Phil’s idea was for the boat to wait until dark, and then row up the river as far as possible and return by morning, in order that the general could be informed of the feasibility of the plan and the work of destroying the bridge started. His party, meanwhile, were bent on following this trail toward Matiginao, to reach the ranch before the boat and wait for it. He realized that they were running a great risk, but he believed the necessity for the information was worth the risk run. The trail led mostly within sight of the snake-like river. They passed many dwellings, most of them deserted of all save hungry mongrels and starving pigs. “This seems to be a fine trail,” Sydney said surprisedly, as they walked their horses two abreast. “It leads but five miles further,” Maria replied, “and from where it ends, all other trails are those made by animals, and followed seldom by men.” At a brisk trot Maria started ahead. The jungle bent away from the road, leaving a high arched canopy over the heads of the travelers, through which the tropical sun shone with sullen impotence. “There is a small bungalow up here,” the girl announced in pleasurable anticipation. “We shall have our lunch there. Before the big house was built we lived there.” “How long has it been since you were there?” Sydney asked in sudden anxiety, the fear entering his mind that it might now have other occupants. “Not for years, señor,” the girl replied in a low voice. “It is very lonesome, besides there are many pulijanes[3] in the mountains.” The house soon appeared through the thick grove of cocoanut palms with its unkept lawn sloping gently to the river. The grass in front of the house was overhead high, and everything had grown wild and in luxuriant profusion. The house itself was in ruins. While Maria and little Juan had taken charge of the horses and tethered them amid a good repast of alfalfa, the two lads strolled down to the river. “Hello, here are some canoes!” Phil exclaimed; “and they’ve been tied here recently,” he added anxiously, as he saw clearly the fresh footprints and the grass trodden down near the landing. [Illustration: “_HELLO, HERE ARE SOME CANOES_!”] The lads’ intention had been to investigate the depth of the water in the river, but their startling discovery made them forget all else save the visible evidence that a small body of men had recently landed at this very spot and had taken the almost obliterated trail to the abandoned house. Maria and her brother might even now be prisoners among their enemy. The two midshipmen gazed at each other through eyes wide with apprehension. What was to be done? “We can’t desert the girl,” Sydney declared, gazing at the trodden grass. “Otherwise we might reach the horses and escape before they discover us.” “Come,” Phil exclaimed, “there are not many of them, and maybe,” he added reassuringly, “they are not all armed.” The two lads walked noiselessly toward the house along the dim trail.