With a yank the thief took off Jerry's belt containing the money.
"Lie still or you die!" the fellow exclaimed.
Then he moved over to where Ned reclined on the bed. Jerry could see more plainly now, for the storm had ceased, the moon had risen and a stray beam came in the side window of the house-boat. The robber stretched out his hand to Ned's waist. He was about to reach under the coat and unbuckle the money-belt, when Ned suddenly sat upright. In his hand he held his revolver, which he pointed full in the face of the marauder.
"Drop that knife!" exclaimed Ned, for the Mexican held a sharp blade in his hand.
"Bah!" the fellow exclaimed, but the steel fell with a clang to the floor.
"Now lay the money-belt on the bed, if you don't want me to shoot!" said the boy, pushing the cold steel of the weapon against the Mexican's face.
"Pardon, señor, it was all a joke! Don't shoot!" the fellow uttered, in a trembling voice, at the same time tossing the belt over to Jerry, who had drawn his own revolver from under the pillow where he had placed it.
"Light the candle, Jerry," went on Ned, "while I keep him covered with the gun. We'll see what sort of a chap he is."
Jerry rose to find matches. But the robber did not wait for this. With a bound he leaped to the window. One jump took him through, and a second later a splash in the river outside told how he had escaped.
Ned ran to the casement and fired two shots, not with any intention of hitting the man, but to arouse his friends. In an instant there was confused shouting, lights gleamed in several rooms, and Don Alvarzo came hurrying in.
"What's the matter? What is it all about? Is any one killed?" he cried.
"Nothing much has happened," said Ned, as coolly as possible under the circumstances. "A burglar got in the room and got out again."
"A burglar? A thief? Impossible! In my house-boat? Where did he go? Did he get anything?"
"He got Jerry's money-belt," said Ned, "but----"
"A money-belt! Santa Maria! Was there much in it?" and Ned thought he saw a gleam come into the Don's eyes.
"Oh, he didn't get it to keep!" went on Jerry. "We both fell asleep, and the fellow robbed Jerry first. I was awakened by feeling Jerry accidentally kick me. I saw the robber take his belt, but when he came for mine I was ready for him. I made him give Jerry's back----"