hey stood
about the squat and ugly figure, which, in spite of its hideousness,
was worth a fortune intrinsically and as an antique, they heard from
the direction of the stone passage a noise.

"What is it?" asked Tom Swift.

There was a murmur of voices.

"Indians!" cried Professor Bumper, recognizing the language--a mixture
of Spanish and Indian.

The cave was illuminated by the glare of other torches which seemed to
rush forward. A moment later it was seen that they were being carried
by a number of Indians.

"Friends," murmured Goosal, using the Spanish term, "Amigos."

"They are our own Indians!" cried Tom Swift. "I see Tolpec!" and he
pointed to the native who had deserted from Jacinto's force to help
them.

"How did they get here?" asked Professor Bumper.

This was quickly told. In their camp, where, under the leadership of
Tolpec they had been left to do the excavating, the natives had heard,
seen and felt the effects of the storm and the earthquake, though it
did little damage in their vicinity. But they became alarmed for the
safety of the professor and his party and, at Tolpec's suggestion, set
off in search of them.

The Indians had seen, passing along the trail, the uprooted trees, and
had noted the footsteps of the explorers going down to the stone
passage. It was easy for them to determine that Tom and his friends
had gone in, since the marks of their boots were plainly in evidence in
the soft soil.

None of the Indians was as much wrought up over the discovery of Kurzon
and the idol as were the white adventurers. The gold, of course, meant
something to the natives, but they were indifferent to the wonders of
the underground city. Perhaps they had heard too many legends
concerning such things to be impressed.

"That statue is yours--all yours," said old Goosal when he had talked
with his relatives and friends among the natives. "They all say what
you find you keep, and we will help you keep it."

"That's good," murmured Professor Bumper. "There was some doubt in my
mind as to our right to this, but after all, the natives who live in
this land are the original owners, and if they pass title to us it is
clear. That settles the last difficulty."

"Except that of getting the idol out," said Mr. Damon.

"Oh, we'll accomplish that!" cried Tom.

"I can hardly believe my good luck," declared Professor Bumper. "I
shall write a whole book on this idol alone and then----"

Once more c