mplete success, and even
going so far as to predict Bruno's return accompanied by the Children of
the Sun; enthusiastic words which set the exile to trembling with excess
of joy and anticipation.

What, then, was the blank dismay of all when, floating through the
night, came the hollow throbbing of yonder mighty war-drum, fetching
each person to his feet and holding him spellbound for the first few
seconds.

Cooper Edgecombe turned sick at heart, even while ignorant as to the
method of sending forth that alarm, his hollow groan being the first
sound to follow the simultaneous exclamation which burst from three
pairs of lips as the surprise came. And but a breath later Waldo broke
forth with the excited query:

"What is it? What's broken loose now? Surely--thunder?"

Only Professor Phaeton at once recognised the sound, through
description, and each one of those swiftly succeeding strokes seemed
falling upon his heart, bidding him mourn for his beloved nephew, upon
whom his aged eyes had surely looked their last in this life!

Yet it was the professor who took prompt action, speaking sharply as he
darted across to where the air-ship rested:

"Come; get aboard, and let us do what lies in our power. It was criminal
to send the poor lad into the jaws of death, but now--hasten, there may
be a chance, even yet!"

The call was still hot upon his lips when his two companions entered the
aerostat, gripping tight the hand-rail as Professor Featherwit sent the
vessel afloat with reckless haste. As by a miracle they escaped disaster
through rushing into a bushy treetop, and that fact served to steady the
aeronaut's nerves.

"On guard, uncle Phaeton!" cried Waldo, making a lucky snatch at his
cap, which one of the stiff boughs brushed off his head.

"Ay, ay, lad," responded the man at the guiding-gear, as the air-ship
shot onward and upward, now heading, as directly as was practicable, for
the Lost City of the Aztecs. "That was the very lesson I needed. I am
steady of nerve, now, and will show no lack,--heaven grant that we may
not be for ever too late, though!"

"What do you reckon could have kicked up such a bobbery, uncle? And
what--ugh!" as the wardrum's throbbings again swelled forth in grim
alarm. "What in time is that, anyway?"

As briefly as might be, the professor explained, and almost for the
first time Waldo felt a thrill of dread.

"If they've got Bruno, what will they do with him?"

That very dread was w