aimed, when he could catch his breath. "That was a hot
one."

"What did you do?" asked Ned.

"Bit into a nest of red pepper. Guess I'll have to tell that cook to
scatter his hits. He's bunching 'em too much in my direction," and Tom
wiped the tears from his eyes.

"To answer your question," said Professor Bumper, "I will say that I
have made partial arrangements for men and animals, and boats if it is
found feasible to use them. I've been in correspondence with one of
the merchants here, and he promised to make arrangements for us."

"When do we leave?" asked Mr. Damon.

"As soon as possible. I am not going to risk anything by delay," and
it was evident the professor referred to his young rival whose arrival
might be expected almost any time.

As the party was about to leave the table, they were approached by a
tall, dignified Spaniard who bowed low, rather exaggeratedly low, Ned
thought, and addressed them in fairly good English.

"Your pardons, Senors," he began, "but if it will please you to avail
yourself of the humble services of myself, I shall have great pleasure
in guiding you into the interior. I have at my command both mules and
boats."

"How do you know we are going into the interior?" asked Tom, a bit
sharply, for he did not like the assurance of the man.

"Pardon, Senor. I saw that you are from the States. And those from
the States do not come to Honduras except for two reasons. To travel
and make explorations or to start trade, and professors do not usually
engage in trade," and he bowed to Professor Bumper.

"I saw your name on the register," he proceeded, "and it was not
difficult to guess your mission," and he flashed a smile on the party,
his white teeth showing brilliantly beneath his small, black moustache.

"I make it my business to outfit traveling parties, either for
business, pleasure or scientific matters. I am, at your service, Val
Jacinto," and he introduced himself with another low bow.

For a moment Tom and his friends hardly knew how to accept this offer.
It might be, as the man had said, that he was a professional tour
conductor, like those who have charge of Egyptian donkey-boys and
guides. Or might he not be a spy?

This occurred to Tom no less than to Professor Bumper. They looked at
one another while Val Jacinto bowed again and murmured:

"At your service!"

"Can you provide means for taking us to the Copan valley?" asked the
professor. "You are right in