A volley from without was his answer, but the shots were all high and no damage was done. The boys did not wait for a second volley, but jumped around to each side of the door, out of range.
Evidently believing that the shots had taken effect, the besiegers renewed their attack; but at the first blow the boys reached around and delivered their fire.
There was no answering shout to tell that the shots had taken effect, but the hammering ceased and a second later there was another volley.
“They are simply wasting their ammunition,” said Donald. “As long as we stay away from in front of the door they cannot possibly hit us.”
“They might batter the house down though,” said Adrian. “I wonder if there isn’t some way of escaping by the rear.”
“Suppose you go and look,” said Donald.
“I’ll go,” exclaimed Billie. “My experience in the smugglers’ cave has made me expert.” He dropped down on the floor and made his way on all fours to the back of the room.
There seemed to be but one entrance to the room and that was from the street. The entrance into the patio, which might have been expected, being lacking.
“I wonder why that is,” thought Billie. “All the
Mexican houses I have ever seen opened into a patio.”