And so, that night, they took turns in mounting guard. None of them saw anything out of the ordinary, though had they been able to witness a scene that took place in an obscure gallery of the temple they would have been surprised.
San Lucia and Murado were still hiding in the place, waiting their chance to get something of value from the travelers. The capture of Bob had upset the plans of the two aged brigands, and they were a little cautious about proceeding. But for several nights they had made raids on the improvised pantry Ned had constructed.
“Are we to go again to-night?” asked San Lucia, on the evening when Ned made the discovery that led to the posting of the guard.
“It remains to be seen,” replied Murado. “If we have no better luck than last night it is of little use.”
“No; tomatoes are a poor substitute for gold,” agreed San Lucia. “I wonder if they have nothing but things to eat in those cans.”
“Some of them must contain gold,” replied Murado. “They do it to fool us, but we will get the best of them yet. We will carry off every can they have until we get those containing the treasure.”
For the two Mexicans believed that the travelers had packed their gold in the tin cans, of which there was a number. And each night San Lucia and Murado had stolen a few, hoping that some of them contained gold. Each time, on opening the tins, they had been disappointed.
“I will go first to-night,” said San Lucia. “I feel that I will be successful. Once we get the gold we can leave this place.”
About midnight he crept as softly as a cat upon the travelers. But, to his surprise, he found Jerry on guard and armed. San Lucia sneaked back to the balcony and told Murado.
“They are becoming suspicious,” said the latter. “We will have to wait a while. Perhaps they may be sleeping to-morrow night.”