One body of natives was seen to turn and flee, while the
others pursued them.
"Now's our time to make tracks!" called Tom. "We'll have to push on
to the next village before we can ask where the gi--" he caught
himself just in time, for San Pedro was looking curiously at him.
"The senor wishes to find something?" asked the head mule driver
with an insinuating smile.
"Yes," broke in Eradicate. "We all is lookin' fo' some monstrous
giant orchards flowers."
"Ah, yes, orchids," spoke San Pedro. "Well, there may be some in the
jungle ahead of us, but the senors have come the wrong trail for
flowers," and he looked curiously at Tom, while, from afar, come the
sound of the native battle though the combatants could no longer be
seen.
"Never mind," said our hero quickly. "I guess I'll find what I want.
Now come on."
They started off, skirting the burned village to get on the trail
beyond it. But hardly had they made a detour of the burned huts than
one of the native drivers, who was in the rear, came riding up with
a shout.
"Now what's the matter?" cried Tom, looking back.
There was a voluble chattering in Spanish between the driver and San
Pedro.
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