"Oh, come along!" Frank exclaimed. "The boys may be in need of good advice and exclusive society! We'll go and see."
"Well," Sandy put in, "this ain't no case for the bulls. You've got to get to them without makin' any show of fight. You'd be eat up in this town with them few soldiers."
"What do you propose?"
"Why, we'll go to the American consul an' get him out."
"You seem to be almost human in your intelligence," Jack cried. "Let go your anchor and heave ahead!"
"We'll have to make good time," said Sandy. "Can you run?"
"We're the original record-breakers when it comes to working our legs!" Jack said, and the three, after moving quietly through the lighted circle, so as not to attract the attention of the guard, broke into a run which fast lessened the distance between the camp and the telegraph office. At the end of half a mile Sandy drew up against a mud wall. The rain was still falling, and the boys were soaked to the skin and shivering with cold, notwithstanding their exertions.
"I'm winded," Sandy explained, panting.
"I'm frozen stiff," Jack declared.
"I'm wet enough to swim home," Frank put in.