By this time Riva had succeeded in quieting his horse, which had not received a fatal wound, and the veteran scout was ready to do his part in the exciting drama.
"Stand at the foot of the tree to receive them, boys," ordered Ronie. "I am going to invite them to join us. Their company may be more desirable than we think."
Then, addressing the twain above, he continued in the best Spanish he could command:
"Come down, señors, as quickly as may be."
"Spare our lives, señor!" begged the one whom the young American had selected as his victim.
"Upon the condition that you surrender peacefully. As proof that you mean what you profess, please drop your weapons down to my men."
Without delay, the couple dropped their Mausers, which were caught by the young Venezuelans.
"If you have any other firearms, kindly let them down, We have more use for them than you."
This demand was followed by two braces of heavy pistols, followed by a couple of ugly-looking knives.
"No, señor. We have no more weapons, unless you call this rope such."
"Let that down, too. It will come in handy in a few minutes. You were very thoughtful to take it along with you."
The stout hempen rope was next thrown to the ground, after which the terrified sharpshooters waited for the succeeding order.
"Now, come down yourselves. Don't waste any powder, boys, if they are foolish enough to think of trying to run away."
"Ay, sergeant, trust us for that," replied Jack.
Ronie soon had the satisfaction of seeing the two cringing before him like a couple of curs about to receive a whipping. One of them was evidently a half-breed, while his companion, who had done the talking so far, showed more of Spanish blood.
"You have been caught in an ugly game, señors," said Ronie, whereupon both bowed, the spokesman saying:
"Do not shoot us, Señor Americano. If you will spare our lives, we will fight for you."
"A pretty mess you'd make of it. You were scouts for El Capitan?"
"_Si, señor_. We could not see very plain, and we thought you were only two."
"Which made your shooting more justifiable, I suppose. Seeing you are such poor marksmen, we will forgive you, providing you will answer my questions."
"No doubt he needs them. But are there any of Castro's soldiers in this vicinity?"