ppose we all
have our secrets."

"Yes," agreed Joe. "And he certainly can't do enough for us. He is
very grateful."

This was shown in every way possible by the Spaniard. More than
once he referred to the saving of his life in the runaway
accident, and he never tired of telling those whom he met what the
boys had done for him.

It was truly grateful praise, too, and he was sincere in all that
he said. As Joe had remarked, the Spaniard could not do enough for
the boys.

He helped in numberless ways in getting ready for the trip, and
offered to do errands that could better be attended to by a
messenger boy. He was well supplied with cash, and it was all Joe
and Blake could do to prevent him from buying them all sorts of
articles for use on their trip.

Passing a sporting goods store that made a specialty of fitting
out travelers who hunted in the wilds, Mr. Alcando wanted to
purchase for Blake and Joe complete camping outfits, portable
stoves, guns, knives, patent acetylene lamps, portable tents,
automatic revolvers and all sorts of things.

"But we don't need them, thank you!" Blake insisted. "We're not
going to do any hunting, and we won't camp out if we can help it."

"Oh, but we might have to!" said Mr. Alcando, "then think how
useful these outfits would be."

"But we'd have to cart them around with us for months, maybe,"
said Joe, "on the slim chance of using part of the things one
night. We don't need 'em."

"But I want to do something for you boys!" the Spaniard insisted.
"I am so grateful to you--"

"We know that, by this time," declared Blake. "Please don't get
anything more," for their friend had already bought them some
things for their steamer trip.

"Ah, well then, if you insist," agreed the generous one, "but if
ever you come to my country, all that I own is yours. I am ever in
your debt."

"Oh, you mustn't feel that way about it," Blake assured him.
"After all, you might have saved yourself."

"Hardly," returned the Spaniard, and he shuddered as he recalled
how near he had been to death on the bridge.

But now he and Blake and Joe were safely on a steamer on their way
to Panama. The weather was getting rather cool, for though it was
only early November the chill of winter was beginning to make
itself felt.

"But we'll soon be where it's warm enough all the year around,"
said Joe to Blake, as they arranged their things in the stateroom.

"That's right," said his chum. "It will be a n