f steaming soup, while a mozo stood at his back waiting to serve
the leg of a twenty-five pound turkey. Raising his eyes from the
table, he caught sight of what was coming and gave Donald, who
sat next to him, a dig in the ribs with his elbow.

"How's this for a prophet of evil?" he asked.

Donald took a look at the great bird which was rapidly falling
into pieces under Gen. Sanchez' skillful hand, and remarked with
a wink:

"Great!"

CHAPTER VII.

THE INSULT TO THE FLAG.

A week later, or, to be more exact, on April 10, 1914, the
Broncho Rider Boys and their friend Pedro were back in the City
of Mexico. During the two weeks they had been at Pachuca, many
changes had taken place and on the morning in question they had
just finished their coffee in the breakfast room when Guadalupe,
Pedro's sister, brought in the morning paper.

"What's the news?" asked Adrian.

Guadalupe glanced at the paper and hid it behind her back without
making any reply.

"Why, Sister!" exclaimed Pedro with all the dignity of his
sixteen years. "How can you be so rude?"

"She's only joking," laughed Billie, who was always found on
Guadalupe's side when any argument took place. "Come, tell us!
What is it?"

Guadalupe shook her head.

"Oh, I can't," she replied in a pained voice.

"Why not?" from Billie.

"It says we are going to have war with the United States and I
don't believe it."

"Of course you don't," replied Billie. "Neither does any one
else."

"Let me see," said Pedro sternly.

Slowly the girl handed her brother the paper.

He opened it and read.

"A party of American marines was arrested in Tampico yesterday
for landing on Mexican soil with arms in their hands. They were
marched through the streets under a heavy guard and lodged in
jail. After a parley with the American Admiral, Mayo, the
commandant of the city finally released them upon the assurance
of the Admiral that it should not occur again."

"Well, if it was only a mistake, that doesn't mean war," laughed
Billie, but Donald's face took on a more serious look.

"That isn't all," said Pedro.

"Well," from Billie, "let's have the rest of it."

"The American Admiral has now declared that the men did not land
on Mexican soil with arms in their hands, but that they were in
their boat at the pier when arrested. He claims that they were
taken from under the American flag----"

"What?" almost shouted Billie, springing to his feet. "Taken
from u