xico," he
declared, "the other Latin republics would misconstrue our motives.
They would consider that because of our size we were acting the part
of the bully in order to reap financial benefit. They call us the
'Dollar Republic,' you know. Our interests in Central and South
America would suffer a severe setback."
Accordingly, it was distinctly up to the boys and Mr. Temple to effect
Mr. Hampton's rescue themselves. And out of the discussion had grown
the plan to have Jack, Bob and Frank make their way to the Calomares
ranch and offer their services to the rebel forces in the guise of
young Americans who were seeking adventure.
Once within the rebel stronghold they would bide their time and await
an opportunity to free Mr. Hampton and escape with him.
"I, for one, won't be content until I get back our airplane," said
Frank, when the details were being discussed. "Probably we shall be
able to recapture it, and then we can all four make our escape in it.
The 'plane carries three easily and can be made to carry four at a
pinch."
"Hurray for you," cried Jack, delightedly. "That's a real idea."
"I'll say so," declared Bob. "We can do it, too. I know we can."
Carried away by the boys' enthusiasm, Mr. Temple nodded approval.
Jack said he was certain enlistment in the rebel forces would offer no
difficulties. From Tom Bodine, the guard at the radio plant, with whom
he had had many conversations during the past two months about
conditions on the border, he had learned that adventurous young
Americans fought frequently on one side or another in the Mexican
revolutions.
"I can speak Spanish pretty well, too," Jack pointed out. "And Bob
and Frank have a smattering of the language, which they picked up from
me."
It was true. Two years before Jack had spent his summer vacation in
Peru where his father was engaged at the time in inspecting mining
properties. Jack had learned considerable Spanish during his stay and
on his return home had continued his studies of the language.
Moreover, he had aroused the interest of his chums to such an extent
that they also had begun to study Spanish. Often, when by themselves,
the three boys spoke to each other in the language. Spanish, by the
way, is the easiest of all foreign tongues to learn, as, unlike French
and Italian, all letters are sounded, and the grammar is very simple.
Mr. Temple was not to accompany the boys because, in the first place,
his age and distinguished
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