\"Hecamewithonewhom——oneofadifferentracefromourown，Aztotl！Atraitorinthyownfamily，yetthoudaresthintat——\"
Aztotlliftedabentfingertohislips，soundingashrill，far-penetratingwhistle。Theresponsewaspromptindeed，anarmedforceadvancingwithweaponsheldready，awaitingonlywordfromcommandertopunishthatrashintruderbyhurlinghimtodeathovertheterraces。
Althoughnearlybesidehimselfwithfury，Huatzinglareddefianceatbothguardanditscommander，thenturnedmoredirectlyupontheSunChildren，speakinginsavagetones：
\"Untoyou，proudVicto，I’lleitherwinyouasmy——\"
\"Goon，LordHua，\"coldlyspokethewoman，ashisvoicechoked。
\"I’llwinandwearyouasmysquaw，orelsegiveyoutothestoneofsacrifice！\"hesnarled，thenturnedawayasAztotlmotionedhisguardstoclearthetempleofallintruders，thenseethatnoneotherdaredenter。
CHAPTERXXV。
WALDOGOESFISHING。
Itwaswithstrongerforebodingsthanhedaredacknowledgeeventohimself，thatProfessorFeatherwitwatchedthetwoyoungmenoutofsightintheearlygloom，andscarcelyhadhisnephewpassedbeyondhearingthanunclePhaetonwouldgladlyhaverecalledBruno。
Waldomadelightofallfears，prophesyingcompletesuccess，andevengoingsofarastopredictBruno’sreturnaccompaniedbytheChildrenoftheSun；enthusiasticwordswhichsettheexiletotremblingwithexcessofjoyandanticipation。
What，then，wastheblankdismayofallwhen，floatingthroughthenight，camethehollowthrobbingofyondermightywar-drum，fetchingeachpersontohisfeetandholdinghimspellboundforthefirstfewseconds。
CooperEdgecombeturnedsickatheart，evenwhileignorantastothemethodofsendingforththatalarm，hishollowgroanbeingthefirstsoundtofollowthesimultaneousexclamationwhichburstfromthreepairsoflipsasthesurprisecame。AndbutabreathlaterWaldobrokeforthwiththeexcitedquery：
\"Whatisit？What’sbrokenloosenow？Surely——thunder？\"
OnlyProfessorPhaetonatoncerecognisedthesound，throughdescription，andeachoneofthoseswiftlysucceedingstrokesseemedfallinguponhisheart，biddinghimmournforhisbelovednephew，uponwhomhisagedeyeshadsurelylookedtheirlastinthislife！
Yetitwastheprofessorwhotookpromptaction，speakingsharplyashedartedacrosstowheretheair-shiprested：
\"Come；getaboard，andletusdowhatliesinourpower。Itwascriminaltosendthepoorladintothejawsofdeath，butnow——hasten，theremaybeachance，evenyet！\"
Thecallwasstillhotuponhislipswhenhistwocompanionsenteredtheaerostat，grippingtightthehand-railasProfessorFeatherwitsentthevesselafloatwithrecklesshaste。Asbyamiracletheyescapeddisasterthroughrushingintoabushytreetop，andthatfactservedtosteadytheaeronaut’snerves。
\"Onguard，unclePhaeton！\"criedWaldo，makingaluckysnatchathiscap，whichoneofthestiffboughsbrushedoffhishead。
\"Ay，ay，lad，\"respondedthemanattheguiding-gear，astheair-shipshotonwardandupward，nowheading，asdirectlyaswaspracticable，fortheLostCityoftheAztecs。\"ThatwastheverylessonIneeded。Iamsteadyofnerve，now，andwillshownolack，——heavengrantthatwemaynotbeforevertoolate，though！\"
\"Whatdoyoureckoncouldhavekickedupsuchabobbery，uncle？
Andwhat——ugh！\"asthewardrum’sthrobbingsagainswelledforthingrimalarm。\"Whatintimeisthat，anyway？\"
Asbrieflyasmightbe，theprofessorexplained，andalmostforthefirsttimeWaldofeltathrillofdread。
\"Ifthey’vegotBruno，whatwilltheydowithhim？\"
ThatverydreadwasworryingunclePhaeton，andalreadythroughhisbusybrainwereflashinghorridpicturesofpunishmentandsacrifice，ofhideousscenesoftorture，whereintheeldestsonofhisdeadsisterplayedaprominentrole，perforce。
Hedarednottrusthistonguetomakeanswer，justthen，andsenttheaeromotoronwardattopspeed，leaningfarforwardtowintheearliestglimpseof——what？
HecaughtsightofblazingbeaconsfairlyencirclingtheLostCity，formingacordonthroughwhichnostrangercouldhopetopassunseen。Hebeheldhundredsofarmedshapesrushingtoandfro，plainlylookingforsomeintruderorotherenemy，yetalmostascertainlyfailingasyettomakethelonged-fordiscovery。
NotuntilthatmomenthadunclePhaetondaredindulgeineventheshadowofahope。TheawfulalarmseemedproofconclusivethatpoorBrunohadbeentaken，throughthetreacheryofIxtli。
Naturallyenough，thatwashisfirstbelief，butnow，astheair-shipslackenedpacetocirclemoredeliberatelyabovethevalley，alleyesontheeagerwatchforeitherBrunoorsomethingtohintathisfate，ProfessorFeatherwitlostaportionofthatconviction。
IfBrunohadindeedfallenvictimtomisplacedconfidence，andhadbeencraftilyluredintothisdenofraveningwildbeasts，whyallthisconfusionandmadskurry？Whyhadnotthetraitorfirstmadesureofhisvictim？Whysuchageneralalarm？
Althoughsuchhasteingettingafloathadbeenmade，somelittletimehadbeenthusconsumed，and，beforetheaerostatwasfairlyabovetheLostCity，BrunoandIxtlihaddroppedbystagesdowntheshadowedsideoftheTempleoftheSunGod，toburrowunderneaththegroundastheirsurestmethodofeludingpursuit。
Onlyforthat，theendmighthavebeendifferent，for，oncesighted，Gillespiewouldhavebeenrescuedbyhisfriends，orthosefriendswouldsurelyhaveshareddeathwithhim。
Andsoitcametopassthat，circlethoughtheymight，callingearstosupplementtheireyes，swoopingperilouslylowdownintheirfierceeagernesstosighttheirimperilledone，neveraglimpseoftheyoungmancouldtheyobtain，norevenadefinitehintastowherenexttolookforhim。
\"SurelytheycannothavecapturedBruno，asyet？\"huskilymutteredunclePhaeton，hungrilystraininghiseyeswithoutreward。\"Ifthepoorboyhadactuallyfallenintosuchevilhands，whysuchcrazyconfusion？Why——oh，whydidIpermithiscoaxingstooverpowermybetterjudgment？WhydidIsendhiminto——\"
Thewordsstuckinhisthroatandrefusedtoissue。PhaetonFeatherwitjustthenfelthimselflittlelessthanacold-bloodedassassin。
Mr。Edgecombewasbutlittlelessdeeplystirred，althoughhisfeelingsweremoreofamixture。HegrievedforBruno，andwouldwillinglyriskhislifeinhopesofdoingtheyoungmanaservice，yethisgazewasdrawnfarmorefrequentlytowardsyondertemple，onthetopofwhichhehad——surelyheHADcaughtsightofhiswife，hisdaughter！
\"Letmedownandtrytofindhim，\"heeagerlybegged，asonemightpleadforagreatboon。\"Ipromisetosavehimifyetalive，and——letmetry，professor；Ibegofyou，givemethischancetoshowmyheartfeltgratitude。\"
ButProfessorFeatherwitshookhisheadinnegation。
\"Thatwouldonlyaddtoourtrouble，friend。Knowingnothingofthedialect，youwouldbewhollyataloss。And，lookingsoentirelydifferentineveryrespect，howcouldyouhopetopassinspection？\"
\"Allseemssoconfused，thatImight——surelyitisworthtrying。\"
\"Itwouldbesuicidal，sosaynomoreonthatscore，\"almostharshlyspoketheusuallymild-manneredaeronaut，sendinghisvesseluponanothercircuit，onlywithsternvigilancechokingbacktheappealingshouttohislostnephew。
ThistimetheaerostatwasbroughtdirectlyabovetheTempleoftheSun，wherethereappearedtobesomeunusualdisturbance，anumberofarmedguardsfairlydrivingagailyarrayedIndiandowntothelowerlevels，andthatgreatlyagainsthisinclinations，judgingfromtheharshcriesandringingthreatswhichburstfromhislips。
Recognisingthebuilding，andunabletoholdhisintenseemotionslongerundersterncontrol，CooperEdgecombecalledaloudthenamesofhiswifeanddaughter，beggingthattheymightcometohim；butthentheair-shipwassentonwardandupward，withadizzyingswoop，andProfessorFeatherwitgrippedanarm，sternlyspeaking：
\"Quiet，sir！AnotheroutbreaklikethatandI’lllockyourlips，ifIhavetosendabulletthroughyourmadbrain！\"
\"Iforgot。Icouldnotwaitlonger，knowingthatmylovedones——\"
\"Youforgotthatthelivesofalldependuponourremainingatliberty，\"coldlyinterruptedFeatherwit。\"Withoutthismeansofconveyance，howcanyourlovedonesescape？Now，yoursolemnpledgetomaintainuttersilence，orIwilltakeyoubacktoyonderwilderness，leavingyoutoshiftforyourselfasbestyoucan。Promise，sir！\"
\"Iwill，——Ido。Forgiveme，forIwascarriedawayby——’twasthereIsaw——aftersomanyhorribleyears！\"huskilymutteredtheexile，fairlycoweringthere，beforehissaviourfromthewhirlpool。
\"Enough；bearinmindthattherescueofyourlovedonesdependonourefforts。Ifdiscoveredbyyondersnarlingbeasts，andthemachineisinjured，——farewell，allhopes！Now，quiet，andlookforBruno！\"
Againtheair-shipcircledoverthevalley，inspiteofthemoonlightpassingwhollyunseenandunsuspectedbytheAztecs，whoseenergieswerebentonferretingoutmortalfoes，notdemonsoftheupperworld。
Waldoleanedfartheroverthehand-railastheyfloatedclosertoanexcitedgroupofwarriors，thecentralfigurebeingLordHuahimself，fiercelydenouncingAztotlandhisson，Ixtli，astraitorstothecommonwelfare，andcallinguponallhonestbravestometeforthbefittingpunishment。
ProfessorFeatherwitcaughtonenameindistinctly；thatoftheyoungAztecinwhosecompanyBrunohadsetforthonhisill-starredventure；andhopingtolearnmoreofimportance，hecausedtheaerostattohoverdirectlyabovethatparticulargroupofredskins。
Waldo，neverstoppingtocounttheriskhemightthusfetchuponthemall，silentlyloweredthegrapnel，bymeansofthedrag-rope，givingaboyishchuckleasthethree-prongedhookdescendedamidstthatgathering，thesightcausingmorethanonesuperstitiousbravetoleapaside，withcriesofamazedaffright。
Theair-shipgaveasuddenswoop，andthegrapnelcaughtHuatzinbyhisgirdle，jerkinghimfairlyoffhisfeet，andswinginghimintoair，prettymuchasayoungstermightlandawrithingfish。
Butnofisheversentforthsowildascreechofmingledrageandterrorassplittheairjustthen。
Althoughhardlyrealisingwhatwashappening，ProfessorFeatherwitsenttheaeromotorupwardwithamightyjerk。Theshockprovingtoomuchforthatsash，LordHuafellbacktoearth，literallybitingthedust，althoughhemetwithnobodilyharmbeyondsundrybruises。
\"Caughtasucker，and——I’llneverdoitagain，uncle！\"explodedWaldo，asheswiftlyhauledinhisnovelfish-line；buthehadtotakeaseverelecturefromtheprofessorbeforethesubjectwasfinallydropped。
And，worsethanallelse，theair-demonwasnowthetargetforbotheyesandarrows，and，perforce，sailedswiftlyawayintothenight。
CHAPTERXXVI。
DOWNAMONGTHEDEAD。
Ixtlispokewithadegreeofearnestnesswhichleftnoroomfordoubt，eveniftheyoungman’sownkeensenseofhearinghadnotgivenwarningbutaninstantlater。
Ominoussoundscamefromtheentrance，whichhadservedthembutsobriefatimegoneby，andBrunoknewthat，eveniftheyhadescapedbeingseenwhilethusattemptingtowinsuchagruesomerefuge，thepossibilityoftheirhavingelectedjustsuchalineofflighthadoccurredtosomeoftheredskins。
Gillespieheardtheheavydoorsopen，thenclangtoagain。HewasfairlyconfidentthatsomeoftheAztecshadentered，althoughasyettheutterdarknesshinderedfurtherrecognition。
\"Whatnext，Ixtli？\"hewhispered，lipsalmosttouchingthefaceofhisyoungguide，astheystoodclosetogetherinthemirk。
\"Theycan’ttakemealive！Isitfight，or——\"
\"Nofightyet，\"gentlybreathedtheAztecinturn。\"Deylook，datnotmakesurefind。Deytrysee；wetrynotseealltime。
Deycome，wego，——likedis！\"
Catchingahandwithinhisownclasp，IxtliledBrunoawayinthatutterdarkness，seeminglywellacquaintedwiththelayoftheground，althoughitquicklybecameevidentthattheremustbemorethanonedirectpassage。Brunofeltconvincedthattherewereotherchambersturningatrightanglestotheirpresentcourse，thoughitmighthavebotheredtheyoungmantogiveentirelysatisfactoryreasonsforsuchbelief。
Ixtlididnotfleefastnorfar，inthatfirstspurt，pausingshortlytoturnfacetowardstherear，alow，musicalchucklecomingthroughhislips。
\"Deycomelook，gotnoeyesforseeindark，\"heexplained，barelyloudenoughforBrunotocatchhismeaning。\"Weplayfooldemall；datbefun；heapfunalltimeover！\"
Ixtliwasscarcelyaspreciseofspeechwhileundertheinfluenceofexcitementaswhenhehadampletimeinwhichtopickandchoosehiswords；buttherewaslittleroomformistakinghismeaning，which，afterall，isfairlysufficient。
Butthistimetheyoungbravewasinerror，foronlyafewmomentslaterbothfugitivescaughtsightofadimlightinhurriedmotionfartowardstheentrancetotheseundergroundcrypts。Thatwarnedthemofaddedperil，andIxtli’schucklediedabruptlyaway。
\"They’llfetchusnow，\"grimlymutteredBruno，shakinghisfairlyathleticshouldersandfingeringtheknifeathisbeltasthoughmakingpreparationsforaninevitablestruggle。\"Allright。
Theymaykill，butI’llfurnishsomeredpaintformytombstone，anyway！\"
ItmaybedoubtedwhetherIxtlifullyappreciatedthisconclusion，yethedivinedsomethingofwhatwasspoken，andmadeswiftresponse：
\"Nokillyet。Deylook，wehide。Mebbenotfind。Mebbeplayfoolallover——yes！\"
\"Wherecanwehidethatlightswon’tferretusout，though？Ifafellowmightonlyhavethesameadvantage；hereinthisdarknessI’mnotworthasickkitten！\"
Justabitdisgustedlycamethewords，butBrunowasnotgivingoverinweakdespair。Nomatterhowvasttheoddsmightshowagainsthim，hewouldputupagallantfightaslongashecouldlifthishandorstrikeablow。
Still，hewasbynomeansanxiousforthecrisistoarrive。Hewouldfarratherrunthanfight，underexistingcircumstances；
butwhither，andhow？
Ixtlitookituponhimselftosolvetheperplexingenigma，inawhisperbiddinghiswhitebrotherfollowwithaslittlesoundasmightbe，oncemorehurryingawaythroughthegloomyblackness，whichwasbynomeansrenderedmoreagreeabletoBrunobythatfleetingglimpseofthedeadmen’sbones。
Therewaslittleroomleftfordoubtingthetruth。Theirpresenceinthedeath-cellssurelywasmorethansuspected，judgingfromtheactionsofyonderredskins，whoflashedthelightoverandintoeachangleandcorner，eachnicheandjog，whereahumanbeingmightpossiblyseekconcealment。
Theywerenotsomanyinnumber，butstillalargerforcethancouldwellbemetwithsuccessbytwoyouths，evengrantingthatIxtliwouldturnlethalweaponsagainsthisownpeople，whichBrunofeltwasbynomeansasettledfact。
Forsomelittletimetheyoungmenkeptwithoutthatlimitedcircleoflight，watchingeachmovementmadebythesearchers，andatthesametimetakingcarethatnoneofthelittlepartystoleadangerousmarchuponthembyhasteninginadvanceofthelights。
Ixtliapparentlyenjoyedtheaffair，muchasachildmightasuccessfulgameofI-spy，forheemittedoccasionalchuckles，andletfallsoftwhisperswhich，ifcaughtbyotherears，certainlywouldnothavedeeplybenefitedthefugitiveswhencaptured。
Thankstothatslowprogress，renderedthusbythecareandminutenessofthesearch，Brunobegantomarvelattheextentofthecatacombs，andalmostinvoluntarilycalculatehowmanycenturiesitmusthavetakentoaccumulatesuchenormousquantitiesofremains。For，thankstoyonderpryinglight，hecouldseehowhighthosegrimrelicsofperishingmortalitywerepiledupintiers，withhereandthereuprightskeletonsinpositionofgreaterprominence。
PerhapsGillespiemighthavebeenbetterabletoappreciateIxtli’samusementhadheevenaninklingastohowthisgameofhide-and-go-seekwasfatedtoend。Thatanendmustcome，eventually，wasaforegoneconclusion。Andthen？
HeventuredtoaskIxtlihowtheyweretoescapedetectionwhentheycouldretreatnofarther，butbeforeananswercouldbefairlyshaped，thatendseemedactuallyuponthem。
Withoutsoundorwarningofanysort，anotherbrightlightshowedataconsiderabledistanceintheoppositedirection，and，asBrunostaredthatway，hemadeoutseveralarmedwarriorswhoappearedtobeengagedinthatsameoccupation：searchingthatcityofthedeadfortheliving！
Thuscaughtbetweentwofires，thereseemedonlyonecoursetopursue，and，withthecourageofhisfathers，Brunospokeinlow，grimtonestohisyoungguide：
\"Nouseforyoutojoininthemix，Ixtli。I’lldothebestI
knowhow，butifIcan’tmaketheriffle，ifIgodownforgoodandall，Iaskyoutoconveythenewstomyfriends。Youwill？\"
ButIxtliwasnotattheendofhisresources，andgrippingawrist，heurgedBrunotowardsyondersecondlight，speakinghastilyastheymovedalongtowardstheedgeofthatwidepassage。Nofight，yet。Besthide；mebbenofind；datbesttryfirst。DenIxtlifightlikewhitebrother，——fast！\"
Therewastimeforscantspeech，forjustthenthetwopartiesseemed，forthefirsttime，tocatchsightofeachother，andwhilethebravebearingtherudelanternstillmaintainedhisslowmovements，searchingwellashecame，theotherIndianscameinadvance，givingthefugitivesbarelytimeinwhichtocrouchdownundertemporarycover。
Themomenttheseenemieshadpassedthemby，IxtliurgedBrunoon，then，inswiftwhispers，instructedhimhowtoperfecthishiding，evenaidingtheyoungpalefaceintooneoftheuprightcrypts，backofagrimskeleton，themoulderingblanketsassistingincoveringtheoneoffleshandblood。
Afterlikefashion，theAztecsoughtcoverontheoppositesideofthepassage。Nonetooquickly，either；fornowthesinglesearcherdrewdangerouslynigh，peeringintoeverypracticablehiding-placeoneitherside，beforemovingonward。
Littlebylittlehedrewcloser，whiletheotherbandofsearchersapparentlyturnedoffintoasidepassage，orlargechamber，sincenothingcouldbeseenorheardofthembythefugitives。
Inallprobability，Ixtli’sboldrusewouldhaveprovedacompletesuccess，fortheAztecwarriorshowednosuspicionashedrewnearer；butitwasnottobethus。
Fairlyholdinghisbreath，lesthedisturbsomeofthedrybonesimmediatelyinfrontofhimself，Brunowaitedandhoped，onlytofeelhisbloodchill，andhisheartfailhim，asasickeninghorrorcreptoverhisbrain；norwasthattheonlycreepingthing，——worseluck！
Pastallroomfordoubting，hisentranceintothatcrypthaddisturbedthereposeofasnakeofsomedescription；fornowhecouldfeeltheloathsomereptilecrawlingslowlyuphisback，turningtheskinbeneathtoscorchingiceinitshorridpassage。
Onehorriblenightmareminutethatlasted，thentheserpentpauseduponhisshoulderandbiceps，touchinghischeekwithnose，thendrawingbackitsuglyheadtogiveanominoushiss。
Humanfleshandbloodcouldendurenomore，andBrunoflungthesnakeviolentlyoff，strikingforciblyagainstthatmassofdrybonesashedidso。Witharattlingclatter，theskeletonlostitsfrailcoherenceandtumbledoutward，leavingBrunofairlyexposedwithintheniche。
WithacrytheAztecwarriorturnedinthatdirection，buterehecouldfetchhislighttobearupontherightspot，Ixtlisprungforthtotherescue，hootinglikeafrightenedowl，ashedashedthelighttoearth，and，atthesametime，deftlytrippingtheIndianheadlong。
Swiftasthoughtitselfhefolloweduptheadvantagethuswon，smitingthefallenbraveheavilyuponthecrownwithaclubbedthighbone，deprivinghimofsensibilityforthetimebeingatleast。Andthensnatchingupthestillburninglight，hecalled，inguardedtones，tohiswhitefriend：
\"Come，brother，playhunt，now！Fast——notstophere；datbadforyouseebydemsosoon。Datgoodyougo——likedisway！\"
ScarcelyrealisingjustwhatfreshrusetheAztechadinmind，butfarfromrecoveredfromthathorriblefearofdeathfrompoisonousfangs，Gillespiesubmitted，Ixtlihurryinghimaway，turningoffintowhatappearedtobeasidepassage，lessspaciousthanthattowhichtheyhaduntilthenconfinedtheirretreat。
TheyoungAztechastilyexplainedhispresentscheme，whichwastoplaytheroleofsearchersaswell；andscarcelyhadhemadethatprojectknown，thananotherdifficulttestwasofferedtheircourage。
CHAPTERXXVII。
PENETRATINGGRIMSECRETS。
Brunocaughtanimperfectviewofmovingfiguresatnogreatdistanceahead，buterehecouldfairlydecidejustwhattheymightbe，hisred-skinnedguideswiftlywhispered：
\"Morecomelook。Youdon’tsay。Ixtlifool’em——easy！\"
Makingnottheslightestattempttoavoidtheissue，theyoungAztecsteppedalittleinadvanceofGillespie，thuscastinghimintopartialeclipse，speakingbriskly，ashemetthetwoIndians，onlyoneofwhomborealight：
\"Itistroublefornothing，brothers。Thereisnosignhere。Ifhesawaught，’twasinadream，Ithink。Andnow——hark！\"
EventhereinthesubterraneanrecessessomethingofthewildlyexciteduproarwhichfollowedWaldo’srashattempttogoa-fishingafterhisfellowmen，andthesightingofthatawfulair-demonbytheIndians，couldbeheard，and，withoutdiviningitsactualimport，Ixtliadroitlyturnedittohisownadvantage。
\"Theyhavefoundthestrangedogwithout！\"hecried，sharply。
\"Come，mybrothers，elsewewillbetoolatefor——hasten，all！\"
Butonlyone-halfofthepresentgroupobeyed，thetwoIndiansdashingatfullspeedtowardsthemainentrancetothecityofthedead，leavingBrunobehind，whollyunsuspected，andIxtlichucklinggleefullyoverthefavourablechangeinthesituation。
\"Deygo——wecome。Disway，brother，\"theAztecspoke，movingintheoppositedirection，followedwillinglyenoughbythenowprettywellbewilderedpaleface。
\"Whitherarewegoing？\"Brunofeltimpelledtoask，afterafewmomentsmoreofblindobedience。\"Howarewegoingtogetout？
Andmyfriends，——theymusthavebeenalarmedbythatgreatdrum！\"
Ixtlimaderesponsebytouchratherthaninwords，and，givinghiscompanionbarelytimesufficienttoreadarightthatlookofwarning，heextinguishedthelight，leavingthemselvesincompletedarkness。
Naturallyanticipatingfreshdanger，Brunostrainedhisearstocatchatleastaninklingofitsprecisenatureerethetroublecouldfairlyclosein；butonlysilencesurroundedthem，——silence，andanalmostpalpablegloom。
\"Notcat，\"assuredIxtli，inasoft-tonedwhisper，ashedivinedtheexpectationsentertainedbyhiscomradeinperil。\"Nobodycome，now。Allgoneseewhatnoise’bout，yonder。You，me，allright。Bestmeknobigtalk，dough。Come——see！\"
ApparentlytheyoungAztecfounditnoeasymattertoelectwordswhichshouldfairlyconveyhisdesiredmeaning，and，abruptlygivingovertheeffort，hemovedon，onehandlightlycloseduponBruno’swristtoguardagainstpossibleseparationinthatutterdarkness。
NothingfurtherwassaiduntilIxtliagaincametoahalt，Gillespiegivingalowexclamationashefeltwhatappearedtobeablankwallbeforethem。Wasthisnothoroughfare？Weretheyblockedin，toperishofstarvation，unlessearlierdiscoveredbythered-skinnedsearchers？
Farfromagreeablethoughts，yetsuchswiftlyflashedacrosstheyoungman’sbrain，lendinganechoofharshnesstohisvoiceashespoke。
\"Wherearewenow，Ixtli？Howarewegoingtogetoutofthis？
Ifyouhaveledmeintoatrap——\"
Finger-tipslightlybrushedhislips，thentheAztecexplainedaswellhewasable，thankstohislimitedvocabulary。
Escapefromthecatacombbythesameroutetheyhadtakeninseekingrefugetherewasentirelyoutofthequestion。Eventhoughtheredskinsmighthaveabandonedthesearchinthatprecisequarterforthetimebeing，thankstothesuddenalarmwhichhadbrokenforthinthevalley，almostcertainlytherewouldbeanarmedguardsostationedastointerceptanyorallpersonswhomightsoattempttoemerge。
ThismuchBrunogathered，thentookhisturnattheverbaloars。
\"Butwecan’tstayhere，man，dear。Nothingtoeatortodrink，andmyfriendsworryingoverus，outside。We’vegottogetout；
Ihave，atanyrate。Theonlyquestionis，justhow，andwhere？\"
\"Dereonewaygo，\"Ixtlimadereply，evenhisloweredtonesbetrayingmorethanordinaryimpressiveness，Brunofancied。
\"Mebbeeasy，mebbehard。Finddat，whentry。Wegodisway。
Bestbestill，dough！\"
Brunowasreadyenoughtopromiseallthat，justsoactionwasbeingtaken，hisuneasinessbeingbyfartoodeepforrestorrepose。Moreonaccountofhisuncleandhisbrother，though，thanforhisownsafety。Hehadnotyetlosthopeofextricationfromtheperilswhichsurelysurroundedthem，notquiteabandonedhopeofrescuingtheChildrenoftheSunaswell。
Turningabruptlytotheleft，Ixtliledthewayintowhatappeared（throughthesensesoftouchandhearing）tobeanarrow，windingtunnel，whichpresentlytookanupwardincline，thenbroadenedintoachamberofgreaterorlesserdimensions；
thefaintechoestoldGillespietherewasanenlargementofsomedescription，buttheutterdarknessveiledallelse。
Barelyhadthetwoadventurousyouthscometoapause，thandull，uncertainsoundscamefromalmostdirectlyabovetheirheads；
and，afterlisteningforabriefspace，Ixtlidisappointedlybreathedafearthattheywouldhavetowaitforthetimebeing。
\"Why？What’sgoingonupyonder？Andwherearewe，anyway？\"
Beneaththegreatteocalli，Ixtlimadeanswerinhisdisjointedwayofspeaking。Theretheevil-mindedpaba，Tlacopa，reignedsupreme。Andthere，almostdirectlyabovetheirheads，stoodthesacrificialstone，uponwhoseflatsurfacetheSunChildrenwouldbedoomedtosufferthelastpenalty，providedTlacopawonhiswickedwill。
Brunothrilledtohiscentrewithfierceindignationashe，littlebylittle，gatheredthisinformation。Perishbysuchhideousmethods？Giveupherfairyounglife——
For，ratherqueerly，consideringthatIxtlispokeofbothVictoandGlady，henowhadthoughtof——couldseebutthatonelovelyfaceandshrinkingfigure，——faceandformofthedaughteralone。
Discoverymighthavecomealltoosoon，butforIxtli’sslippingapalmoverthoseindignantlipsandthussmotheringtheoutbreakwhichtheyoungmancouldnotavoid；then，recalledtoordinaryprudence，Brunotalkedandlistenedbyturns。
Ixtlicontrivedtomakehiswhitebrotherunderstandjusthowtheyweresituatedatthetime：inasecretchannelofcommunicationwiththegreatwartemple，throughwhichsanctuaryhehadhopedtoleadhisfriend，thencetoescapefromthevalleyitself，ifafavourablechanceshouldoffer。Nowtheirwaywasbarred，andtheycouldonlywait。Unless——wouldBrunokeepcloseguardoverhistongue？
Yes。Anything，ratherthanremainwhollyidle，likethis。
Addingafewminorcautions，IxtlitookGillespiebyawrist，andstolenoiselesslyforward，climbingupward，overandintoacontrivancewhichBrunovainlysoughttorecognisebythesenseoftouch，butgivingathrillofamazementwhenhisguidepausedlongenoughtowhisperinhisnearestear：
\"Diswar-godbody。Standupinteocalli，lookonkill-stone。
Wait；yousee，hear，alldat，now！\"
Thankstothecloseassociationofthatnight，withallitsattendantperils，Brunowasgrowingfairlyskilfulininterpretingthebrokensentencesofhiscopper-huedchum，andhenowknewtheyweremovingaboutwithinthehollowimageoftheAztecanwar-god，Huitzilopochtli，while——
Hecaughtsightofseveralsmallapertures，throughwhichyellowlightcamedimly，and，almostwithoutthinking，appliedhiseyestotheonemostconvenient，peeringforthuponthebroadsacrificialstone，withitsfoul，blood-stainedsurface，thelittlechannelsintendedtodrainoffthesuperfluoushemorrhage，togetherwiththegloomy，repulsivesurroundings。And，too，amostabominablestenchappearedtorisefromthealtarofdeath，andBrunoshrunkbackwithashiverofdisgust。
\"Notalkloud！\"softlybreathedIxtli，grippinganarmwithforce。\"Deykill，iffindnow。Look，datoneTlacopa；bigpriest，youcall。DEMhelppabafoolallpeople；so！\"
Althoughhismeaningwasnotfullyapparent，Brunocaughtrenewedinterest，andoncemorepeeredforthuponthescene，weirdandimpressiveenough，evenfromaChristianpointofview。
HeadedbyTlacopa，aceremonyofsomedescriptionwastakingplace，lesserpriestsandotheracolytesperformingtheirvariousparts，theincantationsrisingnowloudly，nowsinkingtoahollowmonotone，thewholeaffairbeingnonethelessabsorbingwhenBrunorememberedthat，perhaps，itmighthavesomeconnectionwiththevileplotsagainsttheSunChildren，ifnotendangeringlifeitself。
Gillespielikewisetooknoteofvariousothergravenimages；
amongthemoneofthenotlesshideouswar-goddess，Teoyaomiqui，or\"divinewardeath，\"fittingconsortforthemighty\"humming-bird\"himself。
Meanwhile，Ixtli，whoappearedtolookuponthewholeaffairasamoreorlessjollygoodjestattheexpenseofhissuperstitiouspeople，tookoccasiontogivehiswhitebrotherafewpointers，lettinghimseehoweasyitwasforfalseoraclestobemanufacturedtoorder；howcertainthelightestwishesoftheheadpriestweretofindspeedyfulfilmentatalltimes。
Whilethusdivulgingpartofthemysteriesofthetemple，thatceremonyreachedafinale，andthelittlecrowdslowlymeltedaway，leavingbutTlacopaandaselectfewofhistrustedhenchman。AndIxtlicertainlycaughtenoughoftheirtalktoalterhismannermostmaterially。
\"Come，quick！\"hefiercelywhisperedinBruno’sear，grippinganarm，andfairlyforcingtheyoungmantoaccompanyhisretreat。
Notanotherwordwasspokenbeforethelowerlevelwasreached，andthenGillespiebroketheice，askingwhatwasthematter。
Darkthoughitwasallaroundthem，Brunocouldtellbysenseoftouchthathisguidewaspowerfullyagitated，and，thoughIxtliclearlyhesitatedbeforeimpartingtheasked-forinformation，persistencewonthepoint；andthen——
Imperfectlythoughthatdiscoverywassetforth，Gillespiecontrivedtogatherthismuch：TlacopadecreedthattheSunChildrenshouldbebroughttotrial，ifnottoactualexecution，whenthemorningsunarose！
\"Never！\"fiercelyvowedBruno，allonfire，asherecalledthatmorethanfairface。\"Never，——whileIliveanddrawbreath！\"
CHAPTERXXVIII。
BROUGHTBEFORETHEGODS。
OnceagainAztotl，theRedHeron，wasbowinghumblybeforetheChildrenoftheSunGod，butnowtherewassterngriefimpresseduponhisvisage，ratherthanpuredevotion，suchasonemightfeelatthefeetofadivinity。
AndthefaceofVictowasunusuallypale，herlipstightlycompressedtokeepthemfromtremblingtoovisibly，whileherarmclaspedGladyswithalmostfierceloveinitswarmstrength。
Aztotlglancedupwardsforamoment，thenslowlyspoke：
\"Sucharethecommandslaiduponthycaptainofguards，DaughterofQuetzal’，theFairGod。HehathbeencommandedtofetchVictoandGladytotheteocalli，theretobe——no！\"withanoutbreakoffiercerebellion，drawinghissuperbfigureerect，andgrippingjavelinuntilthespringyashquivered，asthoughsuddenlywinninglifeforitself。\"Thegodslie！Theyarespeakingfalsely，or——orthepabalies，whentryingtothusinterprettheoracle！\"
Gladysshrunkaway，buthermotherstoodfirm，seemingtogainincoolnessandnervewhatthisardentservantwaslosing。
\"Itmustbethus，mygoodfriend，\"shespoke，inlow，eventones。
\"Thewordhathcometoasoldier，andobedienceishisfirstduty。\"
\"Notwhenobediencemeansleadingtosacrifice——\"
\"Thatmaynevercome，goodAztotl。Wehavecommittednosin，indeedorinthought。TheMotherofGodswillnotlayclaimtoaninnocentvictim。Or，eventhen，therightshalltriumph！
Tlacopaispowerful，buthathVictonoinfluence？LordHuamaythrowHISinfluencetothewrongside，buthathtruthnoanswer？\"
\"Ifnottruth，thendeath！\"sternlyvowedthecaptainofthebody-guard。\"IfTonatiuhfailstopunishtheenemiesofhisdaughter，thenthisrightarmshallhurlthefalseprincedowntoMictlanteuctli，grimlordoftheunder-world！\"
\"Whatisitallabout，mother？\"murmuredGladys，clinginginsoreaffrighttothesideofherAmazonianrelative。\"Surelythepeoplewillnot——surelyweneednotgoforthto——\"
Amother’skissclosedthosequiveringlips，andthen，withfarmoreassurancethanshereallycouldfindinherheart，Victoriabadeherchildfearnothing；thatallwouldcomearightinabriefwhile。
Littlebylittle，themaiden’sterrorswerecalmed，andthenshetookpositionbyherparent’ssidewithagreaterdisplayofnervethanmighthavebeenanticipated。
Throughall，Aztotlwaited，fiercelysilent，heldfromopenrebelliononlybytheinfluenceofthewomanwhoseverylifewasnowmenaced。AndastheSunChildrenstoodbeforehim，inreadinesstocomplywiththecommandsissuedbythoseinhighauthority，theRedHeronbrokebonds。
\"Saybutoneword，DaughterofQuetzal’，andallthisshallnevercometopass！Givemebutpermissionto——\"
\"Whatwouldstthoudo，goodAztotl？\"
\"SurroundtheSunChildrenwiththeirloyalbody-guardanddefendthem，whileonebravemightstrikeblow，orholdshieldinfrontoftheirsacredcharge，\"slowlyyetfiercelydeclaredthecaptain，eyestellinghowdearlyhelongedtoreceivethatpermission。
ButVictoshookherheadinslownegation。Shewasstillcoolofbrainenoughtorealisehowfatalsuchcoursewouldbeintheend。Ifonedeadlyblowshouldbedealt，theendcouldbebutone，——annihilationtobothdefendedanddefenders。
Then，too，sherecalledthewondroustidingsbroughttheeveningbeforebyIxtliandhiscomrade。Friendswereseekingtorescuethem，andifonlytimemightbewon——itmustbeplayedfor，then！
Andso，hispetitionfinallydenied，withnoothercourseleftopentotake，theRedHeronsummonedhispickedbandand，withtheSunChildrenintheirmidst，leftthetemple，crossedtheplain，andslowlymarchedintotheWarGod’steocalli。
InawedsilenceavastnumberofAztecsfollowedthatlittleprocession，silentasthey，yetclearlyanticipatingeventsoffarmorethanordinaryimportance。Andthustheforedoomedwomenweretakenbeforethegreatstoneofsacrifice，whereuponlayasnow-whitelamb，boundpastthepossibilityofstruggling。
Closebesidethepreparedsacrificestoodtheheadpriest，Tlacopa，robedfortheawesomeceremony，sacrificialknifeinhand，templescrownedascustomsdictated，eyesblazingasvividlyastheymightifbackedbylivingfire。
NotfardistantstoodHuatzin，headbandagedandfacenonethebetterlookingforhisflounderingfallwhenhissashgavewaytheeveningbefore。Andashecaughtthepassinggazeofthewomanwhomhehadsobaselypersecuted，arepulsivesmileshoweditself，thegrinofaveritablefiendinhumanguise。
Sternlycold，andoutwardlyunmoved，thecaptainofguardsperformedhisswornduty，theningrimsilenceawaitedtheend。
Andinlikemannereachmanofthatcarefullyselectedbandresteduponhisarms。
Abriefpause，duringwhichtheuttersilencegrewactuallyoppressive，thentheheadpriestliftedahandasthoughcommandingfullattentionbeforeheshouldspeak。
Then，intoneswhichwerebynomeansloud，yetwhichweremodulatedsoastofillthatexpansemostperfectly，TlacoparecitedthegraveaccusationsbroughtagainstthefalsechildrenofthemightySunGod。
Totheirevilinfluenceheattributedthecomparativefailureofcropswhichhadnowcursedtheirfairpeoplethroughoutthepastyears。Untothem，heclaimed，belongedtheevilcreditofmanyuntimelydeathswhichhadcoveredsomanyproudheadswiththeashesofmourningandofdespair。Totheirdoormightbetracedallofmisfortunewithwhichthefavouritechildrenofthemightygodshadbeensosorelyafflicted。
InproudsilenceVictolistenedtothisdeliberatearraignment，notdeigningtointerposedenial，orofferpleainself-defence，untilthepabawasclearlyatanend。AndeventhenshegazeduponTlacopawitheyesofscorn，andlipswhichcurledwithcontempt。
Alowmurmurfromtheeagercrowdtoldhowanxioustheyweretohearmore，and，takinghercuefromthat，Victomadeagracefulmotionwithherwhitehand，followingitbywordsthatsoundedrarelysweetintheirdeepmellowness，aftertheharsh，drynotesofthepaba。
\"WhodarestobringsuchbasechargesagainsttheDaughtersofQuetzal’？Whoareouraccusers，headpriest？\"
DidTlacopashrinkfromthatqueenlypresence？Ifso，’twasbutanothercunningdeviceintendedtopavethewaytocompletesuccess；tocatchtheficklefancyofhisaudiencebyrenderinghisretortallthemoreeffective。
\"Whodaresaccuseusofwrong-doing？\"againdemandedtheAmazonianmother，speakingforherchildaswell，aroundwhosewaistherleftarmwasclingingasaneededsupport。
\"TheMotherofallthegods！\"forciblyrepliedthepriest，nowcastingasideallpresenceoftimidity，andgazingintothatproudfacewitheyeswhichwerefilledwithfireofhatredandjealousy。\"Theall-powerfulCenteotlhathmadeknowntheawfultruththroughthelipsoftheinfallibleoracle，mychildren！
ShehathdeclaredthatnosmilesshallbeturnedtowardsthechildrenofAnahuacsolongasfalseprophetsdisgracethisgreatcity！Shehathdemandedthesacrifice——\"
\"Whocanbearwitnesstoanysuchdemand？\"sternlyinterposedthecaptainofthebody-guard，unabletolistenlongerinsilence。
Tlacopaflashedanevillookhisway，butfromtheaudienceissuedanothermurmur，risinglouderuntilittookuponitselftheshapeofwords，demandingindubitableproofthattheoraclehadindeedspokenthus。And，nolongerdaringtorelyuponhisownauthority，Tlacopaturnedtothesacrificialstonewhereuponlaythehelplesslamb，bowingkneeandliftingfaceashevolublyrepeatedthecustomaryinvocation；justthenitappearedfarmorenearlyanincantation。
Havingthuscompliedwithalltherequirementsofhisoffice，thepabafirstkissedhisbladeofsacrifice，thenseizedthelambandturnedituponitsback，onehandholdingithelplesswhilewiththeotherherippedthepoorbeastwidefromthroattotail，then，makingaswiftcross-slash，laidbarethecavityandexposedthequiveringheart。
Droppinghisknife，Tlacopagraspedthisvitalorgan，fiercelytearingitaway，drawingbackwhereallmightseeasbeliftedtheheartonhighforinspection。
Onebrieflookappearedtosatisfyhisneeds，forhegaveafierceshoutashehurledthebleedinghearttowardstheaccused，thencried：
\"Anomen！Anomen！TheMotheroftheGodsclaimshervictims！\"
CHAPTERXXIX。
BENEATHTHESACRIFICIALSTONE。
ContrarytotheexpectationsofIxtliescapebywayoftheWarGod’stemplewasbarredthroughouttheremainderofthateventfulnight。Tlacopa，theheadpriest，togetherwithanumberofhisacolytes，varyingastoforce，yetevertoopowerfulforanytwomentoforceapassagecontrarytothewilloftheirleader，remainedondutyeachandeveryhour。Andhenceitcametopassthatthoseearlyhoursfoundourfugitivesstillbeneaththetemple，wornthroughlossofsleepandstressofanxiety，yetfirmlyresolvednottopermitthatintendedoutragewithoutatleaststrikingonefairblowfortheChildrenoftheSun。
Slowlyenoughthetimepassed，yetitcouldhardlybecalledmonotonous。Wheneverweariedoftheirdarksomewaiting，theyoungmenwouldstealagainintothehollowimageofHuitzil’，theretoutilisethecunninglyarrangedpeepholes，nowlookingoutuponthepriests，orlisteningtocatchsuchwordsasfellfromthelipsofthosenearestthestoneofsacrifice。
InthismannerIxtlicontrivedtopickupquitealittlefundofinformation，mainlythroughtheconfidencesreposedinacertainfavouredfewofthebrotherhoodbythechiefpaba。Andthis，inturn，filteredthroughhislipsafterthechumsonceagainretreatedtothelowerregionsforbothsafetyandcomfort。
AndthenBrunolearnedhowtheadventurousyoungAztec，farlesssuperstitiousthanthevastmajorityofhispeople，thankstothekindlyteachingofVicto，ChildofQuetzal’，hadinhisexplorationsdiscoveredsomanysecretsofthetempleandpriesthood，secretswhichhenowhadnoscrupleincommunicatingtoanotherofadifferentrace。
Ixtlitoldhow，onvariousoccasions，hehadlurkedbehindthesceneswhilethemiraculous\"oracle\"wasdeliveringfiatorprophecy，andthenhetoldhiswhitebrotherhowTlacopameanttocompletelyconfoundtheChildrenoftheSunwhenoncebroughtbeforethegods。
\"Hetellslavewhatsay。Slavecomedisway。HideinWarGod。
Waitfortime，dentellTlacopa’swords！\"
Amostinfernalscheme，yetthedangerofwhichBrunocouldreadilyrecognise，togetherwiththeseriousdifficultyofrefutinganysuchsupernaturalevidence。
\"Surelyyourpeoplewillnotsufferafewdirtycurstodosuchhorriblewrongtoladieslike——Why，Ixtli，eventhegodsyoufellowsbowthekneetoinworship，oughttoriseupintheirdefence！\"
ButIxtlimerelysighed，thenspokeinsadtones，explaininghowhealonehadbeentakenwhollyintotheconfidenceoftheSunChildren。EventhecaptainoftheirguardsknewVictoandGladyasbutdescendantsofthegreatFairGodwhomtheaudacioustrickeryofarivalsentfarawayfromthelandofhisfavouredpeople，tofindanabiding-placeinthesunitself。
\"Hegoodbrave。Hediefordem，——easy！Buthenotknowall。Hethinkdropfromsun，toleadpeoplebacktolight。Ifthinknotso，datmakefaceturnblack；datmakemadcome——greatbig！\"
Aswaseverthecasewhenhisfeelingseemeddeeplystirred，Ixtlifounditdifficulttofullyorfairlyexplainhissentiments；butBrunocaughtsufficientofhismeaningtogiveafairguessattherest。
HefoundarayofhopeinthebeliefthatAztotlatleastwoulddefendtheChildrenoftheSun，andIxtlipredictedwithapparentconfidencethatthemembersofthebody-guardwouldstandfirmundertheRedHeron’sleadership。
Keepingthusuponthealertthroughouttheremainderofthatnight，theyoungmenwereabletotakepromptactionwhenthecrisisdrewnigh。
Ixtlicaughtthefirstinklingofwhatwascoming，andhastilysentBrunoawayfromthepeepholes，droppingawordinhisearastheybothpreparedforcleanwork。
Throughasecretentrance，shapedamidstthedraperywhichsurroundedthepedestalofthemightyHuitzil’，aslaveofthetemplecrepttoplaythepartofechotoTlacopa’sevilwill；andscarcelyhadhesecuredwhatwastobeaplaceofwaitingandwatchingthantheattackwasmadefromoutthedarkness。
Ixtliflunghistunicovertheslave’shead，twistingbothendstightlyabouthisthroat，effectuallysmotheringallattemptatcryingaloudforaid，whileBrunoclaspedarmsabouthismiddle，holdinghandspowerlesstostrikeortodrawweapon。
Abriefstruggle，whichproducedscarcelyanynoise，certainlynotsufficienttoreachtheearsofpriestorhelper，thenthetrembling，unnervedslavewasbundleddownthatnarrowpassage，tobedumpedinaremotecorner，andthereeffectuallyboundandgaggedbytheyoungmen。
Allthiswasperformedwithouthitchormishap，andthen，nervedtofightingpitch，IxtliandBrunowentbackbeneaththestoneofsacrifice，resolvedtoplaytheirparttotheendinmanfulfashion。
Therewasnofurtherfearofintrusion，for，ofcourse，Tlacopawouldneverthinkofendangeringhisownevilschemebyriskinganexposuresuchaswouldfollowdiscoveryofhisslave-oracle。
AsIxtlitrulysaid，suchdiscoverywouldendinthepaba’sbeingslainbyhisbefooledpeople。
Theirpatiencewassorelytried，eventhen，thoughagoodlyportionoftheblamebelongedtotheirfearsfortheSunChildren，ratherthantotheactuallengthofwaiting。Butthen，amidstthesolemninvocationsledbythehighpriest，thebody-guardmarchedintotheHallofSacrifice，andBrunocaughthisbreathsharplyashebeheld——Gladys！Nothermother，justthen。Forthefirstminute，only，——Gladys！
ThencamethebitterdenunciationbyTlacopa，followedbythecoldlydignifiedwordsofVicto，afterwhichtheinnocentlambyieldedupitslifeinorderthatthefuturemightbepredictedthroughthestillquiveringheart。