aloft, the captain was about to give
another command, when there was the sound of a single shot from
the rear and the captain's sabre went flying from his hand,
struck by a rifle ball.

"_Carramba!_" he cried. "_Emboscado!_" meaning "an ambush," and
putting spurs to his horse he turned and fled in the direction
from which he had come, followed by the entire band, while the
Americans fired a volley into the air.

"They'll never stop running," laughed the corporal, "until they
reach home--wherever that is."

"And in the meantime we'll get out of here," said Mr. Black.

The men sprang to their feet and to their horses. At the same
moment there came from the woods to the left the well-known
whistle of the Broncho Rider Boys.

"It's Don!" cried Billie, as he gave the answering call, and an
instant later Donald came into view through the trees, closely
followed by half a score of Uncle Sam's troopers.

"Just too late," said Adrian.

"Too late for what?" queried Donald.

"To see a masterly retreat," and in a few words he told Donald
what had occurred.

"Well," was the rejoinder, "I am glad no blood was shed. But who
fired the shot from the rear?"

"I," came a voice, and out of the shadows appeared a figure which
had a most familiar appearance. "If you don't recognize me," he
continued, "you may recognize Ambrosio."

"By George!" exclaimed Billie, "if it isn't our old friend
Strong. Where on earth did you come from?"

"I suppose I might ask you the same thing," was the laughing
reply. "Briefly, I am on my way to Vera Cruz. I heard there was a
band of American brigands out in the mountains and I thought I
might fall in with them."

"So that's what they call us, is it?" said Billie. "I never
expected to be called a brigand."

"Strange things happen to men who travel," declared Strong
facetiously; "but you'd better be going. There are some good
troops in this section and they are on the lookout."

"Good advice," muttered the old trooper. "This ain't no pleasure
excursion."

"Sorry we haven't a horse for you," said Adrian to Strong, "but I
guess you are used to walking."

"A good deal more so than riding. But, if one of you don't mind
giving Ambrosio a lift, it will help some."

Several expressed their willingness to take the ape on behind,
but he would go to no one but Billie.

"All right, old man," laughed the boy; "but no funny business,"
and he broke off a twig and shook it at Ambrosio. "You see thi