The fire was burning low, and the guard were sitting so closely
round it that the lower part of the room was in black shadow; so
that, though I was looking out for Rube, I didn't see him till he
was close enough to touch me. It was a delicate job opening all the
pans, but we did it without making as much noise as would scare a
deer, and then, each taking a rifle by the barrel, we were ready.
Pedro was just telling a story of how he had forced an old man to
say where his money was hid, by torturing his daughters before his
eyes, and how, when he had told his secret, and the money was
obtained, he had fastened them up, and set the house alight--a
story which was received with shouts of approving laughter. As he
finished down came the butt of Rube's rifle on his head with a
squelch, while mine did the same on the head of the next man. For
an instant there was a pause of astonishment, for no one knew
exactly what had happened; then there was a wild yell of surprise
and fear, as our rifles came down again with a crashing thud. All
leaped to their feet, the man I aimed my next blow at rolling over,
and just escaping it. Rube was more lucky, and just got his man as
he was rising.
'Hoorah! Seth,' he shouted, 'five down out of eleven.'
We drew back now to our posts as agreed on, and the Mexicans
drawing their knives, made a rush forward.
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