"Not once; but one of their darn slugs took off my cap, right enough, and right then the thought flashed through my mind to play the trick. Whew! It’s some hot out there, and, Hank, do you still see those two chaps that fell? I wonder if they’re hurt, or--or---- Gee! I feel kind of squeamish, now that it’s over," and Dick sat down rather suddenly with his back against the wall. "No, they are not dead, Dick, for one of them jumped up and limped off when your fire stopped, and the other is yelling for help right now. Besides, they deserve no better fate, and our death would have meant nothing to them in the way of regret, at least." "I feel better, after what you’ve said, but for a moment the thought of killing a man was making me sort of sick at my stomach. I didn’t feel that way when I was shooting at ’em, though," and Dick took a deep breath of relief, then rising he looked out at the scene of recent conflict. Out in the middle of the plain the wounded native still called for help, but if his comrades were within hearing they made no attempt to render any assistance. "I reckon those buckshot sort of stung a bit," snickered Henry; but his snicker ended in a little painful gasp that he tried in vain to control. "I’ve got to get you out of here, Hank, and in a hurry. There is no telling what they’ll do next, and they’ll be back as soon as the first fright wears off. I believe that path back of the hut will take us to a creek which flows into the Estero Balsa and which the officers plotted in on the chart last week when I was with them. Anyhow, it’s worth trying. If you feel well enough suppose you keep an eye out on the plain while I reconnoiter in the rear." "Good; I feel fine, Dick, so go along, and I’ll keep them off, don’t worry." In ten minutes Dick returned with the news that his surmise was correct, and as luck would have it, a small boat with two men was even then coming up the narrow creek. Taking Henry on his shoulder once more, Dick carried him to the bank of the creek, arriving there as the boatmen reached a point opposite. At his hail the boat was soon nosing the bank, and the natives inquired what was wanted. "My comrade just met with an accident, and I wish to take him to the Captain of the Port’s house; will you row us there?" The two fishermen at first demurred, but Dick settled the matter by taking hold of the gunwale and at the same time drawing his pistol. It was no time to parley; in a moment they saw the force of his remarks. Henry was placed carefully in the bottom of the boat, and soon they were speeding down-stream. Once during the passage the two boys looked at each other and winked knowingly, for from far upstream came the sound of numerous shots. "Seems to be a lot of hunting in this country," said Dick aloud. "Oh, yes, Señor, the doves are very plentiful this year," said one of the rowers.