Necessity had
proved so stern a master that he was able to keep his resolution. Many
long, long hours passed and sometimes he dozed or slept, but he did not
go to the entrance. The oil at last marked the final hour, and, taking
up the lamp, he went back to the entrance.
Ned looked out and then gave a cry of joy. It was broad daylight, but
the army was gone, soldiers, horses, tents, everything. The Calle de los
Muertos was once more what its name meant. Silence and desolation had
regained the ruined city. He blew out the lantern and set it down at the
opening. It had served him well. Then he went out and climbed again to
the summit of the pyramid, from which he examined the valley long and
well.
He saw no signs of human life anywhere. Traces of the camp remained in
abundance, but the army itself had vanished. There were no lurking camp
followers to make him trouble. He descended to the ground, and stood a
while, drawing in deep draughts of the fresh daylight air. It had not
been oppressive in the pyramid, but there is nothing like the open sky
above. He went down to the Teotihuacan, and, choosing a safe place,
bathed in its waters. Then he resumed the flight across the hills which
had been delayed so long.
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