"Dixon, Franklin W - Hardy Boys 043 - The Mystery Of The Aztec Warrior" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dixon Franklin W)

FRANK, Joe, and Chet soon found that the shouting they heard came from the zуcalo. The centre of the large square was being used as a stage, with an enthusiastic audience standing round its sides.

"No trouble here," said Joe in relief. "Just a celebration."

They watched a group of children in gay Spanish costumes dancing to the music of several guitars. Chet and the Hardys observed with interest the intricate steps such small boys and girls could accomplish.

A bystander heard Frank's admiring comments and said, "Children in Mexican schools have regular instruction in native dances at an early age. Many become professional dancers."

Frank asked whether schools taught only the Spanish dominated period in the country's history. The man shook his head. "Our pupils learn the history of Mexico from prehistoric times. Many of them can speak the various Indian dialects, and because of legends handed down in their families, know a lot about the great civilizations that were here in ancient days."

The children's performance came to an end and they ran off, giggling and bowing. The next number on the programme brought rapt attention, not only from the native audience but also from the Bayport visitors.

A group of men were costumed as ancient warriors. Their act, done in dance form, represented a battle. The soldiers used long-handled daggers with which they fenced adroitly to overcome their opponents.

"They're great!" said Chet.

"Sure are," the Hardys agreed.

Presently it became evident that one side was victorious when most of their opponents fell as if slain. In rushed a man dressed as an ancient priest, holding up his hand to end the slaughter. He commanded the victors to bring him one of the conquered warriors who was still on his feet and ordered the man to follow him.

The priest cried out, "You have been chosen for the human sacrifice!"

"Ugh!" said Chet. "That old fellow looks fierce enough to carry out his threat!"

The Hardys and the friendly man who stood next to them laughed, and the stranger said, "I am glad that you found the performance so realistic. You could almost believe there was to be a sacrifice. We Spanish stopped that ugly custom among the ancient people. It took many, many years to convince the Indians that their gods were not demanding this form of obeisance."

"All I can say," Chet spoke up, "is that I'm glad I'm living today. I would have been too nice a fat morsel for those bloodthirsty people!"

The man hastened to assure Chet that the Indians were not cannibals. They carried on human sacrifice only in accordance with their religion.

When the performance was over, Frank asked the Mexican if he knew anyone named Roberto Hermosa.

"No, I'm sorry. Does he live in Oaxaca?"

"We don't know," Frank replied. He pulled one of the photographs of Tatloc from his pocket. "This is another man we're trying to find. He is an archaeologist named Seсor Tatloc. Have you ever heard of him?"

"Si, si," the man answered quickly. "I have never seen him, but I have heard that a Seсor Tatloc has dug many times in ruins near here."

"At Monte Alban?" Joe asked eagerly.

"That I do not know," their informer replied.

The boys thanked him and said goodbye. Then they questioned some of the dancers and onlookers who stood around. None of them knew Hermosa or Seсor Tatloc, nor did they recognize the photograph.

"We had a good time, but so far as the mystery is concerned we drew a blank," said Frank with disappointment, as the boys trudged back to their hotel.

There they talked with the manager, but he could not help them either. He had not even heard the story of the prize relic having been found at Monte Alban.