Takingadvantageofthispreoccupation，Brunoquicklyyetclearlyexplainedtohisuncleallthathadhappened，showingthatbyplayingamoreprudentparttheyoungwarriormustinevitablyhaveperished。
Then，makingsureCooperEdgecombewasnotnearenoughtocatchhiswords，BrunotoldinbrieftheinformationgleanedfromIxtliconcerningtheChildrenoftheSun，whomheandWaldomorethansuspectedmustbethelong-lostwifeanddaughteroftheexiledaeronaut。
Asmighthavebeenexpected，ProfessorFeatherwitwasdeeplystirredbyallthis，fidgetingnervouslywhilekeepingalertears，withdifficultysmotheringtheejaculationswhichfoughtforexitthroughhislips。
Aftersatisfyinghiscravingforfood，theprofessorledtheyoungAztecapartfromtherestoftheparty，speakingkindlyandsympatheticallyuntilhehadwonafairshareoflikingforhisown，thenbroachingthesubjectoftheSunChildren。
Afterthisitwasbynomeansadifficultmattertogetattheseatoftrouble，andlittlebylittleFeatherwitsatisfiedhimselfthatIxtliwoulddoall，dareall，forthesakeofbenefitingthewomanandmaidenwhohadtreatedhimsokindly。
Atacovertsignfromtheprofessor，Brunocametojoininthetalk，andhissympathymadetheyoungAztecevenmorecommunicative。AndIxtlispokemoreatlengthconcerningTlacopa，thepaba，andanotherenemywhomtheChildrenoftheSunhadnearlyequalcausetofear，oneHuatzin，orPrinceHua，chiefestamongthemightywarriorsoftheAztecanclans。
ThisevilprincehadforyearspastsoughtVictoforhisbride，whilehisson，Iocetl，triedinvaintowintheheart-smilesofthefairGlady，Victo’sdaughter。And，throughrevengeforhavingtheirsuitfrownedupon，thesewickedknaveshadjoinedhandswiththepriestintryingtodragtheSunChildrendownfromtheirloftypedestal。
Itdidnottakelongquestioning，orshrewd，toconvincetheprofessorthatinIxtlitheycouldcountuponatrueanddaringsupporterincasetheyshouldconcludetointerfereinbehalfofhispatronessandteacher，adoredVicto。
Theprofessorledthewayovertotheair-ship，thereproducingtheclothingandarmsoncewornbyanotherAztecwarrior，whichhehadcarefullystowedawayinthelocker，loathtolosesightofsuchvaluablerelics；trulyunique，asheassuredhimselfatthemoment。
Brunogavealittleexclamationatsightofthearticles，thenineagertoneshemadeknownthedaringideawhichthenflashedacrosshisbusybrain。
\"Weoughttomakesurebeforetakingaction，unclePhaeton。Thenwhynotletmedontheseclothesandstealdownintothevalley，undercoverofdarkness，toseetheladiesand——\"
\"No，no，mylad，\"quicklyinterruptedtheprofessor，grippinganarmasthoughfearfulofaninstantrunaway。\"Thatwouldbetoorisky；thatwouldbealmostsuicidal！And——nousetalking，\"withanobstinateshakeofhishead，asBrunoattemptedtoedgeinanexpostulation。\"Iwillnevergivemyconsent；never！\"
\"Orhardlyever，\"suppliedWaldo，comingthatwaylikeonewhofeelstheproprietieshavebeenmorethansufficientlyoutraged。
\"Givesomeotherpersonachancetowaghischinabit，can’tye，gentlemen？Notthat_I_caretochattermerelyforsakeofhearingmyownvoice；but——eh？\"
\"Wewereconsideringwhetherorno’twouldbeadvisabletotakeawalkovertotheobservatory，\"coollyexplainedtheprofessor。
\"Ofcourse，ifyouwouldratherremainheretowatchtheaerostat——\"
\"LetBrunodothat，uncle。Hegrewthoroughlydisgustedwithwhathesawoveryonder，yesterday，\"placidlyobservedtheyoungster。
\"Waldo，youvillain！\"
\"Well，didn’tyouvowanddeclarethatyoucouldrecognisegraceandbeautyandallothervarietiesofattractivenessonlyin——darkbrunettes，oldman？\"
ProfessorFeatherwithastilyinterposed，lestwordsbeletfallthroughwhichMr。Edgecombemightcatchaprematureideaofthepossiblesurpriseheldinstore；andshortlyafterwardsthestartwasmadeforthesnugcovertfromwhencetheLostCityhadbeenviewedonprioroccasions。
Naturallytheirrouteledthemdirectlypastthesceneofthebearfight，wherethehugecarcasslayasyetundisturbed，andcallingforthsundrywordsofwonderandevenadmiration，throughitsveryponderosityandnowharmlessferocity。
ProfessorFeatherwitdeemedithisdutytogravelyreprovehiswardsfortheirrashconduct，yetsomethinginhistwinklingeyesandinthekindlytouchofhisbonyhandtoldafardifferenttale。Hisangertooktheshapeofprideandofheart-love。
Induecourseoftimethelookoutwaswon，andwithoutdelaythesavantturnedhisfield-glassuponthetemplewhichappearedtoappertaintotheso-calledSunChildren；but，notalittletohischagrin，theazoteawasutterlydevoidofhumanlife。
Butthatdisappointmentwasofbriefexistence，for，almostasthoughhisactionwasthesignalforwhichtheyhadbeenwaiting，motheranddaughtercameslowlyintoview，arminarm，cladinrobesofsnowywhite，withtheirluxuriantlocksflowinglooseasuponformeroccasions。
Bothlads——threeofthem，tobemoreexact——gavelowexclamationsofeagerinterestasthoseshapescameinsight，whileevenCooperEdgecombegazedwithgrowinginterestuponthescene，whollyunsuspectingthoughhewasasyet。
Aslightnodfromtheprofessorwarnedthebrotherstostandreadyincaseofneed，thenheofferedtheexiletheglass，begginghimtoinspectyonderfairwomenupontheteocalli。
Theglasswaslevelledandheldfirmlyforahalfminute，thentheexilegaveachokingcry，gasping，erehefellasonesmittenbydeath：
\"Mercifulheavens！Mywife——mychild！\"
CHAPTERXXI。
DISCUSSINGWAYSANDMEANS。
Ingoodmeasurepreparedforsomesuchresult，incasetheirexpectationsshouldprovetrue，friendlyhandsatonceclosedupontheexile，hurryinghimback，andstillmorecompletelyundercover，asquicklyasmightbe。
CooperEdgecombeseemedaswaxintheirhands，notutterlydeprivedofconsciousness，butratherlikeonedazedbysometotallyunexpectedblow。Hemadenottheslightestresistance，yieldingtoeachimpulsegiven，shiveringandweakasonejustrallyingfromanalmostmortalillness。
Yettherecameanoccasionalflashtohiseyeswhichwarnedthewaryprofessorofimpendingtrouble，andasquicklyasmightbethestunnedaeronautwasremovedfromthepointofobservation，takenbyshortstagesbacktothespotwhererestedtheflying-machine。
Ixtliseemedsomethingawedbythis（tohim）inexplicableconductonthepartofthegaunt-limbedstranger，butgavehisnew-foundfriendsneithertroublenorcauseforworry，bearingthemcompanyandevenlendingahandwheneverhethoughtitmightbeneeded。
TheGillespiebrotherswerefarmoredeeplystirred，aswasnatural，butevenWaldocontrivedtokeepafairguardoverhisattimesunrulymember，speakingbutlittleduringthatretreat。
WitheachminutethatelapsedCooperEdgecombegainedinbodilypowers，andwhilehismentalstrengthwasslowertorespond，thatprovedtobeablessingratherthanotherwise。
Therendezvouswasbarelygainederehegaveahoarsecryofrevivingmemory，thenstrovetobreakawayfromthatfriendlycare，callingwildlyforhiswife，hisdaughter，fancyingtheminsomedireperilfromwhichalonehisarmscouldpreservethem。
Itwasapainfulsceneaswellasatryingone，thatwhichfollowedclosely，andrespiteonlycameafterbondshadbeenappliedtothelimbsofthemadman，——forsuchCooperEdgecombeassuredlywas，justthen。
Thereweretearsintheprofessor’seyes，ashestrovehardesttosoothethesufferer，assuringhimthathislovedonesshouldberestoredtohisarms，yetrepeatedlyremindinghimthatanyrashactiontakenthenmustalmostcertainlyworkagainsttheirbetterinterests。
Theexilegrewlessviolent，butthatwasmorethroughphysicalexhaustionthanaughtelse，andwhathad，fromtheveryfirst，appearedadifficultenigma，nowlookedfarworse。
Onlywhenfairlywellassuredthatthesuffererwouldnotattractunwelcomeattentiontheirwaythroughtooboisterousshouting，didtheprofessordrawfarenoughawayforquietconsultationwithhisnephews。
Mr。Edgecombewasdepositedwithintheair-ship，securedinsuchamannerthatitwouldbewell-nighimpossibleforhimtodoeitherhimselforthemachinematerialinjury，nomatterhowviolenthemightbecome；andhence，incaseofthreatenedtroublefromtheinmatesoftheLostCity，flightwouldnotbeseriouslyhinderedthroughcaringforhim。
ProfessorFeatherwitnowgleanedfromhisnephewsprettymuchalltheycouldtellhimconcerningsightsandeventssincehisdepartureinquestoftheexile。Thatprovedtobeverylittlemorethanhehadalreadylearned，andcontainedstilllesswhichseemedofespecialbenefittothatparticularenigmaawaitingsolution。
True，WaldosuggestedthatIxtlibeemployedasamediumofcommunicationbetweentheSunChildrenandthemselves；but，possiblybecause，asarule，thisirrepressibleyoungster’sideasweregenerallythewildestandmostfar-fetchedimaginable，unclePhaetonfrownedupontheplan。
No；theyoungAztecmightprovetrueatheart，evenasindicationswent，buttheriskofsotrustinghimwouldprovefartoogreat。
\"That’sjustbecauseyouhaven’tknownandsleptwithhim，likewehave，\"declaredWaldo。\"He’sredontheoutside，buthe’sgotjustaswhiteasoulasthebestofus，——barnone。\"
Brunolikewiseappearedtothinkwelloftheyoungbrave，andsuggestedanamendmenttoWaldo’smotion，——thatheaccompanyIxtliintothesunkenvalley，coveredbythefriendlyshadesofnight，theretoopencommunicationwiththeSunChildren。
\"Bysodoing，wecouldmakecertainoftheiridentity，\"theyoungmanargued，earnestly。\"That，itappearstome，isthefirststeptobetaken。For，inspiteoftheapparentrecognitionbyMr。Edgecombe，itispossiblethatnoactualrelationshipexists。\"
\"Whatofthat？\"bluntlycutintheyoungerGillespie。\"Don’tyoureckonstrangers’dliketotakealittlewalk，justaswellasanyotherpeople？\"
\"Patience，mylad，\"interposedtheprofessor。\"Whileweseemindutyboundtolendaidandassistancetowomeninactualdistress，wecanonlyservethemwiththeirownfreewillandaccord。Grantingthatthewomenwesawupontheteocalliwereotherthanthosebelievedbyourafflictedfriend——\"
\"But，uncle，lookattheirnames！Anddon’tIxtlisay——tell’emalloveragain，pardner，won’tye？\"urgedWaldo，takingaburninginterestinthematter，aswashiscustomwhenfairlyinvolved。
TheyoungAzteccompliedaswellaslaywithinhispower，givingitashisfixedopinionthatsoretrouble，ifnotactualperil，awaitedtheChildrenoftheSun，unlessassistedbypowerfulfriends。Hespokeofthemightychieftain，PrinceHua，andofthehighpriest，Tlacopa，whowas，toallseeming，playingdirectlyintothehandsofthe’Tzin。
\"HesayMotherofGodscall——loud！Hesaysacrifice，anddat——no，no！Quetzal’send——Quetzal’save——MUSTsaveVicto，Glady！\"
Furtherquestioningresultedinbutlittlemoreinformation，though，asIxtligrewcalmer，heemphasisedsuchstatementsashehadalreadymade，elaboratingthematrifle。And，bythis，hisquestionerslearnedthat，humanlyspeaking，thefateoftheSunGod’sChildrendependedalmostentirelyuponthewhimorfancyofthechiefpabaoftheteocalli。
ThroughTlacopaissuedtheawesomeoracles，andwhenhisvoicethunderedforththedreadfiat，whodaredtoopenlyrebel？
Furtherquestioningbroughtforthonemoreimportantfact，——thattherewasabsolutelynohopeofeitherVictoorGladycomingforthfromthevalley，eitherbynightorbyday。Whileostensiblyfreeofwillastheywereoflimb，neitherwomanwaspermittedtoleaveyondertemple，saveunderarmedescort；andguardswereondutyeachhourofthedayandnight。
\"Butwecouldgettoseeandspeakwiththem，Ixtli？\"askedBruno，eagertoreachsomefairunderstandingastothefuturecourseofaction。
\"Yes，whitebrother，gowithIxtli，\"camethehesitatingreply；
butthentheAzteccaughtoneofGillespie’shands，holdingitinclosecontrasttohisownbrownpaw，shakinghisheaddoubtingly。
\"Nolike。Keeneye，dempeople。Watchclose。Find’notherwhiteskin——bad！\"
\"Youhearthat，Bruno？\"askedtheprofessor，reallyrelievedatsuchpositiveevidenceinconflictwiththerashpropositionmadebytheyoungman。
\"OfcourseIthoughtofgoingundercoverofthenight，uncle，andsurelyitwouldnotbesuchadifficultmattertodarkenmyfaceandhands？Withdirt，ifnothingbettercanbefound。AndifIworetheclothesyoubroughtfromthecavern，unclePhaeton？\"
\"That’stheticket！\"brokeinWaldo，eagerly。\"Why，inariglikethat，Icouldturnthetrickmyownself！\"
TheconsultationwasbrokenoffatthisjuncturebyafaintsummonsfromCooperEdgecombe，andProfessorFeatherwitwasonlytoogladoftheexcuse，hurryingovertotheflying-machine，findingtohisgreatjoythattheexilewasnowfarmorelikehisold-timeself。
Still，greatcautionwasusedinrevealingall，anditwasnotuntilconsiderablylaterinthedaythatMr。Edgecombefeltcapableoftakingpartinthediscussionofwaysandmeans。
Hedeclaredthathisrecognitionhadbeencomplete，inspiteofthelongyearswhichhadelapsedsincelosingsightofhisdearones；andheearnestlyvowedtonevergiveoveruntiltheirrescuewaseffected，orhehadlosthislifewhilemakingtheattempt。
Whilethetwoair-voyagerswerethusengagedintalk，BrunosilentlystoleawaywithIxtli，takingabundlealong，andleavingWaldotothrowtheiruncleoffthetrackincasehissuspicionsshouldbeprematurelyawakened。Then，sidebyside，twoIndianbravessilentlyapproachedtheaerostat，causingProfessorFeatherwittomakeahastydiveforhisdynamiteguntorepelafanciedonslaught。
\"Soldagain，andwhocomesnext？\"merrilyexplodedWaldo，dancingaboutinhighgleeasthesupposedredskinslowlyturnedaroundforinspectionbeforespeaking，infamiliartones：
\"Wouldtherebesuchanenormousriskofdiscovery，unclePhaeton，providedIputlockandsealuponmylips，savefortheladies？\"
Thatexperimentprovedtobeacompletesuccess，andafterCooperEdgecombeaddedhispatheticpleadingstotheyoungman’sownarguments，ProfessorFeatherwitgraduallygaveway，thoughstillwithreluctance。
\"Icouldneverfindforgivenessshouldharmcometoyourmother’sson，boy，\"hehuskilymurmured，hisarmstealingaboutBruno’smiddle。\"I’dfarratherventuremyself，and——whynot，pray？\"asWaldoburstintoaninvoluntarylaugh。
ThenheturneduponIxtli，ahandrestinguponeachshoulderwhilehegazedkeenlyintothoselustrousdarkorbsforafullminuteinperfectsilence。Thenhespoke，slowly，gravely：
\"Canwetrustyou，friend？Wouldyouselltheboytowhosearmyouoweyourownlife，untohisenemies？Wouldyouleadhimblindlytohisdeath，Ixtli，sonofAztotl？\"
Awonderinggaze，thentheIndianappearedtoflushhotly。Heshookoffthosefarfromsteadyhands，drawinghisknifeandwithfreefingerstearingopenhisdressabovetheheart。ThrustingtheweaponintoBruno’shand，hespokeinclear，distinctaccents：
\"Strikehard，whitebrother！Openheart；seeifallblack！\"
Eyetoeyethetwoyouthsstoodforabriefspaceinsilence，thentheweaponwasletfall，andBrunogrippedtheIndian’shandandshookitmostcordially。
\"Strikeyou，Ixtli？I’djustassoonsmitemybrotherbybirth！\"
\"Andthat’smightyright，too！\"criedWaldo，impetuously。
\"Ireallybegintobelievethatyouareallintheright，whileI
aloneamleftinthewrong，\"franklyadmittedtheprofessor。
CHAPTERXXII。
ADARINGUNDERTAKING。
Still，thatpointwasoftoovitalimportancetojustifyhastydecision，andtheprofessordidnotmakehissurrendercompleteuntiltheshadesofanothernightwerebeginningtogatherovertheland。
Meantime，partlyforthepurposeofkeepingtheyoungstersemployedandthusoutofthewayoflessharmlessthings，theprofessorsuggestedthatthehugegrizzlybeflayed。Iftheproposedschemeshouldreallybeundertaken，thatmightypelt，ifuncomfortabletoconvey，wouldserveasafairexcusefortheyoungbrave’sasyetunexplainedabsencefromtheLostCity。
Asamatterofcourse，CooperEdgecombefeltintenseanxietythroughall，buthecontrivedtokeepfairmasteryoverhisemotions，readilyadmittingthathehimselfcoulddonaughttowardsvisitingtheLostCity。
\"Iknowthatmylovedonesareyonder。Iwouldjoyfullysuffertenthousanddeathsbytortureforthechancetospeakonewordto——tothem。AndyetIknowanysuchattemptwouldprovefataltousall。Themeresightof——Iwouldgocrazywithjoy！\"
Thereisnonecessityforrepeatingthevariousargumentsused，proandcon，beforethefinalagreementwasreached。Enoughhasalreadybeenputuponrecord，andtheresultmustsuffice：
ProfessorFeatherwityieldedthevitalpoint，and，havingoncefairlyexpressedhisfearsanddoubts，flunghiswholeheartintoperfectingthedisguisewhichwasnowcountedupontocarryBrunosafelyintoandoutofyondercity。
HewascarefullytriggedoutinthewarlikeuniformsecuredbyCooperEdgecombeatthecostofahumanlife，and，withfreshstainappliedtohisfaceandhands，theslightmoustacheheworewasnotdangerouslyperceptible。
\"’Twouldtakeastronglightandmightykeeneyestoseeitatall，andevenifabodyshouldhappentonoticeit，he’dreckon’twasabitofsmut，orthelike，\"generouslydeclaredWaldo。
Underlesstryingcircumstances，Brunomighthaveansweredinkind，butnowhemerelysmiledatthejester，thenturnedagaintoreceivetheearnestcautionsletfallforhisbenefitbytheprofessor。
Aboveallelse，hewastosteerclearoffighting，and，withouthesawafairchanceofwinningspeechwiththewhitewomen，hewastokeepinsuchhidingasIxtlimightfurnish，trustingtheyoungAztectoposttheChildrenoftheSunastowhatwasinthewind。
Tremulous，almostincapableofcoherentspeech，sointensewashisagitation，CooperEdgecombesentmanymessagestohislovedones，beggingforonewordinreturn。Andifnothinglesswouldserve——
Hisvoicechoked，andonlyhisfeverishlyburningeyescouldsaytherest。
Itwaswellpastsunseteretheyoungsterssetforthfromtherendezvous，accompaniedashortdistancebybothWaldoandtheprofessor；butthepartingcameingoodtime。ItwouldbeworsethanfollytoaddtotheexistentperilsthatofpossiblediscoverybysomeprowlingAztecwhomightworkseriousinjurytothemoneandall。
Thatgreatbear-hideprovedataxupontheirstrength，eventhoughthebullet-riddledhead-piecehadbeencarefullycutoffandburied，lestthosequeerholestellariskytaleoncloseexamination；butIxtli，aswellasBruno，wasupbornebyanexaltationsuchasneitherhadknownbeforethishour。
Therewasnothingworsethanthenaturalobstaclesinthewaytobeovercome，and，knowingeverysquareyardofgroundsothoroughly，Ixtlichosethemostpracticableroutetothathill-encircledtown。
Thestonypasswasfollowedtothelowerlevel，andtheyoungadventurershaddrawnfairlynearthefirstbuildingsereencounteringalivingbeing；andthenampletimewasgiventhemformeetingthedanger。
Alow-voicedcallsoundeduponthenightair，andIxtlirespondedinmuchthesametone。Bruno，ofcourse，wasutterlyinthedarkastowhatwasbeingsaid，buthestillheldperfectfaithinhiscopper-huedguide，andleftalltothesonofAztotl。
TheAztecbraveappearedtobeexplaininghisunusuallyprotractedabsence，forheproudlydisplayedthegreatgrizzlypelt，thenexhibitedthespear-headfromwhichprotrudedthetooth-markedwood。
Likeonewhowasalreadyfamiliarwiththedetails，Brunoslowlyloungedforwardapaceortwo，theninsilenceawaitedthepleasureofhiscompaniononthatnightjaunt。
IxtliwasnotmanyminutesinshakingofftheIndian，and，almoststaggeringbeneathhisshaggyburden，movedawayasthoughinhastetorejoinhisfamilycircle。
Fortunatelyfortheventure，theAztecansappearedtobelieveinthemaximofgoingtobedearly，fortherewereveryfewindividualsastiratthathour，youngthoughtheeveningstillwas。Andbytheclearmoonlightwhichfellathwartthevalley，itwasnodifficulttasktocatchsightbeforebeingseen，whereeyessobusyasthoseofthetwoyoungmenwereconcerned。
Onlyonceweretheyforcedtomakeabriefdetourinordertoescapemeetinganotherredskin，andthenaguardedwhisperfromthelipsoftheAztecwarnedBrunothattheywerealmostattheteocalliwhereintheChildrenoftheSunmadetheirhomeandabiding-place。
Leavingthegrizzlypeltatacorner，forthetimebeing，IxtliledhiswhitefriendupandintotheTempleoftheSun，pressingahandbywayofaddedcaution。
AlthoughhehaddeclaredthatanarmedguardwaskeptnightanddayovertheSunChildren，andthathehopedtopassBrunoaswellashimselfwithoutanyseriousdifficulty，sincehehadlongbeenafavouredvisitor，andeverwelcomedbyVictoandGlady，thetemplewasseeminglywithoutsuchprotectionuponthepresentoccasion。
Ixtliexpressedgreatsurprisewhenthisfactbecameevident，andheshoweduneasinessastothewelfareofhisbelovedpatronessandkindlyteacher。
Surelysomethingevilwasimpending！Hisfather，Aztotl，waschieftainoftheguards，andwhollydevotedtotheSunChildren，readyatalltimestorisklifeintheirbehalf。Now，iftheusualguardswerelacking，surelyitportendedevil，——treachery，nodoubt，atthebottomofwhichthepabaandthe’Tzinalmostcertainlylurked。
AllthisIxtlicontrivedtoconveytoBruno，whofairlywellsharedthatanxiety，butwhowasmoreforgoingaheadwithaboldrush，tolearntheworstasquicklyasmightbe。
Still，unfamiliarwiththeconstructionofthetempleashewas，Brunofelthelplesswithouthisguide，andsotimedhisprogressbythatofIxtli，righthandtightlygrippingthehandleofhis\"hand-wood，\"ormaquahuitl，resolvedtogiveagoodaccountofeitherofthoserascallyvarletsincasetroublelayahead。
TheunwonteddesolationwhichappearedtoreignonallsideswasplainlytroublingtheAztecbrave，andheseemedtosuspectacunningambuscade，judgingfromhisslowadvance，pausingatnearlyeverysteptobendearinkeenlistening。
Still，nothingwasactuallyseenorhearduntilaftertheyoungmenreachedtheupperelevation，uponaportionofwhichtheSunChildrenhadbeenfirstsightedbytheair-voyagers。
Herethefirstsoundofhumanvoiceswasheard，andBrunostoppedshortinobediencetothealmostfiercegripwhichIxtlicloseduponhisnearestarm，listeningforabriefspace，thenbreathing，lowly：
\"Wesee，first。Datgood！Himseefirst，datbad！Eye，ear，twoboth。Youknow，brother？\"
\"Youmeanthatwearetolistenandplayspy，first，Ixtli？\"
askedBruno，scarcelycatchingtherealmeaningofthosehurriedwords。
\"Yes。Datbest。Come；steplikesnowfalls，brother。\"
\"Whoisit，first？\"
\"Victo，sheone。Odderman，notknowsure，butthinkHuatzin。
Hebad；allbad！Killhim，someday。Datgood；plentygoodallover！\"
ThisgrimvowappearedtodotheAztecgoodfromamentalpointofview，andthenheledhiswhitefriendsilentlytowardsthecoveredpartoftheteocalli，fromwhencethosesoundsemanated。
Curtainsofthickstuffservedtoshutinthelightandtopartlysmotherthesoundofvoices，butIxtlicautiouslyformedacoupleofpeepholesofwhichtheyquicklymadegooduse。
Aportionofthesacredfirewasburninguponitsspecialaltar，whilealargelamp，formedofbakedclay，wassuspendedfromtheroof，sheddingafairlightaround，aswellasperfumingtheenclosurequiteagreeably。
Almostdirectlybeneaththishanging-lampstoodthetwoChildrenoftheSun，onetall，stately，almostqueenlyofstature，andnowlookingunusuallyimpressive，assheseemedtoactasshieldforherdaughter，slighter，moreyielding，butah，howlovelyoffaceandcomelyofperson！
EventhenBrunocouldnothelprealisingthosefacts，althoughhisearsweretinglingsharplywiththeharshaccentsfallingfromafardifferentpairoflips，thoseofatall，muscularwarriorwhoseformwasgorgeouslyarrayedinfeatherworkandcunningweaving，rich-hueddyeshavingbeencalledtoaidtheotherartsaswell。
IfthiswasactuallythePrinceHua，thenhewasamostbrutalsampleofAztecanaristocracy，andatfirstsightGillespiefeltafiercehatredfortheharsh-tonedchieftain。
Asamatterofcourse，Brunowasunabletocomprehendjustwhatwasbeingsaid，thankstohiscompleteignoranceofthelanguageemployed；buthefeltmorallycertainthatuglythreatswerepassingthroughthosethinlips，andevensosoonhishandsbegantoitchandhisbloodtoglow，bothurginghimtotherescue。
SwiftlyfellthereplymadebyVicto，andherwordsmusthavestungtheprincetothequick，sinceheutteredasavagecry，drawingbackanarmasthoughtosmitethatproudlybeautifulfacewithhishard-clenchedfist。
Thatprovedtobethecap-sheaf，forBrunocouldstandnomore。
Hedashedasidetheheavycurtainasheleapedforward，givingasterncryashecame，swingingthewarcluboverhisshouldertostrikewithallvengeanceatthestartledandrecoilingAztecan。
Onlytheyoungman’sunfamiliaritywiththeweaponpreservedPrinceHuafromcertaindeath。Asitwas，hereeled，tofallinanervelessheapuponthefloor，while，withastartledcry，anotherAztecbrokeawayinflight。
CHAPTERXXIII。
AFLIGHTUNDERGROUND。
ThatsuddenappearanceandflightofanothermantookIxtlievenmorebysurprisethanitdidBruno，forheneverevensuspectedsuchapossibility，knowingPrinceHuasowell。Still，theyoungbravewasswifttorally，swifttopursue，sendingamenaceofcertaindeathincasethefleeingcurshouldnotyieldhimself。
JustthenBrunohadeyesandthoughtsfortheSunChildrenalone，whoquitenaturallyshrunkbackinmingledsurpriseandalarmathisunceremoniousentrance。Heforgothisdisguise，forgoteverythingsavethatbeforehimstoodthefairbeingswhomhehadvowedtosaveatallhazardsfromwhatappearedtohimworsebyfarthanactualdeath。
Gillespieneverknewjustwhatwordscrossedhislipsduringthosefirstfewseconds，buthesawthatthewomen，inplaceofeagerlyacceptinghisaid，werevisiblyshrinking，apparentlymorealarmedthandelightedwiththeopportunitythusoffered。
DoubtlessthiswascausedmainlybythatoddblendingofAztecandpaleface，thecolourandgarboftheonejoinedtothetongueoftheother；buttheresultmighthavebeenevenworse，hadnotIxtlihastenedbacktoclearupmoremattersthanone。
Inspiteofhisutmostefforts，thesecondIndianhadescapedwithlife，althoughhereceivedaglancingwoundfromanarrow，asheplungeddowntowardsthelowerlevel；andnothingseemedmorecertainthanthatanalarmwouldrightspeedilyspreadthroughoutthetown，ifonlyforthepurposeofhurryingsuccourtotheLordHua。
AllthisrolledinswiftwordsoverIxtli’slips，hiswarningfindingcompletionbeforeeitherofthewomencouldfairlyinterrupttheyoungbrave。ButthentheonewhomIxtlitermedVictospokerapidlyinhismusicaltongue，onestrongwhitehandwavingtowardsthenowsomewhatembarrassedGillespie。
\"Hefriend；comesaveyou，likesaveIxtli，\"theAztechurriedlymadereply，withgeneroustactspeakingsothatBrunocouldcomprehendaswellasthewomen。\"Hegood；allgood！Pababad；
’Tzinmorebad；beworsebadifstayhere，Victo——Glady。\"
Thusgiventhepropercue，Brunotookfreshcourageand，inasfewwordsasmightbe，explainedhismission。HespokethenameofCooperEdgecombe，andforthefirsttimethatqueenlywomanshowedsignsofweakness，staggeringbackwithafaint，chokinggasp，onehandclaspedspasmodicallyabovehermadlythrobbingheart，theotherrisingtohertemplesasthoughinfearofcominginsanity。
\"Heiswell；heissafeandlongingforhislovedones，\"Brunoswiftlyadded，producingthebriefnotewhichtheexiledaeronauthadpressedintohishandatalmostthelastmoment。\"Hewroteyouthat——hereitis，and——\"
\"Makehurry，quick！\"sharplyinterposedIxtli，asominoussoundsbegantoarisewithouttheTempleoftheSunGod。\"Doggit’way，howlformore。Comehere——killlikegodsbeglad。\"
WithanevidenteffortVictorallied，tonesfarfromsteadyasshebeggedbothyoungmentosavethemselveswithoutthoughtofthem。
\"Ithankyou；heavenaloneknowshowoverjoyedIamtohearfrommydearhusband，——mypoorchild’sownfather！Andheisnear，to——Butgo，go！Guideandprotecthim，Ixtli，for——Go，Iimploreyou，sir！\"
\"Buthow——wehaven’tarrangedhowyouaretoberescued，andI
mustunderstand——\"
\"Later，then；anothertime，throughIxtli，\"interruptedMrs。
Edgecombe，sincetherecouldnolongerbeadoubtastoheridentity。\"Iffoundhere’twillbeourruinaswellasyourown。
Go，andatonceIfearthatLordHuamay——\"
\"He’liveyet，\"pronouncedIxtli，risingfromahastyexaminationofthefallenchieftain。\"Datbad；muchmoreworsebad！Hedog；alloverdog！\"
\"AndIgreatlyfearhemusthaverecognisedyouasoneofaforeignrace，inspiteofyourdisguise，\"addedtheelderwoman，troubleinherfaceevenasitshowedinhervoice。\"Hewillbewildforrevenge，andIfear——Go，anddirectly，Ixtli！\"
BrunoGillespiewasonlytoowellassuredthatthislatestfearhadfoundationontruth。Swiftlythoughhehadwieldedtheawkward（tohim）hand-wood，Huatzinhadsufficienttimetosighthisassailant，andalmostcertainlyhaddivinedatleastaportionofthetruth。
Doubtlessitwouldhavebeenthemoreprudentcoursetorepeatthatblowwithgreaterprecision；butBrunocouldnotbringhimselftodojustthat，eventhoughtheuglycriesweregrowinginvolumeonthegroundlevel；andhefeltthatcapturewouldbebuttheinitialsteptodeath，inalllikelihooduponthegreatstoneofsacrifice。
Imminentthoughtheirperilsurelywas，Brunocouldnotbetakehimselftoflightwithoutatleastpartiallyperformingthedutyforwhichhehadvolunteered；andsohetooktimetohurriedlyutter：
\"Watchfromthetopofthetowerfortheair-ship，andbereadytoleaveatanymoment，Iimploreyou——both！\"
Forevennowhisadmiringgazecouldwithdifficultybetornawayfromyonderyounger，evenmorelovely，visage；althoughasyetthemaidenhadspokennoword，evenshrinkingawayfromthisstrangelyspeakingAztecasthoughinaffright。
\"Come，brother，ortoolate，\"urgedIxtli，almoststernly。\"Saveyou，orGlass-eyescallIxtlidog-liar。Come；mustrun，nofight；toobigmanyforthat。\"
Andsoitseemed，whentheyoungmenrushedawayfromthelightedinteriorandgainedtheuncoveredspacebeyond。Loudcriescamesoaringthroughthenightfromdifferentdirections，anddim，phantom-likeshapescouldbeglimpsedinhurryingconfusion。
Apparentlythemajorityonlyknewthattroubleofsomedescriptionwasbrewing，andthatthecentreofinterestwaseitherinorneartheTempleoftheSunGod；yetthatwasmorethansufficienttoplacethewhiteintruderingreatperil，despitetheelaboratedisguisehewore。
Thenwithawfulabruptnesstherecameasoundwhichcouldonlybelikenedtorollingthunderbyoneuninitiated，butwhichcausedIxtlitoshrinkandalmostcower，eregasping：
\"Thegreatwar-drum！NowMUSTgo！Sacrificeifcaught；come，whitebrother！See，datmorebadnow！\"
Thosemightythrobsrolledandreverberatedfromthehills，fillingthenightairwithwavesofthunder，nonethelessawe-inspiringnowthattheirtrueimportwasrealised。
Theentirepopulationwasaroused，andeachbuildingseemedtocastforthanarmedhost，while，asthroughsomemagictouch，acircleoffiressprunguponallsides，beginningtoilluminebothvalleyandbarrier。
Brunostoodlikeoneappalled，reallyfascinatedbythistransformationsceneforwhichhehadbeensopoorlyprepared；
butIxtlibettercomprehendedtheirsituation，andgrippinganarmhemuttered，hastily：
\"Come，brother；stopmore，maketoolate。Musthide，now。Datstopgobackwaycame。Come！\"
Brunorousedhimselfwithaneffort，thenyieldedtotheAztec’sguidance，crouchinglowasthebriefbitofclearmoonlighthadtobetraversed。
Insteadofmakingforthestepswhich，ascustomary，reachedfromterracetoterraceateachcorner，Ixtlicrepttothecentre，wherethetemple-sidewascastintodeepestshadow，thenloweredhimselfbyhisarms，todropsilentlytothebroadpathbelow。
AwhisperedwordurgedBrunotoimitatethisaction，andthosefriendlyhandscaughtandsteadiedGillespieashetookthedrop。
Andso，oneafteranother，themightystepswerepassed，bothyoungmenreachingthegroundatthesameinstant，havingsucceededinleavingtheTempleoftheSunGodwithoutbeingglimpsedbyanIndianofallthosewhomthesonorousdrum-throbshadbroughtforthInarms。
\"Whithernow？\"askedBruno，inguardedtones，ashelookedforthfromshadowintomoonlight，seeingscoresuponscoresofarmedshapesflittingtoandfro，alllookingfortheenemy，yetnoneabletopreciselylocatethetrouble。
Justthenasavageyellbrokefromthetopofthetemple，followedbyafewfierce-soundingsentences，whichIxtlideclaredcamefromtheLordHua，thenadding：
\"Hesaykillifcatch，butdat——no！Come，whitebrother。Ixtlishowhowplayfooldatdog；yes！\"
\"Allright，myhearty。Isitabreakforthehills？IreckonI
canbreakthrough。Ifnot——well，I’llleavesomemarksbehindme，anyway！\"
\"No，no，datbad！Can’tgotohills；musthide，\"positivelydeclaredtheyoungAztec。\"Come，now。Meshowgoodplace；alldeadbutwe。\"
Evidentlytrustingtopassundetectedwheresomanyotherswererushingbackandforthinseemingconfusion，Ixtlibrokeawayfromtheshadowofthetemple，closelyfollowedbyGillespie，headingasdirectlyasmightbeforthestrangerefugewhichhenowhadinmind。
Thatprovedtobealow，unpretendingstructurewhichwasofnogreatextent，sofarasBruno’shastylookcouldascertain。
Still，thatwasnotthetimefordoubtingthewisdomofhisguide，noramomentinwhichtodiscusseithermethodsormeans；
andasIxtlipassedthroughamassiveentrance，thepalefacefollowed，givingalittleshiverasthebarrierswungtobehindthem。
\"Whatsortofaplaceisit，anyway，Ixtli？\"hedemanded，buttheAztecwastoohurriedforwords，justthen，saveenoughtowarnhiscompanioninperilthattheymustdescenddeeperintotheearth。
Itwasmoreofascramblethanadeliberatedescent，forthegloomwascomplete，andBrunohadnotimeinwhichtofeelforstepsorstairs。Onlyfortheaidingtouchofhisguide，hemusthavetakenmorethanoneawkwardtumbleerethatlowerlevelwasattained。
Thenabreathing-spellwasgrantedhim，and，whileIxtlibentearinlisteningtodiscoverifpursuitwasbeingmade，Brunodrewamatchfromtheliberalsupplyhehadtakentheprecautiontofetchalong，and，strikingit，heldaloftthetinytorchtoviewtheirpresentsurroundings。
Onlytogiveaninvoluntarystartandcryashecaughtindistinctglimpsesoffleshlessbonesandgrinningskulls，thosegrimrelicsofmortalityshowinguponeverysideashiswildeyesrovedaround。
Thenahandstruckdownthematch，andaswiftvoicebreathed：
\"Deycomedisway。Seeushide——comehunt，now，tokill！\"
CHAPTERXXIV。
THESUNCHILDREN’SPERIL。
NotuntilthetwoyoungmenpassedbeneaththoseheavycurtainsdideitheroneoftheSunChildrenreallygivethoughttotheirownpossibleperil，butstoodclosetogether，armofmotheraboutdaughterastheylistenedtotheominoussoundswithout，sorapidlygrowinginforceandnumber。
Then，justasthedeeptonesofthewar-drumboomedforthuponthenightair，thefallenAztecbetrayedsignsofrallyingwits，givingalowsoundwhichmighthavebeengroanofpainorcurseofbaffledrage。Bethatasitmay，thesoundservedonepurpose：VictoriaEdgecombe（toappendhercorrectnameforthefirsttime）drewherchildfartheraway，herrighthandreachingforthtopluckalightyeteffectivespearfromwhereitlayagainstthewall。
\"Mother，mother！\"faintlypantedthemaiden，plainlyatalosstocomprehendallthathadsorecentlytranspired。\"Whatisit？
Whatdoesitallmean？SurelythatwasIxtli；and——theother？\"
\"Amessengerfromyourfather，child，and——\"
\"Myfather？Ithought——heisnot——notdead？\"
\"Thanksbetoheaven，notdead！\"withhystericaljoyinfaceasinvoice。\"Alive，andseekingus，Gladys！Comingtorescueusfromthisdeathinlife，andnow——toyourknees，mydaughter；tothyknees，andliftthanksuntothegoodFatherwhohasatlastlistenedtomymoans！\"
Againthewar-drumboomedforthinanawesomeroll，butallunheedingthatominoussound，payingnoattentiontothestirringofyondersavage，whoselaceratedscalpwaspaintinghisfaceadeeperredthanevennatureintended，motheranddaughtersanktotheirknees，liftinghandsandheartstowardstheAll-Powerful，evenastheirgratitudefloatedtowardstheThroneofGrace。
ThenarosethehoarsetonesofHuatzin，biddinghisalliesfindandslaywithoutmercy；cursingthetreacherousAztecwhohadthusguidedoneofastrangetribeintotheveryheartoftheirbelovedcity。
Withashort，fierceejaculation，Victosprangtoherfeet，righthandonceagaingraspingshaftofjavelin，itscopperpointgleamingruddilyintheraysoflampasthoughalreadymoistenedbytheheart-bloodofyondervillain。
Fardifferentlyactedthemaiden，herfiguretremblingwithfearandwondercommingled，herlipsslightlyblanchedassheclungclosertohermother。Yetthroughallranatouchofgirlishcuriositywhichhelpedshapethewordsnowcrossingherlips。
\"Whowasit，mother？Whocouldthestrangerbe？Andwhitherhashegone？\"
\"WithIxtli，mychild，andmaythegoodGodofourownpeoplegrantthembothlifeandliberty！IfIthought——yourfather，Gladys！Aliveandlookingforhisbelovedones！See！fromhisowndearhand，andhesays——Hold！whocomesthere？\"
Butthealarmappearedtobewithoutactualfoundation，forthesoundscamenocloser，remainingbeyondthedraperypastwhichLordHuahadstaggeredonlyafewbriefsecondsbefore。
Gladysralliedmorespeedilythanonemighthaveexpected，andshespokewithevengreaterinterestthanatfirst。
\"Mydearfather，andalive？Oh，mother，whyishenothereto——whyshouldhesendanother？Andthatone——hespokeourdearlanguage，mother；surelyheisnot——notasIxtli？\"
\"No；hewasofourownpeople，child，andIcanhardlyconceivehowhecamehither，savethatIxtlimusthaveactedasguide。\"
\"Andthoseawfulwarriors！\"shiveringasthewar-criesfollowedthemuffledroarofthegreatdrum。\"Iffound，hewillbeslain！
Doyouthinkthereisanyhopeforhim，mother？Andheseemedso——so——\"
\"HeisgonewithIxtli，andIxtliistruetotheverycore，\"
Victohastenedtogiveassurance。\"Iwouldrathertrusthimthanmanyanotherofthricehisyearsandwarlikeexperience。Ixtliistrue；ay，astrueandtriedashisfather，Aztotl！\"
\"Wholovesyou，mother，andwouldwin——\"
\"Hush，child！\"justabitsharplyinterposedtheelderwoman，yetatthesametimetighteningthatlovingclasp。\"MerelyasthedaughterofhisSunGod，Quetzalcoatl，and——ha！\"
Onceagaintherecametheechoesofrapidfoot-fallsbeyondtheheavydraperies，andagainthisAmazonianmotherdrewhersuperbforminfrontofhershrinkingchild，poisingthejavelininreadinessforstrokeorcasting，asmightservebest。
Astrongarmbrushedthecurtainsasidesufficientlytoadmititsowner’spassage，butthearmedwarriorstoppedshortatsightingtheSunChildren，hisproudheadlowering，handscrossingoverhisbroadbosomintokenofadoration，——foritsurelywasmorethanmeresubmissiontooneheldhissuperior。
Withalowcry，Victodrewbackabit，weaponloweringassherecognisedfriendinplaceofenemy。
\"Itisyou，Aztotl？\"shespoke，inmellowtones。\"Ithought——didyouremovetheusualguards，thisevening？\"
\"Theblamefallstomyshare，SunChild，\"theRedHeronmadeanswer，withameeknessstrangeinoneofhisbuildandgeneralappearance，thatofakingamongordinarywarriors。
\"Notjustly，northroughfaultofyourown，mygoodandtruefriend，\"theelderwomanmadehastetogiveassurance。\"NoteventhylipsshallspeakslanderofAztotltheTrue-heart，mybrother。\"
WithaswiftadvancetheRedHeroncaughttheunarmedhand，tobendoverituntilhislipsbarelybrushedthesoft，perfumedskin。Thenhesanktooneknee，bowinghisheaduntilhisbrowtouchedthefloorbeneathhersandalledfeet。
Swiftly，gracefully，thesemovementsweremade，andwheretheywouldhaveappearedfulsomeordegradedinsome，withthiswarriortheeffectwasfarfromdisagreeabletoseeortoexperience。
Victoflushedwarmlyanddrewbackalittlefarther，forthememoryofthosewordsletfallbyGladyscamebackwithunpleasantdistinctness。AndwasshesocertainthatAztotllookeduponherasmerelyagod-descendedpriestess？
TheRedHeronaroseeasily，headrisingproudlyabovehisshapelyshouldersashemetthosegreatblueeyes，——eyesaspureandasfathomlessasthecloudlessskyinmidsummer。
Andthen，morelikeonegivingabarestatementoffactsthanoneofferingadefenceforhimself，Aztotlspokeofafaithlesssubordinate，whowasguiltyofeithercarelessneglect，orworse。
\"ItmaybethatTezcatllosthiswitsthroughstrongwaters，SunChild，oreventhathetookevilpayfromstillmorevilehands。
Youhaveseenthelastofhim，though，ChildofQuetzal’l。\"
\"Yousurelydonotmeanthat——\"
Aztotllightlytappedtheknife-hiltshowingabovehismaxtlatl，coldlyaddingwordstothatsignificantgesture：
\"Thereisnoplaceforfoolortraitoruponthebody-guardoftheSunChildren。Tezcatlsinned；hehaspaidfullforfeit。Andjustsoshallallothersperishwhodarecastanevilglancetowards——ha！\"
Anotheroutcryarosefromtheothersideofthecurtainedrecess，andtheRedHeroninstantlysprangawayinthatdirection，handsgrippingweaponsinreadinessforinstantuseincaseofneed。
Almostasswiftly，Victoandthemaidenfollowed，onethroughfear，theotherthroughutterlackoffear，forherself。
ThosesavagecriescamefromthelipsofnoneotherthanthechieftainwhosenowbareheadboresignificanttracesofBrunoGillespie’shandiwork，andheseemedbentonrushingdirectlyintothepresenceoftheSunChildren，untilRedHeroninterposed，sternandicy-toned：
\"Standback，myLordHua！\"heordered，lefthandadvancedwithopenpalm，butitsdextermatearmedandreadyforhotworkifthatmustcome。\"Venturenocloser，onthyperil，chief！\"
Huatzinrecoiledabit，thoughthatmighthavebeenmorethroughsurprisethanbecausehefearedthisproudwarrior。Hegrippedhisknife-hilt，andpartlydrewthebladefromitssupportingsash。Ahissingoathescapedhislips，andhecrouchedatrifle，asawildbeastgathersitsdeadliestforcepriortomakingadeathleap。
\"Darestthoubarmypath，Aztotl？\"hecried，hoarsely。\"Makeway，Ibidthee；makeway，forIwillseetheSunChildrenand——\"
\"Notso，myLordHua，\"coldlyinterruptedthemasterofguards，thatwarningpalmstillturnedtothefront。\"Youareherewithoutlaworleave，andknowwhattheedictsays：fromthegoingtothereturnofthesun，thesestonesaresacredfromallfeetsavethoseoftheSunChildrenandtheirregularbody-guard。\"
\"WhatcareIforlaws？Orforsuchasthou，RedHeron？Iwillthatsuchathingshallbe，anditcomestopass。And——thoudaretobarmyway，Aztotl？\"
\"Ay。Bywordsiftheyprovesufficient。Byforceifcalledfor。
Bydeathifworstmustcome；eventhedeathofamightychieftainlikeLordHuawouldnotbetoogreatafeat。\"
ForabriefspaceitseemedasthoughHuatzinwouldmakealeaptowhichtherecouldbebutonetermination，deathtooneortoboth。ButAztotlcoldlyspokeon：
\"Ihavegivenyoufairandfriendlywarning，LordHua。Go，now，whilethepathofpeaceliesopen。Go，elseIsoundthecall，andmyguardwilltakeyouincharge，justastheywouldanyotherrascallyintruder。\"
\"Yourpreciousson，forinstance？\"retortedthe’Tzin，viciously。