through Took, to regard as dangerous enemies and to be gotten out of
the way. Whether they knew that the comrades had discovered the secret
of the lost river or not, they were evidently anxious to be rid of
them.

"I can't successfully resist them if they attack me," reasoned Chot,
"I wish I had brought a gun of some kind. As it is the only thing I
can do is to try and elude them." Chot thought quickly. "If I can jump
from the saddle into one of the trees I won't leave any trail and they
won't know where I have gone. I'll try it anyhow," he said to himself,
"even if I fail I won't be any worse off, for my mount is laboring
painfully."

The wood which he was now approaching was of very heavy timber and
little underbrush had grown up between the trees. The trees themselves
were well scattered yet were so large, their wide spreading branches
interlaced. Even the lower branches were so high that Chot could not
reach them with his extended hand. Climbing now on to the saddle he
got first on his knees, as he and his chums had practiced in their
efforts to imitate the tricks of the cowboys at the hacienda, then on
to his feet; here he balanced himself for an instant. While the horse
was loping along under his persistent urging he came to a slightly
sagging branch, grasping it he sprang into the tree. Quickly he drew
himself up out of sight of any one below.

He had scarcely succeeded in doing this when the bandits, who were
only a short distance behind him when he entered the woods, were heard
galloping below him.

"We have got him now," he overheard Jose saying to his companion.

"Don't be too sure of that," objected Miguel. "They are devils those
Americans."

"A fig for your devils," returned Jose. "If I can get my hands on him
I will take care of him all right."

"You want to pray the saints they don't get their claws on you,"
retorted Miguel.

Further words he could not catch as they rode along.

"I wonder what will be the next move," thought Chot as he made his way
to better security farther up in the tree. "I think I will study up
flying machines when I get out of this. A pair of wings would come in
handy just now."

Chot was not long left in doubt for in ten minutes the men came back
through the woods, evidently in search of him.

"What did I tell you," expostulated Miguel. "I knew he would get away
somehow."

"He hasn't got away yet," growled the other, stopping beneath the tree
in which Chot had tak