“Guess I’ll take my gun,” announced Bob, turning back. “I might get a shot at something.”
He took his weapon, a combination rifle and shot gun, while the others went on ahead of him.
“Looks as though there was a path here,” said Jerry, pointing to a sort of trail through the woods.
“So it does,” admitted Mr. Snodgrass. “Well, so much the better for us.”
“Unless it has been made by a band of Indians or some ugly negroes,” said Jerry in a low tone. “I’ve read there are some black men who live in the swamps about here, and that they are worse than Indians.”
“Better call to Bob to come up front with his gun,” spoke Ned.
“No, it might alarm the professor,” replied Jerry. “But keep your eyes open.”
They followed the path, which wound in and out among the trees. Suddenly the professor, who had made his way to the fore, uttered a cry.
“What’s the matter?” asked Jerry, looking to see that Bob, with his gun, was close by.
“The mound!” cried the scientist, pointing to a large hill to be seen through the masses of moss hanging from the trees.
“It’s a mound, sure enough,” admitted Jerry. “Let’s see what it’s like.”
As they approached they saw that it was undoubtedly the work of human hands. It was shaped like a pyramid, and on either side stretched level land, covered with a dense growth of forest or underbrush.
“There are steps leading to the top!” cried Bob, who had gone around to the far side of the artificial hill. The others joined him and saw him ascending a rude flight of stairs made of stones set into the side of the mound.
“Better go slow,” advised Jerry. “No telling what’s up there.”
“Let me look for relics!” exclaimed the professor, and he hurried past Bob. “I’m sure there must be lots of them in this place.”
Bob stood aside while Jerry, who, as usual, assumed the leadership when there was a hint of danger, took the rifle. Then he started to follow the professor.
Jerry had not taken half a dozen steps when he trod on a loose stone. He nearly fell backward but recovered himself by an effort. In doing so, however, he leaned too far to one side. The next instant he had fallen and slid to the bottom of the mound.
The hammer of the gun came in contact with a stone or stick, and the weapon was discharged with a loud report. Fortunately the muzzle was pointed upward, and the bullet endangered no one.