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 will send men with them to make sure that they do not go to the river. If any attempt be made to send the cases away in small lots, so as to split your detachment, you will then signal the camp with the rockets that you have brought with you." "Very good, sir." "Pitch camp at once, and maintain watch over that barn day and night." "Very good, sir." An ominous growl ascended from the Mexicans, who had overheard. But, with a quiet smile at his lieutenant, Captain Foster walked away, remarking: "They have guns enough there, Mr. Overton, but we've spiked 'em." "But I suppose, sir, that the Mexicans may have other rifles at other points not so far from here." "That we shall learn, Mr. Overton, as soon as we can. We shall also watch the river." Captain Foster and his lieutenant then returned to camp for a brief period of rest. Both were well satisfied with the early forenoon's work. There was, however, as Foster guessed, other and grimmer work yet ahead of the military. CHAPTER XII THE STEP OF THE STEALTHY ONE By noon the soldiers at camp found themselves well rested. Nearly all of them had had some hours of sleep. The midday dinner was served, the officers eating at the same time, though sitting apart from their men. As they finished, Captain Foster said: "Overton, I shall leave you in command of the camp this afternoon. I shall take Terry with me on a tramp through some of this surrounding country. I want to locate other contraband guns or cartridges, if I can. Except for necessary duties let the men rest. While we are on this duty most of the work will be done at night. Sleep a part of the afternoon yourself; one of the non-commissioned officers can look after the camp, and call you at need." His sole sleep lately having been for an hour the night before, Lieutenant Hal needed no urging to seek a cot in the wall-tent set apart for the use of the officers. "When will you sleep, sir?" Noll ventured to ask. "When I have time," replied Captain Foster, stifling a yawn and smiling. "This will not be the first time that I have worked for forty hours without sleep." But the afternoon prowl revealed no more rifles. There was another surprise. At Agua Dulce were fourteen boats belonging to private owners--all the craft at the village water front. Five of the boats were owned by Mexicans. Somewhat disappointed, Captain Foster and Lieutenant Noll returned to camp. At the evening meal, just before dark, Captain Foster remarked: