"Oh, come," interrupted Donald. "Tell us what's up and what we must do to capture the rest of this band of cutthroats."
Thinking that he had carried the joke far enough, and realizing also that he might be wasting valuable time, Billie related his adventure, describing the place he had discovered.
"It is the Rosario viejo," said Pedro, as soon as Billie had finished his story.
"What's that?" asked Billie.
"An abandoned mine. It is called the old Rosario to distinguish it from the new Rosario, which is now one of the most valuable mines in this region. The station at Pitahaya was built especially to serve it."
"I see," said Billie. "Where is the new mine?"
"Down there," and Pedro pointed to a trail leading in the opposite direction. "It is just about as far from the station on that side of the railroad as the old Rosario is on this."
"Don't you think we had better summon some assistance from the mine workers?" asked Adrian.
"They may be in cahoots with the bandits," laughed Donald. "I have lost my confidence in about every one in this bandit-ridden land."
"I don't blame you," said Pedro, "and I hope the day will soon come when all this trouble will be over."