"Well it happened that, just as their arrangements were complete, you came down the river to Buenos Ayres. They have friends who tell them of any unusual occurrence, and this was reported to them. Everything fell out as they wanted. You required men. They had men to spare, and by putting a portion of their gang on your boat made more sure of getting your money. That is all I know. I thought it was high time to put a spoke in their wheel."
"And so you swum across to warn an absolute stranger. Thanks, lad, it was gallant conduct. But we will speak of that later. For the moment we have yet to deal with these rascals. To think that this is another of their organized bands, and that that old feud still lives, and that those wretches still desire to murder me. Well, well, we shall see. There is still a good deal of life and tenacity left in the old dog. How are matters now, Dudley?"
"We are drawing away. The current seems to have got us in its grip, and we are moving finely. But I cannot make out what those fellows are doing. As soon as the leader had gone overboard I heard a shout, and I think it must have been this sailor whom Harold mentions. Then the men who were running aft stopped, and since that I have seen nothing of them, but can hear them talking."
"They are up to some clever trick, I have no doubt," said Mr. Blunt decisively. "The rascals will not let us slip without an effort. Listen to those ruffians ashore."
They were bellowing loudly to their comrades on the boat, and, if Dudley and his two friends could have seen them, were for the most part collected at the very edge of the wharf, where they stood unsteadily, peering out into the darkness, and calling loudly that they would follow out on to the stream as soon as a boat could be found. Nor was it long before one of their number was successful in his search. He lit upon a boat at the end of the wharf, and, paddling it beneath his friends, called to them to descend—a movement which some of them carried out with such carelessness that the bark was almost upset. Then they pushed out on to the river, and, taking up their paddles, rowed as well as they were able in the direction of their friends. Meanwhile the latter had not been idle. The ominous quiet aboard their boat was followed by a burst of cheering, and then by the appearance of a couple of figures in the stern. One was the sailor, and at once he took possession of the helm.
"She'll steer within the minute," he called out huskily. "Get those poles over her bows and push her round. Skurry, lads, or we'll be too late!"
"The rascals! They have hoisted sail, and will be able to make rings round us," cried Mr. Blunt. "I fear that they have now an enormous advantage."
That this was the case could not be denied, for as the trio looked over the rail at the banks of the river, occasionally to be seen dimly, they found that they themselves were floating slowly on the current, swinging round and round, while within but a few yards of them, and quickly coming under sail, was the pursuing boat, on the rails of which hung the gang of outlaws, ready to commence the attack at the very first moment. In rear of them was a river craft manned by more of the gang, who were pulling lustily so as to come up in time to take their share in the unequal contest. The situation was indeed critical again, and there is little wonder that the trio aboard the drifting craft found it hard to decide how to act under the circumstances, and looked about them desperately for a way of escape.