Part 24 (1/2)

”Certainly, Rad.”

”Den, all I's got t' say is dat yo' is 'spectin' too much. I ain't gwine t' bury mahse'f alive not yit.”

”But, Rad, this is where the gold images are. If you don't come down with us you won't get any gold.”

”Am dat so? No gold?” The colored man scratched his head. ”Well, I sh.o.r.e does want gold,” he murmured. ”I reckon I'd better trot along.

But one thing mo', Ma.s.sa Tom.”

”What is it, Rad?”

”Was yo' all aimin' t' stay down thar any length ob time? 'Case if yo' is yo' all'd better take along a snack ob suffin' t' eat. 'Case when I gits among gold I don't want t' come out very soon, an' we might stay dar all day.”

”Good advice, Rad,” exclaimed Ned with a laugh. ”I think we may get hungry. You go back and put us up a lunch. We'll wait for you.”

”Bless my napkin ring! I think you're right!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, and Eradicate hurried back to the balloon to get some of the condensed food.

He was soon back and then, with Tom in the lead, and with everyone carrying an electric torch, with a spare one in reserve, and with their weapons in readiness the party descended the stone steps.

Their footfalls echoed solemnly as they went down--down into the unknown blackness. They kept their bright lights playing here and there, but even these did not dispell the gloom. On every side was stone--stone walls--stone steps. It was like going down into some vast stretch of catacombs.

”Say, will we ever get to the bottom?” asked Ned, when they had counted several hundred steps. ”Maybe this goes down to the middle of the earth.”

”Well, ef it do I'm gwine right along!” called Eradicate. ”I's gwine t' hab one ob dem gold images or bust!”

”And I'm with you!” cried Tom. ”We'll have to get to the bottom sooner or later.”

Hardly had he spoken than he came to the last step, and saw stretching off before him a long tunnel, straight and level, lined on both sides, and bottom, with smooth stones that gleamed like marble.

”Now we are really in the tunnel,” declared Ned. ”I wonder what's at the end?”

”The city of gold, of course,” answered Tom confidently.

Eagerly they hurried on. There was a slightly musty smell to the air, but it was fresher than might have been expected.

Suddenly Tom, who was in advance, uttered a cry. It sounded like one of alarm, and Ned yelled:

”What's the matter?”

”Look here!” cried Tom. They hurried up to him, to find him standing before a sort of niche in the wall. And the niche was lined with a yellow metal that gleamed like gold, while in it was one of the golden images, the second one they had seen, and the third they heard about.

”We're on the trail! We're on the trail!” cried Tom.

”Heah! Let me hab dat!” cried Eradicate. ”I may not git anudder,”

and he reached up for the statue.

”Let it stay until we come back,” suggested Mr. Damon.

”Somebody might take it,” said the colored man.