He quickly explained the situation to them. “Thunder an’ blazes!” exploded Jake, “we must sound the alarm-—-” “Easy,” said Frank, quietly. “The first outcry raised will bring them down upon you. They are near at hand.” “What in thunder can we do, then?” “There is only one safe thing to do, and there may be time yet to do it.” “What is it?” “We must go and arouse each man one by one. Do it silently and don’t let the foe hear a sound.” “Quick, then!” whispered Silver Sam. “Let’s be about it.” The move was at once begun. Of course there was a momentary likelihood that the greasers would attack the camp before it could be aroused. But the alarm givers worked quickly and well. From man to man they went silently and quickly. The result was gratifying. Each man upon being awakened, went to the cover of the sycamores and there waited for events. In a very short time the whole camp was thus aroused and in readiness. The greasers would receive a hot welcome in their attack. All was quiet about the prospectors’ camp. Frank went back to the Steam Man and aroused Barney and Pomp. The greasers for some reason seemed to be delaying the attack. Every one of the miners was in the cover of the sycamores waiting for their Mexican foe. Suddenly across the plain there came in a sharp, stern voice, in Spanish: “Mexicans, up and at them! Spare not a life!” Up from the prairie grass sprang a legion of forms. They came on like a great wave and not a word was said until the creek was reached. Then they broke the air with wild yells and dashed into the waters of the little stream, but they were destined to become the victims of surprise. CHAPTER VIII. INTO THE MOUNTAINS. Suddenly Silver Sam’s voice rang out: “Now, boys! draw a bead on each man. Give it to ’em!” There was a moment’s silence, then the crash of firearms broke it. From the fringe of sycamores a line of flame leaped forth. The Mexicans fell in heaps in the waters of the creek. Their surprise attack was turned upon them, and quickly proved the greatest surprise for themselves. Once again the prospectors fired. The effect was disastrous in the extreme to the greasers. They made an attempt to cross the creek and fired a volley. But it did little damage, and another volley from the prospectors turned the tide of battle. Overwhelmed with the force of the attack, the greasers fell back. Frank sent the Steam Man close to the bank of the creek, and Barney and Pomp opened fire with their repeaters. The greasers saw at once that their plan had failed, and they retreated in wild dismay. Had it been daylight they might have been badly repulsed. But in the darkness Silver Sam concluded that it would be folly and even dangerous to pursue them. So this course was abandoned. But the prospectors felt that they had gained an important victory and their cheers rent the air.