"Potsherds and artifacts," was the answer.
"What sort of bugs are they?" asked Ned with
a laugh. He and Tom were about to go hunting
with their electric rifles.
"Artifacts are things made by the Indians--or
whatever members of the race who built the
ancient cities were called--such as household articles,
vases, ornaments, tools and so on. Anything
made by artificial means is called an artifact."
"And potsherds are things with those Chinese
laundry ticket scratches on them," added Tom.
"Exactly," said the professor, laughing.
"Though some of the strange-appearing inscriptions
give much valuable information. As soon
as we find some of them--say a broken bit of
pottery with hieroglyphics on--I will know I am
on the right track."
And while the scientist and Mr. Damon kept
watch at the top of the shaft, Tom and Ned went
out into the jungle to hunt. They had killed some
game, and were stalking a fine big deer, which
would provide a feast for the natives, when suddenly
the silence of the lonely forest was broken
by a piercing scream, followed by an agonized
cry of
"El tigre! El tigre!"
CHAPTER XIX
POISONED ARROWS
"Did you hear that, Tom?" asked Ned, in a
hoarse whisper.
"Surely," was the cautious answer. "Keep
still, and I'll try for a shot."
"Better be quick," advised Ned in a tense voice.
"The chap who did that yelling seems to be in
trouble!"
And as Ned's voice trailed off into a whisper,
again came the cry, this time in frenzied pain.
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