There is plenty for all."
"Good!" grunted the new guide and soon the
hungry Indians, who had come far, were satisfying
their hunger.
As they ate Tolpec explained to Professor
Bumper, who repeated it to the youths and Mr.
Damon, that it had been necessary to go farther
than he had intended to get the porters and
mules. But the Indians were a friendly tribe,
of which he was a member, and could be depended on.
There was a feast and a sort of celebration in
camp that night. Tom and Ned shot two deer,
and these formed the main part of the feast and
the Indians made merry about the fire until nearly
midnight. They did not seem to mind in the
least the swarms of mosquitoes and other bugs
that flew about, attracted by the light. As for
Tom Swift and his friends, their nets protected
them.
An early start was made the following morning.
Such packages of goods and supplies as could
not well be carried by the Indians in their head
straps, were loaded on the backs of the pack-
mules. Tolpec explained that on reaching the
Indian village, where he had secured the porters,
they could get some ox-carts which would be a
convenience in traveling into the interior toward
the Copan valley.
The march onward for the next two days was
tiresome; but the Indians Tolpec had secured
were as faithful and efficient as he had described
them, and good progress was made.
There were a few accidents. One native fell
into a swiftly running stream as they were fording
it and lost a box containing some much-needed
things.
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