The Search for the Silver City Part 14

Immediately the canoe had been made fast under the ma.s.s of vines and shrubbery Poyor stretched himself out in the bow as if the task of remaining perfectly quiet during an entire day was a very agreeable one, and c.u.mmings followed his example.

Jake, who had been sitting amidships, moved toward his friends, and the three spent an hour talking of what was now termed by all "a foolish venture."

There was nothing left for it, however, but to continue on since they were in the swamp, and after a time Neal said petulantly:

"Well make the best of it, and if an opportunity should occur to go to Merida there must be no hesitation, whatever c.u.mmings may say."

As if this resolution gave them renewed courage, the boys lay down in the most comfortable position possible, after eating a light lunch, and until nightfall no sound save that caused by heavy breathing could have been heard from the boat.

Then, when darkness came again, Poyor, who had remained almost without motion during the entire time of the halt, aroused himself, ate half a dozen bananas, and took up the paddle.

The precautions against being discovered by those who might be on the watch were now redoubled. Before rounding a bend the Indian waited in a listening att.i.tude to a.s.sure himself no one was moving in the immediate vicinity, and when it became necessary to work the canoe along by aid of the foliage the utmost care was exercised to prevent the branches from rustling.

As the hours wore on and no attack was made c.u.mmings appeared to be highly elated, and Jake's gloomy forebodings were dispelled in the thought of the treasure which they might be able to bring away.

Once, about midnight, when they halted a moment for Poyor to reconnoiter, Neal whispered to the leader:

"How many nights of this kind of traveling is necessary before we reach the city?"

"When we next halt it will be to leave the boat and continue the journey on foot. It was the possible difficulties, not the distance, which rendered the undertaking formidable."

The Indian returned, stepped into the canoe without speaking, and took up the paddle as if to say there was nothing to prevent them from going ahead.

From this time until faint streaks of light caused by the approach of the sun could be seen in the sky there was no lengthy interruption to the advance, and then as the boat was pulled out of the channel into a sort of basin or break of the bank which led among the more dense portions of the forests, c.u.mmings said to Neal:

"In two hours you shall have a full view of the Silver City, and then there can be no doubt as to the truth of what I have told you."

CHAPTER XII.

THE SILVER CITY.

To Neal and Teddy the thought that they were so near the wonderful place described by c.u.mmings overshadowed everything else, and the probable danger was but a secondary consideration.

Jake was in a perfect fever of excitement, and so great was his desire to see the city from which he fully expected to bring away enormous amounts of gold that more than once did the leader caution him in an impatient tone to remain quiet.

Impa.s.sive, apparently unmoved by the fact that the plan which he and his white companion had spent so many months in perfecting was about to be proven successful, or a failure that might result in the death of all concerned, the Indian stood silent and motionless at the foot of a gigantic cypress tree; but Teddy observed that he was on the alert for the slightest unusual sound.

c.u.mmings dealt out some food; but none of the party ate it. Hunger had been banished by suspense, anxiety and antic.i.p.ation.

Gradually the gloom was dispelled, and it became possible to see the varied forms of life everywhere around.

The party had halted upon a slight elevation, where they had a limited view of that portion of the forest which appeared to be distinct from the region of marsh. As the sun arose, and a singularly dazzling light, different from anything the boys had ever seen before was reflected on the tops of the trees, it seemed as if every branch was laden with birds of the most gorgeous plumage flitting here and there like movable jewels against a background of green enamel.

Hundreds of monkeys filled the air with an almost incessant chattering which drowned all other sounds, and snakes of every color and size writhed and wriggled in different directions to greet the grateful heat of the sun.

It was a picture most beautiful, and at the same time, because of the serpents, terrifying.

c.u.mmings began to make his way up the trunk of the cypress, aided by Poyor; but when Jake would have followed, the Indian motioned for him to remain with the boys.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Indian stood silent and motionless at the foot of the gigantic Cypress tree, etc.]

One glance appeared to be sufficient for the leader of the party, and as he descended he whispered to Neal:

"We have made no mistake. The city can be seen plainly. You and your companions may gratify your curiosity, for we shall remain here until Poyor comes back."

Then turning to the Indian, c.u.mmings whispered a few words, and the former glided through the underbrush, being lost to view almost immediately.

By a.s.sisting each other the three castaways were soon where such a marvelous sight was presented that exclamations of surprise and admiration burst from their lips; but, fortunately, the chattering of the monkeys would have prevented the outcries from being heard had a party of Chan Santa Cruz Indians been at the foot of the tree.

Far to the eastward was a long range of low, rocky mountains, and at the north and south spurs or cliffs, all enclosing a beautiful valley in the center of which was a city of dazzlingly white buildings.

To look at this collection of houses and temples very long at a time was almost impossible because of the peculiar glare which the boys had mistaken for the sun's rays.

It was caused by the reflection of the G.o.d of day on an edifice in the center of the city, the dome-like roof of which was covered with a burnished metal substance having the appearance of silver.

The adjoining buildings, composed of white stone having a softness as of alabaster, threw this peculiar light in every direction, causing the city to stand out amid the green foliage like a huge incandescent ma.s.s.

Each house stood in a square by itself, and, judging from the area of the city one might have estimated the population at about fifteen thousand. The streets were laid out with the utmost precision, and composed of what appeared to be fine white sand, while at every intersection were monuments of grotesque figures or animals.

At regular intervals were enormous white columns capped with the glistening metal, the same as displayed on the dome of the princ.i.p.al building and on many of the houses.

After taking in this wonderful picture as a whole the boys gazed at the most prominent objects in turn, the central edifice occupying the greater share of attention.

That this was a place of worship seemed reasonable to suppose because of the crowds of people entering or departing from the opening formed by lofty pillars of shimmering metal, and also because of the tiny threads of smoke which arose from several apertures in the roof as if from altar fires. To confirm the beholders in this belief the faint sound of sweet music arose in the air, and instantly the throngs in the streets prostrated themselves in adoration of some one of the statues.

The citizens were dressed in flowing garments of white, and all seemed intent on worship which was prolonged until after the spectators left the tree.

One singular fact was noted by Teddy, and he called Neal's attention to it.

Neither on the surrounding hills nor in the city could a single animal of any kind be seen. It was as if even the birds from the forest so shaped their course as to avoid flying over the dazzling wonderful city which was shut out from the rest of the world by the swamp wherein fever lurked in its most horrible form.

How long the boys and Jake gazed at this marvelous picture neither of them could ever say. They took no heed of the pa.s.sage of time, and when c.u.mmings called softly that it would be well to come down in order to gain a little rest before Poyor returned, Teddy noticed with surprise that the sun was high in the heavens.

"Well, do you believe now that the Silver City really has an existence?"

the leader asked when the three stood by his side.

"After that anything seems possible," Neal replied with a sigh as if weary of gazing at so much magnificence.

"Save some adjectives expressive of admiration until we are in the city, when I fancy you will see very much that is more curious."

"The people don't appear to be so terribly ferocious," Teddy said, "and yet you think they would kill us all if our presence was discovered."

"I am positive of it. In a white man they see only one of that race which has worked them so much injury, making ruins of many cities, and oppressing the rightful owners of the country."

"If that is the case how are we to get in there?" Neal asked.