Sledge Hammer Tod was made a sort of captain of the slender forces left to guard the airship, and he got out the guns and revolvers, of which there were quite a collection, and in which task he was aided by Bob.
[CHAPTER XXVIII]
MYSTERIOUS RITES
The rain seemed to come down harder than ever when the four members of the rescue party started to make their way along the strange valley. Mr. Deering had told them the route to follow, or they might have become confused in the storm and darkness.
“Have you got your revolvers handy, Jerry, and Ned?” asked Jim Nestor, as they trudged along.
“Yes,” replied the tall lad, “but I hope there will be no occasion to use them.”
On they hurried, the rain coming down harder than ever. But the Indian disguises of animal skins served a good purpose, for they were waterproof.
As they turned around a bend in the trail they came in full view of the Indian encampment, or, rather village, for it was a permanent town, with log huts arranged neatly in rows, or streets. In the centre of a sort of public square could be seen a large building. This was evidently the place where the ceremonies were to take place, for it was lighted up, and outside it, in spite of the rain, several fires blazed. It was evident that some sort of oil or grease kept them from going out.
Proceeding on a little farther, the four rescuers found themselves in the very midst of the village. Now indeed were they in danger for, from the houses on every side, came Indians—men, women and children there were—all hurrying toward the temple, or council house. And every one was in disguise. Some were attired as birds and some as beasts, while a few elected to represent serpents, and crawled along on all fours. It was well that Mr. Deering had thought to provide the four suits of skins for our friends, or they would hardly have been able to penetrate into the very heart of the savage town without being detected.