But, luckily for them, their way was not blocked up, and in due time they came in sight of the village.
But what a wonderful change had been wrought here!
The surface of the ground above had given way and caved in, making the opening above the village of stone huts more than four times its former size.
The majority of the buildings were buried from sight beneath tons of dirt, and not a sign of any of the Hezzians could be seen.
The earth had caved in in the form of a slant, and, with a cry of joy, our friends began mounting this.
When they reached the top crust of the earth once more, a prayer of heartfelt thanks left the lips of one and all.
But the Naztecs could not be induced to follow them to the outside.
The light of day was so strange to them that they were too frightened to proceed further.
In vain did Dick and Leo coax them to come up; but they only shook their heads, and at length turned their steps in the direction of their former homes in the bowels of the earth.
The swamp explorers found themselves upon a comparatively high piece of ground, which was surrounded by the marsh lands that composed the greater portion of the vast Everglades.