"Friends, señor," exclaimed Pepito, dragging himself slowly to his leader's side, for the poor fellow's wound was painful. "There is help close at hand. Warn the men to be careful of their shooting. But listen!"
Once more the strong voice was heard.
"Harold, ahoy! We have a strong force of gauchos with us, and have surrounded the ruffians lying in the forest. Shoot any who happen to pass your way. We are closing up all round them."
From the depths of the forest there came now a commotion. Men called to one another, for as yet the position was not understood. But many of the ruffians understood English, and some had overheard Mr. Blunt's hail. They were surrounded. While they had no notion of such a thing, and indeed thought it impossible, the enemy had ridden all round them. Each must fight for himself.
They gave up all attempt to capture the small party who had withstood them so long, gave up all thought of combination, and promptly bolted like hares in all directions, the majority, however, rushing for the clearing where their horses were picketed.
"Wait till you see them clearly, and then bring them down," said Dudley sternly. "Mind, not a shot till they are close. We must take them by surprise."
The ambush into which the rascally gauchos fell was in fact such a surprise that many of them promptly threw up their hands and were secured. Half a dozen were killed at the first volley, and three others, who attempted to run, shared the same fate. For the honest fellows who were in Mr. Blunt's employ had no sympathy for such ruffians. On the pampas, where there was an entire absence of police or of any protective force, men had to fend for themselves, and robbers had to be dealt with severely.
"Place the prisoners all together, and set a guard over them," commanded Dudley, when it was seen that no more were coming their way. "Pietro, just count them, and let me know how many we have taken."
"Thirty-two, señor," came the answer, as the gaucho rapidly totalled the robbers who had been captured, and returned to the young manager's side. "A good haul, señor, and one which will put a stop to other bands attempting the same robberies. Thirty-two, and seventy-three horses."
"Amongst which will be the mounts they captured from my little escort. Now, we'll give our friends a hail."