From Tom Bodine, the guard at the radio plant, with whom
he had had many conversations during the past two months about
conditions on the border, he had learned that adventurous young
Americans fought frequently on one side or another in the Mexican
revolutions.
"I can speak Spanish pretty well, too," Jack pointed out. "And Bob
and Frank have a smattering of the language, which they picked up from
me."
It was true. Two years before Jack had spent his summer vacation in
Peru where his father was engaged at the time in inspecting mining
properties. Jack had learned considerable Spanish during his stay and
on his return home had continued his studies of the language.
Moreover, he had aroused the interest of his chums to such an extent
that they also had begun to study Spanish. Often, when by themselves,
the three boys spoke to each other in the language. Spanish, by the
way, is the easiest of all foreign tongues to learn, as, unlike French
and Italian, all letters are sounded, and the grammar is very simple.
Mr. Temple was not to accompany the boys because, in the first place,
his age and distinguished appearance would arouse suspicion. Young
fellows riding in to enlist in the rebel forces was something that
could be understood.
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