Pete dug his heels into his active little mount's sides, and the cayuse sprang forward in a way that showed Pete he was bestride of a good animal for their purposes. Followed by the others, he plunged forward into the darkling woods, while behind them in the clearing three of the most astonished Mexicans across the border stood raging inwardly with seething fires, but outwardly voiceless and helpless as kittens. Thus, by an astonishing train of circumstances, were our adventurers once more together. "But how in thunderation----?" began Pete, as they rode forward. "We'll tell you some other time," broke in Jack. "The main thing now is to get away from here, for I've a notion that in no very short time it's going to be mighty unhealthy for gringoes." "Guess you're right, lad. How're yer makin' out, perfusser?" "Except for a pain in my ankle, I am getting along very well, thank you," was the reply. "Say, he's all wool and a yard wide, even if he does look like a softy," declared Pete, to himself. Threading their way through the wood, the fugitives emerged, after some hard riding, upon the bare hillside. Below them, and some distance ahead, could be seen the twinkling lights of the village Jack had noticed the night before, while on their right hands gleamed the firefly-like lights of the insurrecto camp. "That must be ther road down thar," said Pete, pointing. "What d'ye say, ef we cut inter it below ther camp?" "And ride into the village?" asked Ralph. "Not to any vast extent, lad," rejoined the cow-puncher. "I'll bet Ramon and Muddy-hairo, or whatever his name is, hev thet greaser community purty well tagged with our descriptions by now. No, we'll hit ther road below the camp, and then swing off afore we hit ther village. It will beat wanderin' about on these hills, and, besides, we've got ter hev water an' food purty soon. I'm most tuckered out." This reminded the others that they, too, were almost exhausted, and it was agreed by all that Pete's plan was a good one. By keeping to the road, they might find a hacienda or native hut where they could obtain refreshments without being asked embarrassing questions. As they rode along, talking thus in low tones, Coyote Pete suddenly drew rein. On the dark hillside he loomed for an instant, as fixed and motionless as an equestrian statue. "What's the trouble?" asked Ralph. "Hush, lad. Do you hear something?" Faintly, very faintly, out of the west came a sound full of sinister significance. _Clickety-clack_! _Clickety-clack_! _Clickety-clack_! "They're after us!" exclaimed Jack, reading the night-borne sounds aright. CHAPTER XIX. BUCK BRADLEY'S AUTOMOBILE. How their escape had been discovered so soon, was, had there been time for it, a matter of speculation. There was little doubt, though, that some of the searchers, returning unexpectedly, had come across the bound mestizos, and had at once given the alarm.