"Already I have refuse," said the outlaw calmly.
"Very well. O'Reilly, march this fellow to the cage, for'ard, and lock him in. Then stand guard before the door and shoot him if he bothers you."
"Thank 'e, sor; it's proud I am to do that same," answered the engineer, gleefully.
"One moment, please," said Ganza. "You make doubt of my saying that you all face a most horrible death. You are stupid Americans, and must be convinced. Come with me on deck and I will prove to you your danger."
"No harm in that," replied Cumberford. "It's on your way to the cage."
With one accord they all accompanied O'Reilly and his prisoner to the deck.
"Now," said Ramon, standing by the rail, "I have some men hid in those rocks yonder. Their names are Paschal, Mateo, Gabrielle, Gomez, Francisco, Pedro, Gonzales, Juan and Tomas. Tell me which one I shall call—I care not which, myself—and the man will assure you my orders are positive to them, and that they will carry out the explosion of the mine as I have arranged, provided I do not return in safety."
Cumberford was curious to learn the extent of the rogue's bravado.
"Call Mateo," he suggested.
The Mexican did so, raising his voice to utter the summons.