"It sure does," was the reply as Billie rubbed his stomach
suggestively. "I'll never go out again as long as I'm in this
revolutionary republic without a haversack full of grub."

"Who said grub?" called back Donald.

"What a question," laughed Adrian. "Who is it that's always
hungry? It's all he thinks about."

"Oh, it is, eh?" from Billie. "Well, I'm thinking about something
else now. There's the moon coming up over the valley and we're
not three miles from the old Rosario. We'd better keep our eyes
peeled and see that our shooting irons are in shape. We may have
to fight our way home even yet."

As though to verify the prediction there appeared at the moment
the figure of a solitary horseman silhouetted against the rising
moon.

"You're a prophet of evil all right," said Adrian. "Now what?"

"Just keep on riding."

"But that chap is right in our way."

"Then ride him down. He'll be worse scared than we are."

The advice seemed good and the boys spurred forward.

"If you think he means us any harm," Donald remarked, "I might
take a shot at him."

"I don't believe he does."

Again Billie proved a good prophet as the rider rode directly
toward them, waving his hat in his hand.

"It's Tony," exclaimed Pedro as the rider approached a little
nearer.

Tony was one of Gen. Sanchez' servants.

"Why, so it is," laughed Donald. "I suppose he is out looking for
us."

Which was exactly the case. The news of the fight had reached
Pachuca along with the part the boys had played in saving the
bullion, and Pedro's father had heard it along with the others.

Later, word had been brought that one of the boys was missing and
the others had gone to look for him. When none of them returned
after all these hours, Gen. Sanchez had organized a searching
party, of which Tony proved to be the advance guard.

A few minutes later, several horsemen dashed up and the boys were
given a rousing reception.

"The _Jefe politico_ is waiting to greet you," Tony told the
boys.

The jefe politico is the mayor.

Billie smiled broadly and once more rubbed his stomach.

"This begins to look encouraging," he remarked to Pedro. "I think
I can taste the good things already."

Half an hour later the boys reached the city and were given a
cheer as they passed through the main street and up to Gen.
Sanchez' home, which was located half a block from the plaza. And
in another ten minutes Billie was facing the mayor over a plate
o