Part 18 (2/2)
It was noticed that directly after each rumbling the smoke rolled up in a thick, black ma.s.s that shut out the light of the sun and overcast the heavens.
The professor was for turning back, but Bushnell was determined to go forward, and Frank was equally resolute. Hans had very little to say, but his nerves were badly shaken.
”In less than an hour we shall be able to see the Silver Palace,”
a.s.sured Bushnell. ”We would be fools to turn back now.”
So they went on, and, at last, they climbed to the top of a rise, from which point the Westerner a.s.sured them that the palace could be seen.
An awe-inspiring spectacle met their gaze. They looked across a great gulf, from which the smoke was rolling upward in clouds, and out of which came the sullen mutterings they had heard.
”Merciful goodness!” cried Professor Scotch. ”It must be the crater of a volcano!”
”Yah!” gasped Hans; ”und der volcano vos doin' pusiness at der oldt standt alretty yet.”
”The volcano may have been dormant for centuries,” said the professor, ”but it is coming to life now!”
”Where is the Silver Palace?” demanded Frank.
Bushnell clutched the boy's arm with a grip of iron, pointing straight through the smoke clouds that rose before them.
”Look!” he shouted, hoa.r.s.ely; ”it is thar! See--the smoke grows thinner, an' thar she am! See her glitter! In thet thar palace is stored enough treasure ter make us richer then ther richest men in ther world, an' ten thousand volcanoes ain't goin' ter keep me from it, you bet yer boots!”
True enough, through the parted smoke clouds gleamed the towers and turrets of the wonderful palace that had remained hidden in the heart of the mountains hundreds of years, jealously guarded by the fierce natives, who believed it sacred, and who had kept the secret well from the outside world.
CHAPTER XII.
DOOM OF THE SILVER PALACE.
Bushnell leaped from his horse and began tearing the packs from the backs of the led animals. He worked with mad haste, and there was an awesome, insane glare in his eyes.
”The man is crazy!” roared Professor Scotch. ”The volcano is certain to break forth before long--it must be on the verge of breaking forth now.
If we remain here we are doomed!”
”Oxcuse me!” fluttered Hans. ”I vos retty to gone righd avay queek.”
The professor turned to Frank with his appeal:
”Come, boy, let's get away before destruction comes upon us. We must not remain here.”
Frank sprang down from his snorting horse, flung the rein to Hans, and leaped to Bushnell's side.
”You are mad to think of remaining here!” he said, swiftly. ”Come away, and we will return when the volcano is at peace.”
”No!” thundered the treasure-seeker, ”I will not go! The Silver Palace is there, and I mean to have my share of the treasure. Go if you are afraid, but here I stay till the balloon is inflated, and I can cross the chasm. The wind is right for it, and nothing shall stop me!”
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