thing myself," came from Tom's
friend, and the two rival scientists fairly glared at one another, the
others of both parties looking on with interest.

Professor Bumper turned and walked defiantly back to his tent.
Professor Beecher did the same thing. Then, after a short consultation
among the white members of the latter's organization, their tents were
set up in another clearing, removed and separated by a screen of trees
and bushes from those of Tom Swift's friends. The natives of the
Beecher party also withdrew a little way from those of Professor
Bumper's organization, and then preparations for spending the night in
the jungle went on in the rival headquarters.

"Well, he certainly had nerve, to deny, practically, that he had set
Jacinto up to do what he did," commented Tom.

"I should say so!" agreed Ned.

"How do you imagine he got here nearly as soon as we did, when he did
not start until later?" asked Mr. Damon.

"He did not have the unfortunate experience of being deserted in the
jungle," replied Tom. "He probably had Jacinto, or some of that
unprincipled scoundrel's friends, show him a short route to Copan and
he came on from there."

"Well, I did hope we might have the ground to ourselves, at least for
the preliminary explorations and excavations. But it is not to be. My
rival is here," sighed Professor Bumper.

"Don't let that discourage you!" exclaimed Tom. "We can fight all the
better now the foe is in the open, and we know where he is."

"Yes, Tom Swift, that is true," agreed the scientist. "I am not going
to give up, but I shall have to change my plans a little. Perhaps you
will come into the tent with me," and he nodded to Tom and Ned. "I
want to talk over certain matters with you and Mr. Damon."

"Pleased to," assented the young inventor, and his financial secretary
nodded.

A little later, supper having been eaten, the camp made shipshape and
the natives settled down, Tom, Ned, Mr. Damon and Professor Bumper
assembled in the tent of the scientist, where a dry battery lamp gave
sufficient illumination to show a number of maps and papers scattered
over an improvised table.

"Now, gentlemen," said the professor, "I have called you here to go
over my plans more in detail than I have hitherto done, now we are on
the ground. You know in a general way what I hope to accomplish, but
the time has come when I must be specific.

"Aside from being on the spot, below which, or below the v