Maas."
Maas."
"Who is Maas?" asked Donald sternly.
The captain shrugged his shoulders, but said nothing.
"You'll answer in just one minute, or you'll never have a chance to answer another question," said Donald, as he stood with drawn sword, while Billie covered the captain with his revolver.
"Would you murder an unarmed man?" asked the captain.
"I wouldn't consider it murder. Answer."
The look in Donald's eyes was not to be mistaken.
"Gen. Maas is in command of Vera Cruz," the captain said.
"Good. I think I see it all. If it is decided not to accede to the ultimatum, it is proposed to hold the train load as hostages."
The captain smiled.
"Now listen!" and Donald spoke very slowly so that every word might find lodgment. "You have one chance for your life. Can you guess what it is?"
The captain shook his head.
"To do just exactly as I bid. Just one little attempt to do differently, and you are a dead man."
The captain scowled, but made no reply.
"Put on your hat and come with me. Order thepassengers back on to the train and give your engineer instructions to cover just as much of the distance between here and Vera Cruz by daylight as he knows how!"
The captain shrugged his shoulders as he arose from his seat.
"I see you think it will be easy to escape. Just put any such idea out of your mind. There is no possible chance."
Donald turned to Billie.
"This is what must be done. We shall walk directly back to where the passengers are. The captain will give his order without any hesitation. Otherwise I shall shoot him through my pocket. You will keep right behind us. If I fire, you fire also. One of us will be sure to kill him."
Donald led the way from the car and Billie brought up the rear.
Through the dark they marched, each with a hand on the captain, so they might feel his slightest tremor.
Arriving at the engine the captain summoned the sergeant.
"Order the passengers to board the train," was the brief command.
The sergeant hastened to obey.
"Bueno!" said Donald, as the passengers rushed back.
Then under his breath to Billie: "Call Adrian."
Billie did so.
"Where are you?" Adrian called back.
"Down near the engine."
A moment later Adrian appeared coming through the crowd of hurrying passengers.
"Where's Don?" he asked as soon as he caught sight of Billie.
"Not far. Stay here. We may need you."
Adrian's face showed some surprise, but he said nothing.
"Now, captain," said Don quietly, "your orders to the engineer," and under cover of the darkness he pushed the point of his revolver into the captain's side, while Billie touched him significantly in the back.
The captain gave the order as he had been instructed.
"Now for the conductor," ordered Donald.
The order was given, but the conductor refused to obey.
"I must have a written order," he said.
"Why?" asked Donald, in his rôle of lieutenant.
"To countermand the order of Gen. Maas."
"Captain," was Donald's quiet hint, "don't you think it would be well to place the conductor under arrest?" and again he poked his revolver into the captain's side.
The order for the conductor's arrest was quickly given.
"Now, then, vamose," called Adrian. Then to the engineer, "I will act as conductor."
The guards and extra soldiers who had been detailedfor this special service, sprang aboard; the engineer pulled open the throttle and the train began to move.
"Aren't you going, too?" asked Adrian.
"Yes," whispered Billie to Donald, "hurry aboard with your prisoner."
The captain was evidently of the same mind, for he started to board the already moving train.
"No you don't," exclaimed Donald, pulling him back. "You're going to stay here with us!"
"Do you mean it, Don?" asked Billie in surprise.
"Sure! What do you think he'd do to us as soon as it was light?"
By this time the train was under headway; a second later the last coach passed them and in another minute the tail lights were disappearing in the darkness.
"It looks to me," remarked Adrian with a long breath, "as though we were in the consommé."
"Perhaps," was Donald's laconic reply, "but those women and children will be safe in Vera Cruz under the guns of Admiral Fletcher's fleet by daylight, or I'm greatly mistaken."
"And what are we going to do with our friend the captain?" queried Billie.
"He'll have to accept our hospitality under the stars until morning and then we'll see."
In telling about his experiences later Billie said it was the longest and the shortest night he ever knew.It seemed a long time for daylight, but it seemed a short time for the train which was bearing his countrymen to safety.
When day finally began to break, the first thing that became visible was the snow-tipped peak of Mt. Orizaba, against which the sun threw his brilliant rays long before he could be seen above the horizon. It was a beautiful sight and the boys voiced their admiration with many exclamations of delight. Then they turned their attention to the more serious thoughts for the day.
The first thing they did was to release the lieutenant from his unpleasant predicament and restore to him his uniform.
"We should like to return you your arms also," said Donald, "but your government took ours from us and I think we shall have to keep yours in their place."
Neither of the officers made any reply, but their dark looks boded no good for the boys.
"You might just as well look pleasant," laughed Billie. "All is fair in love and war."
"We'll make you sing a different song when we get you in Vera Cruz," said the captain.
"And when do you think that will be, Captain?" queried Adrian.
"As soon as the next train comes along."
"Oh, that's it, is it?" said Donald. "That being the case, I guess we will not wait for another train. By the way, how far is it to Vera Cruz?"
"About a hundred kilometers."
"That's about eighty-four miles, isn't it, Ad?"
"Just about."
"And it's down hill pretty much all the way, isn't it?"
"I should say so by looking down the valley."
"A right nice little walk, Captain. Let's be going. We ought to make it easily in four days."
At this cordial invitation the captain lost his temper.
"Carramba!" he exclaimed. "Am I a boy to be made sport of? I will not go. If you wish me to go you will have to carry me," and he deliberately laid himself down on the ground.
In spite of themselves the boys were obliged to laugh.
"We carried the lieutenant last night, but we don't desire your company badly enough to carry you," laughed Billie. "If you don't want to go, I for one vote to leave you. We have to forage for something to eat and the fewer there are, the easier it will be. And speaking of eats, it seems to me I smell something cooking right now."
At Billie's words the others sniffed up their noses.
"It's a fact as sure as you're born," declared Donald.
"And I'm going to find out where the odor comes from," said Billie. "There must be a house around here somewhere."
Again he sniffed the air and smiled jubilantly.
"The wind's in the east," he laughed. "It mustbe somewhere in this direction. Come on, Captain."
The captain refused to move, but Billie led the way, followed by the two boys. They had not gone many rods when through an opening in the trees they beheld a good-sized adobe house. Pushing hastily toward it, they soon reached a cleared space, and there, gathered about a bunch of some forty or fifty horses, were a dozen men, while through the open door of the house many more were to be seen seated at a table—eating.
"Come on!" exclaimed Billie. "I'm going to have something to eat; I don't care who they are."
"We might as well make the best of it," declared Donald. "We are discovered any way and the best thing we can do is to put on a bold front."
Without further words the three boys walked boldly toward the house.
The minute the boys' presence became known, there was a commotion in the house and in the clearing surrounding it. Those in the yard sprang toward their guns and those in the house jumped from the table.
"Don't move," called out Billie. "We arefriends."
But the men were not sure and at once surrounded the boys.
They appeared to be soldiers, but their uniforms were of a great variety and many hues. Only the officer in command had anything the appearance of a real soldier.
"Who are you?" he demanded as he came forward.
"Friends! Americanos!" replied Donald.
"Yes; and hungry ones," added Billie with a gesture that brought a smile to the officer's face.
"Where did you come from?" was the next inquiry.
Donald explained that they had been left by a train that had stopped nearby. He did not think it necessary to enlighten the officer as to the circumstances.
"If you don't believe us," broke in Billie, "you can ask the officers we left back there by the track."
Donald made a gesture of impatience, which Billie failed to understand, but which the officer was quick to interpret.
"Officers? Of which army?" he quickly asked.
"Gen. Huerta's."
"Carramba!" exclaimed the officer in command. "Go quick, corporal, and bring them to me."
Then to Billie: "If you are telling me the truth you have done me a great favor."
The boys looked surprised.
"How is that?" asked Donald.
"Do you not know that we are of the army of Gen. Carranza?" was the interrogative reply.
"Why, no!" exclaimed the boys in unison.
"It is true," said the officer. "I am Captain Lopez. Now tell me, who are you?"
Briefly Donald told of their acquaintance with Gen. Sanchez and of their adventures of the night before, at which the captain laughed heartily.
"You are smart boys," he declared.
"And hungry ones," again added Billie.
"You must be. Here, Juan," calling a soldier to him. "Take thesemuchachosto the house and feed them. I'll have a look at these rebels."
"Rebels," said Adrian to Donald under his breath as they walked toward the house. "Now what do you think of that?"
"That's his viewpoint," replied Don. "He thinks of the men who overthrew President Madero as rebels."
By this time they were near enough the house for Billie to smell the aroma of the coffee and he quickened his pace.
"I'll talk politics after I've sampled the breakfast," he declared. "If the breakfast is good, I'll join the band."
It was nearly half an hour later that the boys stood before the captain. With a good breakfastunder their belts they felt fit for anything that might offer.
"I'm afraid you boys are in a bad fix," said Captain Lopez. "I suppose you want to get to Vera Cruz and on to some ship that will take you to the United States; but I don't know how you are going to make it."
"Why, can't we get another train somewhere down the line?" asked Adrian.
"There may not be any more trains for some time."
"How's that?"
"We are here to stop them."
"Does that mean you are going out to tear up the track?"
"Not right here, but a little nearer Vera Cruz. There is a much larger body of troops about five miles below."
Billie uttered a prolonged whistle.
"That does look bad, sure enough," he declared. Then, after a pause: "What's the matter with walking?"
"It's a long ways and the mountains are full of our men."
"Can't you give us a safe passage? You say we have done you a favor by turning these two officers over to you," suggested Donald, indicating with a nod of his head the captain and lieutenant of the train guard who were now held prisoners.
"I'll do the best I can," was the reply, "but youwill have to remain with me to-day. We are on scout duty and shall not return to the main body until to-night."
"That'll suit me all right," laughed Billie, "and if you don't mind I think I'll go into the house somewhere and take a nap."
"Bueno," laughed the captain. "You might as well all take a nap. If we have occasion to leave the neighborhood we will call you."
Ten minutes later the three were fast asleep on a pile of Mexican blankets in the best room in the house.
Three hours later they were awakened by a fusillade of shots.
They sprang to their feet and looked around. For just a moment they could not remember where they were. Then they recalled their situation and became on the alert.
"Trouble outside," was Don's laconic statement.
He and Billie drew the revolvers they had captured the night before.
"Put 'em up," advised Adrian. "We're not here to fight."
"We might have to," from Billie.
"Not at all. If one side wins, we are safe. If the other side wins, we are prisoners and the attackers will be our rescuers."
"Great head, Ad," was Billie's comment. "But I'd like to know what is going on," as another fusillade was heard.
"Better stay where we are till the shooting stops,"said Don.
It was good advice and the boys waited as quietly as they could.
A few minutes later there was a volley and a shout, followed by the sound of rushing feet. Then there was quiet as the shots were heard receding.
When none of their friends returned after a few minutes, the boys ventured to the door. There was no one in sight.
"I wonder where they have all gone?" ventured Billie.
"I expect that our friends have run away and some of Huerta's soldiers are chasing them."
"If they do, they will run into an ambush," said Adrian.
Which is exactly what happened.
"That won't do us any good," said Don. "Now that we are alone, I vote that we get back to the railroad track. We won't get lost if we follow that and a train may come along."
The advice seemed good and they started to go.
"Hold on," exclaimed Billie. "Let's see if we can't find some grub to take with us."
"Great head!" laughed Adrian.
"Great stomach, you mean," from Donald. "It never lets him forget."
The boys plundered through the house. The owners must have been scared away, for nothing had been disturbed. In the kitchen they found abig plate oftortillas, half a baked kid, and some wheat bread. This they appropriated.
"We might as well have a blanket apiece," said Donald. "It is only another case of a fair exchange. The Mexicans have our suit cases."
Each took a blanket and Adrian was so fortunate after searching all over the house as to find a shotgun and a belt full of loaded shells that went with it.
"If those shells were loaded with buckshot you'd be all right," said Billie. "They're the——"
His speech was interrupted by a cry that fairly made their blood run cold.
"What's that?" and the three stopped as though they had been paralysed.
Again came the cry, and with a single bound the boys were out in the open, each with his weapon ready for instant use.
They could see no one, but there was the sound of something crashing through the brush which hid the railroad from the house.
"Sounded like a wild cat," declared Donald.
"Or a coyote," said Billie.
"I'm sure it was a human voice," remarked Adrian. "Do you remember the Zuñis?" referring to another adventure told in the story of the "Broncho Rider Boys Along the Border."
Even as he spoke there emerged from the brush the figure of a woman carrying in her arms a small child. Winged by fear, she was bounding along like an antelope.
A moment later, and not two rods behind her,came forth a figure which the boys instantly recognized as a mountain lion.
How the woman had succeeded in escaping it even for a moment was a mystery.
In a second the three weapons spoke. The report was followed by a scream from the beast and a cry from the woman, both of whom fell lifeless to the earth—the beast dead and the woman in a swoon.
"Take care of the woman, you two," said Adrian. "I'll examine the beast."
No one stopped to question the order.
Billie picked up the child which the woman had let fall, while Donald stooped down and felt the woman's pulse. Then he darted into the house and was back in a minute with a bucket half filled with water. With it he bathed the woman's temples and poured a little down her throat.
In a couple of minutes she revived and looked around.
"Mi niña!" she gasped.
"She's asking for her child," said Donald.
Billie carried the little one over and stood it beside her.
With a glad cry she snatched it in her arms and burst into tears.
"She's all right," laughed Donald. "Now let's have a look at that animal."
They walked over to where Adrian was watchingthe inanimate carcass.
"Where did we hit him?" asked Billie.
"I can see three places and one is big enough to throw a baseball through it."
"That's from the shotgun," said Donald. "It's what did the business. Must have been buckshot and we were so close it didn't have a chance to scatter."
"I'd sure like that hide," said Adrian.
"We'll be in luck if we save our own," remarked Billie. "Unless we can do something for the woman, we'd better be jogging along."
By this time the woman had risen to her feet and the boys could see that she was not a peon as they had supposed, but of the better class.
"Where could she have come from?" queried Donald under his breath.
"Suppose you ask her," laughed Adrian.
Donald did so. At first she was too dazed to answer, but after Donald spoke a few words quietly and in his very best Spanish, she was able to answer his questions.
"Is this your house?" he asked.
"No, Señor; my house is down the mountain."
"What are you doing here alone?"
She gave him a startled glance and then hugged the child closer to her breast.
"You need not fear us," were the reassuring words.
"The soldiers came," she said slowly. "They hadalready killed the others. They would have killed me."
"The soldiers?"
"Yes. They were looking for my husband. They said he was hidden in the house; but he was not. He is with Gen. Carranza."
"When was this?"
"Yesterday. I have been in the mountains all night. There was a fight a few minutes ago and I saw them pass. Then I came here, when the awful beast sprang out," and again she drew the child to her.
"Are you hungry?"
"Si, señor!"
It was the child that answered.
In an instant Billie's hand was in his pack and he held out thetortillas, which both mother and child took and ate ravenously.
After their hunger had been appeased, they questioned the woman further, telling her they were going to Vera Cruz.
"If you will come with me down the mountain, you can hide in my house," she said.
"We don't want to hide," laughed Billie. "We want to get to Vera Cruz. However, we'll see you home, if you don't mind."
Without more words the woman led the way, Billie insisting upon carrying the little girl.
After a walk of more than two hours, the womanstopped in a little clearing from which a view of the mountainside for miles could be gained.
"There is my house," she said, pointing to the roof of a really noble mansion constructed of stone. "But what is that flag I see on top of it?"
The boys took one good look at it and then they let out a wild yell.
"Hurrah!" they cried. "It's the Stars and Stripes."
"I don't know what it means away out here," said Donald, "but wherever it is it means something. Come on!" and he dashed down the mountainside, followed by the others.
Half an hour later the boys stopped beside a ruined wall in which was a still more ruined gate.
It was the home of Gen. Luiz Blanco, whose wife and child it was that the boys had saved from the mountain lion.
Above the house, on a lofty turret, waved the American flag—a fact which caused the boys to enter the gate and approach the house without hesitation.
But when they reached the great front door leading into the patio, they found it shut and barred.
Here they knocked loudly.
For some minutes there was no reply, despite repeated knocks, but finally a voice called out in English:
"Who's there?"
"American boys in trouble."
"What?" was the surprised reply. "Say it again, till I see if it is true."
"It's true all right, all right," said Billie. "If you don't believe it we'll sing the 'Star Spangled Banner,' or 'Hail Columbia'."
They could hear some one removing the bars and a moment later the gate swung open, and a huge, bewhiskered man in ragged garments and a Winchester rifle in his hand stood before them.
"Come in quick," he commanded, "and let's get this gate barred. There is no knowing when that band of robbers will be back."
"Robbers?" queried Billie, as he set the little girl on the ground and extended his hand to the man. "What robbers?"
"They call themselves soldiers," and the man seized Billie's hand and gave it a mighty grip, which made even Broncho Billie wince, "but what do we care for them? With four Americans we can defy a hundred of them." Then, as Donald and Adrian finished barring the gate: "It's certainly good for sore eyes to see such faces," and he grasped each boy in turn.
"Well, we're mighty glad to see you," repliedDonald. "We expected to find the place deserted."
"How did you know anything about the place?"
"This lady told us it is her home."
"What?" from the man. "Do you mean to tell me this is the Señora Blanco?"
"Even so, Señor," replied the lady. "No one would recognize me in these rags and grief. Oh, Señor, had it not been for these brave Americans I should have been devoured by a lion."
"You don't tell me. But I'd know they were the real thing. Their faces show it. But come, let's go into the house. You'll excuse me, Señora, for taking possession of your castle."
"It is yours, Señor. Do with it as you will. But will you not do me the favor of your name?"
"I beg your pardon, Señora. I had forgotten. I am Ebenezer Black, who owns the ranch across the valley. My daughter and I were out on a hunt for some lost cattle when we were waylaid by this so-called company of soldiers. I drove them off but my daughter was wounded and I made for this place. Finding no one at home, I took possession."
"I am so glad, Señor. And where is your daughter now?"
"Sitting in a big armchair, nursing a wounded arm."
"Oh, let us hasten," cried the señora. "I may be of some assistance."
They hurried into the house and into the greatlibrary, now all in disorder and strewn with bits of cigars and cigarettes. In one of the big leather chairs sat a girl of some sixteen or seventeen, with her left arm in a sling, but in her right hand she held a glistening revolver. She was very slight, but dressed in a riding costume of unique design, and with a wealth of soft brown hair hanging just to her collar. With just a touch of pallor due to the wound, the boys thought her the most beautiful girl they had ever seen, not excepting Pedro's sister Guadalupe.
That the girl was surprised at the addition to the party goes without saying. She looked first at her father, then at the newcomers and then back to her father, as much as to ask: "Who are they?"
"This," said Mr. Black as the señora came forward, "is the lady of the house and her daughter. These are American boys, as you can see, although you haven't had a chance to know many American boys. I don't know their names, but names don't count. I'll vouch for them."
"We are very highly complimented," laughed Donald, "but I shall be pleased to introduce us. I am Donald Mackay. Now that you know me, I will introduce my friends, Adrian Sherwood, ranch owner and good fellow, and William Stonewall Jackson Winkle, better known as 'Broncho Billie.' We are known as the Broncho Rider Boys."
"Oh, Father," exclaimed the girl, "I've read about them. I have a book some one sent me fromthe United States telling about their adventures at the Keystone ranch."
"You don't say so," from her father. "I didn't know they were such celebrities. Such being the case, young gentlemen, allow me to introduce my daughter, Josephine, commonly called Josie. Now then, how did you all come here?"
As briefly as possible Adrian related their adventures since they left the City of Mexico the previous morning; told about the information contained in the telegram from Gen. Maas, and wound up by saying: "We may be at war with Mexico right now for all we know."
"Well, now what do you think of that?" exclaimed Mr. Black. "I just knew I had a reason when I hoisted that flag. It's one Josie always carries in her saddle bags. It makes her feel safer, she says."
"And I hope she is safer," exclaimed Billie, "with it waving over her to-day, than she would be without it."
"At any rate she has more protection than she had a few hours ago," ventured the señora. "I shall never forget how I was protected."
"I'd feel a whole lot better," said Donald, "if I had some other weapon. A Colt does very well in a tight place; but I certainly miss my Marlin."
"We formerly had quite a supply of arms," was the explanation offered by the señora, "but when Gen. Blanco went to join Gen. Carranza he armedall his men and it took about everything we had. However, there are a few weapons left—unless," she added as an afterthought, "the Huerta soldiers have discovered their hiding place."
She led the way to the cellar and pointed to a spot at one side.
"If you will brush away the dirt that covers the floor about there," she said, "you will find a large slab. This can be raised, and underneath there should still be several good rifles."
Donald and Billie, who had accompanied her, while Adrian remained up stairs with the others, quickly followed her instructions. The edges of the slab were exposed to view and after some effort the opening was revealed. In it were four rifles and an old-fashioned cannon. The rifles were not of the latest make, but two were magazine rifles and were a decided improvement over revolvers in case it came to defending the house.
"I suppose that old cannon might be mounted on the roof somehow and made effective," said Donald after he and Billie had inspected the other arms. Then to the señora: "Is there any ammunition?"
"There was powder in that wine cask," she replied, "but I don't know whether there is any left. The balls for the cannon are on the roof."
The boys examined the cask and found it contained quite a quantity of powder. Then they all returned to the library and made their report.
"Not a very heavy armament to withstand a siege,is it?" was Mr. Black's comment. "Half a dozen rifles with about a hundred cartridges, an old cannon that might explode any minute, and four revolvers. It won't do."
"What else can we do?" asked Billie.
"Why, now that there are four of us, we'll cross the valley to my house. It is just as well located to withstand a siege as this and it is thoroughly armed and provisioned."
"Suppose we have to fight?"
"Then we'll fight."
"But you forget your daughter and the señora and her child."
"I didn't forget Josie," was the reply, "and, wounded as she is, she can take care of herself; but I don't know about the others. They would be a handicap. Have you anything better to offer?"
Billie scratched his head.
"Not for the moment."
"Well, I have," exclaimed Adrian.
"I thought it was about time Ad woke up," laughed Donald. "Let's have it."
"Captain Lopez told us that there was a large body of Carranza's troops down the railroad a short distance. If he meant by a short distance six or eight miles they can not be more than a couple of miles from where we now are. I feel sure that the skirmish we passed through has proved disastrous to the Huerta forces and I am willing to go out and find Captain Lopez and bring relief."
"And I'll go with you," said Billie.
"I can do just as well alone. If I am not captured by the other side I shall make it easily, and," he added, "I am sure I shall not be captured, for I can lick any squad of peons that I'm likely to meet."
"You are a brave boy," said Josie, a bit of praise which brought the color to Adrian's cheeks and was an added incentive for bravery.
"But why shouldn't I go?" insisted Billie.
"You may be needed here. This house is a marked place and if a small band of the Huerta forces has escaped, this will be one of the places where they will rally."
"Your friend is right," agreed Mr. Black. "I admire the pluck of all of you, but his plan is best. The sooner he goes the better and we will make the house as impregnable as we can. Let us hope he is successful."
"You can bet on me," was Adrian's reply as he shouldered his rifle, looked to the fastening of his belt, and descended to the gate, where Mr. Black let him out.
After Adrian had gone the others inspected the house and its approaches for the purpose of determining where they might mount the cannon. They finally decided upon a spot in an angle of the roof, where a chimney offered some protection and from which it commanded the main approach to the house.
"I'm not sure we will be able to get the cannonup there," laughed Billie as they passed through the library on their way to the cellar, "but we'll do the best we can."
"Don't worry," was Josie's reply. "You don't know how strong Dad is."
The boys thought they could guess, but when they saw Mr. Black pick up the cannon as though it had been a log of cord wood and carry it upstairs they concluded that Josie was right.
"When I was a young man," was Mr. Black's only comment, "I was considered the strongest man in our county. I reckon if it came to a pinch I'd be a pretty hard man to handle even yet."
The boys had no doubt of it.
By the time the cannon was mounted and loaded the sun was nearing the top of the mountains behind them and a few minutes later it sank from sight.
"It won't be long now until we shall have to depend upon our ears instead of our eyes for our protection," said Donald. "Where is the best place to watch?"
"I'll tell you what I think," said Billie. "Let one watch from the roof and the other down by the gate. The one on the roof can hear noises from a distance. The one by the gate can hear any one who may be sneaking around."
"I'll watch on the roof," said the señora. "I know the chirp of every bird that belongs here. I shall know in a minute if anything happens that is unusual."
"And I'll watch by the gate," declared Donald.
"Only till midnight," said Billie, "when I'll relieve you."
"And I'll relieve the señora," said Josie.
"Where do I come in?" queried Mr. Black.
"You are the general, Dad. You can be everywhere."
Sentry duty is always nerve-racking business. If you have ever been obliged to sit alone in the dark and watch with your ears, you will understand this and you will understand how Donald felt sitting alone by the barred gate in the dark, 3,000 miles from home and in the midst of a war-stricken country.
Even the north star looked unfamiliar, so close was it to the northern horizon. Once in a while he fancied he could hear the señora weeping, but for at least three hours this was all he heard.
Then he heard a distinct "S-s-s-s," which was the signal agreed upon between him and the señora if she heard anything unusual.
In an instant he was on the alert. Yes, he was sure he heard footsteps near the gate, without. Then there were some minutes of silence, then the hiss of a fuse and a moment later an explosion which blew the gate from its hinges.
Realizing in an instant that the hiss of the fuse, like the rattle of the snake, betokened danger, Donald drew hastily back into the patio in time to be out of reach of the explosion which splintered the gate and tore it from its hinges.
Then, with finger on trigger, he awaited the coming of the foe.
It was a tense moment and the boy's heart beat fast. He had been in many trying situations, but never in one where the safety of so many others seemed to depend upon him.
He heard the sound of oncoming feet and intuitively threw himself upon the ground behind a little stone paling which surrounded a dismantled fountain.
The act undoubtedly saved his life, for an instant later there was a scattering volley and he could hear the bullets hit against the stone wall of the house behind him.
In an instant he pressed the trigger and a yell which followed gave evidence that the bullet found a mark.
He fired again, but evidently without effect, and a minute later a light at one side of the patio toldhim that the enemy, or a part of them at least, were inside the gate.
As the light flared up Donald fired again, but again without avail; but a moment later the cannon on the roof spoke.
"So," he thought, "Billie and Mr. Black are at last awake."
At the report of the cannon the light went out and there was the rush of scurrying feet, followed by a shout.
The shout indicated that those within the patio had withdrawn to the other side of the gate.
Feeling sure that the patio was now free of the enemy for a time at least, Donald retreated in the dark to the house and was soon inside. At the first landing he encountered Josie, sitting on a step with a ready revolver. He was able to see her by the dim light of an oil lamp which hung from the ceiling.
"Where are the others?" he asked.
"On the roof. They are trying to locate the enemy."
Donald ascended to the roof.
"I have a plan," he said, "which will enable us to get in another shot. Load with shrapnel and I will see if I can't make some sort of a light outside the gate. Be ready on the instant."
He ran downstairs and again crept out into the dark patio. He had noticed in the afternoon that there were several bundles of straw in the stable.
Taking one of these under his arm, he approachedthe angle in the wall near the outer gate. He lighted a match and as the flame caught the straw he flung the bundle over the wall, at the same time darting inside the stable.
He had hardly found a safe position when the cannon spoke again and evidently with telling effect.
But before those inside the walls had time to think, the enemy rushed in, determined to capture the place.
In the dark they rushed to the house, but once under the gallery which extended all around the inside of the patio, they produced a light which enabled them to find the doors.
The light also enabled Donald to see those at the door and he fired from the stable.
For a moment the fire in the rear disconcerted the enemy and several fled, but others took possession of the doorway and forced their way in.
The first one who entered fell by a bullet from Josie's revolver; but realizing her weakness she jumped and fled to the floor above, where she met her father coming down.
"They have gained possession of the house," Mr. Black told Billie as he and the señora also descended from the roof. "We must now guard the stairway. We should be able to hold it indefinitely."
This prediction seemed correct, as the first four or five men who attempted to reach the secondstory never got more than their heads above the floor.
After several trials of this sort, they withdrew and held a council of war. The result was that a few minutes later a voice called out from below:
"If you will surrender, your lives will be spared."
In reply Mr. Black shouted: "If you do not withdraw and leave us in peace you will meet a fearful punishment."
His reply was greeted with jeers.
"I wonder how many of them there are?" queried Billie.
"Quite a bunch from the sound." Then, a moment later, "They seem to be going out."
"Maybe they think we will come down," said Josie.
"But we must not," exclaimed the señora. "They would kill us. Surely our friend must bring us aid soon."
"Let us hope so," was Mr. Black's reply.
And hope was the best they could do.
There was no further attack, although they could hear the sound of voices in the patio below.
After a long period of quiet Mr. Black ventured the assertion that they were waiting for daylight, and his surmise proved correct.
No attempt was made to force an entrance until the first faint light of day began to appear. Then there was renewed activity below and a few minutes later the sound of a single shot.
"I wonder what that was," exclaimed Billie.
No one could answer, but had Billie been where he could see, he would have known that it was Donald who fired.
As the light came, Donald, peering through a crack in the stable, had seen a man climbing up the side of the house toward the roof. Without a moment's hesitation he fired and the man dropped, shot through the right hand.
But the shot was Donald's undoing. The flash of his gun was detected and half a dozen men rushed his hiding place and took him prisoner.
He was at once taken before the captain of the band and questioned as to the number of defenders and as to the whereabouts of Gen. Blanco.
To all the questions Donald gave an evasive answer.
"If you will tell me where Gen. Blanco is," said the captain, "I will give you your freedom."
"That's easy," was Donald's reply. "He is with Gen. Carranza."
"I don't believe it."
"Well, I can't help that, nor does what you believe make any difference. It is the truth and what you may believe has nothing whatever to do with it."
The captain scowled.
"Who is it then, that is defending the house?"
"Americans. You had better let us go, or it willbe the worse for you. We had a safe conduct from Gen. Huerta, but we were betrayed."
"If I had my way," said the captain, "I'd shoot every American in the whole of Mexico."
"I don't see why," from Donald. "We have nothing against you."
"Take him away," ordered the captain, "and see that he does not escape. Now let us capture the others."
There was a rush for the house as Donald was led back to the stable.
Billie and Mr. Black heard them coming.
"Go to the roof," commanded Mr. Black, speaking to the two females, "and keep yourselves and the little girl out of sight. We will hold them back here as long as we can and then we will also come to the roof."
The command had hardly been obeyed than the Mexicans began to crowd up the stairs. They were met with shot after shot, but at last all the weapons were empty.
"Run for the roof," said Mr. Black as he arose to his feet and with his heavy boot kicked a head which was just coming up the stairs.
Billie obeyed and a minute later the fugitives had gathered upon the last place of safety left.
"If we only had some ammunition," moaned Billie. "Can't we do something?"
Then, as in answer to his own query, he picked up a twelve-pound cannon ball that lay on the roofand, raising it above his head with both hands, hurled it through the opening upon those below.
This unexpected attack caused the besiegers to draw back, but only for a moment. Then they came on again. In his desperation, Mr. Black, with almost superhuman strength, picked up the cannon itself, just as Billie had picked up the ball, and hurled it down the stairs.
Half a dozen men fell beneath its weight, while the others, frightened at such an exhibition of strength, fell back in dismay.
A shout from the captain urged them forward, but ere they could gather their courage for another rush there came the sound of a volley in the patio below and a minute later Adrian rushed up the stairs, followed by Captain Lopez and a squad of his soldiers.
Taken in the rear and entirely by surprise, the Huerta forces threw down their arms and cried for mercy, and in less than five minutes after the arrival of Captain Lopez and his men, the entire force, or as many as remained, were prisoners.
Two days later the three boys sat on the verandah of Mr. Black's commodious house awaiting the callto breakfast. Under escort of Captain Lopez' men they had crossed the valley between Mr. Black's and Gen. Blanco's the day after the night attack and had spent the time since in getting a much needed rest.
"It's less than four days since we left the City of Mexico," remarked Donald, "but it seems like a month. I wonder how matters stand at Vera Cruz?"
"From that telegram from Gen. Maas, that we took from the lieutenant, Admiral Fletcher may have taken the city," said Billie.
"I hope not," from Adrian.
"Why?" asked both the others.
"'Cause I'd like to be there when it happens."
"Yes, so would I," echoed Billie.
"If he has taken it," ventured Donald, "we may have difficulty getting through the Mexican lines."
"Well, the best thing we can do," asserted Adrian, "is to get somewhere and find out what is going on just as soon as we can."
The call to breakfast interrupted their conversation, but as soon as they were seated at the table, they broached the matter to Mr. Black.
"I expect you are right," he said, "but I'd like to have you stay with me a while. It's mighty lonesome here for Josie and me."
"If we are at war with the Mexicans," remarked Billie, "this will be an unhealthy place for an American, I imagine. I should think you would want to take your daughter away from here."
"Oh, Josie and I are not afraid, are we, Josie?"
"No indeed, Dad. We are a match for a regiment of Mexicans when we are on our own ground."
But in spite of the assertion made by Mr. Black he admitted to the boys after breakfast when Josie was not present that he wished his daughter was safe in Vera Cruz.
"Why don't you go with us?" asked Adrian. "We should be pleased to act as an escort."
"Yes," echoed Billie. "We'll see you through."
"I'll tell you what I had thought of doing," said Mr. Black. "It's only a good day's ride a-horseback to Moreno. We have many friends there with whom I could leave her. If you boys would act as an escort that far you would be no farther from Vera Cruz than you are now and I believe you would have a better chance in reaching the port over the Tierra Blanca division than on the main line."
"Whether we would or not," replied Adrian, "we should be glad to act as your escort."
"There is another thing in favor of that route," continued Mr. Black. "The farther we keep from the main line of railroad, the less likely we are to fall in with the Huerta forces. The southern territory as far as Santa Lucrecia is practically in the hands of Carranza."
"From what you say," was Donald's comment, "it is greatly to our advantage to do as you wish. Let's consider the matter settled and start at once."
"It's too late in the day to start now," was Mr.Black's reply. "We shall wait until to-morrow morning and be on our way by daylight. I don't want to be riding through the mountains after dark. There are wild animals that are worse than the soldiers."
"As the Señora Blanco can testify," laughed Billie. "Every time I think of what a close shave she had, it gives me a chill."
That afternoon Mr. Black brought out half a dozen horses for the inspection of his guests.
"A day's ride on a strange horse isn't always an easy task," he explained, "and I thought you might amuse yourself trying these. You can each pick out the one that suits him best."
It was a task which suited the boys better than any they had undertaken in days, and as they had not only Mr. Black, but Josie and the General's wife for spectators, they were more than pleased to show their dexterity after true cowboy fashion.
The remainder of the afternoon was therefore spent in riding, throwing the lariat and in shooting, much to the gratification of Mr. Black, who declared he had never seen a better exhibition of its kind.
As a result of their experience, the boys picked out three medium-sized horses, which Mr. Black emphatically stated showed their good judgment of horse flesh, as completely as their riding had proved their horsemanship.
They were all in the saddle early the followingmorning, Josie's wound having healed sufficiently to permit her to ride without danger.
Early morning in the tropics is the pleasantest time of the day, and although the road from Mr. Black's hacienda to Moreno would take them from an altitude of over four thousand feet down to about two thousand feet above sea level, they would be sufficiently up in the mountains to make riding fairly comfortable.
The route chosen took the little party first to the headquarters of the Carranza force operating in that section. They were warmly greeted by General Dorantes, the commanding officer, who furnished them with a guard of four men and passes through the lines, "if," he added as he bade them good luck, "you should find it necessary to pass our lines. If my reports are correct, we are in possession of all the territory to the south."
For hours the cavalcade rode on without incident, stopping only long enough to partake of a mid-day meal at the hacienda of Don Alvaro Flores, a friend of Mr. Black's. Late in the afternoon, however, when about six miles from their destination, there came to their ears the sound of heavy firing—of field pieces mingled with the occasional roll of a machine gun.
They stopped and listened intently.
"Which direction do you make the firing to be?" asked Mr. Black of the corporal in command of the escort.
"In the direction of Tierra Blanca, sir. It soundsas though our forces might have been attacked."
"How will that affect our journey?"
"Hard to tell, sir. If we win, as we shall, the enemy may fall back toward Santa Lucrecia, or they may retreat toward Moreno. If you will take my advice, you will halt here until the action is over."
The advice seemed most excellent and the cavalcade came to a halt and the riders dismounted to give themselves a much-needed rest.
The firing lasted something like twenty minutes, then suddenly ceased, with the exception of an occasional "Boom!"
"It sounds as though we had beaten them off," said the corporal.
"Is there any way that we can tell in which direction they have retreated?"
"Only by a reconnoiter."
"Which is our long suit," declared Billie. "You just stay here with the guard, Mr. Black, and we three will soon have a report."
Looking to their arms, with which they had been well supplied by their host before leaving the hacienda, the boys rode forward toward an elevation something like a mile distant. From this they hoped to get a view of the country.
There was a fairly level road and they dashed along at a good rate despite their long ride. The horses were as hard as iron and the boys did not know the meaning of the word tired.
Reaching the top of the hill, they found a space,from which they could see clear across the valley through which ran the railroad from Santa Lucrecia to Vera Cruz. To the right, some miles away, they could see a good-sized little city which their common sense told them must be Tierra Blanca. To the left, but nearer, was the smaller town of Moreno, for which they were headed.
Between the two towns, and coming directly toward them, was a band of galloping horsemen, probably one hundred or more in number.
"Great Scott!" was Billie's ejaculation as he caught sight of the horsemen, "they're coming right at us."
"I believe you are right," from Donald. "They seem to be on this very road."
"What would you take them to be?" was Billie's next question.
"Give it up," replied Donald.
"I'll bet I can make a good guess," said Adrian. "They are a flying column of Huerta cavalry, sent out to test the Carranza lines. They have paid their respects to Tierra Blanca and now they are headed for Cordoba."
"They'll never get there," said Billie. "They'll run into General Dorante's men."
"But if it's a surprise, they'll cut their way through."
"It's up to us to see that it is not a surprise!"cried Donald. "Come on!" and he turned and dashed back the road they had come.
In less than five minutes they were where they had left their companions. In another two minutes they had told their story and in another minute the corporal and his men were on their way back toward General Dorante's headquarters.
"It's only a question of whose horses are the best," said Mr. Black. "And now let us to cover."
Leaving the highway, the Americans turned sharply to the left and dashed for the shelter of a piece of woodland something like a half a mile away. Pell-mell they went over rocks and shrubs, regardless of themselves or their horses, and succeeded in reaching the friendly cover just about three minutes before the cavalry came into sight over the hill.
"We're all right now," said Mr. Black, "if the troopers will stick to the road, but if they should take it into their heads to scatter, we might have trouble."
With eager eyes the boys watched the oncoming horsemen, prepared to flee for their lives if they should be discovered, as they realized how useless would be any resistance.
Nearer and nearer they came until the leaders were at the very spot they had just left, and then with a rush they passed by, turning neither to the right nor to the left.
Every one in the party heaved a deep sigh ofrelief.
"It's a wonder some of them didn't stop," said Billie.
"Oh, I don't know," laughed Adrian. "Look yonder," and he pointed to the brow of the hill, where another, but much smaller body of horsemen had appeared. "They evidently didn't intend to have their mission interfered with by fighting a rear-guard skirmish."
"I think the best thing we can do," said Mr. Black, "is to surrender ourselves to the pursuers. They are evidently Carranzistas and our passes will protect us."
Breaking off a piece of bamboo, Mr. Black tied a handkerchief to it and raising it above his head the little party rode out of the woods. They were sighted at once and a party of horsemen dashed toward them, and surrounded them.
It was as they had expected and Gen. Dorantes' passes were immediately recognized by the officer in command. He was much pleased at the information given him concerning the corporal and thanked the boys in the name of Gen. Carranza for their good offices. He furthermore detached an escort of a dozen men to see that they reached Moreno in safety and commended them to the care of the jefe politico, with the verbal instruction that the boys be allowed to proceed on their way to Vera Cruz at their will.