youngster's" hand.

"Fine work, Mr. Overton!" commended the captain heartily.

"It came near being very bad work, sir."

"So I've gained from what Simms has told me on the way down here. But
you showed the real commander, Mr. Overton, in your ability to extricate
yourself from a bad mess and turn it into victory."

Captain Foster had brought with him a sergeant and ten men. There were
now enough soldiers to post so that there need be no fear of any of the
prisoners being able to escape.

"Sergeant, have two of the cases brought ashore," directed Captain
Foster. "And open them."

Some of the cases were on the deck forward. Others had been dropped into
a small hold forward.

The cases opened proved to contain rifles, ten to a case. Some smaller
boxes from the hold were found to hold cartridges to fit the rifles.

"A very bad business for you, Boggs," remarked Captain Foster.

"Why is it?" demanded Boggs gruffly.

"You were going to smuggle these arms and supplies into Mexico, across
the river."

"Where's your proof?" demanded the tug's master cunningly.

"Our Mexican prisoners are proof enough," replied the Army captain, with
a shrug of his shoulders. "That and some of the other wild doings of
to-night. Captain Boggs, you will prepare to accompany us back to camp."

"Why?"

"Because you're a prisoner, charged with conspiring to break the laws of
the United States."

"But who'll look after my boat?" demanded Boggs.

"She'll be under guard of a squad of my men, and your mate, deckhands
and engine-room force will be enough to give the boat any care she
really needs. Mr. Overton, march the Mexicans out of the cabin under
guard."

Hal promptly obeyed. Guarez and his companions appeared to be furious,
and contended loudly that their rights were being infringed.

"That's all a matter for higher government authorities to settle,"
responded Captain Foster, with a shrug of his shoulders. "I cautioned
you this morning, Guarez, against any enterprise of this sort, and you
did not see fit to give my suggestion any consideration. You must now
take the consequences. Sergeant Raney, take six men and escort the
prisoners to camp. My compliments to Lieutenant Terry, and he is
directed to take all precautions that the prisoners do not escape."

"Very good, sir."

After the escort had left with the prisoners Hal saluted his superior
officer, asking:

"Sir, shall I re-post the sentries who were noosed and taken away