can break
through. If not--well, I'll leave some marks behind me, anyway!"

"No, no, dat bad! Can't go to hills; must hide," positively declared the
young Aztec. "Come, now. Me show good place; all dead but we."

Evidently trusting to pass undetected where so many others were rushing
back and forth in seeming confusion, Ixtli broke away from the shadow of
the temple, closely followed by Gillespie, heading as directly as might
be for the strange refuge which he now had in mind.

That proved to be a low, unpretending structure which was of no great
extent, so far as Bruno's hasty look could ascertain. Still, that was
not the time for doubting the wisdom of his guide, nor a moment in
which to discuss either methods or means; and as Ixtli passed through a
massive entrance, the paleface followed, giving a little shiver as the
barrier swung to behind them.

"What sort of a place is it, anyway, Ixtli?" he demanded, but the Aztec
was too hurried for words, just then, save enough to warn his companion
in peril that they must descend deeper into the earth.

It was more of a scramble than a deliberate descent, for the gloom was
complete, and Bruno had no time in which to feel for steps or stairs.
Only for the aiding touch of his guide, he must have taken more than one
awkward tumble ere that lower level was attained.

Then a breathing-spell was granted him, and, while Ixtli bent ear in
listening to discover if pursuit was being made, Bruno drew a match
from the liberal supply he had taken the precaution to fetch along,
and, striking it, held aloft the tiny torch to view their present
surroundings.

Only to give an involuntary start and cry as he caught indistinct
glimpses of fleshless bones and grinning skulls, those grim relics of
mortality showing upon every side as his wild eyes roved around.

Then a hand struck down the match, and a swift voice breathed:

"Dey come dis way. See us hide--come hunt, now, to kill!"

CHAPTER XXIV. THE SUN CHILDREN'S PERIL.

Not until the two young men passed beneath those heavy curtains did
either one of the Sun Children really give thought to their own possible
peril, but stood close together, arm of mother about daughter as they
listened to the ominous sounds without, so rapidly growing in force and
number.

Then, just as the deep tones of the war-drum boomed forth upon the night
air, the fallen Aztec betrayed signs of rallying wits, giving a low
sound which might have been gr