CHAPTER XXI.
JOINING THE REVOLUTIONISTS.
Fifteen minutes later, just as the last rays of daylight were fadingaway, three horsemen were seen to dash out of the Federal lines and headstraight for the intrenchments which the revolutionists had hastilythrown up around Presidio del Norte.
A minute later a band of at least a dozen cavalrymen followed in hotpursuit.
But that one minute had been sufficient to give the three horsemenenough of a lead to make it a stern chase, which everyone knows is along chase; and although the cavalry were plainly well mounted, thethree horsemen gradually ran away from them.
When this became evident, the pursuers opened fire upon the trio, buttheir shots failed to reach their mark. In a couple of minutes more, thecavalrymen were obliged to draw rein to prevent them from coming withinrange of the revolutionists' rifles, while the fleeing horsemen rodedirectly into the trenches and later into the town.
The three horsemen were the Broncho Rider Boys and the chase was a rusedetermined upon by the boys and General Sanchez when they told him theirmission, for of course General Sanchez was as anxious to thwart therevolutionist plot as was Lieut. Grant.
So well was the ruse carried out, however, that it completely deceivedthe revolutionists; and as the boys came inside the revolutionary lines,they were cheered loudly.
They approached the first officer they met and asked the way to thecommander of the city. He was not only glad to direct them, but evenoffered to accompany them--an offer which they were glad to accept.
"That was a narrow escape," he said as they rode along.
"It was that," replied Donald; "but it was either escape or be stood upbefore a firing squad, and we took the chance. If that's the way theMadero government treats people, it's no wonder you all revolted."
"That's right," declared Billie. "I'd like to have a chance to take ashot at them."
"You shall have it," declared the officer. "I will tell the general andhe will be glad to enlist you."
"_Bueno!_" replied Billie, although joining the revolutionists was athing he had not before considered. A gun-running expedition didn't seemso bad; but to be put out on the firing line was a good deal too muchlike war.
They soon reached the barracks, and for the second time that evening theboys were ushered into the presence of a commanding general.
Without giving them a chance to speak, the officer who had conductedthem thither introduced them by saying:
"General, here are three Americans who have just broken through theenemy's line and want to join our army."
"Is it possible?" queried the general, a dapper little man, who lookedabout as much like the boys' idea of a revolutionist as a horse lookslike a goat.
The officer assured him that it was more than possible; that it was afact.
"They must be smart young men to escape General Sanchez," was thegeneral's next remark.
"They are," declared the officer, who seemed to be considerably nettledat the general's manner. It was a daring ride, he had seen it and hewanted the credit of bringing in three such valuable recruits. "I'd beglad to have them in my battalion," he added.
"_Asi!_" said the general as he slowly nodded his head. He was clearlysuspicious and still the revolution was so new and the need of men sogreat that he couldn't afford to be too particular. "So you would likethem in your company, Don Carlos?"
"_Cierto!_" was the officer's emphatic reply.
"Very well; take them along. But remember, you have sharp work ahead,and want only men on whom you can depend. These American cowboys are ahard lot, especially when they are drinking."
"I know men when I see them," replied Don Carlos, with an air ofself-importance. "I wasn't born yesterday."
"_Bueno!_" and the general waved his hand. "Take them away. I'm busynow; but come back in an hour and I'll give you your instructions."
"Come," commanded the officer called Don Carlos, and the boys followedhim from the room, not having spoken a word.
"I hope we're going to see some active service," said Adrian to Donaldin an undertone, which was intended for the ears of the officer,although it was supposed not to be.
"I'll bet we will," replied Donald in the same manner. "The major hereis all right."
Don Carlos squared his shoulders and threw out his chest, the remarkhaving greatly pleased his vanity. And right here it may be said thatDon Carlos was as brave and dashing a revolutionist as there was in thearmy, his only weakness being his egotism. Because of this his judgmentwas bad, and courage without wisdom is quite apt to get one intotrouble.
"Well," muttered Billie, who had quickly caught on to the game, "I'dlike to know where I'm going before I join any company. The major may beall right, but unless he gets a chance, what can he do?"
"We'll have plenty of chance," interrupted the major.
"Yes, I know," grumbled Billie, "to stand in a trench and shoot atnothing. What I want is something with a dash!"
"We'll have that, too," declared Don Carlos. "What would you say to araid across the river and a fight with the patrol?"
"Fine! That's the kind of a job for me!"
"How about your comrades?"
"We're with you!" exclaimed both Adrian and Donald in one breath."Anything for excitement!"
"You're young men after my own heart!" declared Don Carlos, who was aright young man himself.
"Where are we going now?" asked Billie, seeing that they were ridingback toward the firing line.
"My men are mostly in the trenches," replied Don Carlos, "but the dozenor more I have selected for this raid are in a little cantina justaround the corner."
He gave his horse the spur and a moment later pulled up at the mostinviting of the numerous cantinas which encircled the plaza.
"Here we are!" he exclaimed, as he leaped from his horse. "Come in andI'll introduce you to the rest of the troop."
As the boys alighted they recognized the place as the one that hadplayed such a conspicuous part in their recent visit to Villa, but theyfelt sure that no one would recognize them; and even if anyone did, therevolution had completely changed conditions since that time. The onlyfear they had was that they would not be able to play the part they hadassumed.
"Take your time," was Donald's advice, "and keep your wits about you."
"You don't suppose they'll want us to drink, do you?" asked Billie.
"I hardly think so," answered Donald. "My observation is that theaverage Mexican is not a drinker of anything stronger than aguafrescas"--meaning by this, drinks like limeade, pina and other softdrinks.
"Oh, well," laughed Billie, "I could stand a good lemonade right now.Let's hurry up!"
Donald's prediction was quite right, and when the boys entered theyfound a number of the troop just about to indulge in a _grosella_, avery palatable beverage made from currants and tasting much like the nowfamous grape juice. A couple of tough-looking Americans were the onlyones who were drinking anything intoxicating.
"These are our new recruits," cried Don Carlos, so that all could hear."Here's their health!"
"_Salud!_" meaning, "your health," was the boisterous response, and in avery few minutes the boys found themselves on terms of soldierly goodfellowship with the whole band, not excepting the Americans, who werethe most boisterous of all.
"I don't like these fellows' looks at all," declared Adrian to Billie,the first time he got a chance to speak to him privately. "They looklike a couple of outlaws."
"I expect they are," laughed Billie. "Perhaps they take us for thesame."
"By George, I believe they do!" was Adrian's answer. "Now what do youthink of that?"
"What do I think of what?" queried Donald, who had heard the remark.
Adrian repeated the conversation.
"Well," declared Donald, "I don't know but we are, in the eyes of anyonewho don't know the facts."
"What!" exclaimed Billie. "Haven't I a right to fight for therevolutionists if I want to?"
"Sure you have
; but if you are caught at it, your own government wouldnot interfere in your behalf. If you expect the United States to protectyou, you must be neutral in other peoples' battles!"
"Of course," explained Adrian, "our present position is not that."
"Oh, no!" replied Donald. "We are on a mission for our own government."
Their conversation was interrupted by the major, who, calling all themen aside, explained to them briefly that they were to go on a dangerousmission across the river into the United States.
"If it succeeds," he said, "it will not only insure the success of ourcause, but will mean a goodly sum of money to each one of us."
"How is that?" asked one of the Mexicans.
"Because the work we have to do is in the interest of a large railroadsyndicate, which is most anxious to have the United States intervene inthe troubles in Mexico!"
"We want no intervention by the United States," declared several of themen fiercely. "Rather Francisco Madero than the American pigs!"
"You don't understand," explained one of the Americans, to whom our boyshad taken such a dislike. "The Americans only want to be guaranteed----"
"We know," replied one Mexican. "We are willing to fight, but not forthe Americans."
"_Bueno!_" exclaimed several.
For a few minutes it looked as though there might be a small revolutionamong the revolutionists, but Don Carlos was equal to the occasion andannounced that no one had to go who did not want to.
"Neither will they get any of the money," he added. "Now then, all whodo not wish to go may return to the trenches."
No one made a move, although there was considerable muttering.
"Now that this matter is settled," said Don Carlos, "I will go and getmy final instructions. I'll be back soon."
"We seem to be getting pretty close to the facts," said Donald as DonCarlos left. "If we can only get some names we shall have all theinformation we need."
"We shall get those after we get a little better acquainted," saidAdrian, and he proceeded to make friends with the members of the band asbest he could.
Perceiving that this was the proper thing to do, Donald and Billie alsobegan to get better acquainted and were making good progress when DonCarlos returned, accompanied by two companions, which brought the numberup to twenty.
"Attention!" he called as soon as he entered the cantina.
The order was obeyed, although not in a very soldierly manner.
"The expedition is to leave for the American side in twos and threes,"he explained, "and we are to meet at Alamita at eight o'clock tomorrownight. If any are captured, they are to allow themselves to beimprisoned without protest. No matter what happens, keep your orderssecret. You understand?"
"_Bueno!_" was the unanimous reply.
"Then go!" ordered Don Carlos, and he stepped aside to allow the men topass out.
"Stop!" exclaimed a voice from the rear of the cantina. "One thing youhave forgotten!"
The boys, along with the others, turned at the sound of the voice andthere in a rear door stood Don Rafael.
"Great Scott!" exclaimed Billie. "This is no place for me!" and he madea bolt for the door, followed by Adrian and Donald.
"Stop them," cried Don Rafael, who recognized them at the same instantthey recognized him. "They are spies!"