"Well, the Mexican prophesied we would find it sooner than we thought," observed Ned. "But he may not have meant all he said. Anyhow, I'm sleepy and I'm going to turn in."
The others followed his example of wrapping themselves up in their blankets, and soon their deep breathing told they were on the road to slumberland.
Meanwhile, the Mexicans who had listened to the above conversation were much disturbed. Though they did not understand all that had been said, they caught enough to indicate to them that the boys and the professor were not on a search for gold or silver mines, the only things in which the Mexicans were interested.
There were angry but low-voiced mutterings among the Mexicans. Soon they became angry, talked among themselves and grew quite excited. They talked rapidly to Vasco, in Spanish.
"What does all this mean, Noddy?" asked Bilette. "Have you fooled us?"
"No, no, it's all right!" exclaimed Nixon. "Their talk of a buried city is only a bluff to throw us off the track."
"Hardly, when they don't know we are following them," said Vasco. "I'm afraid that's not true, Noddy. Better own up and say you guessed at the whole thing."
"Too much talk! Not enough do!" exclaimed one of the Mexicans, striding forward and pushing Noddy to one side. Noddy resented this, and drew back his hand as if to strike the Mexican. The latter, quick as a flash, drew an ugly-looking knife.
"Put that up!" exclaimed Vasco, noting, in the darkness, his companion's act. "We don't want to begin fighting among ourselves."
He stepped between Noddy and the Mexican, and pushed them away from each other. The Mexican muttered angrily, and his companions could be heard growling over the outcome of the affair. They could appreciate a gold or silver mine. A buried city was nothing to them, and they saw no use in pursuing the trail further. They were angry at Noddy for having brought them thus far on a foolish errand.
"Now keep quiet," advised Bilette. "The first thing you know you'll have them all aroused and then there'll be trouble."
"_Diablo!_" exclaimed one of the Mexicans, beneath his breath. "Are we fools or children? We leave the city and we travel for days through the wilderness. We are told we are to get great riches. Santa Maria! Is this money? Is this gold or silver? The crazy _Americanos_ talk of nothing but lost cities. What care I for lost cities? What care any of us for lost cities? I hate lost cities!"