“What’ll we do tonight?” asked Jack, as the dinner neared conclusion.
“How about seeing the sights?” proposed Captain Cornell, who apparently considered himself in the light of guide to the party.
“Of Laredo?” asked Jack. “Not much to see, I guess, is there?”
“No. Of Mex town—of Nueva Laredo across the line.”
“What is there to see?”
“Oh,” said Captain Cornell, “for one thing, a sight that has vanished from our own country—the open saloon. I gather that we are all teetotalers, but that needn’t bother us. An occasional bottle of ginger ale will be our passport. Then, too, we can toss a little change to the dance hall girls for putting on their turns. And we can take a look at the gambling—take a whirl, too, if you desire. I remember once dropping a quarter in one of those machines and turning up a full house on the cards. Paid me five dollars,” he concluded reminiscently.
“Golly,” said Jack, eyes shining, “sounds like the Old West—just like the days of ’49 in California.”
“Yes, it is like the Old West—but with a difference,” said Mr. Hampton. “The dance halls, saloons and gambling houses of the Old West were operated for the recreation of a stern and hardy breed of men. Those of Nueva Laredo, like those of Juarez, Mexicali and Tia Juana, however, are operated mainly for the American tourists who roll across the Line in their motor cars. I’ll tell you,” he added, “I’ve gone slumming so often that I don’t care about it. But you boys may as well see what things are like, and if Captain Cornell consents to pilot you I don’t see why Temple and I shouldn’t be permitted to stay here and take things easy.”
Mr. Temple nodded, a look of relief in his eyes.
“I’ll tell you, George,” he said, confidentially, “Bob and Frank have been a trial to me. If I can get away from them for awhile, I have no objection to letting Captain Cornell assume the responsibility.”