The species are found nowhere else but in the caverns. Probably there
are several hundred here."

Before the torch had burned out the boys had time to examine the odd
chicken. It was about as large as a bantam, had soft, silky plumage, and
a tail composed of two feathers which were nothing more than stems up to
the very tips, where were tassel-like appendages.

"Now if the enemy does not track us here we can live pretty comfortably
for a few days; but I hope we shan't be obliged to stay any longer.
Poyor will destroy our trail as soon as it is light, and if they should
come I fancy we can tire them out, for one man can hold this place
against a hundred."

"I am going to drink my fill of that water," Jake said, as he groped his
way toward the rear of the chamber. "It seems as if I hadn't had all I
needed since we started on this trip."

"Be careful," Cummings shouted quickly. "Don't venture near the stream
until I get another torch."

"Why not?"

"Because in some of these caverns alligators are found, and it is never
safe to drink from the running water without first making sure that
there are no saurian guards about."

Cummings went to the entrance for more wood, and when he returned the
Indian was with him.

"This will cure the wound on your face," the latter said to Jake as he
held out a branch covered with small, glossy green leaves. "Take off the
cloth that I may see it."

While Jake obeyed, Cummings was kindling a fresh torch, and as the light
fell upon the engineer's cheek both the boys uttered exclamations of
surprise.

It was certainly a terrible looking wound, the dried blood causing it to
appear even larger than it really was; but Poyor set about dressing it
with the utmost indifference, perhaps because he thought Jake deserved
it for having been so stubborn and criminally foolish.

The Indian chewed the leaves to a pulp, and then spread them thickly on
the wound, after which Cummings replaced the cloth, and Jake declared
that the pain had subsided instantly.

"I must remember the name of that plant if it can be found in a dried
state at home," he said, "and there are many times when such a poultice
would come in mighty handy."

"He has only bound on leaves from a shrub called guaco; but you needn't
try to remember the name, for they are efficacious only while green. Now
that the surgeon's duties have been performed we will get some water,
and then set about cooking breakfast. Poyor, bring in