"No; quite true. I can see him from here, and a very surly fellow he looks. I wonder the officer doesn't give us some one with a more amiable face. However, that's outside the argument. Now, supposing we had disposed of this fellow, the question is, what to do next." "But we haven't disposed of him!" "Just so; but we ought to be prepared in case he is withdrawn, or anything of that sort, you know. However, if you won't follow my advice, it's no use giving it. It's simply folly to go on talking." "I felt convinced you would say something sensible before you had finished," laughed one of the youngsters gaily. Alzura laughed too, and gave the fellow a playful tap on the head, for he loved a joke whoever chanced to be the victim. That same evening he told us of a fresh plan--for Alzura was as full of plans as an egg is of meat--and before he came to the end, we were laughing so uproariously that the sentry ordered us to make less noise. "I daresay you fellows have wasted the day as usual," he began; "that is the worst of having some one to do your thinking for you. I really wish you wouldn't depend so much on me." "That's the penalty of being so clever, my boy. The world always overworks its greatest men. It's quite reasonable, after all." "But it's hard on me, nevertheless," observed Alzura; "though I suppose one ought not to complain of being a genius. Well, I've been working my brains all day--" "Your what?" "Oh, shut up, and let me speak! I've hit on a lovely plan: it will work like a machine; it can't possibly fail. We have been on the wrong tack, trying to meet force with force. What we want is craft. Do you follow me, boys?" "Yes, yes; go on! Let's hear the lovely plan." "When you do hear it, you will wonder why no one thought of it before. It is simple beyond belief, almost." "A true mark of genius, Alzura. But we're waiting to hear this infallible plan." "Well, look here. Just study that sentry's face a minute. Who is he like? Don't know? Why, isn't he just like our friend Crawford?" The little group laughed with delight, while I said reproachfully, "Oh, come, Alzura!" "Not so much the face, dear boy," said he, "but the figure. He's just your height and build; you will admit that. And his clothes will fit you, Juan. Now, do you see?" I confessed to being still in a fog, so he continued his explanations. "This is the idea," said he. "You and Barriero--Barriero is wonderfully strong--stroll down to him presently. Pretend you want to ask him a question. That will put him off his guard. What happens? You spring on him suddenly, clap a rag in his mouth, and with our help hold him so that he cannot struggle. Then you exchange clothes and stand on guard. When the relief comes you march away. Understand?" "Nothing could be simpler," I murmured, while we were all nearly choking with suppressed laughter.