by Frank Fowler
CHAPTER XXIII.
A DINNER AND ITS RESULT.
With a shout the Mexicans broke into the clearing which theAmericans had just left. They were a motley crowd, not much likethe cavalry that forms such a great part of Uncle Sam's army.
"It seems a shame to hurt them," muttered the corporal. "Theylook as though they would run if you said boo!"
Seeing no one, the Mexicans, some twenty or twenty-five innumber, came to a halt and their leaders held a council of war.
The Americans, a couple of rods back in the woods, partlyconcealed by the trees and partly by the deepening twilight,watched them silently.
After a couple of minutes' confab, the captain of the band gavean order which the boys could not hear and a couple of Mexicansdismounted and began carefully to examine the ground. They werelooking for the prints of horses' hoofs.
"_Aqui'sta!_" exclaimed one of the men on foot, pointing to theground.
The captain drew near and leaned over from his horse to see moreclearly.
He was evidently satisfied, for he straightened up and gaveanother command and the two horsemen sprang to their saddles.
Another command and every man's sabre flashed in the air.
Raising his own sabre aloft, the captain was about to giveanother command, when there was the sound of a single shot fromthe rear and the captain's sabre went flying from his hand,struck by a rifle ball.
"_Carramba!_" he cried. "_Emboscado!_" meaning "an ambush," andputting spurs to his horse he turned and fled in the directionfrom which he had come, followed by the entire band, while theAmericans fired a volley into the air.
"They'll never stop running," laughed the corporal, "until theyreach home--wherever that is."
"And in the meantime we'll get out of here," said Mr. Black.
The men sprang to their feet and to their horses. At the samemoment there came from the woods to the left the well-knownwhistle of the Broncho Rider Boys.
"It's Don!" cried Billie, as he gave the answering call, and aninstant later Donald came into view through the trees, closelyfollowed by half a score of Uncle Sam's troopers.
"Just too late," said Adrian.
"Too late for what?" queried Donald.
"To see a masterly retreat," and in a few words he told Donaldwhat had occurred.
"Well," was the rejoinder, "I am glad no blood was shed. But whofired the shot from the rear?"
"I," came a voice, and out of the shadows appeared a figure whichhad a most familiar appearance. "If you don't recognize me," hecontinued, "you may recognize Ambrosio."
"By George!" exclaimed Billie, "if it isn't our old friendStrong. Where on earth did you come from?"
"I suppose I might ask you the same thing," was the laughingreply. "Briefly, I am on my way to Vera Cruz. I heard there was aband of American brigands out in the mountains and I thought Imight fall in with them."
"So that's what they call us, is it?" said Billie. "I neverexpected to be called a brigand."
"Strange things happen to men who travel," declared Strongfacetiously; "but you'd better be going. There are some goodtroops in this section and they are on the lookout."
"Good advice," muttered the old trooper. "This ain't no pleasureexcursion."
"Sorry we haven't a horse for you," said Adrian to Strong, "but Iguess you are used to walking."
"A good deal more so than riding. But, if one of you don't mindgiving Ambrosio a lift, it will help some."
Several expressed their willingness to take the ape on behind,but he would go to no one but Billie.
"All right, old man," laughed the boy; "but no funny business,"and he broke off a twig and shook it at Ambrosio. "You see this."
Now that the two companies had united, they broke away from therailroad and made a bee line toward Vera Cruz, arriving in sightof the city at daybreak.
"Here's where we part company with the troopers," explainedDonald. "We six and Ambrosio will ride into town together and theboys will come in as they wish. There must be no suggestion of amilitary expedition."
"I see," said Mr. Black, "and I want to thank you all for yourkindness to my daughter and to me. That is about all I can donow. Perhaps some day I can do more."
"That's enough," muttered the old trooper, "unless you can get usall sent back home. I can't see any use of keeping us here."
"That's all right, old man," laughed the corporal. "You know youwould not go home if you could."
"Better not give me a chance," was the grumbling reply, as thetrooper bit off a big piece of tobacco and tucked it away in hischeek.
Reveille was just sounding when the boys, accompanied by theirthree friends and Ambrosio, perched upon Billie's horse, drew upin front of Lieut. Grant's quarters. They had been recognized andpassed through the lines, and as the men caught sight of themthey were given a hearty cheer.
"You seem to have made friends," laughed the lieutenant as hegreeted them, "and there is every reason why you should. Thegeneral will be glad to see you and hear your report. I have nodoubt you have a good story to tell, and he likes a good story."
When the boys reached home they found the gate still locked,although it was now considerably past the time when the householdwas astir. Their knock was answered by the _portero_, who, inresponse to a question by Billie, said that Santiago wasseriously ill and had been for thirty-six hours.
"What is the matter?" asked Donald.
"Fever."
"I am not surprised," declared Adrian. "The strange thoughts hehas been thinking so many days were bound to result in somethingserious."
"Perhaps it is not convenient for us to remain here," said Mr.Black. "We can, I am sure, find some other place."
But at this moment Lucia appeared at the head of the stairs.When made acquainted with Mr. Black's words she would not hear ofhis taking Josie to any other house and gave orders for makingher perfectly at home. The only one who did not remain wasStrong.
"I'll come back this evening," he said. "I have a strange storyto tell you boys and I may need your help in locating a man I ammost anxious to find."
But he did not come back that evening, and when he did come thenext night the boys were not there, having been invited to dinewith Gen. Funston. Had things not happened thus, a part of thisstory could never have been written, for it was while dining withthe general that the boys were given a duty to perform, which wasthe most arduous of all their adventures in the land of theMontezumas.
And this was the manner of it.
They were just finishing dinner and Billie was congratulatinghimself that he had had his fill of good American cooking, whenan aide announced that a Mexican gentleman, Don Esteban Mendoza,craved an immediate audience with Gen. Funston.
"I am sure you young gentlemen will excuse me a few minutes,"said the general, "as Don Esteban is one of the prominent bankersof the city and I know his business must be of importance."
The boys were glad to accept the proffered excuse and the generalwithdrew, leaving them in the company of several members of hisstaff, to whom they briefly related their recent adventure. Whenthey told of the "ambush" there was much amusement.
In the midst of their conversation the general returnedaccompanied by Don Esteban.
"These are the young gentlemen to whom I referred," explained thegeneral, introducing the boys. "They are typical Americans and,being civilians and speaking Spanish fluently, will be just theones to help you in your trouble."
Then to the boys: "Don Esteban has a very delicate mission forwhich he asks the assistance of Americans. He wished me to detailthree young officers for the work, but this I do not feel I cando, as it is strictly a private mission. If you feel that you canundertake it, he will be glad to explain it to you."
"Anything that you recommend, General, we shall be glad toundertake," replied Donald, acting as spokesman for the trio.
"Then I shall turn you over to Don Esteban, and as his businessis pressing, I will excuse you if you wish to accompany himhome."
"A thousand thanks, General," said Don Esteban effusively. Thento the boys: "My automobile is at the door. If you will takeseats in it, we shall be speedily at my house. You will pardon meif I speak nothing but Spanish, as I know very little English,although"--with an expressive glance at Gen. Funston--"I hope toknow it better."
Following Don Esteban, they were soon speeding through thestreets and five minutes later entered a handsome patio.
"This is my house," said Don Esteban. "Be pleased to consider ityour own. Now, if you will follow me to the library, I willexplain the mission I wish you to undertake."
The boys followed without a word, but as they passed up thestairs Billie muttered under his breath:
"Did you notice, boys, that this house backs right up againstSantiago's?"