"After him!" shouted Vasco, drawing his revolver and firing in the air to scare Bob. "After him! He's worth ten thousand dollars!"
The Mexicans spurred their horses after the fugitive, while Noddy, turning the auto around, lighted the search-lamp and sent the light through the blackness to pick out Bob so the others could find him in the darkness.
On and on ran the boy, and after him thundered the horses of his pursuers, coming nearer and nearer.
It was too uneven a chase to last long. Bob soon found that his enemies were gaining on him, and he resolved to play a trick. He came to a big rock and dropped down behind it, hiding in the shadow.
For a time the Mexicans were baffled, but they spread about in a half circle and Bob could hear them gradually surrounding him. Still he hoped to escape detection.
"Can't you find him?" he heard Noddy call.
"He seems to have given us the slip," replied Vasco. "But we'll get him yet."
Noddy sent the searchlight of the automobile all about the rock behind which Bob was hidden, but the deep shadow cast protected the boy.
At length, however, one of the Mexicans approached the place. At the same instant Bob was seized with an uncontrollable desire to sneeze. His nose tickled and, though he held his breath and did everything he had ever read about calculated to prevent sneezes, the tickling increased. Finally he gave voice to a loud "Ka-choo!"
"_Diablo!_" exclaimed the nearest Mexican. "What have we here?"
He was at the rock in an instant and lost no time in grabbing Bob. The boy tried to struggle and escape again, but his captor held him in a firm grip. The Mexican set up a shout at the discovery of his prize, which speedily brought Vasco and his comrades to the scene.
"So, you didn't care much for our company," observed Bilette. "But never mind, we think so much of you that we run after you wherever you go. Now we have you again!" and he laughed in an unpleasant manner.
"I don't see what you want of me," remarked Bob, as he was led back and placed on his pony.
"Ah, perhaps you are not aware that you are worth much money to us," said Vasco.
"I'll give you all I have if you'll let me go," said Bob.
"That is something we overlooked," said Dalsett. "Take his money, Vasco. He may have a few dollars."