Page:The Road to Monterey (1925).pdf/309

 "But how?" Felipe inquired, full of perplexity and doubt. "One little cannon, not more than twelve rounds of ammunition, and two men!"

"One little cannon can knock down a man's house," Henderson said.

Felipe looked at him, the light of understanding spreading in his black-whiskered face.

"It is a fine scheme!" he applauded. "In that case one little cannon can make a very good argument."

"We'll be equal to an army of five hundred men."

"Ten thousand, five hundred men!" Felipe declared fervently. "Soldier," addressing the artilleryman in his native tongue, "do you fight with us?"

"With pleasure, brave colonel," the man replied.

"About, then, and forward!" Felipe commanded.