"Si, señors," replied Manuel, quickly darting away from them, but returning in an incredibly short time with a couple of short, but serviceable weapons, one of which he handed to each of his companions.
"Follow me, señors. They are getting impatient, and Dolores will not be able to hold them back long. I think we had better cross the bay to the other shore. I have a boat."
As Ronie and Jack had no better plan to offer, they followed the speaker in silence. He led the way to the rear of his humble dwelling, where they paused to listen for sounds of their enemies. These came from the front, and judging that the soldiers had not yet surrounded the place they plunged boldly into the midst of the dense tropical plants which reached above their heads, Manuel still leading the way. But they had not gone far before he suddenly stopped, and motioned for his companions to do the same.
As the three fugitives thus abruptly paused they heard the sound of footsteps, which rapidly became plainer. There were evidently several persons approaching at a headlong rate, and knowing only enemies were likely to be in that vicinity, they dropped swiftly and silently to the earth, the broad leaves of the thrifty plants about them affording shields for their bodies.
A minute later, half a dozen men burst through the rank vegetation within a yard of where they were lying! Jack and Ronie, believing they were going to be discovered, thought hastily of flight in another direction, but the party quickly swept past and disappeared in the distance below them. As soon as they felt it was prudent they resumed their flight, having no further cause for alarm until they came in sight of the narrow body of water ahead. Between the growth and this was a broad belt of sand, where not a shrub found sustenance. The clear, starlit night made this space almost as bright as by day.
"Hark!" panted Manuel Marlin, "they are coming! They have scented us like bloodhounds. Our only hope is in reaching the boat. It is just above that highest sand bar. Run for your lives, señors!"
Ronie and Jack now heard plainly the sounds of their enemies approaching from their rear, and the exciting words of their companion were not needed to urge them ahead. With light, swift steps they bounded forward across the open country. When about halfway to the shore a volley of bullets was sent after them, and then their pursuers burst out from the growth into sight.
The aim of the pursuing crowd must have been poor, for their shots failed to strike any of the fugitives, who were urged on to greater effort, if that were possible. Jack, glancing back, saw the party following at a furious pace upon their heels, and instinctively glanced toward the water. It was nearer to the boat than back to their pursuers, and he felt confident they would be able to reach the little craft in season. Ronie was slightly ahead, while Manuel was as far behind, unable to make as good speed as the young American engineer.
"Don't leave me!" sputtered the latter, and as if he were going to make this a necessity he stumbled over a sand knoll, to measure his length on the ground. His companions, not hearing him fall upon the soft earth, and being ahead, were not aware of his mishap until prolonged yells from their pursuers and piteous cries from him, caused both to look backward.
The ring of triumph in the tones of the soldiers in the distance told plainly that they anticipated a certain capture of at least one of the fugitives, but Manuel rallied quickly, and was again upon his feet.