The Scouts became silent for the procession now had drawn close. As they watched, the litter was carried past the lake and on to a mass of quartz rock which glistened in the late afternoon sun.
Two of the natives rolled aside a huge stone, which hitherto had escaped the attention of the Explorers. Even from a distance, they could see that it gave entrance to another small tunnel.
Captain Carter alighted from the litter. A native motioned for him to enter the narrow passageway.
The seaman hesitated, seemingly suspicious that he might be walking into a trap. But after a moment of indecision, he stooped and crawled through the opening. One by one, the natives followed.
“Where can they be taking him?” War speculated. “He certainly isn’t a prisoner.”
“They’re treating him like a ruler!” Jack snorted in disgust. “What do you make of it, Hap?”
“How he managed to ingratiate himself, I wouldn’t know,” Mr. Livingston replied with a wry smile. “But I’m sure he’s been here before. Unless I have the wrong slant, the Indians have just revealed to him a most closely guarded secret—the entranceway to the ancient Inca city!”
Chapter 22
INDIAN SECRETS
The unexpected arrival of Captain Carter had stunned the Explorers, leaving them for a moment without a plan.
They were convinced however, that Mr. Livingston’s appraisal of the situation was correct. The old sea captain somehow had gained the confidence of the natives and had been conducted to the mysterious hidden city.