"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.
"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.