CHAPTER V.

A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.

The shock was so hard that every one on the ferryboat was knocked down, and the auto, breaking from the restraining ropes, ran forward and brought up against the shelving prow of the scow.

"Here, where you fellers goin'?" demanded a voice from amid the scene of wreckage and confusion. "What do ye mean by tryin' t' smash me all to splinters?"

At the same time this remonstrance was accompanied by several revolver shots. Then came a volley of language in choice Spanish, and the noise of several men chopping away at planks and boards.

The wind continued to blow and the rain to fall, while the lightning and thunder were worse than before. But the ferryboat no longer tossed and pitched on the storm-lashed river. It remained stationary.

"Now we're in for it," shouted the ferryman, as soon as he had scrambled to his feet. "A nice kettle of fish I'm in for takin' this automobile over on my boat!"

"What has happened?" asked Jerry, trying to look through the mist of falling rain, and seeing nothing but a black object, as large as a house, looming up before him.

"Matter!" exclaimed the pilot. "We've gone and smashed plumb into Don Alvarzo's house-boat and done no end of damage. Wait until he makes you fellers pay for it."

"It wasn't our fault," began Jerry. "You were in charge of the ferryboat. We are only passengers. Besides, we couldn't stop the storm from coming up."

"Tell that to Don Alvarzo," sneered the ferryman. "Maybe he'll believe you. But here he comes himself, and we can see what has happened."

Several Mexicans bearing lanterns now approached. At their head was a tall, swarthy man, wearing a big cloak picturesquely draped over his shoulders, velvet trousers laced with silver, and a big sombrero.

By the lantern light it could be seen that the ferryboat had jammed head-on against the side of a large house-boat moored on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. So hard had the scow rammed the other craft that the two were held together by a mass of splintered wood, the front of the ferryboat breaking a hole in the side of the house-boat and sticking there. The automobile had nearly gone overboard.

Don Alvarzo began to speak quickly in Spanish, pointing to the damage done.

"I beg your pardon," said Jerry, taking off his cap and bowing in spite of the rain that was still coming down in torrents. "I beg your pardon, señor, but if you would be so kind as to speak in English we could understand it better."

"Certainly, my dear young sir," replied Don Alvarzo, bowing in his turn, determined not to be outdone by an _Americano_. "I speak English also. But what is this? _Diablo!_ I am taking my meal on my house-boat. I smoke my cigarette, and am thankful that I am not out in the storm. Presto! There comes a crash like unto that the end of the world is nigh! I rise! I run! I fire my revolver, thinking it may be robbers! My _Americano_ manager he calls out! Now, if you please, what is it all about?"

"The storm got the best of the ferryboat," said Jerry. "My friends and myself, including Professor Uriah Snodgrass, of whom you may have heard, for he is a great scientist----"

"I salute the professor," interrupted Don Alvarzo, bowing to the naturalist.

"Well, we are going to make a trip through Mexico," went on Jerry. "We engaged this man," pointing to the ferrymaster, "to take us over the river in his boat. Unfortunately we crashed into yours. It was not our fault."

Angry cries from the Mexicans who stood in a half circle about Don Alvarzo on the deck of the house-boat showed that they understood this talk, but did not approve of it.

"_Americanos_ pigs! Make pay!" called out one man.

"We're not pigs, and if this accident is our fault we will pay at once," said Jerry, hotly.

"There, there, señor," said the Don, motioning to his man to be quiet. "We will consider this. It appears that you are merely passengers on the ferryboat. The craft was in charge of Señor Jenkins, there, whom I very well know. He will pay me for the damage, I am sure."

"You never made a bigger mistake in your life!" exclaimed Jenkins. "If there's any payin' to be done, these here automobile fellers will have to do it. I'm out of pocket now with chargin' 'em only ten dollars, for three of my oars are lost."

"Very well, then, we will let the law take its course," said the Don. "Here!" he called to his men, "take the ferry captain into custody. We'll see who is to pay."

"Rather than have trouble and delay we would be willing to settle for the damages," spoke up Jerry. "How much is it?"

"I will have to refer you to Señor Jones, my manager," said the Mexican.

"What's all the row about?" interrupted a voice, and a tall, lanky man came forward into the circle of lantern light. "People can't expect to smash boats an' not pay for 'em."

"We are perfectly willing to pay," said Jerry.

"Well, if there ain't my old friend Professor Snodgrass!" cried Jones, jumping down on the flat-boat and shaking hands with the naturalist. "Well, well, this is a sight for sore eyes. I ain't seen ye since I was janitor in your laboratory in Wellville College. How are ye?"

The professor, surprised to meet an acquaintance under such strange circumstances, managed to say that he was in good health.

"Well, well," went on Jones, "I'll soon settle this. Look here, Don Alvarzo," he went on, "these is friends of mine. If there's any damage----"

"Oh, I assure you, not a penny, not a penny!" exclaimed the Mexican. "I regret that my boat was in their way. I beg a thousand pardons. Say not a word more, my dear professor and young friends, but come aboard and partake of such poor hospitality as Don Miguel Fernandez Alvarzo can offer. I am your most humble servant."

The boys and the professor were glad enough of the turn events had taken. At a few quick orders from Jones and the Don, the Mexicans and the ferry captain's crew backed the scow away from the house-boat. A landing on shore was made, the automobile run off, and the ferryman having been paid his money, with something extra for the lost oars, pulled off into the rain and darkness, growling the while.

"Now you must come in out of the rain," said Don Alvarzo, as soon as the auto had been covered with a tarpaulin, carried in case of bad weather. "We can dry and feed you, at all events."

It was a pleasant change from the storm outside to the warm and well-lighted house-boat. The thunder and lightning had ceased, but the rain kept up and the wind howled unpleasantly.

"I regret that your advent into this wonderful land of Mexico should be fraught with such inauspicious a beginning as this outburst of the elements," spoke Don Alvarzo, with a bow, as he ushered his guests into the dining-room.

"Oh, well, we're used to bad weather," said Bob, cheerfully.

In a little while the travelers had divested themselves of their wet garments and donned dry ones from their valises that had been brought in from the auto. Soon they sat down to a bountiful meal in which red peppers, garlic and frijoles, with eggs and chicken, formed a prominent part. Jones, the Don's manager, ate with them, and told how, in his younger days, he had worked at a college where Professor Snodgrass had been an instructor.

Supper over, they all gathered about a comfortable fire and, in answer to questions from Don Alvarzo, the boys told something of their plans, not, however, revealing their real object.

"I presume you are searching for silver mines," said the Don, with a laugh and a sly wink. "Believe me, all the silver and gold, too, is taken out of my unfortunate country. You had much better go to raising cattle. Now, I have several nice ranches I could sell you. What do you say? Shall we talk business?"

But Jerry, assuming the rôle of spokesman, decided they had no inclination to embark in business just yet. They might consider it later, he said.

The Don looked disappointed, but did not press the point. The evening was passed pleasantly enough, and about nine o'clock, as the travelers showed signs of fatigue, Jones suggested that beds might be agreeable.

"I am sorry I cannot give you sleeping apartments together," remarked the Don. "I can put two of you boys in one room, give the professor another small room, and the third boy still another. It is the best arrangement I can make."

"That will suit us," replied Jerry. "Ned and I will bunk together."

"Very well; if you will follow my man he will escort you to your rooms," went on the Mexican. "Perhaps the professor will sit up and smoke."

The naturalist said he never smoked, and, besides, he was so tired that bed was the best place for him. So he followed the boys, and soon the travelers were lighted to their several apartments. Ned and Jerry found themselves together, the professor had a room at one end of a long gangway and Bob an apartment at the other end. Good-nights were called, and the adventurers prepared to get whatever rest they might.

As Ned and Jerry were getting undressed they heard a low knock on their door.

"Who's there?" asked Jerry.

"Hush! Not so loud!" came in cautious tones. "This is Jones. Keep your guns handy, that's all. I can't tell you any more," and then the boys heard him moving away.

"Well, I must say that's calculated to induce sleep," remarked Ned. "Keep your guns handy! I wonder if we've fallen into a robber's den?"

"I don't like the looks of things," commented Jerry. "The Don may be all right, and probably is, but he has a lot of ugly-looking Mexicans on his boat. I guess we'll watch out. I hope Jones will warn the others."

There came a second knock on the door.

"What is it?" called Jerry, in a whisper.

"I've warned your friends," replied Jones. "Now watch out. I can't say any more."

His footsteps died away down the gangway. Jerry and Ned looked at each other.

"I guess we'll sit up the rest of the night," said Ned.

They started their vigil. But they were very tired and soon, before either of them knew it, they were nodding. Several times they roused themselves, but nature at length gained the mastery and soon they were both stretched out asleep on the bed.

About three o'clock in the morning there came a cautious trying of the door of the room where Ned and Jerry were sleeping. Soft footsteps sounded outside. If ever the boys needed to be awake it was now, for there was a thief in the night stealing in upon them.