As he turned his horse, the bandit who had been an envoy rode out from the bushes to his side.
“One moment,” said the leader, and Harvey drew rein.
“You can tell your father and the others that the girls are in front and we propose to keep them there. If any of you fire, they will be hit first. Now go back, and I think you will advise the old gentleman to pay.”
On the return trip Harvey continued saying to himself, “Rosita is on Nigger and Bella on Tom.”
“How are they, my son?” called Mr. Dartmoor, as soon as the two were within hailing distance.
“They have not been hurt,” replied the boy, who then rode rapidly to the side of General Matajente.
“The captain wants his answer, señor commandante,” exclaimed the bandit.
“Just a minute; wait till I hear the lad’s report.”
Meanwhile Harvey had been whispering rapidly: “The girls are on our horses, Rosita on Louis’s and Bella on mine. They are the swiftest horses in Chucuito. Both are several steps in advance of the men, and no one is touching them. They are good riders. Shall I do it?”
The boy swung his horse round, and rising from his saddle yelled at the top of his voice:—
It was a call used by brothers and sister. When out riding, if they became separated and wished to attract one another’s attention, this was their signal. It meant to hurry as well.
Horses had learned the call, as well as the boys and the girl. The animals always pricked their ears and started toward the sound when it rang out.
A sharp ring of hoofs; a scream from up the road—a scream, the intonation of which showed that the one who gave vent to it understood.
Quick as a flash General Matajente wheeled his horse, dashed up to the solitary bandit, and gave him a blow on the head with the butt of his revolver that caused the man to reel and fall from his saddle.
“Open ranks there!” called the general. “Let the girls through!”
Two black streaks, bearing fluffy burdens of white, were moving swiftly down the moonlit road, followed several yards behind by a dense mass, from which came cries and yells.
“Close in after the girls, Dartmoor and Cisneros!” ordered the little officer. “Carl and Louis go next! Harvey, stay with me!”
On came Nigger and Tom, gaining with every stride of their magnificent limbs; on into their midst and through them, down the road, and as they went the two men and two boys followed and covered the retreat.