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There's a fortune in that nitrate and I know it, and some day I'll get hold of it." Very much to Jack's surprise they were not molested very much by the bush-raiders, whose power seemed to have been checked by the advance of the opposing armies, for the war was still carried on, though in a sort of desultory manner, as if each side was afraid of the others.
This did not seem a difficult task, providing the bush-raiders let them alone. The road was in a terrible condition, yet the first trip was made without adventure and Fret's spirits rose. "Probably the bush-raiders did not know we were going yesterday," said Jack, as his helper was boasting of their easy job.
Believing that Jack had left them and finding no one to take his place, the bush-raiders having grown bolder in their depredations, in their despair, the managers were offering double their previous pay for a man who would dare to undertake the work of getting a train through from St. Resa to de la Pama.
Look over those tree-tops; don't you see that thin column of smoke rising high into the air and as straight as a church spire?" "Gosh! yes. What of it? There can't be much wind." "It is a signal of the bush-raiders." "S'pose it is?"
We came up here expecting to take our chances, and as for me it seems the bush-raiders have been very modest in opening proceedings. It is too late for us to turn back. "No no! Stop, Jack, and I will get off." "If you don't get off until I stop you will ride into de la Pama. Now don't be foolish and let that little piece of paper upset you. It was no more than we expected.
At the first station, which was several miles away from the scene of the outlaws' attack, the young engineer told of the loss of his fireman and his own narrow escape from death, when an armed squad of men started to search for the body of the missing youth, and to rout the bush-raiders if they could be found.
As the train dashed madly under the rocky wall, above its terrific thunder rang a deafening crash, and he saw with horror a huge bowlder coming down the side of the cliff, directly toward the engine! It had been loosened from its bed by the bush-raiders, and so well had they timed their work that it would be impossible for the engine to get beyond its reach before the rock should fall upon it!
Halting the Peruvian he inquired of him in regard to Plum. This fellow, who knew Plum well, replied that he had seen him in town, and that he had left two days before. Upon second thought, he volunteered the startling information that news had come of an American being waylaid and killed by a party of bush-raiders a dozen miles east of De la Pama!
Jack understood that he was taking a fearful risk, but with all these favoring circumstances it could not be more disastrous than to stop and to fall easy victims to the bush-raiders and their allies. These thoughts flashed through his mind and he resolved to keep on at all hazards. Thus he let on all the steam in reserve and stood grimly at his post. The engine obeyed like a living creature.
To his infinite relief, Jack saw nor heard nothing further of the baffled bush-raiders, who must have been greatly surprised at the escape of the train with its rich freight.
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