them we
should be none the better off since there are neither hooks nor lines
here."

"Neal and I have got plenty of both, so what's to hinder our finding
out? A fresh fish wouldn't taste badly."

"Very well. I'll stay here on guard, and----"

He was interrupted by the arrival of Poyor, who had crept through the
short passage without making sufficient sound to be heard by those who
were supposed to be watching, and, speaking in English, he said to
Cummings:

"I do not think there is any one near here, and now I wish to go further
on to learn where the next line of sentinels is posted. We may be able
to change our quarters again, and if every move takes us nearer the
coast we shall be gaining just so much every time. You must keep a
better watch, however, for if I can surprise you, so can others."

"I will take it upon myself to see that no one else is able to do the
same thing," Cummings replied with a laugh. "When you are outside in the
vicinity I always feel secure; for the best Chan Santa Cruz that ever
lived couldn't pass without your knowledge. Did you hear anything of
importance while we were hiding so near that party?"

"From what they said it is positive fully a hundred men have been sent
from the city to search for us, and with the sentinels there must be
double that number between here and the coast."

"It would seem as if with so many they ought to run us to the ground
finally," Cummings said musingly. "Where were those fellows going?"

"They had been following the wet track examining the caves, and began
near the range of hills which forms the east boundary of their country.
One of the party believed we had doubled back in order to cross the
swamp, and if we can remain hidden it may not be long before all the
searchers will be sent in that direction."

"Did they make any talk about what would be done with us in case they
run us down?" Jake asked.

"All are to be taken to the city alive, if possible, and it is not hard
to say what would be our fate there."

"What do they do with their captives?" Jake continued, as if this not
very cheerful subject fascinated him.

"A white man would be sacrificed in the temple before the gods, and the
death stroke would not be delivered until much torture had been
inflicted."

"Don't talk of such horrible things," Teddy interrupted nervously. "It
can do us no good to learn all the terrible particulars. I want to keep
my mind on the one idea of escape."

"T