“You don’t think it is Nestor, do you?” Slocum asked.
“Yes, sir,” replied Jimmie, still humbly.
“But he must have taken a drop down the cañon,” urged Slocum.
“Yes, sir,” replied Jimmie, “but you said you had captured him!”
Slocum eyed the boy with rage in his eyes. He knew very well that while he had been telling of Ned’s capture and confession, Jimmie had been watching his chum get his aeroplane out of the cañon.
“You haven’t even thanked me for getting you out of the mess I found you in, and doctoring up your wound,” he said, presently, resolved to keep on good terms with the boy for a short time longer, if it was possible to do so.
“Thank you, sir!” Jimmie said, very modestly. “I think I must have received a good bump on the head.”
“Indeed you did,” smiled the other.
After a little further talk Slocum led the boy away to a cavern in the wall of the cañon which seemed to the weary lad to have no end. He saw several people lounging about as he passed through a large chamber, but paid little attention to them.
At last Slocum halted in a little alcove opening from a second chamber, in which were assembled at least a score of Chinamen.