ll, then, having got rid of him--"

"But we haven't got rid of him!"

"No; quite true. I can see him from here, and a very surly fellow he
looks. I wonder the officer doesn't give us some one with a more
amiable face. However, that's outside the argument. Now, supposing we
had disposed of this fellow, the question is, what to do next."

"But we haven't disposed of him!"

"Just so; but we ought to be prepared in case he is withdrawn, or
anything of that sort, you know. However, if you won't follow my
advice, it's no use giving it. It's simply folly to go on talking."

"I felt convinced you would say something sensible before you had
finished," laughed one of the youngsters gaily.

Alzura laughed too, and gave the fellow a playful tap on the head, for
he loved a joke whoever chanced to be the victim.

That same evening he told us of a fresh plan--for Alzura was as full of
plans as an egg is of meat--and before he came to the end, we were
laughing so uproariously that the sentry ordered us to make less noise.

"I daresay you fellows have wasted the day as usual," he began; "that
is the worst of having some one to do your thinking for you. I really
wish you wouldn't depend so much on me."

"That's the penalty of being so clever, my boy. The world always
overworks its greatest men. It's quite reasonable, after all."

"But it's hard on me, nevertheless," observed Alzura; "though I suppose
one ought not to complain of being a genius. Well, I've been working
my brains all day--"

"Your what?"

"Oh, shut up, and let me speak! I've hit on a lovely plan: it will
work like a machine; it can't possibly fail. We have been on the wrong
tack, trying to meet force with force. What we want is craft. Do you
follow me, boys?"

"Yes, yes; go on! Let's hear the lovely plan."

"When you do hear it, you will wonder why no one thought of it before.
It is simple beyond belief, almost."

"A true mark of genius, Alzura. But we're waiting to hear this
infallible plan."

"Well, look here. Just study that sentry's face a minute. Who is he
like? Don't know? Why, isn't he just like our friend Crawford?"

The little group laughed with delight, while I said reproachfully, "Oh,
come, Alzura!"

"Not so much the face, dear boy," said he, "but the figure. He's just
your height and build; you will admit that. And his clothes will fit
you, Juan. Now, do you see?"

I confessed to being still in a fog, so he continu