h, it's you!" was the lieutenant's salutation as he saw who it
was. "Did you get what you went after?"

"Yes, sir," from Donald. "The enemy has halted at Tejeria,
fifteen miles away."

"Well done. I'll send an orderly to carry the report to
headquarters. You boys are entitled to a rest."

"Where's Billie?" asked Adrian, looking around after the orderly
had departed.

"Who?"

"Billie. Our chum."

"Oh, yes," replied the lieutenant. "He's disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

"Yes. He went into this house here," pointing to the building
before which he had stationed himself, "and when I went in later
to see how he was coming on with his wounded horse, I found the
horse standing in the middle of the patio, but your chum had
disappeared."

"And then what?" queried Donald.

"Nothing. I made up my mind he had gone after something to put on
his horse and I haven't thought much about him since."

"Then it's up to us to find him. Can we go inside?"

"Sure," laughed the lieutenant. "Go as far as you like, only keep
inside the lines."

Without more words the boys entered the patio.

CHAPTER XVII.

BILLIE GETS A SURPRISE.

When Billie found himself looking into the muzzle of a rifle in
the hands of Santiago, his first impulse was to call out; but the
expression on Santiago's face caused him to remain silent.

While the strange man owed his life to the lad, as is related in
the story of the "Broncho Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers,"
there was that in the man's face which told that he was under a
severe mental strain, and Billie did not think it wise to presume
upon his former friendship.

Therefore, he remained quiet, waiting for Santiago to speak.

If he recognized Billie, he gave no intimation of the fact; but
in a harsh voice commanded: "Up with your hands!"

Billie obeyed.

"Turn to the left and march. In there," he continued a moment
later as Billie approached an open door in the rear of the patio.

Into the house Billie went--into a large room, but dimly lighted.
Santiago followed, closing the door behind him with a kick.

"Why shouldn't I shoot you down like a dog?" asked Santiago as
soon as the door was closed.

"I can't see any reason," was the reply, "except that it might
cause you a lot of trouble when it was found out. I imagine that
Admiral Fletcher is going to be pretty severe upon snipers and
others who shoot Americans."

"Bah!" exclaimed Santiago angrily. "I spit upon Americans!