CHAPTER XIV.

THE ANGRY MEXICANS.

The professor and the boys were thinking of getting out their blankets and turning in for the night. They sat in a circle about the camp-fire, talking over the events of the day.

Meanwhile, creeping nearer and nearer, Noddy, Vasco and their gang were encircling the camp of Jerry and his friends. They came so close that they could hear the conversation between the professor and the boys.

Now, if the Mexicans whom Vasco had engaged to assist him had not understood something of the English language, or if chance had so arranged matters that they had not come near enough to overhear the talk of Jerry and his comrades, this story might have had a different ending.

As it was, fate so willed matters that Noddy and his gang got close to the camp in time to hear the professor remark:

"Well, boys, it will not be many more days, I hope, before we reach the buried city we are searching for. And when we do I will be the proudest man in the world. Think of discovering a buried town of ancient Mexico! Why, half the college professors would give their heads to be in my place."

"But we haven't found the city yet," said Ned.

"No; but I am sure we are on the right road," went on the professor. "I am sure of it, not only because of what the old Mexican magician told us, but from the map my friend left me. See, here it is," and he drew out the paper with the rude drawing on.

The boys drew close to look the map over once more.

"There seem to be two roads, one branching off to the right," remarked Jerry, pointing to the map. "And it looks as if there was some sort of an image at the parting of the ways."

"There is!" exclaimed the professor. "I never noticed it before, but there is the laughing serpent, as sure as you're a foot high!"

"We'll reach the buried city all right," spoke Bob. "I only hope we don't come upon it too unexpectedly."

"Well, the Mexican prophesied we would find it sooner than we thought," observed Ned. "But he may not have meant all he said. Anyhow, I'm sleepy and I'm going to turn in."

The others followed his example of wrapping themselves up in their blankets, and soon their deep breathing told they were on the road to slumberland.

Meanwhile, the Mexicans who had listened to the above conversation were much disturbed. Though they did not understand all that had been said, they caught enough to indicate to them that the boys and the professor were not on a search for gold or silver mines, the only things in which the Mexicans were interested.

There were angry but low-voiced mutterings among the Mexicans. Soon they became angry, talked among themselves and grew quite excited. They talked rapidly to Vasco, in Spanish.

"What does all this mean, Noddy?" asked Bilette. "Have you fooled us?"

"No, no, it's all right!" exclaimed Nixon. "Their talk of a buried city is only a bluff to throw us off the track."

"Hardly, when they don't know we are following them," said Vasco. "I'm afraid that's not true, Noddy. Better own up and say you guessed at the whole thing."

"I didn't guess!" exclaimed Noddy.

"Too much talk! Not enough do!" exclaimed one of the Mexicans, striding forward and pushing Noddy to one side. Noddy resented this, and drew back his hand as if to strike the Mexican. The latter, quick as a flash, drew an ugly-looking knife.

"Put that up!" exclaimed Vasco, noting, in the darkness, his companion's act. "We don't want to begin fighting among ourselves."

He stepped between Noddy and the Mexican, and pushed them away from each other. The Mexican muttered angrily, and his companions could be heard growling over the outcome of the affair. They could appreciate a gold or silver mine. A buried city was nothing to them, and they saw no use in pursuing the trail further. They were angry at Noddy for having brought them thus far on a foolish errand.

"Now keep quiet," advised Bilette. "The first thing you know you'll have them all aroused and then there'll be trouble."

"_Diablo!_" exclaimed one of the Mexicans, beneath his breath. "Are we fools or children? We leave the city and we travel for days through the wilderness. We are told we are to get great riches. Santa Maria! Is this money? Is this gold or silver? The crazy _Americanos_ talk of nothing but lost cities. What care I for lost cities? What care any of us for lost cities? I hate lost cities!"

"And I! And I!" exclaimed his companions, in whispers.

"And this fellow, Noddy Nixon, is to blame for it all!" went on the angry Mexican. "He gets us all to come out here. We follow the crazy _Americano_ who does nothing but grab bugs and toads. He is man to be afraid of! Yet we follow him, and all for what? To find he is looking for some old ruins. I will not stand it!"

"Clear out of here!" commanded Bilette. "If we stand here quarreling much longer they'll wake up."

Under the guidance of their leader, the Mexicans made their way back to the river bank. On the opposite shore they had left their horses and Noddy's automobile.

"What made you think they were after a mine, Noddy?" asked Bilette, when the party was well beyond earshot of the campers. "You must have made a mistake."

"Supposing I did," whispered Noddy, in low tones to Vasco, "what good will it do to tell every one? I may have failed on this plan, but I have another, even better."

"Better not try it until you find if it will work," advised Bilette. "My men are in no mood to be fooled a second time."

Disappointed and dejected, the Mexicans recrossed the river and made their camp on the opposite shore from Professor Snodgrass and the boys. The Mexicans were still in a surly mood, and Vasco had to keep close watch lest some one of them should harm Noddy.

Wet and cold, for if the days were hot the nights were chilly, the Nixon gang reached their camp. One of the men lighted a fire and cooked some frijoles and tortillas. The meal, simple as it was, made every one feel better.

Nixon and Pender, as soon as they had finished eating, drew off to one side, leaving the Mexicans to talk among themselves.

"It looks as if we'd have trouble," said Noddy.

"It's all your fault," observed Pender.

"I'm not saying it isn't," put in Noddy. "But what's the use of crying over spilled milk? The question is: What are we going to do about it now?"

Pender was silent a few minutes. Then a thought seemed to come to him suddenly.

"I have it!" he exclaimed.

"What?" asked Noddy.

Jack leaned over and whispered something in his friend's ear. Noddy hesitated a moment, and then gave a start.

"The very thing!" he exclaimed. "I wonder I didn't think of it before."

He hurried to where Vasco was sitting, near the camp-fire, smoking a cigarette. To him he whispered what Pender had suggested.

"It's a risky thing to do," said the Mexican. "If it fails, we'll have to leave the country. If it succeeds we'll be in danger of heavy punishment from the authorities. However, I'm ready to risk it if you are. Shall I tell the men?"

"Of course," replied Noddy. "I want to make it up to them for being mistaken about the mine."

Thereupon Vasco called his friends to him, and, motioning for silence, said:

"Our friend Noddy," he explained, "has just told me something."

"About a gold mine?" asked one of the men, bitterly.

"It may prove to be a gold mine," said Vasco. "But it concerns one of those across the river," and he nodded toward the other campers.

"Did you notice one of the boys"--Bilette went on--"the fat one; the stout youth; the one they call Bob and sometimes Chunky?"

"_Si! Si!_" exclaimed the Mexicans.

"Well, his father is a rich banker."

"What of it?" asked one of the men. "His money is not in Mexico."

"But it can be brought to Mexico!" cried Vasco.

"How?"

"By kidnapping the boy and holding him for a large ransom. Will you do it?"

"We will!" yelled the men. "This will provide us with gold. We'll kidnap the fat boy!"