ay with a will until he had uncovered a
compact pile of small packing cases.

"Sixty," he announced, after a quick estimation. "And each case, Guarez,
contains ten rifles. Six hundred in all--enough with which to equip
quite a respectable _insurrecto_ regiment on the other side of the Rio
Grande."

"There are no rifles there, nothing with which to make war," snarled the
fellow.

"I accept your statement, with reservations," replied Foster dryly.

"Even though they were rifles, the United States law does not forbid one
to buy or sell guns," insisted the Mexican.

"No; but it does forbid your shipping them over the border," rejoined
the captain.

"But I have not attempted to ship anything over the border."

"Nor will you, Guarez. I might continue my search, and unearth other
rifles, or perhaps cartridges. But I know enough for my purpose, and I
am through here."

Captain Foster turned and left the mow, followed by the owner of the
place.

"Come, Mr. Overton," ordered the company commander, stepping to the side
of his junior officer. The assembled Mexicans followed them with
flashing eyes.

Out in the street Captain Foster espied an American cowboy in the near
distance. Shouting, the captain attracted the attention of the man, who
galloped up.

"Do you know where my men are encamped?" inquired Foster.

"Sure," nodded the cowboy.

"Will you do me the very great favor of taking a note to the officer in
command at the camp?"

"Sure," nodded the cowboy, with the same brevity.

Captain Foster hastily wrote the note, handing it to the man in saddle.

"This talk-talk paper will be at your camp in less'n five minutes,"
volunteered the horseman. "You going to remain here. Captain, for a
little while?"

"Yes."

"Then look out, or some of the Greasers will play jack-knife with you.
They're just aching for trouble, Cap."

The cowboy was gone in a cloud of dust. Captain Foster and his
lieutenant did not again attempt to enter Guarez's yard, but the older
officer whispered something that made the younger officer smile.

Some twenty minutes later Sergeant Raney, of Hal's platoon, turned the
nearest corner and marched down the street at the head of a file of
twelve soldiers.

"Sergeant," announced Captain Foster, "there are at least six hundred
rifles in that barn. I have no legal right to seize the guns while they
lie there. You will camp here and mount guard."

"If any attempt is made to move the cases you