HOMEWARD BOUND.
One can readily fancy what a feeling of perfect content had come over
the boys after finding themselves once more with nearly all the crew of
the Sea Dream.
There was no longer anything to cause anxiety; the vengeful Indians had
been left far behind, and the fear of an attack was among the things of
the past.
"I used to think it would be mighty nice to go into some such place as
we have just left," Neal said to Teddy, while the two were sitting under
the awning aft, some distance from their companions; "but now we know
what the reality is like, I've had enough."
"I suppose our story would sound pretty fair if it was put into a book;
but whoever wrote it couldn't be all the time telling about how hungry
and tired we were, how the mosquitoes and flies nearly ate us up, how
thoroughly we were frightened the greater portion of the time, nor how
disagreeable it is to be where there's precious little chance for a
fellow to keep clean."
"That is why adventures seem so nice when you read about them, for all
the trifling things which serve to make a person uncomfortable in both
body and mind are omitted."
"Yes," Teddy said very emphatically, "one day would be enough for any
fellow I know, and the idea of going where there is likely to be plenty
of chance for adventure will never again have any fascination for me."
In this strain the boys talked until dinner was served on deck, which
was not a particularly well cooked meal, after which the conversation
became general.
The re-united party spoke chiefly of Mr. Walters' determination to
remain with Cummings, and while listening to it Jake forgot all else
save the wonderful sights he had seen in the famous city.
"I have a good mind to stay with you," he finally said. "The idea that I
have been where silver could be had for the labor of carrying it away,
and didn't get any, makes me angry with myself. Now that Mr. Walters has
concluded to try his hand at it I believe I'll do the same thing."
Poyor looked up quickly, shook his head very decidedly, and Cummings
said emphatically:
"Then it will be necessary for you to go alone; I've been there once
with you, and it was only by the rarest good fortune that we succeeded
in coming away alive, therefore I'm not disposed to try the same
dangerous experiment again."
"I suppose you think I would make a fool of myself once more?"
"I am positive of it. When your opinion chanced to be at variance with
ours you would go straight on without giving the slightest heed to the
consequences. It is best for you to stay with the boys."
Jake had nothing more to say; but later in the day he told Neal and
Teddy privately that he believed he would venture into the swamp alone.
"I could do it as well as Poyor can. They want to make out that it is a
very dangerous venture."
"You thought the same on the night when that beautiful scar was
presented, and also when you wandered away from the cave, unable to find
your way back," Neal replied with a laugh.
Then Jake had a desperate fit of the sulks from which he did not recover
until the schooner was standing up the coast under the influence of the
strong night breeze.
The voyage to Progresso from this time on occupied but a few hours. The
clumsy looking vessel proved to be a good sailor, and on the following
afternoon she had dropped anchor in the harbor, twenty-four hours before
the next steamer was advertised to leave.
There was yet plenty of chance to bid good-by to those who intended to
remain behind, and the last moments were spent together rather than
visit the quaint town, for no one could say whether they would meet
again.
Jake made no further preparation to join the treasure seekers, and Neal
felt positive that if they had allowed him to make one of the party his
courage would have failed him at the last minute.
Not until a late hour in the night was there any attempt to break up the
gathering. Each felt a certain repugnance to so doing, and if Mr. Emery
had not finally insisted on retiring all might have remained under the
awning until morning.
"It is good-by as well as good-night," Cummings said as he arose. "We do
not care to stay here very long for fear some of the Chan Santa Cruz may
recognize us, and by daybreak I propose to be on our way to Merida, from
which point we shall return to the hut where we first saw the
castaways."
"We can at least count on hearing from you," Mr. Emery said. "The boys
will be eager to learn how your venture succeeded."
"It is not convenient to post a letter where a journey of fifty miles on
foot is necessary to reach a mailing place; but you shall hear from us
at the first favorable opportunity."
With Jake, Cummings and Poyor spent but little time; neither had any
especial love for him after all that had happened; but with the boys the
Indian was almost affectionate.
"If the gods will listen to Poyor's prayer your lives shall be free from
clouds," he said gravely, and laying his hands on their heads he went
through a certain ceremony as if blessing them, after which he did not
speak again.
If good wishes were of any avail both Walters and Cummings should have
succeeded in their attempt to carry away treasure from the Silver City;
but whether they have yet been able to do so neither Neal nor Teddy
know, for not a word has been heard from them since that parting in the
harbor at Progresso.
The trip home was as uneventful as is usually the case when one travels
on a steam vessel, and at about the time when the Sea Dream should have
arrived the castaways landed in New York before the news of the yacht's
destruction had been learned.
As a consequence neither Teddy's parents nor Neal's mother had been
anxious concerning them, and the home coming was a very tame affair, as
compared with what both had been through.
Even at this late day the boys are speculating as to whether the white
men and the Indian ever succeeded in their desires, and both believe the
news will soon come that Cummings has been able to read the inscriptions
on the monuments at Copan by the aid of his researches in the Silver
City.
THE END.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Search for the Silver City, by James Otis