“We may as well be prepared for the worst,” he whispered into my ear. “They are not soldiers, they are robbers—bandits.”
“They look bad enough for anything,” I answered, and produced my weapon, which I had not discharged since the brush with the alligator.
“If they are in the hollow it is odd we do not see them on their trail,” went on one of the bandits. “Perhaps they went around.”
His companions shook their heads.
“I’ll thrash around a bit,” said one of them; and, leaving the brink of the gully, he started straight for our hiding-place.
My heart leaped into my throat, and I feared immediate discovery. As for Alano, he shoved his pistol under his coat, and I heard a muffled click as the hammer was raised.
When within ten feet of us the ugly fellow stopped, and I fairly held my breath, while my heart appeared to beat like a trip-hammer. He looked squarely at the rock which sheltered us, and I could not believe he would miss discovering us. Once he started and raised his pistol, and I imagined our time had come; but then he turned to one side, and I breathed easier.
“They did not come this way, capitan!” he shouted. “Let us go around the hollow.”
In another moment all three of the bandits were out of sight. We heard them moving in the undergrowth behind us, and one of them gave a scream as a snake was stirred up and dispatched with a saber. Then all became quiet.
“What is best to do now?” I asked, when I thought it safe to speak.