CHAPTER XII.
NICOLAS DOES AN ERRAND Tom did not follow the advice to flatten himself on the ground.
Instead, he stood straighter--even rose on his toes and stared in the direction whence he judged the shot to have come.
"Gato, you treacherous scoundrel!" Read roared, in Spanish.

"Do you call yourself a brave man, to fight an unarmed foe like this ?" All was silent amid the rocks in the distance.
"Have you too little courage to answer me ?" Tom again essayed.
"Or are you man enough to show yourself--to come forward and listen to me.

Don't be afraid.

I can't hurt you.

I have no weapon worse than my fists." As the young chief engineer spoke in Spanish, Nicolas understood.
"Don't! Don't, _mi caballero_," implored the Mexican servant "Don't let him know that you are unarmed.