"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.