“I know it,” replied Mabel.
“Then we are safe.”
The girls’ guard now put an end to their conversation. Rising he approached them and commanded:
“Silence!”
He did not hear soft footsteps passing beyond him, nor did he turn in time to see a figure leap from behind a tree and spring at him. The first he realized of his danger was when a pair of strong arms went round him, and he was hurled violently to the ground, his rifle flying from his hands.
“Get the rifle, Shirley!” called Dick, as he and his opponent struggled for mastery.
Shirley leaped forward, stopped, and when she arose she held the rifle.
For a moment she considered the advisability of advancing and lending Dick a hand, then concluded that he was more than a match for the Nicaraguan. Besides, the figures were locked in such close embrace that she couldn’t have aided Dick if she would.
Now Dick succeeded in shaking off the grip of his opponent, and sprang to his feet. The Nicaraguan did likewise, and sprang back.
As Dick leaped forward again, the man’s hand went to his holster, and a revolver flashed in his hand.