JOINING THE REVOLUTIONISTS.
Fifteen minutes later, just as the last rays of daylight were fading
away, three horsemen were seen to dash out of the Federal lines and head
straight for the intrenchments which the revolutionists had hastily
thrown up around Presidio del Norte.
A minute later a band of at least a dozen cavalrymen followed in hot
pursuit.
But that one minute had been sufficient to give the three horsemen
enough of a lead to make it a stern chase, which everyone knows is a
long chase; and although the cavalry were plainly well mounted, the
three horsemen gradually ran away from them.
When this became evident, the pursuers opened fire upon the trio, but
their shots failed to reach their mark. In a couple of minutes more, the
cavalrymen were obliged to draw rein to prevent them from coming within
range of the revolutionists' rifles, while the fleeing horsemen rode
directly into the trenches and later into the town.
The three horsemen were the Broncho Rider Boys and the chase was a ruse
determined upon by the boys and General Sanchez when they told him their
mission, for of course General Sanchez was as anxious to thwart the
revolutionist plot as was Lieut. Grant.
So well was the ruse carried out, however, that it completely deceived
the revolutionists; and as the boys came inside the revolutionary lines,
they were cheered loudly.
They approached the first officer they met and asked the way to the
commander of the city. He was not only glad to direct them, but even
offered to accompany them--an offer which they were glad to accept.
"That was a narrow escape," he said as they rode along.
"It was that," replied Donald; "but it was either escape or be stood up
before a firing squad, and we took the chance. If that's the way the
Madero government treats people, it's no wonder you all revolted."
"That's right," declared Billie. "I'd like to have a chance to take a
shot at them."
"You shall have it," declared the officer. "I will tell the general and
he will be glad to enlist you."
"_Bueno!_" replied Billie, although joining the revolutionists was a
thing he had not before considered. A gun-running expedition didn't seem
so bad; but to be put out on the firing line was a good deal too much
like war.
They soon reached the barracks, and for the second time that evening the
boys were ushered into the presence of a commanding general.
Without giving them a chance to speak, the officer who had conducted
them thither introduced them by saying:
"General, here are three Americans who have just broken through the
enemy's line and want to join our army."
"Is it possible?" queried the general, a dapper little man, who looked
about as much like the boys' idea of a revolutionist as a horse looks
like a goat.
The officer assured him that it was more than possible; that it was a
fact.
"They must be smart young men to escape General Sanchez," was the
general's next remark.
"They are," declared the officer, who seemed to be considerably nettled
at the general's manner. It was a daring ride, he had seen it and he
wanted the credit of bringing in three such valuable recruits. "I'd be
glad to have them in my battalion," he added.
"_Asi!_" said the general as he slowly nodded his head. He was clearly
suspicious and still the revolution was so new and the need of men so
great that he couldn't afford to be too particular. "So you would like
them in your company, Don Carlos?"
"_Cierto!_" was the officer's emphatic reply.
"Very well; take them along. But remember, you have sharp work ahead,
and want only men on whom you can depend. These American cowboys are a
hard lot, especially when they are drinking."
"I know men when I see them," replied Don Carlos, with an air of
self-importance. "I wasn't born yesterday."
"_Bueno!_" and the general waved his hand. "Take them away. I'm busy
now; but come back in an hour and I'll give you your instructions."
"Come," commanded the officer called Don Carlos, and the boys followed
him from the room, not having spoken a word.
"I hope we're going to see some active service," said Adrian to Donald
in an undertone, which was intended for the ears of the officer,
although it was supposed not to be.
"I'll bet we will," replied Donald in the same manner. "The major here
is all right."
Don Carlos squared his shoulders and threw out his chest, the remark
having greatly pleased his vanity. And right here it may be said that
Don Carlos was as brave and dashing a revolutionist as there was in the
army, his only weakness being his egotism. Because of this his judgment
was bad, and courage without wisdom is quite apt to get one into
trouble.
"Well," muttered Billie, who had quickly caught on to the game, "I'd
like to know where I'm going before I join any company. The major may be
all right, but unless he gets a chance, what can he do?"
"We'll have plenty of chance," interrupted the major.
"Yes, I know," grumbled Billie, "to stand in a trench and shoot at
nothing. What I want is something with a dash!"
"We'll have that, too," declared Don Carlos. "What would you say to a
raid across the river and a fight with the patrol?"
"Fine! That's the kind of a job for me!"
"How about your comrades?"
"We're with you!" exclaimed both Adrian and Donald in one breath.
"Anything for excitement!"
"You're young men after my own heart!" declared Don Carlos, who was a
right young man himself.
"Where are we going now?" asked Billie, seeing that they were riding
back toward the firing line.
"My men are mostly in the trenches," replied Don Carlos, "but the dozen
or more I have selected for this raid are in a little cantina just
around the corner."
He gave his horse the spur and a moment later pulled up at the most
inviting of the numerous cantinas which encircled the plaza.
"Here we are!" he exclaimed, as he leaped from his horse. "Come in and
I'll introduce you to the rest of the troop."
As the boys alighted they recognized the place as the one that had
played such a conspicuous part in their recent visit to Villa, but they
felt sure that no one would recognize them; and even if anyone did, the
revolution had completely changed conditions since that time. The only
fear they had was that they would not be able to play the part they had
assumed.
"Take your time," was Donald's advice, "and keep your wits about you."
"You don't suppose they'll want us to drink, do you?" asked Billie.
"I hardly think so," answered Donald. "My observation is that the
average Mexican is not a drinker of anything stronger than agua
frescas"--meaning by this, drinks like limeade, piña and other soft
drinks.
"Oh, well," laughed Billie, "I could stand a good lemonade right now.
Let's hurry up!"
Donald's prediction was quite right, and when the boys entered they
found a number of the troop just about to indulge in a _grosella_, a
very palatable beverage made from currants and tasting much like the now
famous grape juice. A couple of tough-looking Americans were the only
ones who were drinking anything intoxicating.
"These are our new recruits," cried Don Carlos, so that all could hear.
"Here's their health!"
"_Salud!_" meaning, "your health," was the boisterous response, and in a
very few minutes the boys found themselves on terms of soldierly good
fellowship with the whole band, not excepting the Americans, who were
the most boisterous of all.
"I don't like these fellows' looks at all," declared Adrian to Billie,
the first time he got a chance to speak to him privately. "They look
like a couple of outlaws."
"I expect they are," laughed Billie. "Perhaps they take us for the
same."
"By George, I believe they do!" was Adrian's answer. "Now what do you
think of that?"
"What do I think of what?" queried Donald, who had heard the remark.
Adrian repeated the conversation.
"Well," declared Donald, "I don't know but we are, in the eyes of anyone
who don't know the facts."
"What!" exclaimed Billie. "Haven't I a right to fight for the
revolutionists if I want to?"
"Sure you have; but if you are caught at it, your own government would
not interfere in your behalf. If you expect the United States to protect
you, you must be neutral in other peoples' battles!"
"Of course," explained Adrian, "our present position is not that."
"Oh, no!" replied Donald. "We are on a mission for our own government."
Their conversation was interrupted by the major, who, calling all the
men aside, explained to them briefly that they were to go on a dangerous
mission across the river into the United States.
"If it succeeds," he said, "it will not only insure the success of our
cause, but will mean a goodly sum of money to each one of us."
"How is that?" asked one of the Mexicans.
"Because the work we have to do is in the interest of a large railroad
syndicate, which is most anxious to have the United States intervene in
the troubles in Mexico!"
"We want no intervention by the United States," declared several of the
men fiercely. "Rather Francisco Madero than the American pigs!"
"You don't understand," explained one of the Americans, to whom our boys
had taken such a dislike. "The Americans only want to be guaranteed----"
"We know," replied one Mexican. "We are willing to fight, but not for
the Americans."
"_Bueno!_" exclaimed several.
For a few minutes it looked as though there might be a small revolution
among the revolutionists, but Don Carlos was equal to the occasion and
announced that no one had to go who did not want to.
"Neither will they get any of the money," he added. "Now then, all who
do not wish to go may return to the trenches."
No one made a move, although there was considerable muttering.
"Now that this matter is settled," said Don Carlos, "I will go and get
my final instructions. I'll be back soon."
"We seem to be getting pretty close to the facts," said Donald as Don
Carlos left. "If we can only get some names we shall have all the
information we need."
"We shall get those after we get a little better acquainted," said
Adrian, and he proceeded to make friends with the members of the band as
best he could.
Perceiving that this was the proper thing to do, Donald and Billie also
began to get better acquainted and were making good progress when Don
Carlos returned, accompanied by two companions, which brought the number
up to twenty.
"Attention!" he called as soon as he entered the cantina.
The order was obeyed, although not in a very soldierly manner.
"The expedition is to leave for the American side in twos and threes,"
he explained, "and we are to meet at Alamita at eight o'clock tomorrow
night. If any are captured, they are to allow themselves to be
imprisoned without protest. No matter what happens, keep your orders
secret. You understand?"
"_Bueno!_" was the unanimous reply.
"Then go!" ordered Don Carlos, and he stepped aside to allow the men to
pass out.
"Stop!" exclaimed a voice from the rear of the cantina. "One thing you
have forgotten!"
The boys, along with the others, turned at the sound of the voice and
there in a rear door stood Don Rafael.
"Great Scott!" exclaimed Billie. "This is no place for me!" and he made
a bolt for the door, followed by Adrian and Donald.
"Stop them," cried Don Rafael, who recognized them at the same instant
they recognized him. "They are spies!"