But our friends did not seek the acquaintance
of their rivals. The latter, likewise, remained
by themselves, though they knew doubtless
that there was likely to be a strenuous race for
the possession of the idol of gold, then, it was
presumed, buried deep in some forest-covered
city.
Professor Bumper had made his arrangements
carefully. As he explained to his friends, they
would take the steamer from New York to Puerto
Cortes, one of the principal seaports of
Honduras. This is a town of about three thousand
inhabitants, with an excellent harbor and a
big pier along which vessels can tie up and
discharge their cargoes directly into waiting cars.
The preparations were finally completed.
The party went aboard the steamer, which was
a large freight vessel, carrying a limited number
of passengers, and late one afternoon swung
down New York Bay.
"Off for Honduras!" cried Ned gaily, as they
passed the Statue of Liberty. "I wonder what
will happen before we see that little lady again."
"Who knows?" asked Tom, shrugging his
shoulders, Spanish fashion. And there came before
him the vision of a certain "little lady," about
whom he had been thinking deeply of late.
CHAPTER IX
VAL JACINTO
"Rather tame, isn't it, Tom?"
"Well, Ned, it isn't exactly like going up in
an airship," and Tom Swift who was gazing
over the rail down into the deep blue water of
the Caribbean Sea, over which their vessel was
then steaming, looked at his chum beside him.
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