Contents

Chapter
I. ["A Grand Opportunity."]
II. [A Suspicious Craft.]
III. [The Young Exile.]
IV. [Put in Irons.]
V. [Escape from the Libertador.]
VI. [A Swim for Life.]
VII. [Taken Ashore.]
VIII. [Jaguar Claws.]
IX. [The Mystery of the Photograph.]
X. ["We have been Betrayed!"]
XI. [A Perilous Flight.]
XII. [A Lonely Ride.]
XIII. [In the Enemy's Country.]
XIV. [Indian Warfare.]
XV. [A Friendly Voice.]
XVI. [Colonel Marchand.]
XVII. [A Cunning Ruse.]
XVIII. [Ronie Receives a Commission.]
XIX. [The Scout in the Jungle.]
XX. [Adventures and Surprises.]
XXI. ["The Mountain Lion."]
XXII. [A Fight with the Guerillas.]
XXIII. [The News at La Guayra.]
XXIV. [Interview with General Castro.]
XXV. [The Spy of Caracas.]
XXVI. ["It is Manuel Marlin!"]
XXVII. [Good News.]
XXVIII. [Victory and Peace.]

WHERE DUTY CALLED.

CHAPTER I.

"A GRAND OPPORTUNITY."

"Hurrah, boys! here is a letter from home. At least, it is from the homeland, as it is postmarked New York. Who can be writing us from that city?" and the youthful speaker, in his exuberance of feeling, waved the missive over his head, while he began to dance a lively step.

"I know of no better way to find out than to open it, Harrie, or let one of us do it for you; you seem suddenly to have lost your faculty for doing anything rational yourself. Hand it to Jack if you do not want to trust me with it."

"Your very words, to say nothing of your impatient gestures, Ronie, show that you are not one whit less excited than I am over receiving some news from the great world outside of this lost corner," replied the first speaker, beginning to tear open the end of the bulky envelope he held in his hand.

"There must be a lot of news, judging by the size of the package," said the second, approaching so he could look over the shoulder of his companion while he tore open the covering.