CHAPTER XX. THE PROFESSOR AND THE AZTEC.
Fortunately for all concerned, there proved to be no serious difficultyattached to that same holding. So far as outward semblance went,Ixtli was very well content with both present quarters and presentcompanionship.
He likewise enjoyed the supper that, aided by a small fire kindled ina depression so low that the light could by no means attract anyunfriendly eye, Bruno prepared for them all. And just prior to takinghis first taste, the young warrior bowed his head to murmur a fewsentences which, past all doubt, had first come to his mind through thewonderful Victo: a simple little blessing, which certainly did not addto the dislike or uneasiness with which the brothers regarded theirguest.
"He's white, even if he is red!" confidentially declared Waldo, at hisfirst opportunity. "More danger of our spoiling him than his doing usdirt; and that's an honest fact for a quarter, old man!"
Bruno felt pretty much the same, yet his added years gave him greaterdiscretion, and, in spite of that growing liking, he kept a fairly keenwatch and ward over the Aztec.
After supper there came further questioning and answers, Waldo as arule playing inquisitor, eager to learn more anent the strange existencewhich these people must live, so completely hemmed in from all the restof the world as they surely were in yonder valley.
Without at all betraying the exile, Gillespie spoke of the lake and itsmighty whirlpool, then learned that the Indians really made semi-annualtrips thither for the purpose of laying in a supply of dried fish forthe winter's consumption.
As the night waned, preparations were made for sleeping, although it wasagreed between the brothers that one or the other should stand guard inregular order.
"Not that I really believe the fellow would play us dirt, even withevery chance laid open," Waldo admitted. "Still, it's what uncle Phaetonwould advise, and we can't well do less than follow his will, Bruno."
"Since we broke it so completely by tackling the grizzly," with a brieflaugh.
"That's all right, too. Of course we'd ought to've skulked away like acouple of egg-sucking curs, but we didn't, and I'm mightily glad ofit, too. For Ixtli--what a name that is to go to bed with every night,though!--for Ixtli is just about as white as they make 'em, nowadays;you hear me blow my bazoo?"
And so the long night wore its length along, the brothers taking turnsat keeping watch and ward, but the Aztec slumbering peacefully throughall, looking the least dangerous of all possible captives. And afterthis light even the cautious Bruno began to regard him ere the firststroke of coming dawn could be seen above the eastern hills.
Not being positive just where the air-ship would put in an appearance,since Professor Featherwit had, perforce, left that question open, to bedecided by circumstances over which he might have no control, each guardin turn devoted considerable attention to the upper regions, hoping toglimpse the aerostat, and holding matches in readiness to raise a flareby way of alighting signal. But it was not until the early dawn thatBruno caught sight of the air-ship, just skimming the tree-tops, thebetter to escape observation by any Indian lookout.
After that the rest came easily enough. A couple of blazing matches heldaloft proved sufficient cue to the professor, and soon thereafter theflying-machine was safely brought to land, so gently that the slumbersof the young Aztec were undisturbed.
Bruno gave a hasty word of warning and explanation combined, evenbefore he extended a welcoming hand towards Mr. Edgecombe, who certainlyappeared all the better for his encounter with people of his own race.
Professor Featherwit took a keen, eager look at the slumbering redskin,then drew silently back, to whisper in Bruno's ear:
"Guard well your tongue, lad. I have told him nothing, as yet, and wemust consult together before breaking the news. For now we have had norest, so I believe we would better lie down for an hour or two."
Mr. Edgecombe appeared to be perfectly willing to do this, and soon thewearied men were wrapped in blankets and sleeping peacefully.
Long before their lids unclosed, Bruno had an appetising meal inreadiness, although the others had broken fast long before, and Ixtli,his hands tightly clasped behind his back, as a child is wont to resisttemptation, was inspecting the air-ship in awed silence.
Taking advantage of this preoccupation, Bruno quickly yet clearlyexplained to his uncle all that had happened, showing that by playing amore prudent part the young warrior must inevitably have perished.
Then, making sure Cooper Edgecombe was not near enough to catch hiswords, Bruno told in brief the information gleaned from Ixtli concerningthe Children of the Sun, whom he and Waldo more than suspected must bethe long-lost wife and daughter of the exiled aeronaut.
As might have been expected, Professor Featherwit was deeply stirred byall this, fidgeting nervously while keeping alert ears, with difficultysmothering the ejaculations which fought for exit through his lips.
After satisfying his craving for food, the professor led the young Aztecapart from the rest of the party, speaking kindly and sympatheticallyuntil he had won a fair share of liking for his own, then broaching thesubject of the Sun Children.
After this it was by no means a difficult matter to get at the seat oftrouble, and little by little Featherwit satisfied himself that Ixtliwould do all, dare all, for the sake of benefiting the woman and maidenwho had treated him so kindly.
At a covert sign from the professor, Bruno came to join in the talk,and his sympathy made the young Aztec even more communicative. And Ixtlispoke more at length concerning Tlacopa, the paba, and another enemywhom the Children of the Sun had nearly equal cause to fear, oneHuatzin, or Prince Hua, chiefest among the mighty warriors of theAztecan clans.
This evil prince had for years past sought Victo for his bride, whilehis son, Iocetl, tried in vain to win the heart-smiles of the fairGlady, Victo's daughter. And, through revenge for having their suitfrowned upon, these wicked knaves had joined hands with the priest intrying to drag the Sun Children down from their lofty pedestal.
It did not take long questioning, or shrewd, to convince the professorthat in Ixtli they could count upon a true and daring supporter incase they should conclude to interfere in behalf of his patroness andteacher, adored Victo.
The professor led the way over to the air-ship, there producing theclothing and arms once worn by another Aztec warrior, which he hadcarefully stowed away in the locker, loath to lose sight of suchvaluable relics; truly unique, as he assured himself at the moment.
Bruno gave a little exclamation at sight of the articles, then in eagertones he made known the daring idea which then flashed across his busybrain.
"We ought to make sure before taking action, uncle Phaeton. Then why notlet me don these clothes and steal down into the valley, under cover ofdarkness, to see the ladies and--"
"No, no, my lad," quickly interrupted the professor, gripping an armas though fearful of an instant runaway. "That would be too risky; thatwould be almost suicidal! And--no use talking," with an obstinate shakeof his head, as Bruno attempted to edge in an expostulation. "I willnever give my consent; never!"
"Or hardly ever," supplied Waldo, coming that way like one who feels theproprieties have been more than sufficiently outraged. "Give some otherperson a chance to wag his chin a bit, can't ye, gentlemen? Not that _I_care to chatter merely for sake of hearing my own voice; but--eh?"
"We were considering whether or no 'twould be advisable to take a walkover to the observatory," coolly explained the professor. "Of course, ifyou would rather remain here to watch the aerostat--"
"Let Bruno do that, uncle. He grew thoroughly disgusted with what he sawover yonder, yesterday," placidly observed the youngster.
"Waldo, you villain!"
"Well, didn't you vow and declare that you could recognise graceand beauty and all other varieties of attractiveness only in--darkbrunettes, old man?"
Professor Featherwit hastily interposed, lest words be let fall throughwhich Mr. Edgecombe might catch a premature idea of the po
ssiblesurprise held in store; and shortly afterwards the start was made forthe snug covert from whence the Lost City had been viewed on prioroccasions.
Naturally their route led them directly past the scene of the bearfight, where the huge carcass lay as yet undisturbed, and calling forthsundry words of wonder and even admiration, through its very ponderosityand now harmless ferocity.
Professor Featherwit deemed it his duty to gravely reprove his wardsfor their rash conduct, yet something in his twinkling eyes and in thekindly touch of his bony hand told a far different tale. His anger tookthe shape of pride and of heart-love.
In due course of time the lookout was won, and without delay the savantturned his field-glass upon the temple which appeared to appertain tothe so-called Sun Children; but, not a little to his chagrin, the azoteawas utterly devoid of human life.
But that disappointment was of brief existence, for, almost as thoughhis action was the signal for which they had been waiting, mother anddaughter came slowly into view, arm in arm, clad in robes of snowywhite, with their luxuriant locks flowing loose as upon formeroccasions.
Both lads--three of them, to be more exact--gave low exclamationsof eager interest as those shapes came in sight, while even CooperEdgecombe gazed with growing interest upon the scene, whollyunsuspecting though he was as yet.
A slight nod from the professor warned the brothers to stand readyin case of need, then he offered the exile the glass, begging him toinspect yonder fair women upon the teocalli.
The glass was levelled and held firmly for a half minute, then the exilegave a choking cry, gasping, ere he fell as one smitten by death:
"Merciful heavens! My wife--my child!"
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