man who entertained me was quite a swell, with a tortoise-shell visor
to his cap and a Malacca sword-cane which swung from a gold cord. He
was as much pleased over it as a boy with his first watch, and
informed me that it had been used to assassinate his uncle, ex-
President Rojas. As he seemed to consider it a very valuable heirloom,
I moved my legs so that, as though by accident, my sword fell forward
where he could see it. When he did he exclaimed upon its magnificence,
and I showed him my name on the scabbard. He thought it had been
presented to me for bravery. He was very much impressed.

Garcia and Laguerre talked together for a long time and then shook
hands warmly, and we all saluted and returned to the ford.

As soon as we had reached it Laguerre seated himself under a tree and
sent for all of his officers.

"We are to attack at daybreak to-morrow morning," he said. "Garcia is
to return along the trail and make a demonstration on this side of the
town, while we are here to attack from the other. The plaza is about
three hundred yards from where we will enter. On the corner of the
plaza and the main street there is a large warehouse. The warehouse
looks across the plaza to the barracks, which are on the other side of
the square. General Garcia's plan is that our objective point shall be
this warehouse. It has two stories, and men on its roof will have a
great advantage over those in the barracks and in the streets. He
believes that when he begins his attack from this side, the Government
troops will rush from the barracks and hasten toward the sound of the
firing. At the same signal we are to hurry in from the opposite side
of the town, seize the warehouse, and throw up barricades across the
plaza. Should this plan succeed, the Government troops will find