appearance would arouse suspicion. Young
fellows riding in to enlist in the rebel forces was something that
could be understood. But in his case it would be a different matter.

He would stay at the ranch with Rollins, whom he decided to give
another chance. Rollins knew the business details of the oil
operations and unless he were retained the work could not go on. For
that reason, and also because he believed Rollins was truly repentant
for his treachery and would be faithful in the future, Mr. Temple
retained him.

Rollins had supplied valuable information for the expedition. He gave
the exact location of the Calomares ranch, in a valley amid low
mountains more than one hundred miles to the south.

There were two possibilities that the boys might be recognized for
what they were: if Remedios should arrive at rebel headquarters, or if
Von Arnheim or Morales recognized Bob as the youth who had foiled them
on Long Island. Neither was very likely. Remedios, they learned from
Rollins, had no intention of leaving the district because even if the
boys tried to cause his arrest he had a mysterious political pull with
the American officials, practically all of whom were of Mexican
descent. As for Morales and Von Arnheim they had had only a fleeting
glimpse of Bob and he could disguise his appearance sufficiently to
make that of no account.

"Well, boys," said Mr. Temple finally, "if we all were back in New
York under normal conditions I should consider this just about the
craziest notion ever, and never would consent to your carrying it out.
But out here, amid these changed surroundings, it seems the natural
thing to do. For the life of me I can't bring myself to feel any
alarm."

"That's right, Dad," said Bob. "Don't you worry. We'll be all right."

It was now late afternoon. Tom Bodine was to escort the boys to the
border as soon as darkness fell, making a big swing around Ransome,
so as to avoid notice, and set them on their way. They would travel by
horseback, all three having ridden since childhood. There were a
number of good mounts in the corral from which to select.

The boys planned to ride the major portion of the night until they
should reach a cave in the first of the Mexican foothills, where they
would spend the next day in hiding. Tom Bodine knew the cave of old
and was able to give the boys the location of certain landmarks which
would make it easy for them to find it. The following night they would
c