At regular intervals were enormous white columns capped with the glistening metal, the same as displayed on the dome of the principal building and on many of the houses.
After taking in this wonderful picture as a whole the boys gazed at the most prominent objects in turn, the central edifice occupying the greater share of attention.
That this was a place of worship seemed reasonable to suppose because of the crowds of people entering or departing from the opening formed by lofty pillars of shimmering metal, and also because of the tiny threads of smoke which arose from several apertures in the roof as if from altar fires. To confirm the beholders in this belief the faint sound of sweet music arose in the air, and instantly the throngs in the streets prostrated themselves in adoration of some one of the statues.
The citizens were dressed in flowing garments of white, and all seemed intent on worship which was prolonged until after the spectators left the tree.
One singular fact was noted by Teddy, and he called Neal's attention to it.
Neither on the surrounding hills nor in the city could a single animal of any kind be seen. It was as if even the birds from the forest so shaped their course as to avoid flying over the dazzling wonderful city which was shut out from the rest of the world by the swamp wherein fever lurked in its most horrible form.
How long the boys and Jake gazed at this marvelous picture neither of them could ever say. They took no heed of the passage of time, and when Cummings called softly that it would be well to come down in order to gain a little rest before Poyor returned, Teddy noticed with surprise that the sun was high in the heavens.
"Well, do you believe now that the Silver City really has an existence?" the leader asked when the three stood by his side.
"After that anything seems possible," Neal replied with a sigh as if weary of gazing at so much magnificence.
"Save some adjectives expressive of admiration until we are in the city, when I fancy you will see very much that is more curious."
"The people don't appear to be so terribly ferocious," Teddy said, "and yet you think they would kill us all if our presence was discovered."
"I am positive of it. In a white man they see only one of that race which has worked them so much injury, making ruins of many cities, and oppressing the rightful owners of the country."