l be able to move on," Ned said; "and in the
daylight, I think that the longer range of our bows will enable us
to keep them off. The question is, how many of them are there?"

A very short time sufficed to show that the number of the savages
was large; for shrill cries were heard, answering each other, in
the circle around them; and numbers of black figures could be seen,
hanging about the trees in the distance.

"I don't like the look of things, Ned," Tom said. "It is all very
well. We may shoot a good many before they reach us, and in the
open no doubt we might keep them off. But by taking advantage of
the trees, they will be able to get within range of their weapons;
and at short distances, they are just as effective as are our
bows."

As soon as it was broad daylight, the lads started through the
forest, keeping up a running fight with the natives.

"It is clear," Tom said, "we cannot stand this much longer. We must
take to a tree."

They were on the point of climbing, when Ned exclaimed:

"Listen! I can hear the sound of bells."

Listening intently, they could make out the sound of little bells,
such as are carried by horses or mules.

"It must be a train to one of the mines. If we can reach that, we
shall be safe."

Laying aside all further thought of fighting, the boys now ran, at
headlong pace, in the direction of the sounds. The natives, who
were far fleeter of foot, gained fast upon them; and the arrows
were flying round them, and several had inflicted slight wounds,
when they heard ahead of them the cry of:

"Soldiers on guard. The natives are at hand. Fire in the bushes."

The boys threw themselves upon their faces as, from the thickets
ahead, a volley of musketry was heard.

"Load again," was the order, in Spanish. "These black rascals must
be strong, indeed, to advance to attack us with so much noise."

Crawling forward cautiously, Ned exclaimed, in Spanish:

"Do not fire, senors. We are two Spaniards who have been carried
away from the settlements, and have for long been prisoners among
the natives."

A cry of surprise was heard, and then the Spaniard in command
called them to advance, fearlessly. This they did. Fortunately they
had, long before, settled upon the story that they would tell, when
they arrived among the Spaniards. To have owned themselves
Englishmen, and as belonging to the dreaded buccaneers, would have
been to ensure their imprisonment, if not execution. The
imperfec