The boys occupied themselves by getting the meals and attending tothe camp, for the naturalist bothered himself about nothing but hisspecimens. They still continued to reside in the old temple, which theyfound a comfortable place.
"I wonder what we'll do when our food gives out?" asked Ned one day whenit was his turn to get the dinner.
"Why, haven't we got plenty for several weeks yet?" inquired Jerry.
"It don't look so to me," said Ned, glancing in the box where the cannedstuff was kept.
"That's queer," remarked Jerry. "There aren't any tomatoes left. Did youcook any since yesterday?"
"You cooked yesterday," retorted Ned. "Were there any then?"
"Six cans," said Jerry. "Now there are none left. I wonder if theprofessor took any?"
"Any what?" asked the naturalist, coming into the temple just then.
"Tomatoes," replied Jerry, explaining what he and Ned had been talkingabout.
"No; I haven't touched a can," said the professor.
"Then some one has, and it isn't us," was Ned's opinion. "I wonder ifthere is any one in this temple but ourselves?"
"Now that you speak of it, I think there is," went on the naturalist."The other night I was restless and could not sleep well. I was lookingout of the door of our bedroom, into the main apartment, when I sawsomething white moving. At first I thought it was one of you boys, but Ilooked over on your cots and saw you both were sleeping. Then I thoughtit might be a white monkey, for I have heard there are such kinds,though I have never seen any. But when I looked a little closer I sawthat it was a man wrapped in a long, white serape.
"I didn't give any alarm, for I was afraid of waking you boys. ButI watched and saw the man go to our box and take out some cans ofprovisions. I meant to speak about it the next morning, but I forgot it."
"Who do you suppose it was?" asked Jerry.
"Probably some poor wandering Mexican," replied the professor. "He mayhave happened along, fallen into the passage leading to this old cityand been half starved until he found our camp."
"We'll have to look out, though," said Ned. "We have hardly enough leftfor ourselves."
"Then we must keep watch to-night," decided the professor. "It will notdo for us to starve, though we will share what we have with any one whois in distress."
And so, that night, they took turns in mounting guard. None of them sawanything out of the ordinary, though had they been able to witness ascene that took place in an obscure gallery of the temple they wouldhave been surprised.
San Lucia and Murado were still hiding in the place, waiting theirchance to get something of value from the travelers. The capture of Bobhad upset the plans of the two aged brigands, and they were a littlecautious about proceeding. But for several nights they had made raids onthe improvised pantry Ned had constructed.
"Are we to go again to-night?" asked San Lucia, on the evening when Nedmade the discovery that led to the posting of the guard.
"It remains to be seen," replied Murado. "If we have no better luck thanlast night it is of little use."
"No; tomatoes are a poor substitute for gold," agreed San Lucia. "Iwonder if they have nothing but things to eat in those cans."
"Some of them must contain gold," replied Murado. "They do it to foolus, but we will get the best of them yet. We will carry off every canthey have until we get those containing the treasure."
For the two Mexicans believed that the travelers had packed their goldin the tin cans, of which there was a number. And each night San Luciaand Murado had stolen a few, hoping that some of them contained gold.Each time, on opening the tins, they had been disappointed.
"I will go first to-night," said San Lucia. "I feel that I will besuccessful. Once we get the gold we can leave this place."
About midnight he crept as softly as a cat upon the travelers. But, tohis surprise, he found Jerry on guard and armed. San Lucia sneaked backto the balcony and told Murado.
"They are becoming suspicious," said the latter. "We will have to wait awhile. Perhaps they may be sleeping to-morrow night."
But the two aged brigands never got another chance to attempt to rob theboys and the professor. Why this was we shall soon see.
The next morning, on account of the watch that was kept, nothing wasfound disturbed.
"We fooled somebody that time," observed Ned.
After breakfast the professor announced that he was going to visit thehouse where he had, on a previous call, captured the gila monster.
"There was a cabinet there I overlooked," he said. "Do you boys want tocome along?"
"There is nothing else to do," said Jerry. "How I wish we would hearsomething from Bob! I think we ought to go out on a search for him. Itdoesn't seem that he will ever come here, after all this time."
"I was thinking that myself," said the professor. "If we hear nothing byto-morrow we will leave this place."
The boys accompanied the naturalist to the ruined house. It seemedstrange to be walking through the streets of a place that had beeninhabited thousands of years ago. The city was a silent one, a veritablecity of the dead, and the houses and buildings seemed like tombstonesthat had toppled over from age.
As Ned was walking about through the lower rooms of the house theprofessor had marked for exploration, he noticed a ring fastened to asquare stone in the courtyard.
"I wonder what this is for?" he said.
"Looks as if it was meant to lift the stone up by," replied Jerry.
"Give us a hand," said Ned, "and we'll see what's here."
The two boys pulled and tugged, but could not budge the stone. Theprofessor happened along and saw them.
"I'll show you how to do it," he said.
He took a long pole and thrust it through the ring. Then, using the poleas a lever, he easily raised the stone.
"Now let's see what we have unearthed," he remarked.
The stone had covered a small hole. In it was a little casket of lead,the lid of which was locked.
"We'll have to break it open," said Jerry.
"Get a stone," put in Ned.
Jerry brought a large one. One or two heavy blows and the lid of the boxflew off. There was a sudden sparkle of light and several white objectsfell to the ground.
"Diamonds!" cried the professor. "We have made a valuable discovery!"
The box seemed full of jewels. There were stones of many colors, butmost of all were the white, sparkling ones.
"Maybe they're only glass," suggested Ned.
"No; they are diamonds, rubies, turquoise and other precious stones,"replied the professor. "This was probably the jewel case of some Aztecmillionaire."
They returned to their camp, carrying the jewels with them. As theyentered the old building, Jerry, who was in the lead, started back.
"There's some one at our auto!" he exclaimed.
"Nonsense!" replied the professor. "The place is deserted."
But he changed his mind a moment later. As he entered the room he saw agirlish figure clinging to the side of the car. She seemed to be almostdead, and had only strength enough left to mutter:
"Bob; he want you! Vasco Bilette have him! Come quick!"
Then she fell over in a faint.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
TO THE RESCUE.
"Who is she?" asked Ned.
"I don't know," replied the professor, calmly. He seemed to take theappearance of a strange girl in the underground city as a happening thatmight occur at any time.
"Where did she come from?" asked Jerry.
"I can't tell you that, either," went on the naturalist. "One thing Ican say, though, and that is, this poor girl needs help. She must behungry, and she has traveled a long distance. Her clothes show that."
"What did she mean by speaking about Bob, saying Vasco Bilette had him,and for us to come quick?" asked Ned.
"All that in good time," replied the professor. "The thing to do now isto bring her out of her faint, and get her something to eat. Ned, youmake the coffee and
Jerry will heat some chicken soup. Hurry now, boys."
But the lads needed no urging. In a jiffy the camp-stove was going andhot coffee was soon ready. In the meanwhile the professor, by use ofsome simple remedies he always carried, brought the girl out of herfaint. She opened her eyes and asked for a drink.
The hot coffee, followed by a little of the warm soup, brought the colorback to her face, and she was able to sit up. She stared at her strangesurroundings and looked at the boys and the naturalist.
"Me Maximina," she said, speaking slowly. "You Ned, Jerry and Mr.Snowgrass?"
"Snodgrass, Snodgrass, my dear young lady," replied the professor,bowing low. "Professor Uriah Snodgrass, A. M., Ph.D., M. D., F. R. G.S., A. Q. K., all of which is at your service."
"Bob need you," said the girl, simply. "He try to come, but he gitketch."
"Yes, yes! Tell us about him. Where can we find him?" asked Jerry,eagerly.
"Me no spik Inglis good," the girl replied. "You spik Spanish, senor?"
"_Si_," answered the professor.
Thereupon Maximina let forth a torrent of words that nearly overwhelmedthe naturalist. Yet he managed to understand what she said.
Maximina told how she had been at the Mexicans' camp when Bob wasbrought there, she having been a captive for many years. She determinedto help him escape, and did so when the opportunity offered. She toldhow she knew, in a general way, where the buried city was, as Bob hadtold her something about it, and she had overheard Vasco and his mentalking about the locality where they had fallen down the tunnel.
"But Bob's horse fell and threw him off," she explained, in her nativetongue. "I wanted to stay with him, but he told me to go on. Then Vascocame and got him, but I rode away, for I wanted to find you. I had hardwork, and I lost my way several times. Three days ago my pony died and Iwalked the rest of the distance."
"Poor girl! You must be almost tired to death," said the professor.
"I was tired, but it is happiness to find you, senors, for I know youwill go and help Senor Bob."
"Of course we will, right away," said the naturalist.
"She seems to have taken a sudden liking to our friend Bob," commentedNed. "She's a mighty pretty girl, too; don't you think so, Jerry?"
"Be careful," laughed Jerry. "Don't go to having any love affairs withbeautiful Mexican maidens. I have read that they are a very jealous andquick-tempered nation. Besides, you are too young."
"I'm a year older than Bob," maintained Ned.
"Now, boys, what had we better do?" asked the professor. "Maximina canguide us to the place where Bob is held captive. Shall we go and givebattle to these brigands?"
"Sure!" exclaimed Ned. "We have plenty of ammunition."
"And they are about ten to our one," put in Jerry. "But we've got to dosomething," he added, seriously.
"Then we'll start as soon as we can get in shape," decided theprofessor. "I have a better plan than making a direct attack on the campof the Mexicans, however. We will go to the authorities and ask theiraid. Maximina says there is a detachment of soldiers stationed aboutthirty miles from here and on the line we must take to go to the camp,from which they are distant about ten miles."
"Bully!" cried Ned. "With a few soldiers to help us we'll give thosebrigands and Noddy Nixon such a licking that they'll never want another."
The automobile was soon made ready. In it was packed all that remainedof the provisions. The professor did up his precious specimens andcurios, not forgetting the lead casket of jewels.
The water tank was filled. Fortunately, there was still plenty ofgasolene left. Jerry and Ned pumped up the tires, Maximina was invitedto a seat in the rear, with the professor, and the travelers, taking alast look at the underground city, started off.
They went through the tunnel, up the incline, the fall of which hadprecipitated them into the shaft, and soon were on the level road,speeding to the rescue of Bob.
After Vasco had secured his captive, following Bob's and Maximina'sflight, the brigand took measures to insure that the prisoner would notget away again. Bob was placed in a regular dungeon, and outside thedoor was stationed a man with a gun.
The poor lad was in low spirits. He began to give up hope, and the onlything that cheered him was the thought that perhaps Maximina might havegotten away and would notify his friends or the authorities.
But Bob knew it was a remote chance, for he did not believe the frailgirl could stand the long journey alone. He tried to learn somethingabout her; whether she had been recaptured or not; but to all questionshis guard, and the old woman who brought him food, returned but oneanswer, and that was:
"No spik Inglis, senor."
Bob saw it was of no use to try to get out of the dungeon. It was builtpartially underground, the walls were of stone and the door a massivewooden one, while the single window was heavily barred. It was hot inthe small cell, and Bob suffered very much. But he tried to keep up abrave heart.
One day he heard voices outside of the dungeon window. He listenedintently and found that Noddy and Vasco were talking. Vasco, ofnecessity, had to speak English in talking with Noddy, who understoodonly a little Spanish.
"Have you got the money yet?" asked Noddy.
"No; and I think we never will get it," replied Vasco, angrily. "I don'tbelieve the boy is the son of a rich banker at all. It's another one ofyour wild dreams, just like the gold mine the crazy professor was goingto locate."
"Bob's father is rich," maintained Noddy. "It ain't my fault that hewon't send the cash."
"Well, it's your fault for getting me into this muss," went on Vasco,"and it'll be your fault if we don't get some money pretty soon. The menare mad and I won't be able to manage 'em in a few days. They blame itall on you, so you'd better look out!"
"Do you suppose they--they will ki-kill me?" faltered Noddy.
"I shouldn't be surprised," said Vasco, coldly.
At that instant Bob heard some one come galloping up on a horse. Itseemed to be a messenger, for he heard the steed come to a stop, while aman jumped down and began talking rapidly in Spanish.
"What is it? Has Bob's father sent the money?" asked Noddy.
"Money? No!" snapped the leader of the brigands. "But the soldiers areafter us! We must get out of here!"
Bob's heart thrilled with hope. Perhaps, after all, Maximina had beenable to send help. He almost laughed in his happiness, thinking he wouldsoon be free.
But his hopes were dashed to the ground when, a few minutes later, hisguard came into his cell, quickly bound his hands and feet, wrapped along cloak about him, and, with the aid of another Mexican, carried himout of the cell.
Bob realized, from the change of air, that he was being carried into theopen. He could see nothing because of the cloak about his head, but hecould hear much bustle and confusion.
Men were running here and there, while Vasco was giving quick orders.Then the sound of the automobile being started was heard. Bob felthimself lifted into the car and, a few seconds later, he felt thevibration that told he was being carried away again, this time inNoddy's machine.
As the messenger had told Vasco, the soldiers were on their way to thecamp of the kidnappers. The boys and the professor had reached thegarrison, and, telling their story, had induced the commander to senda detachment to capture the Mexicans. But the troops traveled slowly,and one of Vasco's friends, who happened to be hanging about the fort,hearing of the contemplated raid, mounted a swift horse and rode off togive the alarm.
So when, a few hours after Vasco had fled with his men and his captive,the troops galloped up, led by Jerry, Ned, Maximina and the professor inthe automobile, they found the camp deserted.
"The birds have flown!" exclaimed the captain of the troopers. "We mayas well go back!"
"No!" cried Jerry. "We must take after them. Bob must be rescued!"
"But how can we tell where they went?" asked the captain.
"That woman can tell you!" exclaimed Maximina, pointing to an aged cronewho was trying
to escape observation in one of the huts.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE FIGHT.
"Bring her here!" commanded the captain.
Several of his soldiers ran toward the old woman who set up a loudscreaming.
"Who is she?" asked the leader of the troops of Maximina.
"An old servant of Vasco's," replied the girl. "She knows all hissecrets and can tell where he has gone. He has several hiding placesabout here."
Protesting and crying that she knew nothing and could tell nothing, theaged servant was brought to the captain.
"Where is Vasco Bilette?" he asked.
"I know not! I have not seen him these three days!" she exclaimed.
"So," commented the captain, smiling. "We will see if we cannot refreshyour memory. Pedro, fetch my rawhide whip!"
At this the woman howled most dismally, and threw herself on the ground,clinging to the legs of the men who held her.
"I cannot allow this," interposed Professor Snodgrass, to whom theconversation, carried on in Spanish, was intelligible. "Even at thecost of seeing Vasco Bilette escape I will not stand by and see a womanwhipped."
"But, senor, you do not understand the case," said the captain. "Thatis the only way I can get the truth out of her. I must give her a fewblows to loosen her tongue. That is the only persuasion these cattleunderstand; blows and money."
"Why not try the latter?" suggested the naturalist.