"Then I will begin in regular story-book style, for when it is ended I intend to make a proposition. My name is Byron c.u.mmings, and the last home I had previous to the building of this shanty, was in Baltimore, Maryland. Two years ago--it may have been longer, for one does not keep a very strict record of time in this country--I visited Merida on a pleasure trip, and while there heard the story of the Silver City."

"Is that the name of a town, or do you mean that the precious metal is so plentiful there?" Teddy interrupted.

"I refer to a city built by the Chan Santa Cruz Indians which has received this name because the ornamentation of the houses is of silver, and so profuse as to give it the appearance, at a distance, of being a collection of silver buildings. Don't laugh until you hear the whole story," he added, as a smile of incredulity pa.s.sed over Jake's face.

"Any one in Merida, and, in fact the English histories, will tell you that this wonderful city is in the vast tract of marshy land situated between here and Merida, known as the Black Swamp. It is a fact that no white man has ever seen it, since the only approach is across the swamp on the south side, and the way so closely guarded that a person must have special sources of information in order to get through the labyrinth of narrow water courses on the banks of which are sentinels ready to salute the visitor with a shower of poisoned arrows.

"It cannot be reached from the east because of the rocks, a few samples of which you probably saw on the sea coast. As you doubtless know, the Indians hereabout have never been conquered by the whites, and the interior is as much an unknown land as it was at the time of the conquest.

"Certain of the Chan Santa Cruz Indians visit Merida at certain seasons of the year, where they sell, or rather, exchange for goods, gold dust and ma.s.sive golden ornaments, valuing the yellow treasure so lightly, and bringing such quant.i.ties that there can be no doubt they have access to an enormous deposit. Silver they use as we do iron, and I myself have seen one of these visitors wearing thick beaten bands of it as a protection to his legs, probably because of the thorns."

"If they come into the towns I should think some venturesome fellow would follow, to learn the secret of the city in the swamp," Jake suggested, and it could plainly be seen that he was growing decidedly interested.

"That has often been tried; but, so far as I can learn, no one ever succeeded. Twice I tracked three villainous looking old fellows to the very edge of the marsh, and both times they disappeared so silently and completely as to make it seem as if the earth had opened and swallowed them. Then, learning of the many who had failed in the same attempt, I formed a plan which must give me the victory, although it has required much time."

"What is it?" Jake asked breathlessly.

"I resolved to learn the language, and to that end came here with an Indian who knows the habits and customs of these people, he having dealt with them for many years, and, what is more, has been within sight of the famous city. From him I have gained all the information necessary to enable me to penetrate the swamp, and now flatter myself that I can speak the dialect of the Chan Santa Cruz tribe as perfectly as a native."

"Have you remained here two years doing nothing else but studying how to reach the village?" Neal asked.

"Very little beside that. We built the hut, planted these trees for a lounging place, and now raise chickens and fruit enough to provide us with food."

"Where is the man you speak of?"

"He went to Merida three days ago; but will return by the day after to-morrow if no accident has befallen him."

"When are you going to make the attempt to get through the swamp?"

"Very soon if you accept my proposition."

"What have we to do with it?" Jake asked in surprise.

"I will explain. Old Poyor and myself are not strong enough numerically to make the attempt alone, for in case the secret of our ident.i.ty should be discovered, nothing could save our lives. With you three as an addition to the party, and two armed with good weapons, I would not be afraid to travel straight through the city. As a matter of fact the only real danger is in approaching the place; but I have studied over that portion of the business so long that I do not fear a failure if you can be prevailed upon to join us."

"That is out of the question," Neal replied decidedly, speaking quickly, as if afraid Jake might agree to the scheme. "You know we must get back to our own country as soon as possible, for if father is alive he will suffer great anxiety concerning us."

"You are right to make haste; but what if I tell you that by going with me no time will be lost?"

"How can that be possible?"

"Because if you were in Merida to-day you could not reach Progresso in time to take the steamer which left for the United States this morning.

If you remain here two weeks more, there will then be ample opportunity to get pa.s.sage on the next vessel which starts. I have a time table, and you can see by it that I am telling the truth."

As he ceased speaking c.u.mmings arose, walked leisurely to the house, and returned with the article in question, which he handed to Neal.

It was only necessary to glance at it in order to learn that his statement was a fact, and when Teddy was also convinced, the host continued:

"According to the plan I have formed we should be back in less than ten days from the time we begin the journey, and if you agree to the scheme it should make us all wealthy."

"But you said the old Indian would not return for three days," Jake interrupted.

"Very true; but we shall not wait for him to come here. That which he will bring is exactly what we want as an outfit, and we can meet him at the only entrance to the swamp where, for more than three months, I have had a boat hidden in readiness for the attempt."

Then c.u.mmings gave a more detailed account of the wonderful city as he had heard it in Merida and from Poyor, and so well did he tell the story that in a short time his guests were in the highest state of excitement.

"Now the question is whether you will join me?" he said in conclusion.

"Having studied the matter so long I feel warranted in saying that it is not an unusually dangerous venture, and, if we are successful, the amount of wealth we can carry away must be enormous."

"It wouldn't take me long to decide," Jake replied promptly; "but seeing that I am in Mr. Emery's employ I couldn't go contrary to his son's orders. As a matter of fact I'm not bound in any way; but it seems to be the only square thing to do."

"And what is your idea?" c.u.mmings asked as he looked toward Teddy.

"Since we can't start for home immediately, I don't see why we shouldn't spend the time in what will be the jolliest kind of an adventure whether there is any gold to be gained or not."

The young man then turned to Neal questioningly, and the latter said hesitatingly:

"It isn't fair for Jake to make me decide. He should know better than I whether we ought to go with you. If it was possible for us to leave the country at once there could be no question, for we must return to the United States at the earliest opportunity."

"And since that cannot be done you have no objections to joining us in the visit to the Silver City?"

"I don't know. You would not go until to-morrow, so we have a chance to discuss the matter among ourselves."

"Very true. I've some work to attend to, and while I am away you will be able to talk privately."

Then c.u.mmings arose, went toward the house and when he disappeared from view Neal said to Jake:

"Now tell me just what you think of going with him; I mean, what you think father would say if we could consult him, not what we would like to do."

"Well, if you put it in that way," and now Jake spoke as if weighing every word, "I can't see why we shouldn't have a little fun, seein's how we're bound to stay here longer than he allows is enough to go to this Silver City an' back. It would be a mean kind of a man who'd object to our havin' enjoyment after all that's happened."

"Then you believe father would approve of our going with Mr. c.u.mmings?"

Jake was not exactly prepared to say "yes," and at the same time he did not wish to reply in the negative after his acquiescence in all the host had advanced as reasons why they should accompany him, and after a long pause Neal added:

"Of course I want to go, for it can't be possible that there is very much danger, and I make this proposition: We must sail on the next steamer, and if Mr. c.u.mmings is willing we should desert him, no matter what may be the condition of affairs when it is time for us to start for the coast, then we are warranted in accepting the proposition."

"That is what I call putting the matter in the proper light," Jake replied with considerable emphasis. "On this basis no one can possibly find any fault, and we may as well tell him that we have decided to go."

"First explain that we must leave Yucatan on the next steamer which starts from Progresso."

"I'll do it, and if he is so certain that we shall be out of the Silver City in that time there can be no reason for any fault-finding."

"I think Neal has arranged the business as it should be," Teddy said approvingly, and from that moment the castaways believed they were committed to the scheme.

Half an hour later, when c.u.mmings returned to learn the result of the interview, Jake explained upon what grounds the decision had been arrived at, and he expressed himself as perfectly satisfied with the arrangement.

"If we can't get into the city during the coming week there is no use trying," he said, "and I will undertake to see you on board the next steamer which sails. Now it only remains to decide upon the details, and at sunrise to-morrow we will begin what I have been preparing for, during the past two years."