“Very good; but what about the girl?”
“I will stay with my friends,” replied Maximina. “I am not afraid of Vasco Bilette.”
“You may stay with us,” consented the naturalist, “but I must insist on you getting down on the bottom of the car when the fighting begins.”
“Fighting? There will be no fighting,” said the captain.
“Aren’t you going to tackle the brigands and get Bob?” asked Jerry, in some surprise.
“Caramba! The dogs will run when they see my troops,” spoke the captain, puffing out his chest. “They will not stand. That is why I said there would be no fighting.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure,” remarked the professor.
“You shall see, señor,” went on the commander. “But now I must go back to my men. My compliments, señor.”
“Mine to you,” responded the professor, not to be outdone in politeness.