re the last drop was burned.

After an interminable time the air on the stairway seemed to him to be
growing colder, and he inferred that night had come. Taking the lantern
he climbed the steps and peered out at the ancient doorway. He saw
lights below, and he could discern dimly the shapes of tents.
Disappointed, he returned to his place on the steps, and, after another
long wait, fell asleep again. When he awoke he calculated by the amount
of oil left in the lamp that at least twelve hours had passed since his
previous awakening.

Once more he made a great effort of the will in order to achieve a
conquest over curiosity and impatience. He would not return to the
entrance until the oil had only an hour more to burn. Necessity had
proved so stern a master that he was able to keep his resolution. Many
long, long hours passed and sometimes he dozed or slept, but he did not
go to the entrance. The oil at last marked the final hour, and, taking
up the lamp, he went back to the entrance.

Ned looked out and then gave a cry of joy. It was broad daylight, but
the army was gone, soldiers, horses, tents, everything. The Calle de los
Muertos was once more what its name meant. Silence and desolation had
regained the ruined city. He blew out the lantern and set it down at the
opening. It had served him well. Then he went out and climbed again to
the summit of the pyramid, from which he examined the valley long and
well.

He saw no signs of human life anywhere. Traces of the camp remained in
abundance, but the army itself had vanished. There were no lurking camp
followers to make him trouble. He descended to the ground, and stood a
while, drawing in deep draughts of the fresh daylight air. It had not
been oppressive in the pyramid, but there is nothing like the open sky
above. He went down to the Teotihuacan, and, choosing a safe place,
bathed in its waters. Then he resumed the flight across the hills which
had been delayed so long. He knew by the sun that it was morning not far
advanced, and he wished to travel many miles before night. He saw
abundant evidences on the great highway that the army was marching
toward Vera Cruz, and as before he traveled on a line parallel with it,
but at least a mile away. He passed two sheep herders, but he displayed
the machete, and whistling carelessly went on. They did not follow, and
he was sure that they took him for a bandit whom it would be wise to let
alone.

Ned wandered on for two or