these shots failed to take much effect, beyond slightly
wounding their captors. Fired on in turn, they ran toward the beach,
past their smouldering bonfire, near which their boat was drawn up
on the sands waiting to take them back to the _Esperanza_.

The light of the blazing huts now illumined the scene, and in the
glow, Norton caught sight of Billy running toward them. He hailed
the lad with a shout:

"Hi! Hurry up, Billy! Where have you been all this time?"

"Watching the fight!" shouted Billy, whose voice sounded doleful.
"Wishing I could butt into it earlier! Come on, come on! We're
chasing 'em!"

"Hold on!" Norton exclaimed loudly. "We've had about enough of this.
Here we'll stay, my boy, and let our better-armed friends capture
the gang. When they get to their boat it will be a case of 'first
come, first served' to get away. Most of them'll be caught and
captured. Meanwhile, it's up to us to find Hugh. He must be in
that largest shanty there, unless-----"

"Come on!" yelled Billy, seeing his brother scouts already commencing
the search.

He dashed over to the remaining shanty and flung himself against
the door.

"Hugh, Hugh!" he called. "Are you in there?"

No answer---only the roaring and crackling of the flames as they
devoured the old walls and crumbling roof of the nearby abandoned
dwellings.

"Hugh!" shouted Alec and Chester, banging on the door, while Mark
ran around the cabin, looking in vain for a window or other means
of entrance.

The door gave way and the three scouts rushed in, followed by Norton.

Dave stood in the doorway, his lanky form with the red glare of the
fire behind it casting a grotesque shadow on the interior wall of
the cabin. He remained there on guard, lest any of the smugglers
should return.

Alec struck a match. Its sputtering flame lighted the single room,
dispelling the shadows for a brief moment. Anxiously they all
peered around the dingy shanty.

"Hugh, where are you?" said Billy in a hoarse whisper. "Are you
here? Can't you speak?"

Still no answer.

Then Alec's match went out.

"Have you another match?" asked Norton.

Like Billy's, his voice was husky. A vague dread seemed to seize
him, weighing down upon him like a tangible thing.

"Yes," said Alec. "Here's one more---the last."

Again he struck a light and a hasty search was made. Every moment
was precious.

In vain. The cabin was empty.

CHAPTER X

THE END OF THE RAI