The man with the tray heard the noise behind him and turned.  Ned sprang like a panther.  All the force and energy that he had been concentrating so long were in the leap.  The soldier went down as if he had been struck by a cannon ball and his tray and dishes rattled upon him.  But he was a wiry fellow and grasping his assailant he struggled fiercely.

“Now stop, my good fellow.  Just lie still!  That’s the way!”

It was Obed White who spoke, and he held the muzzle of a pistol at the man’s head.  The other soldier lay stunned in the corner.  It was from his belt that Obed had snatched the pistol.

“Get up, Ned,” said White.  “The first step in our escape from the Castle of San Juan de Ulua has been taken.  Meanwhile, you lie still, my good fellow; we’re not going to hurt you.  No, you needn’t look at your comrade.  I merely compressed his windpipe rather tightly.  He’ll come to presently.  Ned, take that gay red handkerchief out of his pocket and tie his arms.  If I were going to be bound I should like for the deed to be done with just such a beautiful piece of cloth.  Meanwhile, if you cry out, my friend, I shall have to blow the top of your head off with this pistol.  It’s not likely that they would hear your cry, but they might hear my pistol shot.”

Ned bound the man rapidly and deftly.  There was no danger that he would utter a sound, while Obed White held the pistol.  Under the circumstances he was satisfied with the status quo.  The second man was bound in a similar fashion just as he was reviving, and he, too, was content to yield to like threats.  Obed drew a loaded pistol from the first man’s belt and handed it, too, to Ned.  He also looked rather contemptuously at the musket that the guard by the door had dropped.

“A cheap weapon,” he said.  “A poor substitute for our American rifle, but we’ll take it along, Ned.  We may need it.  You gather their ammunition while I stand handy with this pistol in case they should burst their bonds.”

Ned searched the men, taking all their ammunition, their knives and also the key to the door.  Then he and Obed divested the two of their outer clothing and put it upon themselves.  Fortunately both soldiers had worn their hats and they pulled them down over their own faces.

“If we don’t come into too bright a light, Ned,” said White, “you’ll pass easily for a Mexican.  Mexican plumage makes a Mexican bird.  Now how do I look?”

“I could take you for Santa Anna himself,” said Ned, elated at their success.

“That promises well.  There’s another advantage.  You speak Spanish and so do I.”

“It’s lucky that we do.”

“And now,” said Obed White to the two Mexicans, “we will leave you to the hospitality of Cos and Santa Anna, which my young friend and I have enjoyed so long.  We feel that it is time for you to share in it.  We’re going to lock you in this cell, where you can hear the sea rolling over your head, but you will not stay here forever.  It’s a long lane that does not come somewhere to a happy ending, and your comrades will find you by to-morrow.  Farewell.”