"We are in plain view from the hill, Señor. If we remain here longer we may be detected."
"Never fear, they won't get us, but we must take to cover until they pass, and then secure the paper."
"As the Señor wishes; but having let them precede us again we may have difficulty in passing them in turn and reaching Managua in safety."
"We must take the chance," replied Dick, with no thought of wavering, and after replacing the glasses he led the way deep into a rough tangle of high trees and dense undergrowth at the roadside. Here they awaited impatiently the reappearance of the horsemen.
Soon the clatter of hoofs and the shouts of men greeted their ears, and they came galloping up the road.
"Seem to be in a big hurry, all of a sudden," mused Dick as he peeped through the green branches at their approach.
With the completion of his thought the blood in his veins seemed to congeal, for the black horse which he rode, hearing the oncoming troop, pricked his ears, and then before Dick had time to grab the quivering nostrils to prevent it a loud ear-splitting neigh filled the silent wood with its tell-tale message.
CHAPTER XXIII
DICK MAKES A FLYING LEAP
Too late the boy's firm fingers closed upon the nose of the black horse, and fearing a repetition of the alarm Dick pinched for dear life, meanwhile peering apprehensively through the surrounding mass of green foliage. To his mystification the road was clear of any living soul.