ed from one boat to the other, and as the
chant boomed forth the craft shot ahead more swiftly.

They made a landing about noon, and lunch was served. Tom and his
friends were hungry in spite of the heat. Moreover, they were
experienced travelers and had learned not to fret over inconveniences
and discomforts. The Indians ate by themselves, two acting as servants
to Jacinto and the professor's party.

As is usual in traveling in the tropics, a halt was made during the
heated middle of the day. Then, as the afternoon shadows were waning,
the party again took to the canoes and paddled on up the river.

"Do you know of a good place to stop during the night?" asked Professor
Bumper of Jacinto.

"Oh, yes; a most excellent place. It is where I always bring
scientific parties I am guiding. You may rely on me."

It was within an hour of dusk--none too much time to allow in which to
pitch camp in the tropics, where night follows day suddenly--when a
halt was called, as a turn of the river showed a little clearing on the
edge of the forest-bound river.

"We stay here for the night," said Jacinto. "It is a good place."

"It looks picturesque enough," observed Mr. Damon. "But it is rather
wild."

"We are a good distance from a settlement," agreed the guide. "But one
can not explore--and find treasure in cities," and he shrugged his
shoulders again.

"Find treasure? What do you mean?" asked Tom quickly. "Do you think
that we----?"

"Pardon, Senor," replied Jacinto softly. "I meant no offense. I think
that all you scientific parties will take treasure if you can find it."

"We are looking for traces of the old Honduras civilization," put in
Professor Bumper.

"And doubtless you will find it," was the somewhat too courteous answer
of the guide. "Make camp quickly!" he called to the Indians in their
tongue. "You must soon get under the nets or you will be eaten alive!"
he told Tom. "There are many mosquitoes here."

The tents were set up, smudge fires built and supper quickly prepared.
Dusk fell rapidly, and as Tom and Ned walked a little way down toward
the river before turning in under the mosquito canopies, the young
financial man said:

"Sort of lonesome and gloomy, isn't it, Tom?"

"Yes. But you didn't expect to find a moving picture show in the wilds
of Honduras, did you?"

"No, and yet-- Look out! What's that?" suddenly cried Ned, as a great
soft, black shadow seemed to sweep out of a clump