Noddy, with Jack and Bill Berry, looked on, taking no part in the revels. They had come over in the automobile, while Vasco and his gang rode their horses.
It was past midnight when the leader of the Mexicans decided that it was time to start for home.
"Come on," he said. "Who knows but what our prisoner has escaped."
"Not much danger of that," said Dalsett. "I told Maximina that if he got away we'd hold her responsible and give her a good lashing. She'll not let him get away."
But neither Dalsett nor Vasco knew what they were talking about. The Mexicans were reluctant to leave the dance, but Vasco insisted. Soon the whole party was riding back to camp, Noddy being in advance in his auto.
He was the first to reach the kidnappers' headquarters. Dalsett was with him.
"I wonder how our captive is?" said the latter.
He went up to the room where Bob had been locked up. To his surprise and anger, the apartment was empty.
"They've gone!" he exclaimed. "Here, Noddy, ride back and meet Vasco. Tell him Bob has got away!"
The automobile was sent flying down the road. Vasco Bilette and his party were met and the news quickly imparted.
"We'll catch 'em!" cried the Mexican. "They have only a few hours' start, and only two slow ponies to ride on. Here, I'll go in the auto with Noddy. You fellows come after me!"
Vasco took Jack Pender's place in the machine and soon the chase was on. Vasco rightly concluded that Bob and Maximina would head for the south, so he, too, took the road leading in that direction.
Noddy speeded up the car, under Vasco's directions. Faster and faster it raced, the searchlight throwing out a glaring beam far in advance.
Meanwhile, Bob and Maximina were making all speed possible. Every now and then the girl would halt her pony and listen intently.
"They no come yet," she would say. "No can hear horses comin' after us. We get 'way maybe."
Bob certainly hoped so. His experience as a captive was not such as to cause him to like the rôle, and he longed to be with his friends, who, he knew, must be greatly alarmed about him.
It seemed to be getting darker as the two traveled on.
"Be sunrise 'bout hour," said Maximina, and Bob remembered that he had read about it being darkest just before daybreak. "We mus' hide then," the girl went on.