "That is easily done, though, for it merely

consists of this: yonder sink, or whirlpool, is certainly the method this lake has of relieving itself of all

surplus water. Everything points to a subterranean river which connects this lake with the Pacific Ocean."

The stranger laughed aloud at this, then seemed surprised that aught of mirth could be awakened where grief

"You will come with me toto my den, gentlemen?" he asked, still nervous, and plainly loath to do aught

"Is the distance great?" asked Professor Featherwit, with a glance towards the aeromotor, then flashing his

gaze further, as though to guard against possible harm coming to that valuable piece of property.

More than ever to be guarded now, since the words spoken by this exile. Better death in yonder mighty

Not so very far, he was assured, while it would be comparatively easy to float the airship above the trees,

At the same time this assurance was given, the stranger could not mask his uneasiness of mind, and it was

But uncle Phaeton was a fairly keen judge of human nature, and possessed no small degree of tact. Divining

the real cause of that dread, he took the easiest method of allaying it, speaking briskly as he moved across to

"Bear the gentleman company, my lads, while I manage the ship. You will know what signals to make, and I

Again the recluse laughed, but now it was through pure joy, such as he had not experienced for long years

gone by. He was not to be deserted by his rescuers from the whirlpool, and that was comfort enough for the

Thanks to that guidance, but little time was cut to waste, Professor Featherwit taking the flyingmachine

away from the shore of the lake, floating slowly above the treetops, guiding his movements by those below,

finally effecting a safe landing in a miniature glade, at no great distance from the "den" alluded to by their

"It will be perfectly safe here," the exile hastened to give assurance, as that landing was made. "Then, too,

this is the only spot nigh at hand from which a hasty ascent could well be made, even with such an admirable

machine as yours. Ah, me!" with a long breath which lacked but little of being a sigh, as he keenly, eagerly

examined the aerostat. "A marvel! Who would have dared predict such another, only a dozen years ago? I

thought we had drawn very close to perfection while I was in the profession, but this,marvellous!"

Both words and manner gave the keenwitted professor a clew to one mystery, and he quickly spoke:

"What?" with undisguised surprise in face as in voice. "Professor Edgecombe, the celebrated balloonist who

"Ay! lost here in this thrice accursed wilderness!" passionately cried the exile; then, as though abashed by his

own outburst, he turned away, pausing again only when at the entrance to his dreary refuge of many years.

"Give the poor fellow his own way until he has had time to rally, boys," muttered uncle Phaeton, in lowered

tones, before following that lead. "I can understand it better, now, and this isstill is the terra incognita of

That refuge proved to be a large, fairly dry cavern, the entrance to which was admirably masked by vines and

creepers, while the stony soil just there retained no trace of footprints to tell dangerous tales.

Mr. Edgecombe vanished, but not for long. Then, showing a light, formed of fat and twisted wick in a

No second invitation was needed, for even the professor felt a powerful curiosity to learn what method had

been followed by this enforced exile; how he had managed to live for so many weary years.

With only that smoky lamp to shed light around the place, critical investigation was a matter of time and

High overhead arched the rocky roof, blackened by smoke, and looking more gloomy than nature had

intended. The side walls were likewise irregular, now showing tiny niches and nooks, then jutting out to form

awkward points and elbows, which were but partially disguised by such articles of wear and daily use as the

exile had collected during the years gone by, or since his occupancy first began.

So much the professor took in with his initial glances, but then he left Waldo and his brother to look more

closely, himself giving thought to the being whom they had so happily saved from the whirlpool.

"Professor Edgecombe!" he again exclaimed, grasping those roughened hands to press them cordially. "I

ought to have recognised you at sight, no doubt, since I have watched your ascents time and time again."

"Ah, me! 'twas vastly different, then. I only marvel that you should give me credit when I lay claim to that

"No, no, I assure you, my friend; far from it. Whenever the topic is brought to the front; whenever aerostatics

are discussed, your name and fame are sure to play a prominent part. And yet,you disappeared so long ago,

"After sailing away upon the storm for which I had waited and prayed, for so many weary, heartsick

"So the rumour ran, but we all believed that must be an exaggeration, and not for a long time was all hope

abandoned. Then, more hearts than one felt sore and sad at thoughts of your untimely fate."

"A fate infinitely worse than ordinary death such as was credited me," huskily muttered the exile. "Ten

years,and ever since I have been here, helpless to extricate myself, doomed to a living death, which none

Professor Featherwit thoroughly appreciated the interruption which came through Waldo's lips just at that

"Looking can't hurt, can it? And to think people ever got along with such things as these!"

Waldo was squared before sundry articles depending from the side wall, and as the professor drew closer, he,

A gaily colored tunic of thickly quilted cotton was hanging beside an oddly shaped war club, the heavier end

of which was armed with blades of stone which gleamed and sparkled even in that dim light. And attached to

this weapon was another, hardly less curious: a knife formed of copper, with heft and blade all from one piece

"Here is the rest of the outfit," said Edgecombe, holding forth a bow and several feathered arrows with

Professor Featherwit gave a low, eager cry as he handled the various articles, both face and manner betraying

"Wonderful! Marvellous! Superb! I envy you, sir; I can't help but envy your possession of so

"Well, to be sure, I haven't used them very much. The bow and arrows I could manage fairly well, after busy

practice. They have saved me from more than one hungry night. But as for the rest"

"You might have worn theIs it a ghostdance shirt, though?" hesitatingly asked Waldo, gingerly fingering

"Waldo, I'm ashamed of you, boy!" almost harshly reproved the professor. "Ghostdance shirt, indeed! And

this one of the most completethe only perfectly preserved specimen of the ancient Aztecpray, my good

friend, where did you discover them? Surely there can be no burial mounds so far above the latitude where

"No, sir. I took these all from an Indian I was forced to kill in order to save my own life. I never

"Bless my soul!" ejaculated the professor, falling back a pace or two, then sitting down with greater force

than grace, all the while gazing upon those weapons like one in a daze. "Found themIndiankilled him in

Then, with marvellous activity for one of his age, the professor recovered his footing, mumbling something

about tripping a heel, then resumed his examination of the curiosities as though he had care for naught beside.

Cooper Edgecombe turned away, and the professor improved the opportunity by muttering to the brothers:

"Careful, lads. Give the poor fellow his own way in all things, for he ishe surely must beeh?"

Forefinger covertly tapped forehead, for there was no time granted for further explanations. Edgecombe

"Fifteen years ago this month, on the 27th, to be exact, a balloon with two passengers was carried away on a

terrific gale of wind which blew from the southeast. This happened in Washington Territory. Can you tell

"No, no. I know they were never heard from up to ten years ago, but since thenI am a fool to even dream

of such a thing, and yet,only for that faint hope I would have gone mad long ago!"

This was the idea that occurred to both uncle and nephews, but they had seen and heard enough to excuse all

"Sorry I am unable to give you better tidings, my good friend, but, so far as my knowledge extends, nothing

has come to light of recent years. Andif not a leading questionwere those passengers friends of your

"Onlymerely mymy wife and little daughter," came the totally unexpected reply, followed by a forced

Uncle Phaeton, intensely chagrined, hastened to apologise for his luckless break, but Cooper Edgecombe cut

"I will talk; I feel that I must tell you all, or lose what few wits I have left," he declared, huskily. "But not

right now. It is growing late. You must be hungry. I have no very extensive larder, but with my little will go

His voice choked, and he left the sentence unfinished, hurrying away to prepare such a meal as his limited

While Edgecombe was kindling a fire in one corner of the cavern, opening a pile of ashes to extract the few

carefully cherished coals by means of which the wood was to be fired, uncle and one nephew left the den to

Bruno remained behind, in obedience to a hint from the professor, lest the exile should dread desertion, after

"Take these in and open them, Waldo," said the professor, selecting several cans from the stock in the locker.

"Poor fellow! 'Twill be like a foretaste of civilisation, just to see and smell, much less taste, the fruit."

"Careful, boy! I hardly think he is just that far gone; but, even if so, what marvel? Think of all he must have

suffered during so many long, dreary years! andhis wife and child! I wonderI do wonder if he really

killedbut that is incredible, simply and utterly incredible! An Aztecherealive!"

"Dead, uncle Phaeton," corrected Waldo. "Killed the redskin, he said, and I really reckon he meant it. Why

"Butan Aztec, boy!" exclaimed the bewildered savant, unable to pass that point. "The tunic of quilted

cotton, the escaupil! The maquahuitl, with its blades of grass! The bow and arrows whichall, all surely of

Aztecan manufacture, yet seemingly fresh and serviceable as though in use but a month ago! And the race

"Well, unless he's a howling liar from 'way up the crick, he extincted one of 'em," cheerfully commented

Professor Featherwit followed shortly after, finding the exile busy preparing food, looking and acting far

more naturally than he had since his rescue from the whirlpool. And then, until the evening meal was

announced, uncle Phaeton hovered near those amazing curiosities, now gazing like one in a waking dream,

then gingerly fingering each article in turn, as though hoping to find a solution for his enigma through the

Taken all in all, that was far from a pleasant or enjoyable meal. A sense of restraint rested upon each one of

that little company, and not one succeeded in fairly breaking it away, though each tried in turn.

Despite the struggle made by the exile to hold all emotions well under subjection, Cooper Edgecombe failed

to hide his almost childish delight at sight and taste of those canned goods, and it did not require much urging

But the capsheaf came when uncle Phaeton, true to his habit of long years, after eating, produced pipe and

pouch, the fragrant tobacco catching the exile's nostrils and drawing a low, tremulous cry from his lips.

No need to ask what was the matter, for that eager gaze, those quivering fingers, were enough. And just as

though this had been his express purpose, the professor passed the pipe over, quietly speaking:

"Perhaps you would like a little smoke after your supper, my good friend? Oblige me by"

Bruno struck a match and steadied the pipe until the tobacco was fairly ignited, then drew back and left the

exile to himself for the time being. And, as covert glances told them, never before had their eyes rested upon

At a sign from the professor, Bruno and Waldo silently arose and left the cavern, bearing their guardian

company to where the airship was resting. And there they busied themselves with making preparations for

Presently Cooper Edgecombe appeared, the empty pipe in hand, held as one might caress an inestimable

"I thank you, sir, more than tongue can tell," he said, quietly, as he restored the pipe to its owner. "If you

could only realise what I have suffered through this deprivation! I, an inveterate smoker; yet suddenly

deprived of it, and so kept for ten long years! If I had had a pipe and tobacco, I believebut enough."

"I can sympathise with you, at least in part, my friend. Will you have another smoke, by the way?"

"No, no, not now; I feel blessed for the moment, and more might be worse than none, after so long

deprivation. Andmay I talk openly to you, dear, kind friends? May I tell youam I selfish in wishing to

He laughed, but it was a sorry mirth; and not caring to trust his tongue just then, uncle Phaeton nodded his

head emphatically while filling his pipe for himself. But Waldo never lacked for words, and spoke out:

"That's all right, sir; we can listen as long as you can chinchin. Tell us all aboutwell, what's the matter

"Quiet, Waldo. Say what best pleases you, my friend. You can be sure of one thing,sympathetic listeners,

With a curious shiver, as though afflicted with a sudden chill, Edgecombe turned partly away, figure drawn

rigidly erect, hands tightly clasped behind his back. A brief silence, then he spoke in tones of forced

"A balloon was the best, in my day, and I was proud of my profession, although even then I was dreaming of

better thingsof something akin to this marvellous creation of yours, sir," casting a fleeting glance at the

airship, then at the face of its builder, afterward resuming his former attitude.

"Let that pass, though. I wanted to tell you how I met with my awful loss; how I came to be out here in this

"I had a wife, a daughter, each of whom felt almost as powerful an interest in aerostatics as I did myself. And

"I had an enemy, too; one who had, years before, sought to win my love for his own; in vain, the cur! And

that daywe were out here in Washington Territory, living in comparative solitude that I might the better

"The day was beautiful, but almost oppressively warm, and, as they so frequently wished, I let my dear ones

up in the balloon, securely fastening it below. And thenGod forgive me!I went back to town for

"A sudden storm came up. I hurried homeward; home to me was wherever my dear ones chanced to be; but I

was just too late! That devil of all devils was ahead of me, and I saw himmerciful God! I saw himcut

His voice choked, and for a few minutes silence reigned. Knowing how vain must be any attempt to offer

consolation, the trio of airvoyagers said nothing, and presently Cooper Edgecombe spoke.

"I killed the demon. I nearly tore him limb from limb; I would have done just that, only for those who came

hurrying after me from town, knowing that I might need help in bringing my balloon to earth in safety. They

dragged me away, but 'twas too late to cheat my miserable vengeance. That hound was dead, butmy

"God alone knows whither my wife and child were taken. The general drift was in this direction, but how far

they were carried, or how long they may have lived, I can only guess; enough that, despite all my inquiries,

made far and wide in every direction, I never heard aught of either balloon or passengers!

"After that, I had but one object in life: to follow along the track of that storm, and either find my loved ones,

oror some clew which should for ever solve my awful doubts! And for two long years or more I fought to

pierce these horrid fastnesses,all in vain. No mortal man could succeed, even when urged on by such a

"Then I determined upon another course. I worked and slaved until I could procure another balloon, as nearly

like the one I lost as might be constructed. Then I watched and waited for just such another storm as the one

upon whose wings my darlings were borne away, meaning to take the same course, and so find"

"Why, man, dear, you must have been insane!" impulsively cried the professor, unable longer to control his

"Perhaps I was; little wonder if so," admitted Edgecombe, turning that way, with a wan smile lighting up his

visage. "I could no longer reason. I could only act. I had but that one grim hope, to eventually discover what

"Then, after so long waiting, the storm came, blowing in the same direction as that other. I cut my balloon

loose, and let it drift. I looked and waited, hoping, longing, yetfailing! I was wrecked, here in this

"If one had something like this then, I might have found them,even alive! But nowtoo lateeternally

Uncle Phaeton was more than willing to do the honours of his pet invention, and this afforded a most happy

diversion, although the deepening twilight hindered any very extensive examination.

Cooper Edgecombe showed himself in a vastly different light while thus engaged, his shrewd questions, his

apt comments, quite effectually removing the far from agreeable doubts born of his earlier words and

"Well, if he's looney, it's only on some points, not as the whole porker, anyway," confidentially asserted

Waldo, when an opportunity offered. "Coax him to tell how he knocked the redskin out, uncle Phaeton."

Little need of recalling that perplexing incident to the worthy savant, for, try as he might, Featherwit could

not keep from brooding over that wondrous collection of relics pertaining to a longsince extinct people. Of

Through his halfbewildered brain flashed the accounts given by the coast tribes, members of which he had

so frequently interviewed concerning this unknown land, one and all of whom had more or less to say in

regard to a strange people, terrible fighters, mighty hunters, one burning glance from whose eyes carried

death and decay unto all who were foolhardy enough even to attempt to pass those mighty barriers, built up

by a beneficent nature. Only for that nearly impassable wall, the entire earth would be overrun and dominated

Then, after the airship was cared for to the best of his ability, and the nightguard set in place so that an

alarm might give warning of any illegal intrusion, the little party returned to the cavern home of the exile

where, after another refusal on his part, the professor filled and lighted his beloved pipe.

Almost in spite of himself Featherwit was drawn towards those marvellous articles depending from the wall,

and, as he gazed in silent marvel, Cooper Edgecombe drew nigh, with still other articles to complete the

"You may possibly find something of interest in these, too, dear sir, although I have given them rather rough

"A helmet! And sandals! A sash which isyes! worn about the waist, mainly to support weapons, and

termed a maxtlatl, whichand all sufficiently well preserved to be readily recognised as

If not precisely that, the worthy professor assuredly was almost beside himself while examining these articles

of warrior's wear, one by one, knowing that neither eyes nor memory were at fault, yet still unable to believe

Up to this, Cooper Edgecombe had felt but a passing interest in the matter, forming as it did but a single

incident in a more than ordinarily eventful life; but now he began to divine at least a portion of the truth, and

his face was lighted up with unusual animation, when Phaeton Featherwit turned that way, to almost sharply

"Where did you gain possession of these weapons and garments, sir? And how,from whom?"

"I took them from an Indian, nearly two years ago. He caught me off my guard, and, when I saw that I could

neither hide nor flee, I fought for my life," explained the exile; then giving a short, bitter laugh, to add:

"Strange, is it not? Although I had long since grown weary of existence such as this, I fought for it; I turned

wild beast, as it were! Then, after all was over, I took these things, more because I feared his comrades might

"His comrades?" echoed the professor. "More than the one, then? You killed him, butthere were others,

"Many of them; far too many for any one man to withstand," earnestly declared the exile. "I made all haste in

bearing the redskin here, obliterating all signs as quickly as possible; yet for days and nights I cowered here

in utter darkness, each minute expecting an attack from too powerful a force for standing against."

Uncle Phaeton rubbed his hands briskly, shifting his weight hurriedly from one foot to its mate, then back

"More of them? A strong force? Armed,and garbed as of old? The clothing, the footwear, and, above all

"Sadly long and hideously dreary years I have found them, sir," the exile said, in dejected tones.

The professor burst into a shrill, excited laugh, which sounded almost hysterical, and, not a little to the

amazement of his nephews, broke into a regular dance, jigging it right merrily, hands on hips, head perked,

and chin in air, at the same time striving to carry the tune in his far from melodious voice.

After all, perhaps no better method could have been taken to work off his almost hysterical excitement, and

presently he paused, panting and heated, chuckling after an abashed fashion as he encountered the eyes of his

"Not a word, my dear boys," he hastened to plead. "I had to do something oror explode! I feel better, now.

I can behave myself, I hope. I am calm, cool, and composed asthe genuine Aztecs! And we are the ones to

For Waldo was fairly exploding with mirth, while Bruno smiled, and even the exile appeared to be amused to

Little by little, the worthy savant calmed down, and then, almost forcing the exile to indulge in another

delicious smoke, he led up to the subject in which his interest was fairly intense.

Cooper Edgecombe was willing enough to tell all that lay in his power, although he was only beginning to

realise how much that might mean to the world at large, judging by the actions of the professor.

According to his account, the great lake, or drainage reservoir of the Olympics, was a sort of semiyearly

rendezvous for a warlike tribe of red men, where they congregated for the purpose of catching and drying

"As a general thing they pitch their camp on the other side, over towards the northeast; but small parties are

pretty sure to rove far and wide, coming around this way quite as often as not."

Edgecombe motioned towards those articles in which such a lively interest had been awakened, then said

that, while few of the red men who had come beneath his near observation had been so elaborately equipped,

he had taken notice of similar weapons and garments, with additions which he strove hard to describe with

Nearly every sentence which crossed his lips served to confirm the marvellous truth which had so dazzlingly

burst upon the professor's eager brain, and with a glib tongue he named each weapon, each garment, as

accurately as ever set down in ancient history, not a little to the wideeyed amazement of Waldo Gillespie.

"Worse than those blessed 'sourus' and cousins," he confided to his brother, in a whisper. "Reckon it's all

But uncle Phaeton paid them no attention, so deeply was he stirred by this wondrous revelation. He felt that

he was upon the verge of a discovery which would startle the wide world as no recent announcement had

And then, when Cooper Edgecombe finished all he could tell concerning those queerly armed and gaudily

garbed red men, the professor let loose his tongue, telling what glorious hopes and dazzling anticipations

"For hundreds upon hundreds of years there have been wild, weird legends about the Lost City, but that

merely meant a mass of wondrous ruins, long since overwhelmed by shifting sands, somewhere in the heart

"By some it was claimed that this ancient city owed its primal existence to a fragment of the Aztecs, driven

from their native quarters in Old Mexico. By others 'twas attributed unto one of the fabulous 'Lost Tribes of

"Except yourself, uncle Phaeton," cut in Waldo, with a subdued grin. "This must be one of the marvels you

"Nay, my boy; I never let my imagination soar half so high as all that," quickly answered the professor. "But

nownow I feel confident that just such a discovery lies before us, and with the dawn of a new day we will

Again the savant sprang to his feet, wildly gesticulating as he strode to and fro, striving to thus work off some

of the intense excitement which had taken full possession. And words fell rapidly from his lips the while,

"A fico for the paltry lost cities of musty tradition, now! They may sleep beneath the sandstorms of

countless years, but thisI would gladly give one of my eyes for the certainty that its mate might gaze upon

such a wondrous spectacle asOh, if it might only prove true! If I might only discover such a stupendous

treasure! Aztecs! And in the present day! Alivearmed and garbed as of yore! Amazing! Incredible!

With startling swiftness uncle Phaeton wheeled to confront the exile, gripping his arm with fierce vigour, as

Even as the words crossed his lips, the professor realised how preposterous they must sound, but the exile

"I never ate drugs in that shape, sir. Even if I had been addicted to morphine and the like, how could I indulge

"I beg your pardon, sir; most humbly I implore your forgiveness. I have but one excusethis

wondrousGood night! I'm going to bed before I add to my new reputation asa blessed idiot, no less!"

But the night was considerably older ere any one of that quartette lost himself in slumber, for all had been too

thoroughly wrought up by the exciting events of the past day for sleep to claim an easy subject.

By common consent, however, that one particular subject was barred for the present, and then, sitting in a

cosy group about the glowing fire there in the cavern, the recently formed friends talked and chatted, asking

Little wonder that such should be the case, so far as Cooper Edgecombe was concerned, since he had been

Then, too, his own dreary existence held a strange charm for the airvoyagers, and the exile grew

wonderfully cheerful and brighteyed as he in part depicted his struggles to sustain life against such heavy

odds, and still strove to keep alive that one hope,that even yet he might be able to discover a clew to his

"Not alive; I have long since abandoned that faint hope. But if I might only find something to make sure,

"You are still alive, good friend, yet you have spent long years out here in the wilderness," gently suggested

"But they, my wife, my baby girl,they could never have lived as I have existed. They surely must have

perished; if not at once, then when the first cruel storms of hideous winter came howling down from the far

"Unless they were found and rescued bywho knows, my good sir?" forcing a cheerful smile, which,

unfortunately, was only surfaceborn, as the exile lifted his head with a start and a gasping ejaculation.

"Since it seems fairly well proven that this supposedly unknown land is actually inhabited, why may your

"But, surely I have heardsacrifices?" huskily breathed the greatly agitated man, while the professor,

realising how he was making a bad matter worse, brazenly falsified the records, declaring that no human

sacrifices had ever stained the record of that noble, honourable, gallant race; and then changed the subject as

Nevertheless, there was one good effect following that talk. Cooper Edgecombe had dreaded nothing so much

as the fear of being left behind by these, the first white people he had seen for what seemed more than an

ordinary lifetime; but now, when the professor hinted at a longing to take a spin through ether, for the

purpose of winning a wider view, he eagerly seconded that idea, even while realising that it would be difficult

Still, nothing was definitely settled that evening, and at a fairly respectable hour before the turn of night, the

Not so the exile. Sleep was far from his brain, and while he really knew that danger could hardly menace that

wondrous bit of ingenious mechanism, he watched it throughout that long night, ready to risk his own life in

Why not, since his whole future depended upon the aeromotor? By its aid he hoped to reach civilization once

more; and in spite of the great loss which had wrecked his life, he was thrilled to the centre by that glorious

prospect. Here he was dead while breathing; there he would at least be in touch with his fellow men once

An early meal was prepared by the exile, and in readiness when his trio of guests awakened to the new day;

and then, while busily discussing the really appetising viands placed before them, the next move was fully

Not a little to his secret delight, the professor heard Edgecombe broach the subject of further explorations,

and seeing that his excitement had passed away in goodly measure during the silent watches of the night, he

"Of course we'll keep in touch with you, here, friend, and take no decisive move without your knowledge and

consent. Our fate shall be yours, and your fate shall be ours. OnlyI would dearly love to catch a glimpse

"If there is, as there surely must be one of some description, judging from the number of red men I have seen

collecting here at the lake," observed the exile, "you certainly ought to make the discovery with the aid of

Nothing loath, the professor spoke of his pet and its wondrous capabilities, and then all hands left the cavern

As a further assurance, uncle Phaeton begged Edgecombe to enter the aerostat, then skilfully caused the

vessel to float upward into clear space, sailing out over the lake even to the whirlpool itself before turning, his

passenger eagerly watching every move and touch of hand, asking questions which proved him both shrewd

Returning to their startingpoint, Edgecombe sprang lightly to earth to make way for the brothers, face ruddy

and eyes aglow as he again begged them all to keep watch for aught which might solve the mystery yet

The promise was given, together with an earnest assurance that they would soon return; then the parting was

cut as short as might be, all feeling that such a course was wisest and kindest, after all.

For an hour or more the airship sped on, high in air, its inmates viewing the various and varying landmarks

beneath and beyond them, all marvelling at the fact that such an immense scope of country should for so long

Then, as nothing of especial interest was brought to their notice, uncle Phaeton quite naturally reverted to that

suit of Aztecan armour, and the glorious possibilities which the words of the exile had opened up to them as

Bruno listened with unfeigned interest, but not so his more mercurial brother, who took advantage of an

"What mighty good, even if you should find it all, uncle Phaeton? You couldn't pick it up and tote it away, to

start a dime museum with. And, as for my part,I'll tell you what! If we could only find something like

"No; I don't mean just that. His trees were hung with riches, but mine should becrammed and crowded full

of plum pudding, fruit cake, angel food, mince pies, and the like! Yes, and there should be fountains of

lemonade! And mountains of icecream! And sandbars of caramels, and chocolate drops, and trilbies,

He spoke with boyish indignation at that laughing outbreak, but the kindly professor quickly managed to

smooth the matter over, although not before Waldo had promised Bruno a sound thumping the first time they

Until past the noon hour that pleasant voyage lasted, without any remarkable discovery being made, the trio

munching a cold lunch at their ease, rather than take the trouble to effect a landing.

But then, not very long after the sun had begun his downward course, there came a change which caused

Featherwit's blood to leap through his veins far more rapidly than usual, for yonder, still a number of miles

away, there was gradually opening to view a hillsurrounded valley of considerable dimension, certain

portions of which betrayed signs of cultivation, or at least of vegetation different from aught the explorers

Almost unwittingly Professor Featherwit sent the airship higher, even as it sped onward at quickened pace,

his face as pale as his eyes were glittering, intense anticipation holding him spellbound for the time being.

"Kicking up a great old bobbery, just as though they'd sighted us, and wanted to knowI say, uncle Phaeton,

With a quick motion the airship was turned, darting lower and off at a sharp angle to its former course, for

Scattered here and there throughout that secluded valley were human beings, nearly all of whom had sprung

into sudden motion, doubtless amazed or frightened by the appearance of that oddly shaped airdemon.

Brief though that view had been, it was sufficiently long to show the professor houses of solid and substantial

shape, cultivated plots, human beings, and a little river whose clear waters sparkled and flashed in the

It was very hard to cut that view so short, but the professor had not lost all prudence, and he knew that danger

to both vessel and passengers might follow a nearer intrusion upon the privacy of yonder armed people. Yet

his face was fairly glowing with glad exultation as he brought the aerostat to a lower strata of air, shutting off

"Hurrah!" he cried, snatching off his cap and waving it enthusiastically, as the airship floated onward at

"Unlesswhat if it should prove to be only aa mirage, uncle Phaeton?" almost timidly ventured Bruno, a

The professor gave a great start at this almost reluctant suggestion, shrinking back with a look which fell not

far short of being horrified. But then he rallied, forcing a laugh before speaking.

"No, no, Bruno. All conditions are lacking to form the mirage of the desert. And, too; everything was so

"Fairly feel those blessed bowarrows tickling a fellow in the short ribs," vigorously declared the younger

"Reckon they're like any other people? Got boys andand girls among 'em, I wonder?"

"I daresay, yes, why not?" answered Featherwit, scarcely realising what words were being shaped by his lips,

while Bruno broke into a brieflived laugh, more at that halfsheepish expression than at the query itself.

"Both boys and girls galore, I expect, Kid; but you needn't borrow trouble on either score. You can outrun the

lads, while as for the fairer sex,well, they'll take precious good care to keep well beyond your

Through all this interchange the airship was maintaining a wide sweep, drawing nearer the forest beneath, if

only to keep hidden from the eyes of the strange people in yonder deep valley. Yet the gaze of Phaeton

Featherwit as a rule kept turned towards that particular point, his eyes on fire, his lips twitching, his whole

demeanour that of one who feels a discovery of tremendous importance lies just before him.

"Are we going to land, uncle Phaeton?" queried Bruno, taking note of that preoccupation, which might easily

That question served to recall the professor to more material points, and, after a keen, sweeping look around,

"Yes, as soon as I can discover or secure a fair chance. I wish to see moreI must secure a fairer view of

"Will it not be too dangerous, though? Not for us, especially, uncle, but for the aerostat? Even if these be not

"They are past all doubt a remnant of the ancient Aztecs. Yonder lies the true Lost City, and we areoh, try

to comprehend all that statement means, my lads! Picture to yourselves what boundless fame and unlimited

credit awaits our report to the outer world! The benighted world! The besotted world! Thethe"

"While we'll form the upsotted world, or a portion of it, without something is done,and that in a howling

hurry, too!" fairly spluttered Waldo, as the again neglected airship sped swiftly towards a more elevated

portion of that earth, part of the tall hillcrest which acted as nature's barricade to yonder by nature depressed

"Time enough, lad, time enough, since we are going to land," coolly assured the professor, deftly

manipulating the steeringgear and still curying around those treecrowned hills. "If we are really hunted

after, 'twill naturally be in the quarter of our vanishment, while by alighting around yonder, nearly at right

angles with our initial approach, we will have naught to fear from thethe Aztecan clans!"

Clearly the professor had settled in his own mind just what lay before them, and nothing short of the Lost

City of the Aztecs would come anywhere near satisfying that exalted ideal. And, taking all points into full

consideration, was there anything so very absurd in his method of reasoning, or of drawing a deduction?

Still, that exaltation did not prevent uncle Phaeton from taking all essential precautions, and it was only when

an especially secure landingplace was sighted that he really attempted to touch the earth.

Fully onehalf of that wide circuit had been made, and as nothing could be detected to give birth to fears for

either self or airship, the aeronauts skilfully landed their vessel with only the slightest of jars. It was a

wellscreened location, where naught could be seen of the flyingmachine until close at hand, yet so

arranged as to make a hasty flight a very easy matter should the occasion ever arise.

Not until the landing was effected and all made secure, did Professor Featherwit speak again. Then it was

"Above all things, my dear lads, bear ever in mind this one fact,we are not here to fight. We do not come

as conquerors, weapons in hand, hearts filled with lust of blood. To the contrary, we are on a peaceful

mission, hoping to learn, trusting to enlighten, with malice towards none, but honest love for all those who

"That's what's the matter with Hannah's cat!" cheerfully chipped in the irrepressible Waldo. "I say, uncle

Phaeton, is it just a lielow here until yonder fellows grow tired of looking for what they can't find, then a

"Have we voyaged so far and seen so much, to rest content with so very little?" exclaimed the professor,

hardly as precise of speech as under ordinary conditions. "No, no, my lads! Yonder lies the greatest discovery

of the nineteenth century, and we areGet a hustle on, boys! The day is waning, and with so much to see, to

In spite of his initial attempt to impress his nephews with a due sense of the heavy responsibilities which

rested upon them, Phaeton Featherwit was far more excited than either one of the brothers. Doubtless he more

nearly appreciated the importance of this wondrous discovery, provided his now firm belief was

correct,that yonder stood a solid, substantial city, erected by the hands of a people whom common consent

The story told by Cooper Edgecombe, backed up by the articles taken from the person of the warrior whom

he had slain in selfdefence, certainly had its weight; while the brief and imperfect glimpse which he had

won of yonder valley helped to bear out that astounding belief. And yet, how could it be true?

Really believing, yet forced by more sober reason to doubt, the poor professor was literally "in a sweat" long

ere another view could be won of the depressed valley, although the landing of the airship was so well

The natural obstacles were considerable, however, and as they picked their way along, the brothers for the

first time began to gain a fairly accurate idea of what was meant by the term, a virgin forest.

To all seeming, the human foot had never ventured here, nor were any marks or spoor of wild beasts

Although the aerostat had landed not far below the crest of those hills, the adventurers had to climb higher,

before winning the coveted view, partly because the most practicable route led down into and along a

winding gulch, where the footing was far less treacherous than upon the higher ground, cumbered, as that

Still, half an hour's steady labour brought the little squad to the coveted point, and once again Professor

Featherwit was almost literally stricken speechless,for there, far below their present location, spread out in

Far more extensive than it had appeared by that initial glimpse, the valley itself seemed composed of fertile

soil, yet, by aid of the river which cut through, near its centre, irrigating ditches conveyed water to every acre,

Numerous buildings stood in irregular array, for the most part of no great height, nor with many pretensions

towards architectural beauty or grace of outline; but in the centre of the valley upreared its head a massive

structure, pyramidal in shape, consisting of five comparatively narrow terraces, connected one with another

"Behold!" huskily gasped the professor, intensely excited, yet still able to control the fieldglass through

which he was eagerly scanning yonder marvels. "The temple of the gods! And, yonder, the temple of

sacrifice, unless my memory isand look! The people arethey wear just such garb asOh, marvellous!

Although their uncle could thus take in the various details to better advantage, still the intervening distance

was not so great as to entirely debar the brothers from finding no little to interest them, as was readily proven

"Just look at the people, will ye, now? Flopping around like they hadn't any bigger business than toReckon

"Or watching for the monster bird of prey, rather," suggested the elder Gillespie. "Of course they couldn't

distinguish our faces, and our bodies were fairly well hidden. And, even more, of course, they must be totally

"Poor, ignorant devils!" sympathetically sighed the youngster. "Well, we'll have to do a little missionary work

With a start, Featherwit descended out of the clouds in which he had been lost ever since winning a fair view

of the secret city; and now, rallying his wits and fairly aglow with eager interest in this marvellous discovery,

he began pointing out the various objects of special importance, naming them with glib assurance, then

reminding the boys how wonderfully similar all was to what had existed in Old Mexico before the conquest.

Bruno listened with greater interest than his brother could summon at will. For one thing, he had long been a

lover of the genial Prescott, and, now that his memory was freshened in part, was able to closely follow the

course of that little lecture, noting each strong point made by the professor in bolstering up his delightful

That monologue, however, was abruptly broken in upon by Waldo, who gave an eager exclamation, as he

That announcement came with all the force of a bolt from the blue, and even the professor dropped his

glasses with a gasp of amazement, while Bruno would have leaped to his feet, only for the hasty grab which

"Augh, take a tumble, boy!" ejaculated Waldo, giving a jerk that rendered compliance nearly literal, though

scarcely full of grace. "Want to have the whole gang make a howling break this way? Want toThey're

"Where? Which direction? Point them out, andI fail to see anything which would bear out your"

The professor was sweeping yonder field with his glass, searching for the primal cause of that latest

excitement, but without success. No sign of a white face, male or female, rewarded his efforts, and he turned

Waldo was peering from beneath the shade of his hand, but now drew back with a long breath, to slowly

"They've gone now, but I did see them, and they were white, just as white asas anything!"

Bruno frowned a bit at that unsatisfactory conclusion, but the professor was of more equable temper, for a

"I myself might have made the same error, Waldo, but you surely were in error, for once."

"No, no, I am not so seriously faulting your eyesight, my dear boy," came the swift assurance. "But even the

best of us are open to errors, and there were in olden times not a few Aztecs with fair skins; not exactly white,

yet comparatively fair when their race was considered. And, no doubt, Waldo, you saw just such another a bit

"There were a couple of 'em, not just such another, uncle. And they were white,pure white as ever the Lord

made a woman! Andwhy, didn't I see their hair, long and floating loose? And wasn't that yellow asas

"Yes, indeedy! Yellow hair, white skins,faces, anyway. Blondes, the couple of 'em; and to that I'll make

And so the youngster maintained with even more than usual sturdiness, when questioned more closely,

pointing out the very spot upon which the strange beings were standing, the top of a large, tall building,

In vain the fieldglass was fixed upon that particular point. The partly roofed azotea was wholly devoid of

human life, and though watch was maintained in that direction for many minutes thereafter, by one or other

of the airvoyagers, naught was seen to confirm the assertion made by the younger Gillespie.

For the moment that fact or fancy dominated all other interests, for, granting that Waldo had not been misled

by a naturally fair Indian face, there was room for a truly startling inference.

"Could it actually be they?" muttered Bruno, face pale and eyes glittering with intense interest. "Could they

"The wife and child of Cooper Edgecombe,yes! Who else could they be, unlessI'd give a pretty penny

for one fair squint at them, right now! If there was only some method ofIt would hardly do to venture

The professor gave a stern gesture of denial, frowning as though he anticipated an actual break for yonder

"That would be madness, Bruno! Worse than madness, by far! Look at yonder warriors, all thoroughly armed,

and eager to drink blood as ever they were in centuries gone by! They are hundreds, if not thousands, while

"And that means a complete host so long as we are backed up by the airship," declared Waldo, in his turn.

"Those fellows!" with a sniff of true boyish scorn for aught that was not fully up to date. "What could they

"Prove our equals, man for man, armed as they assuredly are," just as vigorously affirmed the professor,

inclined rather to magnify than diminish the importance of these, his so recently discovered people. "You

forget how the Aztecans fought Cortez and his mailed hosts. Yet these are one and identical, so far as valour

"Huh! Scared of a runty horse so badly that they prayed to 'em as they did to their own gods!" sniffed Waldo,

betraying a lore for which he did not ordinarily receive fair credit. "Why, uncle Phaeton, let you just slam one

"Nay, Waldo, must I repeat, we are not here for the purpose of conquest, unless by purely amicable methods.

There must be no fighting, for or against. Savages though most people would be inclined to pronounce

The professor subsided at that, giving over as worse than useless the attempt to enlighten the irrepressible

Silence ruled for some little time, during which each one of the trio kept keen watch over the valley, the

fieldglass changing hands at intervals in order to put all upon an equal footing.

One thing was clear enough unto all: the Indians had been greatly wrought up by the brief appearance of

some queerly shaped monster of the air, and while a goodly number of their best warriors had hastened out of

the valley and up the difficult passes, in hopes of learning more, still others were astir, weapons in hand,

evidently determined to defend their lives or their property from any assault, should such be made, whether

This busy stir and bustle, combined with the novel architecture and so many varying points of interest, would

have been a mental and visual feast for the trio of airvoyagers, only for that one doubt: were white captives

actually in yonder temple? And, if white, were they the longlost relatives of the aeronaut, Cooper

Quite naturally the interest displayed by the Indians centred in the quarter of the heavens where that

airdemon had been sighted, hence our friends saw very little cause for apprehension on their own parts.

Thus they were given a better opportunity for thinking of and then discussing the new marvel.

Again did Waldo vow that his eyes had not befooled him. Again he positively asserted that he had seen two

white women, wearing blonde hair in loose waves far adown their backs. And once again Bruno, in

halfawed tones, wondered whether or no they were the mother and child borne away upon the wings of a

"It is possible, though scarcely credible," admitted uncle Phaeton, in grave tones, as he wrinkled his brows

after his peculiar fashion when ill at ease in his mind. "Edgecombe lived through just such another

experience; though, to be sure, he was a man of iron constitution, while they were far more delicate, as a

"Still, it may have happened so?" persisted Bruno, taking a strong interest in the matter. "You would not call

"No. It may have happened. I would rather call it marvellous, yet still possible. And if so"

"There is but a single answer to that supposition, uncle; they must be rescued from captivity!" forcibly

"That's right," confirmed Waldo. "Of course all women and girlsI mean other people's kinare a

tremendous sight of bother and worry, and all that; but we're white, and so are they."

"We must rescue them; there's nothing else to do," again emphasised the elder Gillespie.

"That is no doubt the proper caper, speaking from your boyish point of view, my generoushearted nephews;

butjust how?" dryly queried the professor. "Have you arranged all that, as well, Bruno?"

"You surely would not abandon them, uncle Phaeton?" asked the young man, something abashed by that

"A fate which they must have endured for fifteen years, provided your theory is correct, Bruno," with a

fleeting smile. "Don't mistake me, lads. I am ready and willing to do all that a man of my powers may,

provided I see just and sufficient cause for taking decisive action. That is yet lacking. We are not certain that

there are white women yonder. Or, if white women, that they are captives. Or, if captives, that they would

"I am thinking of him, and I wish to think yet a little longer," quietly spoke the professor. "keep a lookout,

For the better part of an hour comparative silence reigned, the boys feasting eyes upon yonder spectacle, their

"Do what, uncle Phaeton?" asked Waldo, with poorly suppressed eagerness, as he turned towards his relative.

"Go after Cooper Edgecombe,bringing him here in order that he may, sooner or later, solve this perplexing

"No, no, uncle Phaeton! Why should we go along? You'll be coming right back, and will be less crowded in

"To keep the Lost City safely found, don't you know? What if it should take a sudden notion to lose itself

In place of the indulgent smile for which he was playing, Waldo received a frown, and directly thereafter the

"Come with me, both of you. I am going back to the aerostat, and I dare not leave you boys behind. Come!"

Kind of heart and generally complaisant though uncle Phaeton was, neither Bruno nor Waldo cared to cross

his will when made known in such tones, and without further remonstrance they followed his lead, slipping

away from the snug little observatory without drawing attention to themselves from any of yonder busy

Not until the trio was fairly within the gulch did the professor speak again, and then but a brief sentence or

"Give me time to weigh the matter, lads. Possibly I may agree, but don't try to hurry my cooler judgment,

Waldo gave his brother an eager nudge at this, gestures and grimaces being made to supply the lack of words.

But when, the better to express his confidence that all was coming their way, the youngster attempted a caper

of delight, his foot slipped from a leafhidden stone, and he took an awkward tumble at full length.

"Never touched me!" he cried, scrambling to his feet ere a hand could come to his aid. "Who says I don't

Barring this little caper, naught took place on their way to the airship; and once there, the professor heaved a

mighty sigh, wiping his heated face as one might who has just won a worthy race. But he betrayed no

"In fact, it might be dangerous to start while so many of the Aztecs are upon the lookout," came the

unexpected addition. "I believe it would be vastly better not to leave here until shortly before dawn,

It took but a few words further to convince the brothers that this idea was wisest, and while the young fellows

After all, the day was wellnigh spent, and, besides preparing their evening meal, it was essential that their

Professor Featherwit had resolved to fetch Cooper Edgecombe to the scene of interest, in order to give him at

least a fair chance to solve the enigma which was perplexing them all. Even so, he felt that no small degree of

physical danger would attend that presence, particularly if it should really prove, as they could but suspect,

that both wife and daughter of the involuntary exile were yonder, among the Aztecans.

Much of this the professor made known to his nephews during that evening, the trio thoroughly discussing

the matter in all its bearings, but before the airship was prepared for the night's rest, uncle Phaeton made the

youngsters happy by consenting to their remaining behind as guardians to the Lost City, while he went in

"But bear ever in mind the conditions, lads," was his earnest conclusion. "I place you upon your honour to

take all possible precautions against being discovered, or even running the least unnecessary risk during my

"Don't let that bother you, uncle Phaeton," Waldo hastened to give assurance. "We'll be wise as pigeons, and

"We promise all you ask, uncle, but does that mean we must stay right here, without even stealing a weenty

Professor Featherwit felt sorely tempted to say yes, but then, knowing boyish nature (although Bruno had just

passed his majority, while Waldo was "turned seventeen") so well, he feared to draw the reins too tightly lest

"No; I do not expect quite that much, my lads; but I do count on your taking no unnecessary risks, and in case

of discovery that you rather trust to flight, and my finding you later on, than to actually fighting."

So it was decided, and at a fairly early hour the trio lay down to sleep. Although so unusually excited by the

marvellous discoveries of the day just spent, their openair life tended to calm their brains, and, far sooner

than might have been expected, sleep crept over them, one and all, lasting until nearly dawn.

Perhaps it was just as well that the wakening was not more early, for the professor was beginning to regret his

weakness of the past evening, and had there been more time for drawing lugubrious pictures of probable

Knowing that it was rather more than probable some of the Indians would be stationed upon the hills to watch

for the queerly shaped airdemon, the professor felt obliged to lose no further time, and so the separation was

effected, just as the eastern sky was beginning to show streaks and veins of a new day.

"Touch and go!" cried Waldo, with a vast inhalation as he watched the aeromotor sail away with the

swiftness of a bird on wing. "And for a weenty bit I reckoned 'twas you and me as part of the go, too!"

In company the lads enjoyed a more leisurely meal than their relative had dared wait for, knowing that, at the

very least, they would have the whole of that day to themselves, so far as uncle Phaeton was concerned. As a

matter of course, he would not attempt to return except under cover of night, or in the early dawn of another

All that had been thoroughly discussed and provided for the evening before, and was barely touched upon by

the brothers now. Their first and most natural thought was of yonder Lost City, with its inhabitants, red,

white, and yellow, as Waldo put it; but being still under the foreboding fears of the professor, they finally

It was a rather early meal which the brothers prepared, if the whole truth must be told; and the last fragments

were bolted rather than chewed, feet keeping time with jaws, as they hastened towards the observatory.

There was pretty much the same sort of view as on the day before, the main difference being that many of the

Using the glass by turns, the lads kept eager watch for the white women whom Waldo stubbornly persisted

were within the town; but hour after hour passed without the desired reward, and Bruno began to doubt

"The sun was in your eyes, and you let mad fancy run away with your better judgment, boy," he decided, at

For Waldo gave a low, eager exclamation, gripping the fieldglass as though he would crush in the

reinforced leather case. A few moments thus, then he laughed in almost fierce glee, thrusting the glass

"A crazy fool lunatic, am I? Well, now, you just take a squint at the old house for yourself and see ifbiting

For Bruno showed even more intense interest as he caught the right line, there taking note ofyes, they

surely were white women! Faces, hair, all went to proclaim that fact. And more than that, even.

"Fairlovely as a painter's dream!" almost painfully breathed the elder Gillespie. "I never saw such a

"Injun squaw, of course. Couple of 'em. Nobody but a fool would ever think different. The idea of finding

"They are ladies, Waldo! I never saw suchand I feel that they must be the ones lost by poor Edgecombe

"That's all right enough, old fellow," interrupted Waldo, claiming the glass once more. "No need of your

playing the porker on legs, though, as I see. Give another fellow a chance to squint. But aren't they regular

The two women in question, clad in flowing robes of white, lit up here and there by a dash of colour, were

slowly pacing to and fro upon the temple where first discovered by the keeneyed youngster. Thanks to the

excellent glass, it was possible to view them clearly in spite of the distance, and there could be no dispute

upon that one point: both mother and daughter (granting that such was their relationship) were more than

For the better part of an hour that slow promenade lasted, and until the women finally passed beyond their

range of vision, the brothers took eager and copious notes. Then, in spite of the fact that scores of other

"It's like watching a street medicine show, after hearing Patti or seeing Irving," muttered Bruno, drawing back

"Or the A B C class playing twooldcat, after a league game of extra innings; right you are, my hearty!"

Shortly after this, Bruno suggested a retreat to the rendezvous, and for a wonder his brother agreed without

The brothers passed down to the gulch, which formed the easiest route to their refuge, saying very little, and

that in lowered tones. The confirmation so recently won served to stir their hearts deeply, and neither boy

could as yet see a way out of the labyrinth that discovery most assuredly opened up before them.

"Of course we can't leave them there to drag on such a wretched existence," declared Bruno. "We couldn't do

that, even though we learned they held no relationship to Mr. Edgecombe. Buthow?"

"I reckon it'swhat?" abruptly spoke Waldo, gripping an arm and stopping short for a few seconds, but then

A score of seconds later they caught sight of a huge grizzly bear in the act of falling upon a slender stripling,

whose bronze hue as surely proclaimed one of the Aztec children from yonder Lost City.

Only a lad, slightlimbed and slenderly framed to the eye, yet for all that gifted with a gallant heart, else he

surely must have been cowed to terror by the huge bulk of such a dire adversary at close quarters.

Instead of trying to find safety in headlong flight, the Indian stood at bay, with both hands firmly gripping the

shaft of his copperbladed spear, at far too close quarters for employing bow and arrows, while the copper

Snarling, growling, displaying its great teeth while clumsily waving enormous paws which bore talons of

more than a fingerlength, the bear was balanced upon its hindquarters, evidently just ready to lurch forward

Its enormous weight would prove more than sufficient to end the contest ere it fairly began, while a slight

No one was better aware of all this than the Indian lad himself, yet he took the initiative, swiftly darting his

spear forward, lending to its keen point all the power of both arms and body. A suicidal act it certainly

An awful roar burst from bruin as he felt that thrust, the blade sinking deep and biting shrewdly; but then he

The Indian strove to leap backward an instant after delivering his stroke, but still clung to the spearshaft.

This hampered his action to a certain degree, yet in all probability that stout ashen shaft preserved his life,

The stroke but brushed a shoulder, nor did a claw take fair effect, yet the stripling was felled to earth as

All this before the brothers could solve the enigma thus offered them so unexpectedly; but that fall, and the

awful rage displayed by the wounded grizzly as he briefly reared erect to grind asunder the spearshaft,

decided the white lads, and, temporarily forgetting how dangerously nigh were yonder Aztecan hosts, both

Bruno and Waldo opened fire with their Winchester rifles, sending shot after shot in swift succession into the

Victory came right speedily, but its finale was thrilling, if not fatal, the huge beast toppling forward to drop

heavily upon the young savage, just as he was recovering sufficiently from shock and surprise to begin a

Firing another couple of shots while riflemuzzle almost touched an ear, the brothers quickly turned attention

towards the fallen Indian, more than half believing him a corpse, crushed out of shape upon the underlying

Fortunately for all concerned, the young Aztec was lying in a natural depression between two firm rocks, and

while his extrication proved to be a matter of both time and difficulty, saying nothing of main strength,

The grizzly was stonedead. The Indian seemed but a trifle better, though that came through compression

rather than any actual wounds from tooth or talon. And the brothers themselves were fairly dismayed.

Not until that rescue was finally accomplished did either lad give thought to what might follow; but now they

"Right in it, up to our necks, old man! And we can't very well kill the critter, can we?"

Just then the young Aztec rallied sufficiently to move, drawing a step nearer the brothers, right hand coming

out in greeting, while left palm was pressed close above his heart. Andstill greater marvel!

If yonder bleeding grizzly had risen erect and made just such a salutation as this, it could scarcely have

caused greater surprise to either Bruno or Waldo, looking upon this being, as they quite naturally did, in the

light of a genuine "heathen," hence incapable of speaking any known tongue, much less the glorious

True, there was a certain odd accent, a curious dwelling upon each syllable, but the words themselves were

"Why, I took you for a howling Injun!" fairly exploded Waldo, then stepping forward to clasp the proffered

member, giving it a regular "pumphandle shake" by way of emphasis. "And here you are, slinging the pure

United States around just as though it didn't cost a cent, and you held a mortgage on the whole dictionary!

For once in a way the glibtongued lad was at a loss just what to say and how to say it. For, after all, this

surely was a redskin, and the professor had explicitly warned them againstoh, dear!

Was it all a dizzy dream? For the Aztec drew back, speaking rapidly in an unknown tongue, then sinking to

Bruno Gillespie, too, was recalling his uncle's earnest cautions, and now took prompt action. He quickly

secured the weapons which had been scattered as the Indian fell before the grizzly's paw, then the brothers

"What'll we do about it?" whisperingly demanded Waldo, keeping a wary eye upon yonder redskin. "You tell,

"We daren't let him go free, else he might fetch the whole tribe upon our track," said Bruno, in the same low

"No, and yet we can't very well kill him, either! If we hadn't come along just as we did, or ifbut he's a man,

after all! Who could stand by and see that ugly brute make a meal off even an Injun?"

Bruno cast an uneasy look around, at the same time deftly refilling the partly exhausted magazine of his

"Load up, Waldo. Burning powder reaches mighty far, even here in the hills; and who knows,the whole

tribe may come helterskelter this way, to see what has broken loose! And we can't fight 'em all!"

"Not unless we just have to," agreed the younger Gillespie, placing a few shells where they would be handiest

in case of another emergency. "But what's the use of running, if we're to leave this fellow behind to blaze our

"No en'my; Ixtli friend,heartbrother," eagerly vowed the young Aztec, once again startling the lads by his

He rose to his feet, though plainly suffering in some slight degree from that brief collision with the huge

beast, and smiling frankly into first one face, then the other, took Bruno's hand, touched it with his lips, then

In like manner he saluted Waldo, after which he drew back a bit, still smiling genially, to add, in slowly

"You save Ixtli. Bear killno; you killyes! Ixtli glad. Sun Children greatbig heart full of love.

More through gesticulation than by speech, the young Indian brave made his sentiments clearly understood,

and if they could have placed full dependence in that pledge, the brothers would have felt vastly relieved in

But they only too clearly recalled numerous instances of cunning illfaith, and, in despite of all, they could

not well avoid thinking that this was really something like a white elephant thrown upon their hands.

"All right. Play we swallow it all, but keep your best eye peeled, old man," guardedly whispered Waldo.

"Fetch him along, yes or no, for it may be growing worse than dangerous right here, after so much shooting."

"Take the fellow along, and keep him with us, until uncle Phaeton comes back to finally decide upon his

case," promptly explained Waldo. "Of course we ought to've let him die; ought, but didn't! We couldn't then,

wouldn't now, if it was all to do over. So watch him so closely that he can't play tricks even if he wishes."

There was nothing better to propose, and though the job promised to be an awkward one to manage, Ixtli

Past all doubt he could understand, as well as speak, the English language, for he took a step in evident

Again the brothers felt startled by that quaintly correct accent, and almost involuntarily Bruno spoke in turn:

A still brighter smile irradiated the Aztec's face, and turning his eyes towards the secluded valley, he bowed

his head as though in deep reverence, then softly, lovingly, almost adoringly, responded:

"SHE tell me how. Victo,Glady, too. Ixtli know little, not much; his heart feel big for Sun Children, all

Bruno turned a bit paler than usual, catching his breath sharply, as he repeated those names:

"Victo,Glady,Wasn't it by those names, Victoria, Gladys, that Mr. Edgecombe called his lost ones,

"I can't remember; but get a move on, old man. The sooner we're back where uncle Phaeton left us, where we

can see a bit more of what may be coming, the safer my precious scalp will feel. This Injun"

"No scalp," quickly interposed the Aztec, with a deprecatory gesture to match his words. "You save Ixtli. Ixtli

Only partially satisfied by this earnest disclaimer of evil intentions, Waldo gripped an arm and hurried the

Aztec along, leaving the bear where it had fallen, intent solely upon reaching a comparatively safe outlook

No difficulty whatever was experienced in reaching that retreat, and milder prisoner never knew a guard than

Ixtli proved himself to be, silently yielding to each impulse lent his arm by Waldo, smiling when, as

sometimes happened, he was brought more nearly face to face with that armed rearguard.

Nor were the Gillespie brothers worried by sound, sign, or token of more serious trouble from others of that

strangely surviving race. And it was not long after reaching the rendezvous from which the professor had

sailed in the early dawn, that the youngsters agreed the echoes of their Winchesters could not have reached

"That's plenty good luck for one soupbunch," quoth Waldo, yet adding a dubious shake of the head as he

gazed upon their bronzed companion. "And if it wasn't for this gentleman in masquerade costume"

"Ixtli friend. Ixtli feel like heartbrother," came in low, mellow accents from those smiling lips.

There certainly was naught of guile or of evil craft to be read in either eyes or visage, just then; but the

brothers could not feel entirely at ease, even yet. How many times had warriors of his colour played a

cunning part, only to end all by blow of tomahawk, thrust of knife, or bolt from the bended bow?

At a barely perceptible sign from Bruno, his brother drew apart, leaving their "white elephant" by himself, yet

"He seems all right, in his way," muttered the elder Gillespie, "but how far ought we to trust him, after what

"Not quite as far as we can see him, anyway. Still, a fellow can't find the stomach to bowl him over like a

"That's it! If he'd try to bolt, or would even jump on one of us, it would come far more easy. Look at him

"Time enough for all that when he shows us cause," quickly decided Waldo, with a vigorous nod of his curly

pow. "Pity if a couple of us can't keep him out of mischief without going that far. And we want to pump the

Bruno gave a slight start at these words, but his eyeglow and faceflush bore witness that the idea thus

"That there's more ways than one of skinning a cat," oracularly observed Waldo. "Without showing it too

mighty plainly, one or the other of us can always be ready and prepared to dump the laddybuck, in case he

tries to come any of his didoes. And, at the same time, we can be hugging up to him just as sweetly as though

Possibly the programme might have been a little more elegantly expressed, but Waldo, as a rule, cared more

for substance than form, and his speech possessed one merit, that of perspicuity.

Having reached this fair understanding, the brothers dropped their aside, and moved nearer the young Aztec.

Ixtli gazed keenly into first one face, then the other, plainly enough endeavouring to read the truth as might

be expressed therein, as related to himself. What he saw must have proved fairly satisfactory, since he gave

In spite of the suspicions, which seem inborn where people of the red race are concerned, both Bruno and

Waldo felt more and more drawn towards this remarkable specimen of a still more remarkable tribe; and not

many more minutes had sped by ere the younger couple were chatting together in amicable fashion, although

Not a little to his elder brother's impatience, Waldo apparently took a deeper interest in the recent adventure

than in the subject which claimed his own busiest thoughts, but he hardly cared to crowd the youngster, lest

Aided by the sort of freemasonry which naturally exists between lads of an adventurous nature, Waldo

readily succeeded in picking up considerable information from the Aztec, even before broaching that

Ixtli was the only son of a famed warrior and chieftain of the Aztecan clans, by name Aztotl, or the Red

Heron. He, in common with so many of his people, had witnessed the approach and abrupt departure of the

He failed to see aught more of the strange creature, but, disliking to return home without something to show

for the trip, remained out over night, then chanced to fairly stumble into the way of a mighty grizzly.

There were a few moments during which he might possibly have escaped through headlong flight, but he was

too proud for that, and but for the timely arrival and prompt action on the part of his white brothers would

Then followed more thanks and broken expressions of gratitude, all of which Waldo magnanimously waved

"Don't work up a sweat for a little thing like that, old man. Of course we saw you were an Injun andahem!

I mean, how in time did you happen to catch hold of our lingo so mighty pat, laddybuck?"

"My brother means to ask who taught you to speak as we do, Ixtli?" amended Bruno, catching at the

"And who was that nice little gal with the yellow hair? Is shewhat did you call her? GladysAnd the rest

Waldo was eager enough now that the ice was fairly broken, but his very volubility served to complicate

Ixtli apparently thought in English pretty much as he spoke it,slowly, and with care. When hurried, his

Sounds issued through his lips, but, despite all their animation, these proved to be but empty sounds to the

eager brothers. And, divining the truth, Bruno checked his brother, himself acting as questioner, pretty soon

Still, thanks to his difficulty in finding the right words with which to express his full meaning, it took both

time and patience for even Bruno to learn all he desired; and even if such a course would be desirable, lack of

space forbids giving a literal record of questions and answers, since the general result of that

The first point made clear was that the young Aztec owed his imperfect knowledge of the English language to

certain Children of the Sun, whom he named as if christened Victo and Glady. With this as startingpoint, the

Growing in animation as he proceeded, Ixtli told of the coming to their city of those glorious children; riding

upon the wings of an awful storm, yet issuing unharmed, unawed, bright of face, as the mighty orb the sons

He told how an envious few held to the contrary: that these fairskins had come as evil emissaries from the

still more evil Mictlanteuctli, mighty Lord of Deathland, who had laden them with pestilence and

brainsorrow and eyedarkness, with orders to devastate this, the last fair city of the ancient race.

With low, sternly suppressed tones, the young warrior went on to tell of what followed: of the wicked attempt

made by those malcontents to punish the bearers of death and misery; then, his voice rising and growing more

clear, he told how, from a clearingsky, there came a single shaft flung by the mighty hand of the great god,

"Struck by lightning, eh?" interpreted Waldo, who seemed born without the influence of poetry. "Served him

Bowing submissively, although it could be seen he scarcely comprehended just what those blunt words were

meant to convey, Ixtli spoke on, seemingly with perfect willingness, so long as the adored "Sun Children"

From his laboured statement, Bruno gathered that the sudden death of one who had dared to lift an armed

hand against the woman so mysteriously placed there in their very midst awed all opposition to the general

belief in the divine origin of mother and child; and ere long Victo was installed as a sort of high priestess of

That was long ago, and when Ixtli was but a child. As he grew older, and his father, Red Heron, was

appointed as chief of guards to the Sun Children, Victo took more notice of the lad, and ended in teaching

him both the English tongue and its Christian creed, so far as lay in his power to comprehend.

Then came less pleasing information concerning the Children of the Sun, which went far to prove that the

death of one evilminded dog had not entirely purged the Lost City, and it was with harsher tones and

frowning brows that Ixtli spoke of the head priest, or paba, Tlacopa the evilminded, who had built up a

powerful and dangerous sentiment against both Victo and Glady, even going so far as to declare before the

holy stone of sacrifice that the Mother of Gods demanded these falsely titled Children of the Sun.

"The fairfaced God must come soon, or too late!" sighed the Aztec, bowing his head in joined palms the

better to conceal his evident grief. "He has promised to come, but hurry! They diethey die!"

This was hardly an acceptable stoppingpoint, but questioning was of little avail just then. Satisfied of so

much, the brothers drew apart a short distance, yet keeping where they could guard their more or less

dangerous charge, conversing in low tones over the information so far gleaned from the Aztec's talk.

"Well, we'll hold a tight grip on him, anyway, until uncle Phaeton gets back," finally decided Waldo,

Fortunately for all concerned, there proved to be no serious difficulty attached to that same holding. So far as

outward semblance went, Ixtli was very well content with both present quarters and present companionship.

He likewise enjoyed the supper that, aided by a small fire kindled in a depression so low that the light could

by no means attract any unfriendly eye, Bruno prepared for them all. And just prior to taking his first taste,

the young warrior bowed his head to murmur a few sentences which, past all doubt, had first come to his

mind through the wonderful Victo: a simple little blessing, which certainly did not add to the dislike or

"He's white, even if he is red!" confidentially declared Waldo, at his first opportunity. "More danger of our

spoiling him than his doing us dirt; and that's an honest fact for a quarter, old man!"

Bruno felt pretty much the same, yet his added years gave him greater discretion, and, in spite of that growing

After supper there came further questioning and answers, Waldo as a rule playing inquisitor, eager to learn

more anent the strange existence which these people must live, so completely hemmed in from all the rest of

Without at all betraying the exile, Gillespie spoke of the lake and its mighty whirlpool, then learned that the

Indians really made semiannual trips thither for the purpose of laying in a supply of dried fish for the

As the night waned, preparations were made for sleeping, although it was agreed between the brothers that

"Not that I really believe the fellow would play us dirt, even with every chance laid open," Waldo admitted.

"Still, it's what uncle Phaeton would advise, and we can't well do less than follow his will, Bruno."

"That's all right, too. Of course we'd ought to've skulked away like a couple of eggsucking curs, but we

didn't, and I'm mightily glad of it, too. For Ixtliwhat a name that is to go to bed with every night,

though!for Ixtli is just about as white as they make 'em, nowadays; you hear me blow my bazoo?"

And so the long night wore its length along, the brothers taking turns at keeping watch and ward, but the

Aztec slumbering peacefully through all, looking the least dangerous of all possible captives. And after this

light even the cautious Bruno began to regard him ere the first stroke of coming dawn could be seen above

Not being positive just where the airship would put in an appearance, since Professor Featherwit had,

perforce, left that question open, to be decided by circumstances over which he might have no control, each

guard in turn devoted considerable attention to the upper regions, hoping to glimpse the aerostat, and holding

matches in readiness to raise a flare by way of alighting signal. But it was not until the early dawn that Bruno

caught sight of the airship, just skimming the treetops, the better to escape observation by any Indian

After that the rest came easily enough. A couple of blazing matches held aloft proved sufficient cue to the

professor, and soon thereafter the flyingmachine was safely brought to land, so gently that the slumbers of

Bruno gave a hasty word of warning and explanation combined, even before he extended a welcoming hand

towards Mr. Edgecombe, who certainly appeared all the better for his encounter with people of his own race.

Professor Featherwit took a keen, eager look at the slumbering redskin, then drew silently back, to whisper in

"Guard well your tongue, lad. I have told him nothing, as yet, and we must consult together before breaking

the news. For now we have had no rest, so I believe we would better lie down for an hour or two."

Mr. Edgecombe appeared to be perfectly willing to do this, and soon the wearied men were wrapped in

Long before their lids unclosed, Bruno had an appetising meal in readiness, although the others had broken

fast long before, and Ixtli, his hands tightly clasped behind his back, as a child is wont to resist temptation,

Taking advantage of this preoccupation, Bruno quickly yet clearly explained to his uncle all that had

happened, showing that by playing a more prudent part the young warrior must inevitably have perished.

Then, making sure Cooper Edgecombe was not near enough to catch his words, Bruno told in brief the

information gleaned from Ixtli concerning the Children of the Sun, whom he and Waldo more than suspected

As might have been expected, Professor Featherwit was deeply stirred by all this, fidgeting nervously while

keeping alert ears, with difficulty smothering the ejaculations which fought for exit through his lips.

After satisfying his craving for food, the professor led the young Aztec apart from the rest of the party,

speaking kindly and sympathetically until he had won a fair share of liking for his own, then broaching the

After this it was by no means a difficult matter to get at the seat of trouble, and little by little Featherwit

satisfied himself that Ixtli would do all, dare all, for the sake of benefiting the woman and maiden who had

At a covert sign from the professor, Bruno came to join in the talk, and his sympathy made the young Aztec

even more communicative. And Ixtli spoke more at length concerning Tlacopa, the paba, and another enemy

whom the Children of the Sun had nearly equal cause to fear, one Huatzin, or Prince Hua, chiefest among the

This evil prince had for years past sought Victo for his bride, while his son, Iocetl, tried in vain to win the

heartsmiles of the fair Glady, Victo's daughter. And, through revenge for having their suit frowned upon,

these wicked knaves had joined hands with the priest in trying to drag the Sun Children down from their lofty

It did not take long questioning, or shrewd, to convince the professor that in Ixtli they could count upon a true

and daring supporter in case they should conclude to interfere in behalf of his patroness and teacher, adored

The professor led the way over to the airship, there producing the clothing and arms once worn by another

Aztec warrior, which he had carefully stowed away in the locker, loath to lose sight of such valuable relics;

Bruno gave a little exclamation at sight of the articles, then in eager tones he made known the daring idea

"We ought to make sure before taking action, uncle Phaeton. Then why not let me don these clothes and steal

"No, no, my lad," quickly interrupted the professor, gripping an arm as though fearful of an instant runaway.

"That would be too risky; that would be almost suicidal! Andno use talking," with an obstinate shake of

his head, as Bruno attempted to edge in an expostulation. "I will never give my consent; never!"

"Or hardly ever," supplied Waldo, coming that way like one who feels the proprieties have been more than

sufficiently outraged. "Give some other person a chance to wag his chin a bit, can't ye, gentlemen? Not that

"We were considering whether or no 'twould be advisable to take a walk over to the observatory," coolly

explained the professor. "Of course, if you would rather remain here to watch the aerostat"

"Let Bruno do that, uncle. He grew thoroughly disgusted with what he saw over yonder, yesterday," placidly

"Well, didn't you vow and declare that you could recognise grace and beauty and all other varieties of

Professor Featherwit hastily interposed, lest words be let fall through which Mr. Edgecombe might catch a

premature idea of the possible surprise held in store; and shortly afterwards the start was made for the snug

Naturally their route led them directly past the scene of the bear fight, where the huge carcass lay as yet

undisturbed, and calling forth sundry words of wonder and even admiration, through its very ponderosity and

Professor Featherwit deemed it his duty to gravely reprove his wards for their rash conduct, yet something in

his twinkling eyes and in the kindly touch of his bony hand told a far different tale. His anger took the shape

In due course of time the lookout was won, and without delay the savant turned his fieldglass upon the

temple which appeared to appertain to the socalled Sun Children; but, not a little to his chagrin, the azotea

But that disappointment was of brief existence, for, almost as though his action was the signal for which they

had been waiting, mother and daughter came slowly into view, arm in arm, clad in robes of snowy white,

Both ladsthree of them, to be more exactgave low exclamations of eager interest as those shapes came

in sight, while even Cooper Edgecombe gazed with growing interest upon the scene, wholly unsuspecting

A slight nod from the professor warned the brothers to stand ready in case of need, then he offered the exile

The glass was levelled and held firmly for a half minute, then the exile gave a choking cry, gasping, ere he

In good measure prepared for some such result, in case their expectations should prove true, friendly hands at

once closed upon the exile, hurrying him back, and still more completely under cover, as quickly as might be.

Cooper Edgecombe seemed as wax in their hands, not utterly deprived of consciousness, but rather like one

dazed by some totally unexpected blow. He made not the slightest resistance, yielding to each impulse given,

Yet there came an occasional flash to his eyes which warned the wary professor of impending trouble, and as

quickly as might be the stunned aeronaut was removed from the point of observation, taken by short stages

Ixtli seemed something awed by this (to him) inexplicable conduct on the part of the gauntlimbed stranger,

but gave his newfound friends neither trouble nor cause for worry, bearing them company and even lending

The Gillespie brothers were far more deeply stirred, as was natural, but even Waldo contrived to keep a fair

With each minute that elapsed Cooper Edgecombe gained in bodily powers, and while his mental strength

The rendezvous was barely gained ere he gave a hoarse cry of reviving memory, then strove to break away

from that friendly care, calling wildly for his wife, his daughter, fancying them in some dire peril from which

It was a painful scene as well as a trying one, that which followed closely, and respite only came after bonds

had been applied to the limbs of the madman,for such Cooper Edgecombe assuredly was, just then.

There were tears in the professor's eyes, as he strove hardest to soothe the sufferer, assuring him that his

loved ones should be restored to his arms, yet repeatedly reminding him that any rash action taken then must

The exile grew less violent, but that was more through physical exhaustion than aught else, and what had,

Only when fairly well assured that the sufferer would not attract unwelcome attention their way through too

boisterous shouting, did the professor draw far enough away for quiet consultation with his nephews.

Mr. Edgecombe was deposited within the airship, secured in such a manner that it would be wellnigh

impossible for him to do either himself or the machine material injury, no matter how violent he might

become; and hence, in case of threatened trouble from the inmates of the Lost City, flight would not be

Professor Featherwit now gleaned from his nephews pretty much all they could tell him concerning sights

and events since his departure in quest of the exile. That proved to be very little more than he had already

learned, and contained still less which seemed of especial benefit to that particular enigma awaiting solution.

True, Waldo suggested that Ixtli be employed as a medium of communication between the Sun Children and

themselves; but, possibly because, as a rule, this irrepressible youngster's ideas were generally the wildest and

No; the young Aztec might prove true at heart, even as indications went, but the risk of so trusting him would

"That's just because you haven't known and slept with him, like we have," declared Waldo. "He's red on the

Bruno likewise appeared to think well of the young brave, and suggested an amendment to Waldo's

motion,that he accompany Ixtli into the sunken valley, covered by the friendly shades of night, there to

"By so doing, we could make certain of their identity," the young man argued, earnestly. "That, it appears to

me, is the first step to be taken. For, in spite of the apparent recognition by Mr. Edgecombe, it is possible that

"What of that?" bluntly cut in the younger Gillespie. "Don't you reckon strangers'd like to take a little walk,

"Patience, my lad," interposed the professor. "While we seem in duty bound to lend aid and assistance to

women in actual distress, we can only serve them with their own free will and accord. Granting that the

women we saw upon the teocalli were other than those believed by our afflicted friend"

"But, uncle, look at their names! And don't Ixtli saytell 'em all over again, pardner, won't ye?" urged

Waldo, taking a burning interest in the matter, as was his custom when fairly involved.

The young Aztec complied as well as lay within his power, giving it as his fixed opinion that sore trouble, if

not actual peril, awaited the Children of the Sun, unless assisted by powerful friends. He spoke of the mighty

chieftain, Prince Hua, and of the high priest, Tlacopa, who was, to all seeming, playing directly into the hands

"He say Mother of Gods callloud! He say sacrifice, and datno, no! Quetzal' sendQuetzal'

Further questioning resulted in but little more information, though, as Ixtli grew calmer, he emphasised such

statements as he had already made, elaborating them a trifle. And, by this, his questioners learned that,

humanly speaking, the fate of the Sun God's Children depended almost entirely upon the whim or fancy of

Through Tlacopa issued the awesome oracles, and when his voice thundered forth the dread fiat, who dared

Further questioning brought forth one more important fact,that there was absolutely no hope of either

Victo or Glady coming forth from the valley, either by night or by day. While ostensibly free of will as they

were of limb, neither woman was permitted to leave yonder temple, save under armed escort; and guards

"But we could get to see and speak with them, Ixtli?" asked Bruno, eager to reach some fair understanding as

"Yes, white brother, go with Ixtli," came the hesitating reply; but then the Aztec caught one of Gillespie's

hands, holding it in close contrast to his own brown paw, shaking his head doubtingly.

"You hear that, Bruno?" asked the professor, really relieved at such positive evidence in conflict with the rash

"Of course I thought of going under cover of the night, uncle, and surely it would not be such a difficult

matter to darken my face and hands? With dirt, if nothing better can be found. And if I wore the clothes you

"That's the ticket!" broke in Waldo, eagerly. "Why, in a rig like that, I could turn the trick my own self!"

The consultation was broken off at this juncture by a faint summons from Cooper Edgecombe, and Professor

Featherwit was only too glad of the excuse, hurrying over to the flyingmachine, finding to his great joy that

Still, great caution was used in revealing all, and it was not until considerably later in the day that Mr.

He declared that his recognition had been complete, in spite of the long years which had elapsed since losing

sight of his dear ones; and he earnestly vowed to never give over until their rescue was effected, or he had

While the two airvoyagers were thus engaged in talk, Bruno silently stole away with Ixtli, taking a bundle

along, and leaving Waldo to throw their uncle off the track in case his suspicions should be prematurely

awakened. Then, side by side, two Indian braves silently approached the aerostat, causing Professor

Featherwit to make a hasty dive for his dynamite gun to repel a fancied onslaught.

"Sold again, and who comes next?" merrily exploded Waldo, dancing about in high glee as the supposed

"Would there be such an enormous risk of discovery, uncle Phaeton, provided I put lock and seal upon my

That experiment proved to be a complete success, and after Cooper Edgecombe added his pathetic pleadings

to the young man's own arguments, Professor Featherwit gradually gave way, though still with reluctance.

"I could never find forgiveness should harm come to your mother's son, boy," he huskily murmured, his arm

stealing about Bruno's middle. "I'd far rather venture myself, andwhy not, pray?" as Waldo burst into an

Then he turned upon Ixtli, a hand resting upon each shoulder while he gazed keenly into those lustrous dark

"Can we trust you, friend? Would you sell the boy to whose arm you owe your own life, unto his enemies?

A wondering gaze, then the Indian appeared to flush hotly. He shook off those far from steady hands,

drawing his knife and with free fingers tearing open his dress above the heart. Thrusting the weapon into

Eye to eye the two youths stood for a brief space in silence, then the weapon was let fall, and Bruno gripped

"I really begin to believe that you are all in the right, while I alone am left in the wrong," frankly admitted the

Still, that point was of too vital importance to justify hasty decision, and the professor did not make his

surrender complete until the shades of another night were beginning to gather over the land.

Meantime, partly for the purpose of keeping the youngsters employed and thus out of the way of less

harmless things, the professor suggested that the huge grizzly be flayed. If the proposed scheme should really

be undertaken, that mighty pelt, if uncomfortable to convey, would serve as a fair excuse for the young

As a matter of course, Cooper Edgecombe felt intense anxiety through all, but he contrived to keep fair

mastery over his emotions, readily admitting that he himself could do naught towards visiting the Lost City.

"I know that my loved ones are yonder. I would joyfully suffer ten thousand deaths by torture for the chance

to speak one word toto them. And yet I know any such attempt would prove fatal to us all. The mere sight

There is no necessity for repeating the various arguments used, pro and con, before the final agreement was

reached. Enough has already been put upon record, and the result must suffice: Professor Featherwit yielded

the vital point, and, having once fairly expressed his fears and doubts, flung his whole heart into perfecting

the disguise which was now counted upon to carry Bruno safely into and out of yonder city.

He was carefully trigged out in the warlike uniform secured by Cooper Edgecombe at the cost of a human

life, and, with fresh stain applied to his face and hands, the slight moustache he wore was not dangerously

" 'Twould take a strong light and mighty keen eyes to see it at all, and even if a body should happen to notice

Under less trying circumstances, Bruno might have answered in kind, but now he merely smiled at the jester,

then turned again to receive the earnest cautions let fall for his benefit by the professor.

Above all else, he was to steer clear of fighting, and, without he saw a fair chance of winning speech with the

white women, he was to keep in such hiding as Ixtli might furnish, trusting the young Aztec to post the

Tremulous, almost incapable of coherent speech, so intense was his agitation, Cooper Edgecombe sent many

messages to his loved ones, begging for one word in return. And if nothing less would serve

It was well past sunset ere the youngsters set forth from the rendezvous, accompanied a short distance by

both Waldo and the professor; but the parting came in good time. It would be worse than folly to add to the

existent perils that of possible discovery by some prowling Aztec who might work serious injury to them one

That great bearhide proved a tax upon their strength, even though the bulletriddled headpiece had been

carefully cut off and buried, lest those queer holes tell a risky tale on close examination; but Ixtli, as well as

There was nothing worse than the natural obstacles in the way to be overcome, and, knowing every square

yard of ground so thoroughly, Ixtli chose the most practicable route to that hillencircled town.

The stony pass was followed to the lower level, and the young adventurers had drawn fairly near the first

buildings ere encountering a living being; and then ample time was given them for meeting the danger.

A lowvoiced call sounded upon the night air, and Ixtli responded in much the same tone. Bruno, of course,

was utterly in the dark as to what was being said, but he still held perfect faith in his copperhued guide, and

The Aztec brave appeared to be explaining his unusually protracted absence, for he proudly displayed the

great grizzly pelt, then exhibited the spearhead from which protruded the toothmarked wood.

Like one who was already familiar with the details, Bruno slowly lounged forward a pace or two, then in

Ixtli was not many minutes in shaking off the Indian, and, almost staggering beneath his shaggy burden,

Fortunately for the venture, the Aztecans appeared to believe in the maxim of going to bed early, for there

were very few individuals astir at that hour, young though the evening still was. And by the clear moonlight

which fell athwart the valley, it was no difficult task to catch sight before being seen, where eyes so busy as

Only once were they forced to make a brief detour in order to escape meeting another redskin, and then a

guarded whisper from the lips of the Aztec warned Bruno that they were almost at the teocalli wherein the

Leaving the grizzly pelt at a corner, for the time being, Ixtli led his white friend up and into the Temple of the

Although he had declared that an armed guard was kept night and day over the Sun Children, and that he

hoped to pass Bruno as well as himself without any serious difficulty, since he had long been a favoured

visitor, and ever welcomed by Victo and Glady, the temple was seemingly without such protection upon the

Ixtli expressed great surprise when this fact became evident, and he showed uneasiness as to the welfare of

Surely something evil was impending! His father, Aztotl, was chieftain of the guards, and wholly devoted to

the Sun Children, ready at all times to risk life in their behalf. Now, if the usual guards were lacking, surely it

portended evil,treachery, no doubt, at the bottom of which the paba and the 'Tzin almost certainly lurked.

All this Ixtli contrived to convey to Bruno, who fairly well shared that anxiety, but who was more for going

Still, unfamiliar with the construction of the temple as he was, Bruno felt helpless without his guide, and so

timed his progress by that of Ixtli, right hand tightly gripping the handle of his "handwood," or maquahuitl,

resolved to give a good account of either of those rascally varlets in case trouble lay ahead.

The unwonted desolation which appeared to reign on all sides was plainly troubling the Aztec brave, and he

seemed to suspect a cunning ambuscade, judging from his slow advance, pausing at nearly every step to bend

Still, nothing was actually seen or heard until after the young men reached the upper elevation, upon a portion

Here the first sound of human voices was heard, and Bruno stopped short in obedience to the almost fierce

grip which Ixtli closed upon his nearest arm, listening for a brief space, then breathing, lowly:

"We see, first. Dat good! Him see first, dat bad! Eye, ear, two both. You know, brother?"

"You mean that we are to listen and play spy, first, Ixtli?" asked Bruno, scarcely catching the real meaning of

"Victo, she one. Odder man, not know sure, but think Huatzin. He bad; all bad! Kill him, some day. Dat

This grim vow appeared to do the Aztec good from a mental point of view, and then he led his white friend

silently towards the covered part of the teocalli, from whence those sounds emanated.

Curtains of thick stuff served to shut in the light and to partly smother the sound of voices, but Ixtli

A portion of the sacred fire was burning upon its special altar, while a large lamp, formed of baked clay, was

suspended from the roof, shedding a fair light around, as well as perfuming the enclosure quite agreeably.

Almost directly beneath this hanginglamp stood the two Children of the Sun, one tall, stately, almost

queenly of stature, and now looking unusually impressive, as she seemed to act as shield for her daughter,

Even then Bruno could not help realising those facts, although his ears were tingling sharply with the harsh

accents falling from a far different pair of lips, those of a tall, muscular warrior whose form was gorgeously

arrayed in featherwork and cunning weaving, richhued dyes having been called to aid the other arts as well.

If this was actually the Prince Hua, then he was a most brutal sample of Aztecan aristocracy, and at first sight

As a matter of course, Bruno was unable to comprehend just what was being said, thanks to his complete

ignorance of the language employed; but he felt morally certain that ugly threats were passing through those

thin lips, and even so soon his hands began to itch and his blood to glow, both urging him to the rescue.

Swiftly fell the reply made by Victo, and her words must have stung the prince to the quick, since he uttered a

savage cry, drawing back an arm as though to smite that proudly beautiful face with his hardclenched fist.

That proved to be the capsheaf, for Bruno could stand no more. He dashed aside the heavy curtain as he

leaped forward, giving a stern cry as he came, swinging the war club over his shoulder to strike with all

Only the young man's unfamiliarity with the weapon preserved Prince Hua from certain death. As it was, he

reeled, to fall in a nerveless heap upon the floor, while, with a startled cry, another Aztec broke away in

That sudden appearance and flight of another man took Ixtli even more by surprise than it did Bruno, for he

never even suspected such a possibility, knowing Prince Hua so well. Still, the young brave was swift to

rally, swift to pursue, sending a menace of certain death in case the fleeing cur should not yield himself.

Just then Bruno had eyes and thoughts for the Sun Children alone, who quite naturally shrunk back in

mingled surprise and alarm at his unceremonious entrance. He forgot his disguise, forgot everything save that

before him stood the fair beings whom he had vowed to save at all hazards from what appeared to him worse

Gillespie never knew just what words crossed his lips during those first few seconds, but he saw that the

women, in place of eagerly accepting his aid, were visibly shrinking, apparently more alarmed than delighted

Doubtless this was caused mainly by that odd blending of Aztec and paleface, the colour and garb of the one

joined to the tongue of the other; but the result might have been even worse, had not Ixtli hastened back to

In spite of his utmost efforts, the second Indian had escaped with life, although he received a glancing wound

from an arrow, as he plunged down towards the lower level; and nothing seemed more certain than that an

alarm would right speedily spread throughout the town, if only for the purpose of hurrying succour to the

All this rolled in swift words over Ixtli's lips, his warning finding completion before either of the women

could fairly interrupt the young brave. But then the one whom Ixtli termed Victo spoke rapidly in his musical

tongue, one strong white hand waving towards the now somewhat embarrassed Gillespie.

"He friend; come save you, like save Ixtli," the Aztec hurriedly made reply, with generous tact speaking so

that Bruno could comprehend as well as the women. "He good; all good! Paba bad; 'Tzin more bad; be worse

Thus given the proper cue, Bruno took fresh courage and, in as few words as might be, explained his mission.

He spoke the name of Cooper Edgecombe, and for the first time that queenly woman showed signs of

weakness, staggering back with a faint, choking gasp, one hand clasped spasmodically above her madly

throbbing heart, the other rising to her temples as though in fear of coming insanity.

"He is well; he is safe and longing for his loved ones," Bruno swiftly added, producing the brief note which

the exiled aeronaut had pressed into his hand at almost the last moment. "He wrote you thathere it is,

"Make hurry, quick!" sharply interposed Ixtli, as ominous sounds began to arise without the Temple of the

With an evident effort Victo rallied, tones far from steady as she begged both young men to save themselves

"I thank you; heaven alone knows how overjoyed I am to hear from my dear husband,my poor child's own

father! And he is near, toBut go, go! Guide and protect him, Ixtli, forGo, I implore you, sir!"

"Later, then; another time, through Ixtli," interrupted Mrs. Edgecombe, since there could no longer be a doubt

as to her identity. "If found here 'twill be our ruin as well as your own. Go, and at once I fear that Lord Hua

"He 'live yet," pronounced Ixtli, rising from a hasty examination o f the fallen chieftain. "Dat bad; much more

"And I greatly fear he must have recognised you as one of a foreign race, in spite of your disguise," added the

elder woman, trouble in her face even as it showed in her voice. "He will be wild for revenge, and I

Bruno Gillespie was only too well assured that this latest fear had foundation on truth. Swiftly though he had

wielded the awkward (to him) handwood, Huatzin had sufficient time to sight his assailant, and almost

Doubtless it would have been the more prudent course to repeat that blow with greater precision; but Bruno

could not bring himself to do just that, even though the ugly cries were growing in volume on the ground

level; and he felt that capture would be but the initial step to death, in all likelihood upon the great stone of

Imminent though their peril surely was, Bruno could not betake himself to flight without at least partially

performing the duty for which he had volunteered; and so he took time to hurriedly utter:

"Watch from the top of the tower for the airship, and be ready to leave at any moment, I implore

For even now his admiring gaze could with difficulty be torn away from yonder younger, even more lovely,

visage; although as yet the maiden had spoken no word, even shrinking away from this strangely speaking

"Come, brother, or too late," urged Ixtli, almost sternly. "Save you, or Glasseyes call Ixtli dogliar. Come;

And so it seemed, when the young men rushed away from the lighted interior and gained the uncovered space

beyond. Loud cries came soaring through the night from different directions, and dim, phantomlike shapes

Apparently the majority only knew that trouble of some description was brewing, and that the centre of

interest was either in or near the Temple of the Sun God; yet that was more than sufficient to place the white

Then with awful abruptness there came a sound which could only be likened to rolling thunder by one

"The great wardrum! Now MUST go! Sacrifice if caught; come, white brother! See, dat more bad now!"

Those mighty throbs rolled and reverberated from the hills, filling the night air with waves of thunder, none

The entire population was aroused, and each building seemed to cast forth an armed host, while, as through

some magic touch, a circle of fires sprung up on all sides, beginning to illumine both valley and barrier.

Bruno stood like one appalled, really fascinated by this transformation scene for which he had been so poorly

prepared; but Ixtli better comprehended their situation, and gripping an arm he muttered, hastily:

"Come, brother; stop more, make too late. Must hide, now. Dat stop go back way came. Come!"

Bruno roused himself with an effort, then yielded to the Aztec's guidance, crouching low as the brief bit of

Instead of making for the steps which, as customary, reached from terrace to terrace at each corner, Ixtli crept

to the centre, where the templeside was cast into deepest shadow, then lowered himself by his arms, to drop

A whispered word urged Bruno to imitate this action, and those friendly hands caught and steadied Gillespie

as he took the drop. And so, one after another, the mighty steps were passed, both young men reaching the

ground at the same instant, having succeeded in leaving the Temple of the Sun God without being glimpsed

by an Indian of all those whom the sonorous drumthrobs had brought forth In arms.

"Whither now?" asked Bruno, in guarded tones, as he looked forth from shadow into moonlight, seeing

scores upon scores of armed shapes flitting to and fro, all looking for the enemy, yet none able to precisely

Just then a savage yell broke from the top of the temple, followed by a few fiercesounding sentences, which

"He say kill if catch, but datno! Come, white brother. Ixtli show how play fool dat dog; yes!"

"All right, my hearty. Is it a break for the hills? I reckon I can break through. If notwell, I'll leave some

"No, no, dat bad! Can't go to hills; must hide," positively declared the young Aztec. "Come, now. Me show

Evidently trusting to pass undetected where so many others were rushing back and forth in seeming

confusion, Ixtli broke away from the shadow of the temple, closely followed by Gillespie, heading as directly

That proved to be a low, unpretending structure which was of no great extent, so far as Bruno's hasty look

could ascertain. Still, that was not the time for doubting the wisdom of his guide, nor a moment in which to

discuss either methods or means; and as Ixtli passed through a massive entrance, the paleface followed,

"What sort of a place is it, anyway, Ixtli?" he demanded, but the Aztec was too hurried for words, just then,

save enough to warn his companion in peril that they must descend deeper into the earth.

It was more of a scramble than a deliberate descent, for the gloom was complete, and Bruno had no time in

which to feel for steps or stairs. Only for the aiding touch of his guide, he must have taken more than one

Then a breathingspell was granted him, and, while Ixtli bent ear in listening to discover if pursuit was being

made, Bruno drew a match from the liberal supply he had taken the precaution to fetch along, and, striking it,

Only to give an involuntary start and cry as he caught indistinct glimpses of fleshless bones and grinning

skulls, those grim relics of mortality showing upon every side as his wild eyes roved around.

Not until the two young men passed beneath those heavy curtains did either one of the Sun Children really

give thought to their own possible peril, but stood close together, arm of mother about daughter as they

Then, just as the deep tones of the wardrum boomed forth upon the night air, the fallen Aztec betrayed signs

of rallying wits, giving a low sound which might have been groan of pain or curse of baffled rage. Be that as

it may, the sound served one purpose: Victoria Edgecombe (to append her correct name for the first time)

drew her child farther away, her right hand reaching forth to pluck a light yet effective spear from where it

"Mother, mother!" faintly panted the maiden, plainly at a loss to comprehend all that had so recently

transpired. "What is it? What does it all mean? Surely that was Ixtli; andthe other?"

"Thanks be to heaven, not dead!" with hysterical joy in face as in voice. "Alive, and seeking us, Gladys!

Coming to rescue us from this death in life, and nowto your knees, my daughter; to thy knees, and lift

Again the wardrum boomed forth in an awesome roll, but all unheeding that ominous sound, paying no

attention to the stirring of yonder savage, whose lacerated scalp was painting his face a deeper red than even

nature intended, mother and daughter sank to their knees, lifting hands and hearts towards the AllPowerful,

Then arose the hoarse tones of Huatzin, bidding his allies find and slay without mercy; cursing the

treacherous Aztec who had thus guided one of a strange tribe into the very heart of their beloved city.

With a short, fierce ejaculation, Victo sprang to her feet, right hand once again grasping shaft of javelin, its

copper point gleaming ruddily in the rays of lamp as though already moistened by the heartblood of yonder

Far differently acted the maiden, her figure trembling with fear and wonder commingled, her lips slightly

blanched as she clung closer to her mother. Yet through all ran a touch of girlish curiosity which helped

"With Ixtli, my child, and may the good God of our own people grant them both life and liberty! If I

thoughtyour father, Gladys! Alive and looking for his beloved ones! See! from his own dear hand, and he

But the alarm appeared to be without actual foundation, for the sounds came no closer, remaining beyond the

Gladys rallied more speedily than one might have expected, and she spoke with even greater interest than at

"My dear father, and alive? Oh, mother, why is he not here towhy should he send another? And that

"No; he was of our own people, child, and I can hardly conceive how he came hither, save that Ixtli must

"And those awful warriors!" shivering as the warcries followed the muffled roar of the great drum. "If

"He is gone with Ixtli, and Ixtli is true to the very core," Victo hastened to give assurance. "I would rather

trust him than many another of thrice his years and warlike experience. Ixtli is true; ay, as true and tried as his

"Hush, child!" just a bit sharply interposed the elder woman, yet at the same time tightening that loving clasp.

Once again there came the echoes of rapid footfalls beyond the heavy draperies, and again this Amazonian

mother drew her superb form in front of her shrinking child, poising the javelin in readiness for stroke or

A strong arm brushed the curtains aside sufficiently to admit its owner's passage, but the armed warrior

stopped short at sighting the Sun Children, his proud head lowering, hands crossing over his broad bosom in

token of adoration,for it surely was more than mere submission to one held his superior.

With a low cry, Victo drew back a bit, weapon lowering as she recognised friend in place of enemy.

"It is you, Aztotl?" she spoke, in mellow tones. "I thoughtdid you remove the usual guards, this evening?"

"The blame falls to my share, Sun Child," the Red Heron made answer, with a meekness strange in one of his

"Not justly, nor through fault of your own, my good and true friend," the elder woman made haste to give

assurance. "Not even thy lips shall speak slander of Aztotl the Trueheart, my brother."

With a swift advance the Red Heron caught the unarmed hand, to bend over it until his lips barely brushed the

soft, perfumed skin. Then he sank to one knee, bowing his head until his brow touched the floor beneath her

Swiftly, gracefully, these movements were made, and where they would have appeared fulsome or degraded

in some, with this warrior the effect was far from disagreeable to see or to experience.

Victo flushed warmly and drew back a little farther, for the memory of those words let fall by Gladys came

back with unpleasant distinctness. And was she so certain that Aztotl looked upon her as merely a

The Red Heron arose easily, head rising proudly above his shapely shoulders as he met those great blue

And then, more like one giving a bare statement of facts than one offering a defence for himself, Aztotl spoke

of a faithless subordinate, who was guilty of either careless neglect, or worse.

"It may be that Tezcatl lost his wits through strong waters, Sun Child, or even that he took evil pay from still

Aztotl lightly tapped the knifehilt showing above his maxtlatl, coldly adding words to that significant

"There is no place for fool or traitor upon the bodyguard of the Sun Children. Tezcatl sinned; he has paid

full forfeit. And just so shall all others perish who dare cast an evil glance towardsha!"

Another outcry arose from the other side of the curtained recess, and the Red Heron instantly sprang away in

that direction, hands gripping weapons in readiness for instant use in case of need.

Almost as swiftly, Victo and the maiden followed, one through fear, the other through utter lack of fear, for

Those savage cries came from the lips of none other than the chieftain whose now bare head bore significant

traces of Bruno Gillespie's handiwork, and he seemed bent on rushing directly into the presence of the Sun

"Stand back, my Lord Hua!" he ordered, left hand advanced with open palm, but its dexter mate armed and

Huatzin recoiled a bit, though that might have been more through surprise than because he feared this proud

warrior. He gripped his knifehilt, and partly drew the blade from its supporting sash. A hissing oath escaped

his lips, and he crouched a trifle, as a wild beast gathers its deadliest force prior to making a death leap.

"Darest thou bar my path, Aztotl?" he cried, hoarsely. "Make way, I bid thee; make way, for I will see the

"Not so, my Lord Hua," coldly interrupted the master of guards, that warning palm still turned to the front.

"You are here without law or leave, and know what the edict says: from the going to the return of the sun,

these stones are sacred from all feet save those of the Sun Children and their regular bodyguard."

"What care I for laws? Or for such as thou, Red Heron? I will that such a thing shall be, and it comes to pass.

"Ay. By words if they prove sufficient. By force if called for. By death if worst must come; even the death of

For a brief space it seemed as though Huatzin would make a leap to which there could be but one termination,

"I have given you fair and friendly warning, Lord Hua. Go, now, while the path of peace lies open. Go, else I

sound the call, and my guard will take you in charge, just as they would any other rascally intruder."

"Your precious son, for instance?" retorted the 'Tzin, viciously. "He came with one whomone of a different

race from our own, Aztotl! A traitor in thy own family, yet thou darest hint at"

Aztotl lifted a bent finger to his lips, sounding a shrill, farpenetrating whistle. The response was prompt

indeed, an armed force advancing with weapons held ready, awaiting only word from commander to punish

Although nearly beside himself with fury, Huatzin glared defiance at both guard and its commander, then

"I'll win and wear you as my squaw, or else give you to the stone of sacrifice!" he snarled, then turned away

as Aztotl motioned his guards to clear the temple of all intruders, then see that none other dared enter.

It was with stronger forebodings than he dared acknowledge even to himself, that Professor Featherwit

watched the two young men out of sight in the early gloom, and scarcely had his nephew passed beyond

Waldo made light of all fears, prophesying complete success, and even going so far as to predict Bruno's

return accompanied by the Children of the Sun; enthusiastic words which set the exile to trembling with

What, then, was the blank dismay of all when, floating through the night, came the hollow throbbing of

yonder mighty wardrum, fetching each person to his feet and holding him spellbound for the first few

Cooper Edgecombe turned sick at heart, even while ignorant as to the method of sending forth that alarm, his

hollow groan being the first sound to follow the simultaneous exclamation which burst from three pairs of

lips as the surprise came. And but a breath later Waldo broke forth with the excited query:

Only Professor Phaeton at once recognised the sound, through description, and each one of those swiftly

succeeding strokes seemed falling upon his heart, bidding him mourn for his beloved nephew, upon whom

Yet it was the professor who took prompt action, speaking sharply as he darted across to where the airship

"Come; get aboard, and let us do what lies in our power. It was criminal to send the poor lad into the jaws of

The call was still hot upon his lips when his two companions entered the aerostat, gripping tight the handrail

as Professor Featherwit sent the vessel afloat with reckless haste. As by a miracle they escaped disaster

through rushing into a bushy treetop, and that fact served to steady the aeronaut's nerves.

"On guard, uncle Phaeton!" cried Waldo, making a lucky snatch at his cap, which one of the stiff boughs

"Ay, ay, lad," responded the man at the guidinggear, as the airship shot onward and upward, now heading,

as directly as was practicable, for the Lost City of the Aztecs. "That was the very lesson I needed. I am steady

of nerve, now, and will show no lack,heaven grant that we may not be for ever too late, though!"

"What do you reckon could have kicked up such a bobbery, uncle? And whatugh!" as the wardrum's

As briefly as might be, the professor explained, and almost for the first time Waldo felt a thrill of dread.

That very dread was worrying uncle Phaeton, and already through his busy brain were flashing horrid

pictures of punishment and sacrifice, of hideous scenes of torture, wherein the eldest son of his dead sister

He dared not trust his tongue to make answer, just then, and sent the aeromotor onward at top speed, leaning

He caught sight of blazing beacons fairly encircling the Lost City, forming a cordon through which no

stranger could hope to pass unseen. He beheld hundreds of armed shapes rushing to and fro, plainly looking

for some intruder or other enemy, yet almost as certainly failing as yet to make the longedfor discovery.

Not until that moment had uncle Phaeton dared indulge in even the shadow of a hope. The awful alarm

seemed proof conclusive that poor Bruno had been taken, through the treachery of Ixtli.

Naturally enough, that was his first belief, but now, as the airship slackened pace to circle more deliberately

above the valley, all eyes on the eager watch for either Bruno or something to hint at his fate, Professor

If Bruno had indeed fallen victim to misplaced confidence, and had been craftily lured into this den of

ravening wild beasts, why all this confusion and mad skurry? Why had not the traitor first made sure of his

Although such haste in getting afloat had been made, some little time had been thus consumed, and, before

the aerostat was fairly above the Lost City, Bruno and Ixtli had dropped by stages down the shadowed side of

the Temple of the Sun God, to burrow underneath the ground as their surest method of eluding pursuit.

Only for that, the end might have been different, for, once sighted, Gillespie would have been rescued by his

And so it came to pass that, circle though they might, calling ears to supplement their eyes, swooping

perilously low down in their fierce eagerness to sight their imperilled one, never a glimpse of the young man

"Surely they cannot have captured Bruno, as yet?" huskily muttered uncle Phaeton, hungrily straining his

eyes without reward. "If the poor boy had actually fallen into such evil hands, why such crazy confusion?

Whyoh, why did I permit his coaxings to overpower my better judgment? Why did I send him into"

The words stuck in his throat and refused to issue. Phaeton Featherwit just then felt himself little less than a

Mr. Edgecombe was but little less deeply stirred, although his feelings were more of a mixture. He grieved

for Bruno, and would willingly risk his life in hopes of doing the young man a service, yet his gaze was

drawn far more frequently towards yonder temple, on the top of which he hadsurely he HAD caught sight

"Let me down and try to find him," he eagerly begged, as one might plead for a great boon. "I promise to save

him if yet alive, andlet me try, professor; I beg of you, give me this chance to show my heartfelt gratitude."

"That would only add to our trouble, friend. Knowing nothing of the dialect, you would be wholly at a loss.

And, looking so entirely different in every respect, how could you hope to pass inspection?"

"It would be suicidal, so say no more on that score," almost harshly spoke the usually mildmannered

aeronaut, sending his vessel upon another circuit, only with stern vigilance choking back the appealing shout

This time the aerostat was brought directly above the Temple of the Sun, where there appeared to be some

unusual disturbance, a number of armed guards fairly driving a gaily arrayed Indian down to the lower levels,

and that greatly against his inclinations, judging from the harsh cries and ringing threats which burst from his

Recognising the building, and unable to hold his intense emotions longer under stern control, Cooper

Edgecombe called aloud the names of his wife and daughter, begging that they might come to him; but then

the airship was sent onward and upward, with a dizzying swoop, and Professor Featherwit gripped an arm,

"Quiet, sir! Another outbreak like that and I'll lock your lips, if I have to send a bullet through your mad

"You forgot that the lives of all depend upon our remaining at liberty," coldly interrupted Featherwit.

"Without this means of conveyance, how can your loved ones escape? Now, your solemn pledge to maintain

utter silence, or I will take you back to yonder wilderness, leaving you to shift for yourself as best you can.

"I will,I do. Forgive me, for I was carried away by'twas there I sawafter so many horrible years!"

huskily muttered the exile, fairly cowering there, before his saviour from the whirlpool.

"Enough; bear in mind that the rescue of your loved ones depend on our efforts. If discovered by yonder

snarling beasts, and the machine is injured,farewell, all hopes! Now, quiet, and look for Bruno!"

Again the airship circled over the valley, in spite of the moonlight passing wholly unseen and unsuspected

by the Aztecs, whose energies were bent on ferreting out mortal foes, not demons of the upper world.

Waldo leaned farther over the handrail as they floated closer to an excited group of warriors, the central

figure being Lord Hua himself, fiercely denouncing Aztotl and his son, Ixtli, as traitors to the common

Professor Featherwit caught one name indistinctly; that of the young Aztec in whose company Bruno had set

forth on his illstarred venture; and hoping to learn more of importance, he caused the aerostat to hover

Waldo, never stopping to count the risk he might thus fetch upon them all, silently lowered the grapnel, by

means of the dragrope, giving a boyish chuckle as the threepronged hook descended amidst that gathering,

the sight causing more than one superstitious brave to leap aside, with cries of amazed affright.

The airship gave a sudden swoop, and the grapnel caught Huatzin by his girdle, jerking him fairly off his

feet, and swinging him into air, pretty much as a youngster might land a writhing fish. But no fish ever sent

Although hardly realising what was happening, Professor Featherwit sent the aeromotor upward with a

mighty jerk. The shock proving too much for that sash, Lord Hua fell back to earth, literally biting the dust,

"Caught a sucker, andI'll never do it again, uncle!" exploded Waldo, as he swiftly hauled in his novel

fishline; but he had to take a severe lecture from the professor before the subject was finally dropped.

And, worse than all else, the airdemon was now the target for both eyes and arrows, and, perforce, sailed

Ixtli spoke with a degree of earnestness which left no room for doubt, even if the young man's own keen

Ominous sounds came from the entrance, which had served them but so brief a time gone by, and Bruno

knew that, even if they had escaped being seen while thus attempting to win such a gruesome refuge, the

possibility of their having elected just such a line of flight had occurred to some of the redskins.

Gillespie heard the heavy doors open, then clang to again. He was fairly confident that some of the Aztecs

"What next, Ixtli?" he whispered, lips almost touching the face of his young guide, as they stood close

"No fight yet," gently breathed the Aztec in turn. "Dey look, dat not make sure find. Dey try see; we try not

Catching a hand within his own clasp, Ixtli led Bruno away in that utter darkness, seemingly well acquainted

with the lay of the ground, although it quickly became evident that there must be more than one direct

passage. Bruno felt convinced that there were other chambers turning at right angles to their present course,

though it might have bothered the young man to give entirely satisfactory reasons for such belief.

Ixtli did not flee fast nor far, in that first spurt, pausing shortly to turn face towards the rear, a low, musical

"Dey come look, got no eyes for see in dark," he explained, barely loud enough for Bruno to catch his

Ixtli was scarcely as precise of speech while under the influence of excitement as when he had ample time in

which to pick and choose his words; but there was little room for mistaking his meaning, which, after all, is

But this time the young brave was in error, for only a few moments later both fugitives caught sight of a dim

light in hurried motion far towards the entrance to these underground crypts. That warned them of added

"They'll fetch us now," grimly muttered Bruno, shaking his fairly athletic shoulders and fingering the knife at

his belt as though making preparations for an inevitable struggle. "All right. They may kill, but I'll furnish

It may be doubted whether Ixtli fully appreciated this conclusion, yet he divined something of what was

"Where can we hide that lights won't ferret us out, though? If a fellow might only have the same advantage;

Just a bit disgustedly came the words, but Bruno was not giving over in weak despair. No matter how vast the

odds might show against him, he would put up a gallant fight as long as he could lift his hand or strike a

Still, he was by no means anxious for the crisis to arrive. He would far rather run than fight, under existing

Ixtli took it upon himself to solve the perplexing enigma, in a whisper bidding his white brother follow with

as little sound as might be, once more hurrying away through the gloomy blackness, which was by no means

rendered more agreeable to Bruno by that fleeting glimpse of the dead men's bones.

There was little room left for doubting the truth. Their presence in the deathcells surely was more than

suspected, judging from the actions of yonder redskins, who flashed the light over and into each angle and

corner, each niche and jog, where a human being might possibly seek concealment.

They were not so many in number, but still a larger force than could well be met with success by two youths,

even granting that Ixtli would turn lethal weapons against his own people, which Bruno felt was by no means

For some little time the young men kept without that limited circle of light, watching each movement made

by the searchers, and at the same time taking care that none of the little party stole a dangerous march upon

Ixtli apparently enjoyed the affair, much as a child might a successful game of Ispy, for he emitted

occasional chuckles, and let fall soft whispers which, if caught by other ears, certainly would not have deeply

Thanks to that slow progress, rendered thus by the care and minuteness of the search, Bruno began to marvel

at the extent of the catacombs, and almost involuntarily calculate how many centuries it must have taken to

accumulate such enormous quantities of remains. For, thanks to yonder prying light, he could see how high

those grim relics of perishing mortality were piled up in tiers, with here and there upright skeletons in

Perhaps Gillespie might have been better able to appreciate Ixtli's amusement had he even an inkling as to

how this game of hideandgoseek was fated to end. That an end must come, eventually, was a foregone

He ventured to ask Ixtli how they were to escape detection when they could retreat no farther, but before an

Without sound or warning of any sort, another bright light showed at a considerable distance in the opposite

direction, and, as Bruno stared that way, he made out several armed warriors who appeared to be engaged in

Thus caught between two fires, there seemed only one course to pursue, and, with the courage of his fathers,

"No use for you to join in the mix, Ixtli. I'll do the best I know how, but if I can't make the riffle, if I go down

But Ixtli was not at the end of his resources, and gripping a wrist, he urged Bruno towards yonder second

light, speaking hastily as they moved along towards the edge of that wide passage. No fight, yet. Best hide;

There was time for scant speech, for just then the two parties seemed, for the first time, to catch sight of each

other, and while the brave bearing the rude lantern still maintained his slow movements, searching well as he

came, the other Indians came in advance, giving the fugitives barely time in which to crouch down under

The moment these enemies had passed them by, Ixtli urged Bruno on, then, in swift whispers, instructed him

how to perfect his hiding, even aiding the young paleface into one of the upright crypts, back of a grim

skeleton, the mouldering blankets assisting in covering the one of flesh and blood.

After like fashion, the Aztec sought cover on the opposite side of the passage. None too quickly, either; for

now the single searcher drew dangerously nigh, peering into every practicable hidingplace on either side,

Little by little he drew closer, while the other band of searchers apparently turned off into a side passage, or

In all probability, Ixtli's bold ruse would have proved a complete success, for the Aztec warrior showed no

Fairly holding his breath, lest he disturb some of the dry bones immediately in front of himself, Bruno waited

and hoped, only to feel his blood chill, and his heart fail him, as a sickening horror crept over his brain; nor

Past all room for doubting, his entrance into that crypt had disturbed the repose of a snake of some

description; for now he could feel the loathsome reptile crawling slowly up his back, turning the skin beneath

One horrible nightmare minute that lasted, then the serpent paused upon his shoulder and biceps, touching his

Human flesh and blood could endure no more, and Bruno flung the snake violently off, striking forcibly

against that mass of dry bones as he did so. With a rattling clatter, the skeleton lost its frail coherence and

With a cry the Aztec warrior turned in that direction, but ere he could fetch his light to bear upon the right

spot, Ixtli sprung forth to the rescue, hooting like a frightened owl, as he dashed the light to earth, and, at the

Swift as thought itself he followed up the advantage thus won, smiting the fallen brave heavily upon the

crown with a clubbed thighbone, depriving him of sensibility for the time being at least. And then snatching

"Come, brother, play hunt, now! Fastnot stop here; dat bad for you see by dem so soon. Dat good you

Scarcely realising just what fresh ruse the Aztec had in mind, but far from recovered from that horrible fear

of death from poisonous fangs, Gillespie submitted, Ixtli hurrying him away, turning off into what appeared

to be a side passage, less spacious than that to which they had until then confined their retreat.

The young Aztec hastily explained his present scheme, which was to play the role of searchers as well; and

scarcely had he made that project known, than another difficult test was offered their courage.

Bruno caught an imperfect view of moving figures at no great distance ahead, but ere he could fairly decide

Making not the slightest attempt to avoid the issue, the young Aztec stepped a little in advance of Gillespie,

thus casting him into partial eclipse, speaking briskly, as he met the two Indians, only one of whom bore a

"It is trouble for nothing, brothers. There is no sign here. If he saw aught, 'twas in a dream, I think. And

Even there in the subterranean recesses something of the wildly excited uproar which followed Waldo's rash

attempt to go afishing after his fellow men, and the sighting of that awful airdemon by the Indians, could

be heard, and, without divining its actual import, Ixtli adroitly turned it to his own advantage.

"They have found the strange dog without!" he cried, sharply. "Come, my brothers, else we will be too late

But only onehalf of the present group obeyed, the two Indians dashing at full speed towards the main

entrance to the city of the dead, leaving Bruno behind, wholly unsuspected, and Ixtli chuckling gleefully over

"Dey gowe come. Dis way, brother," the Aztec spoke, moving in the opposite direction, followed willingly

"Whither are we going?" Bruno felt impelled to ask, after a few moments more of blind obedience. "How are

we going to get out? And my friends,they must have been alarmed by that great drum!"

Ixtli made response by touch rather than in words, and, giving his companion barely time sufficient to read

aright that look of warning, he extinguished the light, leaving themselves in complete darkness.

Naturally anticipating fresh danger, Bruno strained his ears to catch at least an inkling of its precise nature ere

the trouble could fairly close in; but only silence surrounded them,silence, and an almost palpable gloom.

"Not cat," assured Ixtli, in a softtoned whisper, as he divined the expectations entertained by his comrade in

peril. "Nobody come, now. All gone see what noise 'bout, yonder. You, me, all right. Best mek no big talk,

Apparently the young Aztec found it no easy matter to elect words which should fairly convey his desired

meaning, and, abruptly giving over the effort, he moved on, one hand lightly closed upon Bruno's wrist to

Nothing further was said until Ixtli again came to a halt, Gillespie giving a low exclamation as he felt what

appeared to be a blank wall before them. Was this no thoroughfare? Were they blocked in, to perish of

Far from agreeable thoughts, yet such swiftly flashed across the young man's brain, lending an echo of

"Where are we now, Ixtli? How are we going to get out of this? If you have led me into a trap"

Fingertips lightly brushed his lips, then the Aztec explained as well he was able, thanks to his limited

Escape from the catacomb by the same route they had taken in seeking refuge there was entirely out of the

question. Even though the redskins might have abandoned the search in that precise quarter for the time

being, thanks to the sudden alarm which had broken forth in the valley, almost certainly there would be an

armed guard so stationed as to intercept any or all persons who might so attempt to emerge.

"But we can't stay here, man, dear. Nothing to eat or to drink, and my friends worrying over us, outside.

We've got to get out; I have, at any rate. The only question is, just how, and where?"

"Dere one way go," Ixtli made reply, even his lowered tones betraying more than ordinary impressiveness,

Bruno fancied. "Mebbe easy, mebbe hard. Find dat, when try. We go dis way. Best be still, dough!"

Bruno was ready enough to promise all that, just so action was being taken, his uneasiness being by far too

deep for rest or repose. More on account of his uncle and his brother, though, than for his own safety. He had

not yet lost hope of extrication from the perils which surely surrounded them, not quite abandoned hope of

Turning abruptly to the left, Ixtli led the way into what appeared (through the senses of touch and hearing) to

be a narrow, winding tunnel, which presently took an upward incline, then broadened into a chamber of

greater or lesser dimensions; the faint echoes told Gillespie there was an enlargement of some description, but

Barely had the two adventurous youths come to a pause, than dull, uncertain sounds came from almost

directly above their heads; and, after listening for a brief space, Ixtli disappointedly breathed a fear that they

Beneath the great teocalli, Ixtli made answer in his disjointed way of speaking. There the evilminded paba,

Tlacopa, reigned supreme. And there, almost directly above their heads, stood the sacrificial stone, upon

whose flat surface the Sun Children would be doomed to suffer the last penalty, provided Tlacopa won his

Bruno thrilled to his centre with fierce indignation as he, little by little, gathered this information. Perish by

For, rather queerly, considering that Ixtli spoke of both Victo and Glady, he now had thought ofcould see

but that one lovely face and shrinking figure,face and form of the daughter alone.

Discovery might have come all too soon, but for Ixtli's slipping a palm over those indignant lips and thus

smothering the outbreak which the young man could not avoid; then, recalled to ordinary prudence, Bruno

Ixtli contrived to make his white brother understand just how they were situated at the time: in a secret

channel of communication with the great war temple, through which sanctuary he had hoped to lead his

friend, thence to escape from the valley itself, if a favourable chance should offer. Now their way was barred,

Adding a few minor cautions, Ixtli took Gillespie by a wrist, and stole noiselessly forward, climbing upward,

over and into a contrivance which Bruno vainly sought to recognise by the sense of touch, but giving a thrill

"Dis wargod body. Stand up in teocalli, look on killstone. Wait; you see, hear, all dat, now!"

Thanks to the close association of that night, with all its attendant perils, Bruno was growing fairly skilful in

interpreting the broken sentences of his copperhued chum, and he now knew they were moving about within

He caught sight of several small apertures, through which yellow light came dimly, and, almost without

thinking, applied his eyes to the one most convenient, peering forth upon the broad sacrificial stone, with its

foul, bloodstained surface, the little channels intended to drain off the superfluous hemorrhage, together

with the gloomy, repulsive surroundings. And, too, a most abominable stench appeared to rise from the altar

"No talk loud!" softly breathed Ixtli, gripping an arm with force. "Dey kill, if find now. Look, dat one

Although his meaning was not fully apparent, Bruno caught renewed interest, and once more peered forth

upon the scene, weird and impressive enough, even from a Christian point of view.

Headed by Tlacopa, a ceremony of some description was taking place, lesser priests and other acolytes

performing their various parts, the incantations rising now loudly, now sinking to a hollow monotone, the

whole affair being none the less absorbing when Bruno remembered that, perhaps, it might have some

connection with the vile plots against the Sun Children, if not endangering life itself.

Gillespie likewise took note of various other graven images; among them one of the not less hideous

wargoddess, Teoyaomiqui, or "divine war death," fitting consort for the mighty "hummingbird" himself.

Meanwhile, Ixtli, who appeared to look upon the whole affair as a more or less jolly good jest at the expense

of his superstitious people, took occasion to give his white brother a few pointers, letting him see how easy it

was for false oracles to be manufactured to order; how certain the lightest wishes of the head priest were to

While thus divulging part of the mysteries of the temple, that ceremony reached a finale, and the little crowd

slowly melted away, leaving but Tlacopa and a select few of his trusted henchman. And Ixtli certainly caught

"Come, quick!" he fiercely whispered in Bruno's ear, gripping an arm, and fairly forcing the young man to

Not another word was spoken before the lower level was reached, and then Gillespie broke the ice, asking

Dark though it was all around them, Bruno could tell by sense of touch that his guide was powerfully

agitated, and, though Ixtli clearly hesitated before imparting the askedfor information, persistence won the

Imperfectly though that discovery was set forth, Gillespie contrived to gather this much: Tlacopa decreed that

the Sun Children should be brought to trial, if not to actual execution, when the morning sun arose!

"Never!" fiercely vowed Bruno, all on fire, as he recalled that more than fair face. "Never,while I live and

Once again Aztotl, the Red Heron, was bowing humbly before the Children of the Sun God, but now there

was stern grief impressed upon his visage, rather than pure devotion, such as one might feel at the feet of a

And the face of Victo was unusually pale, her lips tightly compressed to keep them from trembling too

visibly, while her arm clasped Gladys with almost fierce love in its warm strength.

"Such are the commands laid upon thy captain of guards, Daughter of Quetzal', the Fair God. He hath been

commanded to fetch Victo and Glady to the teocalli, there to beno!" with an outbreak of fierce rebellion,

drawing his superb figure erect, and gripping javelin until the springy ash quivered, as though suddenly

winning life for itself. "The gods lie! They are speaking falsely, oror the paba lies, when trying to thus

Gladys shrunk away, but her mother stood firm, seeming to gain in coolness and nerve what this ardent

"It must be thus, my good friend," she spoke, in low, even tones. "The word hath come to a soldier, and

"That may never come, good Aztotl. We have committed no sin, in deed or in thought. The Mother of Gods

will not lay claim to an innocent victim. Or, even then, the right shall triumph! Tlacopa is powerful, but hath

Victo no influence? Lord Hua may throw HIS influence to the wrong side, but hath truth no answer?"

"If not truth, then death!" sternly vowed the captain of the bodyguard. "If Tonatiuh fails to punish the

enemies of his daughter, then this right arm shall hurl the false prince down to Mictlanteuctli, grim lord of the

"What is it all about, mother?" murmured Gladys, clinging in sore affright to the side of her Amazonian

A mother's kiss closed those quivering lips, and then, with far more assurance than she really could find in

her heart, Victoria bade her child fear nothing; that all would come aright in a brief while.

Little by little, the maiden's terrors were calmed, and then she took position by her parent's side with a greater

Through all, Aztotl waited, fiercely silent, held from open rebellion only by the influence of the woman

whose very life was now menaced. And as the Sun Children stood before him, in readiness to comply with

"Say but one word, Daughter of Quetzal', and all this shall never come to pass! Give me but permission to"

"Surround the Sun Children with their loyal bodyguard and defend them, while one brave might strike blow,

or hold shield in front of their sacred charge," slowly yet fiercely declared the captain, eyes telling how dearly

But Victo shook her head in slow negation. She was still cool of brain enough to realise how fatal such course

would be in the end. If one deadly blow should be dealt, the end could be but one,annihilation to both

Then, too, she recalled the wondrous tidings brought the evening before by Ixtli and his comrade. Friends

were seeking to rescue them, and if only time might be wonit must be played for, then!

And so, his petition finally denied, with no other course left open to take, the Red Heron summoned his

picked band and, with the Sun Children in their midst, left the temple, crossed the plain, and slowly marched

In awed silence a vast number of Aztecs followed that little procession, silent as they, yet clearly anticipating

events of far more than ordinary importance. And thus the foredoomed women were taken before the great

stone of sacrifice, whereupon lay a snowwhite lamb, bound past the possibility of struggling.

Close beside the prepared sacrifice stood the head priest, Tlacopa, robed for the awesome ceremony,

sacrificial knife in hand, temples crowned as customs dictated, eyes blazing as vividly as they might if backed

Not far distant stood Huatzin, head bandaged and face none the better looking for his floundering fall when

his sash gave way the evening before. And as he caught the passing gaze of the woman whom he had so

basely persecuted, a repulsive smile showed itself, the grin of a veritable fiend in human guise.

Sternly cold, and outwardly unmoved, the captain of guards performed his sworn duty, then in grim silence

awaited the end. And in like manner each man of that carefully selected band rested upon his arms.

A brief pause, during which the utter silence grew actually oppressive, then the head priest lifted a hand as

Then, in tones which were by no means loud, yet which were modulated so as to fill that expanse most

perfectly, Tlacopa recited the grave accusations brought against the false children of the mighty Sun God.

To their evil influence he attributed the comparative failure of crops which had now cursed their fair people

throughout the past years. Unto them, he claimed, belonged the evil credit of many untimely deaths which

had covered so many proud heads with the ashes of mourning and of despair. To their door might be traced

all of misfortune with which the favourite children of the mighty gods had been so sorely afflicted.

In proud silence Victo listened to this deliberate arraignment, not deigning to interpose denial, or offer plea in

selfdefence, until the paba was clearly at an end. And even then she gazed upon Tlacopa with eyes of scorn,

A low murmur from the eager crowd told how anxious they were to hear more, and, taking her cue from that,

Victo made a graceful motion with her white hand, following it by words that sounded rarely sweet in their

"Who dares to bring such base charges against the Daughters of Quetzal'? Who are our accusers, head

Did Tlacopa shrink from that queenly presence? If so, 'twas but another cunning device intended to pave the

way to complete success; to catch the fickle fancy of his audience by rendering his retort all the more

"Who dares accuse us of wrongdoing?" again demanded the Amazonian mother, speaking for her child as

"The Mother of all the gods!" forcibly replied the priest, now casting aside all presence of timidity, and

gazing into that proud face with eyes which were filled with fire of hatred and jealousy. "The allpowerful

Centeotl hath made known the awful truth through the lips of the infallible oracle, my children! She hath

declared that no smiles shall be turned towards the children of Anahuac so long as false prophets disgrace this

"Who can bear witness to any such demand?" sternly interposed the captain of the bodyguard, unable to

Tlacopa flashed an evil look his way, but from the audience issued another murmur, rising louder until it took

upon itself the shape of words, demanding indubitable proof that the oracle had indeed spoken thus. And, no

longer daring to rely upon his own authority, Tlacopa turned to the sacrificial stone whereupon lay the

helpless lamb, bowing knee and lifting face as he volubly repeated the customary invocation; just then it

Having thus complied with all the requirements of his office, the paba first kissed his blade of sacrifice, then

seized the lamb and turned it upon its back, one hand holding it helpless while with the other he ripped the

poor beast wide from throat to tail, then, making a swift crossslash, laid bare the cavity and exposed the

Dropping his knife, Tlacopa grasped this vital organ, fiercely tearing it away, drawing back where all might

One brief look appeared to satisfy his needs, for he gave a fierce shout as he hurled the bleeding heart

Contrary to the expectations of Ixtli escape by way of the War God's temple was barred throughout the

remainder of that eventful night. Tlacopa, the head priest, together with a number of his acolytes, varying as

to force, yet ever too powerful for any two men to force a passage contrary to the will of their leader,

remained on duty each and every hour. And hence it came to pass that those early hours found our fugitives

still beneath the temple, worn through loss of sleep and stress of anxiety, yet firmly resolved not to permit

that intended outrage without at least striking one fair blow for the Children of the Sun.

Slowly enough the time passed, yet it could hardly be called monotonous. Whenever wearied of their

darksome waiting, the young men would steal again into the hollow image of Huitzil', there to utilise the

cunningly arranged peepholes, now looking out upon the priests, or listening to catch such words as fell from

In this manner Ixtli contrived to pick up quite a little fund of information, mainly through the confidences

reposed in a certain favoured few of the brotherhood by the chief paba. And this, in turn, filtered through his

lips after the chums once again retreated to the lower regions for both safety and comfort.

And then Bruno learned how the adventurous young Aztec, far less superstitious than the vast majority of his

people, thanks to the kindly teaching of Victo, Child of Quetzal', had in his explorations discovered so many

secrets of the temple and priesthood, secrets which he now had no scruple in communicating to another of a

Ixtli told how, on various occasions, he had lurked behind the scenes while the miraculous "oracle" was

delivering fiat or prophecy, and then he told his white brother how Tlacopa meant to completely confound the

"He tell slave what say. Slave come dis way. Hide in War God. Wait for time, den tell Tlacopa's words!"

A most infernal scheme, yet the danger of which Bruno could readily recognise, together with the serious

"Surely your people will not suffer a few dirty curs to do such horrible wrong to ladies likeWhy, Ixtli, even

the gods you fellows bow the knee to in worship, ought to rise up in their defence!"

But Ixtli merely sighed, then spoke in sad tones, explaining how he alone had been taken wholly into the

confidence of the Sun Children. Even the captain of their guards knew Victo and Glady as but descendants of

the great Fair God whom the audacious trickery of a rival sent far away from the land of his favoured people,

"He good brave. He die for dem,easy! But he not know all. He think drop from sun, to lead people back to

As was ever the case when his feeling seemed deeply stirred, Ixtli found it difficult to fully or fairly explain

his sentiments; but Bruno caught sufficient of his meaning to give a fair guess at the rest.

He found a ray of hope in the belief that Aztotl at least would defend the Children of the Sun, and Ixtli

predicted with apparent confidence that the members of the bodyguard would stand firm under the Red

Keeping thus upon the alert throughout the remainder of that night, the young men were able to take prompt

Ixtli caught the first inkling of what was coming, and hastily sent Bruno away from the peepholes, dropping a

Through a secret entrance, shaped amidst the drapery which surrounded the pedestal of the mighty Huitzil', a

slave of the temple crept to play the part of echo to Tlacopa's evil will; and scarcely had he secured what was

to be a place of waiting and watching than the attack was made from out the darkness.

Ixtli flung his tunic over the slave's head, twisting both ends tightly about his throat, effectually smothering

all attempt at crying aloud for aid, while Bruno clasped arms about his middle, holding hands powerless to

A brief struggle, which produced scarcely any noise, certainly not sufficient to reach the ears of priest or

helper, then the trembling, unnerved slave was bundled down that narrow passage, to be dumped in a remote

All this was performed without hitch or mishap, and then, nerved to fighting pitch, Ixtli and Bruno went back

beneath the stone of sacrifice, resolved to play their part to the end in manful fashion.

There was no further fear of intrusion, for, of course, Tlacopa would never think of endangering his own evil

scheme by risking an exposure such as would follow discovery of his slaveoracle. As Ixtli truly said, such

Their patience was sorely tried, even then, though a goodly portion of the blame belonged to their fears for

the Sun Children, rather than to the actual length of waiting. But then, amidst the solemn invocations led by

the high priest, the bodyguard marched into the Hall of Sacrifice, and Bruno caught his breath sharply as he

Then came the bitter denunciation by Tlacopa, followed by the coldly dignified words of Victo, after which

the innocent lamb yielded up its life in order that the future might be predicted through the still quivering

With a fiercely exultant cry Tlacopa hurled the vital organ towards the accused, it striking the mother upon an

arm, then glancing further to leave an ugly smear upon the daughter's shoulder ere falling among the eager

multitude, who fought and struggled to secure at least a morsel of the hideous thing.

"Behold! the gods hath marked their own!" cried the high priest, his harsh tones fairly filling the Hall of

Sacrifice. "They are guilty of all crimes laid at their door. They merit death, a thousandfold. The Mother of

"To whom but thou, Tlacopa?" sternly cried the captain of the guards, as he stood firm in spite of the

"And there are those who say much religion hath turned thy brain, good Tlacopa," retorted Aztotl, holding his

temper fairly well under control, yet with blazing eyes and stiffening sinews. "Are thy ears alone to receive

"Silence, thou scoffer!" fiercely cried the high priest, lifting quivering hands on high as though about to call

down the thunders of an outraged deity upon that impious head. "She who hath spoken once may deign to

Doubtless this was cue for the slave of the temple to repeat the words placed within its mouth, but that slave

was literally unable to speak a word for himself, let alone others. Yet,the oracle was not wholly silenced!

"Talk out, or I will!" fiercely muttered Bruno, giving Ixtli a violent punch in the side. "talk out for the Sun

The young Aztec needed no further prompting, loving Victo and Glady as he did, hating and despising the

"Tlacopa lies! Tlacopa is an evil dog! The Mother of the Gods loves and will defend her friends, the Children

How much more Ixtli might have said, had he been granted further grace, will never be known. Tlacopa

shrank away from the speaking statue as from a living death, but then he rallied, savagely thundering:

" 'Tis a lying oracle! 'Tis an evil impostor who hasAn omen! A true omen, my children! The evil ones hath

That vicious cry was swiftly taken up, but the bodyguard closed in around the menaced women, presenting

arms to all that maddened horde, while their captain sternly warned all good people to fall aside and make

Then that secret entrance was flung wide, permitting two excited young men to issue, Tlacopa reeling aside

from a blow dealt him by Bruno's clenched fist, as that worthy hastened to join forces with the bodyguard.

This double appearancefor Ixtli kept fair pace with his hotheaded white brothercaused no little stir,

and added considerable to the partial bewilderment which had fallen over that audience.

Prince Hua shouted forth savage threats, but he, as well as the paba, was fairly demoralised for the moment

Seeing his chance, Aztotl bade his men escort the Sun Children from the Hall of Sacrifice back to their own

abidingplace, barely noticing his son, and paying no heed at all to the disguised paleface.

With spears ready for stroke or parry as occasion might demand, the guard faced about and slowly moved

away from the great stone of sacrifice, rigid of face, cool of nerve, ready to die if must be, yet never once

Almost involuntarily the crowd parted before that measured advance, giving way until a fair pathway lay

open, along which the bodyguard moved with neither haste nor hesitation, outwardly ignorant of the fact

that ugly cries and dangerous gestures were coming thicker and faster their way.

Scores of other voices caught up the fierce cry given by the head priest, and now the temple was ringing

throughout with demands that the false Sun Children should pay full penalty, should be haled to the

Others showed an inclination to favour the descendants of Quetzal', and thus the widely conflicting shouts

For one of his fierce temper the Red Heron showed a marvellous coolness throughout that perilous retreat,

and never more than during the first few seconds. Then a single injudicious word or too hasty movement

might easily have precipitated a fight, where the vast audience would surely have brought disaster, whether

Holding his men well in hand, moving only as rapidly as prudence justified, yet losing neither time nor

ground, where both were of such vital importance; Aztotl forced a passage from the great Hall of Sacrifice

down to the level, then out into the open air, where one could see and fight if needs be.

Through all this, Bruno Gillespie held the position he had taken, one hand gripping tightly his maquahuitl,

but placing his main dependence upon the revolver which nestled conveniently within the folds of his sash,

He could not help seeing that the danger was great. He felt certain that they could not retreat much farther

without coming to blows, when the odds would be overwhelmingly against them. Yet never for an instant did

he regret having taken such a decided step; not for one moment did he give thought to himself.

Almost within reach of his hand, if extended at the length of his arm, moved the fair maiden whose face and

form had made so deep an impression upon his mind and his heart. She was in peril. She needed aid. That

Then the briefly stunned Tlacopa rushed forth from his desecrated temple, wildly flourishing his arms,

furiously denouncing both the Sun Children and their bodyguard, thundering forth the curses of all the gods

"The mighty Mother of Gods calls for her own! Seize them! Strike down the impious dogs who dare attempt

Equally loud of voice, the Prince Hua came leaping down to the sandy level, urging his people to the assault,

offering almost fabulous sums as reward for the brave Aztec whose arm should lay yonder traitorous Red

An arrow whizzed narrowly past the feathered helmet worn by the captain of the guards. A stone came

humming out of sling, to be deftly dashed aside by Aztotl's shield ere it could fairly smite that goldcrowned

head as, outwardly calm and composed, Victo aided her trembling daughter on towards the Temple of the

No! For, at savage howl from lips of the high priest, a strong force of armed redskins took up position at the

teocalli, blocking each one of the four flights of stone steps in order to intercept the bodyguard, while still

closer pressed the yelling, screeching, frantic heathen of both sexes and all ages.

Aztotl saw how he had been flanked, but made no sign, even while slightly turning course for another temple

So far not a single blow had been struck by the retreating party, although great provocation had been given

them. More than one of their number was bleeding, yet all were afoot, and still capable of holding ranks.

Bravest of the brave, a man among men in spite of his tender years, Ixtli laid down his life in defence of his

From one of that maddened rabble came a heavy stone, flung with all the power of a sinewy arm and great

sling. Smitten fairly between the eyes, the poor lad's skull was crushed, as a giant hand might mash an

One gasping sigh, then the lad sunk to earth, dead ere he could fairly measure his length thereupon.

For a single instant Aztotl seemed as one stupefied, but then an awful uproar burst from his labouring lungs,

and he hurled his heavy javelin full at yonder murderer, winging it with a father's curses.

Swift flew the dart, but fully as quickly sank that varlet, the head of the spear scraping his skull, to pass on

Full in the throat Tlacopa was stricken, the broad blade of copper tearing a passage through, and the shaft

following after for the greater portion of its length. Unable to scream, though his visage was hideously

distorted by mingled fear and agony, the high priest caught the wood in both hands, even as he reeled to

With a wild thrill of grief and horror, Bruno Gillespie saw his red brother reel in cruel death, and, for the

moment heedless of his own peril, which surely was doubled thereby, he sprang that way, to stoop and catch

Too late, save to show his comradeship. That heavy stone had only too surely performed its grim mission.

With a fierce cry of angry mourning, Bruno lifted the mutilated corpse in his arms, trying to toss it over a

shoulder, to bear away from risk of trampling under the heedless feet of the yelling heathen; but it was not to

be. Another stone smote his arm near the elbow, breaking no bone, yet so benumbing the member as to

temporarily disable it, causing that precious burden to drop to earth once more.

Then came an awful outcry from the people, whom the sight of their highpriest reeling in death had, for a

few fleeting seconds, fairly stupefied. Cries which meant much to the living, and before which even that band

With the others fell back Bruno, leaving his handwood lying beside the lifeless corpse of his redskinned

brotheratheart, but drawing forth the weapon which he knew so much better how to use.

The fierce lust of vengeance now seized upon him, heart and brain. He shouted forth grim defiance to that

howling crew, and as the deadly missiles came in thickening clouds, carrying death and wounds to the

Entirely without firearms themselves, and in all probability ignorant of such an instrument of destruction, this

might have produced a far more beneficial result under other circumstances. As it was now, few, if any, took

heed of what they could not hear above that awful tumult, and those who felt the boring lead never rose up to

Closer crowded the superstitionridden heathen, showering missiles of all descriptions upon the bodyguard,

confounding all with the one to whose javelin their head priest owed his death,only to recoil once more, in

fierce awe, as another victim of high rank paid forfeit his life for the death of Ixtli, sole offspring of Aztotl,

Louder than ever rose the voice of Lord Hua, after witnessing the fall of his ally, the high priest. In spite of

the great odds against the bodyguards, he began to fear lest his intended prey should even yet slip through

Fiercer than ever rang forth his curses and imprecations upon the head of the Aztec who thus dared the

And then, his own nerve strung by those very efforts to inspire others, Lord Hua forged nearer the front,

eager to behold all his hated enemies crushed to earth as by a single stroke. And then

With vicious force he hurled his javelin straight for the white throat of the Sun Child who had scorned his

fawning advances, and only the ever ready eye, the true hand, the strong arm of Aztotl again warded off grim

Caught upon that trusty shield one instant, the next turned towards its original owner, to quiver for the barest

fraction of time in that vengeful grip, then, gloriously true to the hero's will and intent, sped that javelin

Home to the false heart of false prince; grinding through skin and flesh and bones, cleaving that hot organ

with broad blade of tempered copper, forcing one vicious screech from those tortured lungs, then causing that

Once again the heathen involuntarily recoiled, as death claimed a high victim. Once more the band of

truehearts slightly quickened their pace towards the temple, now nigh at hand. Yet those lessened numbers

never once betrayed fear, or doubt, or faltering. Grimly true to their trust, they fell back in the best of order,

fighting as they moved, beating back the heathen hosts, as though each man was a god, and their strong arms

Here and there a trueheart sank to earth with the hand of death veiling his eyes, but he died in silence; no

cry of fear, no moan of pain, no pitiful appeal for mercy at the hands of his maddened people. They knew

their sworn duty, and like true hearts they trod that narrow path unto the very end.

Although with gradually lessening numbers, the bodyguard remained practically the same. Still in a hollow

square, with the Children of the Sun God in the centre, they slowly, doggedly fell back, ever facing the

Then, just as Bruno Gillespie was refilling his emptied revolver, the base of the tall pyramidal temple was

won, and still protecting their fairhaired charge, the bodyguard ascended to the second terrace, beating

Again that wonderful barkingdeath came into play, and Bruno felt a strangely savage joy gnawing at his

heart as he saw more than one stalwart warrior reel dizzily back from his hot hail.

Scarcely could his own ears catch those sounds, although he shouted with the full power of his strong young

Up another flight of steps, then yet another, although the crazed rabble was not pressing them so very hard,

just now. Still, their number forbade a fourfold division as yet, and Aztotl feared lest the bloodravening mob

attempt to head off their flight by taking possession of the other stairs, thus being first to occupy yonder flat

arena high above the earth, whereupon he hoped to still protect the Sun Children, even though he must lay

Lacking an acknowledged leader, the furious mass thought only of crushing the faithful band by mere weight

of numbers, taking no thought in advance, else the end might well have been precipitated.

Arrows, spears, javelins, stones from slings, poured upon the bodyguard in almost countless numbers, now

and then claiming a trueheart as victim, whereupon the rabble howled afresh in drunken triumph; but where

a single man died in the performance of his oathbound duty, half a score heathen bit the dust and grovelled

out his remnant of life yonder where most viciously trampled the feet of his fellow brutes.

Pausing barely long enough to beat back the crazed rush which came so close upon their retreat, the band of

brothers would then slowly, doggedly fall back another of those mighty steps, with bared teeth and blazing

eyes, longing to end all by one joyous plunge into the thick of their assailants, dying with their chosen dead!

Five separate times that upward flight, and five times the grim pause to give death another portion of his red

feast. Five times the bloodlapping mob dashed against the band of brothers. Five times they were hurled

And then, sadly decimated at each halt, less in numbers as they passed farther from earth to climb nearer the

blue sky, the survivors won the crest of the teocalli, still fighting, still beating back such as followed their

Ere that brilliant retreat began, 'twould have taken close ranks for the bodyguard to find standingroom

upon the templetop; but nowAztotl called for a division of his force, since there were four separate

"For the Sun Children, my brothers!" he cried, his voice rising even above that awful tumult and turmoil.

Little need to waste breath in so adjuring. Of all thus enlisted, not one of the truehearts but proved worthy

Not one brave who took care for his own life. Not one but was ready to die in order to save; and thus far not a

Even now while the heathen were raging more viciously than ever, crowding each terrace and jamming each

flight of steps to the verge of suffocation, strong arms were shielding them, true hearts were thinking how

Time and again Aztotl warded away winged death as it sought to claim Victo for its prey. And Bruno

Gillespie, no whit less brave if somewhat lacking in warlike experience, made Gladys his especial care,

sending shot or dealing knifethrust in her defence, barely giving thought to his own safety as a side issue.

Those broad terraces bore ugly pools and irregular patches of red blood. The various flights of stone steps

grew slippery and uncertain as they likewise began to steam. Yet forward and upward pressed the howling

Faster fly the deadly missiles, too many by far for even the keenest eye to guard against them all. One and

another of those gallant defenders drop away; only because death had claimed them, not because of fear or of

Aztotl staggers,an arrow is quivering in his broad bosom,but still he fights on, dealing death with each

blow of his blooddripping handwood. A stone lays open his brow,but heavier and faster plays his

terrible weapon. A javelin flashes briefly, then the red copper vanishes from sight, while the ashen shaft

A last, dying stroke, and the Red Heron sinks at the feet of his adoration, faithful unto the last, his brave soul

Victo gives a wild cry of vengeance, then snatches up bow and quiver where let fall by a deathsmitten

An awful melee, where the odds were momentarily increasing; where one man was forced to do the work of a

score; where death inevitable awaited all, unless a miracle should intervene. And that miracle

Shrilly rang forth the voice of Victoria Edgecombe as, amidst the fury of battle, she caught sight of the

airship swiftly darting that way through the clear atmosphere, bent on saving, if saving might be.

The peculiar sound which attended the exploding of a dynamite cartridge heralded the death of more than one

Aztec, and, as the swift rattle of revolvers added to the uproar, there was an involuntary recoiling, a terrified

The aerostat barely landed upon the top of the temple, before Cooper Edgecombe, with a wild scream of

ecstatic joy, caught his wife in his arms and hurried her into the car, while Waldo and uncle Phaeton aided

And Bruno clung fast to the halfswooning maiden, so that two in place of one had to be assisted by uncle

Barely a score of seconds thus employed, then the gallant airship responded to the touch of masterhand,

and floated away from the bloody templetop with its increased burden, even as the last survivor of the Sun

A brief stupor came over the amazed heathen at sight of this awful airdevil from whose sides spat forth

invisible death; but then, as they divined at least a portion of the truth, as they saw their longedfor victims

thus borne bodily away, a revulsion came, and, amid the most hideous howls and screeches, missiles flew

But fate would not have it thus, and, under the guidance of that masterhand, the aeromotor flew higher and

farther, quickly leaving behind all peril from javelins, darts, arrows, or stones from slings. And but one of

their number had suffered aught: Bruno lay as one dead, blood flowing from a stonegash over an eye, but

with one hand still gripping the butt of an empty pistol; his other arm wasaround the Sun Daughter's waist!

And Gladys? First she shrunk back with a gasping cry of mingled fear and grief; only to quickly recover

Waldo afterwards declared she certainly did, for that a moment later he saw some of that moistened stain

upon her quivering lips; but Waldo was ever extravagantly fond of a jest, and it may benever mind!

Not until the airship was safely past peril from yonder howling, raving lunatics in bronze did Professor

Featherwit give heed to aught else, and by that time Victoria had left the ardent embrace of her husband, to

care for the elder Gillespie, whose singlehearted devotion all through that bloody retreat and bloodier

Under such tender ministrations, Bruno quickly revived, and, after assuring himself that the Children of the

Sun were alive and unharmed, while the Lost City was now left far behind them, he huskily begged uncle

Phaeton to descend to earth, where he might find water enough to remove what remained of that loathsome

But Professor Featherwit was far too shrewd a general to take any unnecessary risks. His last glimpse of

yonder valley showed him hundreds of armed redskins rushing at top speed for the various passes by which

that circle of hills could be overpassed, and he knew that chase would be made as long as the faintest ray of

Thus it came that no halt was made until the inland reservoir was reached, where there could be no possible

danger in making a temporary landing. And then Bruno stole away in hot haste, both to wash his person and

to reclothe it in garments not quite so ridiculous as he now felt that savage rig must appear.

"Just as though the little woman wasn't used to see fitouts like that, old man," mocked Waldo, the

Whether or no Gladys was actually frightened as Bruno made his appearance, need not be decided here; but

one fact remains: she acted a vast deal shyer than when she saw her gallant defender lying as if dead, with the

Naturally enough, Cooper Edgecombe seemed fairly crazed by his joy. After so many long years of hopeless

grief and wistful longing, to find his loved ones, safe and sound, far more beautiful than of yore! Surely

But throughout it all ran a vein of sadness and of mourning. Neither Aztotl the noble, nor Ixtli the gallant,

could so soon be forgotten. And more than one pair of eyes grew dim, more than one voice turned husky, as

Heavily burdened as the airship now was, it would be unwise to add more, and so but a few minor articles

were removed from the cavern, which had for so long sheltered the exiled aeronaut, then the lever was

touched, and the vessel rose slowly into air, making one leisurely circuit of the lake, in order to show the

Children of the Sun where their husband and father came so perilously nigh to entering upon a subterranean

voyage to the faraway Pacific. And, luckily as it appeared, they were just in time to see that "big suck" drag

Not until the shades of night again began to settle over the earth did the professor permit another halt, but

then many miles lay between that Lost City of the Aztecs and their present position, and, after selecting a

pleasant spot for alighting, preparations for their first alfresco meal in company were begun.

That proved to be a pleasant meal, and yet a more pleasant evening there in the wilderness,the first, but by

no means the last, partaken of,for, now they need no longer fear the heathen, Professor Featherwit was

Still, the airship was inconveniently crowded, and that helped to cut explorations short. Then, too, Cooper

Edgecombe was naturally eager to return to civilisation once more, especially as he now had his heart's

Thus it came to pass that the terra incognita was abandoned for the time being, Professor Featherwit striking

that wide path of ruin which marked the course of the tornado, then sailing leisurely towards the point of their

initial departure, improving the opportunity by giving a neat little lecture concerning tornadoes in general,

"Which totally exploded so many absurd theories held up to date," was his proud assertion; and then he went

Why dwell longer? The tale I set out to narrate is finished. The unknown land has been penetrated, and at

least a portion of its marvels has been inspected; imperfectly, no doubt, but that may be attributed to

And should the still curious reader ask, "Is it all true? Is there actually such a place as the Lost City? And are

the people who live in that town really and truly the same race as once inhabited Old Mexico?"to all such,

I can hardly do better than this: there was a Territory of Washington. There is now a State of Washington.

Within that State may be found a range, or system of mountains, known to the world as the Olympics. And

within the wide scope of country which lies nestling inside of that mountain system may to this day be

But, after all, a little parable which Waldo Gillespie read to a certain doubting Thomas, on the very evening

of the day which changed Gladys Edgecombe, spinster, into Mrs. Bruno Gillespie, may better serve in this

"After all, I don't believe there is any such place or people," declared Doubting Thomas, nodding his head

"Is that so?" mildly queried our good friend, Waldo. "Let me give you a little pointer, old man. Once upon a

time, a man by the name of John Smith was being tried for stealing a fat hog. The State brought three

reputable witnesses to swear that they actually saw the theft committed, while the best the defence could offer

was to declare that they could produce at least a dozen honest citizens who would make oath to the fact that

"We six fairly honest people saw both the Lost City and its inhabitants. Scores of equally reliable persons