"It's a risky thing to do," said the Mexican. "If it fails, we'll have to leave the country. If it succeeds we'll be in danger of heavy punishment from the authorities. However, I'm ready to risk it if you are. Shall I tell the men?"
"Of course," replied Noddy. "I want to make it up to them for being mistaken about the mine."
Thereupon Vasco called his friends to him, and, motioning for silence, said:
"Our friend Noddy," he explained, "has just told me something."
"About a gold mine?" asked one of the men, bitterly.
"It may prove to be a gold mine," said Vasco. "But it concerns one of those across the river," and he nodded toward the other campers.
"Did you notice one of the boys"--Bilette went on--"the fat one; the stout youth; the one they call Bob and sometimes Chunky?"
"What of it?" asked one of the men. "His money is not in Mexico."
"But it can be brought to Mexico!" cried Vasco.
"By kidnapping the boy and holding him for a large ransom. Will you do it?"
"We will!" yelled the men. "This will provide us with gold. We'll kidnap the fat boy!"
"Easy! Easy!" cried Vasco Bilette. "Do you want them to hear you across the river?"
"We must follow them and watch our chance," spoke Noddy. "We'll demand a heavy ransom."
"That's how we get square, Jack," whispered Noddy to his chum.
"You bet, Noddy; and get money, too!" said Pender.
"We'll all have to have a share," put in Dalsett. "I'm not here for my health."
"Me either," remarked Bill Berry. "I need cash as much as any one."
"We'll share the ransom money," said Vasco. "Now turn in, every one of you."
Soon the camp became quiet, the only sounds heard being the movements of animals in the forest, or, now and then, the splash of a fish in the river.
The sun was scarcely above the horizon the next morning ere Vasco Bilette was astir. He took a position where he could watch the other camp, and saw the professor and the boys get their breakfast and start off.
"We'll give them about an hour's start," said Vasco to Noddy. "Then the men on horses will follow and you can come, about a mile behind, in the auto. At the first opportunity we'll capture this Bob Baker."
Meanwhile, Jerry and his companions were going along at a moderate pace. The weather was fine though hot, and the road fairly good. For perhaps twenty miles they puffed along, and then they came to another river.