Beneath their tired feet were the remains of an ancient roadway, leading on to a large, clear area devoid of all save a few scrub trees.
“Where’s the sacred city?” demanded War.
Mr. Livingston and the other Explorers were too disappointed to answer.
Instead of the old Inca ruins they had expected to find, only a barren scene spread before their eyes.
Chapter 20
THE HIDDEN CITY
The disappointment of the five was so great that for a time no one made any comment on the failure to reach the ancient Inca city.
Leaving his friends near the tunnel exit, Jack went on to see what he could discover. Upon his return, he reported that the area’s chief attraction was a deep quarry pool.
“This ends our search, I guess,” he admitted ruefully. “When first I found the tunnel, I thought it must lead to the hidden city. No such luck.”
“With natives in the village below us, we can’t hope to escape before nightfall,” Ken said gravely. “Let’s find a hide-out until dark.”
Selecting a rock shelter not far from the quarry lake, the Scouts scooped out a bed for Mr. Livingston in the earth.