Berwick pulled the boat gradually up to the wharf, and after making fast, the two conspirators climbed up on to the wharf and crept toward the unsuspecting Juarez, as has already been told in the opening chapter of this book.
Juarez had not recognized his antagonist, and struggled furiously. The two rolled and tumbled about on the floor of the wharf, there being no time or opportunity for any explanation. Berwick, who had watched the outcome of the “surprise” with amusement, thinking it had gone far enough, was about to interfere, when Jo and Tom, who had come up unobserved, threw themselves into the melee, and in a trice had Jim secure and powerless to move.
“Whew!” panted Juarez. “That was a close call.”
“I told you to watch out!” declared Jo. “But it isn’t Broome.”
“Jo! Tom!” called Berwick, who was shaking with laughter at the turn the affair had taken. He stepped out of the shadow where he had been hiding.
“Hallo!” cried Tom, suspiciously. “Who is it?”
“It is I, John Berwick,” responded the engineer, between peals of laughter. “Better let your captive up, but keep out of his reach. It’s Jim.”
“Jim!” exclaimed Jo and Tom together. “What is Jim doing here?”
“Just giving Juarez a little surprise party,” explained Berwick.
Promptly while still talking the boys had released Jim, who got on his feet sputtering and angry.