The shaking old man by the boat heard the one who had fired the shot exclaim:
“Great tarantulas! I sure opine that’s the end of both of them!”
It was Buckhart, the fighting Texan; but a moment later he had disappeared.
Then, as the still trembling professor crouched by the boat, he was startled to see two forms run past, one after the other. Directly the sound of oars came to his ears, and, peering out on the placid face of the cold lake, he beheld a boat that was being rapidly rowed away.
And he could have sworn there were three persons in the boat.
Miguel Bunol succeeded after much effort in tearing his assailant from his back and striking him down. Then the Spaniard fled from the room and down the stairs.
Bunol’s companions had been surprised and attacked. On account of the boldness of the assailants, they believed the force much larger than it was, and they lost no time in seeking to get away.
The light in the room was dashed out, and in the darkness the fight continued.
Aaron had singled out Rob MacLane, but the ruffian escaped by another door, and the little man followed him to the wall, where took place the encounter witnessed by Professor Gunn.