"Your pardons, Senors," he began, "but if it
will please you to avail yourself of the humble
services of myself, I shall have great pleasure
in guiding you into the interior. I have at my
command both mules and boats."
"How do you know we are going into the
interior?" asked Tom, a bit sharply, for he did
not like the assurance of the man.
"Pardon, Senor. I saw that you are from the
States. And those from the States do not come
to Honduras except for two reasons. To travel
and make explorations or to start trade, and
professors do not usually engage in trade," and
he bowed to Professor Bumper.
"I saw your name on the register," he proceeded,
"and it was not difficult to guess your mission,"
and he flashed a smile on the party, his
white teeth showing brilliantly beneath his
small, black moustache.
"I make it my business to outfit traveling
parties, either for business, pleasure or scientific
matters. I am, at your service, Val Jacinto,"
and he introduced himself with another low bow.
For a moment Tom and his friends hardly
knew how to accept this offer. It might be,
as the man had said, that he was a professional
tour conductor, like those who have charge of
Egyptian donkey-boys and guides. Or might he
not be a spy?
This occurred to Tom no less than to Professor
Bumper. They looked at one another while
Val Jacinto bowed again and murmured:
"At your service!"
"Can you provide means for taking us to the
Copan valley?" asked the professor.
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