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
