Roughriders of the Pampas: A Tale of Ranch Life in South America

by F. S. Brereton

"We are cornered, I fear," said Mr. Blunt as soon as he had fully realized what was happening, and that the enemy were now following swiftly, their big river boat under sail, and part of their gang in a craft which they propelled with oars, "unless we also could hoist a little canvas. But I fear that that is out of the question, for the sail is a big one."

Then they went to the mast, to find the yard and sail extremely heavy, while in the darkness it was almost impossible to find the hoisting gear. However, the knowledge that something must be done if they wished to escape spurred them on to make an effort, and after a little fumbling in the dark they managed to hoist a few feet of the sail, and even to get some way on the boat.

"Do as they did," sang out Mr. Blunt. "Push her head round, while I go to the tiller. Once we are under way, stand ready with one of the poles to push them off if they get too near. One can use the pole while the other stands over him with his revolver. And remember to shoot swiftly. The man who can draw trigger first on occasions like this stands the best chance of coming alive out of the struggle. Ah, I see them again! I wish this boat would swing a little more quickly."

There was a note of anxiety in his voice, for the minutes were passing rapidly, and though their own sail had now been hoisted for quite two minutes the boat had not yet swung round with her bow down stream. As for the enemy, the vessel on which they were was already well under way; but she still had to make up the distance which she had previously lost, and which had steadily increased as the stream bore Dudley and his friends along. For a time she had been lost to view in the darkness, and only the shouts of the rascals on her deck showed where she was, while the answering calls of the gang in the small boat, and the splash of their paddles, told that they too were already dangerously near. Dudley stood in the stern of the boat listening intently to the splashes and the calls, and then leaving his comrades for a moment went carefully along the deck on hands and knees, searching for something with his fingers.

"If that small boat comes alongside she will be more difficult to deal with than the other," he thought. "Those rascals will hang on till some are on board, and we shall be kept so busy that we shall not be able to deal with their friends. I remember a coil of rope which lay amongst our stores. I fancy it is heavy enough for my purpose."

The numerous articles which Mr. Blunt had purchased in Buenos Ayres had been loaded into the hold of the vessel, and some had also been placed a little forward of the mast. There were many coils of rope and wire in these stores, and at this moment Dudley thought of them. He soon reached the spot where he remembered he had seen them placed, and fumbled in the darkness with his fingers till he lit upon one of the coils of rope. It was closely wound, and consisted of inch cable, which was securely lashed into a coil. Standing over it, he lifted it to his shoulder with an effort and bore it aft, staggering under the weight. A second or more later he had tumbled it on to the deck with a bang.

"For the gentlemen in the small boat if they happen to wish to pay us a visit," he said significantly. "If I can make a good shot with this coil I think there will be little boat left. Now for the other vessel. Is she in sight?"

"In sight, and almost within striking distance," answered Harold promptly, for he had sprung on to the rail of the ship and had been peering eagerly into the darkness. "She is coming up on our left. Look there! You can see a big black mass, fifteen feet behind us, perhaps."

The report was only too true, and before long Dudley himself could see the bow of the vessel, and even thought he detected a couple of figures standing there. If he had had any doubt, their sudden calls to their comrades proved their presence beyond contradiction. Indeed, two of the gaucho ruffians were standing as far forward as they could get, and as Dudley watched them they called loudly, their shouts bringing their comrades running along the deck to join them.

"Within a little way, comrades," said one of the rascals, as he drew his weapon, "and if this darkness does not make a fool of me I can see one of the fellows at the tiller. This will soon show if it is a man or a shadow. I'll wager that I make a hit."