At last two of the men were found, lying hidden under a bush, but the others could not be discovered, though the lads searched all around.
“We’re lucky to have these two left!” Alex said with a grin. “If the others don’t attack us before we get to the boats, we’ll be lucky. Our searchlights make a good mark!”
“And they can hear the noise we make going through the bushes a mile off!” added Jule.
“Suppose we go on ahead and search the river?” proposed Alex. “We can run up and down the stream, anyway. The stars are shining, and the light is fine. Then we can take the Rambler and run her up and down stream. I’ve got a hunch that they will make for the river and try to cross to the American side.”
“I don’t see why they should do that,” was the reply. “There are plenty of mountains, or high ground at least, for them to hide in. But you may be right. We’ll try the river first.”
After searching the bank of the river, the boys made for the Rambler, crossed the Esmeralda, and went on board. There they found the surgeon bending over the injured man and everything in confusion.
“What’s doing here?” asked Jule.
Then Clay told the story of the attack on the boat and how Captain Joe came to the rescue.
“Good dog!” cried Alex, stroking the dog’s head. “Don’t you, none of you, ever call him a no-account cur again! This makes two men he has pulled down lately. That is a fair record for a cur dog, don’t you think?”
“Captain Joe is a peach of a dog!” cut in Jule. “I shall never forget how he jumped that river pirate who was lighting the match to bum my feet!”