The men grinned. They enjoyed the humor of the situation. Francisco, with a bow of mock deference, furnished the required light from his own cigarette.
Chesty climbed into the launch, took a seat facing Francisco and remarked: "Fine day, señors."
"Good to fly in air," nodded one of the men, with a laugh and a glance skyward.
"Oh; did you see the machine fly? Pretty sight, wasn't it? And you boys saw it for nothing. In the United States we charge fifty cents to tickle the vision like that."
Francisco looked at him, meditating.
"Where they go?" he asked.
"To Mexico, to ask President Madero for a battleship."
The men exchanged significant glances.
"For why, señor?" inquired one of them.
"To come and get Ramon Ganza and clap him in prison. Perhaps hang him to one of those banana trees, on the bluff up there."