With a grunt French once more shouldered his burden, tramping on through the forest, Alvarez still bringing up the rear. Then, from the crest of a rise they pressed between a fringe of bushes and next began to descend a narrow, rocky path. They stopped in a ravine, densely grown with trees.
“Even in the daytime this place is hardly likely to be found by prying eyes,” laughed Alvarez confidently. “And now, my captain, you might rid yourself of the meddling boy.”
French dropped Tom at the base of a young spruce tree, knotting another cord to his feet and passing it around the trunk of the tree.
“He won’t get away—can’t, even though we were to leave him here through the night,” muttered French gruffly.
“And I, since my meddling boy found for me the tobacco pouch that I dropped in his path for bait, will enjoy a smoke once more,” laughed Señor Alvarez. He rolled a cigarette, which he soon was puffing. French, having filled a pipe, lighted that and stretched himself at full length. Thus several minutes went by. Tom Halstead, unable to talk, spent his energies in wondering whether Ted Dunstan was anywhere in the near neighborhood.
After many minutes had passed the deep silence of this wild spot was broken by an owl hoot. Alvarez, raising his head, answered by a similar hoot. Then from the distance came two hoots.
“Come, we will go forward to meet our friends,” proposed the swarthy little man eagerly, as he sprang to his feet. French got up more lumberingly, though almost as quickly. Together they trod up to the head of the ravine. Out of the darkness ahead came Pedro and a little brown man who looked as much like a Spaniard as Alvarez did.
“We’se done brought yo’ dis,” stated Pedro with a grin that showed his big, white teeth.
“This” was Joe Dawson, his hands tied behind him, his face as sullen as a storm cloud in a summer shower. Joe was walking, led by Pedro, and pushed at times by the brown man.
“Ho, ho!” laughed Alvarez, in keen relish. “You have not done badly. You bring me the other meddling boy. Halt him here—so. Tie him against this tree that he may have a chance to lean.” Alvarez watched until Joe had been moored fast, then asked: