CHAPTERXVI。
CANITBETRUE？
Thatannouncementcamewithalltheforceofaboltfromtheblue，andeventheprofessordroppedhisglasseswithagaspofamazement，whileBrunowouldhaveleapedtohisfeet，onlyforthehastygrabwhichhisbrothermadeatthetailofhiscoat。
\"White——where？Surelyitcannotbethat——Edgecombe——\"
\"Augh，takeatumble，boy！\"ejaculatedWaldo，givingajerkthatrenderedcompliancenearlyliteral，thoughscarcelyfullofgrace。\"Wanttohavethewholegangmakeahowlingbreakthisway？Wantto——They’rewhiteallright，though！\"
\"Where？Whichdirection？Pointthemout，and——Ifailtoseeanythingwhichwouldbearoutyour——\"
Theprofessorwassweepingyonderfieldwithhisglass，searchingfortheprimalcauseofthatlatestexcitement，butwithoutsuccess。Nosignofawhiteface，maleorfemale，rewardedhisefforts，andheturnedaninquiringgazeupontheyoungster。
Waldowaspeeringfrombeneaththeshadeofhishand，butnowdrewbackwithalongbreath，toslowlyshakehishead。
\"They’vegonenow，butIdidseethem，andtheywerewhite，justaswhiteas——asanything！\"
Brunofrownedabitatthatunsatisfactoryconclusion，buttheprofessorwasofmoreequabletemper，forawonder。Hesmilinglyshookhishead，whilegazingkindly，thenspoke：
\"Imyselfmighthavemadethesameerror，Waldo，butyousurelywereinerror，foronce。\"
\"What！YoumeanIneversawthosewhitewomen，unclePhaeton？\"
\"No，no，Iamnotsoseriouslyfaultingyoureyesight，mydearboy，\"cametheswiftassurance。\"Buteventhebestofusareopentoerrors，andtherewereinoldentimesnotafewAztecswithfairskins；notexactlywhite，yetcomparativelyfairwhentheirracewasconsidered。And，nodoubt，Waldo，yousawjustsuchanotherabitago。\"
Buttheyoungsterwasnotsoeasilyshakeninhisownopinion。
\"Therewereacoupleof’em，notjustsuchanother，uncle。Andtheywerewhite，——purewhiteasevertheLordmadeawoman！
And——why，didn’tIseetheirhair，longandfloatingloose？Andwasn’tthatyellowas——asgold，orthesunshineitself？\"
\"Yellowhair？\"
\"Yes，indeedy！Yellowhair，whiteskins，——faces，anyway。
Blondes，thecoupleof’em；andtothatI’llmakemydavy！\"
Andsotheyoungstermaintainedwithevenmorethanusualsturdiness，whenquestionedmoreclosely，pointingouttheveryspotuponwhichthestrangebeingswerestanding，thetopofalarge，tallbuilding，clearlyoneoftheseriesoftemples。
Invainthefield-glasswasfixeduponthatparticularpoint。
Thepartlyroofedazoteawaswhollydevoidofhumanlife，andthoughwatchwasmaintainedinthatdirectionformanyminutesthereafter，byoneorotheroftheair-voyagers，naughtwasseentoconfirmtheassertionmadebytheyoungerGillespie。
Forthemomentthatfactorfancydominatedallotherinterests，for，grantingthatWaldohadnotbeenmisledbyanaturallyfairIndianface，therewasroomforatrulystartlinginference。
\"Coulditactuallybethey？\"mutteredBruno，facepaleandeyesglitteringwithintenseinterest。\"Couldtheyhaveescapedwithlifefromtheballoon，andbeenhereeversince？\"
\"Youmean——\"
\"ThewifeandchildofCooperEdgecombe，——yes！Whoelsecouldtheybe，unless——I’dgiveaprettypennyforonefairsquintatthem，rightnow！Iftherewasonlysomemethodof——Itwouldhardlydotoventuredownyonder，unclePhaeton？\"
Theprofessorgaveasterngestureofdenial，frowningasthoughheanticipatedanactualbreakforyondertown，inspiteoftheoddsagainstthem。
\"Thatwouldbemadness，Bruno！Worsethanmadness，byfar！Lookatyonderwarriors，allthoroughlyarmed，andeagertodrinkbloodasevertheywereincenturiesgoneby！Theyarehundreds，ifnotthousands，whilewearebutthree！Madness，myboy！\"
\"Four，withMr。Edgecombe，uncle。\"
\"Andthatmeansacompletehostsolongaswearebackedupbytheair-ship，\"declaredWaldo，inhisturn。\"Thosefellows！\"
withasniffoftrueboyishscornforaughtthatwasnotfullyuptodate。\"Whatcouldtheydo，ifweweretoopenfireonthemjustonce？\"
\"Proveourequals，manforman，armedastheyassuredlyare，\"
justasvigorouslyaffirmedtheprofessor，inclinedrathertomagnifythandiminishtheimportanceofthese，hissorecentlydiscoveredpeople。\"YouforgethowtheAztecansfoughtCortezandhismailedhosts。Yettheseareoneandidentical，sofarasvalourandtrainingandbloodcango。\"
\"Huh！Scaredofaruntyhorsesobadlythattheyprayedto’emastheydidtotheirowngods！\"sniffedWaldo，betrayingaloreforwhichhedidnotordinarilyreceivefaircredit。\"Why，unclePhaeton，letyoujustslamoneo’thosedynamiteshellsinsideachief——\"
\"Nay，Waldo，mustIrepeat，wearenothereforthepurposeofconquest，unlessbypurelyamicablemethods。Theremustbenofighting，fororagainst。Savagesthoughmostpeoplewouldbeinclinedtopronounceyonderrace，theyarehuman，withsoulsand——\"
\"ButIalwaysthoughttheywereheathens，unclePhaeton？\"
Theprofessorsubsidedatthat，givingoverasworsethanuselesstheattempttoenlightentheirrepressibleyoungster，atleastforthetimebeing。
Silenceruledforsomelittletime，duringwhicheachoneofthetriokeptkeenwatchoverthevalley，thefield-glasschanginghandsatintervalsinordertoputalluponanequalfooting。
Onethingwasclearenoughuntoall：theIndianshadbeengreatlywroughtupbythebriefappearanceofsomequeerlyshapedmonsteroftheair，andwhileagoodlynumberoftheirbestwarriorshadhastenedoutofthevalleyandupthedifficultpasses，inhopesoflearningmore，stillotherswereastir，weaponsinhand，evidentlydeterminedtodefendtheirlivesortheirpropertyfromanyassault，shouldsuchbemade，whetherbyknownorforeignadversaries。
Thisbusystirandbustle，combinedwiththenovelarchitectureandsomanyvaryingpointsofinterest，wouldhavebeenamentalandvisualfeastforthetrioofair-voyagers，onlyforthatonedoubt：werewhitecaptivesactuallyinyondertemple？And，ifwhite，weretheythelong-lostrelativesoftheaeronaut，CooperEdgecombe？
QuitenaturallytheinterestdisplayedbytheIndianscentredinthequarteroftheheavenswherethatair-demonhadbeensighted，henceourfriendssawverylittlecauseforapprehensionontheirownparts。
Thustheyweregivenabetteropportunityforthinkingofandthendiscussingthenewmarvel。
AgaindidWaldovowthathiseyeshadnotbefooledhim。Againhepositivelyassertedthathehadseentwowhitewomen，wearingblondehairinloosewavesfaradowntheirbacks。AndonceagainBruno，inhalf-awedtones，wonderedwhetherornotheywerethemotherandchildborneawayuponthewingsofamightystorm，fifteenlongyearsgoneby。
\"Itispossible，thoughscarcelycredible，\"admittedunclePhaeton，ingravetones，ashewrinkledhisbrowsafterhispeculiarfashionwhenillateaseinhismind。\"Edgecombelivedthroughjustsuchanotherexperience；though，tobesure，hewasamanofironconstitution，whiletheywerefarmoredelicate，asamatterofcourse。\"
\"Still，itmayhavehappenedso？\"persistedBruno，takingastronginterestinthematter。\"Youwouldnotcallittoofar-fetched，uncle？\"
\"No。Itmayhavehappened。Iwouldrathercallitmarvellous，yetstillpossible。Andifso——\"
\"Thereisbutasingleanswertothatsupposition，uncle；theymustberescuedfromcaptivity！\"forciblydeclaredBruno。
\"That’sright，\"confirmedWaldo。\"Ofcourseallwomenandgirls——Imeanotherpeople’skin——areatremendoussightofbotherandworry，andallthat；butwe’rewhite，andsoarethey。\"
\"Wemustrescuethem；there’snothingelsetodo，\"againemphasisedtheelderGillespie。
\"Thatisnodoubtthepropercaper，speakingfromyourboyishpointofview，mygenerous-heartednephews；but——justhow？\"drylyqueriedtheprofessor。\"Haveyouarrangedallthat，aswell，Bruno？\"
\"Yousurelywouldnotabandonthem，unclePhaeton？\"askedtheyoungman，somethingabashedbythatveiledreproof。\"Tosuchahorriblefate，too？\"
\"Afatewhichtheymusthaveenduredforfifteenyears，providedyourtheoryiscorrect，Bruno，\"withafleetingsmile。\"Don’tmistakeme，lads。Iamreadyandwillingtodoallthatamanofmypowersmay，providedIseejustandsufficientcausefortakingdecisiveaction。Thatisyetlacking。Wearenotcertainthattherearewhitewomenyonder。Or，ifwhitewomen，thattheyarecaptives。Or，ifcaptives，thattheywouldthankusforaidingthemtoescape。\"
\"Why，unclePhaeton！ThinkofMr。Edgecombe，andhow——\"
\"Iamthinkingofhim，andIwishtothinkyetalittlelonger，\"
quietlyspoketheprofessor。\"keepalookout，lads，andifyouseeaughtofWaldo’sfairwomen，praynotifyme。\"
Forthebetterpartofanhourcomparativesilencereigned，theboysfeastingeyesuponyonderspectacle，theiruncledeeplyinreverie；butthenherousedup，hisfinaldecisionarrivedat。
\"Iwilldoit！\"werehisfirstwords。\"Yes，Iwilldoit！\"
\"Dowhat，unclePhaeton？\"askedWaldo，withpoorlysuppressedeagerness，asheturnedtowardshisrelative。
\"GoafterCooperEdgecombe，——bringinghimhereinorderthathemay，soonerorlater，solvethisperplexingenigma。Come，boys，wemayaswellstartbacktowardstheaerostat。\"
Butbothyoungstersobjectedinadecidedmanner，Waldosaying：
\"No，no，unclePhaeton！Whyshouldwegoalong？You’llbecomingrightback，andwillbelesscrowdedintheshipifwedon’tgo。\"
\"Andwecanbetterwaitrighthere；don’tyousee，uncle？\"
\"TokeeptheLostCitysafelyfound，don’tyouknow？Whatifitshouldtakeasuddennotiontoloseitselfagain？\"addedWaldo，innocently。
CHAPTERXVII。
ANENIGMAFORTHEBROTHERS。
Inplaceoftheindulgentsmileforwhichhewasplaying，Waldoreceivedafrown，anddirectlythereaftertheprofessorspokeintoneswhichcouldbynopossibilitybemistaken。
\"Comewithme，bothofyou。Iamgoingbacktotheaerostat，andIdarenotleaveyouboysbehind。Come！\"
KindofheartandgenerallycomplaisantthoughunclePhaetonwas，neitherBrunonorWaldocaredtocrosshiswillwhenmadeknowninsuchtones，andwithoutfurtherremonstrancetheyfollowedhislead，slippingawayfromthesnuglittleobservatorywithoutdrawingattentiontothemselvesfromanyofyonderbusyhorde。
Notuntilthetriowasfairlywithinthegulchdidtheprofessorspeakagain，andthenbutabriefsentenceortwo。
\"Givemetimetoweighthematter，lads。PossiblyImayagree，butdon’ttrytohurrymycoolerjudgment，please。\"
Waldogavehisbrotheraneagernudgeatthis，gesturesandgrimacesbeingmadetosupplythelackofwords。Butwhen，thebettertoexpresshisconfidencethatallwascomingtheirway，theyoungsterattemptedacaperofdelight，hisfootslippedfromaleaf-hiddenstone，andhetookanawkwardtumbleatfulllength。
\"Nevertouchedme！\"hecried，scramblingtohisfeetereahandcouldcometohisaid。\"WhosaysIdon’tknowhowtostandonbothendsatthesametime？\"
Barringthislittlecaper，naughttookplaceontheirwaytotheair-ship；andoncethere，theprofessorheavedamightysigh，wipinghisheatedfaceasonemightwhohasjustwonaworthyrace。Buthebetrayednoespecialhasteinsettingtheflying-machineafloatandWaldofinallyventured：
\"Canwehelpyouoff，unclePhaeton？\"
Buthewasassuredthereexistednonecessityforsuchgreathaste。
\"Infact，itmightbedangeroustostartwhilesomanyoftheAztecsareuponthelookout，\"cametheunexpectedaddition。\"I
believeitwouldbevastlybetternottoleavehereuntilshortlybeforedawn，to-morrow。\"
Ittookbutafewwordsfurthertoconvincethebrothersthatthisideawaswisest，andwhiletheyoungfellowsfeltsorrytohavetheirviewcutsoshort，neitherventuredtoactuallyrebel。
Afterall，thedaywaswell-nighspent，and，besidespreparingtheireveningmeal，itwasessentialthattheirplansfortheimmediatefutureshouldbeshapedasthoroughlyaspossible。
ProfessorFeatherwithadresolvedtofetchCooperEdgecombetothesceneofinterest，inordertogivehimatleastafairchancetosolvetheenigmawhichwasperplexingthemall。Evenso，hefeltthatnosmalldegreeofphysicaldangerwouldattendthatpresence，particularlyifitshouldreallyprove，astheycouldbutsuspect，thatbothwifeanddaughteroftheinvoluntaryexilewereyonder，amongtheAztecans。
Muchofthistheprofessormadeknowntohisnephewsduringthatevening，thetriothoroughlydiscussingthematterinallitsbearings，butbeforetheair-shipwaspreparedforthenight’srest，unclePhaetonmadetheyoungstershappybyconsentingtotheirremainingbehindasguardianstotheLostCity，whilehewentinquestoftheballoonist。
\"Butbeareverinmindtheconditions，lads，\"washisearnestconclusion。\"Iplaceyouuponyourhonourtotakeallpossibleprecautionsagainstbeingdiscovered，orevenrunningtheleastunnecessaryriskduringmyabsence。\"
\"Don’tletthatbotheryou，unclePhaeton，\"Waldohastenedtogiveassurance。\"We’llbewiseaspigeons，andcautiousasanyoldsnakeyouevercaughtupatree；eh，Bruno，oldman？\"
\"Wepromiseallyouask，uncle，butdoesthatmeanwemuststayrighthere，withoutevenstealingaweentypeepattheLostCity？\"
ProfessorFeatherwitfeltsorelytemptedtosayyes，butthen，knowingboyishnature（althoughBrunohadjustpassedhismajority，whileWaldowas\"turnedseventeen\"）sowell，hefearedtodrawthereinstootightlylesttheygivewayentirely。
\"No；Idonotexpectquitethatmuch，mylads；butIdocountonyourtakingnounnecessaryrisks，andincaseofdiscoverythatyourathertrusttoflight，andmyfindingyoulateron，thantoactuallyfighting。\"
Soitwasdecided，andatafairlyearlyhourthetriolaydowntosleep。Althoughsounusuallyexcitedbythemarvellousdiscoveriesofthedayjustspent，theiropen-airlifetendedtocalmtheirbrains，and，farsoonerthanmighthavebeenexpected，sleepcreptoverthem，oneandall，lastinguntilnearlydawn。
Perhapsitwasjustaswellthatthewakeningwasnotmoreearly，fortheprofessorwasbeginningtoregrethisweaknessofthepastevening，andhadtherebeenmoretimefordrawinglugubriouspicturesofprobablemishaps，hemightevenyethaveinsistedontakingtheyoungsterswithhim。
KnowingthatitwasrathermorethanprobablesomeoftheIndianswouldbestationeduponthehillstowatchforthequeerlyshapedair-demon，theprofessorfeltobligedtolosenofurthertime，andsotheseparationwaseffected，justastheeasternskywasbeginningtoshowstreaksandveinsofanewday。
\"Touchandgo！\"criedWaldo，withavastinhalationashewatchedtheaeromotorsailawaywiththeswiftnessofabirdonwing。
\"AndforaweentybitIreckoned’twasyouandmeaspartofthego，too！\"
Incompanytheladsenjoyedamoreleisurelymealthantheirrelativehaddaredwaitfor，knowingthat，attheveryleast，theywouldhavethewholeofthatdaytothemselves，sofarasunclePhaetonwasconcerned。Asamatterofcourse，hewouldnotattempttoreturnexceptundercoverofnight，orintheearlydawnofanotherday。
Allthathadbeenthoroughlydiscussedandprovidedfortheeveningbefore，andwasbarelytoucheduponbythebrothersnow。
TheirfirstandmostnaturalthoughtwasofyonderLostCity，withitsinhabitants，red，white，andyellow，asWaldoputit；
butbeingstillundertheforebodingfearsoftheprofessor，theyfinallyagreedtoremainwhereheleftthemuntilafterthesuncrosseditsmeridian。
Itwasaratherearlymealwhichthebrothersprepared，ifthewholetruthmustbetold；andthelastfragmentswereboltedratherthanchewed，feetkeepingtimewithjaws，astheyhastenedtowardstheobservatory。
Therewasprettymuchthesamesortofviewasonthedaybefore，themaindifferencebeingthatmanyoftheIndianswerelabouringinthefields，insteadofwatchingfortheair-demon。
Usingtheglassbyturns，theladskepteagerwatchforthewhitewomenwhomWaldostubbornlypersistedwerewithinthetown；buthourafterhourpassedwithoutthedesiredreward，andBrunobegantodoubtwhethertherewasanysuchvisiontobewon。
\"Thesunwasinyoureyes，andyouletmadfancyrunawaywithyourbetterjudgment，boy，\"hedecided，atlength。\"Ifnot，why——whatnow？\"
ForWaldogavealow，eagerexclamation，grippingthefield-glassasthoughhewouldcrushinthereinforcedleathercase。Afewmomentsthus，thenhelaughedinalmostfierceglee，thrustingtheglasstowardshisbrother，speakingexcitedly：
\"Acrazyfoollunatic，amI？Well，now，youjusttakeasquintattheoldhouseforyourselfandseeif——bitingyou，now，isit？\"
ForBrunoshowedevenmoreintenseinterestashecaughttherightline，theretakingnoteof——yes，theysurelywerewhitewomen！Faces，hair，allwenttoproclaimthatfact。Andmorethanthat，even。
\"Fair——lovelyasapainter’sdream！\"almostpainfullybreathedtheelderGillespie。\"Ineversawsuchalovely——\"
\"Injunsquaw，ofcourse。Coupleof’em。Nobodybutafoolwouldeverthinkdifferent。Theideaoffindingwhitewomen——\"
\"Theyareladies，Waldo！Ineversawsuch——andIfeelthattheymustbetheoneslostbypoorEdgecombewhenthatstorm——\"
\"That’sallrightenough，oldfellow，\"interruptedWaldo，claimingtheglassoncemore。\"Noneedofyourplayingtheporkeronlegs，though，asIsee。Giveanotherfellowachancetosquint。Butaren’ttheyregularjo-dandies，though，forafact？\"
Thetwowomeninquestion，cladinflowingrobesofwhite，lituphereandtherebyadashofcolour，wereslowlypacingtoandfrouponthetemplewherefirstdiscoveredbythekeen-eyedyoungster。Thankstotheexcellentglass，itwaspossibletoviewthemclearlyinspiteofthedistance，andtherecouldbenodisputeuponthatonepoint：bothmotheranddaughter（grantingthatsuchwastheirrelationship）weremorethanordinarilyfairandcomelyofbothfaceandperson。
Forthebetterpartofanhourthatslowpromenadelasted，anduntilthewomenfinallypassedbeyondtheirrangeofvision，thebrotherstookeagerandcopiousnotes。Then，inspiteofthefactthatscoresofotherfiguresstillcamewithintheirfieldofvision，curiositylagged。
\"It’slikewatchingastreetmedicineshow，afterhearingPattiorseeingIrving，\"mutteredBruno，drawingbackandstretchinghisweariedlimbsbeyondpossiblediscovery。
\"OrtheABCclassplayingtwo-old-cat，afteraleaguegameofextrainnings；rightyouare，myhearty！\"coincidedWaldo，feelingprettymuchthesameway，\"onlywithadifference。\"
Shortlyafterthis，Brunosuggestedaretreattotherendezvous，andforawonderhisbrotheragreedwithoutamendment。
Thebrotherspasseddowntothegulch，whichformedtheeasiestroutetotheirrefuge，sayingverylittle，andthatinloweredtones。Theconfirmationsorecentlywonservedtostirtheirheartsdeeply，andneitherboycouldasyetseeawayoutofthelabyrinththatdiscoverymostassuredlyopenedupbeforethem。
\"Ofcoursewecan’tleavethemtheretodragonsuchawretchedexistence，\"declaredBruno。\"Wecouldn’tdothat，eventhoughwelearnedtheyheldnorelationshiptoMr。Edgecombe。But——how？\"
\"Ireckonit’s——what？\"abruptlyspokeWaldo，grippinganarmandstoppingshortforafewseconds，butthenimpulsivelyspringingonwardagainaswildsoundsarosefromnogreatdistance。
Ascoreofsecondslatertheycaughtsightofahugegrizzlybearintheactoffallinguponaslenderstripling，whosebronzehueassurelyproclaimedoneoftheAztecchildrenfromyonderLostCity。
Whatwastobedone？Disobeytheiruncle，orleavethisladtoperish？
CHAPTERXVIII。
SOMETHINGLIKEAWHITEELEPHANT。
Onlyalad，slight-limbedandslenderlyframedtotheeye，yetforallthatgiftedwithagallantheart，elsehesurelymusthavebeencowedtoterrorbythehugebulkofsuchadireadversaryatclosequarters。
Insteadoftryingtofindsafetyinheadlongflight，theIndianstoodatbay，withbothhandsfirmlygrippingtheshaftofhiscopper-bladedspear，atfartooclosequartersforemployingbowandarrows，whilethecopperknifeinhissashwasheldinreserveforstillcloserwork。
Snarling，growling，displayingitsgreatteethwhileclumsilywavingenormouspawswhichboretalonsofmorethanafinger-length，thebearwasbalanceduponitshindquarters，evidentlyjustreadytolurchforwardwithstrikingpawsandgnashingteeth。
Itsenormousweightwouldprovemorethansufficienttoendthecontestereitfairlybegan，whileaslightstrokefromthosetalonedpawswouldbothslayandmutilate。
NoonewasbetterawareofallthisthantheIndianladhimself，yethetooktheinitiative，swiftlydartinghisspearforward，lendingtoitskeenpointallthepowerofbotharmsandbody。A
suicidalactitcertainlyappeared，yetonewhichcouldscarcelymakehispositionmoreperilous。
Anawfulroarburstfrombruinashefeltthatthrust，thebladesinkingdeepandbitingshrewdly；butthenheplungedforward，strikingsavagelyashedropped。
TheIndianstrovetoleapbackwardaninstantafterdeliveringhisstroke，butstillclungtothespear-shaft。Thishamperedhisactiontoacertaindegree，yetinallprobabilitythatstoutashenshaftpreservedhislife，whichthatwoundwouldotherwisehaveforfeited。
Thestrokebutbrushedashoulder，nordidaclawtakefaireffect，yetthestriplingwasfelledtoearthasthoughsmittenbyathunderbolt。
Allthisbeforethebrotherscouldsolvetheenigmathusofferedthemsounexpectedly；butthatfall，andtheawfulragedisplayedbythewoundedgrizzlyashebrieflyrearederecttogrindasunderthespearshaft，decidedthewhitelads，and，temporarilyforgettinghowdangerouslynighwereyonderAztecanhosts，bothBrunoandWaldoopenedfirewiththeirWinchesterrifles，sendingshotaftershotinswiftsuccessionintothebulkybrute，fairlybeatinghimbackwardundertheirstormoflead。
Victorycamerightspeedily，butitsfinalewasthrilling，ifnotfatal，thehugebeasttopplingforwardtodropheavilyupontheyoungsavage，justashewasrecoveringsufficientlyfromshockandsurprisetobeginastruggleforhisfooting。
Firinganothercoupleofshotswhilerifle-muzzlealmosttouchedanear，thebrothersquicklyturnedattentiontowardsthefallenIndian，morethanhalfbelievinghimacorpse，crushedoutofshapeupontheunderlyingrocksbythatenormouscarcass。
Fortunatelyforallconcerned，theyoungAztecwaslyinginanaturaldepressionbetweentwofirmrocks，andwhilehisextricationprovedtobeamatterofbothtimeanddifficulty，sayingnothingofmainstrength，successfinallyrewardedtheeffortsofouryoungSamaritans。
Thegrizzlywasstone-dead。TheIndianseemedbutatriflebetter，thoughthatcamethroughcompressionratherthananyactualwoundsfromtoothortalon。Andthebrothersthemselveswerefairlydismayed。
Notuntilthatrescuewasfinallyaccomplisheddideitherladgivethoughttowhatmightfollow；butnowtheydrewbackabit，interchanginglooksofpuzzleddoubtandworry。
\"Rightinit，uptoournecks，oldman！Andwecan’tverywellkillthecritter，canwe？\"
\"Ofcoursenot；butitmaycauseussoretroubleif——\"
JustthentheyoungAztecralliedsufficientlytomove，drawingastepnearerthebrothers，righthandcomingoutingreeting，whileleftpalmwaspressedcloseabovehisheart。And——stillgreatermarvel！
\"Muchobliged——me，you，brother！\"
Ifyonderbleedinggrizzlyhadrisenerectandmadejustsuchasalutationasthis，itcouldscarcelyhavecausedgreatersurprisetoeitherBrunoorWaldo，lookinguponthisbeing，astheyquitenaturallydid，inthelightofagenuine\"heathen，\"
henceincapableofspeakinganyknowntongue，muchlessthegloriousAmericanese。
True，therewasacertainoddaccent，acuriousdwellinguponeachsyllable，butthewordsthemselvesweredistinctlypronouncedandbeyondmisapprehension。
\"Why，ItookyouforahowlingInjun！\"fairlyexplodedWaldo，thensteppingforwardtoclasptheprofferedmember，givingitaregular\"pump-handleshake\"bywayofemphasis。\"Andhereyouare，slingingthepureUnitedStatesaroundjustasthoughitdidn’tcostacent，andyouheldamortgageonthewholedictionary！Why，Ican’t——well，well，now！\"
Foronceinawaytheglib-tonguedladwasatalossjustwhattosayandhowtosayit。For，afterall，thissurelywasaredskin，andtheprofessorhadexplicitlywarnedthemagainst——oh，dear！
Wasitalladizzydream？FortheAztecdrewback，speakingrapidlyinanunknowntongue，thensinkingtoearthlikeoneoverpoweredbysuddenphysicalweakness。
BrunoGillespie，too，wasrecallinghisuncle’searnestcautions，andnowtookpromptaction。HequicklysecuredtheweaponswhichhadbeenscatteredastheIndianfellbeforethegrizzly’spaw，thenthebrothersdrewalittleaparttoconsulttogether。
\"What’llwedoaboutit？\"whisperinglydemandedWaldo，keepingawaryeyeuponyonderredskin。\"Youtell，forblamedifIknowhow！\"
\"Wedaren’tlethimgofree，elsehemightfetchthewholetribeuponourtrack，\"saidBruno，inthesamelowtones，nowhitlesssorelyperplexedastotheirwisestcourse。
\"No，andyetwecan’tverywellkillhim，either！Ifwehadn’tcomealongjustaswedid，orif——buthe’saman，afterall！WhocouldstandbyandseethatuglybrutemakeamealoffevenanInjun？\"
Brunocastanuneasylookaround，atthesametimedeftlyrefillingthepartlyexhaustedmagazineofhisWinchester。
\"Loadup，Waldo。Burningpowderreachesmightyfar，evenhereinthehills；andwhoknows，——thewholetribemaycomehelter-skelterthisway，toseewhathasbrokenloose！Andwecan’tfight’emall！\"
\"Notunlesswejusthaveto，\"agreedtheyoungerGillespie，placingafewshellswheretheywouldbehandiestincaseofanotheremergency。\"Butwhat’stheuseofrunning，ifwe’retoleavethisfellowbehindtoblazeourtrail？Ifheisourenemy——\"
\"Noen’my；Ixtlifriend，——heart-brother，\"eagerlyvowedtheyoungAztec，onceagainstartlingtheladsbyhisstrangecommandofaforeigntongue。
Herosetohisfeet，thoughplainlysufferinginsomeslightdegreefromthatbriefcollisionwiththehugebeast，andsmilingfranklyintofirstoneface，thentheother，tookBruno’shand，toucheditwithhislips，thenbowedhisheadandplacedthewhiterpalmuponhisnowuncoveredcrown。
InlikemannerhesalutedWaldo，afterwhichhedrewbackabit，stillsmilinggenially，toadd，inslowlyspokenwords：
\"YousaveIxtli。Bearkill——no；youkill——yes！Ixtliglad。SunChildrengreat——bigheartfulloflove。So——Ixtlineverdohurt，neverdowrong；dieforwhitebrother——so！\"
Morethroughgesticulationthanbyspeech，theyoungIndianbravemadehissentimentsclearlyunderstood，andiftheycouldhaveplacedfulldependenceinthatpledge，thebrotherswouldhavefeltvastlyrelievedinmind。
Buttheyonlytooclearlyrecallednumerousinstancesofcunningill-faith，and，indespiteofall，theycouldnotwellavoidthinkingthatthiswasreallysomethinglikeawhiteelephantthrownupontheirhands。
\"Allright。Playweswallowitall，butkeepyourbesteyepeeled，oldman，\"guardedlywhisperedWaldo。\"Fetchhimalong，yesorno，foritmaybegrowingworsethandangerousrighthere，aftersomuchshooting。\"
\"Youmeanforusto——\"
\"Takethefellowalong，andkeephimwithus，untilunclePhaetoncomesbacktofinallydecideuponhiscase，\"promptlyexplainedWaldo。\"Ofcourseweoughtto’velethimdie；ought，butdidn’t！
Wecouldn’tthen，wouldn’tnow，ifitwasalltodoover。Sowatchhimsocloselythathecan’tplaytricksevenifhewishes。\"
Therewasnothingbettertopropose，andthoughthejobpromisedtobeanawkwardonetomanage，Ixtlihimselfrendereditmoreeasy。
Pastalldoubthecouldunderstand，aswellasspeak，theEnglishlanguage，forhetookastepinevidentsubmission，speakinggently：
\"Ixtliready；heart-brothersaywherego，now。\"
Againthebrothersfeltstartledbythatquaintlycorrectaccent，andalmostinvoluntarilyBrunospokeinturn：
\"YoucantalkEnglish？Whendidyoulearn？Andfromwhom？\"
AstillbrightersmileirradiatedtheAztec’sface，andturninghiseyestowardsthesecludedvalley，hebowedhisheadasthoughindeepreverence，thensoftly，lovingly，almostadoringly，responded：
\"SHEtellmehow。Victo，——Glady，too。Ixtliknowlittle，notmuch；hisheartfeelbigforSunChildren，alltime。SoYOU，too，forkillbear，——likedat！\"
Brunoturnedabitpalerthanusual，catchinghisbreathsharply，asherepeatedthosenames：
\"Victo，——Glady，——Wasn’titbythosenames，Victoria，Gladys，thatMr。Edgecombecalledhislostones，Waldo？\"
\"Ican’tremember；butgetamoveon，oldman。Thesoonerwe’rebackwhereunclePhaetonleftus，wherewecanseeabitmoreofwhatmaybecoming，thesafermypreciousscalpwillfeel。ThisInjun——\"
\"Noscalp，\"quicklyinterposedtheAztec，withadeprecatorygesturetomatchhiswords。\"YousaveIxtli。Ixtlisaynohurtwhitebrothers。Datso，——datsurefortruth！\"
Onlypartiallysatisfiedbythisearnestdisclaimerofevilintentions，WaldogrippedanarmandhurriedtheAztecalong，leavingthebearwhereithadfallen，intentsolelyuponreachingacomparativelysafeoutlookereworsecouldfollowupontheheelsoftheirlatestadventure。
AndBrunobroughtuptherearasguard，eyesandrifleready。
CHAPTERXIX。
THECHILDRENOFTHESUNGOD。
Nodifficultywhateverwasexperiencedinreachingthatretreat，andmilderprisonerneverknewaguardthanIxtliprovedhimselftobe，silentlyyieldingtoeachimpulselenthisarmbyWaldo，smilingwhen，assometimeshappened，hewasbroughtmorenearlyfacetofacewiththatarmedrear-guard。
NorweretheGillespiebrothersworriedbysound，sign，ortokenofmoreserioustroublefromothersofthatstrangelysurvivingrace。Anditwasnotlongafterreachingtherendezvousfromwhichtheprofessorhadsailedintheearlydawn，thattheyoungstersagreedtheechoesoftheirWinchesterscouldnothavereachedtheearsoftheLostCityinhabitants。
\"That’splentygoodluckforonesoup-bunch，\"quothWaldo，yetaddingadubiousshakeoftheheadashegazedupontheirbronzedcompanion。\"Andifitwasn’tforthisgentlemaninmasqueradecostume——\"
\"Ixtlifriend。Ixtlifeellikeheart-brother，\"cameinlow，mellowaccentsfromthosesmilinglips。
Therecertainlywasnaughtofguileorofevilcrafttobereadineithereyesorvisage，justthen；butthebrotherscouldnotfeelentirelyatease，evenyet。Howmanytimeshadwarriorsofhiscolourplayedacunningpart，onlytoendallbyblowoftomahawk，thrustofknife，orboltfromthebendedbow？
AtabarelyperceptiblesignfromBruno，hisbrotherdrewapart，leavingtheir\"whiteelephant\"byhimself，yetnonethelessunderavigilantguard。
\"Heseemsallright，inhisway，\"mutteredtheelderGillespie，\"buthowfaroughtwetotrusthim，afterwhatwepromisedunclePhaeton？\"
\"Notquiteasfaraswecanseehim，anyway。Still，afellowcan’tfindthestomachtobowlhimoverlikeahare，——withoutaweentybitofexcuse，atleast。\"
\"That’sit！Ifhe’dtrytobolt，orwouldevenjumpononeofus，itwouldcomefarmoreeasy。Lookathimsmile，now！AndI
hatetothinkofclappingsuchabright-seemingladinbonds！\"
\"Timeenoughforallthatwhenheshowsuscause，\"quicklydecidedWaldo，withavigorousnodofhiscurlypow。\"Pityifacoupleofuscan’tkeephimoutofmischiefwithoutgoingthatfar。AndwewanttopumpthekiddrybeforeunclePhaetongetsback；understand？\"
Brunogaveaslightstartatthesewords，buthiseye-glowandface-flushborewitnessthattheideathussuggestedhadnotbeenunthoughtofinhisowncase。
\"Thenyoureallythink——\"
\"Thatthere’smorewaysthanoneofskinningacat，\"oracularlyobservedWaldo。\"Withoutshowingittoomightyplainly，oneortheotherofuscanalwaysbereadyandpreparedtodumptheladdy-buck，incasehetriestocomeanyofhisdidoes。And，atthesametime，wecanbehugginguptohimjustassweetlyasthoughweknewhewasonthedeadlevel。Understand？\"
Possiblytheprogrammemighthavebeenalittlemoreelegantlyexpressed，butWaldo，asarule，caredmoreforsubstancethanform，andhisspeechpossessedonemerit，thatofperspicuity。
Havingreachedthisfairunderstanding，thebrothersdroppedtheiraside，andmovednearertheyoungAztec。
Ixtligazedkeenlyintofirstoneface，thentheother，plainlyenoughendeavouringtoreadthetruthasmightbeexpressedtherein，asrelatedtohimself。Whathesawmusthaveprovedfairlysatisfactory，sincehegaveanotherbrightsmile，thenspokeinreallymusicaltones：
\"Good，——brother，now！Thatmoregood，too！\"
Inspiteofthesuspicions，whichseeminbornwherepeopleoftheredraceareconcerned，bothBrunoandWaldofeltmoreandmoredrawntowardsthisremarkablespecimenofastillmoreremarkabletribe；andnotmanymoreminuteshadspedbyeretheyoungercouplewerechattingtogetherinamicablefashion，althoughfindingsomelittledifficultyinIxtli’sratherlimitedvocabulary。
Notalittletohiselderbrother’simpatience，Waldoapparentlytookadeeperinterestintherecentadventurethaninthesubjectwhichclaimedhisownbusiestthoughts，buthehardlycaredtocrowdtheyoungster，lesthemakemattersevenworse。
Aidedbythesortoffreemasonrywhichnaturallyexistsbetweenladsofanadventurousnature，WaldoreadilysucceededinpickingupconsiderableinformationfromtheAztec，evenbeforebroachingthatall-importantmatter。
IxtliwastheonlysonofafamedwarriorandchieftainoftheAztecanclans，bynameAztotl，ortheRedHeron。He，incommonwithsomanyofhispeople，hadwitnessedtheapproachandabruptdepartureofthestrangebirdintheair，andhadhastenedforthinquestofthemonster。
Hefailedtoseeaughtmoreofthestrangecreature，but，dislikingtoreturnhomewithoutsomethingtoshowforthetrip，remainedoutovernight，thenchancedtofairlystumbleintothewayofamightygrizzly。
Therewereafewmomentsduringwhichhemightpossiblyhaveescapedthroughheadlongflight，buthewastooproudforthat，andbutforthetimelyarrivalandpromptactiononthepartofhiswhitebrotherswouldalmostcertainlyhavepaidthepenaltywithhislife。
Thenfollowedmorethanksandbrokenexpressionsofgratitude，allofwhichWaldomagnanimouslywavedasideaswhollyunnecessary。
\"Don’tworkupasweatforalittlethinglikethat，oldman。OfcoursewesawyouwereanInjunand——ahem！Imean，howintimedidyouhappentocatchholdofourlingosomightypat，laddy-buck？\"
\"Mybrothermeanstoaskwhotaughtyoutospeakaswedo，Ixtli？\"amendedBruno，catchingatthewished-foropportunitynowitoffered。
\"Andwhowasthatnicelittlegalwiththeyellowhair？Isshe——whatdidyoucallher？Gladys——AndtherestofitEdgecombe？\"
Waldowaseagerenoughnowthattheicewasfairlybroken，buthisveryvolubilityservedtocomplicatemattersratherthantohastenthedesiredinformation。
IxtliapparentlythoughtinEnglishprettymuchashespokeit，——slowly，andwithcare。Whenhurried，hisbrainandtonguenaturallyfellbackuponhisnativelanguage。
Soundsissuedthroughhislips，but，despitealltheiranimation，theseprovedtobebutemptysoundstotheeagerbrothers。And，diviningthetruth，Brunocheckedhisbrother，himselfactingasquestioner，prettysoonstrikingtherightchord，afterwhichIxtlifaredverywell。
Still，thankstohisdifficultyinfindingtherightwordswithwhichtoexpresshisfullmeaning，ittookbothtimeandpatienceforevenBrunotolearnallhedesired；andevenifsuchacoursewouldbedesirable，lackofspaceforbidsgivingaliteralrecordofquestionsandanswers，sincethegeneralresultofthatcross-examinationmaybeputsomuchmorecompactlybeforethegenerousreader。
ThefirstpointmadeclearwasthattheyoungAztecowedhisimperfectknowledgeoftheEnglishlanguagetocertainChildrenoftheSun，whomhenamedasifchristenedVictoandGlady。Withthisasstarting-point，therestformedamerequestionoftimeandperseverance。
Growinginanimationasheproceeded，Ixtlitoldofthecomingtotheircityofthosegloriouschildren；ridinguponthewingsofanawfulstorm，yetissuingunharmed，unawed，brightofface，asthemightyorbthesonsofAnahuacworshipped。
Hetoldhowanenviousfewheldtothecontrary：thatthesefair-skinshadcomeasevilemissariesfromthestillmoreevilMictlanteuctli，mightyLordofDeath-land，whohadladenthemwithpestilenceandbrain-sorrowandeye-darkness，withorderstodevastatethis，thelastfaircityoftheancientrace。
Withlow，sternlysuppressedtones，theyoungwarriorwentontotellofwhatfollowed：ofthewickedattemptmadebythosemalcontentstopunishthebearersofdeathandmisery；then，hisvoicerisingandgrowingmoreclear，hetoldhow，fromaclearing-sky，therecameasingleshaftflungbythemightyhandofthegreatgod，Quetzalcoatl，beforewhichtheimpiousdogwentdownineverlastingdeath。
\"Struckbylightning，eh？\"interpretedWaldo，whoseemedbornwithouttheinfluenceofpoetry。\"Servedhimmightyright，too！\"
Bowingsubmissively，althoughitcouldbeseenhescarcelycomprehendedjustwhatthosebluntwordsweremeanttoconvey，Ixtlispokeon，seeminglywithperfectwillingness，solongastheadored\"SunChildren\"formedthesubject-matter。
Fromhislabouredstatement，Brunogatheredthatthesuddendeathofonewhohaddaredtoliftanarmedhandagainstthewomansomysteriouslyplacedthereintheirverymidstawedalloppositiontothegeneralbeliefinthedivineoriginofmotherandchild；
anderelongVictowasinstalledasasortofhighpriestessofthetemplemoreespeciallydevotedtotheSunGod。
Thatwaslongago，andwhenIxtliwasbutachild。Ashegrewolder，andhisfather，RedHeron，wasappointedaschiefofguardstotheSunChildren，Victotookmorenoticeofthelad，andendedinteachinghimboththeEnglishtongueanditsChristiancreed，sofaraslayinhispowertocomprehend。
ThencamelesspleasinginformationconcerningtheChildrenoftheSun，whichwentfartoprovethatthedeathofoneevil-mindeddoghadnotentirelypurgedtheLostCity，anditwaswithharshertonesandfrowningbrowsthatIxtlispokeoftheheadpriest，orpaba，Tlacopatheevil-minded，whohadbuiltupapowerfulanddangeroussentimentagainstbothVictoandGlady，evengoingsofarastodeclarebeforetheholystoneofsacrificethattheMotherofGodsdemandedthesefalselytitledChildrenoftheSun。
\"Thefair-facedGodmustcomesoon，ortoolate！\"sighedtheAztec，bowinghisheadinjoinedpalmsthebettertoconcealhisevidentgrief。\"Hehaspromisedtocome，buthurry！Theydie——theydie！\"
Thiswashardlyanacceptablestopping-point，butquestioningwasoflittleavailjustthen。Satisfiedofsomuch，thebrothersdrewapartashortdistance，yetkeepingwheretheycouldguardtheirmoreorlessdangerouscharge，conversinginlowtonesovertheinformationsofargleanedfromtheAztec’stalk。
\"Well，we’llholdatightgriponhim，anyway，untilunclePhaetongetsback，\"finallydecidedWaldo，speakingforhisbrotheraswell。
CHAPTERXX。
THEPROFESSORANDTHEAZTEC。
Fortunatelyforallconcerned，thereprovedtobenoseriousdifficultyattachedtothatsameholding。Sofarasoutwardsemblancewent，Ixtliwasverywellcontentwithbothpresentquartersandpresentcompanionship。
Helikewiseenjoyedthesupperthat，aidedbyasmallfirekindledinadepressionsolowthatthelightcouldbynomeansattractanyunfriendlyeye，Brunopreparedforthemall。Andjustpriortotakinghisfirsttaste，theyoungwarriorbowedhisheadtomurmurafewsentenceswhich，pastalldoubt，hadfirstcometohismindthroughthewonderfulVicto：asimplelittleblessing，whichcertainlydidnotaddtothedislikeoruneasinesswithwhichthebrothersregardedtheirguest。
\"He’swhite，evenifheisred！\"confidentiallydeclaredWaldo，athisfirstopportunity。\"Moredangerofourspoilinghimthanhisdoingusdirt；andthat’sanhonestfactforaquarter，oldman！\"
Brunofeltprettymuchthesame，yethisaddedyearsgavehimgreaterdiscretion，and，inspiteofthatgrowingliking，hekeptafairlykeenwatchandwardovertheAztec。
Aftersuppertherecamefurtherquestioningandanswers，Waldoasaruleplayinginquisitor，eagertolearnmoreanentthestrangeexistencewhichthesepeoplemustlive，socompletelyhemmedinfromalltherestoftheworldastheysurelywereinyondervalley。
Withoutatallbetrayingtheexile，Gillespiespokeofthelakeanditsmightywhirlpool，thenlearnedthattheIndiansreallymadesemi-annualtripsthitherforthepurposeoflayinginasupplyofdriedfishforthewinter’sconsumption。
Asthenightwaned，preparationsweremadeforsleeping，althoughitwasagreedbetweenthebrothersthatoneortheothershouldstandguardinregularorder。
\"NotthatIreallybelievethefellowwouldplayusdirt，evenwitheverychancelaidopen，\"Waldoadmitted。\"Still，it’swhatunclePhaetonwouldadvise，andwecan’twelldolessthanfollowhiswill，Bruno。\"
\"Sincewebrokeitsocompletelybytacklingthegrizzly，\"withabrieflaugh。
\"That’sallright，too。Ofcoursewe’doughtto’veskulkedawaylikeacoupleofegg-suckingcurs，butwedidn’t，andI’mmightilygladofit，too。ForIxtli——whatanamethatistogotobedwitheverynight，though！——forIxtliisjustaboutaswhiteastheymake’em，nowadays；youhearmeblowmybazoo？\"
Andsothelongnightworeitslengthalong，thebrotherstakingturnsatkeepingwatchandward，buttheAztecslumberingpeacefullythroughall，lookingtheleastdangerousofallpossiblecaptives。AndafterthislighteventhecautiousBrunobegantoregardhimerethefirststrokeofcomingdawncouldbeseenabovetheeasternhills。
Notbeingpositivejustwheretheair-shipwouldputinanappearance，sinceProfessorFeatherwithad，perforce，leftthatquestionopen，tobedecidedbycircumstancesoverwhichhemighthavenocontrol，eachguardinturndevotedconsiderableattentiontotheupperregions，hopingtoglimpsetheaerostat，andholdingmatchesinreadinesstoraiseaflarebywayofalightingsignal。ButitwasnotuntiltheearlydawnthatBrunocaughtsightoftheair-ship，justskimmingthetree-tops，thebettertoescapeobservationbyanyIndianlookout。
Afterthattherestcameeasilyenough。Acoupleofblazingmatchesheldaloftprovedsufficientcuetotheprofessor，andsoonthereaftertheflying-machinewassafelybroughttoland，sogentlythattheslumbersoftheyoungAztecwereundisturbed。
Brunogaveahastywordofwarningandexplanationcombined，evenbeforeheextendedawelcominghandtowardsMr。Edgecombe，whocertainlyappearedallthebetterforhisencounterwithpeopleofhisownrace。
ProfessorFeatherwittookakeen，eagerlookattheslumberingredskin，thendrewsilentlyback，towhisperinBruno’sear：
\"Guardwellyourtongue，lad。Ihavetoldhimnothing，asyet，andwemustconsulttogetherbeforebreakingthenews。Fornowwehavehadnorest，soIbelievewewouldbetterliedownforanhourortwo。\"
Mr。Edgecombeappearedtobeperfectlywillingtodothis，andsoontheweariedmenwerewrappedinblanketsandsleepingpeacefully。
Longbeforetheirlidsunclosed，Brunohadanappetisingmealinreadiness，althoughtheothershadbrokenfastlongbefore，andIxtli，hishandstightlyclaspedbehindhisback，asachildiswonttoresisttemptation，wasinspectingtheair-shipinawedsilence。