Part 12 (2/2)
Brisk, soft walking brought them nearer and nearer to the twinkling lights along the trail that ran into their own road at a point lower down.
”I wish I knew what on earth Tom is thinking about,” Harry muttered to himself. ”However, I may as well save my breath just now. If I hang to him I'm likely to know what it is.”
”We'll reach a hiding place from which we can watch that caravan, or whatever it is, turn from the hill trail into this road,” Tom whispered, after they had gone somewhat further.
At this point the main road that ran from. Don Luis's estate to his mine was decidedly irregular. Many boulders jutted out, making a frequent change in the course of the road necessary.
It was Tom's intention to gain the nearest ledge of rock of this sort to the hill trail, and there hide to watch the caravan.
They had nearly reached this point when out of the darkness a figure stole softly to meet them.
”Nicolas!” muttered Tom, in a low voice, all but rubbing his eyes.
”How on earth did you get here?”
”Am I not commanded to keep with you everywhere, and serve you in all things?” demanded the servant. ”Do not go around that next point in the road, _caballeros_. If you do, you will run straight into Pedro Gato, who has other men with him.”
CHAPTER VII
DON LUIS'S ENGINEERING PROBLEM
”Gato?” whispered Harry. ”What is he doing around here?”
”There is no reason why we should care what he is doing,” Tom returned. ”He isn't in the employ of the mine. Come along, Harry.”
But Nicolas seized the young chief engineer by the arm.
”Beat me, if you will, Senor Americano,” pleaded Nicolas. ”But don't encounter Gato. It would be as much as your life is worth.”
”Why? Is Gato on the warpath for us?” Tom questioned.
”I fear so,” Nicolas answered. ”Don't let him see you.”
”But I must see him, if the fellow is out for us,” muttered Tom.
”Show me where he is.”
”He and three or four men are camped just around there,” said the Mexican servant, pointing.
”Come along, Harry,” Tom whispered. ”Go cat-foot.”
Ere the young engineers came in sight around the turn a slight glow of light against the stones caught their glance. Tom held a hand behind him as a signal to Hazelton to slow up. Then Reade peered around a jutting ledge of rock.
On the ground, around a low camp-fire, were seated four Mexicans.
Two of the number had rifles, that lay on the ground near them.
Behind them, an ugly scowl on his face, sat Gato, his back resting against a rock.
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