lighten the irrepressible youngster, at least for the time
being.

Silence ruled for some little time, during which each one of the trio
kept keen watch over the valley, the field-glass changing hands at
intervals in order to put all upon an equal footing.

One thing was clear enough unto all: the Indians had been greatly
wrought up by the brief appearance of some queerly shaped monster of the
air, and while a goodly number of their best warriors had hastened out
of the valley and up the difficult passes, in hopes of learning more,
still others were astir, weapons in hand, evidently determined to defend
their lives or their property from any assault, should such be made,
whether by known or foreign adversaries.

This busy stir and bustle, combined with the novel architecture and so
many varying points of interest, would have been a mental and visual
feast for the trio of air-voyagers, only for that one doubt: were
white captives actually in yonder temple? And, if white, were they the
long-lost relatives of the aeronaut, Cooper Edgecombe?

Quite naturally the interest displayed by the Indians centred in the
quarter of the heavens where that air-demon had been sighted, hence our
friends saw very little cause for apprehension on their own parts.

Thus they were given a better opportunity for thinking of and then
discussing the new marvel.

Again did Waldo vow that his eyes had not befooled him. Again he
positively asserted that he had seen two white women, wearing blonde
hair in loose waves far adown their backs. And once again Bruno, in
half-awed tones, wondered whether or no they were the mother and child
borne away upon the wings of a mighty storm, fifteen long years gone by.

"It is possible, though scarcely credible," admitted uncle Phaeton, in
grave tones, as he wrinkled his brows after his peculiar fashion when
ill at ease in his mind. "Edgecombe lived through just such another
experience; though, to be sure, he was a man of iron constitution, while
they were far more delicate, as a matter of course."

"Still, it may have happened so?" persisted Bruno, taking a strong
interest in the matter. "You would not call it too far-fetched, uncle?"

"No. It may have happened. I would rather call it marvellous, yet still
possible. And if so--"

"There is but a single answer to that supposition, uncle; they must be
rescued from captivity!" forcibly declared Bruno.

"That's right," confirmed Waldo. "Of course all wom