his barn for the
present," directed Hal's company commander. "Come, Guarez, if you wish."

The Mexican hesitated, for an instant. But he saw Captain Foster walk
toward the haymow.

"Come on, my friends!" cried Guarez. "You, too, shall see what this
too-officious soldier dares to do here!"

He spoke in Spanish, but Captain Foster understood, and so did Hal
Overton. Instantly there was an excited rush on the part of the Mexican
loungers outside, who tried to crowd past Hal.

"Back, all of you!" ordered the young lieutenant. He spoke in English,
accompanying his order with a gesture that any man might understand.

But the Mexicans pressed against him, scowling and shaking their heads
as though to imply that they did not understand.

"Get back, every one of you," insisted Lieutenant Hal. "You know well
enough what I am telling you."

However, the Mexicans at the rear of the compact little crowd pushed
against those in front. The Army boy was in danger of being pushed off
his feet.

In an instant Hal's right hand flew to the hilt of his sword. He spoke
no word, now, but his face was white, his lips set and stern. The gleam
in his eyes boded no good to the men in front of him.

Swish! The sword leaped from its scabbard, its keen blade gleaming in
the air as Lieutenant Hal made a swift cut about him. The steel struck
no one, for the rabble drew back swiftly. Some thirty pairs of eyes
flashed hatred at the Army boy.

"Now, _keep_ your distance," warned the Army boy, coolly returning his
sword to its scabbard.

"Surely we can draw some steel of our own, friends," muttered one of the
Mexicans. "If this soldier boy resists us again, or places his hand to
his sword, let every man among us draw his own steel and rush in over
his body!"

Hal heard and comprehended, perfectly, but his orders had been not to
let the Mexicans see that he understood their talk. So he stood there,
smiling coolly.

"Peace, friends, for a moment," broke in another Mexican, speaking in
Spanish. "Then, if this young _soldado_ does not yield, it will be time
to rush over him. If we finish him, no one can afterwards swear whose
knife did the deed. After that the same thrust for his captain."

Again Hal Overton comprehended, but he glanced, in cool inquiry, at the
speaker as that fellow stepped forward.

"See here, soldier," began the Mexican, speaking fluently in English,
"Don Pedro has invited us into this barn. You have no lawful right to