A startling change came into Abino’s tone and manner. His glance seemed to bore Bomba through and through.
“What foolish words are these that the stranger speaks?” he demanded sharply. “There is no city that has towers of gold. It is not well to ask too many questions. Men have asked questions of Japazy, and he has cut out their tongues. If the stranger is wise, he will let others speak while he listens. Abino has spoken.”
Bomba realized that he had touched upon a forbidden subject. For some reason, the sunken city was a secret that was jealously guarded. He resolved to be discreet.
“Abino speaks wise words,” he said placatingly. “Bomba will keep them in his heart. He will wait in patience till Japazy returns.”
“That is well,” returned Abino, mollified. “Bomba shall have food and drink and none shall harm him. And he shall have a place to sleep in the house of Japazy until the chief comes back from his journey. Bomba can come now and Abino will take him to the place where he shall stay.”
Bomba rose and followed his guide. His appearance outside was again the signal for an outpouring of the curious. There had been time now for the warriors who had first met this stranger to spread abroad the story of his strength and skill, and there was manifest respect in the fact that, while they followed him, they were careful not to come too close. Who of them knew but that this youth who boasted of a fire stick that spoke like thunder might be a god?
Under other circumstances Bomba’s pride would have been gratified by this tribute. But his whole thought was centered now on the disappearance of Japazy. This had not entered into his calculations. He bitterly regretted that he had not come sooner. Suppose Japazy never came back? Life was a precarious thing in this part of the world. Usually it hung by a thread. The bite of a snake, the spring of a jaguar, and Japazy’s lips might be sealed forever. Then Bomba’s last hope of learning the secret of his parentage would have vanished.
The crowd halted at the entrance to Japazy’s great dwelling. Evidently it was forbidden ground except to the chosen few, such as Abino, who, as Bomba learned later, was Japazy’s chief counselor and who had charge of all matters pertaining to the tribe during his master’s absence.
Followed by Bomba alone, Abino led the way through a massive door, well furnished with bars and bolts to protect its owner in case of invasion or revolt. And once inside, Bomba saw a sight that fairly dazzled him.
He had never been in any house but a native hut, with its rude and scanty furniture. He had expected to see something more elaborate in the dwelling of Japazy. But he was by no means prepared for the splendor that burst upon him.