Crack!  A sliver of flame cut the darkness.  There was a report that sounded like a cannon, and it was followed by an unearthly scream.  Instinctively Tom leaped back as he saw the greenish eyes change color.

The young inventor felt a shower of dirt thrown over him by the claws of the dying cougar, and then he realized that he was safe.  He raced toward the tent, to be met by Ned, and the next instant the camp was in wild commotion.

“Bless my slippers!” cried Mr. Damon.  “What has happened.  Tell me at once?”

“Fo’ de lob of chicken!” yelled Eradicate from a tent he had all to himself—­the cook tent.

“Santa Maria!  Ten thousand confusions!  What is it?” fairly screamed Delazes.

“Are you all right, Tom?” called Ned.

“Sure.  It was a good shot.”

And then came explanations.  Wood was thrown on the fire, and as the Mexicans gathered around the blaze they saw, twitching in the death throes, a big cougar, or some animal allied to it.  Neither Tom nor his friends had ever seen one just like it, and the Mexican name for it meant nothing to them.  But it was dead, and Tom was saved and the way he grasped Ned’s hand showed how grateful he was, even if he did not say much.

Soon the excitement died out, after Tom had related his experience, and though it was some time before he and the others got to sleep again, they did finally, and the camp was once more quiet.

An early start was made the next day, for Tom had reconsidered his determination to assemble the balloon and explore in that air craft, And the reason for his reconsideration was this: 

They had not gone far on their journey before they met a solitary Mexican, and of him they asked the usual question about the plain of the temple.

He knew nothing, as might have been expected, but he stated that there was a large village not far distant in which dwelt many old Mexicans.

“They might know something,” he said.

“It’s worth trying,” decided Tom.  “I’ll wait until to-morrow about the balloon.  We can make the village by noon, I guess.  Perhaps we can get a clew there.”

But it was nearly night when the ox carts drew into the Mexican settlement, for there was an accident in the afternoon, one of the vehicles breaking down.

There were fires blazing in many places in the village, which was one of the most primitive sort, when our friends entered.  They were curiously watched as they drove through on their way to a good camping site beyond.

And here, once more, fate stepped in to aid Tom in his search for the city of gold.

As they were out of corn meal, and needed some for supper, Tom told Eradicate to stop at one of the larger houses to buy some.  The lad followed the colored man into the building, which seemed to be used by several families.

“We’ll be obliged to yo’ all fo’ some corn meal,” began Eradicate, picking out an aged Mexican to whom he addressed his request.