with them, Ixtli?" asked Bruno, eager
to reach some fair understanding as to the future course of action.

"Yes, white brother, go with Ixtli," came the hesitating reply; but then
the Aztec caught one of Gillespie's hands, holding it in close contrast
to his own brown paw, shaking his head doubtingly.

"No like. Keen eye, dem people. Watch close. Find 'nother white
skin--bad!"

"You hear that, Bruno?" asked the professor, really relieved at such
positive evidence in conflict with the rash proposition made by the
young man.

"Of course I thought of going under cover of the night, uncle, and
surely it would not be such a difficult matter to darken my face and
hands? With dirt, if nothing better can be found. And if I wore the
clothes you brought from the cavern, uncle Phaeton?"

"That's the ticket!" broke in Waldo, eagerly. "Why, in a rig like that,
I could turn the trick my own self!"

The consultation was broken off at this juncture by a faint summons
from Cooper Edgecombe, and Professor Featherwit was only too glad of the
excuse, hurrying over to the flying-machine, finding to his great joy
that the exile was now far more like his old-time self.

Still, great caution was used in revealing all, and it was not until
considerably later in the day that Mr. Edgecombe felt capable of taking
part in the discussion of ways and means.

He declared that his recognition had been complete, in spite of the
long years which had elapsed since losing sight of his dear ones; and he
earnestly vowed to never give over until their rescue was effected, or
he had lost his life while making the attempt.

While the two air-voyagers were thus engaged in talk, Bruno silently
stole away with Ixtli, taking a bundle along, and leaving Waldo to throw
their uncle off the track in case his suspicions should be prematurely
awakened. Then, side by side, two Indian braves silently approached
the aerostat, causing Professor Featherwit to make a hasty dive for his
dynamite gun to repel a fancied onslaught.

"Sold again, and who comes next?" merrily exploded Waldo, dancing about
in high glee as the supposed redskin slowly turned around for inspection
before speaking, in familiar tones:

"Would there be such an enormous risk of discovery, uncle Phaeton,
provided I put lock and seal upon my lips, save for the ladies?"

That experiment proved to be a complete success, and after Cooper
Edgecombe added his pathetic pleadings to the young man's ow