The picture had to do with the perils and triumphs of an American youth in a banana republic. The hero of the picture had been nobody in particular in the United States, but he was an American, and when he arrived in the capital of the southern country he promptly took the center of the stage by right of birth. He had failed in business in the United States, but down there he seized hold of affairs--economic, social, political--with amazing verve and ability. In due course, he married the beautiful daughter of the dictator, and arranged to take over the country in bulk--but we have only to do with the episode wherein he was rescued from man-eating land-crabs by a detail of U. S. Marines. [Illustration] "Yea-a!" exhaled Paul with delight and relief when the forefront of the gallant Marines appeared on the jungle trail, spurring to the rescue with excellent horsemanship. "You're hurting my hand," said Molly. "They do look fine, don't they? I just love soldiers!" "Good old leathernecks," sighed Paul. "I tell you what, Molly, it takes us Americans to show those people where they get off!" "It certainly does," said Molly. "I bet you could get to be a dictator of one of those countries, too, Paul." "Well," said Paul slowly, "seeing that I am an American, I guess I would have the bulge on them all right." "Some of those South Americans look awfully mean. You would have to watch out for them, Paul. That was a machine-gun that he killed Don Henriquez' army with, wasn't it? How does a machine-gun work, Paul?" "Well, it is quite a complicated mechanism. I do not think I could explain it to you so you would understand." "Did you ever see one?" "Not so as to examine it. Not real close. But I learn quickly about firearms. I had a pistol once, and my mother took it off me, or I bet I would be a dead shot by now." "You would look grand in a uniform, Paul. I always say a real tall man looks grand in a uniform!" "Not so poor, I guess." "Listen, Paul, Pete Forest's regiment in the National Guard has got a smoker on for next Saturday night, and Pete told me he has to bring along an outsider. So I promised him you would go with him. I told him you would carry the flag for them, and he said he would speak to the color-sergeant about it, but meanwhile for you to come around." "You might have asked me first." "But I knew you'd enjoy it. It's just camping out, Paul, and that's fun. Pete Forest says you'll have the time of your life, being that you are fond of walking; and if you get tired or hungry, you can tell the complaint-sergeant and he will see about it. You'll go, won't you?" "Oh, I suppose so!" VII "Mr. Manley," said the office-girl. "Show him in," said Mr. Beaks, glancing at the calendar which showed a date in May, 1922.