With the quickness of a cat, Bob stepped forward and, bracing himself as best he could, he threw himself against the man. The impact of Bob’s heavy body stopped the man’s fall and sent him against the side of the cliff. It bruised his face and shoulders, but he was safe.
After a few moments of resting, the old man looked up, wild-eyed and white with fear. There was an expression of intense gratitude on his wrinkled face as it was turned toward Bob.
“You saved my life!” he cried in excellent English, gazing fearfully below. “And I want to reward you. I want to tell you of some Inca secrets—secrets of the Andes!”
CHAPTER XVII
The Old Man’s Tale
AT once Bob and Joe were breathless with interest. They had often heard of Inca secrets but had thought them nothing more than myths. Now, as this strange old man stood before them, the youths wondered if there might have been some truth in the fantastic tales told of Inca mysteries.
The old man hesitated for several minutes, staring off into space. Then, when the youths were becoming impatient with the long silence, he continued, speaking in a low voice.
“Far, far away, in the heart of a huge mountain, is a narrow tunnel that leads to a large cavern of Inca secrets.” Again the stranger hesitated, looking below at Cuzco.
“Why doesn’t he hurry?” thought Joe, almost saying the words aloud.