CHAPTER III

THE DESERTED CABIN

In a few minutes the hair rope was all about the auto, spread out on the ground in an irregular circle. As the boys dropped it over the sides of the car the lariat struck several of the big snakes, and the reptiles shrunk away as though scorched by fire.

"They're afraid of it all right!" exclaimed Ned. "I guess it will do the business."

Sure enough, there seemed to be a desire on the part of the snakes to clear out of the vicinity of the hair rope. They glided off by scores, and soon there was a clear space all about the car, where, before, there had been hundreds of the crawling things.

"Shake the lasso," suggested Bob, "and maybe it will scare them farther off."

"Yes and we might try shooting a few now they are at a safe distance," put in Ned.

"It's too bad I can't get some specimens," lamented the professor, "but I suppose you had better try to get rid of them."

So Jerry, who had retained one end of the long lasso vibrated it rapidly, and, as it wiggled in sinuous folds toward the reptiles they made haste to get out of the way. Then Bob and Ned opened fire, killing several. In a little while there were no snakes to be seen.

"I guess we can go ahead now," said Jerry. "Who'll crank up the car? Don't all speak at once."

"My arm is a bit sore," spoke Ned, rubbing his elbow.

"Then you do it, Chunky," asked the steersman.

"I think I have a stone in my foot," said Bob, making a wry face.

"Ha! Ha!" laughed Jerry. "Why don't you two own up and say you're afraid there's a stray rattler or two under the machine, and you think it may bite you?"

The two boys grinned sheepishly, and both made a motion to get out.

"Stay where you are," called the professor preparing to leave from the side door of the tonneau. "I'm used to snakes. I don't believe there are any left, but if there are I want them for specimens. I'll crank the car."

So he got out and peered anxiously under the body, while the boys waited in anxiety.

"No," called the scientist, in discouraged tones, "there are none left."

He crawled out, covered with dust, which fact he did not seem to mind, and then turned the crank that sent the fly wheel over. Jerry turned on the gasolene and threw in the spark, and, the next instant the familiar chug-chug of the engine told that the auto was ready to bear the boys and Professor Snodgrass on their way.

They were headed on as straight a road as they could find to the Rio Grande, but, because of the conditions of the thoroughfares it would be several days before they could cross the big river and get into Texas. Their main concern now was to reach some place where there was shelter for the night.

"Keep your eyes peeled for villages," called Ned. "We don't want to pass any. I think a good bed would go fine now."

"A supper would go better," put in Bob.

"Oh, of course! It wouldn't be Chunky if he didn't say something about eating," remarked Jerry with a laugh. "But there seems to be something ahead. It's a house at all events, and probably is the mark of the outskirts of the village."

On the left side of the road, about a hundred yards ahead they saw an adobe, or mud hut. They could see no signs of life about in the half-darkness, illuminated as it was by the powerful search light, but this gave them no concern, as they knew the native Mexicans retired early.

When they came opposite the hut Jerry brought the machine to a stop, and he and the other boys jumped out. The professor, who, as usual was arranging some specimens in one of the many small boxes he carried, remained in the car.

"Hello!" shouted Bob. "Is any one home? Show a light. Can we get a supper here?"

"Why don't you ask for a bed too?" inquired Ned.

"Supper first," replied Chunky, rubbing his stomach with a reflective air.

No replies came to the hail of the boys, and, in some wonder they approached nearer to the hut. Then they saw that the door was ajar, and that the cabin bore every appearance of being deserted.

"Nobody home, I guess," said Jerry.

"No, and there hasn't been for some time," added Ned.

"Maybe there's a place to build a fire where we can cook a good meal," put in Bob, whereat his companions laughed.

They went into the hut, and found, that, while it was in good condition, and furnished as well as the average native Mexican's abode, there was no sign of life.

"Might as well make ourselves to home," said Ned. "Come on in, professor," he called. "We'll stay here all night. No use traveling further when there is such a good shelter right at hand."

It was now quite dark, and the boys brought in the two oil lamps from the auto, as well as a lantern, to illuminate the place. As they did so they disturbed a colony of bats which flew out with a great flutter of wings.

"There's a charcoal stove, and plenty of fuel," said Bob, as he looked at the hearth. "Now we can cook something."

"Well, seeing you are so fond of eating, we'll let you get the meal," said Jerry, and it was voted that Chunky should perform this office.

Meanwhile the others brought in blankets to make beds on the frame work of cane that formed the sleeping quarters of whoever had last lived in the hut.

"Rather queer sort of a shack," remarked Jerry, as he sat down in a corner on a pile of rugs. "Seems to have been left suddenly. They didn't even stop to take the dishes, and here is the remains of a meal," and he pointed to some dried frijoles in one corner of the main room or kitchen.

"Perhaps the people who lived here were frightened away," came from Ned.

"Well I'm tired enough not to let anything short of a regiment of soldiers in action scare me awake to-night," said Jerry.

Under Bob's direction supper was soon ready, and the travelers sat down to a good, if rather limited meal as far as variety went. There were no dishes to be washed, for they ate off wooden plates, of which they had a quantity and which they threw away after each meal. Then, after a good fire had been built on the hearth--for the night was likely to be chilly--the boys and the professor wrapped themselves up in their blankets and soon fell asleep.

Jerry must have been slumbering for several hours when he suddenly awakened as he heard a loud noise.

"Who's there?" he called involuntarily, sitting up.

It was so dark that at first he could distinguish nothing, but, as his eyes became used to the blackness he managed to make out, by the glow of the fire, a shadowy figure gliding toward the door.

"Who's there?" called the boy sharply, feeling under the rolled up blanket that served for a pillow, for his revolver. "Stop or I'll fire!"

The shadowy figure halted. Then Jerry saw it drop down on all fours and begin to creep toward him. Though he was not a coward the boy felt his heart beating strangely, and he had a queer, creepy sensation down his spine.

"What's the matter?" asked Ned, who was awakened by Jerry's voice.

"Get your revolver, quick!" called Jerry. "There is some one in the hut besides ourselves! Look over by the fire!"

"I see it! Shall I shoot?" asked Ned.

There came a sudden crash, followed by a wild yell.

"Help! Help! I'm killed! They are murdering me!" shouted Bob's voice. "They are choking me to death!"

_Bang!_ went Ned's gun.

Fortunately it was aimed at the ceiling, or some one might have been hurt.

"What's the trouble?" inquired the professor, who only just then awoke.

"Robbers!" yelled Bob.

"Brigands!" exclaimed Ned.

"Some one is in the cabin!" cried Jerry.

By this time he had managed to creep over toward the fire, on which he threw some light wood. The glowing embers caught it, and as the blaze flared up it revealed a big monkey tangled up amid the folds of Bob's blanket, while Chunky was buried somewhere beneath the pile. The beast was struggling wildly to escape, but Bob, in his terror, had grabbed it by a leg.

"Stop your noise!" commanded Jerry. "You're not hurt, Chunky!"

"Are you sure they haven't killed me?" asked Bob, releasing his hold on the beast, which, with a wild chatter of fear, fled from the hut.

"You ought to be able to give the best evidence on that score," said Jerry, as he lighted one of the lamps.

"The fellow tried to choke me," sputtered Bob.

"I guess the poor beast was as badly scared as you were," remarked the professor. "It was probably attracted in here by the light and warmth. Well, we seem bound to run up against excitement, night as well as day."

"The monkey must have knocked something over," said Jerry. "I was awakened by the sound of something falling."

They looked and saw that the beast had tried to eat the remains of the supper, and had upset a big pot.

"I was sure it was a man, at first," explained Jerry, "and when I saw it go down and start over toward me I was afraid it was some of those Mexican brigands that traveled with Vasco Bilette and Noddy Nixon, when those rascals were on our trail."

It was some time before the excitement caused by the monkey's visit died down sufficiently to allow the travelers to go to sleep again. It was morning when they awoke, and prepared to get breakfast.

"We need some water to make coffee," said Jerry, who had agreed to get the morning meal. "As chief cook and bottle washer I delegate Bob to find some. Take the pail in the auto."

Bob started for the receptacle, and, as he reached the door of the hut he gave a cry.

"What's the matter?" called Jerry and Ned.

"There's a man out here," replied Bob.

"Well, he won't bite you," said Jerry. "Who is he?"

"Pardon, senors," called a voice, and then, into the hut staggered a Mexican, who bore evidences of having passed through a hard fight. His face was cut and bruised, one arm hung limply at his side, and his clothing was torn.

"What's the matter?" cried Jerry.

Before the stranger could reply he had fallen forward in a faint.

"Bring some water! Quick!" called Ned.

"Let me see to him! I have a little liquor here!" exclaimed the professor, kneeling down beside the prostrate form.