"I'm afraid we are already belligerents," laughed Adrian. "We have had one brush with them."
The mountebank heaved a sigh.
"Of course, if you have declared war, we shall have to fight to a finish, unless," with a grin, "we can intrench."
"It is they who are intrenched," explained Billie. "They are at the bottom of the old mine, although I don't know how they got there."
"So," laughed the mountebank. "Suppose we go and find out."
Arrived at the shaft house, for that is what the gable-roofed building was, the boys and their new-found friend approached and listened to the sound of voices which still arose to the top of the shaft.
Evidently considering themselves free and safe, the bandits were preparing their evening meal, for it was now well on toward sunset. They were singing and joking as though they had not just lost half or two-thirds their number.
From a few remarks made now and then, it appeared that they proposed on the following day to recruit the band up to its former strength.
"That is the thing we must prevent," declared Donald.
"A very easy thing," said the mountebank, "if we had enough provisions to remain here for twenty-four hours, or more."