For the men in the other room now knew that there were more than these four seamen at hand. As soon as he heard voices inside Riley had cleverly caused his men to walk about the house with heavy tread, and the Mexicans believed themselves to be outnumbered.
"Is it true that there are American sailors below?" called a man's husky voice.
"A detachment from the United States Navy, sir," Dave replied, gleefully. "Are you Mr. Carmody?"
"Yes, yes!"
"Then bring down your party. We have force enough to resist any attempt to hold you, and if any harm is offered you, we shall avenge it. Shall I come upstairs for you, Mr. Carmody?"
"If you don't mind," answered the voice of the man above. "There are two guards up here who seem undecided whether to shoot us or to let us pass."
Instantly Ensign Darrin ran to the stairs, mounting them. Yet he was careful to take no chance of being surprised in the dark, for he well understood the treachery of the natives with whom he had to deal.
However, Darrin reached the landing unattacked. Down the hallway he saw an open door, through which a dim light shone. Before the door were two Mexicans, each armed with a rifle.
"You will permit the American party to pass," Dave commanded, bluntly, in the best Spanish that he had learned at Annapolis.
One of the sentries again called out loudly, demanding instructions from below.