The boys and the professor, with Maximina, in the automobile, followed the troopers.
“I think there will be one big fight,” said the girl, in English, speaking to the boys. “Vasco has many guns in the cave.”
“I hope it will be his last fight,” said Ned. “I don’t wish any one bad luck, but I would like to see Vasco Bilette and his gang put where they can do no more harm.”
“The soldiers don’t seem to take this very seriously,” remarked Jerry. “Hear them singing and laughing.”
“They probably want Vasco to know they are coming, so they will not take him by surprise,” spoke the professor. “It’s a trait of Mexican politeness, I suppose.”
The captain of the troop came riding back to the automobile, which had kept in the rear of the horsemen.
“My compliments, señor,” said the commander, bowing with a sweep of his helmet to the professor.
“My best regards to you,” replied the naturalist.
“We will be up to the vicinity of the cave in about an hour,” went on the captain. “Is it your desire to charge in the fire-wagon with my troopers, or do you prefer to stay in the rear and watch us dispose of this brigand?”
“We’re not the ones to stay in the rear when there’s fighting to be done,” said the professor. “You will find us in the fore, Señor Captain.”