NEWS FROM THE MINE
By the use of the strong stimulant the Mexican was revived. His eyes
opened, and he sat up, muttering something in Spanish which the boys
could not catch.
The professor, however, made reply, and, at the words the stranger
seemed to brighten up. He drank some water, and then, at the suggestion
of Mr. Snodgrass the boys brought him some food, which the native ate as
if he had fasted for a week.
His hunger satisfied, he began to talk rapidly to the professor, who
listened attentively.
"What's the trouble?" asked Jerry at length.
"It seems that the poor man lives in this hut," explained the scientist.
"Night before last some robbers came in, took nearly everything he
had and beat him. Then, driving him into the forest they left him.
Only just now did he dare to venture back, fearing to find his enemies
in possession of his home. He is weak from lack of food and from the
treatment he received."
The boys felt sorry for the Mexican, and, at Jerry's suggestion they
gave him a sum of money, which, while it was small enough to the
travelers, meant a great deal to the native. He poured forth voluble
thanks.
As the boys and the professor were anxious to get under way, a start was
made as soon as it was found that the native was not badly hurt, and
that he was able to summon help from friends in a near-by village if
necessary. With final leave-takings the travelers started off.
For several days and nights they journeyed north, toward the Rio Grande,
which river separated them from the United States. Once they crossed
that they would be in Texas.
"And we can't get there any too soon," remarked Bob, one morning after
a sleepless night, passed in the open, during which innumerable fleas
attacked the travelers.
It was toward dusk, one evening, about a week after having left the City
of Mexico that the boys and the professor found themselves on a road,
which, upon inquiry led to a small Mexican town, on the bank of the Rio
Grande, nearly opposite Eagle Pass, Texas.
"Shall we cross over to-night or wait until morning?" asked the
professor of the boys. "Probably it would be better to wait until
daylight. I could probably gather a few more specimens then."
This was something of which the scientist, who rejoiced in such letters
as A.M.; Ph.D.; M.D.; F. R. G. S.; A. G. S., etc., after his name, all
indicating some college honor conferred upon him, never seemed to tire.
He was making a collection for his own college, as well as gathering
data for four large books, which, some day, he intended to issue.
"I'd rather get over on our land if we can," said Ned, and he seemed to
voice the sentiments of the others.
So it was decided, somewhat against the professor's wish, to run the
automobile on the big flat-bottomed scow, which served as a ferry, and
proceed across the stream.
Quite a crowd of villagers came out to see the auto as it chug-chugged
up to the ferry landing, and not a few of the children and dogs were
in danger of being run over until Ned, who was steering, cut out the
muffler, and the explosions of the gasolene, unconfined by any pipes,
made so much noise that all except the grown men were frightened away.
There was no one at the ferry house, and after diligent inquiries it was
learned that the captain and crew of the boat had gone off to a dance
about five miles away.
"I guess we'll have to stay on this side after all," remarked the
professor. "I think--"
What he thought he did not say, for just then he happened to catch sight
of something on the shoulder of one of the Mexicans, who had gathered in
a fringe about the machine.
"Stand still, my dear man!" called the professor, as with cat-like tread
he crept toward the native.
"Diabalo! Santa Maria! Carramba!" muttered the man, thinking, evidently,
that the old scientist was out of his wits.
"Don't move! Please don't move!" pleaded Mr. Snodgrass, forgetting in
his excitement that his hearer could not understand his language. "There
is a beautiful specimen of a Mexican katy-did on your coat. If I get it
I will have a specimen worth at least thirty dollars!"
He made a sudden motion. The Mexican mistook the import of it, and,
seemingly thinking he was about to be assaulted, raised his hand in self
defense, and aimed a blow at the professor.
It was only a glancing one, but it knocked the scientist down, and he
fell into the road.
"There, the katy-did got away after all," Mr. Snodgrass exclaimed, not
seeming to mind his personal mishap in the least.
This time the professor spoke in Spanish. The Mexican understood, and
was profuse in his apologies. He conversed rapidly with his companions,
and, all at once there was a wild scramble after katy-dids. So
successful was the hunt that the professor was fairly burdened with
the insects. He took as many as he needed, and thanked his newly found
friends for their efforts.
Matters quieted down after a bit. Darkness fell rapidly and, the Mexican
on whom the professor had seen the katy-did invited the travelers to
dine with him.
He proved to be one of the principal men of the village, and his house,
though not large, was well fitted up. The boys and the professor enjoyed
the best meal they had eaten since leaving the City of Mexico.
"Do me the honor to spend the night here," said the Mexican, after the
meal.
"Thank you, if it will not disturb your household arrangements, we
will," replied the professor. "We must make an early start, however, and
cross the river the first thing in the morning."
"It will be impossible," replied Senor Gerardo, their host.
"Why so?"
"Because to-morrow starts the Feast of San Juarez, which lasts for three
days, and not a soul in town, including the ferry-master, will work in
that time."
"What are we to do?" asked Mr. Snodgrass.
"If you do not cross to-night you will not be able to make the passage
until the end of the week," was the answer.
"Then let's start to-night," spoke Jerry. "We went over the Rio Grande
after dark once before."
"Yes, and a pretty mess we made of it," said Ned, referring to the
collision they had with the house-boat, as told of in "The Motor Boys in
Mexico."
"But I thought they said the ferry-master was away to a dance," put in
Bob.
"He is, Senor," replied their host, who managed to understand the boy's
poor Spanish. "However, if he knew the Americanos wanted him, and would
go for him in their big marvelous--fire-spitting wagon, and--er--that is
if they offered him a small sum, he might be prevailed upon to leave the
dance."
"Let's try it, at all events," suggested Jerry. "I'm anxious to get over
the line and into the United States. A stay of several days may mean
one of a week. When these Mexicans get feasting they don't know when to
stop."
He spoke in English, so as not to offend their kind friend.
It was arranged that Jerry and Senor Gerardo should go in the auto for
the ferry-master, and summon him to the river with his men, who could
come on their fast ponies.
This was done, and, though the master of the boat demurred at leaving
the pleasures of the dance, he consented when Jerry casually showed a
gold-piece. He and his men were soon mounted and galloped along, Jerry
running the auto slowly to keep pace with them. The five miles were
quickly covered and, while half the population of the village came out
to see the strange machine ferried over, the boys and the professor bade
farewell to the country where they had gone through so many strange
adventures.
It was nearly ten o'clock when the big flat-bottomed boat grounded on
the opposite shore of the Rio Grande.
"Hurrah for the United States!" exclaimed Bob. "Now I can get a decent
meal without having to swallow red peppers, onions and chocolate!"
"There goes Chunky again," laughingly complained Ned. "No sooner does he
land than he wants to feed his stomach. I believe if he had been with
Christopher Columbus the first thing he would have inquired about on
landing at San Salvador would be what the Indians had good to eat."
"Oh you're as bad as I am, every bit!" said Bob.
Eagle's Pass, where the travelers landed, was a typical Texas town,
with what passed for a hotel, a store and a few houses where the small
population lived. It was on the edge of the border prairies and the
outlying districts were occupied by cattle ranches.
Nearly all, if not quite all, of the male population came down to the
dock to see the unusual sight of a big touring automobile on the ferry
boat. Many were the comments made by the ranchmen and herders.
After much pulling and hauling the car was rolled from the big scow,
and the travelers, glad to feel that they were once more in their own
country, began to think of a place to spend the night.
"Where is the nearest hotel?" asked Jerry of a man in the crowd.
"Ain't but one, stranger, an' it's right in front of you," was the
reply, as the cowboy pointed to a small, one story building across the
street from the river front.
"Is Professor Driedgrass in that bunch?" asked a voice as the travelers
were contemplating the hostelry. "If he is I have a letter for him."
"I am Professor Snodgrass," replied the scientist, looking toward the
man who had last spoken.
"Beg your pardon, Professor Snodgrass. I kinder got my brands mixed,"
the stranger went on. "Anyhow I'm th' postmaster here, an' I've been
holdin' a letter for ye most a week. It says it's to be delivered to a
man with three boys an' a choo-choo wagon, an' that description fits
you."
"Where's it from?" asked Mr. Snodgrass.
"Come in a letter to me, from a feller named Nestor, up at a place in
the mining section," was the reply. "Th' letter to me said you might
likely pass this way on your journey back."