Once at some distance off in the woods they heard a shot, followed by a scream.
"Have they got to fighting among themselves, I wonder," remarked Phil.
"It would solve our problem if they'd only kill each other off like so many Kilkenny cats," said Tom.
"I guess that was Ramirez enforcing discipline and killing one of his rascals to cow the others," concluded Benton. "If so, it makes one less for us to handle."
Another half hour passed, and still the attack hung fire.
"They'll have to come along pretty soon or it will be daylight, and that will be all to our advantage," muttered Benton in some perplexity at the enemy's tactics.
Just then there came a sharp exclamation from Phil. His eyes were keener than those of any of the others, and he had detected a black blur that to him indicated a massing of men.
"I think they're getting ready for a rush," he exclaimed.
The words had scarcely left his lips before they were followed by the roar of a volley, and Ramirez and his men came plunging from the woods, uttering wild yells and making straight for the entrance of the cave. This time they did not scatter, but depended on the power of their mass attack to overwhelm the little party of defenders by sheer weight of numbers.
It was a fatal mistake, for their course was taking them right over the place where the mine had been planted. Phil already had his finger on the key.
"Now!" shouted Benton, and Phil sent the spark along the wire.
There was a terrific explosion, as tons of earth were sent hurtling upward, carrying with them the whirling, sprawling bodies of some of the attacking party. Others were sent staggering to the ground on either side of the great yawning hole that had been dug by the dynamite.
Even in the cave itself the force of the explosion was felt, and the boys were thrown from the positions in which they had ensconced themselves, while their weapons were sent clattering from their hands.
"Get ready to rush them, boys," Benton's voice rose high over the din. "It's our turn now."
The boys sprang to their feet, and followed their leader through the narrow passage between the rocks that formed the barricade.
They awaited the command to fire, but as Benton saw the devastation that had been caused by the mine, he forbore to give the order.