"Let's stick together as long as possible; but, if we are discovered, we must separate, and let each man take of himself.

Remember, now, the one that reaches home must not sleep soundly until the others are rescued." As Frank said this, he threw himself flat upon the ground, and crawled slowly and noiselessly through the grass, toward the ledge by which they had entered the glade in the morning.

They passed the sentinel without arousing him, and approached the fire around which lay the stalwart forms of the Rancheros, who snored lustily, in blissful ignorance of what was going on close by them.
The boys' hearts beat high with hope as they neared the ledge, and Johnny was in the very act of reaching over to give Frank an approving slap on the back, when the movement was arrested by a loud yawn behind him.

This was followed by an ejaculation of astonishment, and, an instant afterward, the report of a pistol rang through the glade.

The sentinel had just awakened from his sleep, and discovered that the prisoners' blankets were empty.
"Help! help!" he shouted, in stentorian tones, discharging another barrel of his revolver, to arouse his companions.