ning men who have enriched themselves at my poor
countrymen's expense."

Jack could hardly repress an angry start as he saw whither this line of
reasoning must lead. The gross injustice of the idea made him flush
hotly, but he was far too wise to expose his hand to the wily old
insurrecto leader, who was watching them with an eager look on his
withered, yellow face.

"There is near here," continued the general, "a mine I have had my eyes
on for a long time. It belongs to a Senor Merrill, a rancher----"

The general broke off abruptly. Jack had started so suddenly that the
lamp on the table was jarred.

"Senor Hickey knows Senor Merrill?" he asked, bending his searching
black eyes on the lad.

"I--no--that is, yes--I met Senor Merrill some time ago," stammered
Jack. "Hearing his name again startled me. I was not aware he was in
this part of the country."

Apparently the explanation satisfied the old leader, for he continued
with a satisfied nod.

"This Senor Merrill is rich, I hear. But all his wealth has not
prevented his miners leaving him to answer the call of the insurrecto
cause. His mine, The Esmeralda, is not more than twelve miles from
here. In the treasure room is stored much gold. Since we blew up the
railroad, he has not been able to ship it. We must have that gold."

He paused and looked at the Americans inquiringly. Of the four, Bob
Harding alone looked enthusiastic.

"It should be easy, general," he said; "if the Mexican miners have
quit, all we have to do is to march in and help ourselves."

"Yes, but Senor Merrill is not unsurrounded by friends," went on the
general, while Jack's heart gave a bound of gladness; "he has a German
superintendent and several mine bosses. They have arms and ammunition,
and it will be a difficult matter to dislodge them. Also, there are
telephone wires by which he can summon aid from the regular troops."

"Well, what do you want us to do, sir?" asked Jack, with what was
really, under the circumstances, a creditable simulation of disinterest.

"To undertake some scout duty. Find out just what his force is and the
best quarter from which to attack the mine. And, above all, sever his
communication with the outside world."

"Cut the wires?" asked Bob Harding eagerly.

"That's it. Make it impossible for us to fail."

"But, general, do not the regulars already know of your presence in
this part of the country?" asked Jack.

General Madero smiled.