ck to the main cabin under threat of a
revolver. For the men were determined to get to the lifeboats, and a
small craft would not have had a minute to live in such seas as were
running.

But the vessel proved herself sturdier than the timid ones had dared to
hope, and she was soon running before the blast, going out of her
course, it is true, but avoiding the danger among the many cays, or
small islands, that dot the Caribbean Sea.

There was nothing to do but to let the storm blow itself out, which it
did in two days. Then came a period of delightful weather. The cargo
had shifted somewhat, which gave the steamer a rather undignified list.

This, as well as the loss of a deckhand overboard, was the effect of
the hurricane, and though the end of the trip came amid sunshine and
sweet-scented tropical breezes, many could not forget the dangers
through which they had passed.

In due time Tom and his party found themselves safely housed in the
small hotel at Puerto Cortes, their belongings stored in a convenient
warehouse and themselves, rather weary by reason of the stress of
weather, ready for the start into the interior wilds of Honduras.

"How are we going to make the trip?" asked Ned, as they sat at supper,
the first night after their arrival, eating of several dishes, the
red-pepper condiments of which caused frequent trips to the water
pitcher.

"We can go in two ways, and perhaps we shall find it to our advantage
to use both means," said Professor Bumper. "To get to this city of
Kurzon," he proceeded in a low voice, so that none of the others in the
dining-room would hear them, "we will have to go either by mule back or
boat to a point near Copan. As near as I can tell by the ancient maps,
Kurzon is in the Copan valley.

"Now the Chamelecon river seems to run to within a short distance of
there, but there is no telling how far up it may be navigable. If we
can go by boat it will be much more comfortable. Travel by mules and
ox-carts is slow and sure, but the roads are very bad, as I have heard
from friends who have made explorations in Honduras.

"And, as I said, we may have to use both land and water travel to get
us where we want to go. We can proceed as far as possible up the
river, and then take to the mules."

"What about arranging for boats and animals?" asked Tom. "I should
think----"

He suddenly ceased talking and reached for the water, taking several
large swallows.

"Whew!" he excl