Page:Lost with Lieutenant Pike (1919).djvu/294

 command to the soldiers; they relaxed, at ease—some dismounted, to stretch their legs; he and the other officer followed Lieutenant Pike to the stockade.

"No fight, hey?" uttered Alex Roy.

"But no surrender, either, you can bet," grunted Freegift. "The cap'n likely has something up his sleeve."

The lieutenant entered, through the hole; the two Spanish officers crawled in after—and an odd sight they made as they straightened up, to stare about them curiously. It was plain that they were much astonished by the completeness of the trap.

The lieutenant led the two officers to his brush shelter. Stub heard his own name called—the lieutenant beckoned to him. So he jumped down and went over.

"These two gentlemen of the Spanish army of New Mexico are to be my guests at breakfast, boy," said the lieutenant. "I wish you to serve us. Bring out the best we have. The provisions given me by the Indian we met can now be put to good use."

It was fortunate indeed that the lieutenant had saved the meal, goose and pieces of bread particularly. They were a treat—although doubtless the Spanish soldiers were used to even that fare. At any rate, most of the stuff soon disappeared, washed down by water, after the table had been set, so to speak.