The Boy Fortune Hunters in Yucatan by L. Frank Baum

Meantime we nine, trapped as we were, prepared for defense against an army of natives.

"Won't it be better to use the electrites, sir? " inquired Joe. "There must be three or four hundred of those fellows, at least, and if they rush us we won't stand much show."

"I fear even the electrites wouldn't save us in that event," replied Allerton, whose face showed anxiety for the first time. "I think we should stand ready to inflate our gas-jackets, however, so if the worst happens we may escape by rising into the air. Fortunately the pool will supply us with water to generate the themlyne crystals. But let us wait until all other means fail and our lives are actually in danger. " He turned to Chaka, who still lay upon his face, and said: "My brother must resume his outfit, so as to be able to fight with us."

The Maya made no reply, nor did he rise or attempt to resume the clumsy garments he had discarded.

At Paul's suggestion we hastily cut a quantity of the thick bushes and piled them high in a circle surrounding our position-so high that we could just stand erect and aim our rifles over the top of the frail barricade. The bushes were no protection, but they prevented the savages from aiming at our bodies. The task was quickly accomplished and then we arranged our ammunition handily and prepared to fight as long as fighting was possible.

"Don't volley," counseled Allerton; "fire in steady, regular order, according to the numbers I will give you. Such a continual discharge is likely to be the most effectual."

He had scarcely finished speaking when the Mopanes came from the forest. Depending upon their great numbers they did not rush us, but advanced deliberately across the clearing, chanting a war song as they came. As soon as they were well within range we opened fire, and nearly every shot took effect because we were cool and cautious. The Indians were not deterred, however, and I remember thinking, even during the battle, that they were especially brave in their absolute disregard for death.

This last band of Mopanes was better armed than the first. They bore battle axes and war clubs in addition to their spears. Not a missile was sent in our direction in response to our fusillade, although we continued to pepper them so persistently that the front ranks fell like grain before a scythe, only to be trampled upon indifferently by those following. Their plan seemed to involve a great sacrifice of numbers that they might finally accomplish their purpose.

Pedro, who had proved a poor shot, devoted himself to recharging our repeating rifles and revolvers, so we had no need to relax our defense to reload. It was certainly a most dangerous predicament in which we now found ourselves, but I am glad to say none of us weakened or showed nervousness. Chaka, to my surprise, took no part in the fight at first, but as the enemy drew nearer he sprang up and began firing with the rest of us.

On came the savages, and we kept as busy as possible stopping all we could. Now they were a hundred yards off; now seventy; now fifty. We had dropped an amazing lot of them, yet still they advanced.

Then a diversion occurred of so startling a character that for a time we were utterly unable to comprehend it. The Mopanes abruptly stopped, turned half around until they faced the south, from whence they had come, and without paying any further heed to us began jabbering and gesticulating in wild excitement.

"Keep it up, boys! " cried Allerton. "They're getting demoralized at last."

That was evident; yet I knew we had had no hand in demoralizing them. The band was now separating, darting this way and that about the clearing as if in a panic. But the fugitives, after a wild scramble here and there, quickly massed again in the center of the clearing and faced outward, their backs forming the inner part of a great circle.

Next moment the mystery was explained. From behind every tree that bordered the open space stepped a stalwart warrior, copper skinned and naked save for a loin cloth. They were taller than the Mopanes, more dignified in demeanor, more deliberate in action. Each man was quickly followed by another, and still another, until fully a thousand had closed in and formed a circle around the terrified Mopanes-as well as around us.

As the first man stepped from the forest Chaka uttered a wild cry and threw down his weapons. Then he stood as if turned to stone, watching as one in a dream the tragedy that ensued.

"That settles our case," exclaimed Archie, desperately. "We might have tipped over a few hundred of those fellows, but a few thousand is too many."

We had stopped firing and Paul was watching Chaka's face.

"I think we are saved," said he in a low voice. "These men are the Itzaex, who have followed the Mopanes to seek revenge for the murder of their atkayma."

"Oh! " said Archie; and more than one breath of relief was drawn at this explanation.

It was not hard to understand why the Itzaex nation had remained unconquered and supreme through all the centuries. In strong contrast to the chattering Mopanes they uttered no sound as they advanced, and every warrior seemed but a part of one great machine.