第 16 节
作者:
一意孤行 更新:2021-02-19 18:24 字数:9322
bites; too; may be poisonous for all I know。〃
The Indians seemed glad to leave the 〃place of the bats;〃 as they called
the camp site。 Jacinto explained that the Indians believed a vampire
could kill them while they slept; and they were very much afraid of the
blood…sucking bats。 There were many other species in the tropics;
Professor Bumper explained; most of which lived on fruit or on insects
they caught。 The blood…sucking bats were comparatively few; and the
migratory sort fewer still。
〃Well; we're on our way once more;〃 remarked Tom as again they
were in the canoes being paddled up the river。 〃How much longer does
your water trip take; Professor?〃
〃I hardly know;〃 and Professor Bumper looked to Jacinto to answer。
〃We go two more days in the canoes;〃 the guide answered; 〃and then
we shall find the mules waiting for us at a place called Hidjio。 From then
on we travel by land untilwell until you get to the place where you are
going。
〃I suppose you know where it is?〃 he added; nodding toward the
professor。 〃I am leaving that part to you。〃
〃Oh; I have a map; showing where I want to begin some excavations;〃
was the answer。 〃We must first go to Copan and see what arrangements
we can make for laborers。 After thatwell; we shall trust to luck for what
we shall find。〃
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〃There are said to be many curious things;〃 went on Jacinto; speaking
as though he had no interest。 〃You have mentioned buried cities。 Have
you thought what may be in themgreat heathen temples; idols; perhaps?〃
For a moment none of the professor's companions spoke。 It was as
though Jacinto had tried to get some information。 Finally the scientist
said:
〃Oh; yes; we may find an idol。 I understand the ancient people; who
were here long before the Spaniards came; worshiped idols。 But we shall
take whatever antiquities we find。〃
〃Huh!〃 grunted Jacinto; and then he called to the paddlers to increase
their strokes。
The journey up the river was not very eventful。 Many alligators were
seen; and Tom and Ned shot several with the electric rifle。 Toward the
close of the third day's travel there was a cry from one of the rear boats;
and an alarm of a man having fallen overboard was given。
Tom turned in time to see the poor fellow's struggles; and at the same
time there was a swirl in the water and a black object shot forward。
〃An alligator is after him!〃 yelled Ned。
〃I see;〃 observed Tom calmly。 〃Hand me the rifle; Ned。〃
Tom took quick aim and pulled the trigger。 The explosive electric
bullet went true to its mark; and the great animal turned over in a death
struggle。 But the river was filled with them; and no sooner had the one
nearest the unfortunate Indian been disposed of than another made a dash
for the man。
There was a wild scream of agony and then a dark arm shot up above
the red foam。 The waters seethed and bubbled as the alligators fought
under it for possession of the paddler。 Tom fired bullet after bullet from his
wonderful rifle into the spot; but though he killed some of the alligators
this did not save the man's life。 His body was not seen again; though
search was made for it。
The accident cast a little damper over the party; and there was a feeling
of gloom among the Indians。 Professor Bumper announced that he
would see to it that the man's family did not want; and this seemed to give
general satisfaction; especially to a brother who was with the party。
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TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS
Aside from being caught in a drenching storm and one or two minor
accidents; nothing else of moment marked the remainder of the river
journey; and at the end of the third day the canoes pulled to shore and a
night camp was made。
〃But where are the mules we are to use in traveling to…morrow?〃 asked
the professor of Jacinto。
〃In the next village。 We shall march there in the morning。 No use
to go there at night when all is dark。〃
〃I suppose that is so。〃
The Indians made camp as usual; the goods being brought from the
canoes and piled up near the tents。 Then night settled down。
〃Hello!〃 cried Tom; awakening the next morning to find the sun
streaming into his tent。 〃We must have overslept; Ned。 We were to
start before old Sol got in his heavy work; but we haven't had breakfast
yet。〃
〃I didn't hear any one call us;〃 remarked Ned。
〃Nor I。 Wonder if we're the only lazy birds。〃 He looked from the tent
in time to see Mr。 Damon and the professor emerging。 Then Tom noticed
something queer。 The canoes were not on the river bank。 There was
not an Indian in sight; and no evidence of Jacinto。
〃What's the matter?〃 asked the young inventor。 〃Have the others
gone on ahead?〃
〃I rather think they've gone back;〃 was the professor's dry comment。
〃Gone back?〃
〃Yes。 The Indians seem to have deserted us at the ending of this
stage of our journey。〃
〃Bless my time…table!〃 cried Mr。 Damon。 〃You don't say so! What
does it mean? What has becomes of our friend Jacinto?〃
〃I'm afraid he was rather a false friend;〃 was the professor's answer。
〃This is the note he left。 He has gone and taken the canoes and all the
Indians with him;〃 and he held out a paper on which was some scribbled
writing。
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TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS
CHAPTER XIII
FORWARD AGAIN
〃What does it all mean?〃 asked Tom; seeing that the note was written
in Spanish; a tongue which he could speak slightly but read indifferently。
〃This is some of Beecher's work;〃 was Professor Bumper's grim
comment。 〃It seems that Jacinto was in his pay。〃
〃In his pay!〃 cried Mr。 Damon。 〃Do you mean that Beecher
deliberately hired Jacinto to betray us?〃
〃Well; no。 Not that exactly。 Here; I'll translate this note for you;〃
and the professor proceeded to read:
〃Senors: I greatly regret the step I have to take; but I am a gentleman;
and; having given my word; I must keep it。 No harm shall come to you; I
swear it on my honor!〃
〃Queer idea of honor he has!〃 commented Tom; grimly。
Professor Bumper read on:
〃Know then; that before I engaged myself to you I had been engaged
by Professor Beecher through a friend to guide him into the Copan valley;
where he wants to make some explorations; for what I know not; save
maybe that it is for gold。 I agreed; in case any rival expeditions came to
lead them astray if I could。
〃So; knowing from what you said that you were going to this place; I
engaged myself to you; planning to do what I have done。 I greatly regret
it; as I have come to like you; but I had given my promise to Professor
Beecher's friend; that I would first lead him to the Copan valley; and
would keep others away until he had had a chance to do his exploration。
〃So I have led you to this wilderness。 It is far from the Copan; but
you are near an Indian village; and you will be able to get help in a week
or so。 In the meanwhile you will not starve; as you have plenty of
supplies。 If you will travel northeast you will come again to Puerto
Cortes in due season。 As for the money I had from you; I deposit it to
your credit; Professor Beecher having made me an allowance for steering
rival parties on the wrong trail。 So I lose nothing; and I save my honor。
〃I write this note as I am leaving in the night with the Indians。 I put
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some harmless se