tle force of six awaited the arrival of the other
party. In half an hour they came up, panting, their horses having been
left behind as not being adapted to mountain work. When they stepped
out on a little plateau they found themselves looking into the muzzles
of six automatic revolvers, held in the hands of the civil service men
and Nestor.

"You are Don Miguel?" asked the lieutenant of a tall, well-dressed man
who was in the lead.

"What is the meaning of this outrage?" demanded the man addressed. "We
are citizens of Mexico, going about our legitimate business."

"You are mistaken," replied the lieutenant, grimly. "You three,"
indicating Don Miguel, Felix and Scoby, "are citizens of the United
States. We are in the secret service of your government, and place you
under arrest for treason and robbery. Take their weapons, Charley," he
added, addressing one of his men, "and if one of the soldiers lifts a
hand, shoot."

The weapons were quickly surrendered, the soldiers standing aside with
fright in their faces. Then Lieutenant Gordon and Nestor held a short
but earnest conversation with Don Miguel, at the termination of which
the latter ordered his soldiers back to the valley, "to await the
execution of plans now proposed," as he said.

"It is an outrage," Don Miguel complained, as the soldiers disappeared,
"and my government shall hear of it. You shall all suffer for what you
are doing."

"You are a naturalized citizen of the United States," the lieutenant
repeated, "and you are under arrest for treason. The others are held
for attempted murder and robbery. Now, this being understood, we may
as well proceed to camp."

The night watchman and the Mexican also made vigorous protests against
their arrest, but no attention was paid to them. Nestor was at that
time too anxious over Fremont's disappearance to halt for a lengthy
explanation.

CHAPTER XII.

WOLF AND PANTHER AFTER BEAR.

When the rocket flared across the sky Jimmie rushed into the tent where
the drummer was sleeping and shook him savagely.

"Get up an' blow out the gas!" he cried, as the boy gasped and sat up,
rubbing his eyes. "Get up!"

"This must be the Fourth of July," the drummer grunted, as another
rocket, this time a blue one, flashed across the zenith. "What's doing?"

"They're bombardin' us with red an' blue fire," whispered Jimmie! "Get
up. I'm goin' out to see what's comin' off here. Want to go?"

"Of course I wan