a reasonably hearty supper of tortillas, and when
the promenaders began to disappear, thus telling that the hour for
retiring was near at hand, Cummings went downstairs and unbolted the
door.

Now every second appeared like a minute, and when it seemed as if the
night must be well nigh spent a slight sound was heard from below.

Jake would have rushed to the stair-case to welcome the Indian; but
Cummings restrained him. It was not certain who the visitor might be,
and with bated breath all listened until a low voice said:

"It is Poyor."

The remark was commonplace in the extreme; but no combination of words
sounded more sweetly to the boys, and they rushed forward to clasp the
Indian by the hand.

In the dim light it was not possible to see him very clearly; but from
the imperfect view all understood that something serious had happened.
He was panting as if just having concluded a long race, and the flowing
white garments he had put on before leaving in order to resemble the
inhabitants of the city, were torn and stained with mud.

Cummings spoke to him in the Indian dialect, and he replied gravely,
the first words causing the white man to utter an exclamation of dismay.

"What is the matter? What has happened?" Teddy asked; but Cummings made
no reply until Poyor had spoken at considerable length, and then he
said:

"The worst possible misfortune has befallen us. Our boat has been
discovered and brought into the city. It is believed we are hiding in
the swamp, and a number of men are searching there for us."

"Why didn't he come straight back to tell us?" Jake asked angrily. "If
these people are so fierce as you pretend, it is time we were making our
escape."

"To have approached this place in the daytime would have been in the
highest degree dangerous, and, besides, he had a good deal of work to
do."

"Such as what?"

"It was necessary we should know exactly the strength and whereabouts of
the searching party. That he has discovered."

"And how much good will it do us while we are shut up in here?"

"Do not cast reproaches in the time of trouble," Cummings replied
gravely. "We must work together to extricate ourselves from the danger
into which I have persuaded you to come."

Jake was silenced, and Poyor continued to tell his story, but still
speaking in his own language.

The boys fancied he was proposing some plan which did not meet with
Cummings' approbation, for the latter spoke vehemently at