The boys drew close to look the map over once more.
“There seem to be two roads, one branching off to the right,” remarked Jerry, pointing to the map. “And it looks as if there was some sort of an image at the parting of the ways.”
“There is!” exclaimed the professor. “I never noticed it before, but there is the laughing serpent, as sure as you’re a foot high!”
“We’ll reach the buried city all right,” spoke Bob. “I only hope we don’t come upon it too unexpectedly.”
“Well, the Mexican prophesied we would find it sooner than we thought,” observed Ned. “But he may not have meant all he said. Anyhow, I’m sleepy and I’m going to turn in.”
The others followed his example of wrapping themselves up in their blankets, and soon their deep breathing told they were on the road to slumberland.
Meanwhile, the Mexicans who had listened to the above conversation were much disturbed. Though they did not understand all that had been said, they caught enough to indicate to them that the boys and the professor were not on a search for gold or silver mines, the only things in which the Mexicans were interested.
There were angry but low-voiced mutterings among the Mexicans. Soon they became angry, talked among themselves and grew quite excited. They talked rapidly to Vasco, in Spanish.
“What does all this mean, Noddy?” asked Bilette. “Have you fooled us?”
“No, no, it’s all right!” exclaimed Nixon. “Their talk of a buried city is only a bluff to throw us off the track.”