CHAPTER XXIX.
A FIERCE CONFLICT.
That Poyor believed the more serious danger was over, the boysunderstood from the fact that camp-fires were to be kept burning duringthe night, something which would never have been allowed had he fearedan attack from the Chan Santa Cruz.
Then again, the Indian no longer refused to converse lest the duty ofthe sentinel should be neglected; but talked readily and at considerablelength with Cummings regarding the course to be pursued.
He also indulged in the luxury of a smoke, something he had not donesince leaving the white man's hut, and, taking their cue from him, theremainder of the party gave themselves up to absolute repose both ofbody and mind, therefore because of these reasons if for no other, thisparticular halting place was afterward remembered as the most pleasantthey knew during the long, fruitless journey.
When Cummings and Poyor finally decided upon the line of march for thefollowing day, the twilight was rapidly deepening into the gloom ofnight, and the latter lighted the fires, thus making a circle of flamecompletely around the party.
"Is it really necessary to have such a blaze, or are you indulging in itsimply because it has been so long since we dared allow our whereaboutsto be known?" Teddy asked, as he sat with his chin on his knees gazingat the burning wood.
"We are guarding against brute enemies. It is said that jaguars areplenty in this section, and there can be no question but snakes abound.These embers, which require only labor to keep alive, will do very muchtoward saving our small stock of ammunition."
Jake did not appear disposed to join in any conversation since dinner.He had thrown himself on the ground near the foot of a gigantic tree,and, from the expression on his face, Neal fancied he was regrettingthat they had not succeeded in bringing away any treasure from theSilver City.
"What are you thinking of?" he asked.
"Only figgerin' out what a 'royal excursion this would 'a been if I'dgot that image I tried so hard for."
"If you had succeeded in carrying it outside the city we should not behere now," Cummings said gravely. "With that lump of silver added toour load I fancy we would be prisoners at this moment if they allowedus to live so long."
"I reckoned you'd take the disappointment harder, after spendin' so muchtime gettin' ready for the trip."
"Of what use would it be for me to complain? In view of all that hashappened we have been remarkably fortunate in getting away alive, andconsequently there is very much to be thankful for."
"Do you think that if I'd obeyed orders right up to the handle anythingmore could have been done?"
"Not in the matter of carrying away treasure, for all hope fled themoment our boat was discovered. You simply caused us additionalhardships, and have put an end to my visiting the place again for manymonths."
"What?" Teddy cried in surprise. "Are you still thinking of entering thecity again?"
"I am, most certainly. It shall be my life work to discover the historyof these people, and tell to the world the meaning of the inscriptionson the monuments of Copan. This failure has simply been a misfortune,not anything which will prevent my continuing the labor."
"Do you count on asking others to go with you?"
"No," Cummings replied, with a meaning glance toward Jake. "If I eversucceed the honor will be divided among Poyor and myself alone."
Then, as on the day when he first broached the subject, he reviewed allthat is known to the white race concerning the buried cities of CentralAmerica and of the descendants of that mighty race of people whose oncehigh state of civilization cannot be questioned. When he concluded Jakeindulged in but one remark before composing himself for slumber:
"It don't make any difference to me whether the inscriptions can ever beread or not; but a fellow feels sore to think that he had a chance ofscoopin' in enough to set himself up in great shape, an' was preventedwhen the precious metal was under his very fingers."
"Have you any particular reason for going to Progresso?" Neal askedafter a pause.
"I have most decidedly. Since getting you in a scrape which nearly costyour lives, it is only right I should see you homeward bound."
"Couldn't we find our way alone?"
"That would be impossible even for me. Poyor is the only guide, and whenhe has done his work you sail on the steamer, while he and I return tothe little hut, there to wait for another opportunity of getting insidethe Silver City."
After this Cummings appeared disinclined to talk any more, and the boyslay down near Jake for the slumber which both needed so badly.
Although their eyelids were heavy with sleep, it was not possible tolose consciousness immediately. Now their safety was in a measureassured, the thoughts of Cummings' great disappointment, and the lostopportunity of making themselves famous, came to mind more forcibly thanever before, causing both to remain awake after all save Poyor werebreathing heavily.
"This won't do," Teddy said half to himself. "The mysteries of theSilver City are not to be solved by us, and the sooner we go to sleepthe better condition we shall be in for to-morrow's tramp."
Before Neal could reply the Indian stole softly toward them andwhispered:
"If you would see the father of serpents, sit up and look toward thespring; but make no noise."
The boys did as they were directed and could distinguish by the glare ofthe camp-fires the largest snake either had ever seen.
It was a boa, moving lazily toward the water course as if conscious thatits own wonderful strength was sufficient to enable it to copesuccessfully with all enemies.
Before it was possible to form any estimate as to the serpent's sizeanother stranger appeared on the scene, causing Poyor to raise his gunready to shoot.
This visitor was a jaguar, who had evidently come out for a drink, andthe unusual light prevented him from seeing the boa. He moved warilyforward, ready to meet an attack, and probably trying to make up hismind whether or not this was a favorable opportunity to get aparticularly good supper, when the boa darted upon him.
Taken by surprise from the rear, the snake had one complete turn aroundthe animal's body before there was any show of resistance, and thenensued a most thrilling conflict.
The boys could see that the boa's tail was fastened firmly around atree, thus giving him a purchase such as the jaguar would havedifficulty in overcoming.
Using both claws and teeth the animal defended himself bravely for tenminutes, and then it could be seen that the rapidly tightening folds ofthe serpent were hampering his movements. He no longer struggled sodesperately; but uttered shrill cries of alarm which were responded tofrom a distance.
"His mate is coming," Poyor whispered. "Now we shall see a royalbattle."
It was as he had said. A few moments later another jaguar appeared, andthe boys could understand that the boa was making haste to crush thefirst victim before meeting the second enemy.
It was possible to see the muscles of the serpents' tail stand out asthe pressure was increased, and then could be plainly heard the breakingbones while the victim uttered wild screams of agony.
The female jaguar had but just come into view when her mate was killed,and she darted at the serpent with a yell of rage which was answered byan angry hiss.
Whether the boa was taken at a disadvantage in the beginning of thefight, or had become so weary with its previous exertions as to renderit incapable of putting forth all its powers could not be told; butcertain it is that the second battle was short.
The beast caught it by the neck at the third attempt, and the lashing ofthe monster's tail told that he was beaten.
"He killed one jaguar easily; but this last beast will soon finish him,"Teddy whispered, and almost before the words had been uttered the battlewas virtually at an end.
Having relinquished its hold of the tree, and unable to encircle theanimal's body with its deadly folds, the boa's strength was useless, andfrom that time on only the snarling of the jaguar and the threshing ofthe serpent could be heard until the fi
ght came to an end.
"What are you going to do?" Neal asked as Poyor raised his weapon whenthe silence told that the conflict had been decided in favor of theweaker party.
"Kill the beast. There are too many of her kind already, and I shall bedoing a favor to those who come after us by reducing the number."
"Don't shoot; she has proved her right to live, if the theory of thesurvival of the fittest be correct, and after such a battle it would becowardly to kill her."
"If, on the morrow, you should find yourself suddenly seized by her,there would not be so much pity in your heart," Poyor replied, andbefore Neal could make any reply the animal had vanished in the thicket.
"There is no longer any question of what should be done," the Indiansaid regretfully, after a pause, as he lowered his weapon. "There is afine skin for those who care to save it."
"It can lay there for all I care," Teddy replied with a laugh. "Fur inthis kind of weather isn't pleasant even to think of. Perhaps in themorning Cummings will fancy it worth his while to carry the hide away."
"The ants will have devoured it before the sun rises, and since it hasno value for you it is well to go to sleep. One of the white men cancall you when it is time to stand your share of the watch."
"Is guard to be kept all night?"
"It would be unsafe for all to sleep. If the jaguars had not met theserpent what would have been the result to those whose eyes were closedin slumber?"
"There is no necessity of saying anything more," Neal replied with alaugh. "We will be ready when our turn comes."
Then, as soon as they could compose themselves sufficiently, the boyssurrendered to the demand of slumber, and Cummings must have stood theirwatch himself, since they were not awakened until another day had come.
Breakfast was already cooked. On a number of gigantic leaves the Indianhad spread such food as he could procure: Mangoes without stint; aroasted bird shaped not unlike a goose, and several small, white coneswhich tasted like radishes.
Except for such articles as bread or vegetables, it was a meal whichwould have tempted an epicure and to it all hands did full justice.
When their hunger had been satisfied, Cummings said as he shouldered oneof the two remaining guns and took up a greater portion of thecartridges:
"It is time we were moving. We can travel reasonably slow, in order thatno one may become exhausted; but not an hour must be lost. The waybefore us is long, even after we reach the sea-shore, and each daywasted is just so much delay in reaching our destination."
"Now that we are really homeward bound you will have no reason tocomplain because our powers of endurance are too slight," Neal replied,as he took up the remaining weapon, and the march was immediatelybegun.