"But you also came hoping to take away their treasure," Neal said, smiling at Cummings' vehemence.
"That is true, therefore I have no word of blame when they attempt to kill me; but, as a matter of course, I try to save my life even though I am to them nothing more than a common robber. In my own eyes, however, the case seems different. To procure such goods as I most desired, would probably be, by the aid of Poyor, to solve that which scholars have studied for so long in vain--the origin of the Aztecs and Toltecs, for I believe the Chan Santa Cruz belong to the latter race, and keep fresh all their histories and traditions."
"And now that you have failed it would be better to go home with us," Teddy said.
"This attempt has failed; but I shall try again and again until I succeed, providing we get out of this scrape alive, which is by no means certain, for we have a long and perilous journey before us."
"Which we are not likely to make unless Poyor comes back," Neal added grimly. "It surely seems as if he should be here by this time. I haven't heard the report of his rifle for a long while."
"Most likely we are too far away for the sound to reach us. We will wait half an hour longer, and then I will go back to see if anything has happened."
Cummings had hardly ceased speaking before the Indian appeared in their midst, having come so softly that no one heard him until he stood before them.
"It is not a good watch you keep," he said to Cummings, speaking in English.
"We cannot guard against such an approach as yours. Where are the enemy?"
"I left them at the edge of the forest. Knowing how we are armed they do not dare to follow very close; but when the sun rises a hundred will be at our heels."
"Shall we go on now, or will you rest awhile?"
Cummings rose to his feet, the others following his example, and the Indian started forward without delay.
"How far are we from the sea-shore?" Cummings asked as the march began.
"More miles than we shall travel for many days. By sunrise every sentinel will know we are here, and it will be impossible to break through their lines."
"Then how are we to get home?" Teddy asked in alarm.
"He probably hopes to find some place where we can stay in hiding for awhile. In this section of the country there are many large caverns in which streams of water are invariably found, thus causing the belief that a subterranean river flows from the valley to the sea. If we stop at one of them until it is decided we have succeeded in escaping, you will not be able to take the steamer as intended."