Sam thought best not to hear this.
"But we would have to send some of our own officers on such an expedition," he said. "We couldn't disguise them as natives."
"That wouldn't be necessary. They can go as if they were prisoners—you and two or three others you could pick out. I'd like to go too. And then I'd expect good pay if the thing went through, and a commission as lieutenant."
"There'd be no trouble about that," answered Sam. "I'll think it over, and perhaps consult the general about it and let you know by to-morrow."
"Very good, sir. I'm Sergeant Keene of the 5th Company, 39th Infantry."
As the sergeant went out Cleary came in, and Sam laid the matter before him.
"I know that fellow by sight," said Cleary. "They say he's served several terms for forgery and counterfeiting. I don't like his looks. That's a great scheme tho, if it does seem a little like bunco-steering. It's all right in war perhaps."
"Yes," said Sam. "We have a higher standard of honor than civilians. I'll go and see the general about it now."
After some consultation the general approved the plan and authorized Sam to carry it out. The latter set Keene to work at once at forging a letter from Baluna acknowledging receipt of the orders for reenforcements and informing Gomaldo that he was sending him the first company of one hundred troops. Meanwhile he selected three officers of the Regular Army to accompany him besides Keene, and through the latter approached three native officers who had been captured at San Diego. One of these was a close confidential friend of Gomaldo's, but Keene succeeded after much persuasion in winning them all over. It was an easier task to make up a company of native privates, who readily followed their officers when a small payment on account had been given to each man.
"I don't quite like the job," Sam confessed to Cleary, "but the general says it's all right and so it must be."