"Two, señor: one who sent his bullet into my thigh, and the other whom our comrade settled."
"It is the first we have to deal with. He lies a matter of five yards outside our fort, I think?"
Pepito nodded emphatically, forgetting that the darkness hid all movement.
"That is so, señor," he said eagerly. "I know the spot well. It is perhaps less than five yards away. What then?"
"I am about to borrow his clothes, that is all," came the calm answer. "At least, I shall borrow a portion. I noticed that every gaucho in the service of this Antonio wore a red scarf about his neck, and a hat of different color from ours. I shall borrow those two articles from the man who is dead, and shall then join the enemy. Now listen to my instructions. One of you will creep away in the direction opposite to that in which this body lies, and will cut a narrow trench. His task is to strike the nearest tree with a stick, and to make such sounds as will cause the enemy to think that an attempt at escape is being made in that direction. As he lies there, the others will fire above his head—anywhere, so long as they take care not to hit him. They will, in particular, pay attention to that part of the forest where the dead man lies. You understand?"
An exclamation broke from Pepito and Harold.
"It is all clear," said the latter. "We attract their attention to the opposite direction, and, having searched the forest along the path which you will be taking, and, let us hope, shot any of the ruffians hiding there, we occupy the attention of the rascals till you get clear. But, by Jove, Dudley, the risk is terrible."
"Hush! There is a movement. I hear men creeping in the forest!"
It was one of the gauchos who gave the alarm, and at once every member of Dudley's party had taken his place behind the low walls of the fort.
"Someone is moving, certainly," whispered Pepito. "There, I heard the sounds. They are coming closer."