It came two days later. But the battleship forces, the American residents, and the loyal citizens were ready for them, and after some sharp fighting, in which a number were killed and wounded, including some of the comrades of Ned and Frank, the tide of battle went against the revolutionists.
Their defeat was accompanied by a panic, and most of them surrendered.
It fell to the lot of Ned, Frank and their detachment to be in the van of the fighting. Frank did not receive a scratch, but Ned received a flesh wound in the arm. He refused to go to the rear to have it treated, but tied on a first aid bandage, and went on fighting. Mr. Kennedy joined the squad and fought side by side with Frank and Ned. And it was due to this that they were able, toward the end, to catch sight of the man responsible for their uncle’s troubles.
“There’s Bernardo now, and his bodyguard—rascals all!” exclaimed the coffee man as they were pursuing a group of the fleeing revolutionists.
“Come on, Ned!” yelled the older brother.
The fighting was practically over. That in which our two heroes had taken part had been going on near the water front. The two brothers rushed forward, followed by Mr. Kennedy.
Bernardo, seeing that he was completely beaten, called to his men to follow him. He turned and shook his fist at his pursuers, but he had no more shots left in either his rifle or revolver, nor did any of his men.
“We’ll get him!” panted Frank. “We’ll get him and make him prove Uncle Phil’s innocence!”
The chase grew hotter. It was along the water front, and out among the small piers.
“Come on now, we have them!” cried Frank.
“Surrender there! Give up! Stop!” shouted Ned. “Halt, Senor Bernardo!”
But the Portuguese revolutionist and his rebel rascals kept on. Frank brought his rifle to his shoulder and exclaimed:
Whether he actually would or not, he never stopped to consider. Shooting at a man in the open that way, when the heat of battle has passed, is a hard matter. Frank could not decide what to do. But the aimed gun had no effect, and a second later, with shouts of exultation, Bernardo and his men leaped from a small pier into a power boat, which was cast off and set in motion at once.
“They’ve beaten us!” gasped Ned. “They’ve gotten away!”