wholly in our search. But I thought you were perhaps about to warn us to
look out for these revolutionists while passing up the river."

"It would be wise, Señor," observed the amiable Colombian
ex-diplomat. "They have agents here; and I happen to know that one is
even now on the wharf, observing. Possibly he seeks to communicate with
some spy who chances to be a member of your crew. So you see, it must
pay you to be always on your guard, and prepared!"




CHAPTER X.


NIPPED IN THE BUD.

"There comes Manuel!" remarked Andy, after they had been nearly an hour
talking on the deck of the little power boat.

"Yes," remarked his cousin, who was also on the watch, "and trailing
behind him I can see several native carts containing fruits and new
supplies. Manuel surely means that we shall not go hungry while on the
river."

"Then I shall be going, my friends," said Señor José. "I have told you
all I know. I have warned you to beware of the revolutionists along the
river bank. I have even given you a hint that to delay longer in
Barranquila might endanger your enterprise; since the government is just
now very anxious to acquire such wonderful modern agents of warfare, as