CHAPTER XXI. DISCUSSING WAYS AND MEANS.
In good measure prepared for some such result, in case theirexpectations should prove true, friendly hands at once closed upon theexile, hurrying him back, and still more completely under cover, asquickly as might be.
Cooper Edgecombe seemed as wax in their hands, not utterly deprivedof consciousness, but rather like one dazed by some totally unexpectedblow. He made not the slightest resistance, yielding to each impulsegiven, shivering and weak as one just rallying from an almost mortalillness.
Yet there came an occasional flash to his eyes which warned the waryprofessor of impending trouble, and as quickly as might be the stunnedaeronaut was removed from the point of observation, taken by shortstages back to the spot where rested the flying-machine.
Ixtli seemed something awed by this (to him) inexplicable conduct onthe part of the gaunt-limbed stranger, but gave his new-found friendsneither trouble nor cause for worry, bearing them company and evenlending a hand whenever he thought it might be needed.
The Gillespie brothers were far more deeply stirred, as was natural,but even Waldo contrived to keep a fair guard over his at times unrulymember, speaking but little during that retreat.
With each minute that elapsed Cooper Edgecombe gained in bodily powers,and while his mental strength was slower to respond, that proved to be ablessing rather than otherwise.
The rendezvous was barely gained ere he gave a hoarse cry of revivingmemory, then strove to break away from that friendly care, callingwildly for his wife, his daughter, fancying them in some dire peril fromwhich alone his arms could preserve them.
It was a painful scene as well as a trying one, that which followedclosely, and respite only came after bonds had been applied to the limbsof the madman,--for such Cooper Edgecombe assuredly was, just then.
There were tears in the professor's eyes, as he strove hardest to soothethe sufferer, assuring him that his loved ones should be restored to hisarms, yet repeatedly reminding him that any rash action taken then mustalmost certainly work against their better interests.
The exile grew less violent, but that was more through physicalexhaustion than aught else, and what had, from the very first, appeareda difficult enigma, now looked far worse.
Only when fairly well assured that the sufferer would not attractunwelcome attention their way through too boisterous shouting, did theprofessor draw far enough away for quiet consultation with his nephews.
Mr. Edgecombe was deposited within the air-ship, secured in such amanner that it would be well-nigh impossible for him to do eitherhimself or the machine material injury, no matter how violent he mightbecome; and hence, in case of threatened trouble from the inmates ofthe Lost City, flight would not be seriously hindered through caring forhim.
Professor Featherwit now gleaned from his nephews pretty much all theycould tell him concerning sights and events since his departure in questof the exile. That proved to be very little more than he had alreadylearned, and contained still less which seemed of especial benefit tothat particular enigma awaiting solution.
True, Waldo suggested that Ixtli be employed as a medium ofcommunication between the Sun Children and themselves; but, possiblybecause, as a rule, this irrepressible youngster's ideas were generallythe wildest and most far-fetched imaginable, uncle Phaeton frowned uponthe plan.
No; the young Aztec might prove true at heart, even as indications went,but the risk of so trusting him would prove far too great.
"That's just because you haven't known and slept with him, like wehave," declared Waldo. "He's red on the outside, but he's got just aswhite a soul as the best of us,--bar none."
Bruno likewise appeared to think well of the young brave, and suggestedan amendment to Waldo's motion,--that he accompany Ixtli into thesunken valley, covered by the friendly shades of night, there to opencommunication with the Sun Children.
"By so doing, we could make certain of their identity," the young manargued, earnestly. "That, it appears to me, is the first step to betaken. For, in spite of the apparent recognition by Mr. Edgecombe, it ispossible that no actual relationship exists."
"What of that?" bluntly cut in the younger Gillespie. "Don't you reckonstrangers'd like to take a little walk, just as well as any otherpeople?"
"Patience, my lad," interposed the professor. "While we seem in dutybound to lend aid and assistance to women in actual distress, we canonly serve them with their own free will and accord. Granting that thewomen we saw upon the teocalli were other than those believed by ourafflicted friend--"
"But, uncle, look at their names! And don't Ixtli say--tell 'em all overagain, pardner, won't ye?" urged Waldo, taking a burning interest in thematter, as was his custom when fairly involved.
The young Aztec complied as well as lay within his power, giving it ashis fixed opinion that sore trouble, if not actual peril, awaited theChildren of the Sun, unless assisted by powerful friends. He spoke ofthe mighty chieftain, Prince Hua, and of the high priest, Tlacopa, whowas, to all seeming, playing directly into the hands of the 'Tzin.
"He say Mother of Gods call--loud! He say sacrifice, and dat--no, no!Quetzal' send--Quetzal' save--MUST save Victo, Glady!"
Further questioning resulted in but little more information, though, asIxtli grew calmer, he emphasised such statements as he had already made,elaborating them a trifle. And, by this, his questioners learned that,humanly speaking, the fate of the Sun God's Children depended almostentirely upon the whim or fancy of the chief paba of the teocalli.
Through Tlacopa issued the awesome oracles, and when his voice thunderedforth the dread fiat, who dared to openly rebel?
Further questioning brought forth one more important fact,--that therewas absolutely no hope of either Victo or Glady coming forth from thevalley, either by night or by day. While ostensibly free of will as theywere of limb, neither woman was permitted to leave yonder temple, saveunder armed escort; and guards were on duty each hour of the day andnight.
"But we could get to see and speak with them, Ixtli?" asked Bruno, eagerto reach some fair understanding as to the future course of action.
"Yes, white brother, go with Ixtli," came the hesitating reply; but thenthe Aztec caught one of Gillespie's hands, holding it in close contrastto his own brown paw, shaking his head doubtingly.
"No like. Keen eye, dem people. Watch close. Find 'nother whiteskin--bad!"
"You hear that, Bruno?" asked the professor, really relieved at suchpositive evidence in conflict with the rash proposition made by theyoung man.
"Of course I thought of going under cover of the night, uncle, andsurely it would not be such a difficult matter to darken my face andhands? With dirt, if nothing better can be found. And if I wore theclothes you brought from the cavern, uncle Phaeton?"
"That's the ticket!" broke in Waldo, eagerly. "Why, in a rig like that,I could turn the trick my own self!"
The consultation was broken off at this juncture by a faint summonsfrom Cooper Edgecombe, and Professor Featherwit was only too glad of theexcuse, hurrying over to the flying-machine, finding to his great joythat the exile was now far more like his old-time self.
Still, great caution was used in revealing all, and it was not untilconsiderably later in the day that Mr. Edgecombe felt capable of takingpart in the discussion of ways and means.
He declared that his recognition had been complete, in spite of thelong years which had elapsed since losing sight of his dear ones; and heearnestly vowed to never give over until their rescue was effected, orhe had lost his life while making the attempt.
While the two air-voyagers were thus engaged in talk, Bruno silentlystole away with Ixtli, taking a bundle along, and leaving Waldo to throwtheir uncle off the track in case his suspicions should be prematurelyawakened. Then, side by side, two Indian braves silently approachedthe aerostat, causing Professor Featherwit to make a hasty dive for hisdynamite gun to repel a fancied onslaught.
"Sold again, and who comes next?" merrily exploded Waldo, danc
ing aboutin high glee as the supposed redskin slowly turned around for inspectionbefore speaking, in familiar tones:
"Would there be such an enormous risk of discovery, uncle Phaeton,provided I put lock and seal upon my lips, save for the ladies?"
That experiment proved to be a complete success, and after CooperEdgecombe added his pathetic pleadings to the young man's own arguments,Professor Featherwit gradually gave way, though still with reluctance.
"I could never find forgiveness should harm come to your mother's son,boy," he huskily murmured, his arm stealing about Bruno's middle. "I'dfar rather venture myself, and--why not, pray?" as Waldo burst into aninvoluntary laugh.
Then he turned upon Ixtli, a hand resting upon each shoulder while hegazed keenly into those lustrous dark orbs for a full minute in perfectsilence. Then he spoke, slowly, gravely:
"Can we trust you, friend? Would you sell the boy to whose arm youowe your own life, unto his enemies? Would you lead him blindly to hisdeath, Ixtli, son of Aztotl?"
A wondering gaze, then the Indian appeared to flush hotly. He shook offthose far from steady hands, drawing his knife and with free fingerstearing open his dress above the heart. Thrusting the weapon intoBruno's hand, he spoke in clear, distinct accents:
"Strike hard, white brother! Open heart; see if all black!"
Eye to eye the two youths stood for a brief space in silence, then theweapon was let fall, and Bruno gripped the Indian's hand and shook itmost cordially.
"Strike you, Ixtli? I'd just as soon smite my brother by birth!"
"And that's mighty right, too!" cried Waldo, impetuously.
"I really begin to believe that you are all in the right, while I aloneam left in the wrong," frankly admitted the professor.
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