But before he could bring the weapon to bear, Shirley stepped quickly forward, levelled her rifle at him, and in a clear sharp voice, cried:
“Halt!”
The man wheeled quickly and as he did so, Dick sprang upon him from behind. A quick blow sent the revolver hurling several feet away, and then Dick stepped back to give free play to his boxing skill.
The Nicaraguan rushed at him, but Dick stepped lightly aside, and as the man went by, carried on by the impetus of his rush, Dick struck out straight and true from the shoulder.
The Nicaraguan crumpled up in a heap on the ground.
Shirley and Mabel ran quickly to Dick’s side.
“Are you hurt, Dick?” asked Shirley anxiously.
“No!” was the smiling rejoinder, “but I would have been if you had not been prompt with that rifle. That’s all that saved me.”
“How did you find us?” asked Mabel.
“Followed you. We became alarmed at your absence and I said I thought I could find you. I imagined you had gone for a stroll, and when I saw this bunch of pirates going through the town I guessed that you would fall into their hands. I came along after them and just as I was about to go on I saw you climbing down from the tree.”