“A day! We’ll be lucky to have another hour of freedom!”
The first streaks of light were lining the horizon, and still neither Willie nor Jack returned. Nervously, Ken paced up and down the path.
“Listen!” he suddenly exclaimed.
From a far distance, high within the mountain, could be heard a strange, weird cry. The sound seemed to arise from many throats.
“A chant to the dawn!” Ken declared. “These Indians must be sun worshipers, just as were the ancient Incas!”
“There should be a temple near here, Ken. Maybe Jack was right about that hidden Inca city!”
“Right or not, I wish he’d get back. It’s clear now why the village was deserted. The natives all went off to greet the dawn with special ceremonies.”
“Someone’s coming now.” War suddenly warned.
As the two waited tensely, a low whistle told them that it was Willie who approached. He came up a moment later, panting from the fast climb.
“Did you reach the river?” Ken demanded.