enace which we cannot tolerate; for,
unless the band is rooted out and utterly destroyed, there will never be
peace or safety in the northern part of Chili. This has been a somewhat
long introduction to what I have to say, _teniente_, but it was
necessary, in view of the remarks which I am about to make.

"As I say, the work of the navy is practically finished; but we are very
short of men in the army; for the army has to cover a large extent of
country. I have therefore decided to transfer you from the navy to the
army, and to send you, at the head of five hundred men, against these
outlaws. You are acquainted with the country; and you have always
carried out most satisfactorily such work as I have given you to do.
More than that number of men cannot, as I understand, be spared. Five
hundred against two thousand is heavy odds, I admit; but much will
depend upon the man who is in charge of the smaller force; and I have no
hesitation in saying that I do not think I could have chosen a better
man for the purpose than yourself."

Jim bowed and murmured his thanks. "Now," resumed Riveros, "the force
is actually ready, and is waiting to start on its march. If you had not
turned up in the nick of time I should have been obliged to send another
man; for this is a matter that cannot wait. Since you are here,
however, I shall be glad if you will start for Coroico at once. I am
sorry to be obliged to send you away so soon, for you deserve a long
rest after all that you have gone through; but perhaps this commission
as captain in the army which I have procured for you may be some slight
recompense for what you have been obliged to endure. Should you bring
this expedition to a satisfactory issue, I think I can promise that you
will be raised to the rank of major. That is all, I think. And now,
Senor Douglas, the sooner you get away the better. _Dios guarde al
Usted_! Any further particulars which you may desire to know will be
given you by Captain Simpson; you will find him in his cabin. _A Dios,
senor, a mas ver_!"

The kindly but extremely busy old gentleman pushed Jim out of the cabin
without giving him an opportunity to express the gratitude he felt for
the promotion and the trust reposed in him, and he made his way at once
to Simpson's cabin, in order to get all the information possible
relative to the forthcoming expedition. When he emerged, an hour or so
later, he was beaming with joy and pleasureable antici