As the boss raised his quirt to strike her, Jo Ann caught a glimpse of a white-clothed man stealthily slipping along the trail close behind him. Instantly she recognized the man as José. “I must keep the boss from knowing José is behind him,” she thought quickly.
“No, I won’t go on!” she cried, and jumped to her feet just in time to dodge a blow from his quirt.
As he lurched forward to strike again, she saw a coil of rope sail through the air and fall over his head and shoulders. The next instant his arms were pinioned to his sides.
Before the boss could realize what had happened, José and the peon sprang forward and threw him down on the ground. With deft fingers they bound him securely.
CHAPTER XX
THE NEW HOPE MINE
Everything had happened so quickly that Florence and Carlitos were still standing motionless by the wall.
While José and the peon held the boss, Jo Ann cautiously led Florence and Carlitos past him. So fiercely was he roaring that shivers ran down their spines.
Jo Ann scarcely drew a long breath till all three of them were out of his reach. Even then she was terrified for José and the peon. Would they be able to get him down that narrow trail without danger to themselves?
A few moments later, as the three rounded a curve, they saw Dr. Blackwell running up the trail toward them.
“Oh, Daddy! Daddy!” Florence cried.