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SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING
CHAPTERS.Driven many hundreds of miles from its course by a Caribbean storm, the super-airplane carrying Benton, Van Otter, Holton and Virginia Hart to Cuban waters crashes down into the Valley of Teeheemen in South Ameriea. The valley is a huge volcanic crater from which there is but one exit, known only to the high priest of Teeheemen. The party of Americans rescue several natives who are offered by the inhabitants as sacrifices to the two tremendous animals known as the teeheemen, and kill one of them. Then they join the forces of Duros, who attempts to overthrow King Urlus and Walum the high priest. After a successful battle, in which the firearms of the invaders are used to good advantage, it is learned that Virginia and Holton have been captured by the forces of the high priest.
13
When Benton realized that Virginia and Holton had disappeared, he thought quickly of the best course to pursue.
"They have probably left to seek a place of safety," he remarked to Otter.
A warrior of the Duros forces approached the three.
"The men of the high priest have seized the white gods' friends," he explained. "I was on my way to join the forces of Duros in the arena, when I saw a company of the warriors of the temple with Walum the high priest. I hid in the entryway to the arena and saw them capture the white woman, Gala of Teeheemen, and the white man."
"The priest has probably taken them to the temple," said Gomo. "He will place the white man in the temple prison, and the white woman and Gala may be taken to wife in the temple."
Benton studied for a moment.
"There's only one course for us to follow now, Otter," he said. "We must ally ourselves with Duros and his fighters in the arena there. If we can defeat the forces of the king and high priest, then we shall have a chance to invade the temple and the prison and release Holton and Virginia."
"You're right," Otter agreed.
"Let's go, then," said Benton, filling the magazine of his rifle.
"The forces of Duros are being driven back," announced Gomo, who had been studying the progress of the battle in the arena.
