There is much gold scattered
throughout Honduras, though of late it has not
been found in large quantities.
"In the old days, however, before the Spaniards
came, it was plentiful, so much, so that the
natives made idols of it. And it is one of the
largest of these idols--by name Quitzel--that I
am going to seek."
"Do you know where it is?" asked Ned.
"Well, it isn't locked up in a safe deposit box,
of that I'm sure," laughed the professor. "No,
I don't know exactly where it is, except that it
is somewhere in an ancient and buried city
known as Kurzon. If I knew exactly where
it was there wouldn't be much fun in going after
it. And if it was known to others it would have
been taken away long ago.
"No, we've got to hunt for the idol of gold
in this land of wonders where I hope soon to be.
Later on I'll show you the documents that put
me on the track of this idol. Enough now to
show you an old map I found, or, rather, a copy
of it, and some of the papers that tell of the idol,"
and he spread out his packet of papers on the
table in front of him, his eyes shining with
excitement and pleasure. Mr. Damon, too, leaned
eagerly forward.
"So, Tom Swift," went on the professor, "I
come to you for help in this matter. I want
you to aid me in organizing an expedition to go
to Honduras after the idol of gold. Will you?"
"I'll help you, of course," said Tom. "You
may use any of my inventions you choose--my
airships, my motor boats and submarines, even
my giant cannon if you think you can take it
with you.
Pages:
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31