Not much time was required in the counting. Two thousand dollars was restored to the bag. The balance, sixty dollars, Hal stowed away in his own pockets. “My own money,” he announced. “Ramirez, how can I ever thank you for all your honesty and goodness?” “Since your people have been our friends for three years,” came the reply, “it is enough for me to know that I have served an American. And now I must take my leave of this vessel.” “I also,” replied Hal, rising. “You?” echoed Ramirez, amazed, while Captain Blodgett looked gravely on. “Certainly,” rejoined Hal; “I am going with you.” “With me, senor? Where, may I ask?” “To the long grass, if you will take me.” “You? Santa Maria! Do you mean, senor, that----” He paused, utterly bewildered, but Hal Maynard finished, quickly: “Ramirez, I saw a man when I met you. I am anxious to prove my own manhood. I offer myself as a recruit to fight Spain!” CHAPTER VII. THE TEMPTATION OF PEDRO. Had a bombshell exploded near the Cuban, he could not have been more excited. “You a recruit?” he gasped. “Why not?” laughed Hal. “Am I not healthy enough, or do you fear that I would run at the first fire?” “Senor, you would be a valuable recruit, but you are not a Cuban.” “Is that a disqualification?” “But this rebellion is not your affair, senor. You belong to a free people, and have no need to fight for Cuba.” “There are already many Americans who take a different view. With Maximo Gomez and Calixta Garcia there are scores, if not hundreds, of American citizens. I have not heard that they make poor soldiers. Ramirez, I owe my life to you. You are a Cuban. Therefore, I owe my life to Cuba. I have no family ties; no obligation except to my employer. Captain Blodgett has undertaken to deliver the money to him. There is nothing to hold me back. You have remained in Havana because you did not have the twenty-five dollars with which to buy a gun. I have enough to buy two. Will you take me to the insurgents, or will you go alone?” Ramirez still hesitated for a moment; next he darted forward seizing Hal’s hand. “Senor, if you are in earnest, I will show you the way.” “It is settled, then,” was all Hal Maynard said. “Oh, this is glorious!” cried Ramirez, his eyes becoming misty. “At last I am to be able to join the Cuban army. More than that, I shall take a comrade with me.” “Here is all the money I have in the world,” added Hal, turning his funds over to Juan. “Henceforth, it belongs to Cuba.” “Let us lose not a moment’s time,” urged Ramirez, his eyes dancing with delight. “Senor, I am afraid to move, for fear I shall wake up and find it all a dream. I cannot delay for a second.” “Nevertheless,” broke in Captain Blodgett, “I hope you will dally here for a little while. Young men, you are starting into an island where starvation reigns. Let me offer you a square meal--the last, perhaps, that you will get for weeks to come.”