The Broncho Rider Boys with Funston at Vera Cruz

by Frank Fowler

  CHAPTER XV.

  THE INSULT AVENGED.

  Perceiving that the advantage was on their side, the boys did nothesitate to profit by it.

  "Do as we bid," ordered Donald sternly, "and your lives will besaved. Disobey and we will not answer for the consequences."

  The kneeling peons uttered never a word, but raised their eyeswith a look of surprise.

  "Get up," was the next command.

  The peons obeyed.

  "Now conduct us to the water front by a route where there are noMexican soldiers."

  "Do you think you can trust them?" asked Billie.

  "At any sign of treachery, our first shot will be for them." Thento the peons: "Now march."

  Without a word the peons, five in number, started back over theroute by which they had come but a minute before.

  "Where did the other American come from?" asked Billie of thepeon nearest him as they rode along.

  "Quien sabe, senor," was the hesitating response. "We saw himriding by and we followed him."

  "That's the way with loud talkers," remarked Adrian. "When thetest comes they usually weaken."

  The firing, which had somewhat subsided for a few minutes,suddenly began again with renewed vigor, especially on the partof the ships.

  "Our boys are getting ready for another advance," said Billie,and his manner became greatly excited. "Let's get there in timeto take part."

  "I'm willing," declared Adrian. "Come on!"

  The two boys dug their spurs into their horses and dashedforward, upsetting a couple of the peons in their flight.

  "Hold on!" called out Donald. "You'll get into trouble."

  Billie and Adrian paid no attention to his cry, whereupon healso put spurs to his horse, leaving the peons gaping withastonishment in the middle of the road.

  And now the boys came into sight of the water front where thefighting was going on. It was at the instant that the order hadbeen given to clear the space around the custom house, and theboys saw the marines advance on the double quick.

  The Mexicans gave way, but volley after volley was poured downupon the advancing Americans from the roofs of houses and fromnearby church towers.

  There were several shots in rapid succession from the _Chester_,which had drawn in more closely, every one of which struck atower where a large force of Mexicans had gathered.

  The tower toppled and fell, carrying many with it.

  "Hurrah!" cried Billie. "Give it to them!" and, firing his rifleas he went, he rode right down into the main street.

  "He'll be killed by our own men!" cried Donald.

  But he was not. Instead he dashed into the open space in front ofthe custom house, just as the marines swept by, his hat off andhis rifle cracking as fast as he could fire.

  Seeing that the danger from the marines was past, Donald andAdrian fell in behind Billie, just as an officer came around thecorner at the head of another company.

  Espying the boys, he halted his command.

  "What are you doing here?" he demanded.

  "We just came to town," replied Billie, "and we're trying to helpavenge the insult to the flag."

  "Good!" was the emphatic reply. "Fall in behind us. You may be ofservice."

  The boys obeyed and followed the company as it swept up thestreet. Presently they came to a barricade, behind which themarines had taken a stand. The boys expected the command to halt,but instead they passed the barricade and pushed onward towardthe outskirts of the city.

  All the time there was a continuous fire upon them by mensecreted on the roofs of houses.

  "I'd clean out those snipers if I were in command," said Donaldto his companions.

  The words were hardly out of his mouth ere another company ofmarines made its appearance and the men dashed into the houses oneither side of the street.

  "Somebody has the same idea, Don," was Billie's comment as theyrode along.

  Two blocks farther came the order to halt and entrench. A minutelater the officer called the boys toward him.

  "Would you rather lend us your horses, or act as orderlies?" heasked.

  "If it's all the same to you," was the reply, "we'll serve asorderlies."

  "Very well. Will you," turning to Adrian, "go back to the customhouse and tell Captain Rush that we have reached our position.You," to Billie, "ride with all speed to the landing and say thatthe enemy has retreated toward the water works. They should notbe allowed to stop long enough to do any damage."

  The two boys were off like the wind to carry the orders.

  "Anything for me?" asked Donald.

  "Not for the present. Better dismount and get behind something."

  Two minutes later Adrian pulled up in front of the Custom Houseand delivered his message, while Billie kept on to the water'sedge.

  "Do you know where the water works are?" asked the officer towhom Billie gave his order.

  "Yes, sir!"

  "Then lead us to it."

  Without a word Billie obeyed and the Jackies followed on the run.

  The information was evidently received none too soon, for theyencountered quite a force of Mexicans, guarding the works.

  A volley from the bluejackets was returned by a scattering fireand the Mexicans turned and fled.

  But the volley had been sufficient to lose Billie his mount, ashis horse came to his knees with a bullet in his shoulder.

  Without waiting to see the cause of Billie's fall any more thanto ask if he was hit, the Jackies pushed on toward the waterworks, leaving Billie to look out for himself as best he coulduntil the work in hand was completed.

  "This is sure enough tough luck," was Billie's comment as hehelped the horse to his feet and examined the wound. "It will layhim up for a week."

  He took the horse by the bridle and led him slowly back towardthe Custom House, where he reported to an officer and hunted upAdrian.

  "What had we better do now?" he asked. "I'd like to find a placeto tend to my horse."

  "The fighting seems about over," was Adrian's reply, "and Ireckon the horse will be given attention by some one."

  "Oh, I don't want to make any trouble, Ad! If nobody objects,suppose we go hunt a stable."

  They were about to leave when a sergeant stopped them.

  "You're to follow me to the Captain," he said. "Here," to amarine who stood by, "take charge of these horses and see thatthe lame one is cared for."

  "I wonder if they will take our horses away from us?" mutteredAdrian as they followed the sergeant.

  "Give it up. I wonder what he wants of us?"

  It did not take them long to find out.

  "Are you the boys that brought the messages from LieutenantBlunt?" asked Captain Rush.

  "Yes, sir."

  "Will you undertake another mission?"

  "With pleasure," replied Adrian.

  "Same here, sir," from Billie, "but my horse has been wounded."

  "That's bad. However, I guess we can find another."

  "Sure, sir. I can borrow Don's."

  "Who is Don?"

  "He's the other one of us, sir. He is still out with LieutenantBlunt."

  "Well," said the Captain, "either two of you will do. What I wantis to find out to just what point the Mexican army is fallingback. Do you think you can find out?"

  "Sure."

  "Very well. My compliments to Lieutenant Blunt and give him thisorder. He will pass two of you through the lines. The other canremain with him. Sergeant, their horses."

  Five minutes later, both astride Adrian's horse and leading theother, they appeared at the outpost and delivered the order.

  "Which two shall it be?" laughed the lieutenant as he looked theboys over.

  "I guess it will have to be Adrian and Don," replied Billieruefully. "I've had glory enough for one day. The insult to theflag has been avenged and the Stars and Stripes are floating overVera Cruz."

  "I think it's only fair that Don, as you call him, should sharein the adventure," said the lieutenant, "and the s
ooner you gothe better. It is almost sundown now."

  Then as Donald and Adrian started on their mission:

  "Success to you and report here when you return."

  "Is there any place near here where I can care for my horse?"asked Billie as soon as the others had passed out of sight.

  "Why, yes. There are stables in almost any of these houses. Here,try this one," and the lieutenant indicated the one before whichthey were standing.

  Billie knocked on the big door, but there was no reply.

  "Knock louder," laughed the lieutenant. "Use your boot."

  Billie used his foot and with such vigor that the gate flew open.

  When no one appeared to answer his summons, he stuck his headinside the patio and called lustily.

  "Must be deserted," he finally remarked. "Such being the case,lieutenant, I reckon I might as well take possession."

  "Sure. Go ahead. If every one has gone, I may join you later."

  Billie led his horse within and looked around. It was a largehouse and the patio was the most elaborate Billie had ever seen.He had thought that Pedro's home in Mexico City was fine, butthis was much finer.

  "They must be swells," was the lad's comment. "I reckon theybecame frightened and have run away with General Maas."

  He started to lead the horse to the stable and then stopped.

  "I might as well shut this big gate," he thought. "I'll leave thelittle gate open so the lieutenant can come in."

  He pushed the big gate together and dropped the bolt in itsplace.

  "Now to do something for the horse," and he turned to the animalwhich stood patiently by.

  Then he stopped and stood in mute astonishment at what his eyesbeheld.

  In the center of the patio, with rifle in hand, aimed squarely athis head, stood a figure he had last seen on the banks of the RioGrande more than a year before--the figure of a man whom he hadknown only as Santiago.

  The recognition was mutual, but instead of the friendliness whichhad always before marked the attitude of the strange man, therewas now upon his face a look of the most bitter hatred.