the status quo. The second man was bound in a
similar fashion just as he was reviving, and he, too, was content to
yield to like threats. Obed drew a loaded pistol from the first man's
belt and handed it, too, to Ned. He also looked rather contemptuously at
the musket that the guard by the door had dropped.

"A cheap weapon," he said. "A poor substitute for our American rifle,
but we'll take it along, Ned. We may need it. You gather their
ammunition while I stand handy with this pistol in case they should
burst their bonds."

Ned searched the men, taking all their ammunition, their knives and also
the key to the door. Then he and Obed divested the two of their outer
clothing and put it upon themselves. Fortunately both soldiers had worn
their hats and they pulled them down over their own faces.

"If we don't come into too bright a light, Ned," said White, "you'll
pass easily for a Mexican. Mexican plumage makes a Mexican bird. Now how
do I look?"

"I could take you for Santa Anna himself," said Ned, elated at their
success.

"That promises well. There's another advantage. You speak Spanish and so
do I."

"It's lucky that we do."

"And now," said Obed White to the two Mexicans, "we will leave you to
the hospitality of Cos and Santa Anna, which my young friend and I have
enjoyed so long. We feel that it is time for you to share in it. We're
going to lock you in this cell, where you can hear the sea rolling over
your head, but you will not stay here forever. It's a long lane that
does not come somewhere to a happy ending, and your comrades will find
you by to-morrow. Farewell."

He went into the hall and they locked the door. They listened beside it
a little while but no sound came from within.

"They dare not cry out," said Obed. "They're afraid we'll come back. Now
for the second step in our escape. It's pretty dark here. Those fellows
must have known the way mighty well to have come down as they did
without a lantern."

"There are other prisoners in these cells," said Ned. "Shouldn't we
release them? You can probably open any of the doors with your key."

White shook his head.

"I'm sure that we're the only Texans or Americans in San Juan de Ulua,
and we couldn't afford to be wasting time on Mexicans whether
revolutionaries or criminals. There would merely be a tumult with every
one of us sure to be recaptured."

The two now advanced down the passage, which was low and narrow, walled
in with massive s