On a mad gallop the two midshipmen rushed out upon the clearing, revolvers in hand. As if on drill, the two horses were drawn back upon their haunches and the Americans’ weapons spoke furiously--shot after shot struck about the panic-stricken natives. They first attempted to paddle away, but the close hiss of the bullets became more than their waning courage could stand. Forgetting their rifles in their mad fear, they jumped overboard and dived below the surface of the water, while the empty canoe, in the grasp of the current, went sailing swiftly down-stream, forever beyond their reach. With wild exultation the midshipmen turned and raced after their fleeing friends. Darkness overtook them long before they could again recross the river and take the wide trail on which it was possible to ride with greater speed. It was after midnight before the great house of Señor Rodriguez loomed up ahead, and after they had been stopped a number of times by the vigilant sentries they gained the hospitable roof. After a hearty supper, which Maria insisted upon their eating, Phil declared his wish to return to Palilo. “But your boat has not returned,” Maria insisted. “You must sleep here to-night, then you can return in the morning.” Phil knew that O’Neil would not return until he had reached a depth of water in the river too shallow for the gunboat to pass. How far would he have to go? Maybe to the cañon beneath the insurgent stronghold. In that case he could scarcely expect them before morning. A slight uneasiness filled his thoughts, but he tried to put it aside, for O’Neil’s ready resourcefulness could get them out of almost any difficulty. “It is important, señorita,” Phil declared firmly, “that I should return to-night. I will leave a message for my men to follow down on their return. May I have a boat or a couple of horses?” he asked. Maria spoke a few words to an attendant. “Lopez will guide you,” she answered. “I am sorry you will not stay, but you, of course, know best.” Señor Rodriguez, after he had been told of the miraculous escape of the explorers, shook the lads warmly by the hand, and thanked them for taking care of his two children. “It was the other way around,” Sydney cried in admiration. “Your daughter really saved us and herself, too. If it had not been for her we should have blundered into a fight with the ladrones and been killed for our pains.” The old man shook his head thoughtfully. “Salas, eh? So he is with Espinosa. The two blackest rogues we have in the islands. You are lucky to be free of them.” “How many men have you guarding your plantation?” Phil inquired, his mind bent upon the possibility of an attack.