"I do not know what to make of him," said Jack, aside in English. "He is either afraid of us, or he is a rogue. Probably both. I will see if I can find out where we are."
Then, addressing the Venezuelan, he said:
"How far is it to the nearest town?"
"You mean San Carlos, señor?"
"Si, señor," replied Jack, at a hazard.
"Have you friends at San Carlos?" asked the other, without answering the question propounded him.
"I hope so, señor."
This reply seemed to stagger him for a moment, but he managed to recover in a moment, when he said:
"How long have you been in this country, Señor Americanos?"
"Since sunrise," was the reply, which gave the other a second surprise.