Simms's wrists were free. Slowly, the soldier tried to repay his officer. Then Hal's wrists were free; then his elbows. Two of the prisoners were now free, though they were careful not to move their arms in the least. Yet how much had been gained? Two men there were who might leap up and fight for their lives. But they were unarmed, while the alert Mexicans had revolvers in their hands and dirks within instant reach. Had either Hal or his man been able to roll over completely, one more comrade's knots would then be within reach. Yet, in rolling, either lieutenant or private would surely betray to the guards the fact that the cords were loosed from his arms. Nor could there be much doubt as to what the two desperate Mexicans would do in the face of any attempt at escape. Hal lay there deliberating, trying to plan some move that would carry with it a reasonable prospect of victory. Simms, fearing to spoil any of his officer's plans, kept wholly silent, though alert for any signal. "It's only the slimmest kind of a fighting chance yet!" muttered Hal. He would have been despondent, but his soldier's training had taught him that no situation is hopeless as long as life lasts. Then craft, slowly, but insinuatingly, entered the young lieutenant's head. "Confound you Mexicans," he growled aloud, "this is a bigger night for you than I had thought." "What mean you?" demanded the guard who spoke English. "I thought but one wagon train of your supplies would go to the water front this night." "Eh?" "And now, with my ear to the ground, I hear another lot of wagons in the distance, headed this way." The guard looked non-plussed. He stood erect, listening. Then he spoke in Spanish to his fellow-Mexican, who, answering only with a nod, stepped further away to listen. "I could tell you something, my friend, that it would be worth your while to know," continued Hal, craftily. "What?" "Only your ear shall hear it. Bend low, if you are curious." The guard, without fear of the supposedly bound captive, stepped closer, bending over the young Army officer. With a quick turn and a leap Hal Overton was up and at the throat of his captor. Taken so utterly by surprise the Mexican strove to leap back. But Hal had grappled with him and wrenched the revolver away. The Mexican reached for his handy knife. It was no time for niceties. Hal dealt the fellow a swift blow on top of his head with the butt of the revolver. Mr. Mexican crumpled and lay where he had stood. But the other Mexican was closing in now. "Get your hands up as high as you can, fellow!" ordered Hal. Just in the nick of time he remembered Captain Foster's instructions, and spoke in English instead of Spanish. But his gesture was eloquent enough for no words to be needed. The second Mexican showed no cowardice, yet in this threatened battle at close quarters he dropped his revolver for the more trusted knife.