CHAPTER VIII--NEW LIEUTENANTS LOOK AND LISTEN 91 "Feathers" tells his life history. Algy reads brother officers a lecture. "We do not smoke yet." The start to meet their captains. The new life in the Army begins. CHAPTER IX--THE SUMMONS TO DUTY 100 The new officers get their assignments. An invitation to Mrs. Overton. The Mexican situation threatens. Frontier duty promised. Young lieutenants perform their duties with snap and precision. "The Mexican border trouble has broken out!" CHAPTER X--ON ACTIVE SERVICE 111 Overton and Terry keenly alert to their work. "Quick work." Platoons march. The camp at Agua Dulce. On a ticklish mission. On the trail of the hidden rifles. The Greasers are ugly. CHAPTER XI--LIEUTENANT HAL GUARDS THE ENTRANCE 120 "Keep them from closing that door!" Mexicans assume a threatening attitude. "Back, all of you!" Lieutenant Overton draws his sword. His life hangs on a thread. Greasers cowed by his nerve. Grimmer work ahead. CHAPTER XII--IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY 131 A much-needed rest. Assigned to an important post. The 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