n your trying to finish the race, sir?"
hinted the mate.

"We'll keep it up to the end."

"Right to the Mexican shore?"

"If we have to," rejoined Hal. "We may at least overhaul that boat
before it has all its cargo ashore."

"But you can't perform police duty on Mexican territory," urged the
mate.

"True," replied Hal, biting his lip, for in his haste and eagerness he
had overlooked that point of law.

"Besides," continued the mate, "you might butt right into a lot of
assorted trouble. There may be a big force of Mexican rebels on hand to
receive the arms. As they're already outlaws against their own
government they would not hesitate about shooting into a small force of
United States soldiers."

"My men are not cowards," uttered Hal. "They can shoot back, and
straight enough, too."

"But you might be wiped out just the same, and, with you, the crew, who
are not interested in such a fight."

"Nothing would stop me," retorted Hal, "if I had the legal right to
pursue to the Mexican shore and make such a seizure there. But it's
pretty clear to me that I have no such right, and that I'd only get into
trouble with my own government, though really doing the government of
Mexico a big favor."

"Then shall I put about, sir?" asked the mate.

"Not until you get the order plainly," Lieutenant Overton returned
dryly. "I've heard of such things as gasoline boats breaking down. The
boat we're after may have that kind of luck before she gets out of
United States jurisdiction."

No such fortune for the young soldier happened, however. The gasoline
boat, still followed by the rays of light from the tug, entered a cove
on the Mexican side. Hal turned the light full on some moving objects on
the bank of the cove. A score of figures were dancing there, and
shouting derisively at the out-distanced American tug. From where he
stood forward Hal could make out other men hurriedly lifting cases to
the shore.

"You got the best of us, for once, you brown-faced men," Hal laughed.
"Head about, mate. We can do no good here. Do you recognize that motor
boat yet?"

"I do not, of course, and I note that her name has been removed from
under the stern."

Having turned about the mate headed back for the village of Agua Dulce.

Just as the tug was making in at the village pier, Hal descried the
figure of Captain Foster just stepping on to the pier.

"My captain won't keep me guessing long, if he's really displeased,"
reflected H