nd piled up under the
rail a supply of guns and ammunition sufficient to arm a company of men.
He had made good use of the few minutes the boys had occupied in
dressing, for a small boat already lay alongside the steamer. Harry
surmised that the men, who were all exceedingly fond of their commander,
had assisted Washington in order that he might set out to give what aid
he could to Captain Dynamite. There was scarcely a man among them but
had made several voyages with him, and they well knew the danger that
attended a journey through that part of the island, and the fate that
awaited their chief if he should fall into the hands of the Spaniards.
The mate was still in close conference with Captain Morgan, and either
intentionally, or because of his preoccupation, paid no attention to the
preparations of the little expedition.

"What are you going to do with all those guns?" asked Harry, as he
surveyed the pile.

"May be some big shooting," replied Washington, nodding his head,
wisely. "More guns, more shooting."

"But how are we to carry that arsenal? If I am not mistaken travelling
hereabouts is not the easiest thing in the world, and we shall want as
little to hamper as possible."

"I guess young gemman right," said Washington, looking regretfully at
the heap of guns.

"Let us each take a gun and a pistol----"

"And machete--machete," interrupted the negro, his eyes bulging, while
he swung his arm as if wielding one of the short Cuban swords.

"All right, Washington, machete if you choose. They may do to cut our
way through the underbrush."

"Cut way through Spaniard," said Washington, still waving his arm
excitedly.

"You can do all that kind of cutting, George Wash Jenks. Perhaps you
would prefer a razor."

"No, machete."

"All right; machete it is, and I hope you will find something to use it
on and work off some of that cutting energy."

They then each selected from the supply of arms a rifle, pistol, and all
the ammunition they could comfortably carry. They lowered them into the
small boat and were about to climb in when Harry stopped them.

"What about food, Washington?" he asked. "We'd better tote some along, I
think."

With his usual energy, Harry had naturally taken command of the
expedition.

"How much of a tramp is it to where Captain Dynamite is going?"

"Captain Dynamite go to Gomez--Gomez at Cubitas."

"That does not mean anything to us. How far is it from here to Cubitas
and how l