The Legion was divided into four troops of about fifty men each. Only
half of the men were mounted, but the difficulties of the trail were
so great that the men on foot were able to move quite as rapidly as
those on mule-back. Under Laguerre there were Major Webster, an old
man, who as a boy had invaded Central America with William Walker's
expedition, and who ever since had lived in Honduras; Major Reeder and
five captains, Miller, who was in charge of a dozen native Indians and
who acted as a scout; Captain Heinze, two Americans named Porter and
Russell, and about a dozen lieutenants of every nationality. Heinze
had been adjutant of the force, but the morning after my arrival the
General appointed me to that position, and at roll-call announced the
change to the battalion.

"We have been waiting here for two weeks for a shipment of machine
guns," he said to them. "They have not arrived and I cannot wait for
them any longer. The battalion will start at once for Santa Barbara,
where I expect to get you by to-morrow night. There we will join
General Garcia, and continue with him until we enter the capital."

The men, who were properly weary of lying idle in the swamp,
interrupted him with an enthusiastic cheer and continued shouting
until he lifted his hand.

"Since we have been lying here," he said, "I have allowed you certain
liberties, and discipline has relaxed. But now that we are on the
march again you will conduct yourselves like soldiers, and discipline
will be as strictly enforced as in any army in Europe. Since last
night we have received an addition to our force in the person of
Captain Macklin, who has volunteered his services. Captain Macklin
comes of a distinguished family of soldiers, and he has himself been