night
patrol of the river bank. A nerve-trying vigil. "Halt! Who
goes there?" A stealthy step. Lieutenant Hal in the toils.

CHAPTER XIII--HALL SEES HIS REPUTATION BLASTED 139

Bound hand and foot. A disheartening discovery. A knife at
his throat. Sentries in a fix. Greasers gloat and threaten.
A Mexican boot in Hal's face. Moving day on the border.
"It's our night to laugh." Rejoicing on the Rio Grande.

CHAPTER XIV--WHEN THE TABLES WERE TURNED 149

A thrill of joy. Unarmed but free. Lieutenant Overton
plans his next move. Only a fighting chance. Crafty as an
Indian. The enemy's plans revealed. "Lift that hawser and
I'll shoot you!"

CHAPTER XV--LIEUTENANT OVERTON IN A QUANDARY 160

In command of a river tug. The skipper learns a lesson. A
duty well done. "A very bad business." Prisoners taken to
camp. "Do you begin to see a light, Mr. Overton?" A
suspicious craft sighted.

CHAPTER XVI--ORDERS THAT WERE DISOBEYED 170

Hal takes a long chance. The race on the river. Beaten by
the stranger. Lieutenant Overton has misgivings. Discipline
the soldier's greatest asset. The return to shore. "Now I'm
in for it."

CHAPTER XVII--A BREACH OF ORDERS 175

Overton meets his first rebuke. "Your defence is a manly
one." A message that was never delivered. Old friends
surprise Hal. Lieutenants Prescott and Holmes share the
tug's hospitality. Dave Darrin joins the happy family. "Real
doings" promised.

CHAPTER XVIII--AN ACT OF PIRACY 189

The cruise of the "Restless." "A real fighting bunch."
Ensign Darrin at the wheel. "Look sharp there!" A suspicious
craft sighted. The pursued motor boat refuses to lay to. The
"Restless" swept by a volley of rifle shots. The battle is
on.

CHAPTER XIX--THE BRIBE OF A TRAITOR 198

"Fire!" commands Lieutenant Hal Overton. A woman's shriek.
"Fix bayonets!" The stranger boarded. Mexicans ordered to
surrender. A young woman on board. Contraband discovered in
the hold. "We can fix it all with money."

CHAPTER XX--AN OFFICER AND HIS HONOR 207

A bribe hurled into the offender's face. "I'll pitchfork
that honor of your