r arms. Then to the senora: "Is there any
ammunition?"

"There was powder in that wine cask," she replied, "but I don't
know whether there is any left. The balls for the cannon are on
the roof."

The boys examined the cask and found it contained quite a
quantity of powder. Then they all returned to the library and
made their report.

"Not a very heavy armament to withstand a siege, is it?" was Mr.
Black's comment. "Half a dozen rifles with about a hundred
cartridges, an old cannon that might explode any minute, and four
revolvers. It won't do."

"What else can we do?" asked Billie.

"Why, now that there are four of us, we'll cross the valley to my
house. It is just as well located to withstand a siege as this
and it is thoroughly armed and provisioned."

"Suppose we have to fight?"

"Then we'll fight."

"But you forget your daughter and the senora and her child."

"I didn't forget Josie," was the reply, "and, wounded as she is,
she can take care of herself; but I don't know about the others.
They would be a handicap. Have you anything better to offer?"

Billie scratched his head.

"Not for the moment."

"Well, I have," exclaimed Adrian.

"I thought it was about time Ad woke up," laughed Donald. "Let's
have it."

"Captain Lopez told us that there was a large body of Carranza's
troops down the railroad a short distance. If he meant by a short
distance six or eight miles they can not be more than a couple of
miles from where we now are. I feel sure that the skirmish we
passed through has proved disastrous to the Huerta forces and I
am willing to go out and find Captain Lopez and bring relief."

"And I'll go with you," said Billie.

"I can do just as well alone. If I am not captured by the other
side I shall make it easily, and," he added, "I am sure I shall
not be captured, for I can lick any squad of peons that I'm
likely to meet."

"You are a brave boy," said Josie, a bit of praise which brought
the color to Adrian's cheeks and was an added incentive for
bravery.

"But why shouldn't I go?" insisted Billie.

"You may be needed here. This house is a marked place and if a
small band of the Huerta forces has escaped, this will be one of
the places where they will rally."

"Your friend is right," agreed Mr. Black. "I admire the pluck of
all of you, but his plan is best. The sooner he goes the better
and we will make the house as impregnable as we can. Let us hope
he is successful."

"You can b