As he went away Guarez signed to his companions, who followed him. There were now left as guards over the military prisoners two Mexicans. These were each armed with a forty-five Colt's revolver, and both appeared to be wholly alert.
"If any one among you calls for help," remarked one of the guards, "my orders are to reward you with steel."
Throwing back his coat the fellow displayed the hilt of a poniard.
"What's the use of shouting?" demanded Hal indifferently, "when my other guards are beyond reach of my voice?"
The Mexican laughed quietly, adding something in Spanish in an undertone to his companion.
"I hope you don't blame us, sir?" asked Private Simms.
"How can I censure any of you?" asked Hal bitterly, "when I was caught myself by the same easy trick?"
"Don't tell me, after this," muttered Private Simms, "that a Mexican is stupid and has no brains."
Conversation, though allowed in low tones by the two Mexican guards, soon died out among the soldiers, every one of whom felt secretly disgusted and ashamed of himself.
Twenty minutes, or more, passed before Hal, lying with one ear to the ground, heard the somewhat distant sound of moving horses. Soon after the roll of wheels came to him. Then, around a corner of the road, not far away, wagons turned and made toward the shore of the Rio Grande.