"We've been losing a lot of valuable time.

Besides, we don't know when we'll run into some of this mountain pirate's choice friends." Tom strode on ahead.

Nicolas ran to his side, walking with him.
Then came Gato, urged on by Harry Hazelton.
"See here, you Nicolas," remarked Tom, protestingly, "why on earth didn't you stay put?
We left you behind to-night so that you wouldn't run into trouble with Don Luis." "Don Luis himself told me to wait on your excellencies night and day, as long as you remained in Bonista," Nicolas affirmed, solemnly.
"Don Luis hasn't yet changed those orders, and so I must remain with you.

But I had flattered myself that just now I was of enough service to you so that you wouldn't be displeased." "Displeased?
Not a bit of it," muttered Tom.

"But we didn't want you to get yourself into trouble on our account.