Frank and Jack laughed. In the momentary silence that followed, the shouts and laughter of the great crowd in the square below came up to them.
“Listen to that, will you?” said Bob. “And they’ll be keeping that up all night, too, I expect.”
“For eight days,” said Mr. Hampton.
“Look,” said Frank, who had approached a loophole. “See that fellow with a wreath of golden leaves around his head, holding up the wine cup. Gold it is, too. He’s reciting. See them all laugh and applaud. What a scene, that ring around him, the firelight on them! He must be a poet or minstrel. Golly, how I wish I could be down there, dressed in a tunic and sandals, and mixing around in that crowd. Say, but wouldn’t that be an experience for you?”
“Surely would,” said Jack, looking over his shoulder. “Listen, though, somebody coming.”
The key turned in the lock of the great door.
CHAPTER XVI—RADIO A LINK TO THE PAST
All swung about. It was their jailer, a pleasant-faced fellow, who, like all within the fortress, Prince Huaca had assured Mr. Hampton, was loyal to his commander. He indicated by signs that the boys and the two older men were to follow. Don Ernesto turned to Pedro and Carlos.