But Clif held up his hand.
"No, no," he whispered. "Not yet!"
That suggestion called him back to action. Not yet—because they had not yet been discovered.
Ignacio was apparently off the scent; he did not know whether his victims had dodged the building or had the temerity to enter.
And instantly Clif leaped forward, over to the other side of the building. If none of the enemy was there it might not be too late for flight.
"If they are," Clif muttered to himself, "by jingo, they've still got the building to capture."
Whatever was to be done had to be done quickly, for Ignacio was a cunning fellow, and wouldn't be apt to delay very long.
Clif gazed out in the other direction and saw to his delight that the thicket came close to the house, and there were no Spaniards in sight.
He called in a low voice to the men, who stole silently over toward him.
"Quick!" he gasped. "Out, for your lives!"