"
Neither of the officers made any reply, but their dark looks
boded no good for the boys.
"You might just as well look pleasant," laughed Billie. "All is
fair in love and war."
"We'll make you sing a different song when we get you in Vera
Cruz," said the captain.
"And when do you think that will be, Captain?" queried Adrian.
"As soon as the next train comes along."
"Oh, that's it, is it?" said Donald. "That being the case, I
guess we will not wait for another train. By the way, how far is
it to Vera Cruz?"
"About a hundred kilometers."
"That's about eighty-four miles, isn't it, Ad?"
"Just about."
"And it's down hill pretty much all the way, isn't it?"
"I should say so by looking down the valley."
"A right nice little walk, Captain. Let's be going. We ought to
make it easily in four days."
At this cordial invitation the captain lost his temper.
"Carramba!" he exclaimed. "Am I a boy to be made sport of? I will
not go. If you wish me to go you will have to carry me," and he
deliberately laid himself down on the ground.
In spite of themselves the boys were obliged to laugh.
"We carried the lieutenant last night, but we don't desire your
company badly enough to carry you," laughed Billie.
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