"Does anyone think we ought to try the tunnels now?" Kirby asked. * * * * * Several girls shook their heads. He knew that already they felt he had been wise in giving up the pursuit. Ivana spoke. "If the Duca and his horde stay underground, we shouldn't have a chance against them. And if they don't, we're better here." Kirby shot a searching glance at her, somehow sure that her thoughts were running parallel with his. "You don't think they're going to stay here, do you?" "No, and you don't either," Ivana answered. "It seems to me that they will retreat into the Rorroh as fast as they can," Kirby then observed. "And do you think the Duca and all the caciques will go with the apes?" This time it was Nini who spoke, and with the council so well launched, Kirby began to feel better. "I think," he answered Nini, "that the Duca has gone over to Xlotli altogether. We fooled him to-day. Instead of killing or capturing us all, he--he only got Naida. But he won't give up. I think he is taking the apes off to some place from which he can launch a new attack. And we've got to stop him before he is ready to deliver another blow." "What do you mean?" Ivana now asked. "Do you know where the villages of the ape-people are?" "Yes. None of us has been very far into the Rorroh, but I could guess where some of the villages may stand." * * * * * Silence fell after that, but Kirby knew from the glint in Ivana's eyes, and the quick breaths which other girls drew, that they understood. "Ivana," he said suddenly, "will you go with me into the Rorroh jungle, and stay with me, facing down every danger it may conceal, until we have found Naida and brought her back?" A flush of life crept into Ivana's pallid cheeks. "Yes!" Kirby faced the other girls, all of them keyed up now. "Nini, will you go?" Nini, bronze-haired, dainty nymph of a girl, who had yet the stamina of a man, looked at him with brave eyes. Then her hands tightened on her rifle, and she stepped forward. "When will you have us start?" Ivana asked in a low voice. "Now!" Kirby answered, and, taking up the rifle which lay beside him--the same with which Naida had fought--he looked at the other girls. "There is not one of you," he said slowly, "who would not go willingly on this quest. But the pursuit party must be small and mobile. And there is another duty. To all of you I leave the care of the castle and the plateau. Take the three rifles I shall leave behind, do what you can to reassure the old people, and hold the plateau safe until we return." A murmur of girls' voices sounded in the temple. Kirby motioned to Nini and Ivana, and followed by a low cheer, they moved off together. * * * * *