h side was fearful now of firing at the other, lest the flashes
give their position and an answering bullet find its mark.

Jack thought quickly. Putting his lips to the ear of each of his
companions in turn, he whispered:

"Wait till I get Tom and come back. Then we'll make our way to the
entrance."

Each signified by the pressure of a hand that he understood. Certainly
it would not do to have the enemy escape and thus cut them off in the
cave!

Slowly, carefully, noiselessly, Jack wormed his way to the rear and
when he considered he must be in Tom Bodine's neighborhood he began
whispering in a tone that could not be heard more than three feet
away:

"Tom. Tom. Tom."

A hand gripped his leg. A voice whispered so low it was barely audible
to him:

"That you, Jack?"

"Yes. Listen."

Running a hand over Tom Bodine's body, Jack found his ear and, as he
had done with Bob and Frank, set his lips to it. He explained his
purpose to gain the entrance to the cave and prevent being bottled up.
Tom nodded approval, and Jack was about to return to his companions
when he suddenly thought of the radio room beyond, and its
possibilities. It would never do to leave that unguarded. Their
enemies could telephone the Calomares ranch. Then, even if the boys
escaped, their identities would have become known at rebel
headquarters. Their chances of rescuing Mr. Hampton would go
glimmering.

Once more Jack set his lips to Tom's ear and explained the situation.

"That's right," whispered Tom in return. "Tell you what. I'll guard
this here inner room from behind the rocks in this doorway. You three
stop up the outer entrance, an' well have 'em bottled."

Jack made his way back to his comrades, and the three started
crawling. They moved inch by inch, so as to avoid bumping into
furniture--a number of heavy chairs had been seen standing about the
great room.

Jack was in the lead, Frank at his heels, Bob bringing up the rear.
Cautiously, tortuously, they made their way ahead for what seemed like
ages, pausing frequently to listen.

After one such pause, as he again started to follow Frank, Bob felt a
form brush against him from the side. Then an arm shot out and
encircled his neck. Bob wriggled about to face his opponent and threw
both arms about him in a mighty clasp.

As they fell to the floor, Bob heard a strangled cry from Frank and a
grunt from Jack. They, too, had come to grips with the enemy. Their
three opponents had