one respect. I am a scientist and I
purpose doing some exploring near Copan. Can you get us there?"

"Most expensively--I mean, most expeditionlessly," said Val Jacinto
eagerly. "Pardon my unhappy English. I forget at times. The charges
will be most moderate. I can send you by boat as far as the river
travel is good, and then have mules and ox-carts in waiting."

"How far is it?" asked Tom.

"A hundred miles as the vulture flies, Senor, but much farther by river
and road. We shall be a week going."

"A hundred miles in a week!" groaned Ned. "Say, Tom, if you had your
aeroplane we'd be there in an hour."

"Yes, but we haven't it. However, we're in no great rush."

"But we must not lose time," said Professor Bumper. "I shall consider
your offer," he added to Val Jacinto.

"Very good, Senor. I am sure you will be pleased with the humble
service I may offer you, and my charges will be small. Adios," and he
bowed himself away.

"What do you think of him?" asked Ned, as they went up to their rooms
in the hotel, or rather one large room, containing several beds.

"He's a pretty slick article," said Mr. Damon. "Bless my check-book!
but he spotted us at once, in spite of our secrecy."

"I guess these guide purveyors are trained for that sort of thing,"
observed the scientist. "I know my friends have often spoken of having
had the same experience. However, I shall ask my friend, who is in
business here, about this Val Jacinto, and if I find him all right we
may engage him."

Inquiries next morning brought the information, from the head of a
rubber exporting firm with whom the professor was acquainted, that the
Spaniard was regularly engaged in transporting parties into the
interior, and was considered efficient, careful and as honest as
possible, considering the men he engaged as workers.

"So we have decided to engage you," Professor Bumper informed Val
Jacinto the afternoon following the meeting.

"I am more than pleased, Senor. I shall take you into the wilds of
Honduras. At your service!" and he bowed low.

"Humph! I don't just like the way our friend Val says that," observed
Tom to Ned a little later. "I'd have been better pleased if he had
said he'd guide us into the wilds and out again."

If Tom could have seen the crafty smile on the face of the Spaniard as
the man left the hotel, the young inventor might have felt even less
confidence in the guide.

CHAPTER X

IN THE WILDS