Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders; Or, The Underground Search for the Idol of Gold

nishment to Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper than did the simple announcement of the young inventor. The professor seemed to s

ss m

d not seem to know what to bless, but he looked as tho

ift," gasped Professor Bumper at

new aeroplane stabilizer, and if I go now it will be just at a time when I am

it on it, Tom," began Mr. Damon, "I

a large number of aeroplanes, and as the pilots of them frequently have to fight, and so can not give their whole attention

purpose. I have already received advance orders for a number of my devices from abroa

can't go at this time. It is out of the quest

to wait, Tom," decla

" asked Mr. Damon. "You did not me

re so many ends to my concerns. B

professor, much as

s the little bald-headed scientist. "You never saw such an idol of gold

rzon, somewhere in the Sierra de Merendon range of mountains, in the vicinity of the Copan valley. Copan is

e ancient documents, referring to this idol and the wonderfu

go, and if it wasn't for the stabilizer I'd be with you in a minute. But-

rd over the ancient city?" asked Ned, f

a strange race of people, inhabiting Central America, with a somewhat h

I have been able to decipher from the old documents, tell of one country, or p

exactly a beauty, judged from modern standards. But the main fact is tha

if that's the case it would be worth--" and

went on Professor Bumper. "There are other statues in this buried city of Kurzon, and thou

ere are other statu

legend. Quitzel, so the story goes, wanted to be the chief god, and when the image of a rival was set up in the temple near him, he toppled over in anger, and part of the temple we

he city buried, how did the story of

and set down part of the tale," said the professor. "It is

lty in getting to Honduras, as there are fruit steamers frequently sailing. Of course going into the interior-to the Copan valley-is going to be harder. But an expe

You have had considerable experience in strange quarters of the earth, and you're just the one to help me. I d

stion of money," sa

essor Bumper. "I haven't any time to lose. My ri

Tom. "You didn't say

ere is a rival archaeologist who would ask nothing better than to get ahead of

till young. I'm a lot younger than some of these boys who are afraid to tackle

raid!" retorted t

"But I've got to say something, Tom, to st

does. You see I'm h

. "You see you are holding back a number of

not been for you and your marvelous powder. The conditions in the Copan valley are likely to be still more difficult to overcome, and I feel that I risk failure withou

endent on Tom's agreement to

boy might urge another to take part in a bal

hat," Tom said slowly. "W

college that has plenty of money to spend on explorations

at his friends could not help noticing it. He jumped to his feet, his

s Fenimore Beecher?" Tom

young man, and thoroughly in earnest, though I do not like his manner.

nstead he hurried from the

ut five minutes," he

mon of Ned, as the young inventor d

evidently. Though I never heard

eak of Tom," said the bald-headed scienti

Tom came back

d my refusal to go to the Copan valley af

ied Profes

"Bless my time-table! I though

t your stabili

be able to put the finishing touches on it. So I'll leave it with him. As soon

are to get ahe

tart to the finish. I'll show him what I can do!" he added, while Ned