Sharp reports had meanwhile been heard from different parts of the forest, sometimes three or four coming close together, while the majority were solitary shots, fired at some fleeing figure. There were shouts, too, and an occasional cry of pain.
"Ahoy there! Harold! Mr. Blunt!"
Dudley shouted at the pitch of his lungs, and very soon his employer and Harold appeared on the scene, their men straggling in behind them, two of the fine fellows carrying Pepito in their arms.
"Thirty-two prisoners, you say?" cried Mr. Blunt, casting a withering glance at the robbers, and then one of pride at his men. "Now, let us count them, for we want to be sure that none have escaped. Harold reports that five were killed in the neighborhood of the fort, so that thirty-seven are accounted for. How many were shot here?"
"Nine in all," came the answer.
"Then we have dealt with forty-six, and with the ruffian you so gallantly brought us, Dudley, we have accounted for forty-seven. Thirteen have escaped, and I have no doubt are now running for their lives through this forest. Well, let them go. Their tale will help to frighten others bent on a lawless life. And now to return to the estancia. Dudley, you will take Pietro and ten men, and will make for the house occupied by that rascally Antonio. Take possession of it, seize all people there, and keep a guard over any papers you may come upon. The remainder will escort the prisoners back to the estancia, where they will be kept till I can obtain a judge from the settlements. One of the rascals I could have dealt with, but I cannot hang so many on my own authority."
Resting in the clearing till the men had had a meal, the party divided again, Dudley and his escort riding to Antonio's house, which they seized without opposition. The prisoners taken in the action were mounted on the captured horses, their legs secured beneath the bodies of the animals, and their hands lashed firmly. Then the horses were roped in a long line, and once more took the track leading into the forest. A pile of arms and saddlery was left behind, to be fetched on a future occasion.
Two weeks later the robbers who had been captured were placed on trial at Mr. Blunt's estancia, and some ten of their number, against whom previous acts of violence could be proved, were hanged by order of the authorities. The remainder were sent down to Buenos Ayres, there to work in the prisons. As for Antonio, he was hanged before all his following, as a warning to those who were to be retained as prisoners.
"And now we shall be able to live peacefully," said Mr. Blunt a week later, when all the prisoners had been removed, and matters had settled down at the estancia. "There will be no more raids from the direction of the forest, for, thanks to Dudley, and to you too, Harold, both Indians and robbers have had a severe lesson. I have news for you both. Guess what it is.
"Then I will tell you," he went on, seeing that they only shook their heads. "I have need of a second manager, for I have purchased the whole of the estancia owned by Antonio Sarvisti. It is as large as this ranch, and needs an experienced man. Dudley Compton is the man I have selected."