hose first
few seconds, but he saw that the women, in place of eagerly accepting
his aid, were visibly shrinking, apparently more alarmed than delighted
with the opportunity thus offered.

Doubtless this was caused mainly by that odd blending of Aztec and
paleface, the colour and garb of the one joined to the tongue of the
other; but the result might have been even worse, had not Ixtli hastened
back to clear up more matters than one.

In spite of his utmost efforts, the second Indian had escaped with life,
although he received a glancing wound from an arrow, as he plunged down
towards the lower level; and nothing seemed more certain than that an
alarm would right speedily spread throughout the town, if only for the
purpose of hurrying succour to the Lord Hua.

All this rolled in swift words over Ixtli's lips, his warning finding
completion before either of the women could fairly interrupt the young
brave. But then the one whom Ixtli termed Victo spoke rapidly in his
musical tongue, one strong white hand waving towards the now somewhat
embarrassed Gillespie.

"He friend; come save you, like save Ixtli," the Aztec hurriedly made
reply, with generous tact speaking so that Bruno could comprehend as
well as the women. "He good; all good! Paba bad; 'Tzin more bad; be
worse bad if stay here, Victo--Glady."

Thus given the proper cue, Bruno took fresh courage and, in as few
words as might be, explained his mission. He spoke the name of Cooper
Edgecombe, and for the first time that queenly woman showed signs of
weakness, staggering back with a faint, choking gasp, one hand clasped
spasmodically above her madly throbbing heart, the other rising to her
temples as though in fear of coming insanity.

"He is well; he is safe and longing for his loved ones," Bruno swiftly
added, producing the brief note which the exiled aeronaut had pressed
into his hand at almost the last moment. "He wrote you that--here it is,
and--"

"Make hurry, quick!" sharply interposed Ixtli, as ominous sounds began
to arise without the Temple of the Sun God. "Dog git 'way, howl for
more. Come here--kill like gods be glad."

With an evident effort Victo rallied, tones far from steady as she
begged both young men to save themselves without thought of them.

"I thank you; heaven alone knows how overjoyed I am to hear from my dear
husband,--my poor child's own father! And he is near, to--But go, go!
Guide and protect him, Ixtli, for--Go, I implore you,