arnest disclaimer of evil intentions,
Waldo gripped an arm and hurried the Aztec along, leaving the bear where
it had fallen, intent solely upon reaching a comparatively safe outlook
ere worse could follow upon the heels of their latest adventure.

And Bruno brought up the rear as guard, eyes and rifle ready.

CHAPTER XIX. THE CHILDREN OF THE SUN GOD.

No difficulty whatever was experienced in reaching that retreat, and
milder prisoner never knew a guard than Ixtli proved himself to be,
silently yielding to each impulse lent his arm by Waldo, smiling when,
as sometimes happened, he was brought more nearly face to face with that
armed rear-guard.

Nor were the Gillespie brothers worried by sound, sign, or token of more
serious trouble from others of that strangely surviving race. And it
was not long after reaching the rendezvous from which the professor had
sailed in the early dawn, that the youngsters agreed the echoes of
their Winchesters could not have reached the ears of the Lost City
inhabitants.

"That's plenty good luck for one soup-bunch," quoth Waldo, yet adding a
dubious shake of the head as he gazed upon their bronzed companion. "And
if it wasn't for this gentleman in masquerade costume--"

"Ixtli friend. Ixtli feel like heart-brother," came in low, mellow
accents from those smiling lips.

There certainly was naught of guile or of evil craft to be read in
either eyes or visage, just then; but the brothers could not feel
entirely at ease, even yet. How many times had warriors of his colour
played a cunning part, only to end all by blow of tomahawk, thrust of
knife, or bolt from the bended bow?

At a barely perceptible sign from Bruno, his brother drew apart, leaving
their "white elephant" by himself, yet none the less under a vigilant
guard.

"He seems all right, in his way," muttered the elder Gillespie, "but how
far ought we to trust him, after what we promised uncle Phaeton?"

"Not quite as far as we can see him, anyway. Still, a fellow can't
find the stomach to bowl him over like a hare,--without a weenty bit of
excuse, at least."

"That's it! If he'd try to bolt, or would even jump on one of us, it
would come far more easy. Look at him smile, now! And I hate to think of
clapping such a bright-seeming lad in bonds!"

"Time enough for all that when he shows us cause," quickly decided
Waldo, with a vigorous nod of his curly pow. "Pity if a couple of us
can't keep him out of mischief without