Yet they were undoubtedly still there.

He crept to the edge of the pyramid and looked over.

There was the Mexican force, scattered about the ruined city, but camped in greatest numbers along the Calle de los Muertos.

Their numbers had been increased by two hundred or three hundred, and, as Ned saw no signs of breaking camp, he judged that this was a rendezvous, and that there were more troops yet to come.
He saw at once that his problem was increased greatly.

He could not dream of leaving the summit of the pyramid before the next night came.
Food he had in plenty but no water, and already as the hot sun's rays approached the vertical he felt a great thirst.