This unexpected assault was too much for Manuel Mazaro and his satellites.
"Car-r-r-ramba!" snarled the Spaniard. "Dis treek is spoiled! We will have to try de odare one, pardnares."
"We're reddy fer yer thricks, ye shnakes!" cried Barney.
"Are you armed?" asked Frank.
"To th' muzzle wid grape-shot an' canister!" was the reply.
But the boys were not compelled to resort to deadly weapons, for the Spaniard and his gang suddenly took to their heels, and seemed to melt away in the darkness.
"Musha! musha!" gasped Barney. "Where hiv they gone, Oi dunno?"
"They've skipped."
"An' lift us widout sayin' good-avenin'?"
"So it seems."