Now, I vote we both get off our mules and decline to go a step farther." "All right," Jack said.

"I shall know a good deal better what I am doing on my feet than I shall perched up here!" The two boys at once slid off their mules to the ground.
"There is no turning there," Hawtry said, turning to the hill.

"You have deceived us, and we won't go a foot farther," and turning, the lads started to walk back along the road they had come.
The Spaniard leapt from his donkey, and with angry gesticulation endeavored to arrest them.

Finding that they heeded not his orders, he put his hand on his knife, but in a moment the boys' dirks flashed in the air.
"Now, my lad," Hawtry said.

"Two can play at that game, and if you draw that knife, we'll let daylight into you." The Spaniard hesitated, then drew back and gave a loud, shrill whistle which was, the boys fancied, answered in the distance.
"Come on, Jack.