by James Otis
CHAPTER XII.
THE SILVER CITY.
To Neal and Teddy the thought that they were so near the wonderful placedescribed by Cummings overshadowed everything else, and the probabledanger was but a secondary consideration.
Jake was in a perfect fever of excitement, and so great was his desireto see the city from which he fully expected to bring away enormousamounts of gold that more than once did the leader caution him in animpatient tone to remain quiet.
Impassive, apparently unmoved by the fact that the plan which he and hiswhite companion had spent so many months in perfecting was about to beproven successful, or a failure that might result in the death of allconcerned, the Indian stood silent and motionless at the foot of agigantic cypress tree; but Teddy observed that he was on the alert forthe slightest unusual sound.
Cummings dealt out some food; but none of the party ate it. Hunger hadbeen banished by suspense, anxiety and anticipation.
Gradually the gloom was dispelled, and it became possible to see thevaried forms of life everywhere around.
The party had halted upon a slight elevation, where they had a limitedview of that portion of the forest which appeared to be distinct fromthe region of marsh. As the sun arose, and a singularly dazzling light,different from anything the boys had ever seen before was reflected onthe tops of the trees, it seemed as if every branch was laden with birdsof the most gorgeous plumage flitting here and there like movable jewelsagainst a background of green enamel.
Hundreds of monkeys filled the air with an almost incessant chatteringwhich drowned all other sounds, and snakes of every color and sizewrithed and wriggled in different directions to greet the grateful heatof the sun.
It was a picture most beautiful, and at the same time, because of theserpents, terrifying.
Cummings began to make his way up the trunk of the cypress, aided byPoyor; but when Jake would have followed, the Indian motioned for him toremain with the boys.
The Indian stood silent and motionless at the foot of thegigantic Cypress tree, etc.]
One glance appeared to be sufficient for the leader of the party, and ashe descended he whispered to Neal:
"We have made no mistake. The city can be seen plainly. You and yourcompanions may gratify your curiosity, for we shall remain here untilPoyor comes back."
Then turning to the Indian, Cummings whispered a few words, and theformer glided through the underbrush, being lost to view almostimmediately.
By assisting each other the three castaways were soon where such amarvelous sight was presented that exclamations of surprise andadmiration burst from their lips; but, fortunately, the chattering ofthe monkeys would have prevented the outcries from being heard had aparty 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 thenorth and south spurs or cliffs, all enclosing a beautiful valley in thecenter of which was a city of dazzlingly white buildings.
To look at this collection of houses and temples very long at a time wasalmost impossible because of the peculiar glare which the boys hadmistaken for the sun's rays.
It was caused by the reflection of the god of day on an edifice in thecenter of the city, the dome-like roof of which was covered with aburnished metal substance having the appearance of silver.
The adjoining buildings, composed of white stone having a softness as ofalabaster, threw this peculiar light in every direction, causing thecity to stand out amid the green foliage like a huge incandescent mass.
Each house stood in a square by itself, and, judging from the area ofthe city one might have estimated the population at about fifteenthousand. The streets were laid out with the utmost precision, andcomposed of what appeared to be fine white sand, while at everyintersection were monuments of grotesque figures or animals.
At regular intervals were enormous white columns capped with theglistening metal, the same as displayed on the dome of the principalbuilding and on many of the houses.
After taking in this wonderful picture as a whole the boys gazed at themost prominent objects in turn, the central edifice occupying thegreater share of attention.
That this was a place of worship seemed reasonable to suppose because ofthe crowds of people entering or departing from the opening formed bylofty pillars of shimmering metal, and also because of the tiny threadsof smoke which arose from several apertures in the roof as if from altarfires. To confirm the beholders in this belief the faint sound of sweetmusic arose in the air, and instantly the throngs in the streetsprostrated themselves in adoration of some one of the statues.
The citizens were dressed in flowing garments of white, and all seemedintent on worship which was prolonged until after the spectators leftthe tree.
One singular fact was noted by Teddy, and he called Neal's attention toit.
Neither on the surrounding hills nor in the city could a single animalof any kind be seen. It was as if even the birds from the forest soshaped their course as to avoid flying over the dazzling wonderful citywhich was shut out from the rest of the world by the swamp wherein feverlurked in its most horrible form.
How long the boys and Jake gazed at this marvelous picture neither ofthem could ever say. They took no heed of the passage of time, and whenCummings called softly that it would be well to come down in order togain a little rest before Poyor returned, Teddy noticed with surprisethat 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 ifweary 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, "andyet 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 racewhich has worked them so much injury, making ruins of many cities, andoppressing the rightful owners of the country."
"If that is the case how are we to get in there?" Neal asked.
"Poyor has a plan which I think will be successful; wait until hereturns, and if the conditions are favorable to the attempt you shallsoon know."
"But suppose he stays away until a party of Indians take it into theirheads to come in this direction?"
"There is little danger of our being discovered unless it has beensuspected we have crossed the swamp, which is hardly probable. Very fewof the inhabitants ever venture out, and there is no reason why theyshould come to this exact spot. Lie down now, Poyor will be with us bynightfall."
It was a simple matter to follow the first portion of this advice; butdecidedly difficult to close their eyes in slumber after what had beenseen.
Teddy and Neal, who threw themselves on the ground side by side, couldnot keep their thoughts from the wonderful city, and when both Jake andCummings 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 ashort time if anything happens, and a glimpse of that city would repay afellow for considerable trouble."
"But suppose the Indians get hold of us?"
"That is something I reckon Cummings can take care of. If he has madesuch elaborate preparations for entering, when it is so near where hewas living we can be pretty certain there will be no very gravemistake."
"Even if we succeed in reaching the city I can't understand how it willbe possible to carry away much gold."
"Nor I; but yet you know a small package is valuable, and five personscould 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 muchadvantage to him, more particularly since he and the Indian could
bringaway a heavier load than all three of us."
In this manner, speculating upon the benefits which might accrue to themrather than regarding the great danger to which the entire party wasexposed, the boys passed the time until late in the afternoon, and thenPoyor approached so softly that he stood in their midst before any onehad heard even a rustling among the leaves.
On seeing the man Cummings sprang up eagerly, asked a question in theIndian dialect, and the reply was given at great length, Poyor usingmore gestures than the boys had ever fancied were at his command.
That his report was in the highest degree interesting to Cummings therecould be no doubt, for the latter listened intently, interrupting himonly to ask some question, and not until nearly half an hour had passedwas any explanation made to the others.
Then Cummings said with a slight show of triumph:
"Poyor has just come from the city, and there is no suspicion that wehave passed the line of sentinels."
"If he did that what is to prevent us from doing the same?" Jake askedas the leader paused for an instant.
"Nothing except our skins are white, and he can readily pass himself offfor a Chan Santa Cruz. He speaks the language, resembles them infeatures, and could make his way around the town with but littletrouble; but on that point no great amount of time need be spent. Hereis the plan which I wish to carry into effect: Poyor has found a vacantbuilding on the outskirts of the place which he has bargained for,representing himself as one of the sentinels recently released from dutyon the eastern side. In that character no person will be likely towonder why he is without acquaintances, for the watchmen often remainaway from the city one or two years, entering only when it is necessaryto procure provisions."
"Is he to go on alone?" Jake asked.
"Certainly not. At a late hour to-night we will accompany him, and allour hopes of success depend upon gaining this building without beingdiscovered."
"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 houseduring that time, otherwise it may go hard with us."
"But what do you expect to do shut up in a building, for of course wemust keep out of sight?" and Jake's face expressed the utmost surpriseand apprehension.
"That is exactly what you shall learn when we arrive there. Since I haveproven that the Silver City really has an existence, the least that canbe done is to aid in carrying out my programme without too muchdiscussion."
"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 workwithout a hitch during the next ten hours. Let's get these traps into amore convenient shape for carrying, in order that we may be ready forthe last stage of our journey when Poyor gives the word."