“Caramba, but I would like to lay my hands on that other one, that Merrill boy, more than all the rest,” snarled Ramon through his yellow teeth. “Take the gag out of that boy’s mouth yonder, and ask him where Jack Merrill is,” commanded Ramon of one of his men, none other in fact than the Acosta for whom Jack had been mistaken.
Ralph was the prisoner designated by Ramon, and not a little relieved was he to have the not-over clean bit of cloth, with which his mouth had been stopped, removed from his teeth.
“Now then,” blustered Ramon, “where is Jack Merrill?”
“Far from here and on a mission to Santa Anita,” retorted Ralph boldly. He was an honest lad, but in such a case deceit was the only course possible. If he had told the truth, the bandits were quite capable of hiding and waiting for the boy, thus enmeshing the whole party.
“What has he gone there for? Be careful, boy, and speak the truth.”
“To get the Mexican Rangers to run down all such rascals as you,” was the bold reply, and one which an instant later Ralph wished he had bitten out his tongue before he made.
“Well, that being the case, forewarned is forearmed, as you say in your country,” rejoined Ramon. Then in Spanish he gave orders to mount immediately. First, however, he presented Jack’s pony Firewater to Acosta, as a recompense, presumably, for the loss of the latter’s own animal.
The boys and the professor were hustled into saddles and their legs tied together under the ponies’ bellies. Ramon stood by looking on sardonically while this was being done.
“You are not at the lone rancho now,” he chuckled, “but in the heart of the most lonesome range of mountains in Mexico. That was a clever trick of yours to escape with the senorita, but now you are going to pay for it. Ah, yes, I shall have a revenge, and such a revenge it will be, too!” He showed his long yellow fangs as he spoke, and chuckled hideously. In spite of their determination to be calm, the lads shuddered a bit. But the professor stared stonily at the ruffian.
“Am I to understand that it is your intention to abduct us?” he demanded.