The Search for the Silver City Part 15

"Poyor has a plan which I think will be successful; wait until he returns, and if the conditions are favorable to the attempt you shall soon know."

"But suppose he stays away until a party of Indians take it into their heads to come in this direction?"

"There is little danger of our being discovered unless it has been suspected we have crossed the swamp, which is hardly probable. Very few of the inhabitants ever venture out, and there is no reason why they should come to this exact spot. Lie down now, Poyor will be with us by nightfall."

It was a simple matter to follow the first portion of this advice; but decidedly difficult to close their eyes in slumber after what had been seen.

Teddy and Neal, who threw themselves on the ground side by side, could not keep their thoughts from the wonderful city, and when both Jake and c.u.mmings were apparently wrapped in slumber the former whispered:

"Do you think now that we were foolish to come?"

"No, because it isn't so far in the swamp but that we can get out in a short time if anything happens, and a glimpse of that city would repay a fellow for considerable trouble."

"But suppose the Indians get hold of us?"

"That is something I reckon c.u.mmings can take care of. If he has made such elaborate preparations for entering, when it is so near where he was living we can be pretty certain there will be no very grave mistake."

"Even if we succeed in reaching the city I can't understand how it will be possible to carry away much gold."

"Nor I; but yet you know a small package is valuable, and five persons could lug a great deal."

"Do you fancy he brought us simply to carry the treasure for him?"

"He said we would all share alike, so our services wouldn't be of much advantage to him, more particularly since he and the Indian could bring away a heavier load than all three of us."

In this manner, speculating upon the benefits which might accrue to them rather than regarding the great danger to which the entire party was exposed, the boys pa.s.sed the time until late in the afternoon, and then Poyor approached so softly that he stood in their midst before any one had heard even a rustling among the leaves.

On seeing the man c.u.mmings sprang up eagerly, asked a question in the Indian dialect, and the reply was given at great length, Poyor using more gestures than the boys had ever fancied were at his command.

That his report was in the highest degree interesting to c.u.mmings there could be no doubt, for the latter listened intently, interrupting him only to ask some question, and not until nearly half an hour had pa.s.sed was any explanation made to the others.

Then c.u.mmings said with a slight show of triumph:

"Poyor has just come from the city, and there is no suspicion that we have pa.s.sed the line of sentinels."

"If he did that what is to prevent us from doing the same?" Jake asked as the leader paused for an instant.

"Nothing except our skins are white, and he can readily pa.s.s himself off for a Chan Santa Cruz. He speaks the language, resembles them in features, and could make his way around the town with but little trouble; but on that point no great amount of time need be spent. Here is the plan which I wish to carry into effect: Poyor has found a vacant building on the outskirts of the place which he has bargained for, representing himself as one of the sentinels recently released from duty on the eastern side. In that character no person will be likely to wonder why he is without acquaintances, for the watchmen often remain away from the city one or two years, entering only when it is necessary to procure provisions."

"Is he to go on alone?" Jake asked.

"Certainly not. At a late hour to-night we will accompany him, and all our hopes of success depend upon gaining this building without being discovered."

"How long are we to stay there?"

"A week if necessary."

"A week!" Teddy and Neal cried in concert.

"Yes, and I hope we shall be able to remain concealed in the house during that time, otherwise it may go hard with us."

"But what do you expect to do shut up in a building, for of course we must keep out of sight?" and Jake's face expressed the utmost surprise and apprehension.

"That is exactly what you shall learn when we arrive there. Since I have proven that the Silver City really has an existence, the least that can be done is to aid in carrying out my programme without too much discussion."

"You won't have any reason to complain because I don't obey orders,"

Jake replied quickly.

"Then I will soon show you what we expect to do providing our plans work without a hitch during the next ten hours. Let's get these traps into a more convenient shape for carrying, in order that we may be ready for the last stage of our journey when Poyor gives the word."

CHAPTER XIII.

IN THE CITY.

The boys and Jake were decidedly perplexed and not a little worried in regard to the outline of work as given by c.u.mmings. They failed to understand how it could be to their advantage to go into the city if it should be necessary to remain hidden all the time, or in what way they would derive any benefit from the visit.

Although the leader of the party knew from the expression of their faces that they were dissatisfied with the general outlook, he did not volunteer any information, thinking, perhaps, that it was unnecessary to do so since they were where it was impossible to withdraw from the enterprise.

Neither Teddy nor Neal believed the party would be exposed to any extraordinary danger. The only idea in their minds was as to whether it would be possible for them to get out of the swamp in time to take the next steamer which left Progresso for the United States, and both believed it would be a great misfortune to miss the first opportunity of reaching home.

"We can stand it for one week," Neal said in a whisper: "but what I am afraid of is that it won't be possible to leave the city at the end of that time," and Teddy replied in the same cautious tones:

"It is for us to see that such a contingency does not arise. Jake will do as we say, and if c.u.mmings refuses to leave at a date sufficiently early for us to reach Progresso, we must force him to act as has been promised."

"What shall we do in case he refuses?"

"We are three out of a party of five, and should be able to arrange matters to our own liking."

Neal was perfectly contented with such a view of the case, and he felt well satisfied that nothing could prevent them from doing as they wished; but unfortunately, he failed to take into consideration the very important fact that while it might be a simple matter to enter the city, they could not be certain of leaving it at will.

"We can do as we please by standing firm to our determination of going away in time to take pa.s.sage on the steamer," he said; "therefore we'll see the adventure through to that point, and if c.u.mmings fails in his purpose of bringing away a large amount of gold we will have had such an experience as can be talked about when we get home."

As for Jake, a glimpse of the glistening walls of the city had literally intoxicated him, and his one and only desire was to reach that point where he could satisfy himself by the sense of touch as well as sight.

As the time drew near for the final move in the bold scheme c.u.mmings became greatly agitated. It was as if all the blood had left his face, and his eyes were open wide and staring as he gazed into vacancy.

"Are you sick?" Teddy asked in alarm.

The young man shook his head.

"I suppose I'm acting like a fool; but can't prevent my nerves from getting the best of me just at this time. After laboring two years for one thing, and then being so near a successful completion of the work, is enough to make any fellow excited."

Teddy was on the point of saying he fancied that fear of the ultimate result might have some share in this alleged nervous attack; but, fortunately, he checked himself in time, and turned to watch Poyor who was hiding the boat beneath an ingeniously constructed screen of leaves.