CHAPTER XII.

RESCUE—THE TREASURE FOUND.

Then the rope ladder was put over and Barney descended.

The bodies of the three villains were lowered by means of a rope.

Just as the last one was lowered they began to come to. Vane sprang to his feet. But Barney was far up the rope ladder.

The villain, overcome with horror, looked about him and saw what the game was.

“Oh, friends, for God’s sake, do not leave me here!” he cried. “I am repentant. I will be your slave if you will only not leave me in this place!”

But Harding stood at the rail and laughed scornfully.

“This is a good and fitting place for you, Lester Vane!” he said. “May you enjoy it. You cannot say that I have not been as merciful as you, for I have spared your life.”

Vane now lost his temper.

He broke forth in bitter maledictions and curses. There was not anything too vile and vulgar for him to say.

The Kite once more sailed skyward, and a course was set at once for the distant Andean peaks.

In a very short time they loomed up near at hand.

But it required many hours for the locality which they were in quest of to come into view.

Barney, who was on the lookout, however, suddenly gave a wild and startled cry.

“Och hone!” he cried. “Wud yez luk at the loikes av that? Shure, av it isn’t Masther Frank, an’ be me sowl he is about to be shot by a gang av the brigands. Help—help! wud yez cum here with an electhric bomb as quick as iver ye kin, Pomp!”

Pomp needed no second bidding.

The air-ship had floated over one of the peaks just in time to bring the whole thrilling scene to view.

It was at the very critical moment when Frank was stood up before the file of brigands to be shot.

The words of command were upon Red Muriel’s lips, when suddenly the air-ship burst into view.

Its appearance was first noted by one of the brigands who chanced to be looking up.

Muriel for a moment forgot himself, and stood looking at the air-ship in a speechless manner.

Then down from the air-ship’s deck there came hurtling a small black object.

It struck the earth directly in the center of the brigand encampment.

There was a terrific explosion.

Earth and debris were flung into the air to a great height, and fully a dozen of the brigands were killed.

The wretches seemed to forget all about Frank Reade, Jr., or anything else, and fled for their lives.

The brigands, Red Muriel with the rest, were fleeing for safety to the cover of a cavern near at hand.

But across the plateau there ran a slender, girlish form.

It was Mabel Dane.

“Mr. Reade, we are saved! Thank Heaven for that!”

“Amen!” cried Frank. “You will now be able to rejoin the man you love.”

With a quick movement she cut the young inventors bonds.

Then she rushed to the door of one of the brigand’s huts and burst it in.

The guard at the door had fled. Out came a tall, fine-looking man of elderly cast. He was Henry Dane, the father of the plucky young girl who had dared to invade the Andean wilds in quest of the man she loved.

Behind him came the six Peruvians who had been of the party, and who had been held as well for ransom.

The air-ship, however, was now settling down fast, and in a very few moments it rested upon the plateau.

Harding was the first to leap over the rail, and greeted Frank Reade, Jr.

Then he beheld a vision which nigh took his breath away.

“My God!” he exclaimed; “am I dreaming, or is it my Mabel?”

“You are not dreaming, Royal!” she cried, rapturously. “I have come all this distance to find you. They told me you were ill, and I came to you.”

“My love! My own!” cried Harding, joyously, as he clasped her in his arms.

Mr. Dane was introduced to Frank Reade, Jr., Barney and Pomp, and many pleasant remarks were exchanged.

The brigands, however, had not abandoned the fight.

Retreating to a height above, they had opened fire upon their foes.

The six Peruvians who were in Mr. Dane’s employ were given weapons, and began to return the fire.

While the battle was thus progressing in a desultory way a conference was being held by the others.

But now the question to be considered was as to what move was best to make next.

Of course Harding was anxious to find the Incas’ treasure.

“I would not spend further time in the search, Royal,” said Mr. Dane. “I am rich now, and you shall go into business with me. I have not many years to live and the fortune will be yours and Mabel’s.”

“Mr. Dane,” said Harding, firmly. “Mabel and I will not marry until I have carried out my original purpose and given her a home of my own making!”

“Bravo!” said the millionaire, heartily. “I admire your spirit, and if that is your purpose I will not dissuade you.”

“If I can recover this treasure, which is mine by right of prior discovery, I do not see why I have not legally gained my ends.”

It was decided to make a thorough search of the robbers’ den.

But though some money and many valuable equipments were found, none of the treasure was recovered.

The best efforts of the searching party were baffled.

But Harding would not give up the quest.

“I will find it yet,” he declared, resolutely.

But Frank stood outside the cavern, when he heard a voice in Spanish near him.

A man with his leg shattered by the explosion of the bomb was creeping up to him.

There was a beseeching expression upon the wounded brigand’s face, and he cried:

“Oh, senor, help me, and I will tell you where the treasure is hidden.”

“What?” exclaimed Frank, in amazement. “Do you mean that? Do you know where the treasure is hidden?”

“Si, senor, I do that.”

“What can I do for you?”

“Help me to return to Quito that I may live a better life.”

“Enough,” said Frank. “I will accept your offer. You shall be taken to Quito in safety if you will disclose the hiding place of the Incas’ treasure.”

All were gathered about the wounded brigand now.

Harding was called, and was overjoyed at the information given him.

“Listen, senor,” he said to the confessing brigand. “Not only shall you be taken safely to your native country, but I will give you enough of the treasure to enrich you.”

The fellow’s eyes sparkled.

“The Senor Americano is kind,” he said. “I shall not forget it.”

Then he cleared his throat.

“Do you see yonder pine?” he said. “Go to it, measure twenty paces to the westward, find a bowlder, roll it aside, and you will see a flat stone set in the ground. Under that is the treasure buried.”

A rush was made for the spot.

The brigand’s story was found to be in every particular true.

Rolling aside the bowlder the flat stone was found.

Upon lifting it a square chamber was revealed, in which was heaped the mighty treasure of the Incas. It was a most bewitching spectacle.