To that end we must keep the
Indians digging, though I am convinced now that
it is useless."
Accordingly preparations were made for an
expedition into the jungle under the leadership of
Goosal. Tal had not sufficiently recovered from
the jaguar wounds to go with the party, but the
old man, in spite of his years, was hale and hearty
and capable of withstanding hardships.
One of the most intelligent of the Indians was
put in charge of the digging gangs as foreman,
and told to keep them at work, and not to let
them stray. Tolpec, whose brother Tom had
tried to save, proved a treasure. He agreed to
remain behind and look after the interests of his
friends, and see that none of their baggage or
stores were taken.
"Well, I guess we're as ready as we ever
shall be," remarked Tom, as the cavalcade made
ready to start. Mules carried the supplies that
were to be taken into the jungle, and others of
the sturdy animals were to be ridden by the
travelers. The trail was not an easy one, Goosal
warned them.
Tom and his friends found it even worse than
they had expected, for all their experience in
jungle and mountain traveling. In places it was
necessary to dismount and lead the mules along,
sometimes pushing and dragging them. More
than once the trail fairly hung on the edge of
some almost bottomless gorge, and again it
wound its way between great walls of rock,
so poised that they appeared about to topple
over and crush the travelers.
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