“I already have, Ken. No sign of anyone.”
“We’re just being jittery.”
“Maybe,” Jack agreed, not completely convinced. “We’d better keep a good fire going tonight, just in case.”
Feeding the dying flames with another cut log, he started into the tent. Just then he was startled by a slight rustling of leaves almost directly behind. He and Ken both turned swiftly. Their pulses began to pound.
Against the dark foliage, a man stood clearly outlined. He was armed. As they stood frozen, he spoke a sharp command in Spanish, and came slowly toward them.
Chapter 12
CARLOS THE BANDIT
Jack and Ken did not understand the words, but the meaning was clear enough.
The smiling, hard-faced man who confronted them was a bandit.
Before they could make any response to his command, he fired a shot. The bullet nipped into the dirt at Jack’s feet.
Thus warned that the grizzled little man was not one with whom to trifle, the two Scouts quickly raised their hands.