CHAPTER VIII.

THE OLD MEXICAN.

"Well, if they weren't robbers they were a first-class imitation," responded Bob. "There's Jerry and Ned knocked out, at any rate, and they nearly did for me. They would have, only I bit the chap's ear. I guess I'll know him again; he has my mark on him."

"Bit his ear! The _Americano_ is brave! But we must see to the poor unfortunate señors! Robbers! Impossible!"

By this time the whole inn was aroused and the courtyard was filled with servants and guests. Water was brought and with it Jerry and Ned were revived.

"What happened?" began Jerry. "Oh, I remember now! Did they get our money?"

"I guess they got yours and Ned's," said Bob, in sorrowful tones, as he noted his chums' disordered clothing and saw that the money-belts were gone. "They didn't get mine, though, so we're not in such bad luck, after all. How do you feel?"

"As if a road-roller had gone over me," replied Jerry.

"Same here," put in Ned, holding his head in his hands. "He must have given me a pretty good whack. Who was it robbed us?"

"Are you sure you were robbed, señors?" asked the hotel keeper. "Perhaps you may have been dreaming."

"Does that look as if it was only a nightmare?" asked Ned, showing a big lump on his head.

"Or this?" added Jerry, showing his clothing cut with a knife where the robber had slashed it in order to take out the money-belt.

"No, it was not a dream," murmured the innkeeper. "There must have been robbers here. I wonder who they were?"

"They didn't leave their cards, so it's hard to say," remarked Jerry. "I don't suppose the burglars down here are in the habit of sending word in advance of their visit, or of telling the police where to find them after they commit a crime."

"Never! Never!" exclaimed the Mexican host. "But speaking of the police, I must tell them about this some time to-morrow."

"Any time will do," put in Ned. "We're in no hurry, you know."

"I am glad of that," said the hotel keeper, in all seriousness. "Most _Americanos_ are in such a rush, and I have to go to market to-morrow. The next day will do very well. I thank you, señors. Now I bid you good-night, and pleasant dreams."

"Well, he certainly does take things easy," said Jerry, when the innkeeper and his servants, with many polite bows, had withdrawn. "He don't seem to care much whether we were nearly killed or not. I guess this must be a regular occurrence down here."

"I always heard the Mexican brigands were terrible fellows," said Professor Snodgrass. "Now I am sure of it. I am glad they did not get any of my specimens, however. All my treasures are safe."

"But Ned and I have lost five hundred dollars each," put in Jerry.

"You can get more from the gold mine," went on the professor.

"Yes; but it may spoil our trip," said Ned.

"I have my five hundred dollars," said Bob.

"And I have nearly one thousand in bills," spoke the professor, in a whisper. "We will have enough. The robbers would never suspect me of carrying money. Listen; it is in the box with the big lizard and the bat, and no one will ever look there for it," and he chuckled in silent glee.

"Then I guess we can go on," said Jerry. "But I wonder who it was robbed us?"

"I suppose it was the Mexican brigands that hang about every hotel," said Ned.

"I'm not so sure of that," went on Jerry. "You know Noddy Nixon and his crowd are not far off. It may have been they."

"That's so; I never thought of them," said Ned.

"Did you recognize any one?"

"The fellow who grappled with me had a mask on," said Jerry. "But I thought I recognized that fellow Dalsett. However, I couldn't be sure."

"I didn't get a chance to see my man," Ned added.

"The fellow who came for me had a voice like Bill Berry's," put in Bob. "If I could see his ear I could soon tell."

"It will be a good while before you see his ear," continued Jerry. "I wonder if it was Nixon's crowd, or only ordinary robbers? If we are to be attacked by Noddy and his gang all the way through Mexico the trip will not be very pleasant."

"Well, there's only one thing certain, and that is, the money-belts are gone," put in Ned, gazing ruefully at his waist around which he had strapped his cash. "The next question is, who took them?"

"Which same question is likely to remain unanswered for some time," interrupted Professor Snodgrass. "Now, don't worry, boys. We are still able to continue on our search for the buried city. This will teach us a lesson not to go to sleep again unless some one is on guard. The money loss is nothing compared to the possibility that one of us might have been killed, or some of my specimens stolen. Now we had better all go to bed again."

"Shall we stand guard for the remainder of the night?" asked Bob.

"I think it will not be necessary," spoke the professor. "The robbers are not likely to return."

So, extinguishing the lantern which the innkeeper had left, the travelers once more sought their cots, on which they had a somewhat fitful rest until morning.

At breakfast the innkeeper urged the travelers to spend a few days at his hotel, saying he had sent for a Government officer to come and make an investigation of the robbery. But the boys and the professor, thanking their host for his invitation, called for their bill, settled it, and were soon puffing away through the forest once more.

For several hours they journeyed on beneath giant palms which lined either side of the road. The scenery was one unending vista of green, in which mingled brilliant-hued flowers. Wild parrots and other birds flitted through the trees and small animals rustled through the underbrush as the automobile dashed by.

Jerry was at the steering wheel and was sending the car along at a good clip, when, as he suddenly rounded a curve he shut off the power and applied the brakes. Not a moment too soon was he, for he stopped the machine only a few feet from an aged Mexican, who was traveling along the road, aiding his faltering steps with a large, wooden staff.

The Mexican glanced at the auto which, with throbbing breath, as the engine still continued to vibrate, seemed to fill him with terror. Suddenly he dropped to his knees and began to pray.

"Be not afraid," Professor Snodgrass called to him, speaking in the Spanish language. "We are but poor travelers like yourself. We will not harm you."

"Whence do you come in your chariot of fire?" asked the old man. "Ye are demons and no true men!"

"We will not hurt you," said the naturalist, again. "See, we bring you gifts," and he held out to the Mexican a package of tobacco and a small hand-mirror. The old man's eyes brightened at the sight of them. He rose to his feet and took them, though his hands trembled.

In a moment he had rolled a cigarette of the tobacco, and, puffing out great clouds of smoke, complacently gazed at his image in the looking-glass.

"Truly ye are men and not demons," he said. "The tobacco is very good. But whence come ye, and whither do ye go?"

"We are travelers from a far land," answered the professor. "Whither we go we scarcely know. We are searching for the unknown."

The aged Mexican started. Then he gazed fixedly at the professor.

"It may be that I can tell whither ye journey," he said. "For your kindness to me I am minded to look into the future for you. Shall I?"

"No one can look into the future," answered the naturalist. "No one knows what is going to happen." For the professor was no believer in anything but what nature revealed to him.

"Unbelievers! Unbelievers!" muttered the old man, blowing out a great cloud of smoke. "But ye shall see. I will read what is to happen for you."

He sat down at the side of the road. In the dust he drew a circle. This he divided into twelve parts, and in one he placed a small quantity of powder, which he took from his sash. The powder he lighted with a match. There was a patch of fire, and a cloud of yellow smoke. For an instant the old man was hidden from view. Then his voice was heard.

"Ye seek the unknown, hidden and buried city of ancient Mexico!" he said, in startling tones. "And ye shall find it. Yea, find it sooner than ye think, and in a strange manner. Look behind ye!"

Involuntarily the boys and the professor turned.

"Nothing there," grunted Ned, as he looked to where the old man had been seated. To his astonishment, as well as the surprise of the others, the aged Mexican had disappeared.