le to remain concealed in the house
during that time, otherwise it may go hard with us."

"But what do you expect to do shut up in a building, for of course we
must keep out of sight?" and Jake's face expressed the utmost surprise
and apprehension.

"That is exactly what you shall learn when we arrive there. Since I have
proven that the Silver City really has an existence, the least that can
be done is to aid in carrying out my programme without too much
discussion."

"You won't have any reason to complain because I don't obey orders,"
Jake replied quickly.

"Then I will soon show you what we expect to do providing our plans work
without a hitch during the next ten hours. Let's get these traps into a
more convenient shape for carrying, in order that we may be ready for
the last stage of our journey when Poyor gives the word."

CHAPTER XIII.

IN THE CITY.

The boys and Jake were decidedly perplexed and not a little worried in
regard to the outline of work as given by Cummings. They failed to
understand how it could be to their advantage to go into the city if it
should be necessary to remain hidden all the time, or in what way they
would derive any benefit from the visit.

Although the leader of the party knew from the expression of their faces
that they were dissatisfied with the general outlook, he did not
volunteer any information, thinking, perhaps, that it was unnecessary to
do so since they were where it was impossible to withdraw from the
enterprise.

Neither Teddy nor Neal believed the party would be exposed to any
extraordinary danger. The only idea in their minds was as to whether it
would be possible for them to get out of the swamp in time to take the
next steamer which left Progresso for the United States, and both
believed it would be a great misfortune to miss the first opportunity of
reaching home.

"We can stand it for one week," Neal said in a whisper: "but what I am
afraid of is that it won't be possible to leave the city at the end of
that time," and Teddy replied in the same cautious tones:

"It is for us to see that such a contingency does not arise. Jake will
do as we say, and if Cummings refuses to leave at a date sufficiently
early for us to reach Progresso, we must force him to act as has been
promised."

"What shall we do in case he refuses?"

"We are three out of a party of five, and should be able to arrange
matters to our own liking."

Neal was perfectly contented