I will take the other four men with me." Swiftly Darrin led his little squad around to the rear of the house, since the front was closed and dark.
A doorway stood open, showing a room lighted by two candles that stood on a table.

Around the table were seven men, eating and drinking.

Plainly they had not heard the brief scuffle at the front.
With a nod to his four men Darrin led the way inside.

Instantly the seven men were on their feet, staring wildly at the intruders.
One man started for a stack of rifles that stood in a corner, but Ensign Darrin hurled him back.
"Don't let any man reach for a gun, or draw any sort of weapon," Darrin ordered, quickly.
Then to the Mexicans, in Spanish, Dave shouted: "Stand where you are, and no harm will be done to you.

We have not come here to molest you, but you hold Americans prisoners here, and we mean to take them away with us." "No, no," answered one of the Mexicans, smilingly, "you are mistaken.
We have no prisoners here." Dave's heart sank within him for one brief moment.