[Illustration: ""DUDLEY'S REVOLVER SNAPPED SHARPLY""]
"Charge!" Amidst all the babel, the frightened whinny of horses, the hammering of hoofs, and the shrieks of the startled Indians, Pepito's voice came clear to his comrades. They heard the report of his revolver, and then the confusion in the camp became even worse. For the gauchos placed under the young man's command were not going to allow themselves to be beaten by their comrades. The light from the fires had allowed them to see how the charge of Dudley's men had succeeded, and they raced after their leader with the firm determination to gallop through the enemy and come clear on the far side. Very gallantly, too, did they carry out that determination. They burst like a small wave on the savages, dashed them aside, and then rode on, emptying their weapons as they rode. A few minutes later they joined the larger party, dishevelled after their exertions, and grinning with excitement.
"Listen to our other friends!" said Pepito, suddenly jogging up to Dudley's side as he was about to give the order for the charge to be repeated. "Listen, señor. The seven are firing, and I think they are calling to us. There is a great disturbance over there."
They sat for a few seconds wondering what was happening, for the noise from the camp, which was now as intense as before, and which had spread on either side, was suddenly taken up on the far side of the herd of cattle. The gauchos were shouting, calling to their comrades, it seemed, while the bellowing from the cattle was almost deafening. Then a flying figure came from behind them, and one of the gauchos dashed up to Dudley.
"Lead the men this way, señor," he shouted eagerly. "The herd is moving. It is out of hand. The leaders are already running through the camp. Ride for your lives!"
He swung his beast round and made off, leaving Dudley wondering. But he had seen cattle stampede before, and knew well that fifty horsemen would not stop their frantic rush. It was news to hear that the herd was in motion, but if true he must needs take notice of the warning. Turning, he gave an order, and led his men at a gallop well to the right.
"It was well that you came at once, señor," said Pietro, riding up to him when the party had come to a halt. "We attacked the guards who looked to the cattle, and no doubt some of our shots hit the beasts. They were already excited and suspicious, and suddenly they were off. There was no stopping them, nor any need to do so, for they made direct for the Indian camp, and at least half are galloping across it now. The only danger was lest you and our comrades should be caught. I sent a messenger."