It was not until two hours after daylight that the complete result of Villa's strategy was apparent. At that hour the battle was over and the Federals took possession of the city. For a minor battle it had been a severe one, and the victory was well won.

From the balcony of the city hall the Broncho Rider Boys watched the victorious army, with General Sanchez at its head, march into the town.

As the column pa.s.sed the place where the boys stood, the general caught sight of them as he glanced from right to left, and gave them a salute with his sword, which was followed by every member of his staff. The boys returned the salute, and a few minutes later were given a chorus of "_Vivas_," as the troop of Villa pa.s.sed the balcony.

The Americans who had taken part in the rescue of the boys had returned to the American side before it was light.

"I reckon we had better return, too," said Donald, as the boys were talking the matter over a few minutes later.

"Yes," replied Adrian, "I suppose we should go and make our report to Lieutenant Grant."

"I can't see that there is much to report," declared Donald.

"Why," exclaimed Billie, with a hearty laugh, "that the gun-running expedition has been abandoned for want of runners."

"Don't you think he has heard about it before this?" asked Adrian.

"Possibly," and Billie chuckled to himself; "but that doesn't relieve us from making our report. Besides (decidedly), I'm hungry, and there is nothing this side of the river fit to eat!"

"I thought there was some reason for the anxiety," laughed Donald, "but at that, I think we should go and report."

They made their way hastily to General Sanchez's headquarters, where they were cordially received, although General Sanchez was so busy with the work of taking over the city that he could spare them but a moment.

He thanked them, however, in the presence of all the officers for what they had done, and gave them an escort to the river.

"When these troublesome times are over," he said, as the boys were leaving, "you must all come and pay Pedro a visit in the City of Mexico.

We shall be most glad to see you."

The boys thanked him for his invitation, and rode away.

It was not until they had enjoyed a good breakfast that they put in their appearance at Lieutenant Grant's quarters. Here again they were cordially received, although, as they had expected, a report of what had happened on the other side of the river had already been made. Here, also, Billie found a telegram from his father, telling him that he could wait no longer in El Paso, and saying that he would write him about coming back East in the near future.

"It looks as though my days as a Broncho Rider Boy were about over,"

said Billie, with a sigh; "but whenever you fellows are ready to go and visit Pedro in the City of Mexico, let me know, and I'll surely be with you."

And in pa.s.sing it may be well to say that some two months later, when affairs became so bad in Mexico under General Huerta that the United States government was obliged to send a force of sailors and soldiers to take possession of Vera Cruz, our Broncho Rider Boys found themselves-because of General Sanchez's invitation-right in the midst of this trouble. This furnishes another story of the Broncho Rider Boys, which will be known as The Broncho Rider Boys With Funston At Vera Cruz, Or Scout Duty Afloat and Ash.o.r.e.

"You must leave me your permanent address," declared Lieutenant Grant.

"I may have occasion to write you almost any time."

"For what?" asked Billie.

"Why, in reference to the ten thousand pounds. If we succeed in tracing the purchaser of these drafts, your testimony will be necessary to punish those who may be responsible for creating this trouble along the Rio Grande."

"What is he talking about, Ad?" queried Donald.

"I'm sure I don't know. I haven't heard anything about ten thousand pounds. What is it, Billie?"

In answer to which question, Billie related again, both for the benefit of his chums and of Lieutenant Grant and Captain Peak, the story of his experiences in the river and at Don Pablo's _hacienda_.

"Suppose no owner is found for the drafts?" asked Captain Peak. "Then what?"

"I reckon the bank will be that much ahead, unless," the lieutenant added, with a laugh, "our friend Billie should wish to return them to Don Pablo."

"Hardly," replied Billie. Then, as an afterthought: "Santiago said they were to be a part of my reward."

"Who is Santiago?" queried Lieutenant Grant.

"A mystery," was the laughing rejoinder.

And a mystery he must remain for the present, although in the story of the Broncho Rider Boys with Funston, the mystery is cleared away, and the ownership of the ten thousand pounds is settled in a manner that shows what strange things may happen when a nation is at war.

"There is just one more question which I should like to ask," said Lieutenant Grant to Billie, as the boys were about to leave. "Of course there were no Americans in the force that captured Presidio del Norte?"

"Certainly not," replied Billie. "I am reliably informed that every American, except we three, left the city some hours before it was captured. Isn't that right, Captain Peak?" And Billie turned to the captain of the rangers.

"Such is the report that was made to me," declared the captain, "and I have no reason to doubt it!"

"Then that will be all," laughed the lieutenant; "and I wish you a pleasant journey home. When do you start?"

"Just as soon," replied Billie, "as we can get old Bray loaded with enough provisions to carry us through."

And with a hearty handshake all around, the boys started to make preparations for continuing their journey, carrying with them the best wishes of all the Texas Rangers.

THE END.