[CHAPTER XXIII.
OUT OF THE EVERGLADES.]
“Now, then,” observed Dick Vincey, “let us leave the land of mystery forever! We have passed through many strange things while in it, and many enjoyable days, as well. Let us say farewell to the underground world and our families, who are buried beneath the ruins of the Naztec city and the village of Hez!”
There were tears in the eyes of the young man as he spoke, and, with their eyes turned to the cavern they had emerged from, all hands uttered the one word:
“Farewell!”
Then they left the spot and started for the place where the obelisk had been.
The huge stone column lay upon the ground in a dozen pieces, while the stairs leading into the earth’s bowels were plainly visible.
“Now,” said Leo, “to get out of the Everglades.”
As they started over the ground in the direction they first came, Dick suddenly missed Jupiter, the dog, for the first time.
When he came to think of it, he had not seen him since they left the ruined city of the Naztecs.