brown-skinned soldiers cast many glances out of their wild eyes at
them as they loped back, evidently wondering at the youth of Madero's
new recruits from across the border.

The boys found no opportunity to exchange conversation as they rode
along. Bob Harding was far too busy introducing them to brother
officers to permit of this. From remarks addressed to them, which they
answered carefully in a general way, the boys soon learned that the
three soldiers of fortune they were impersonating had been redoubtable
warriors in several revolutionary battles in South America. Thus it
came about that Jack and his chums were speedily far more prominent
personalities than they cared about becoming. The officers of Madero's
command they found to be mostly small planters and ranch owners,
inflamed with bitterness at the freedom with which great grants of land
had been made to Americans by Diaz.

Bob Harding was not backward in telling them his history, as they rode
along. He had been expelled from West Point for a hazing prank, and
since that time had "knocked about the world a bit," as he expressed
it. He was frank in confessing that he was with Madero's command for
the "fun there was in it."

"I don't see much fun in injuring American interests and practically
warring on your own people," burst out Jack, before he knew what he was
saying.

Harding whipped around in his saddle like a flash.

"Say, Jim Hickey," he snapped, "those are funny sentiments coming from
you. You didn't feel that way during your famous campaign in
Venezuela, did you?"

"Well, it wasn't so near home, you see," rather lamely explained Jack,
wishing that he had bitten his tongue out before he had made such a
break.

But Bob Harding fortunately was not of an analytical disposition, and
he was soon rattling on again, relating to the boys, with great glee,
the manner in which the insurrectos were getting all the arms they
wanted by Black Ramon's underground route.

CHAPTER XIII.

IN THE CAMP OF THE INSURRECTOS.

Camp was made that night not far from the outskirts of what must have
been a small town or village. Through the trees surrounding the camp
the boys could catch the glint of distant lights as the sun set and
darkness rushed up with the suddenness characteristic of the southern
latitudes. Rumor about the camp was that there was a fair or carnival
in the village. To Jack's huge delight, he found that a tent was to be
provided