“Really, fellows, I’m almost too tired to notice anything,” remarked Don frankly.
“For a tenderfoot, you’re a wonder, Don,” said Carl Alvin. “Eh, Jack?”
“Yes, sir, an’ that there word doesn’t seem strong enough to suit his case either,” grinned Stovall.
Don, his perspiring face streaked with dust, smiled his acknowledgments. He really was a mighty tired lad, and shooting pains and various aches began to run through his frame with decided force. Ten minutes later, however, these discomforts were partially forgotten, for around a bend of the river they suddenly came in sight of a great number of white tents pitched in regular rows amid a grassy, bowl-shaped valley.
“Hello!” he exclaimed.
“An encampment of United States soldiers guarding the border!” explained Joe Kane.
“Mighty interesting,” commented Dave.
“I should say so,” said Sam. “It also seems to remind us of the fact that the relations between our country and its sister Republic across the Rio may become a bit more strained at any moment. Whoa, boy! whoa!”
Boys and Rangers halted, while Sam drew his field-glass from its case.
“Those are the lads that’ll keep the Mexicans on the side they belong,” remarked Roy Cooper.