about ten to one
`` Right you are , '' replied Douglas ; and he began his meal with a very excellent appetite despite the uncongenial surroundings . The two boys carried out their programme of not appearing to notice the forbidding glances which everywhere met them whenever they raised their eyes from their plates ; but presently their ears caught the sound of angry whispers , then low mutterings , until in a few minutes furious voices plainly directed against themselves were heard from every corner of the room . One man jumped upon a chair and began to harangue the crowd , speaking in some South American patois which the boys did not understand , and pointing toward them with angry gestures , while several other rough-looking characters had risen to their feet and were gradually edging down toward the corner where Jim and Terry were seated . `` Jim , '' exclaimed Terry , suddenly glancing up , `` there is no doubt that these unwashed scoundrels very strongly object to our presence here , for some reason or other ; I do n't much like the idea of running away , but since we are outnumbered by about ten to one I really think that discretion will prove the better part of valour in the present case . Let us pay our score at once , and get out -- if we can , '' he added under his breath . The lads rose to their feet and walked , as unconcernedly as they could , toward the counter , upon which Terry rapped with a coin , to attract the landlord 's attention . But that gentleman had , for some reason or other , vanished , and , rap as they might , no one put in an appearance ; while all the time the crowd continued steadily to close in on them , with angry looks and threatening gestures .