"That's the way with you rich chaps that rides around in them horselesswagons," went on the ferrymaster. "Ye think a man has got to be at yerbeck an' call all the while. I'll take ye over, but it'll cost ye tendollars."
"We'll pay it," said Jerry, for he observed a crowd of rough mengathering, whose looks he did not like, and he thought he and hisfriends would be better off on the other side of the stream, on Mexicanterritory.
"Must be in a bunch of hurry," growled the man. "Ain't tryin' to gitaway from th' law, be ye?"
"Not that we know of," laughed Jerry.
"Looks mighty suspicious," snarled the man. "But, come on. Run yershebang down on the boat, an' go careful or you'll go through thebottom. The craft ain't built to carry locomotives."
Jerry steered the car down a slight incline onto a big flat boat, whereit was blocked by chunks of wood so that it could not roll forward orbackward.
By this time the ferrymaster and his crew had come down to the craft.They were all rather unpleasant-looking men, with bold, hard faces,and it was evident that each one of the five, who made up the forcethat rowed the boat across the stream, was heavily armed. They worebowie-knives and carried two revolvers apiece.
But the sight of armed men was no new one to the boys since theirexperience in the mining camp, and they had come to know that the chapwho made the biggest display of an arsenal was usually the one who wasthe biggest coward, seldom having use for a gun or a knife.
"All ready?" growled the ferryman.
"All ready," called Jerry. He and the other boys, with the professor,had alighted from the auto and stood beside it on the flat boat.
Pulling on the long sweeps, the men sent the boat out into the stream,which, at this point, was about a mile wide. Once beyond the shore theforce of the current made itself felt, and it was no easy matter to keepthe boat headed right.
Every now and then the ferryman would cast anxious looks at the sky,and several times he urged the men to row faster.
"Do you think it is going to storm, my dear friend?" asked theprofessor, in a kindly and gentle voice.
"Think it, ye little bald-headed runt! I know it is!" exploded the man."And if it ketches us out here there's goin' to be trouble."
The sky was blacking up with heavy clouds, and the wind began to blowwith considerable force. The boat seemed to make little headway, thoughthe men strained at the long oars.
"Row, ye lazy dogs!" exclaimed the pilot. "Do ye want to upset with thissteam engine aboard? Row, if ye want to git ashore!"
The men fairly bent the stout sweeps. The wind increased in violence,and quite high waves rocked the ferryboat. The sky was getting blacker.Jagged lightning came from the clouds, and the rumble of thunder couldbe heard.
"Row, I tell ye! Row!" yelled the pilot, but the men could do no morethan they were doing. The big boat tossed and rocked, and the automobilestarted to slide forward.
"Fasten it with a rope!" cried Jerry, and aided by his companions theylashed the car fast.
"Look out! We're in for it now!" shouted the ferryman. "Here comes thestorm!"
With a wild burst of sky artillery, the clouds opened amid a dazzlingelectrical display, and the rain came down in torrents. At the same timethe wind increased to hurricane force, driving the boat before it like acork on the waves.
Three of the men lost their oars, and the craft, with no steerage way,was tossed from side to side. Then, as there came a stronger blast ofthe gale, the boat was driven straight ahead.
"We're going to hit something!" yelled Jerry, peering through the mistof rain. "Hold fast, everybody!"
The next instant there was a resounding crash, and the sound of breakingand splintering wood.
THE NEXT INSTANT THERE WAS A RESOUNDING CRASH.]
CHAPTER V.
A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.
The shock was so hard that every one on the ferryboat was knocked down,and the auto, breaking from the restraining ropes, ran forward andbrought up against the shelving prow of the scow.
"Here, where you fellers goin'?" demanded a voice from amid the scene ofwreckage and confusion. "What do ye mean by tryin' t' smash me all tosplinters?"
At the same time this remonstrance was accompanied by several revolvershots. Then came a volley of language in choice Spanish, and the noiseof several men chopping away at planks and boards.
The wind continued to blow and the rain to fall, while the lightning andthunder were worse than before. But the ferryboat no longer tossed andpitched on the storm-lashed river. It remained stationary.
"Now we're in for it," shouted the ferryman, as soon as he had scrambledto his feet. "A nice kettle of fish I'm in for takin' this automobileover on my boat!"
"What has happened?" asked Jerry, trying to look through the mist offalling rain, and seeing nothing but a black object, as large as ahouse, looming up before him.
"Matter!" exclaimed the pilot. "We've gone and smashed plumb into DonAlvarzo's house-boat and done no end of damage. Wait until he makes youfellers pay for it."
"It wasn't our fault," began Jerry. "You were in charge of theferryboat. We are only passengers. Besides, we couldn't stop the stormfrom coming up."
"Tell that to Don Alvarzo," sneered the ferryman. "Maybe he'll believeyou. But here he comes himself, and we can see what has happened."
Several Mexicans bearing lanterns now approached. At their head was atall, swarthy man, wearing a big cloak picturesquely draped over hisshoulders, velvet trousers laced with silver, and a big sombrero.
By the lantern light it could be seen that the ferryboat had jammedhead-on against the side of a large house-boat moored on the Mexicanside of the Rio Grande. So hard had the scow rammed the other craftthat the two were held together by a mass of splintered wood, the frontof the ferryboat breaking a hole in the side of the house-boat andsticking there. The automobile had nearly gone overboard.
Don Alvarzo began to speak quickly in Spanish, pointing to the damagedone.
"I beg your pardon," said Jerry, taking off his cap and bowing in spiteof the rain that was still coming down in torrents. "I beg your pardon,senor, but if you would be so kind as to speak in English we couldunderstand it better."
"Certainly, my dear young sir," replied Don Alvarzo, bowing in histurn, determined not to be outdone by an _Americano_. "I speak Englishalso. But what is this? _Diablo!_ I am taking my meal on my house-boat.I smoke my cigarette, and am thankful that I am not out in the storm.Presto! There comes a crash like unto that the end of the world isnigh! I rise! I run! I fire my revolver, thinking it may be robbers! My_Americano_ manager he calls out! Now, if you please, what is it allabout?"
"The storm got the best of the ferryboat," said Jerry. "My friends andmyself, including Professor Uriah Snodgrass, of whom you may have heard,for he is a great scientist----"
"I salute the professor," interrupted Don Alvarzo, bowing to thenaturalist.
"Well, we are going to make a trip through Mexico," went on Jerry. "Weengaged this man," pointing to the ferrymaster, "to take us over theriver in his boat. Unfortunately we crashed into yours. It was not ourfault."
Angry cries from the Mexicans who stood in a half circle about DonAlvarzo on the deck of the house-boat showed that they understood thistalk, but did not approve of it.
"_Americanos_ pigs! Make pay!" called out one man.
"We're not pigs, and if this accident is our fault we will pay at once,"said Jerry, hotly.
"There, there, senor," said the Don, motioning to his man to be quiet."We will consider this. It appears that you are merely passengers on theferryboat. The craft was in charge of Senor Jenkins, there, whom I verywell know. He will pay me for the damage, I am sure."
"You never made a bigger mistake in your life!" exclaimed Jenkins. "Ifthere's any payin' to be done, these here automobile fellers will haveto do it. I'm out of pocket now with chargin' 'em only ten dollars, forthree of my oars are lost."
"Very well, then, we will let the law take its course," said the Don."Here!" he
called to his men, "take the ferry captain into custody.We'll see who is to pay."
"Rather than have trouble and delay we would be willing to settle forthe damages," spoke up Jerry. "How much is it?"
"I will have to refer you to Senor Jones, my manager," said the Mexican.
"What's all the row about?" interrupted a voice, and a tall, lanky mancame forward into the circle of lantern light. "People can't expect tosmash boats an' not pay for 'em."
"We are perfectly willing to pay," said Jerry.
"Well, if there ain't my old friend Professor Snodgrass!" cried Jones,jumping down on the flat-boat and shaking hands with the naturalist."Well, well, this is a sight for sore eyes. I ain't seen ye since I wasjanitor in your laboratory in Wellville College. How are ye?"
The professor, surprised to meet an acquaintance under such strangecircumstances, managed to say that he was in good health.
"Well, well," went on Jones, "I'll soon settle this. Look here, DonAlvarzo," he went on, "these is friends of mine. If there's anydamage----"
"Oh, I assure you, not a penny, not a penny!" exclaimed the Mexican. "Iregret that my boat was in their way. I beg a thousand pardons. Say nota word more, my dear professor and young friends, but come aboard andpartake of such poor hospitality as Don Miguel Fernandez Alvarzo canoffer. I am your most humble servant."
The boys and the professor were glad enough of the turn events hadtaken. At a few quick orders from Jones and the Don, the Mexicans andthe ferry captain's crew backed the scow away from the house-boat. Alanding on shore was made, the automobile run off, and the ferrymanhaving been paid his money, with something extra for the lost oars,pulled off into the rain and darkness, growling the while.
"Now you must come in out of the rain," said Don Alvarzo, as soon as theauto had been covered with a tarpaulin, carried in case of bad weather."We can dry and feed you, at all events."
It was a pleasant change from the storm outside to the warm andwell-lighted house-boat. The thunder and lightning had ceased, but therain kept up and the wind howled unpleasantly.
"I regret that your advent into this wonderful land of Mexico shouldbe fraught with such inauspicious a beginning as this outburst of theelements," spoke Don Alvarzo, with a bow, as he ushered his guests intothe dining-room.
"Oh, well, we're used to bad weather," said Bob, cheerfully.
In a little while the travelers had divested themselves of their wetgarments and donned dry ones from their valises that had been broughtin from the auto. Soon they sat down to a bountiful meal in which redpeppers, garlic and frijoles, with eggs and chicken, formed a prominentpart. Jones, the Don's manager, ate with them, and told how, in hisyounger days, he had worked at a college where Professor Snodgrass hadbeen an instructor.
Supper over, they all gathered about a comfortable fire and, in answerto questions from Don Alvarzo, the boys told something of their plans,not, however, revealing their real object.
"I presume you are searching for silver mines," said the Don, with alaugh and a sly wink. "Believe me, all the silver and gold, too, istaken out of my unfortunate country. You had much better go to raisingcattle. Now, I have several nice ranches I could sell you. What do yousay? Shall we talk business?"
But Jerry, assuming the role of spokesman, decided they had noinclination to embark in business just yet. They might consider itlater, he said.
The Don looked disappointed, but did not press the point. The eveningwas passed pleasantly enough, and about nine o'clock, as the travelersshowed signs of fatigue, Jones suggested that beds might be agreeable.
"I am sorry I cannot give you sleeping apartments together," remarkedthe Don. "I can put two of you boys in one room, give the professoranother small room, and the third boy still another. It is the bestarrangement I can make."
"That will suit us," replied Jerry. "Ned and I will bunk together."
"Very well; if you will follow my man he will escort you to yourrooms," went on the Mexican. "Perhaps the professor will sit up andsmoke."
The naturalist said he never smoked, and, besides, he was so tired thatbed was the best place for him. So he followed the boys, and soon thetravelers were lighted to their several apartments. Ned and Jerry foundthemselves together, the professor had a room at one end of a longgangway and Bob an apartment at the other end. Good-nights were called,and the adventurers prepared to get whatever rest they might.
As Ned and Jerry were getting undressed they heard a low knock on theirdoor.
"Who's there?" asked Jerry.
"Hush! Not so loud!" came in cautious tones. "This is Jones. Keep yourguns handy, that's all. I can't tell you any more," and then the boysheard him moving away.
"Well, I must say that's calculated to induce sleep," remarked Ned."Keep your guns handy! I wonder if we've fallen into a robber's den?"
"I don't like the looks of things," commented Jerry. "The Don may be allright, and probably is, but he has a lot of ugly-looking Mexicans on hisboat. I guess we'll watch out. I hope Jones will warn the others."
There came a second knock on the door.
"What is it?" called Jerry, in a whisper.
"I've warned your friends," replied Jones. "Now watch out. I can't sayany more."
His footsteps died away down the gangway. Jerry and Ned looked at eachother.
"I guess we'll sit up the rest of the night," said Ned.
They started their vigil. But they were very tired and soon, beforeeither of them knew it, they were nodding. Several times they rousedthemselves, but nature at length gained the mastery and soon they wereboth stretched out asleep on the bed.
About three o'clock in the morning there came a cautious trying of thedoor of the room where Ned and Jerry were sleeping. Soft footstepssounded outside. If ever the boys needed to be awake it was now, forthere was a thief in the night stealing in upon them.
CHAPTER VI.
INTO THE WILDERNESS.
Jerry had a curious dream. He thought he was back in Cresville andwas playing a game of ball. He had reached second base safely and wasstanding there when the player on the other side grabbed him by his beltand began to pull him away.
"Here! Stop that! It's not in the game!" exclaimed Jerry, struggling toget away. So real was the effort that he awakened. He looked up, andthere, standing over him in the darkness, was a dim form.
"Silence!" hissed a voice. "One move and I'll kill you. Remain quiet andyou shall not be harmed!"
Jerry had sense enough to obey. He was wide awake now and knew that hewas at the mercy of a Mexican robber. The man was struggling to undo thelad's money-belt about his waist, and it was this that had caused theboy's vivid dream.
Jerry had been kicking his feet about rather freely, but now hestretched out and submitted to the mauling to which the robber wassubjecting him. If only Ned would awake, Jerry thought, for Ned, heknew, had his revolver ready in his hand.
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 seemore plainly now, for the storm had ceased, the moon had risen anda stray beam came in the side window of the house-boat. The robberstretched out his hand to Ned's waist. He was about to reach under thecoat and unbuckle the money-belt, when Ned suddenly sat upright. In hishand he held his revolver, which he pointed full in the face of themarauder.
"Drop that knife!" exclaimed Ned, for the Mexican held a sharp blade inhis hand.
"Bah!" the fellow exclaimed, but the steel fell with a clang to thefloor.
"Now lay the money-belt on the bed, if you don't want me to shoot!" saidthe boy, pushing the cold steel of the weapon against the Mexican's face.
"Pardon, senor, it was all a joke! Don't shoot!" the fellow uttered, ina trembling voice, at the same time tossing the belt over to Jerry, whohad drawn his own revolver from under the pillow where he had placed it.
"Light the candle, Jerry," went on Ned, "while I keep him cover
ed withthe 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 abound he leaped to the window. One jump took him through, and a secondlater a splash in the river outside told how he had escaped.
Ned ran to the casement and fired two shots, not with any intention ofhitting the man, but to arouse his friends. In an instant there wasconfused shouting, lights gleamed in several rooms, and Don Alvarzo camehurrying 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 thecircumstances. "A burglar got in the room and got out again."
"A burglar? A thief? Impossible! In my house-boat? Where did he go? Didhe get anything?"
"He got Jerry's money-belt," said Ned, "but----"
"A money-belt! Santa Maria! Was there much in it?" and Ned thought hesaw 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 Jerryaccidentally kick me. I saw the robber take his belt, but when he camefor mine I was ready for him. I made him give Jerry's back----"
"Made him give it back!" exclaimed Don Alvarzo, and Ned fancied hedetected disappointment in his host's face. "You are a brave lad. Wheredid the fiend go?"
"Out of the window," answered Ned. "I fired at him to give him a scare."
"I am disgraced that such a thing should happen in my house!" exclaimedthe Don, and this time it was Jerry who noticed Jones, the Americanmanager, winking one eye as he stood behind his employer. "I amdisgraced," went on the Mexican. "But never mind, I shall inform theauthorities and they will hang every robber they catch to please me."