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

to one of the several tree canoes provided for the transportation of the party up the Chamelecon river, for the f

lves occupied a larger one with their personal baggage. Strong, half-naked Indian paddlers were in charge of the canoes which were of sturdy construc

Professor Bumper had engaged the man. He seemed to be efficient. At the promised time he had the canoes and paddlers on h

for in the canoes were tents, cooking utensils and,

countries, are annoying and dangerous. Therefore

t would be convenient to use the canoes, the guide told Tom and his friends, and from there on the trip to the Copan valley would be m

the buried city, or cities, as the case might be, he had to contract for a num

night, making camp on shore in the net-protected tents. As for the Indians, they did not seem to min

her and his friends," remarked the youn

" agreed Professor Bumper. "We'll get

tinued, as he looked over the little flot

ied Tom, and Ned fancied hi

the chance to show Mary Nestor what he can do," t

something in Indian dialect to the rowers. Lines were cast off and the bo

Ned, as he made himself comfortabl

this is only

ntaining the exploring party and Val Jacinto took the lead, the baggage craft following. At the p

ing to the Indians, who

day's journey they will have much rest and refreshmen

y of some sort of refreshment," said Mr. Damon

ised Tom, with a laugh. "

And they had expected that, coming as they had to a tropica

banks which were luxuriant with tropical growth. Now and then some lonely Indian hut could be seen, and occasionally a craft

ddled along, there floated down beside

ing over to touch it. "Mahogany is one of the most valuab

ain!" he suddenly

a long red opening showed, and then came a click as an immense alligator,

t he tilted the canoe, and the blac

ned Jacinto succinc

they

amon, and for one of the very few tim

uts?" asked Ned, looking back a

He seemed to do as much talking that way, and with his

us?" que

icant advice. "Wait, I'll show you," a

mon had objected to its being brought along, but the guide had said it would do for fish bait. With a quick motion of his hand

arine were about to come up. An ugly snout was raised, two rows of keen

shiver of fear passed over the white members of the par

ll," agreed Tom.

gry," observed

had my hand on it," murmured Mr.

can turn in the water like a flash, wherefore it is not wi

that seemed to give their muscles new energy. The song, if song it was, passed from o

heat. Moreover, they were experienced travelers and had learned not to fret over inconveniences and di

heated middle of the day. Then, as the afternoon shadows were wani

o stop during the night?" aske

s where I always bring scientific part

in the tropics, where night follows day suddenly-when a halt was called, as a t

night," said Jacinto

ugh," observed Mr. Damon.

the guide. "But one can not explore-and find treasu

u mean?" asked Tom quickly

nt no offense. I think that all you scientific

f the old Honduras civilizat

"Make camp quickly!" he called to the Indians in their tongue. "You must soon get unde

fell rapidly, and as Tom and Ned walked a little way down toward the river

me and gloomy,

find a moving picture show in t

shadow seemed to sweep out of a clump of trees toward him. Involuntarily he clu