ProfessorFeatherwitthoroughlyappreciatedtheinterruptionwhichcamethroughWaldo’slipsjustatthatmoment。
\"Oh，Isay，——unclePhaeton！\"
\"Whatisit，lad？Don’tmeddlewithwhatdoesn’t——\"
\"Lookingcan’thurt，canit？Andtothinkpeopleevergotalongwithsuchthingsasthese！\"
Waldowassquaredbeforesundryarticlesdependingfromthesidewall，andastheprofessordrewcloser，he，too，displayedadegreeofinterestwhichwasreallyremarkable。
Agailycoloredtunicofthicklyquiltedcottonwashangingbesideanoddlyshapedwarclub，theheavierendofwhichwasarmedwithbladesofstonewhichgleamedandsparkledeveninthatdimlight。Andattachedtothisweaponwasanother，hardlylesscurious：aknifeformedofcopper，withheftandbladeallfromonepieceofmetal。
\"Hereistherestoftheoutfit，\"saidEdgecombe，holdingforthabowandseveralfeatheredarrowswithobsidianheads。
ProfessorFeatherwitgavealow，eagercryashehandledthevariousarticles，bothfaceandmannerbetrayingintensedelight，whichfoundpartialventinwordsalittlelater。
\"Wonderful！Marvellous！Superb！Ienvyyou，sir；Ican’thelpbutenvyyourpossessionofsomagnificent——andsowell-preserved，too！Thatisthemarvelofmarvels！\"
\"Well，tobesure，Ihaven’tusedthemverymuch。ThebowandarrowsIcouldmanagefairlywell，afterbusypractice。Theyhavesavedmefrommorethanonehungrynight。Butasfortherest——\"
\"Youmighthavewornthe——Isitaghost-danceshirt，though？\"
hesitatinglyaskedWaldo，gingerlyfingeringthewaddedtunic。
\"Waldo，I’mashamedofyou，boy！\"almostharshlyreprovedtheprofessor。\"Ghost-danceshirt，indeed！Andthisoneofthemostcomplete——theonlyperfectlypreservedspecimenoftheancientAztec——pray，mygoodfriend，wheredidyoudiscoverthem？Surelytherecanbenoburialmoundssofarabovethelatitudewherethatunfortunateracelivedanddied？\"
Mr。Edgecombeshookhishead，withapuzzledlook，thenmadereply：
\"No，sir。ItooktheseallfromanIndianIwasforcedtokillinordertosavemyownlife。Ineverthought——Youareill，sir？\"
\"Blessmysoul！\"ejaculatedtheprofessor，fallingbackapaceortwo，thensittingdownwithgreaterforcethangrace，allthewhilegazinguponthoseweaponslikeoneinadaze。\"Foundthem——Indian——killedhiminorderto——blessmysoul！\"
Then，withmarvellousactivityforoneofhisage，theprofessorrecoveredhisfooting，mumblingsomethingabouttrippingaheel，thenresumedhisexaminationofthecuriositiesasthoughhehadcarefornaughtbeside。
CooperEdgecombeturnedaway，andtheprofessorimprovedtheopportunitybymutteringtothebrothers：
\"Careful，lads。Givethepoorfellowhisownwayinallthings，forheis——hesurelymustbe——eh？\"
Forefingercovertlytappedforehead，fortherewasnotimegrantedforfurtherexplanations。Edgecombeturnedagain，speakinginhard，evenstrainedtones：
\"Fifteenyearsagothismonth，onthe27th，tobeexact，aballoonwithtwopassengerswascarriedawayonaterrificgaleofwindwhichblewfromthesoutheast。ThishappenedinWashingtonTerritory。Canyoutellme——hasanythingeverbeenheardofeitherballoonoritsinmates？\"
ProfessorFeatherwitshookhisheadinnegationbeforesaying：
\"Nottomyknowledge，thoughdoubtlesstheprintsoftheday——\"
CooperEdgecombeshookbothheadandhandwithstrangeimpatience。
\"No，no。Iknowtheywereneverheardfromuptotenyearsago，butsincethen——Iamafooltoevendreamofsuchathing，andyet，——onlyforthatfainthopeIwouldhavegonemadlongago！\"
Indeed，helookedlittlelessthaninsaneasitwas。
CHAPTERXII。THESTORYOFABROKENLIFE。
Thiswastheideathatoccurredtobothuncleandnephews，buttheyhadseenandheardenoughtoexcuseallthat，andProfessorFeatherwitspokeagain，inmildlycurioustones：
\"SorryIamunabletogiveyoubettertidings，mygoodfriend，but，sofarasmyknowledgeextends，nothinghascometolightofrecentyears。And——ifnotaleadingquestion——werethosepassengersfriendsofyourown？\"
\"Only——merelymy——mywifeandlittledaughter，\"camethetotallyunexpectedreply，followedbyaforcedlaughwhichsoundedanythingbutmirthful。
UnclePhaeton，intenselychagrined，hastenedtoapologiseforhislucklessbreak，butCooperEdgecombecuthimshort，askingthatthematterbeletdropforthetimebeing。
\"Iwilltalk；IfeelthatImusttellyouall，orlosewhatfewwitsIhaveleft，\"hedeclared，huskily。\"Butnotrightnow。Itisgrowinglate。Youmustbehungry。Ihavenoveryextensivelarder，butwithmylittlewillgothegratitudeofamanwho——\"
Hisvoicechoked，andheleftthesentenceunfinished，hurryingawaytopreparesuchamealashislimitedmeanswouldpermit。
WhileEdgecombewaskindlingafireinonecornerofthecavern，openingapileofashestoextractthefewcarefullycherishedcoalsbymeansofwhichthewoodwastobefired，uncleandonenephewleftthedentolookaftertheflying-machineandcontents。
Brunoremainedbehind，inobediencetoahintfromtheprofessor，lesttheexileshoulddreaddesertion，afterall。
\"Taketheseinandopenthem，Waldo，\"saidtheprofessor，selectingseveralcansfromthestockinthelocker。\"Poorfellow！’Twillbelikeaforetasteofcivilisation，justtoseeandsmell，muchlesstaste，thefruit。\"
\"Evenifhehasturnedlooney，eh，unclePhaeton？\"
\"Careful，boy！Ihardlythinkheisjustthatfargone；but，evenifso，whatmarvel？Thinkofallhemusthavesufferedduringsomanylong，drearyyears！and——hiswifeandchild！I
wonder——Idowonderifhereallykilled——butthatisincredible，simplyandutterlyincredible！AnAztec——here——alive！\"
\"Dead，unclePhaeton，\"correctedWaldo。\"Killedtheredskin，hesaid，andIreallyreckonhemeantit。Whynot，pray？\"
\"But——anAztec，boy！\"exclaimedthebewilderedsavant，unabletopassthatpoint。\"Thetunicofquiltedcotton，theescaupil！
Themaquahuitl，withitsbladesofgrass！Thebowandarrowswhich——all，allsurelyofAztecanmanufacture，yetseeminglyfreshandserviceableasthoughinusebutamonthago！Andtheraceextinctforcenturies！\"
\"Well，unlesshe’sahowlingliarfrom’wayupthecrick，heextinctedoneof’em，\"cheerfullycommentedWaldo，bearinghiscannedfruittothecavern。
ProfessorFeatherwitfollowedshortlyafter，findingtheexilebusypreparingfood，lookingandactingfarmorenaturallythanhehadsincehisrescuefromthewhirlpool。Andthen，untiltheeveningmealwasannounced，unclePhaetonhoverednearthoseamazingcuriosities，nowgazinglikeoneinawakingdream，thengingerlyfingeringeacharticleinturn，asthoughhopingtofindasolutionforhisenigmathroughthesenseoftouch。
Takenallinall，thatwasfarfromapleasantorenjoyablemeal。
Asenseofrestraintresteduponeachoneofthatlittlecompany，andnotonesucceededinfairlybreakingitaway，thougheachtriedinturn。
Despitethestrugglemadebytheexiletoholdallemotionswellundersubjection，CooperEdgecombefailedtohidehisalmostchildishdelightatsightandtasteofthosecannedgoods，anditdidnotrequiremuchurgingonthepartofhisrescuerstoensurehispartakingfreely。
Butthecap-sheafcamewhenunclePhaeton，truetohishabitoflongyears，aftereating，producedpipeandpouch，thefragranttobaccocatchingtheexile’snostrilsanddrawingalow，tremulouscryfromhislips。
Noneedtoaskwhatwasthematter，forthateagergaze，thosequiveringfingers，wereenough。Andjustasthoughthishadbeenhisexpresspurpose，theprofessorpassedthepipeover，quietlyspeaking：
\"Perhapsyouwouldlikealittlesmokeafteryoursupper，mygoodfriend？Obligemeby——\"
\"MayI？Oh，sir，mayI——reallytaste——oh，oh，oh！\"
Brunostruckamatchandsteadiedthepipeuntilthetobaccowasfairlyignited，thendrewbackandlefttheexiletohimselfforthetimebeing。And，ascovertglancestoldthem，neverbeforehadtheireyesresteduponmortalbeingsointenselyhappyaswasthelong-lostaeronautthenandthere。
Atasignfromtheprofessor，BrunoandWaldosilentlyaroseandleftthecavern，bearingtheirguardiancompanytowheretheair-shipwasresting。Andtheretheybusiedthemselveswithmakingpreparationsforthenight，whichwasjustsettlingoverthatportionoftheearth。
PresentlyCooperEdgecombeappeared，theemptypipeinhand，heldasonemightcaressaninestimabletreasure，adreamy，almostblissfulexpressionuponhissun-brownedface。
\"Ithankyou，sir，morethantonguecantell，\"hesaid，quietly，asherestoredthepipetoitsowner。\"IfyoucouldonlyrealisewhatIhavesufferedthroughthisdeprivation！I，aninveteratesmoker；yetsuddenlydeprivedofit，andsokeptfortenlongyears！IfIhadhadapipeandtobacco，Ibelieve——butenough。\"
\"Icansympathisewithyou，atleastinpart，myfriend。Willyouhaveanothersmoke，bytheway？\"
\"No，no，notnow；Ifeelblessedforthemoment，andmoremightbeworsethannone，aftersolongdeprivation。And——mayItalkopenlytoyou，dear，kindfriends？MayItellyou——amIselfishinwishingtotroubleyouthus？Tenyears，remember，andnotasoultospeakwith！\"
Helaughed，butitwasasorrymirth；andnotcaringtotrusthistonguejustthen，unclePhaetonnoddedhisheademphaticallywhilefillinghispipeforhimself。ButWaldoneverlackedforwords，andspokeout：
\"That’sallright，sir；wecanlistenaslongasyoucanchin-chin。Tellusallabout——well，what’sthematterwiththatbigInjun？\"
\"Quiet，Waldo。Saywhatbestpleasesyou，myfriend。Youcanbesureofonething，——sympatheticlisteners，ifnothingbetter。\"
Withacuriousshiver，asthoughafflictedwithasuddenchill，Edgecombeturnedpartlyaway，figuredrawnrigidlyerect，handstightlyclaspedbehindhisback。Abriefsilence，thenhespokeintonesofforcedcomposure。
\"Aballoonwasthebest，inmyday，andIwasproudofmyprofession，althougheventhenIwasdreamingofbetterthings——ofsomethingakintothismarvellouscreationofyours，sir，\"castingafleetingglanceattheair-ship，thenatthefaceofitsbuilder，afterwardresuminghisformerattitude。
\"Letthatpass，though。IwantedtotellyouhowImetwithmyawfulloss；howIcametobeouthereinthismodernhell！
\"Ihadawife，adaughter，eachofwhomfeltalmostaspowerfulaninterestinaerostaticsasIdidmyself。Andoneday——but，wait！
\"Ihadanenemy，too；onewhohad，yearsbefore，soughttowinmyloveforhisown；invain，thecur！Andthatday——wewereouthereinWashingtonTerritory，livingincomparativesolitudethatImightthebetterstudyoutthetheoryIwasslowlyshapinginmybrain。
\"Thedaywasbeautiful，butalmostoppressivelywarm，and，astheysofrequentlywished，Iletmydearonesupintheballoon，securelyfasteningitbelow。Andthen——Godforgiveme！——Iwentbacktotownforsomething；Iforgetjustwhat，now。
\"Asuddenstormcameup。Ihurriedhomeward；hometomewaswherevermydearoneschancedtobe；butIwasjusttoolate！
Thatdevilofalldevilswasaheadofme，andIsawhim——mercifulGod！Isawhim——cuttheropesandlettheballoondartawayuponthatawfulgale！\"
Hisvoicechoked，andforafewminutessilencereigned。Knowinghowvainmustbeanyattempttoofferconsolation，thetrioofair-voyagerssaidnothing，andpresentlyCooperEdgecombespoke。
\"Ikilledthedemon。Inearlytorehimlimbfromlimb；Iwouldhavedonejustthat，onlyforthosewhocamehurryingaftermefromtown，knowingthatImightneedhelpinbringingmyballoontoearthinsafety。Theydraggedmeaway，but’twastoolatetocheatmymiserablevengeance。Thathoundwasdead，but——mydarlingsweregone，forever！\"
Anotherpause，thenquieter，morecoherentspeech。
\"Godaloneknowswhithermywifeandchildweretaken。Thegeneraldriftwasinthisdirection，buthowfartheywerecarried，orhowlongtheymayhavelived，Icanonlyguess；
enoughthat，despiteallmyinquiries，madefarandwideineverydirection，Ineverheardaughtofeitherballoonorpassengers！
\"Afterthat，Ihadbutoneobjectinlife：tofollowalongthetrackofthatstorm，andeitherfindmylovedones，or——orsomeclewwhichshouldforeversolvemyawfuldoubts！AndfortwolongyearsormoreIfoughttopiercethesehorridfastnesses，——allinvain。Nomortalmancouldsucceed，evenwhenurgedonbysuchamotiveasmine。
\"ThenIdetermineduponanothercourse。IworkedandslaveduntilIcouldprocureanotherballoon，asnearlyliketheoneI
lostasmightbeconstructed。ThenIwatchedandwaitedforjustsuchanotherstormastheoneuponwhosewingsmydarlingswereborneaway，meaningtotakethesamecourse，andsofind——\"
\"Why，man，dear，youmusthavebeeninsane！\"impulsivelycriedtheprofessor，unablelongertocontrolhistongue。
\"PerhapsIwas；littlewonderifso，\"admittedEdgecombe，turningthatway，withawansmilelightinguphisvisage。\"Icouldnolongerreason。Icouldonlyact。Ihadbutthatonegrimhope，toeventuallydiscoverwhattimeandexposuretotheweathermighthaveleftofmylostloves。
\"Then，aftersolongwaiting，thestormcame，blowinginthesamedirectionasthatother。Icutmyballoonloose，andletitdrift。Ilookedandwaited，hoping，longing，yet——failing！Iwaswrecked，hereinthiswilderness。Myballoonwascarriedaway。
Ifailedtofind——aught！\"
CooperEdgecombeturnedtowardstheair-ship，withasighofregret。
\"Ifonehadsomethinglikethisthen，Imighthavefoundthem，——evenalive！Butnow——toolate——eternallytoolate！\"
CHAPTERXIII。THELOSTCITYOFTHEAZTECS。
UnclePhaetonwasmorethanwillingtodothehonoursofhispetinvention，andthisaffordedamosthappydiversion，althoughthedeepeningtwilighthinderedanyveryextensiveexamination。
CooperEdgecombeshowedhimselfinavastlydifferentlightwhilethusengaged，hisshrewdquestions，hisaptcomments，quiteeffectuallyremovingthefarfromagreeabledoubtsbornofhisearlierwordsanddemeanour。
\"Well，ifhe’slooney，it’sonlyonsomepoints，notasthewholeporker，anyway，\"confidentiallyassertedWaldo，whenanopportunityoffered。\"Coaxhimtotellhowheknockedtheredskinout，unclePhaeton。\"
Littleneedofrecallingthatperplexingincidenttotheworthysavant，for，tryashemight，Featherwitcouldnotkeepfrombroodingoverthatwondrouscollectionofrelicspertainingtoalong-sinceextinctpeople。Ofcourse，thelastonehadperishedagesago；andyet——andyet——
Throughhishalf-bewilderedbrainflashedtheaccountsgivenbythecoasttribes，membersofwhichhehadsofrequentlyinterviewedconcerningthisunknownland，oneandallofwhomhadmoreorlesstosayinregardtoastrangepeople，terriblefighters，mightyhunters，oneburningglancefromwhoseeyescarrieddeathanddecayuntoallwhowerefoolhardyenougheventoattempttopassthosemightybarriers，builtupbyabeneficentnature。Onlyforthatnearlyimpassablewall，theentireearthwouldbeoverrunanddominatedbythesemonstersinhumanguise。
Then，aftertheair-shipwascaredfortothebestofhisability，andthenight-guardsetinplacesothatanalarmmightgivewarningofanyillegalintrusion，thelittlepartyreturnedtothecavernhomeoftheexilewhere，afteranotherrefusalonhispart，theprofessorfilledandlightedhisbelovedpipe。
AlmostinspiteofhimselfFeatherwitwasdrawntowardsthosemarvellousarticlesdependingfromthewall，and，ashegazedinsilentmarvel，CooperEdgecombedrewnigh，withstillotherarticlestocompletethecollection。
\"Youmaypossiblyfindsomethingofinterestinthese，too，dearsir，althoughIhavegiventhemratherroughusage。Thisformedarathercomfortablecap，and——\"
\"Ahelmet！Andsandals！Asashwhichis——yes！wornaboutthewaist，mainlytosupportweapons，andtermedamaxtlatl，which——andallsufficientlywellpreservedtobereadilyrecognisedasgenuine——unless——SurelyIamdreaming！\"
Ifnotpreciselythat，theworthyprofessorassuredlywasalmostbesidehimselfwhileexaminingthesearticlesofwarrior’swear，onebyone，knowingthatneithereyesnormemorywereatfault，yetstillunabletobelievethoseverysenses。
Uptothis，CooperEdgecombehadfeltbutapassinginterestinthematter，formingasitdidbutasingleincidentinamorethanordinarilyeventfullife；butnowhebegantodivineatleastaportionofthetruth，andhisfacewaslightedupwithunusualanimation，whenPhaetonFeatherwitturnedthatway，toalmostsharplydemand：
\"Wheredidyougainpossessionoftheseweaponsandgarments，sir？Andhow，——fromwhom？\"
\"ItookthemfromanIndian，nearlytwoyearsago。Hecaughtmeoffmyguard，and，whenIsawthatIcouldneitherhidenorflee，Ifoughtformylife，\"explainedtheexile；thengivingashort，bitterlaugh，toadd：\"Strange，isitnot？AlthoughIhadlongsincegrownwearyofexistencesuchasthis，Ifoughtforit；I
turnedwildbeast，asitwere！Then，afterallwasover，Itookthesethings，morebecauseIfearedhiscomradesmightsuspect——\"
\"Hiscomrades？\"echoedtheprofessor。\"Morethantheone，then？
Youkilledhim，but——therewereothers，still？\"
\"Manyofthem；fartoomanyforanyonemantowithstand，\"
earnestlydeclaredtheexile。\"Imadeallhasteinbearingtheredskinhere，obliteratingallsignsasquicklyaspossible；yetfordaysandnightsIcoweredhereinutterdarkness，eachminuteexpectinganattackfromtoopowerfulaforceforstandingagainst。\"
UnclePhaetonrubbedhishandsbriskly，shiftinghisweighthurriedlyfromonefoottoitsmate，thenbackagain，theverypersonificationofeagerinterestandgrowingconviction。
\"Moreofthem？Astrongforce？Armed，——andgarbedasofold？
Theclothing，thefootwear，and，aboveallelse，theweapons，purelyAztecan？Andhere，onlytwoshortyearsago？\"
\"SadlylongandhideouslydrearyyearsIhavefoundthem，sir，\"
theexilesaid，indejectedtones。
Theprofessorburstintoashrill，excitedlaugh，whichsoundedalmosthysterical，and，notalittletotheamazementofhisnephews，brokeintoaregulardance，jiggingitrightmerrily，handsonhips，headperked，andchininair，atthesametimestrivingtocarrythetuneinhisfarfrommelodiousvoice。
Afterall，perhapsnobettermethodcouldhavebeentakentoworkoffhisalmosthystericalexcitement，andpresentlyhepaused，pantingandheated，chucklingafteranabashedfashionasheencounteredtheeyesofhisnephews。
\"Notaword，mydearboys，\"hehastenedtoplead。\"Ihadtodosomethingor——orexplode！Ifeelbetter，now。Icanbehavemyself，Ihope。Iamcalm，cool，andcomposedas——thegenuineAztecs！Andwearetheonestodiscoverthat——oh，Iforgot！\"
ForWaldowasfairlyexplodingwithmirth，whileBrunosmiled，andeventheexileappearedtobeamusedtoacertainextentathisexpense。
Littlebylittle，theworthysavantcalmeddown，andthen，almostforcingtheexiletoindulgeinanotherdelicioussmoke，heleduptothesubjectinwhichhisinterestwasfairlyintense。
CooperEdgecombewaswillingenoughtotellallthatlayinhispower，althoughhewasonlybeginningtorealisehowmuchthatmightmeantotheworldatlarge，judgingbytheactionsoftheprofessor。
Accordingtohisaccount，thegreatlake，ordrainagereservoiroftheOlympics，wasasortofsemi-yearlyrendezvousforawarliketribeofredmen，wheretheycongregatedforthepurposeofcatchinganddryingvastquantitiesoffish，doubtlesstobeusedduringthewinter。
\"Asageneralthingtheypitchtheircampontheotherside，overtowardsthenortheast；butsmallpartiesareprettysuretorovefarandwide，comingaroundthiswayquiteasoftenasnot。\"
\"Andtheirgarb，——theweaponstheybore？\"askedtheprofessor。
Edgecombemotionedtowardsthosearticlesinwhichsuchalivelyinteresthadbeenawakened，thensaidthat，whilefewoftheredmenwhohadcomebeneathhisnearobservationhadbeensoelaboratelyequipped，hehadtakennoticeofsimilarweaponsandgarments，withadditionswhichhestrovehardtodescribewithaccuracy。
Nearlyeverysentencewhichcrossedhislipsservedtoconfirmthemarvelloustruthwhichhadsodazzlinglyburstupontheprofessor’seagerbrain，andwithaglibtonguehenamedeachweapon，eachgarment，asaccuratelyaseversetdowninancienthistory，notalittletothewide-eyedamazementofWaldoGillespie。
\"Worsethanthoseblessed’sour-us’andcousins，\"heconfidedtohisbrother，inawhisper。\"Reckonit’sallright，Bruno？Uncleisn’t——eh？\"
ButunclePhaetonpaidthemnoattention，sodeeplywashestirredbythiswondrousrevelation。Hefeltthathewasuponthevergeofadiscoverywhichwouldstartlethewideworldasnorecentannouncementhadbeenabletodo，unless——butitsurelymustbecorrect！
Andthen，whenCooperEdgecombefinishedallhecouldtellconcerningthosequeerlyarmedandgaudilygarbedredmen，theprofessorletloosehistongue，tellingwhatglorioushopesanddazzlinganticipationswerenowwithinhim。
\"Forhundredsuponhundredsofyearstherehavebeenwild，weirdlegendsabouttheLostCity，butthatmerelymeantamassofwondrousruins，longsinceoverwhelmedbyshiftingsands，somewhereintheheartofthegreatAmericandesert，so-called。
\"BysomeitwasclaimedthatthisancientcityoweditsprimalexistencetoafragmentoftheAztecs，drivenfromtheirnativequartersinOldMexico。Byothers’twasattributeduntooneofthefabulous’LostTribesofIsrael，’buteventhemostenthusiasticneverforonemomentdreamedof——this！\"
\"Exceptyourself，unclePhaeton，\"cutinWaldo，withasubduedgrin。\"Thismustbeoneofthemarvelsyoucalculatedondiscovering，thankstotheflying-machine，eh？\"
\"Nay，myboy；Ineverletmyimaginationsoarhalfsohighasallthat，\"quicklyansweredtheprofessor。\"Butnow——nowIfeelconfidentthatjustsuchadiscoveryliesbeforeus，andwiththedawnofanewdaywewillascendandlookfortheglorious’LostCityoftheAztecs！’\"
Againthesavantsprangtohisfeet，wildlygesticulatingashestrodetoandfro，strivingtothusworkoffsomeoftheintenseexcitementwhichhadtakenfullpossession。Andwordsfellrapidlyfromhislipsthewhile，onlyaportionofwhichneedbeplaceduponrecordinthisconnection，however。
\"Aficoforthepaltrylostcitiesofmustytradition，now！Theymaysleepbeneaththesand-stormsofcountlessyears，butthis——I
wouldgladlygiveoneofmyeyesforthecertaintythatitsmatemightgazeuponsuchawondrousspectacleas——Oh，ifitmightonlyprovetrue！IfImightonlydiscoversuchastupendoustreasure！Aztecs！Andinthepresentday！Alive——armedandgarbedasofyore！Amazing！Incredible！Astoundingbeyondthewildestdreamsofaconfirmed——\"
WithstartlingswiftnessunclePhaetonwheeledtoconfronttheexile，grippinghisarmwithfiercevigour，asheshrillydemanded：
\"Opium——areyouaneaterofdrugs，CooperEdgecombe？\"
Evenasthewordscrossedhislips，theprofessorrealisedhowpreposteroustheymustsound，buttheexileshookhishead，earnestly。
\"Ineveratedrugsinthatshape，sir。EvenifIhadbeenaddictedtomorphineandthelike，howcouldIindulgetheappetitehere，inthesegloomy，lonelywilds？\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，sir；mosthumblyIimploreyourforgiveness。
Ihavebutoneexcuse——thiswondrous——Goodnight！I’mgoingtobedbeforeIaddtomynewreputationas——ablessedidiot，noless！\"
CHAPTERXIV。
AMARVELLOUSVISION。
Butthenightwasconsiderablyolderereanyoneofthatquartettelosthimselfinslumber，forallhadbeentoothoroughlywroughtupbytheexcitingeventsofthepastdayforsleeptoclaimaneasysubject。
Bycommonconsent，however，thatoneparticularsubjectwasbarredforthepresent，andthen，sittinginacosygroupabouttheglowingfirethereinthecavern，therecentlyformedfriendstalkedandchatted，askingandansweringquestionsalmostpastcounting。
Littlewonderthatsuchshouldbethecase，sofarasCooperEdgecombewasconcerned，sincehehadbeenlosttothebusyworldanditsmanychangesforalongdecade。
Then，too，hisowndrearyexistenceheldastrangecharmfortheair-voyagers，andtheexilegrewwonderfullycheerfulandbright-eyedasheinpartdepictedhisstrugglestosustainlifeagainstsuchheavyodds，andstillstrovetokeepalivethatonehope，——thatevenyethemightbeabletodiscoveraclewtohislovedandlostones。
\"Notalive；Ihavelongsinceabandonedthatfainthope。ButifImightonlyfindsomethingtomakesure，somethingthatIcouldprayover，thenburywheremyheartcouldhoverabove——\"
\"Youarestillalive，goodfriend，yetyouhavespentlongyearsouthereinthewilderness，\"gentlysuggestedtheprofessor。
Edgecombeflinched，asonemightwhenarudehandtouchesastillrawwound。
\"Butthey，mywife，mybabygirl，——theycouldneverhavelivedasIhaveexisted。Theysurelymusthaveperished；ifnotatonce，thenwhenthefirstcruelstormsofhideouswintercamehowlingdownfromthefarnorth！\"
\"Unlesstheywerefoundandrescuedby——whoknows，mygoodsir？\"
forcingacheerfulsmile，which，unfortunately，wasonlysurface-born，astheexileliftedhisheadwithastartandagaspingejaculation。\"Sinceitseemsfairlywellproventhatthissupposedlyunknownlandisactuallyinhabited，whymayyourlovedonesnothavebeenrescued？\"
\"TheIndians？YoumeanbytheAztecs，sir？\"
\"IfAztecanstheyshouldreallyprove；whynot？\"
\"But，surelyIhaveheard——sacrifices？\"huskilybreathedthegreatlyagitatedman，whiletheprofessor，realisinghowhewasmakingabadmatterworse，brazenlyfalsifiedtherecords，declaringthatnohumansacrificeshadeverstainedtherecordofthatnoble，honourable，gallantrace；andthenchangedthesubjectasquicklyasmightbe。
Nevertheless，therewasonegoodeffectfollowingthattalk。
CooperEdgecombehaddreadednothingsomuchasthefearofbeingleftbehindbythese，thefirstwhitepeoplehehadseenforwhatseemedmorethananordinarylifetime；butnow，whentheprofessorhintedatalongingtotakeaspinthroughether，forthepurposeofwinningawiderview，heeagerlysecondedthatidea，evenwhilerealisingthatitwouldbedifficulttotakehimalongwiththerest。
Still，nothingwasdefinitelysettledthatevening，andatafairlyrespectablehourbeforetheturnofnight，theair-voyagerswerewrappedintheirblanketsandsoundlyslumbering。
Notsotheexile。Sleepwasfarfromhisbrain，andwhilehereallyknewthatdangercouldhardlymenacethatwondrousbitofingeniousmechanism，hewatcheditthroughoutthatlongnight，readytoriskhisownlifeinitsdefenceshouldtheoccasionarise。
Whynot，sincehiswholefuturedependedupontheaeromotor？Byitsaidhehopedtoreachcivilizationoncemore；andinspiteofthegreatlosswhichhadwreckedhislife，hewasthrilledtothecentrebythatgloriousprospect。Herehewasdeadwhilebreathing；therehewouldatleastbeintouchwithhisfellowmenoncemore！
Anearlymealwaspreparedbytheexile，andinreadinesswhenhistrioofguestsawakenedtothenewday；andthen，whilebusilydiscussingthereallyappetisingviandsplacedbeforethem，thenextmovewasfullydeterminedupon。
Notalittletohissecretdelight，theprofessorheardEdgecombebroachthesubjectoffurtherexplorations，andseeingthathisexcitementhadpassedawayingoodlymeasureduringthesilentwatchesofthenight，hetalkedwithgreaterfreedom。
\"Ofcoursewe’llkeepintouchwithyou，here，friend，andtakenodecisivemovewithoutyourknowledgeandconsent。Ourfateshallbeyours，andyourfateshallbeours。Only——Iwoulddearlylovetocatchaglimpseof——IfthereshouldactuallybeaLostCityinexistence！\"
\"Ifthereis，astheresurelymustbeoneofsomedescription，judgingfromthenumberofredmenIhaveseencollectinghereatthelake，\"observedtheexile，\"youcertainlyoughttomakethediscoverywiththeaidofyourair-ship。Youcanascendatwill，ofcourse，sir？\"
Nothingloath，theprofessorspokeofhispetanditswondrouscapabilities，andthenallhandsleftthecavernfortheouterair，toprepareforaction。
Asafurtherassurance，unclePhaetonbeggedEdgecombetoentertheaerostat，thenskilfullycausedthevesseltofloatupwardintoclearspace，sailingoutoverthelakeeventothewhirlpoolitselfbeforeturning，hispassengereagerlywatchingeverymoveandtouchofhand，askingquestionswhichprovedhimbothshrewdandingenious，fromamechanicalpointofview。
Returningtotheirstarting-point，Edgecombespranglightlytoearthtomakewayforthebrothers，faceruddyandeyesaglowasheagainbeggedthemalltokeepwatchforaughtwhichmightsolvethemysteryyetsurroundingthefateofhislovedones。
Thepromisewasgiven，togetherwithanearnestassurancethattheywouldsoonreturn；thenthepartingwascutasshortasmightbe，allfeelingthatsuchacoursewaswisestandkindest，afterall。
Foranhourormoretheair-shipspedon，highinair，itsinmatesviewingthevariousandvaryinglandmarksbeneathandbeyondthem，allmarvellingatthefactthatsuchanimmensescopeofcountryshouldforsolongbeleftinitsnativevirginity，especiallywhereallaresoland-hungry。
Then，asnothingofespecialinterestwasbroughttotheirnotice，unclePhaetonquitenaturallyrevertedtothatsuitofAztecanarmour，andthegloriouspossibilitieswhichthewordsoftheexilehadopeneduptothemasexplorers。
Brunolistenedwithunfeignedinterest，butnotsohismoremercurialbrother，whotookadvantageofanopeningleftbytheprofessor，tobluntlyinterject：
\"Whatmightygood，evenifyoushouldfinditall，unclePhaeton？
Youcouldn’tpickitupandtoteitaway，tostartadimemuseumwith。And，asformypart，——I’lltellyouwhat！IfwecouldonlyfindsomethinglikeAladdin’scave，now！\"
\"Growingmiserlyinyouroldage，areyou，lad？\"mockedhisuncle。
\"No；Idon’tmeanjustthat。Histreeswerehungwithriches，butmineshouldbe——crammedandcrowdedfullofplumpudding，fruitcake，angelfood，mincepies，andthelike！Yes，andthereshouldbefountainsoflemonade！Andmountainsofice-cream！
Andsandbarsofcaramels，andchocolatedrops，andtrilbies，and——well，now，what’sthematterwithyoufellows，anyway？\"
Hespokewithboyishindignationatthatlaughingoutbreak，butthekindlyprofessorquicklymanagedtosmooththematterover，althoughnotbeforeWaldohadpromisedBrunoasoundthumpingthefirsttimetheysetfootuponland。
Untilpastthenoonhourthatpleasantvoyagelasted，withoutanyremarkablediscoverybeingmade，thetriomunchingacoldlunchattheirease，ratherthantakethetroubletoeffectalanding。
Butthen，notverylongafterthesunhadbegunhisdownwardcourse，therecameachangewhichcausedFeatherwit’sbloodtoleapthroughhisveinsfarmorerapidlythanusual，foryonder，stillanumberofmilesaway，therewasgraduallyopeningtoviewahill-surroundedvalleyofconsiderabledimension，certainportionsofwhichbetrayedsignsofcultivation，oratleastofvegetationdifferentfromaughttheexplorershadasyetcomeacrosssinceenteringthatlandofwonders。
AlmostunwittinglyProfessorFeatherwitsenttheair-shiphigher，evenasitspedonwardatquickenedpace，hisfaceaspaleashiseyeswereglittering，intenseanticipationholdinghimspellboundforthetimebeing。Andthen——thewondroustruth！
\"Behold！\"hecried，shrilly，pointingashespoke。
\"Housesyonder！Cultivatedfields，and——see！humanbeingsinmotion，whoare——\"
\"Kickingupagreatoldbobbery，justasthoughthey’dsightedus，andwantedtoknow——Isay，unclePhaeton，howwoulditfeeltogetpunchedfullofholesbyaparcelofbow-arrows？\"
Withaquickmotiontheair-shipwasturned，dartinglowerandoffatasharpangletoitsformercourse，fortheprofessorlikewisesawwhathadattractedthenoticeofhisyoungernephew。
Scatteredhereandtherethroughoutthatsecludedvalleywerehumanbeings，nearlyallofwhomhadsprungintosuddenmotion，doubtlessamazedorfrightenedbytheappearanceofthatoddlyshapedair-demon。
Briefthoughthatviewhadbeen，itwassufficientlylongtoshowtheprofessorhousesofsolidandsubstantialshape，cultivatedplots，humanbeings，andalittleriverwhoseclearwaterssparkledandflashedinthesunlight。
Itwasveryhardtocutthatviewsoshort，buttheprofessorhadnotlostallprudence，andheknewthatdangertobothvesselandpassengersmightfollowanearerintrusionupontheprivacyofyonderarmedpeople。Yethisfacewasfairlyglowingwithgladexultationashebroughttheaerostattoalowerstrataofair，shuttingoffallviewfromyondervalley，asitlayamiditsencirclinghills。
\"Hurrah！\"hecried，snatchingoffhiscapandwavingitenthusiastically，astheair-shipfloatedonwardatease。\"Atlast！Found——we’vediscovereditatlast！Andallistrue，——allistrue！\"
\"Foundwhat，unclePhaeton？\"askedWaldo，abitdoubtfully。
\"TheLostCityoftheAztecs，ofcourse！Oh，gladday，gladday！\"
\"Unless——whatifitshouldprovetobeonlya——amirage，unclePhaeton？\"almosttimidlyventuredBruno，amomentlater。
CHAPTERXV。
ASTOUNDING，YETTRUE。
Theprofessorgaveagreatstartatthisalmostreluctantsuggestion，shrinkingbackwithalookwhichfellnotfarshortofbeinghorrified。Butthenherallied，forcingalaughbeforespeaking。
\"No，no，Bruno。Allconditionsarelackingtoformthemirageofthedesert。And，too；everythingwassodistinctandclearlyoutlinedthatonecould——\"
\"Fairlyfeelthoseblessedbow-arrowsticklingafellowintheshortribs，\"vigorouslydeclaredtheyoungerGillespie。\"Notbutthat——Isay，unclePhaeton？\"
\"Whatisitnow，Waldo？\"
\"Reckonthey’relikeanyotherpeople？Gotboysand——andgirlsamong’em，Iwonder？\"
\"Idaresay，yes，whynot？\"answeredFeatherwit，scarcelyrealisingwhatwordswerebeingshapedbyhislips，whileBrunobrokeintoabrief-livedlaugh，moreatthathalf-sheepishexpressionthanatthequeryitself。
\"Bothboysandgirlsgalore，Iexpect，Kid；butyouneedn’tborrowtroubleoneitherscore。Youcanoutrunthelads，whileasforthefairersex，——well，they’lltakepreciousgoodcaretokeepwellbeyondyourreach，——especiallyifyouwearsuchanotherfascinatinggrinas——\"
\"Oh，yougotothunder，BrunoGillespie！\"
Throughallthisinterchangetheair-shipwasmaintainingawidesweep，drawingnearertheforestbeneath，ifonlytokeephiddenfromtheeyesofthestrangepeopleinyonderdeepvalley。YetthegazeofPhaetonFeatherwitasarulekeptturnedtowardsthatparticularpoint，hiseyesonfire，hislipstwitching，hiswholedemeanourthatofonewhofeelsadiscoveryoftremendousimportanceliesjustbeforehim。
\"Arewegoingtoland，unclePhaeton？\"queriedBruno，takingnoteofthatpreoccupation，whichmighteasilyprovedangerousunderexistingcircumstances。
Thatquestionservedtorecalltheprofessortomorematerialpoints，and，afterakeen，sweepinglookaround，henoddedassent。
\"Yes，assoonasIcandiscoverorsecureafairchance。Iwishtoseemore——Imustsecureafairerviewofthe——ofyonderplace。\"
\"Willitnotbetoodangerous，though？Notforus，especially，uncle，butfortheaerostat？Evenifthesebenotthepeopleyouimagine——\"
\"TheyarepastalldoubtaremnantoftheancientAztecs。YonderliesthetrueLostCity，andweare——oh，trytocomprehendallthatstatementmeans，mylads！Picturetoyourselveswhatboundlessfameandunlimitedcreditawaitsourreporttotheouterworld！Thebenightedworld！Thebesottedworld！
The——the——\"
\"Whilewe’llformtheupsottedworld，oraportionofit，withoutsomethingisdone，——andthatinahowlinghurry，too！\"fairlysplutteredWaldo，astheagainneglectedair-shipspedswiftlytowardsamoreelevatedportionofthatearth，partofthetallhill-crestwhichactedasnature’sbarricadetoyonderbynaturedepressedvalley。
\"Timeenough，lad，timeenough，sincewearegoingtoland，\"
coollyassuredtheprofessor，deftlymanipulatingthesteering-gearandstillcuryingaroundthosetree-crownedhills。
\"Ifwearereallyhuntedafter，’twillnaturallybeinthequarterofourvanishment，whilebyalightingaroundyonder，nearlyatrightangleswithourinitialapproach，wewillhavenaughttofearfromthe——theAztecanclans！\"
Clearlytheprofessorhadsettledinhisownmindjustwhatlaybeforethem，andnothingshortoftheLostCityoftheAztecswouldcomeanywherenearsatisfyingthatexaltedideal。And，takingallpointsintofullconsideration，wasthereanythingsoveryabsurdinhismethodofreasoning，orofdrawingadeduction？
Still，thatexaltationdidnotpreventunclePhaetonfromtakingallessentialprecautions，anditwasonlywhenanespeciallysecurelanding-placewassightedthathereallyattemptedtotouchtheearth。
Fullyone-halfofthatwidecircuithadbeenmade，andasnothingcouldbedetectedtogivebirthtofearsforeitherselforair-ship，theaeronautsskilfullylandedtheirvesselwithonlytheslightestofjars。Itwasawell-screenedlocation，wherenaughtcouldbeseenoftheflying-machineuntilcloseathand，yetsoarrangedastomakeahastyflightaveryeasymattershouldtheoccasioneverarise。
Notuntilthelandingwaseffectedandallmadesecure，didProfessorFeatherwitspeakagain。Thenitwaswithgravelyearnestspeechwhichsuitablyaffectedhisnephews。
\"Aboveallthings，mydearlads，beareverinmindthisonefact，——wearenotheretofight。Wedonotcomeasconquerors，weaponsinhand，heartsfilledwithlustofblood。Tothecontrary，weareonapeacefulmission，hopingtolearn，trustingtoenlighten，withmalicetowardsnone，buthonestloveforallthosewhomaywearthehumanshape，betheyofourowncolouror——or——otherwise。\"
\"That’swhat’sthematterwithHannah’scat！\"cheerfullychippedintheirrepressibleWaldo。\"Isay，unclePhaeton，isitjustalie-lowhereuntilyonderfellowsgrowtiredoflookingforwhattheycan’tfind，thenaflightonourpart；orwillwe——\"
\"Havewevoyagedsofarandseensomuch，torestcontentwithsoverylittle？\"exclaimedtheprofessor，hardlyaspreciseofspeechasunderordinaryconditions。\"No，no，mylads！Yonderliesthegreatestdiscoveryofthenineteenthcentury，andweare——Getahustleon，boys！Thedayiswaning，andwithsomuchtosee，tostudy，to——Come，Isay！\"
Inspiteofhisinitialattempttoimpresshisnephewswithaduesenseoftheheavyresponsibilitieswhichresteduponthem，PhaetonFeatherwitwasfarmoreexcitedthaneitheroneofthebrothers。Doubtlesshemorenearlyappreciatedtheimportanceofthiswondrousdiscovery，providedhisnowfirmbeliefwascorrect，——thatyonderstoodasolid，substantialcity，erectedbythehandsofapeoplewhomcommonconsenthadagreedwerelongsincewipedoutofexistence。
ThestorytoldbyCooperEdgecombe，backedupbythearticlestakenfromthepersonofthewarriorwhomhehadslaininself-defence，certainlyhaditsweight；whilethebriefandimperfectglimpsewhichhehadwonofyondervalleyhelpedtobearoutthatastoundingbelief。Andyet，howcoulditbetrue？
Reallybelieving，yetforcedbymoresoberreasontodoubt，thepoorprofessorwasliterally\"inasweat\"longereanotherviewcouldbewonofthedepressedvalley，althoughthelandingoftheair-shipwassowellchosenastomakethattripofthebriefestdurationconsistentwithprudence。
Thenaturalobstacleswereconsiderable，however，andastheypickedtheirwayalong，thebrothersforthefirsttimebegantogainafairlyaccurateideaofwhatwasmeantbytheterm，avirginforest。
Toallseeming，thehumanfoothadneverventuredhere，norwereanymarksorspoorofwildbeastsperceptibleoneitherside。
Althoughtheaerostathadlandednotfarbelowthecrestofthosehills，theadventurershadtoclimbhigher，beforewinningthecovetedview，partlybecausethemostpracticablerouteleddownintoandalongawindinggulch，wherethefootingwasfarlesstreacherousthanuponthehigherground，cumbered，asthatwas，withtheleaf-mouldofcenturies。
Still，halfanhour’ssteadylabourbroughtthelittlesquadtothecovetedpoint，andonceagainProfessorFeatherwitwasalmostliterallystrickenspeechless，——forthere，farbelowtheirpresentlocation，spreadoutinlevelexpanse，laythesecretvalleywithallitsmarvels。
Farmoreextensivethanithadappearedbythatinitialglimpse，thevalleyitselfseemedcomposedoffertilesoil，yet，byaidoftheriverwhichcutthrough，nearitscentre，irrigatingditchesconveyedwatertoeveryacre，thusensuringbounteouscropsofgrainandoffruitaswell。
Numerousbuildingsstoodinirregulararray，forthemostpartofnogreatheight，norwithmanypretensionstowardsarchitecturalbeautyorgraceofoutline；butinthecentreofthevalleyupreareditsheadamassivestructure，pyramidalinshape，consistingoffivecomparativelynarrowterraces，connectedonewithanotheronlyateachofthefourcorners，wherestoodawide-steppedflightofstones。
\"Behold！\"huskilygaspedtheprofessor，intenselyexcited，yetstillabletocontrolthefield-glassthroughwhichhewaseagerlyscanningyondermarvels。\"Thetempleofthegods！And，yonder，thetempleofsacrifice，unlessmymemoryis——andlook！
Thepeopleare——theywearjustsuchgarbas——Oh，marvellous！
Amazing！Astounding！Incredible——yettrue！\"
Althoughtheirunclecouldthustakeinthevariousdetailstobetteradvantage，stilltheinterveningdistancewasnotsogreatastoentirelydebarthebrothersfromfindingnolittletointerestthem，aswasreadilyprovenbytheirvariousexclamations。
\"Justlookatthepeople，willye，now？Floppingaroundliketheyhadn’tanybiggerbusinessthanto——Reckonthey’relookingforustocomeback，Bruno？\"
\"Orwatchingforthemonsterbirdofprey，rather，\"suggestedtheelderGillespie。\"Ofcoursetheycouldn’tdistinguishourfaces，andourbodieswerefairlywellhidden。And，evenmore，ofcourse，theymustbetotallyignorantofallsuchthingsasflying-machinesandthelike。\"
\"Poor，ignorantdevils！\"sympatheticallysighedtheyoungster。
\"Well，we’llhavetodoalittlemissionaryworkinthisquarter，beforetakingourdeparture，eh，unclePhaeton？\"
Withastart，Featherwitdescendedoutofthecloudsinwhichhehadbeenlosteversincewinningafairviewofthesecretcity；
andnow，rallyinghiswitsandfairlyaglowwitheagerinterestinthismarvellousdiscovery，hebeganpointingoutthevariousobjectsofspecialimportance，namingthemwithglibassurance，thenremindingtheboyshowwonderfullysimilarallwastowhathadexistedinOldMexicobeforetheconquest。
Brunolistenedwithgreaterinterestthanhisbrothercouldsummonatwill。Foronething，hehadlongbeenaloverofthegenialPrescott，and，nowthathismemorywasfreshenedinpart，wasabletocloselyfollowthecourseofthatlittlelecture，notingeachstrongpointmadebytheprofessorinbolsteringuphisdelightfultheory。
Thatmonologue，however，wasabruptlybrokeninuponbyWaldo，whogaveaneagerexclamation，ashereachedforthapointingfinger：
\"Look！There’sawhitewomanyonder，——twoof’em，infact！\"