CHAPTER XVII.
A MEETING OF REVOLUTIONISTS.
Midway between the Hacienda del Rio and the _hacienda_ of Don PabloOjeda, near the source of the little mountain stream across which theBroncho Rider Boys chased the horse thieves in recovering old Bray,there stands an old mill. When built, or by whom, not even the oldestinhabitant of that region can remember. It is made of rock quarried outof the mountain side; and although the water wheel has long since goneto decay and the millstones have fallen into their beds, the walls ofthe building remain intact.
To be sure there is no roof on the building, but the heavy oak rafters,cut from trees on the mountain side, are reasonably strong, and, coveredwith a wealth of tropical foliage, form sufficient covering for one whois accustomed to the outdoor life of these regions.
Into this ancient structure, on the afternoon of the same day on whichCapt. Peak and his young comrades discovered the rifles of thegun-runners, four men might have been seen to enter. Three of them werestrangers. The fourth was the missing Don Rafael.
That they had no fear that they would be seen, was evidenced by the openmanner in which the strangers dismounted from their horses and threwtheir bridle reins to their accompanying servants.
Of the three one had a decidedly military bearing while the others boreevidence of being well-to-do landowners.
"You surely have a veritable fortress here, Don Rafael," declared themilitary man after a brief glance around. "With a little work in the wayof outer trenches, it might be made well nigh impregnable to any butthose armed with modern siege guns."
"So I have thought, General," replied Don Rafael deferentially.
"Where have you hidden the arms?"
"This way, General," and Don Rafael led the way to the rear of the ruinsand pointed out a strongly constructed door, which apparently openedinto a vault. "They are well cared for."
"How many have you?" asked one of the others.
"In the neighborhood of ten thousand small arms and ten machine guns.Another shipment was brought over the river last night and will becarted up here tonight."
"Good!" exclaimed the general. "But now to the purpose of our visit. Youasked us to meet you to hear the plans of General Orosco regarding theoverthrow of the Madero government. What are they?"
"Sh-sh-h! Not so loud," exclaimed Don Rafael, as he cast furtive glancesout toward the servants and the horses. "Your mozos might overhear!"
"Small chance of that," said the general, "and if they did they wouldwant to join the movement."
"Briefly," said Don Rafael, "the plan is this: To start the movement inthe northern states with the revolt of the Chihuahua garrison. GeneralOrosco stands ready at a moment's notice to come north and assumecommand; but you will have to start the movement in your state. I willstart it here."
"How about Villa? Will he join us?"
"I am sure he will; but if he will not, I will see that he does notinterfere."
"How many men can you muster?" asked the general.
"I shall have two thousand. I should have been able to do better, had itnot been that my plans were interfered with by three young Gringoes whoare touring this state on horseback! I ran into them at a mostinopportune time, and as I did not wish to get into trouble with theUnited States authorities, I could not punish them as I otherwisewould."
"That's bad," said the general.
"Yes, it is; but if they come across my path again, I shall make shortwork of them."
"Well," said the general after a few more questions and answers, "Ithink we know enough. I shall expect to see you at Presidio del Norte ina few days. I trust you will succeed in your mission with Villa."
Then, as he emerged from the old mill and once more stood and looked atthe old structure: "This surely is a wonderful spot! We must see that itis properly fortified."
The visitors approached their horses and were about to mount, when apeon on foot was seen approaching from downstream. That he was thebearer of a message of some sort was evident from his actions, and thehorsemen remained unmounted, awaiting his coming.
"It's one of the men who were with us on last night's expedition,"explained Don Rafael as the man approached near enough to be recognized."I wonder what he wants."
They were not kept long in suspense, for the messenger, seeing that theywere waiting, hastened his footsteps and soon reached them.
"What is it, hombre?" asked Don Rafael.
"A serious mistake was made last night."
"How so?"
"A lot of rifles and a machine gun were left on the American side of theriver."
"What!" exclaimed Don Rafael "A machine gun?"
"Si, Senor!"
"What's to be done?"
"That's what Don Pablo wants to know. He told me to say that he hasdiscovered that the guns are right where they were left and so far havenot been seen. One of the men has been posted on this side of the riverto watch that no one molests them. Don Pablo thinks if they are notdiscovered during the day, we can easily bring them over right afterdark, so that they can come up here with the others!"
"I don't see anything else to do," said Don Rafael.
"Then you will send the men to help?" asked the man.
"Is that what Don Pablo wants?"
"Si, Senor!"
"Very well. Tell him I will have a dozen men on hand as soon as it isdark. I may come myself to see that he makes no more blunders."
"That's the only safe way," said the general.
The messenger made no reply, but with a muttered "_Hasta lluego_,"[3]took his departure as fast as he had come and the three strangers soonfollowed his example.
Left alone, Don Rafael watched them as they slowly wound their way downthe mountain path, and when they finally passed from view, turned andentered the mill. Quickly he ascended the dilapidated stone stairs tothe second story, where, in a small room partitioned off from the restof the mill, he had made him a habitation, and threw himself upon hiscrude bed.
"Pancho Villa!" he exclaimed with a mocking laugh. "Pancho Villa,indeed! It will be a long time before anyone sees Pancho Villa!"
Footnote:
[3]: Until we meet again.