However, he learned from what he did hear that the party just coming in had missed a guide, and was seeking the easiest way to get to the top of the range.
After a short time the conversation suddenly changed into English, and Nestor heard a soft voice ask: "Are you going up ?" "In the morning," was the reply, in the voice of the night watchman.
"Why not go now and guide us ?" came another question.
"Because we prefer to wait until morning," was the gruff reply.
"Have you seen any men going up ?" was asked, then "There are stragglers all about," was the ungracious reply.

"We have been disturbed by them before." There was a short silence, then a shot and a struggle.
"Say," said, Shaw, "the newcomer is tying Felix and Scoby up, and the miners have all taken to their heels.

What do you think of that ?" "I think that our friend, the third man, needs a guide up the mountain, and is not at all particular how he gets one.

The Mexican seems to be the one he wants." "He's got his nerve," Frank grinned.
"That is only his pleasant little way," replied Nestor, with a quiet smile.

"He is a very arrogant fellow." "If that is really the third man," Shaw said, presently, as the soldiers came up the hill, Scoby and the Mexican being almost forced along, "we've got 'em bunched.