The Broncho Rider Boys with Funston at Vera Cruz

by Frank Fowler

  CHAPTER XXI.

  ADRIAN HAS AN ACCIDENT.

  "What do you suppose that means?" asked Adrian.

  Mr. Black made no reply and a moment later the bugle call wasrepeated.

  "It sounds to me," said Mr. Black, "as though some fresh troopswere coming in."

  "That's bad," was Adrian's comment.

  "Perhaps not, my lad, if we act quickly."

  "How so?"

  "The new arrivals may take up the attention of the gang ofbandits outside and we may get away ere they return."

  "Good," was Adrian's comment. "Where is Miss Josie?"

  "Waiting in the next room with the family of my host."

  Mr. Black stepped to the door and called to those within. In afew words he explained the situation and in less than threeminutes he and the girl were mounted and ready to ride.

  "Where is your horse?" he asked Adrian.

  "I left it with the boys at the cocoanut grove."

  "But we can't go and leave you here."

  "Of course not. I shall run alongside of your horse, holding toits mane, Indian fashion. Now then, are we ready?"

  "All ready!"

  The great gate was opened noiselessly and, bidding a subduedgood-bye to the family, the three passed out into the night.

  "I should have throttled Jose ere I left," declared Mr. Black asthey passed down the street.

  "I wish we were as safe as he is," laughed Adrian.

  For three blocks they wended their way as silently as possibleand just as they came out into the open there came another buglecall.

  "That's for us," said Adrian. "There is no mistaking thatcommand. Now to run for it."

  The two riders put spurs to their horses and Adrian bounded alongat their side, running as lightly as an antelope. They wererapidly nearing the spot where the Americans were in waiting,when Adrian stepped into a hole and pitched forward onto hisface.

  "Don't stop for me!" he called. "I'll be there as quick as youare!"

  He picked himself up and started to run, but his ankle gave himsuch a pain that he almost fainted.

  "Great Scott!" he exclaimed, "I've sprained my ankle."

  He sat down and rubbed the maimed member for a couple of minutesand then attempted to hobble on. It was more than he could bearand he sat down again.

  "By George," he groaned, "this is tough! I'll have to call forhelp."

  He gave the well-known whistle, but there was no response.

  He gave it again; but still no answer.

  "Worse and more of it," he muttered. "Something has happened toBillie."

  What it might be Adrian could not imagine, but he was sure thathis chum was not at the appointed spot, as he was near enough tohave heard the whistle and would surely have answered.

  "Well, I can't stay here. The greasers will be coming prettysoon. I must get along some way."

  He got up and walked a few steps and again sat down. There was nosound of a pursuit and the hoofbeats of Mr. Black's horses hadceased.

  "They have reached the grove," Adrian muttered. "I must get theresome way."

  Once more he arose to his feet and took several steps and thensank down in a faint, so great was the pain.

  When he came to himself he was lying upon a matting of some kindand to his ears came the faint sound of a guitar, followed a fewmoments later by sounds of girlish laughter.

  He sat up and looked around, but could see nothing, except a rayof light coming in through a little crack between a couple ofblankets that formed a curtain in a doorway.

  "Where in the name of common sense am I?" he muttered.

  He attempted to get to his feet, but the pain in his anklebrought him quickly to himself.

  "Now I remember!" he exclaimed. "I fell and sprained my ankle.But how did I get here?"

  He started to call, but at that moment the music ceased and aminute later he heard voices saying good night. Then a door wasclosed and immediately the curtains were thrown open and a peonwoman stood in the door.

  "Oh!" she exclaimed, upon seeing Adrian sitting up and looking ather. "Then you are not dead?"

  "I should say not. Did you think I was?"

  "I was afraid so."

  "Why?"

  "Because your death might be laid at my door."

  "Evidently she hasn't discovered I am an American," thoughtAdrian. "Well, I'll not tell her until I have to."

  The woman turned around and called to some one in the other roomand another figure appeared in the door--that of a girl somefifteen years of age.

  "Look, Peppita," and the elder woman pointed at Adrian.

  The girl gave a little scream.

  "_Madre mia!_" she exclaimed. "Who is it?"

  "I know not, my child. I found him unconscious at our back doorand dragged him inside."

  "I beg your pardon," said Adrian. "I didn't know I was near anyhouse."

  "It is a very poor one, senor. I and my daughter are all alonesince my poor Leocadio was killed."

  "Who killed him?" asked Adrian, becoming interested.

  "The Huertistas. He was a soldier under Gen. Dorantes."

  "Is that so?" exclaimed Adrian. "I know Gen. Dorantes well. He isa fine man. But you will soon be avenged, for Huerta's days areshort."

  The woman's eyes snapped.

  "_Es verdad?_" meaning, "Is it true?"

  "It certainly is. Since the Americans have taken Vera Cruz, Gen.Huerta will have to go. It is only a question of a few days."

  "_Bienissimo!_ The Americans are brave men! My Leocadio was fondof the Americans."

  "I am glad of that, senora, for I am an American."

  The woman and girl both started back as in fear and then cameforward again.

  "How did you come here, senor?"

  "I fell from a horse and sprained my ankle. I tried to walk andmust have fainted."

  "Have you friends in Moreno?"

  "I did have, but they have gone and I want to get to Vera Cruz."

  "Vera Cruz is a long way, senor. I never expect to go that farfrom home--me and my little Peppa."

  Adrian smiled.

  "I expect it does look like a long ways to you, senora; but it isnot far. Do you think I can stay here with you until my ankle iswell enough to walk? I have a little money. I will pay yousomething."

  "Oh, Mother!" exclaimed the girl, who now spoke for the firsttime. "You will let him stay, won't you?"

  "The wife of Leocadio would not turn a lame dog out, much less alame boy."

  "_Mil gracias, senora!_" exclaimed Adrian, with much gratitude."Yes, more than a thousand thanks. You will never regret it."

  "The wife of Leocadio is not learned," was the reply, "but sheknows an honest youth when she sees one. Come, Peppita, let theyoung man go to sleep. We will make our bed out here."

  She drew the curtains together and Adrian was left alone to hisown reflections.

  "By George!" he exclaimed under his breath, "if I ever get out ofthis measly country, I'll be glad. I wonder what has become ofBillie? Of course he'll look for me, and old Don, too; but itlooks as though it might be weeks before I could walk. Well, Idon't care. If Mr. Black and Josie got away, that's glory enoughfor one day."

  He settled himself down and tried to go to sleep, but his leghurt him so that he could not. In fact, the pain was so greatthat every once in a while he groaned.

  After a few of these groans the woman appeared in the door withan earthen vessel filled with hot water.

  "If the senor will bind this on his ankle, it will do it muchgood," she said.

  "I'll do anything to get rid of this pain," said Adrian.

  He took the jar and, dipping his handkerchief in it, bathed hisankle freely and finally bound the cloth around the swollen part.

  "There," he muttered as he at last succeeded in finding acomfortable position, "now I think I can get a little sleep."

  How long thereafter it was before he came to himself he did notknow, but when he opened his eyes the first streak of daylightwas creeping in thr
ough a little window.

  A minute later there was the rattle of musketry, followed by ahearty American cheer. He raised up to look out of the window,when the side of the room came in with a crash.