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24 and took aim at the man. But before he could discharge the weapon, Ben reached under his arm and snatched it from his grasp.

"Bah! Americano!" ejaculated the sharpshooter, as he swung around and faced the young captain. Then he leaped forward to regain his rifle, but Ben struck him over the head with the stock, and he staggered back half dazed. In a moment more the American had him covered with a pistol.

"Hush!" he said warningly, and added in broken Spanish: "No noise, or I fire!"

"Pig!" growled the sharpshooter. "Pig! Give me back my Mauser!"

"Hush, I tell you, if you value your life."

The Tagal now understood and became silent, although he looked angry enough to annihilate the young officer who had thus got the better of him.

It must be confessed that Ben did not know what to do next. One object of his scouting had already been accomplished,—to find out if the enemy really had sharpshooters in the neighborhood,—and his main desire now was to get back to the American lines with Gilmore and without further trouble.

"Captain, who is that?" asked the lieutenant, feebly.