Even more important, would Tom’s new radiation-screening devices prove successful?
“Keep your fingers crossed,” Tom muttered. He reset the computer so as to cancel out the disturbing radiation, then switched on power and made a number of hasty dial adjustments. The equipment hummed as the detectors began feeding a steady flow of electrical impulses to the camera’s “brain.”
“Hey, it’s working like a charm!” Bud cried out. “And those are space symbols showing up!” A clear set was appearing on the screen of the reproducer unit, accompanied by the usual elaborate Mayan art designs.
“Nice going, skipper!” Jack Murray congratulated the young inventor.
Tom smiled with quiet satisfaction, but said
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nothing until he had pulled the photographic film from the unit and studied it closely.
“It’s the same message that appears on your sacred stone,” he told Quetzal.
The chief stared at the pictures with a look of awe. “Some day, perhaps, we will learn more about my people’s ancestors from the sky,” he said hopefully.
Tom used his retroscope on a few more carvings on stones which the natives had brought to him. But he found no further mathematical space symbols. Finally he broke off his experiments.
“I sure wish we could start digging,” he told Bud.
“Meaning you wish Senor Barancos from the Yucatan Institute would get here,” Bud replied.
“Right. And, Bud, I have some good news for you. We have visitors coming tomorrow-Sandy, Phyl, and my dad!”
Bud was thrilled at the announcement and Chow immediately made plans for a second feast. Ahau Quetzal and his villagers also promised to take part in the celebration. The white-clad Mayan women were especially excited at the prospect of seeing two senoritas from the United States.