A FIERCE CONFLICT.
That Poyor believed the more serious danger was over, the boys
understood from the fact that camp-fires were to be kept burning during
the night, something which would never have been allowed had he feared
an attack from the Chan Santa Cruz.
Then again, the Indian no longer refused to converse lest the duty of
the sentinel should be neglected; but talked readily and at considerable
length with Cummings regarding the course to be pursued.
He also indulged in the luxury of a smoke, something he had not done
since leaving the white man's hut, and, taking their cue from him, the
remainder of the party gave themselves up to absolute repose both of
body and mind, therefore because of these reasons if for no other, this
particular halting place was afterward remembered as the most pleasant
they knew during the long, fruitless journey.
When Cummings and Poyor finally decided upon the line of march for the
following day, the twilight was rapidly deepening into the gloom of
night, and the latter lighted the fires, thus making a circle of flame
completely around the party.
"Is it really necessary to have such a blaze, or are you indulging in it
simply because it has been so long since we dared allow our whereabouts
to be known?" Teddy asked, as he sat with his chin on his knees gazing
at the burning wood.
"We are guarding against brute enemies. It is said that jaguars are
plenty in this section, and there can be no question but snakes abound.
These embers, which require only labor to keep alive, will do very much
toward saving our small stock of ammunition."
Jake did not appear disposed to join in any conversation since dinner.
He had thrown himself on the ground near the foot of a gigantic tree,
and, from the expression on his face, Neal fancied he was regretting
that they had not succeeded in bringing away any treasure from the
Silver City.
"What are you thinking of?" he asked.
"Only figgerin' out what a 'royal excursion this would 'a been if I'd
got that image I tried so hard for."
"If you had succeeded in carrying it outside the city we should not be
here now," Cummings said gravely. "With that lump of silver added to
our load I fancy we would be prisoners at this moment if they allowed
us to live so long."
"I reckoned you'd take the disappointment harder, after spendin' so much
time gettin' ready for the trip."
"Of what use would it be for me to complain? In view of all that has
happened we have been remarkably fortunate in getting away alive, and
consequently there is very much to be thankful for."
"Do you think that if I'd obeyed orders right up to the handle anything
more could have been done?"
"Not in the matter of carrying away treasure, for all hope fled the
moment our boat was discovered. You simply caused us additional
hardships, and have put an end to my visiting the place again for many
months."
"What?" Teddy cried in surprise. "Are you still thinking of entering the
city again?"
"I am, most certainly. It shall be my life work to discover the history
of these people, and tell to the world the meaning of the inscriptions
on the monuments of Copan. This failure has simply been a misfortune,
not anything which will prevent my continuing the labor."
"Do you count on asking others to go with you?"
"No," Cummings replied, with a meaning glance toward Jake. "If I ever
succeed the honor will be divided among Poyor and myself alone."
Then, as on the day when he first broached the subject, he reviewed all
that is known to the white race concerning the buried cities of Central
America and of the descendants of that mighty race of people whose once
high state of civilization cannot be questioned. When he concluded Jake
indulged in but one remark before composing himself for slumber:
"It don't make any difference to me whether the inscriptions can ever be
read or not; but a fellow feels sore to think that he had a chance of
scoopin' in enough to set himself up in great shape, an' was prevented
when the precious metal was under his very fingers."
"Have you any particular reason for going to Progresso?" Neal asked
after a pause.
"I have most decidedly. Since getting you in a scrape which nearly cost
your lives, it is only right I should see you homeward bound."
"Couldn't we find our way alone?"
"That would be impossible even for me. Poyor is the only guide, and when
he has done his work you sail on the steamer, while he and I return to
the little hut, there to wait for another opportunity of getting inside
the Silver City."
After this Cummings appeared disinclined to talk any more, and the boys
lay down near Jake for the slumber which both needed so badly.
Although their eyelids were heavy with sleep, it was not possible to
lose consciousness immediately. Now their safety was in a measure
assured, the thoughts of Cummings' great disappointment, and the lost
opportunity of making themselves famous, came to mind more forcibly than
ever before, causing both to remain awake after all save Poyor were
breathing heavily.
"This won't do," Teddy said half to himself. "The mysteries of the
Silver City are not to be solved by us, and the sooner we go to sleep
the better condition we shall be in for to-morrow's tramp."
Before Neal could reply the Indian stole softly toward them and
whispered:
"If you would see the father of serpents, sit up and look toward the
spring; but make no noise."
The boys did as they were directed and could distinguish by the glare of
the camp-fires the largest snake either had ever seen.
It was a boa, moving lazily toward the water course as if conscious that
its own wonderful strength was sufficient to enable it to cope
successfully with all enemies.
Before it was possible to form any estimate as to the serpent's size
another stranger appeared on the scene, causing Poyor to raise his gun
ready to shoot.
This visitor was a jaguar, who had evidently come out for a drink, and
the unusual light prevented him from seeing the boa. He moved warily
forward, ready to meet an attack, and probably trying to make up his
mind whether or not this was a favorable opportunity to get a
particularly good supper, when the boa darted upon him.
Taken by surprise from the rear, the snake had one complete turn around
the animal's body before there was any show of resistance, and then
ensued a most thrilling conflict.
The boys could see that the boa's tail was fastened firmly around a
tree, thus giving him a purchase such as the jaguar would have
difficulty in overcoming.
Using both claws and teeth the animal defended himself bravely for ten
minutes, and then it could be seen that the rapidly tightening folds of
the serpent were hampering his movements. He no longer struggled so
desperately; but uttered shrill cries of alarm which were responded to
from a distance.
"His mate is coming," Poyor whispered. "Now we shall see a royal
battle."
It was as he had said. A few moments later another jaguar appeared, and
the boys could understand that the boa was making haste to crush the
first victim before meeting the second enemy.
It was possible to see the muscles of the serpents' tail stand out as
the pressure was increased, and then could be plainly heard the breaking
bones while the victim uttered wild screams of agony.
The female jaguar had but just come into view when her mate was killed,
and she darted at the serpent with a yell of rage which was answered by
an angry hiss.
Whether the boa was taken at a disadvantage in the beginning of the
fight, or had become so weary with its previous exertions as to render
it incapable of putting forth all its powers could not be told; but
certain it is that the second battle was short.
The beast caught it by the neck at the third attempt, and the lashing of
the monster's tail told that he was beaten.
"He killed one jaguar easily; but this last beast will soon finish him,"
Teddy whispered, and almost before the words had been uttered the battle
was virtually at an end.
Having relinquished its hold of the tree, and unable to encircle the
animal's body with its deadly folds, the boa's strength was useless, and
from that time on only the snarling of the jaguar and the threshing of
the serpent could be heard until the fight came to an end.
"What are you going to do?" Neal asked as Poyor raised his weapon when
the silence told that the conflict had been decided in favor of the
weaker party.
"Kill the beast. There are too many of her kind already, and I shall be
doing a favor to those who come after us by reducing the number."
"Don't shoot; she has proved her right to live, if the theory of the
survival of the fittest be correct, and after such a battle it would be
cowardly to kill her."
"If, on the morrow, you should find yourself suddenly seized by her,
there would not be so much pity in your heart," Poyor replied, and
before Neal could make any reply the animal had vanished in the thicket.
"There is no longer any question of what should be done," the Indian
said regretfully, after a pause, as he lowered his weapon. "There is a
fine skin for those who care to save it."
"It can lay there for all I care," Teddy replied with a laugh. "Fur in
this kind of weather isn't pleasant even to think of. Perhaps in the
morning Cummings will fancy it worth his while to carry the hide away."
"The ants will have devoured it before the sun rises, and since it has
no value for you it is well to go to sleep. One of the white men can
call you when it is time to stand your share of the watch."
"Is guard to be kept all night?"
"It would be unsafe for all to sleep. If the jaguars had not met the
serpent what would have been the result to those whose eyes were closed
in slumber?"
"There is no necessity of saying anything more," Neal replied with a
laugh. "We will be ready when our turn comes."
Then, as soon as they could compose themselves sufficiently, the boys
surrendered to the demand of slumber, and Cummings must have stood their
watch himself, since they were not awakened until another day had come.
Breakfast was already cooked. On a number of gigantic leaves the Indian
had spread such food as he could procure: Mangoes without stint; a
roasted bird shaped not unlike a goose, and several small, white cones
which tasted like radishes.
Except for such articles as bread or vegetables, it was a meal which
would have tempted an epicure and to it all hands did full justice.
When their hunger had been satisfied, Cummings said as he shouldered one
of the two remaining guns and took up a greater portion of the
cartridges:
"It is time we were moving. We can travel reasonably slow, in order that
no one may become exhausted; but not an hour must be lost. The way
before us is long, even after we reach the sea-shore, and each day
wasted is just so much delay in reaching our destination."
"Now that we are really homeward bound you will have no reason to
complain because our powers of endurance are too slight," Neal replied,
as he took up the remaining weapon, and the march was immediately
begun.