t out; I don't like the look of things here at all."

"Neither do I," replied Terry; "but if there should be a row, remember
that we must not get separated, whatever we do; and don't use your
pistol until you are absolutely compelled to do so. Should you,
however, be obliged to shoot, you must shoot to kill; for when once we
open fire we shall have all our work cut out to get away alive. Ah,
here comes our breakfast at last; so let us get on with it as quickly as
possible, and take no notice of the menacing looks of this crowd. If
they see that we don't appear to notice anything wrong they may quiet
down a bit."

"Right you are," replied Douglas; and he began his meal with a very
excellent appetite despite the uncongenial surroundings. The two boys
carried out their programme of not appearing to notice the forbidding
glances which everywhere met them whenever they raised their eyes from
their plates; but presently their ears caught the sound of angry
whispers, then low mutterings, until in a few minutes furious voices
plainly directed against themselves were heard from every corner of the
room. One man jumped upon a chair and began to harangue the crowd,
speaking in some South American patois which the boys did not
understand, and pointing toward them with angry gestures, while several
other rough-looking characters had risen to their feet and were
gradually edging down toward the corner where Jim and Terry were seated.

"Jim," exclaimed Terry, suddenly glancing up, "there is no doubt that
these unwashed scoundrels very strongly object to our presence here, for
some reason or other; I don't much like the idea of running away, but
since we are outnumbered by about ten to one I really think that
discretion will prove the better part of valour in the present case.
Let us pay our score at once, and get out--if we can," he added under
his breath.

The lads rose to their feet and walked, as unconcernedly as they could,
toward the counter, upon which Terry rapped with a coin, to attract the
landlord's attention. But that gentleman had, for some reason or other,
vanished, and, rap as they might, no one put in an appearance; while all
the time the crowd continued steadily to close in on them, with angry
looks and threatening gestures.

"Come away, Terry," whispered Douglas; "we must not stand on ceremony
any longer. We shall have to make a bolt for it, or we shall not get
out at all; put your pistol in a side-pocket,