But no sooner had they received the first volley, than they turned sharply up stream and a minute later replied with a well directed fire.
Immediately thereafter the ten men who had been posted behind the big rock clambered up to the top and from this position of vantage poured a volley into the boats. Almost at the same moment the captain led the main force around from the other side, thus taking the boats between two fires.
Seeing their hopeless position and realizing that they were greatly outnumbered, the smugglers threw down their arms and surrendered. The boats were quickly drawn ashore and the captured smugglers landed and placed under a guard.
“There must be at least as many more,” said Donald to the captain, when he had counted the prisoners and found there were only twenty-four. “During our scouting we have seen fully forty.”
“Is that true?” the captain asked one of the prisoners.
“Quien sabe” was the unsatisfactory reply.
“You don’t know, eh?” said the captain.
“No, señor capitan.”
“Perhaps I can help you,” said the captain. Then turning to one of his men: “Here, corporal,
stand this man up against that rock, and if he doesn’t answer by the time I count ten, shoot him.”