CHAPTER XIV CLEVERLY OUTWITTED As Salas’ hand slowly drew his revolver from its holster, Phil’s right hand with the speed of a mongoos seizing its prey clutched the slender wrist of the outlaw; the lad’s left hand had moved deftly to the slack of the native’s strong khaki trousers, and the next second he had raised the surprised Filipino from off his seat and held him for an instant balanced in the air. “Turn her down-stream,” the midshipman ordered in a hoarse voice, as he flung the struggling man into the water clear of the rocking boat. Maria by a well-timed stroke had instantly spun the canoe about, and all four bent desperately to their paddles. Phil saw the broad-brimmed sombrero of their enemy floating on the surface and a fear instantly filled his thoughts that Salas might not swim. The next second he was reassured; the head of the native covered with thick black hair could be plainly seen swimming toward the far shore; the menacing presence of the crocodile had deterred him from attempting to reach the land but a few strokes away. Every second the lad expected to hear a loud call for help from the outraged officer. Phil, over his shoulder, measured the distance yet to be gained by the struggling native. Why had he not cried out a warning to his men? Surely they were within hearing; the trail over which they had gone must be but a short distance from the river. Under the straining muscles of the midshipmen, helped by the swiftness of the current, the canoe sped toward the grassy slope where their horses were waiting. A bend in the river, and the swimmer disappeared from sight. “Why hasn’t he given the alarm?” Phil demanded nervously. “What does it mean?” “He will as soon as he reaches shore,” Maria gasped breathlessly. “The monkeys when they fall in the water always scream, so Salas knows better than to signal to all the crocodiles within hearing.” Little Juan, try as he would, could not keep up with the furious pace set him by his companions, and he lay quietly balancing himself in the boat and gazing about him with frightened eyes. The skiff was run full speed against the steep bank of the river, and the midshipmen clutched eagerly the loose earth until Maria and her brother had gained the shore. Then to their expectant ears there came a loud halloo! from up the river. “There’s no time to be lost,” Phil urged excitedly as he darted ahead to where their horses had been tied. A sickening fear took possession of him until he had climbed to the top of the slope. “They’re here!” he cried joyfully, as he saw the five horses grazing contentedly. The midshipmen lifted Maria and her brother upon the backs of their horses, cutting loose the hempen lariats with which they had been tethered. “Lead the way, señorita,” he cried hurriedly; “we must not spare ourselves.”