for them, and that, if all went well, they would be able,
after the camp was wrapped in sleep, to have a consultation.

But before this occurred something else happened which bore so directly
on the boys' fortunes that it must be related here. Supper in the camp
was over, sentries posted, and the routine of what had evidently been a
long campaign taken up, when the three lads, who had been chatting with
Bob Harding and trying to draw out all he knew without betraying
themselves, were summoned by a ragged orderly to present themselves in
General Madero's tent.

At first a dreadful fear that their deception had been discovered
rushed into Jack's mind, as they arose from the ground outside Bob
Harding's tent and made their way to the general's quarters. This
fear, which his comrades shared with him, was speedily relieved,
however. General Madero greeted them with the same grave courtesy he
had shown them earlier in the day, and, after a few words, bade them be
seated. Each visitor having been accommodated with a camp stool, the
general turned to a written paper which he had before him on the
folding camp table, and which he had apparently been poring over
intently when they entered.

"I sent for you, gentlemen," he said, "in the first place, because I am
sure, from what Senor Ramon told me, our new recruits are anxious to
distinguish themselves, and also because I have some duty to outline to
you which is peculiarly adapted for Americans to undertake.

"You know, doubtless, that the funds of the insurrectos are not as
plentiful as they might be. Most of us are poor men. I myself have
disposed of my estate to make the revolution against the tyrant Diaz
successful." He paused and frowned at the mention of the hated name,
and then continued in the same grave, even voice:

"It becomes necessary, therefore, for us to raise funds as best we may.
Of course, we might live upon the country, but this I am unwilling to
do. The people are friendly to us. They give us their moral support.
Let us then not repay good with evil by plundering them. Rather let us
pay for what we get as we go along."

Harding nodded, as did the boys. It was best to give the general the
impression that they were deeply interested.

"Very well, then. But we must raise funds--and how? How better than
by helping ourselves to the product of which our country has been
robbed by favorites of Diaz. I refer, I need hardly say, to the
American mi