sighed the Aztec,
bowing his head in joined palms the better to conceal his evident grief.
"He has promised to come, but hurry! They die--they die!"

This was hardly an acceptable stopping-point, but questioning was of
little avail just then. Satisfied of so much, the brothers drew apart
a short distance, yet keeping where they could guard their more or less
dangerous charge, conversing in low tones over the information so far
gleaned from the Aztec's talk.

"Well, we'll hold a tight grip on him, anyway, until uncle Phaeton gets
back," finally decided Waldo, speaking for his brother as well.

CHAPTER XX. THE PROFESSOR AND THE AZTEC.

Fortunately for all concerned, there proved to be no serious difficulty
attached to that same holding. So far as outward semblance went,
Ixtli was very well content with both present quarters and present
companionship.

He likewise enjoyed the supper that, aided by a small fire kindled in
a depression so low that the light could by no means attract any
unfriendly eye, Bruno prepared for them all. And just prior to taking
his first taste, the young warrior bowed his head to murmur a few
sentences which, past all doubt, had first come to his mind through the
wonderful Victo: a simple little blessing, which certainly did not add
to the dislike or uneasiness with which the brothers regarded their
guest.

"He's white, even if he is red!" confidentially declared Waldo, at his
first opportunity. "More danger of our spoiling him than his doing us
dirt; and that's an honest fact for a quarter, old man!"

Bruno felt pretty much the same, yet his added years gave him greater
discretion, and, in spite of that growing liking, he kept a fairly keen
watch and ward over the Aztec.

After supper there came further questioning and answers, Waldo as a
rule playing inquisitor, eager to learn more anent the strange existence
which these people must live, so completely hemmed in from all the rest
of the world as they surely were in yonder valley.

Without at all betraying the exile, Gillespie spoke of the lake and its
mighty whirlpool, then learned that the Indians really made semi-annual
trips thither for the purpose of laying in a supply of dried fish for
the winter's consumption.

As the night waned, preparations were made for sleeping, although it was
agreed between the brothers that one or the other should stand guard in
regular order.

"Not that I really believe the fellow would play us