But ere he could press the trigger, there was a report from another quarter and the horse and its rider hit the dust.
A cry of astonishment went up from the quartette and then they stood silent to see what would be the next move.
They did not have long to wait, for presently a tall, gaunt figure strode out of the brambles some yards from the fallen horse and uttered a hoarse shout, upon which Ab sprang from the spot where he had fallen and ran toward the newcomer, giving vent to shrill cries as he ran.
"That must be his master," muttered Billie. "I'mglad I didn't shoot the little beggar."
"I'm more interested in the master than in the monkey," said Donald. "He is evidently not a Mexican. Who and what do you suppose he is?"
"An animal trainer from a circus," replied Adrian.
"There are no circuses in this part of the world," commented Billie.
"If he only had a hand organ instead of a gun, I could place him," laughed Donald. "What do you make out of him, Pedro?"
"It's asaltimbanco."
"What is that?"
"A man who goes about making people laugh."
"Oh!" from Adrian. "You mean a mountebank?"
"I think so."
"And this chap," ventured Billie, "isn't satisfied with making a monkey of himself, but carries a real one with him."
Pedro laughed. "That seems to be it."
"I'm sorry he killed the horse," said Donald. "We need him."
"Perhaps he didn't," suggested Adrian. "Suppose we ride over and see."
Suiting the action to the word, the boys rode out into the open, much to the newcomer's surprise and consternation.
"Señors," he exclaimed, as he came runningtoward them, "I am sorry I had to hurt your horse; but I couldn't lose my brother."
"Your what?" asked Billie.
"My brother. My little brother. Could I, Ambrosio?" and he patted the ape on the cheek.
"What do you call him?" asked Donald.
"I call him Ambrosio because he is so sweet."
"Bah!" exclaimed Billie. "I called him Ab, but he ought to be named Diabolo. But how about the horse?"
"I am afraid I have rendered him quite useless for the present, Señor. I may have broken his leg."
An examination of the fallen animal revealed the fact that while the leg was not splintered, it was so badly injured that the animal was quite useless.
"Have you far to go, Señors?" queried the mountebank.
"Only as far as the Rosario viejo for the present," answered Adrian. "After that——"
"After that," interrupted Billie, "we may not want to go anywhere."
The mountebank looked at Billie questioningly.
"That's what I mean," reiterated Billie. "We are going there to capture a band of cutthroats, but we may have a fight."
The man made a grimace, which was intended for a smile.
"I understand. Can I be of any service?"
Donald eyed him suspiciously.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"You may have noticed how I stopped the runaway,"he remarked.
"Very neatly."
"Sure," from Billie. "It was a short stop."
"I perceive that you are an American. I am also a fan."
"What!" from the three Americans.
"True. I am even worse. I formerly shot the pill in one of the bush leagues. I aspired to a place in the box of one of the major league clubs, but instead I joined the Madero revolution. I had all the sport I wanted and finding my brother in this forsaken land, I joined him as a public entertainer. Shall we give you a sample of our performance?"
"Not now," from Donald. "Let's go and round up this bunch of revolutionists first."
"But why?" queried the mountebank. "To-morrow they may be the government."
The boys looked at each other with an expression that said as plainly as words: "True! We never thought of that."
"Now, I have a better plan," continued the mountebank. "Let's go and entertain the revolutionists. Let's be neutral."
"I'm afraid we are already belligerents," laughed Adrian. "We have had one brush with them."
The mountebank heaved a sigh.
"Of course, if you have declared war, we shall have to fight to a finish, unless," with a grin, "we can intrench."
"It is they who are intrenched," explained Billie."They are at the bottom of the old mine, although I don't know how they got there."
"So," laughed the mountebank. "Suppose we go and find out."
Arrived at the shaft house, for that is what the gable-roofed building was, the boys and their new-found friend approached and listened to the sound of voices which still arose to the top of the shaft.
Evidently considering themselves free and safe, the bandits were preparing their evening meal, for it was now well on toward sunset. They were singing and joking as though they had not just lost half or two-thirds their number.
From a few remarks made now and then, it appeared that they proposed on the following day to recruit the band up to its former strength.
"That is the thing we must prevent," declared Donald.
"A very easy thing," said the mountebank, "if we had enough provisions to remain here for twenty-four hours, or more."
"How so?" asked Billie.
"Why, they will doubtless send out two or three to do the recruiting. We can capture them as they leave the ruins."
Billie glanced at the man from under his broad-rimmed sombrero as he asked: "How did you know they came out through the ruins?"
The mountebank smiled.
"Now, don't go to mistrusting me, young fellow,for I'm on the level. But I've been in this place before, and I know that the only way to where your friends down there are camping is through the ruins."
"Have you ever been down there?"
"Yes. They are only about sixty feet below the ground, in a chamber which was originally a gallery in the mine. The shaft over which this house is built is over two hundred feet deep."
"I'd like to explore it," remarked Adrian.
"Do you think you have the nerve?" and the stranger bent upon him a penetrating gaze.
Billie laughed softly.
"Say, stranger," he finally said. "I guess you never heard of the Broncho Rider Boys. We've got the nerve to do anything that any other human being dare do."
"Then we'll get rid of these bandits in short notice," declared the mountebank emphatically. "You are just the chaps I have been looking for."
He leaned over the mouth of the shaft and gave a shrill whistle.
In an instant all was silent below.
Half a minute later he repeated the whistle thrice.
There was a clatter below of arms and accoutrements.
"Over behind those big cactus with you, quick," was the next command. "If you insist on fightingthese men later, you can. Now let's get rid of them."
For just a moment the boys hesitated, but there was something in the man's manner that seemed to force obedience and they obeyed.
They were not a moment too soon, for they had no more than secreted themselves than the back wall of the ruin flew open and the men rode out. Of those who had been at the mouth of the shaft only a few moments before, only the mountebank with his ape was in sight.
"What is it?" asked one of the band, riding up to him.
"Guard the track at the summit. Let no train pass, even if you have to tear up the track."
"By whose order?"
The mountebank made a mysterious sign with his left hand.
"Bueno!" from the horseman. "Close up the doors and care for the wounded," and putting spurs to his horse, he led the bandits from the basin.
As soon as they were out of sight, the mountebank summoned the boys to the shaft house by a wave of his hand.
"Now," he said, "you'll have a chance to test your nerve, and we must work rapidly to get where we wish to go before dark."
He took from a crude knapsack which he wore upon his shoulders a coil of cord about half the size of a lead pencil, but evidently of much strength.Then seizing the ape, he fastened one end of the cord to the belt about the animal's body, and despite its unwillingness to be thus treated began to lower it into the shaft.
Totally unable to account for his actions, the boys stood speechless, watching the operations.
After some minutes, the cord slackened.
"He's reached the bottom," was the information vouchsafed. Then a moment later: "Help me to pull him up, one of you."
Billie hastened to lend a hand and in a short time the head of the ape appeared above the edge of the shaft. In his hand he held one end of a good-sized rope, which the mountebank took and tied around one of the stone pillars which supported the roof.
"Now, then," he said, "we are ready to descend into the old mine. Which one of you will go first?"
The boys looked at each other, but there was no reply until Donald asked:
"Why should we go down at all?"
"Why," was the somewhat quizzical reply, "to show your nerve."
"Unless there is some good reason other than that, there are plenty of ways to show our nerve without lowering ourselves to the bottom of an old mine."
"There is a good reason," was the reply.
"Then tell us. If it is good, there can be no objection."
"The object of this descent," said the strangercalmly, "is to see if we cannot solve the mystery of the abandonment of the mine."
"Have you ever been down?" asked Billie.
"Often."
"There is no foul gas at the bottom?"
"Not now, as you may see by the condition of Ambrosio, who has been clear to the bottom."
"Then I am willing to be the first to descend; but first I must know more about you than I do."
"What difference does that make? You will have three friends here with me. They are all armed and I can see they know how to use their weapons. I cannot possibly harm you. I will be the third to descend. I assure you that the descent and the ascent are comparatively easy for athletic young chaps, as the sides of the shaft are very uneven. By the aid of this rope you can come up almost as easily as you would climb a ladder. The adventure is well worth your while."
"And you won't tell us who you are?"
"I have already told you. I am an American soldier of fortune. My name, if that means anything to you, is Francis Strong, and I have assumed this character of a mountebank solely for the purpose of going about the country without being molested. What I hope to do, is of no interest to any one but myself."
It was a straightforward statement and the boys saw no reason to doubt its truthfulness.
"All right, then," exclaimed Billie. "Here goes!"
He grasped the rope and lowered himself overthe side. It was as Strong had said and in a very few minutes he found himself at the bottom. He could see nothing except the dim light at the mouth of the shaft.
Giving the rope a vigorous shake, as had been agreed upon, he saw another figure begin to descend, and in a short time Pedro stood beside him. Strong was next to descend, then came Ambrosio, and after him Adrian and Donald in the order named—Donald having determined to be the last, that he might be sure that everything was safe above ground.
"I should have given you this," was Strong's first remark upon alighting at Billie's side, and he drew from his pocket an electric torch. "But it slipped my mind."
"We all have them in our trunk in the City of Mexico," replied Billie, "but I doubt if either of us has one with him."
"This is sufficient, for I shall light some torches I have prepared as soon as we are ready for our work."
When Donald had descended, Strong led the way through a lateral about thirty or forty feet, at the end of which another vertical shaft had been sunk. Around the mouth of this Strong had set a number of torches, which he now proceeded to light. By their glare it was possible to see part way down the hole.
"The thing I hope to find," explained Strong, "isat the bottom of that hole, if it exists at all."
"What is that?" asked Billie.
"I think I can best answer your question," was the reply, "by reading you a translation of a paper which is said to have been found in the shaft above, where the bandits have made their rendezvous. How it came into my possession, matters not. I believe there are now enough of us here to prove or disprove its truthfulness, unless some one has been here before us."
Seating himself on a jutting boulder, Strong took from his pocket a paper, which he read as follows under the flickering torchlight:
"Being about to leave this world, I desire to obtain forgiveness for the great and only crime of my life, hence this confession."There were five of us. Names do not matter. They were my fellow workmen. We had been entrusted with the output of the Rosario for the year and had promised to guard it with our lives. We heard the soldiers of Maximilian coming. We were not enough to withstand them. We determined to hide the treasure in the western shaft. We carried it to the edge and threw it in. My four companions went down to cover it over with dirt, which I brought from the other shaft and gave them, shovel by shovel. A mad idea seized me. If they were dead, no one but I would know the hiding place ofthe treasure. I would kill them; but how? I glanced about. Great pieces of rock were on every hand. Without stopping to consider the foulness of the deed I rolled a huge piece to the mouth of the shaft and pushed it in. There was a cry of terror and I heard a voice call out to know what had happened. I said a piece of rock had broken loose and asked what damage it had done. Only one replied. The others had been stricken down. Madly I pushed over another rock and then another and still another. Then there was silence and I fled. The soldiers found me unconscious at the bottom of the shaft. Ere I became conscious, Maximilian was no more. When I returned hither, the mine had been abandoned. Here I have lived for years alone with my misery. Now I die. May God forgive me.José Rodriguez.
"Being about to leave this world, I desire to obtain forgiveness for the great and only crime of my life, hence this confession.
"There were five of us. Names do not matter. They were my fellow workmen. We had been entrusted with the output of the Rosario for the year and had promised to guard it with our lives. We heard the soldiers of Maximilian coming. We were not enough to withstand them. We determined to hide the treasure in the western shaft. We carried it to the edge and threw it in. My four companions went down to cover it over with dirt, which I brought from the other shaft and gave them, shovel by shovel. A mad idea seized me. If they were dead, no one but I would know the hiding place ofthe treasure. I would kill them; but how? I glanced about. Great pieces of rock were on every hand. Without stopping to consider the foulness of the deed I rolled a huge piece to the mouth of the shaft and pushed it in. There was a cry of terror and I heard a voice call out to know what had happened. I said a piece of rock had broken loose and asked what damage it had done. Only one replied. The others had been stricken down. Madly I pushed over another rock and then another and still another. Then there was silence and I fled. The soldiers found me unconscious at the bottom of the shaft. Ere I became conscious, Maximilian was no more. When I returned hither, the mine had been abandoned. Here I have lived for years alone with my misery. Now I die. May God forgive me.
José Rodriguez.
"Well?" queried Donald when Strong had finished reading the paper, "what are we going to do about it?"
"We are going to find out, if we can, whether José Rodriguez told the truth, and if he did, whether any one else has tried to prove it."
"What do you think of it, Pedro?" asked Billie, indicating the opening at their feet.
"Exactly."
"Have you ever been down in it?" asked Adrian of Strong.
"No! I did not feel equal to the task and I was afraid to ask help of any of these cutthroats."
"What do you think of it, Pedro?" asked Billie, turning to the Mexican lad, who had made no comment whatever.
"It's an old tale," was the reply, "this story of the Rosario viejo. I have heard it many times and I presume this shaft has been explored by every prospector in this section. In my opinion it is a huge hoax."
At Pedro's words, Strong's face became ashen.
"Are you telling the truth?" he asked hoarsely.
"Indeed I am. My father knows of several who have searched the place and nothing has ever been found."
Strong drew a long breath and passed his hand over his face.
"I have believed it true," he finally said, "ever since I first came into possession of this paper. There is something about it that rings true and I have counted upon finding sufficient wealth to enable me to achieve a long cherished plan. If what you say," turning to Pedro, "is true, my chance of attaining my ambition is very slim."
"I'm sorry, sir, but if I had known for certain what your object was in coming down here I mighthave saved you the trouble. Isn't there any other way you might obtain the money you wish?"
"If there is, I don't know it."
"Pedro may be right," spoke up Billie suddenly, "but I am in favor of making an inspection of our own, now that we are here. What do you say, Don?"
"I'm with you." Then to Strong: "How are we to get to the bottom?"
Strong reached over and from behind a nearby boulder produced another bundle of rope.
"I had intended making a rope ladder," he said.
"All right, then," from Donald, "a rope ladder it shall be."
The boys set to work and in the course of an hour had made a rope ladder more than fifty feet in length. Lowering it into the shaft, it seemed to reach to the bottom and Billie started to go down, but Strong prevented him.
"I shall go first," he said. "If there is any danger from poisonous gas, or from reptiles, I shall take the risk. You boys have parents and homes. I have no one. If I should suffer any mishap, do not attempt to rescue me. It would not be worth while."
"Nothing will happen," declared Adrian. "I have a hunch and my hunches are usually right."
The rope having been properly fastened and warded off the side by an ingenious arrangement of several large rocks, Strong began his descent. In his left hand he carried a flaming torch and Donaldleaned over the edge, looking down, with rifle sighted, to fire upon any reptile which might be brought to light by the torch's ruddy glare.
Step by step Strong went down, stopping every now and then to hold his torch below him, if perchance it might come into contact with fire damp or any other noxious gas.
He had descended at least three-fourths of the way, when, as he swung his torch below, he uttered a cry that was almost a shriek and the torch fell from his hand.
At the same instant Donald gave vent to a loud exclamation and his rifle cracked.
"Hold on," he cried as he arose from the ground, "as you value your life, don't lose your hold."
"What is it?" asked the others in one voice.
"Snakes! Dozens of them," replied Donald. "Climb up, Strong, as fast as you can."
"All right," came a feeble reply, followed almost immediately by a louder call of "Help!"
"Hold fast," called Donald. "I'm coming."
But before he could turn to step down the ladder, a chattering figure sprang past him and shot down the rope.
It was the ape. He had heard his master's call and had gone to his assistance.
A moment later came a joyful cry that told as plainly as words that Ambrosio had reached his master in time.
"Are you all right now?" called Donald.
"Yes. I'll be up in a minute. Good old boy,"the last remark evidently addressed to the ape.
When Strong's head appeared above the edge of the shaft a couple of minutes later he was as pale as a ghost and when he at length came into the full light of the torches, it was seen that his hair was as white as snow. The fright had completely changed its color.
"Let's get out of here," he gasped as soon as he was helped to his feet. "I wouldn't go down into that place again for all the gold and silver in the world."
"It was pretty rough for sure," admitted Donald. "I just caught a glimpse as the torch fell among them, but it was so quickly extinguished by the wriggling mass I only shot once for fear of hitting you."
"It was the darkness that frightened me," Strong explained feebly. "If I hadn't let go my torch to hold on with both hands, I don't think I would have minded so much. But the darkness hid what was below and it just seemed as though they were right after me. I'd have been a goner sure if it hadn't been for good old Ambrosio," and he laid his hand affectionately on the ape's head.
"Do you think you'll be able to climb out of the mine?" asked Billie as they reached the main shaft.
"Yes, with Ambrosio's aid; but I'm going out first. I don't think I have nerve enough left right now to be the last out."
The exit from the mine was much slower than thedescent had been, but in the course of an hour they were all once more out under the stars.
"What about the bandits?" queried Billie.
"Take my advice," said Strong, "and let them alone. This is none of your quarrel. If the Mexicans want to fight among themselves, let them. It's a family quarrel and you will only make matters worse by interfering. The time may come when these very men may prove your best friends."
"That's the advice I gave when we first discovered them to-day. I wish now we had all followed it."
"If we are not going to do anything," declared Adrian, "the quicker we get out of here the better."
"I consider that more good advice," laughed Billie, "especially as I am just reminded that I haven't had a bite to eat since noon. But I have no horse."
"That's easily remedied," replied Strong.
He went into the old ruin and in a few minutes returned with a very good animal, all saddled and bridled.
"It will not be missed," he said. "Now ride for your lives. Take the trail to the left and don't let moonlight catch you within five miles of here."
"Aren't you coming with us?" asked Donald.
"No! I am better off here."
"How will you account for your white hair?"
"I'll tell them it is a charm. They'll believe itand it will make me that much more valuable. Now go!"
Without wasting more words the boys put spurs to their horses and were soon out of the basin and on their way to Pachuca.
"It seems like a year since we came down here," remarked Adrian to Billie as they galloped along.
"It sure does," was the reply as Billie rubbed his stomach suggestively. "I'll never go out again as long as I'm in this revolutionary republic without a haversack full of grub."
"Who said grub?" called back Donald.
"What a question," laughed Adrian. "Who is it that's always hungry? It's all he thinks about."
"Oh, it is, eh?" from Billie. "Well, I'm thinking about something else now. There's the moon coming up over the valley and we're not three miles from the old Rosario. We'd better keep our eyes peeled and see that our shooting irons are in shape. We may have to fight our way home even yet."
As though to verify the prediction there appeared at the moment the figure of a solitary horseman silhouetted against the rising moon.
"You're a prophet of evil all right," said Adrian. "Now what?"
"Just keep on riding."
"But that chap is right in our way."
"Then ride him down. He'll be worse scared than we are."
The advice seemed good and the boys spurredforward.
"If you think he means us any harm," Donald remarked, "I might take a shot at him."
"I don't believe he does."
Again Billie proved a good prophet as the rider rode directly toward them, waving his hat in his hand.
"It's Tony," exclaimed Pedro as the rider approached a little nearer.
Tony was one of Gen. Sanchez' servants.
"Why, so it is," laughed Donald. "I suppose he is out looking for us."
Which was exactly the case. The news of the fight had reached Pachuca along with the part the boys had played in saving the bullion, and Pedro's father had heard it along with the others.
Later, word had been brought that one of the boys was missing and the others had gone to look for him. When none of them returned after all these hours, Gen. Sanchez had organized a searching party, of which Tony proved to be the advance guard.
A few minutes later, several horsemen dashed up and the boys were given a rousing reception.
"TheJefe politicois waiting to greet you," Tony told the boys.
The jefe politico is the mayor.
Billie smiled broadly and once more rubbed his stomach.
"This begins to look encouraging," he remarkedto Pedro. "I think I can taste the good things already."
Half an hour later the boys reached the city and were given a cheer as they passed through the main street and up to Gen. Sanchez' home, which was located half a block from the plaza. And in another ten minutes Billie was facing the mayor over a plate of steaming soup, while a mozo stood at his back waiting to serve the leg of a twenty-five pound turkey. Raising his eyes from the table, he caught sight of what was coming and gave Donald, who sat next to him, a dig in the ribs with his elbow.
"How's this for a prophet of evil?" he asked.
Donald took a look at the great bird which was rapidly falling into pieces under Gen. Sanchez' skillful hand, and remarked with a wink:
"Great!"
A week later, or, to be more exact, on April 10, 1914, the Broncho Rider Boys and their friend Pedro were back in the City of Mexico. During the two weeks they had been at Pachuca, many changes had taken place and on the morning in question they had just finished their coffee in the breakfastroom when Guadalupe, Pedro's sister, brought in the morning paper.
"What's the news?" asked Adrian.
Guadalupe glanced at the paper and hid it behind her back without making any reply.
"Why, Sister!" exclaimed Pedro with all the dignity of his sixteen years. "How can you be so rude?"
"She's only joking," laughed Billie, who was always found on Guadalupe's side when any argument took place. "Come, tell us! What is it?"
Guadalupe shook her head.
"Oh, I can't," she replied in a pained voice.
"Why not?" from Billie.
"It says we are going to have war with the United States and I don't believe it."
"Of course you don't," replied Billie. "Neither does any one else."
"Let me see," said Pedro sternly.
Slowly the girl handed her brother the paper.
He opened it and read.
"A party of American marines was arrested in Tampico yesterday for landing on Mexican soil with arms in their hands. They were marched through the streets under a heavy guard and lodged in jail. After a parley with the American Admiral, Mayo, the commandant of the city finally released them upon the assurance of the Admiral that it should not occur again."
"Well, if it was only a mistake, that doesn't meanwar," laughed Billie, but Donald's face took on a more serious look.
"That isn't all," said Pedro.
"Well," from Billie, "let's have the rest of it."
"The American Admiral has now declared that the men did not land on Mexican soil with arms in their hands, but that they were in their boat at the pier when arrested. He claims that they were taken from under the American flag——"
"What?" almost shouted Billie, springing to his feet. "Taken from under the American flag? Well, I'll bet that will mean war—unless," he added after a brief pause, "Gen. Huerta apologizes."
"Why should he apologize?" asked Pedro.
"For insulting the American flag."
"That's what the American Admiral says," interrupted Guadalupe, "and he threatens to fire on the city."
"And I'll bet he'll do it," said Adrian.
"If he does we'll sink his ships," said Pedro.
"What with?" asked Billie sarcastically. "Why, Admiral Mayo could blow Tampico out of the water."
"If he does, the Mexicans will march on Washington," from Pedro.
"What?" from Donald. "March on Washington? Why, Huerta can't hardly keep Carranza out of the City of Mexico."
"But if your admiral fires on Tampico, Carranza will help Gen. Huerta," declared Pedro.
"Do you really think so?" asked Adrian.
"I know it. We may have our little family troubles down here in Mexico, but if the United States should interfere, we'd all turn in and fight her."
Billie was about to reply when Gen. Sanchez entered the room.
"I see you have been reading the news," he said calmly.
"And discussing it too," said Donald.
"Which we had better not at present," replied the General. "You boys are our guests and as long as you are, you are our friends; but I am afraid there is serious trouble coming and I think it will be much better if you make arrangements at once to return to the United States. As you know, I am not a favorite with the present administration and I might not be able to protect you."
"We can ask the protection of the American Ambassador," said Donald.
Gen. Sanchez smiled kindly.
"The American Ambassador may be asked to leave."
The boys looked serious.
"Do you really think it is as bad as that?" asked Adrian.
"I fear so. Later dispatches from Tampico state that the American Admiral has demanded a salute of twenty-one guns to the American flag. I know Gen. Huerta well enough to know that he will never order the salute."
"Then what will happen?" asked Donald.
"No one can say. I understand that the American government has placed the matter in the hands of Admiral Fletcher, the ranking officer, who is in charge of the Atlantic fleet off Vera Cruz."
"Do you think we should go at once?" queried Billie.
"Yes, I think it would be better. I will make such arrangements as I can for your transportation to Vera Cruz. In the meantime you had better go and register yourselves at the United States Embassy. I am never sure of Gen. Huerta."
Without further discussion the boys prepared to take Gen. Sanchez' advice, and, donning their hats, started for the embassy, leaving Pedro much chagrined and Guadalupe in tears.
"I can't see why there has to be war!" she declared. "Why can't men behave themselves?"
"What do girls know about war?" asked Pedro.
"They know it's terrible and takes their fathers and brothers, that's what they know, and they wish they didn't have to know that."
Pedro made no reply, but went to his room, where he selected from among his most cherished belongings a gift for each of his guests—three beautiful opals—and laid them upon their respective suit cases.
When the Broncho Rider Boys arrived at the embassy they found a large crowd of Americans already assembled. Word had been circulated that it would be wise for all of them to leave Mexico andthose who could were going, while many men whose business detained them in Mexico were sending their families. All had come to the embassy for information and to register.
As a result it was late in the afternoon before the boys returned to Gen. Sanchez' residence. But late as they were, the general had not yet come in. They went to their room and when they saw the gifts which Pedro had laid on each valise, they could not keep back the tears.
"Well, there's one thing," declared Billie as he drew the back of his hand across his eyes, "we don't have to fight Pedro, no matter what comes. I'm going to hunt him up and tell him so."
And he did.
It was some hours later when Gen. Sanchez returned and announced that it would be impossible for the boys to get transportation to Vera Cruz for two or three days, as the track had been torn up in the neighborhood of Cordoba, but that he had been promised that they would be given safe conduct as soon as the track was repaired.
It was three days later, therefore, before the boys were able to leave, during which time they remained in the house at Gen. Sanchez' request to avoid any unpleasantness, which might make trouble for him.
On the morning of the 13th the boys bade good-bye to their host and his family and were driven in an automobile to the station. Already there weremore than enough persons to fill four trains, and the guards were permitting only those to board the cars who had passes signed by the Mexican provost marshal.
Thanks to Gen. Sanchez, our boys had been provided with such passes, but they were not allowed to take their rifles or revolvers aboard the train. They had no more than found seats and made themselves comfortable than the conductor shouted "Vamanos," and the train pulled slowly out of the shed.
"Well," remarked Donald as they rolled slowly along, "this is a pretty tough ending to a friendly visit. I think I've seen about all I want of Mexico for some time to come."
"What do you suppose will happen?" asked Billie. "Do you think we'll really go to war with Mexico unless Gen. Huerta orders the salute?"
"I don't know," was Donald's cautious reply. "I hope not."
"And I hope we do!" exclaimed a somewhat florid gentleman who sat in the seat ahead and who had overheard the conversation. "I'd just like an opportunity to come down here with an army and wipe the whole nation off the earth."
Donald made no reply, but Adrian asked sympathetically: "Have they treated you badly, sir?"
"Have they treated me badly? Well, I should say so. They wouldn't let me out of my hotel for two days and now they have refused to carry mytrunk and made me leave it with the express company. I guess they don't know who I am."
"I'm sure they do not, sir."
"Well, I'll show them who I am as soon as I get to Vera Cruz and can see Admiral Fletcher. He'll know how to protect Americans!"
"I'm sure he will, sir."
"And when the first marine lands, I want to be right there with a rifle to help drive the Mexicans off the earth."
"It would be wise not to say too much," whispered Adrian. "I see that officer in the end of the car has his eye on you. He may speak English."
"I don't care who hears me," said the florid man angrily. "I mean it."
At the same moment a guard who had approached from the other end of the car laid his hand upon the angry man's shoulder.
"If the Señor is not satisfied," he said, "we shall be pleased to send him back to the City of Mexico."
"Oh, no-no-no," was the stammering reply. "I am very well satisfied. All I want is to get out of the country."
"Let us hope there will be no trouble about that," was the polite response, and the florid man lapsed into silence.
Ordinarily it is a pleasant day's journey from the City of Mexico to the seaport city of Vera Cruz; or if one prefers he may make a night ride of it in times of peace. The train which left the City ofMexico that April morning made no such time. After a tiresome all-day ride with numerous aggravating stops, when darkness fell they were still on the plateau of Mexico, some miles west of Orizaba, running slowly for fear some stray bunch of Carranzistas or Zapatistas might have torn up a length or two of track.
It was possibly an hour later that the engine gave a furious jerk, followed by a bump and another jerk, and then the train came to a dead stop.
In a minute everybody was on his feet asking everybody else what had happened. As no one knew, there was a general movement for the doors, as it was too dark to see much from the windows.
"Sit down, everybody," ordered the guard. "There is no danger, but we have stopped on a high trestle."
The passengers obeyed, realizing the danger of leaving the coaches. There was a general round of conversation, and then as the train did not start, people settled back in their seats and tried to sleep.
Some minutes later Billie gave Adrian a nudge with his elbow.
"Are you asleep?" he asked.
"No. Why?"
"I've just been looking out of the window. We're not on a trestle."
"No? Well, what of it?"
"Only that the guard was lying. What did he do it for?"
"I don't know. Because he was a Mexican, Iguess. Go on to sleep."
"That isn't the answer, although it's pretty good. They have some scheme. I wouldn't be surprised if they were going to keep us prisoners somewhere around here."
"Nonsense. Go on to sleep."
But Billie was not satisfied. He leaned over and tried to talk to Donald, but he was fast asleep.
"I think I'll go on a little scouting expedition," he muttered. "I need some exercise."
He arose, stretched himself and walked slowly toward the door, which stood wide open.
"I wonder where the guard is?" he thought. "It's mighty funny he'd go and leave the coach like this."
He stepped on to the coach ahead. The same condition existed.
Billie's curiosity got the best of him and he jumped out onto the ground. It was pitch dark, but he had not advanced more than twenty steps before he discovered groups of men seated upon the grass. A second glance convinced him they were armed.
He drew back and stood beside the coach, where he thought fast.
"There's one of two things," he soliloquized. "We are either prisoners or else we are being guarded against an expected attack. Whichever it is, this is no time for the Broncho Rider Boys to be asleep. I'll go and tell the others."
He started to climb onto the car, but a guardappeared on the platform and ordered him away at the point of his bayonet.
"I'm a passenger," explained Billie.
"Go away!" was the reply, emphasized by a quick advance of the bayonet.
Seeing that it was no time to argue, Billie slid back into the darkness.
Broncho Billie had been in too many unpleasant places to be at all worried over his predicament, but he was much concerned about the condition of the train and its passengers, practically all of whom were Americans and a large majority of whom were women and children.
"It would be fierce," he mused, "to have them held here, or in a detention camp as prisoners; and it would be worse if we should be attacked by an overwhelming force of revolutionists. I've just got to know the truth."
He glanced up at the coach with its dimly lighted windows.
"I wish I could talk to old Don. He most always knows what to do. But how can I get at him?"
He sneaked out to where he could see the coachplatform. The guard was still there, as well as the guard on the other car.
"Worse and more of it," he exclaimed.
Then he examined the car, trying to determine at which window he had been seated. Several were open, and he determined to try and speak to some one.
"Our seats are not far from here," he thought as he stopped under the second one. "I'll try this."
He picked up a stone about as big as an egg and tossed it into the window. A howl from a child followed the act and Billie ducked under the car. He could hear the mother pacifying it, but evidently she, too, had been asleep and had not discovered the stone.
"I think I know just which child it is," said Billie with a grin, "and this next open window must be ours."
He picked up another stone and tossed it in to his second choice, this time with better results.
Donald had just aroused from a nap, and, missing Billie, was looking for him. Not seeing him in the car, he was about to look out of the window when the stone hit him on the chin.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed as he started back.
Billie heard the exclamation and gave the familiar whistle.
Donald was on the alert in an instant. Looking up and down the car to be sure he was not being watched, he stuck his head out of the window.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Trouble," was Billie's laconic reply. "Come out."
"How can I? The guard is at the door."
"Jump out of the window."
"They might see me."
Billie thought fast.
"Let Ad stand between you and the door."
"Great," from Donald.
He aroused Adrian and told him the situation.
"You stay in the train," he said, "and we'll keep you posted as to what is going on outside. If there is any real danger we will give the alarm."
He picked up his overcoat and pretended to be fixing a pillow. Adrian did the same. Then, while the guard's back was turned, he dropped out of the window.
Billie was beside him when he rose to his feet.
"This way, Don," he whispered. "Let's get out into the dark and hold a council of war."
They glided out into darkness, but where they could keep their eyes on the engine.
"Now tell me about it," said Don.
Billie told him what he had discovered.
"It does look strange," Donald admitted. "Have you any plan?"
"I haven't an idea above an oyster," was the characteristic reply.
Donald scratched his ear reflectively.
"How would it do," he finally asked, "to sneakover by the soldiers and see if we can't pick up some scrap of conversation that may give us a clue as to what is going on?"
"Fine. We must keep together, though. We might never find each other in the dark if we should become separated."
Silently they crawled toward the spot where Billie had seen the soldiers. When they did not hear any sign of them after several minutes' crawling they stopped to listen.
"There surely was a squad here a few minutes ago," declared Billie. "They must have moved."
They remained silently thoughtful for several minutes, but all was as silent as a graveyard.
"That's mighty funny," said Billie. "I know I was not mistaken. Let's go back by the train."
They turned for that purpose and could see a group of figures at the platform of each coach.
"That's the answer," exclaimed Billie. "They have surrounded the train. Now let's see what will happen."
They had not long to wait as an officer shortly boarded each car and a minute later there was a commotion among the passengers.
Drawing a little nearer, the boys could hear the officer in the car nearest them explaining that the passengers would be obliged to alight and change trains.
"The track has been torn up ahead of us," he said,"and we shall have to walk nearly a mile to where the train is that came up from Vera Cruz."
This had been quite the customary thing in Mexico for some months and the passengers prepared to obey.
"I don't believe it is true," said Billie to Donald.
"We can soon find out," declared Donald. "Let's walk down the track a piece. We can easily keep ahead of the crowd."
Avoiding the glare of the locomotive's headlight, the boys hurried down the track and when far enough away from the train to feel secure, they took the middle of the track.
"This is far enough ahead," said Donald, "to keep out of sight and the track is all right so far. I don't believe it is torn up at all."
"Then what is up?"
"That is what I've been trying to decide for nearly an hour," replied Billie. "It looks as though they intended to make all the Americans prisoners."
"But what for?"
"Why, for hostages, to be sure. Don't you remember how Cæsar took a lot of the Helvetians for hostages?"
"By George!" from Donald. "I believe you are right. Do you suppose it is Huerta's orders?"
"I expect so. He hates Americans."
While the boys had been talking the passengers had been taken from the train and were now coming toward them.
"Let's keep just far enough ahead to see whatwill happen," said Donald. "We must get in touch with Adrian somehow."
They started ahead, but it speedily developed that the others were not following. Instead they had been halted a short distance from the locomotive, back from the track, and surrounded by soldiers.
"There seems to be a hitch somewhere," Don finally remarked. "They don't seem to know just what they do want to do."
"Come on back and find out," said Billie. "It's up to us to do something."
Cautiously they crept back to where they could hear the conversation among the passengers and the questions they asked the guard. Some were laughing and more were expressing indignation. A few of the women were crying, but above all they could hear the voice of the florid-faced man telling what he would do as soon as he could get into touch with Admiral Fletcher.
"Which won't be very soon, unless I'm mistaken," laughed Donald.
Presently some one began to whistle a popular air, but in such a way that the boys recognized the well-known whistle of Adrian.
"Do you hear that?" asked Billie. "Ad wants to know what we are doing."
"He'll have to want for the present," said Don, "but there go a couple of officers back to the train. Let's follow them."
The boys darted into the shadow of the coachesand crept back only a few steps behind what proved to be the captain in charge of the company and his second lieutenant.
"If I only had my automatic, I'd soon settle this whole matter," declared Billie.
"You wouldn't hurt anybody, would you?"
"I'd capture the officer and make him take us to Vera Cruz."
"Of course," from Donald. "Why didn't I think of it before? Let's do it."
"But we have no weapons."
"Then we must get some."
"How?"
"Keep your eyes open. There must be some way."
The officers kept on their way until they reached the first Pullman, where they stopped for a minute.
"Are the orders in here?" asked the captain.
"No; the conductor has them. He wouldn't stop the train without I gave them to him."
"Carramba! Why didn't you tell me so before? Go and take them from him and bring them here at once."
"Bueno, Capitan! Will you wait here?"
"Yes, I'll go inside. Hurry."
The lieutenant turned and hurried back. The boys only saved themselves from being detected by throwing themselves flat on the ground.
For a moment the captain remained looking after his companion and then turned and entered the car.
"We must have that order," said Donald.
"We must!" echoed Billie.
"Then we'll get it," they exclaimed as one.
So alike were the thoughts that passed through their minds that they did not even feel obliged to speak the plan aloud.
"Which one of us will stop him?" asked Donald.
"You'd better. I'm heavier and I can handle him easier."
They walked back some ten feet, where Donald stopped, while Billie went about ten feet farther and drew off into the darkness.
A couple of minutes later they heard the lieutenant coming. He passed Billie without seeing him.
Then Donald advanced and met him as by chance.
"Who comes there?" asked the lieutenant in a sharp tone, drawing his revolver.
"Why, hello, lieutenant," said Donald as he came close to him. "What's happened?"
The lieutenant eyed him suspiciously.
"Where did you come from?" he asked.
"From the rear sleeper. I woke up and found myself all alone."
"Humph!" grunted the lieutenant. "You must have been overlooked. Come with me."
He started to replace his revolver in its holster when a slight noise behind him caused him to turn his head. As he did so, Billie's fist caught him under the chin and he fell in a heap without making a sound.
"Good work!" muttered Donald as he picked upthe revolver which the lieutenant had let fall. "Now to business."
Lifting the unconscious man in their arms, they bore him into the darkness away from the train, where he was soon deprived of his coat, hat, and weapons. Then he was gagged and securely tied with his own sabretasche.
Donald, being nearest the lieutenant's size, donned his uniform, buckled on his sword, and with the order in his hand hastily entered the car, closely followed by Billie, with the ready revolver in his hand.
The captain had thrown aside his hat and was smoking a cigarette in one of the easy seats as the boys entered. He gave them only a hasty glance as he blew a cloud of smoke into the air, and the next minute he was covered by Billie's weapon.
"Up with your hands!" was the stern order.
The captain hesitated, but a sharp prick from Donald's sword sent the hands into the air.
In another minute the captain was disarmed.
"Now," said Donald sternly, "we'll see what all this trouble is about."
He opened the telegram he held in his hand and read:
"American Admiral has given an ultimatum.Hold train and passengers until further orders.