Once more that look of cunning came in the Mexican's eyes.
"That's about it," answered Tom shortly. He did not want to encourage too much familiarity on the part of the contractor. "So, no siestas if you please, Senor Delazes. We can all siesta to-night."
"Ah, you Americanos!" exclaimed the Mexican with a shrug of his shoulders He stroked his shiny black moustache. "You are ever so on the alert! Always moving. Well, be it so, we will travel on—to the ruined city—if we can find one," and he gave Tom a look that the latter could not quite understand.
It was hot—very hot—but Tom noticed that about a mile farther on, the trail led into a thick jungle of trees, where it would be shady, and make the going more comfortable.
"We'll be all right when we get there," he said to the others.
It was not with very good grace that the Mexicans got their ox teams ready. They had not objected very much when, on the day before Tom had insisted on starting off right after the midday meal, but now when it seemed that it was going to be a settled policy to omit the siesta, or noon sleep, there was some grumbling.
"They may make trouble for us, Tom," said
