nutes, then suddenly
ceased, with the exception of an occasional "Boom!"

"It sounds as though we had beaten them off," said the corporal.

"Is there any way that we can tell in which direction they have
retreated?"

"Only by a reconnoiter."

"Which is our long suit," declared Billie. "You just stay here
with the guard, Mr. Black, and we three will soon have a report."

Looking to their arms, with which they had been well supplied by
their host before leaving the hacienda, the boys rode forward
toward an elevation something like a mile distant. From this they
hoped to get a view of the country.

There was a fairly level road and they dashed along at a good
rate despite their long ride. The horses were as hard as iron and
the boys did not know the meaning of the word tired.

Reaching the top of the hill, they found a space, from which they
could see clear across the valley through which ran the railroad
from Santa Lucrecia to Vera Cruz. To the right, some miles away,
they could see a good-sized little city which their common sense
told them must be Tierra Blanca. To the left, but nearer, was the
smaller town of Moreno, for which they were headed.

Between the two towns, and coming directly toward them, was a
band of galloping horsemen, probably one hundred or more in
number.

"Great Scott!" was Billie's ejaculation as he caught sight of the
horsemen, "they're coming right at us."

"I believe you are right," from Donald. "They seem to be on this
very road."

"What would you take them to be?" was Billie's next question.

"Give it up," replied Donald.

"I'll bet I can make a good guess," said Adrian. "They are a
flying column of Huerta cavalry, sent out to test the Carranza
lines. They have paid their respects to Tierra Blanca and now
they are headed for Cordoba."

"They'll never get there," said Billie. "They'll run into General
Dorante's men."

"But if it's a surprise, they'll cut their way through."

"It's up to us to see that it is not a surprise!" cried Donald.
"Come on!" and he turned and dashed back the road they had come.

In less than five minutes they were where they had left their
companions. In another two minutes they had told their story and
in another minute the corporal and his men were on their way back
toward General Dorante's headquarters.

"It's only a question of whose horses are the best," said Mr.
Black. "And now let us to cover."

Leaving the highway, the Americans turned s