terranea

e stream, upon which the light of the match had glistened, flowed rapidly. Within this spacious place the noise was not nea

Ralph, unwilling to

ining the edge of the stream. The river was about twenty feet in width, and they speedily saw that the roaring sound they had heard during thei

ffixed to the rocky wall at one side of the chamber was a large, bronze lamp. An eager overhauling of the

t their ease. In size it was about the same dimensions as the Council Hall of the mesa, which lay, they knew not how many feet, above t

eral empty boxes piled up. Remains of excelsior and sacking were within th

Jack's mind. Could it be possible that they had stumbled upon the place utilized by the gun-runners to convey thei

boa

ulous cry burst from

, anyhow. Come here, an

ely slowly, most of its force having been expended in the pool beneath the fall. Sure enough, Ralph had been right. Moored to the bank by two stout ropes attac

raft used by duck hunters, only it was square at each end. Evidently it would hold a considerable quantity of freight. More excelsior and

y of the age!" exclaimed Jack, in what

were round and their jaws dropped in incred

body pleas

ing a countenance solemn and

h. You're wide-awake; mak

began Walt in a puzzled tone

ian legend says, emerges across the border. In some way these Mexicans heard of it, and learned the secret of the ho

e going to do, no

ood there, half-stunned by the rapidity with which un

," laughed Jack, brought up with a

rejoin

t th

to the o

far as this daring suggestion. And yet it was, after all, the on

Coyote Pete, how

remaining buried here, that's certai

alph nodde

he subway to freedom and then, when we emerge, find out the best thing to do.

ctos are in power wherev

ion came

ake chances on t

me suddenl

y could hear loud shouts and cries. The sound of the pu

ter us!" ex

's usually calm voice shook a

ance. Come on, in

the little contrivance. A sort of oar lay

about three feet d

ance of our being dr

eapon. As soon as all was ready he would cut the r

as he clambered in and

So fast had Black Ramon and his followers taken up the trail after they had discovered that

ell full on his parchment-like features, as wi

i

e. With a quick movement, Jack slashed the rope nearest him. If he had not been in such a hurry, he would have seen that the other should have been severed first. As it was,

was stove in, but there was no

as

ady drawn as taut as a piano wire. But, as Jack's knife

howed them what had happened. Not only were the boys about to escape, but if they did not stop them th

he bank, he had leaped aboard. But before he could use his revolver, Walt's powerful arm knocked the weapon out of his hand, and it fell on the bottom of the boat. With a

remaining rope. With a splash and a loud cry, Ramon pitched overside into the stream. As he fell, though, he ma

boys' heads as they felt the rope part. It was no moment for sentimental hesitation. Walt raised his

s rolled over and over in the river, while ha

a true cowboy yell. The lad was carried away

lamp-lit panorama as Ramon, dripping and cursing, was hauled out of the water by his band, f

a-minute pace they were hurr