"
Tom and Ned took a quick but thorough
observation outside the tent. The blackness of the
jungle night was in strange contrast to the light
they had just left.
"Doesn't seem to be any one around here,"
remarked Ned, after waiting a minute or two.
"No. All's quiet along the Potomac. Those
Beecher natives are having some sort of a song-
fest, though."
In the distance, and from the direction of their
rivals' camp, came the weird chant.
"Well, as long as they stay there we'll be all
right," said Tom. "Come on in. I'm anxious to
hear what the professor has to say."
"Everything's quiet," reported Ned.
"Then give me your attention," begged the
scientist.
Carefully, as though about to exhibit some,
precious jewel, he loosened the oiled-silk wrappings
and showed a large map, on thin but tough
paper.
"This is drawn from the old charts," the
professor explained. "I worked on it many months,
and it is the only copy in the world. If it were
to be destroyed I should have to go all the way
back to New York to make another copy. I have
the original there in a safe deposit vault."
"Wouldn't it have been wise to make two
copies?" asked Tom.
"It would have only increased the risk. With
one copy, and that constantly in my possession,
I can be sure of my ground. Otherwise not.
That is why I am so careful of this. Now I will
show you why I believe we are about over the
ancient city of Kurzon."
"Over it!" cried Mr.
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