l as he
does."

"Do you remember what happened the last time you believed Cummings and
Poyor were mistaken or ignorant?" Neal asked meaningly.

"What has that got to do with my going where I can use my eyes a bit?"

"Very much, considering the fact that Cummings thinks it is dangerous
even for him to venture out. You are safe so long as the Indians do not
get a glimpse of you, and it would be endangering the lives of all hands
if you tried such a foolish experiment that can be of no especial
benefit in case it is made successfully."

Jake did not reply; but from his manner Neal believed he intended to
leave the cave at the first favorable opportunity, and resolved to keep
a close watch upon him.

Nothing more was said on the subject because at this moment Poyor arose,
and going to the stream for a drink of water, saw the fish on the bank.

"Hungry?" he asked, coming toward the entrance.

"I wouldn't object to something warm," Teddy replied with a laugh; "but
I suppose it isn't safe to build a fire till after dark."

"We can have one now," the Indian said, as he began to crawl through the
passage.

"There," Jake said triumphantly, as Poyor disappeared, "you can see how
much danger there would be in our taking a stroll. Yesterday he wouldn't
let a fellow whisper, and now we're to cook as if such a tribe as the
Chan Santa Cruz had never existed."

"That doesn't make the slightest difference so far as we are concerned.
He could go in safety where you'd be certain to get into trouble."

Again the engineer was silenced but not convinced and Neal's fears that
some dangerously foolish move might be made by him, were increased.

When Poyor returned he brought with him a small quantity of wood, more
mud, and a bundle of green leaves.

At the further end of the cave he built a fire; encased the fish as he
previously had the "chickens," piled the embers over them, and then, in
the canteen brought by Cummings, he steeped the leaves.

Breakfast or dinner, whichever it might be called was ready in half an
hour, and when Poyor set the repast before them, where all could be on
the alert while eating, Teddy exclaimed:

"Those leaves must have been from a tea plant; it seems quite like being
on the yacht again to smell that."

"You'll be disappointed when you taste of the beverage," Cummings, who
had just been awakened by the Indian, said, as he approached his
companions. "He has made an infusion of pimientillo leaves,