The Search for the Silver City Part 17

As the moments pa.s.sed without any evidence that an attack was to be made the voluntary prisoners began to grow more comfortable in mind, and again Jake proposed that such people were neither able nor inclined to inflict much injury upon any one.

Suddenly there was a great commotion among the crowd; the men shouted and waved their weapons, danced about in the most grotesque fashion and from afar off could be heard the sound of music.

Five minutes later the cause of this sudden change of demeanor became apparent.

Down the street from the direction of the forest came several hundred women decorated with the most beautiful flowers, and carrying huge bouquets or wreaths. They trooped along without any attempt at marching in regular order: but on arriving in front of the men they halted suddenly in response to sharp strokes on a gong or tongueless bell which one of them held high in the air.

The men were now on one side of the street and the women on the other, and in this order they stood when twenty persons of both s.e.xes, carrying on a broad flower-covered platform a repulsive looking figure apparently composed of gold, marched between the ranks and halted.

Instantly every one sank down with bowed head as if in adoration, and the invisible music, accompanied by the peals of sweet-toned bells, filled the air with melody.

"We were frightened too soon," c.u.mmings said with a sigh of relief. "It is a festival of some sort, and this happens to be the place where it is to be welcomed to the city. It would be most unfortunate if Poyor should take it into his head to come back just at this time."

"He could see the crowd before getting very near and would know enough to stay at a distance," Neal replied. "I'd like to know what that statue represents."

The golden figure was certainly very odd. Its body was in shape not unlike a panther's; but the tail was short, and stuck straight in the air. The head might have been formed to represent a monkey, although the ears were very long, and the whole was covered with carving to represent scales.

"How much do you suppose it weighs?" Teddy asked of Jake, and the latter, who had also been trying to compute its value, replied:

"Not an ounce less than a hundred pounds. What a prize that would be if we could carry it away!"

"There are many of the same kind in the city." c.u.mmings added, "and we should be able to get off with some before a week is ended."

"Then that is the plan you have formed?" Neal said interrogatively.

"Exactly. Poyor is to examine all the statues near by, and decide upon such as we can pull down some night, after which it will only be a question of reaching our boat. I have no fear of being able to get through the swamp providing we have a start of five or six hours."

While this conversation was being carried on the people outside remained in the same devout att.i.tude; but just as c.u.mmings ceased speaking there was a change in the affairs.

The music grew louder, and the bells were rung more rapidly, and the devotees sprang to their feet with shouts and songs, the women throwing flowers on the platform until the hideous G.o.d was nearly hidden from view.

When the tongueless bell was struck three times the crowd gathered around the image bearers, and all started toward what the white men believed was the temple, chanting in perfect harmony with the music.

The worshipers were soon lost to view; but their voices could be heard for ten or fifteen minutes, after which clouds of smoke, probably caused by burning incense, arose from the silver-domed building.

"If Poyor is wise he will come now," c.u.mmings said, as he looked anxiously out. "The people are so intent upon the worship, or installation of a new G.o.d, whichever it may be, that he can get into the house without being seen."

But there were no signs of the Indian. Strain their eyes as they might he did not appear.

The sounds of music died away. The smoke ceased to arise from the temple, and the people began to walk the streets intent upon their business or pleasure.

"It is strange he is so imprudent," c.u.mmings muttered half to himself.

"Now the only safe way is to wait until night, if indeed he is yet at liberty."

"Do you think anything has happened to him?" Neal asked.

"Of course I can't even guess; but it is very strange he has waited so long."

More than that c.u.mmings would not say: but both the boys could plainly see he was very anxious, and all grew greatly distressed in mind as the hours wore on.

Noon came, and once more the streets were nearly deserted, for the inhabitants of the city were indulging in a siesta.

Now c.u.mmings stationed himself at the window, peering out eagerly; but all in vain.

Slowly the moments pa.s.sed. The boys tried to eat; but the terrible suspense had spoiled all appet.i.te for food, more especially since it was not particularly inviting, and after swallowing a few crumbs Teddy said:

"It's no use, I can't even force it down. Why did we come here, knowing at least a portion of the danger?"

"'Cause we were fools," Jake replied philosophically; "but that is no reason why we shouldn't have as near to a square meal as is possible,"

and he began to devour another tortilla.

"We won't despair yet," c.u.mmings said, as he left his post at the window and joined the little group in the further corner of the room, "Poyor is cautious in the extreme, and may believe it isn't safe to enter the house in the daytime under any circ.u.mstances."

"Did he say when he would come back?"

"No; it was understood he should return at the first favorable opportunity."

"Could you find the way to the boat if we never saw him again?" Teddy asked.

"Yes, although we might have some trouble in doing so."

Then another long interval of silence came upon the little party, during which each one listened intently for the slightest sound which might betoken a visitor.

Finally Jake fell asleep, and so loud was his snoring that it seemed as if he must be heard from the street, therefore the boys pinched him when there was too great a volume of sound, and at the same time wished they could enjoy the same happy unconsciousness of the situation.

c.u.mmings alternately paced to and fro, and stood by the narrow aperture overlooking the street, until nightfall, when the citizens walked up and down singing or chatting.

It was as if every one was perfectly happy, and this condition of affairs caused c.u.mmings to feel less despondent.

"Look," he said to Neal and Teddy, "if Poyor had been discovered the people would show some signs of excitement. We have no reason to fear yet awhile."

The argument was certainly a good one, and the boys' courage revived wonderfully. They made a reasonably hearty supper of tortillas, and when the promenaders began to disappear, thus telling that the hour for retiring was near at hand, c.u.mmings went downstairs and unbolted the door.

Now every second appeared like a minute, and when it seemed as if the night must be well nigh spent a slight sound was heard from below.

Jake would have rushed to the stair-case to welcome the Indian; but c.u.mmings restrained him. It was not certain who the visitor might be, and with bated breath all listened until a low voice said:

"It is Poyor."

The remark was commonplace in the extreme; but no combination of words sounded more sweetly to the boys, and they rushed forward to clasp the Indian by the hand.

In the dim light it was not possible to see him very clearly; but from the imperfect view all understood that something serious had happened.

He was panting as if just having concluded a long race, and the flowing white garments he had put on before leaving in order to resemble the inhabitants of the city, were torn and stained with mud.

c.u.mmings spoke to him in the Indian dialect, and he replied gravely, the first words causing the white man to utter an exclamation of dismay.

"What is the matter? What has happened?" Teddy asked; but c.u.mmings made no reply until Poyor had spoken at considerable length, and then he said:

"The worst possible misfortune has befallen us. Our boat has been discovered and brought into the city. It is believed we are hiding in the swamp, and a number of men are searching there for us."