The Broncho Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers Part 20

"Just go over to Presidio del Norte and ask the first peon you see," was the captain's reply. "They all know him."

Billie sprang from his chair. "Come on!" he exclaimed, "let's waste no time. We may find him in time to put him on his guard."

"I wouldn't go tonight, if I were you," cautioned the captain.

"Why not?" asked Billie.

"Well, I don't think it is hardly safe."

"You don't think we are afraid, do you?"

"It isn't a question of fear. It is rather a question of a fight, and I know you don't want to get into a fight."

Billie scratched his head.

"I don't know as I should exactly say we wanted to get into a fight; but we wouldn't mind if something should happen that would give us a chance to take a fall out of our friend, Don Rafael."

Captain Peak laughed.

"I see!" he said. "All you want is a chance, and you're not so particular who furnishes it. But, take my advice, and don't get into trouble tonight. Things are too unsettled, and I don't want to be obliged to make a raid into Mexico to rescue you. I have even had to answer quite a few questions about the trouble we had the other day over by Don Pablo's."

"All right," laughed Billie. "We won't get into any trouble. We will just see this wonderful peon, and put a flea in his ear, and then we'll come back."

"Just as you say," was the captain's answer. "I'm sure you are able to take care of yourself."

Bidding the captain good-night, the boys called for their horses and slowly rode across the river.

Presidio del Norte is not a large town, but as it is on the line of the Orient railroad-which at this particular time was in process of construction-it was quite a lively place for a Mexican pueblo. It is built around the inevitable plaza, the stores all facing thereon, and, when the stores and the little booths in the plaza are all lighted, becomes quite an attractive spot.

Drawing up at one of the booths, the boys accosted an intelligent-looking peon, and stated their errand. He looked at them a bit suspiciously, but finally agreed to help them find the object of their search.

"Follow me," he said, and, turning away from the brightly lighted plaza, led them down a dark and narrow street. "Pancho is a poor man, _senores_, and does not live in a very nice place."

"He didn't need to tell us that," laughed Adrian. "We still are able to see."

"No," said Donald to the guide, "you do not need to apologize. We understand that Pancho is an honest man, which is more to his credit than to live in a fine house."

The Mexican led them about four or five squares and stopped before a miserable little adobe house.

"_Aqui'sta!_" he exclaimed, and knocked loudly on the half-open door.

"_Quien es?_" came a voice from within, meaning, "Who is it?"

"Americanos to see Pancho," replied the guide.

"_Bueno!_" came the voice, and a moment later a large, fine-looking man appeared in the doorway.

"I am Pancho Villa," he said pleasantly. "What can I do for you?" and this was the Broncho Rider Boys' introduction to the man who afterward became the foremost general of Mexico.

CHAPTER XV.

A SHOT IN THE DARK.

"What can I do for you?" again asked Villa, as the boys did not at once reply, not knowing exactly what to say, nor how to say it in the presence of a third person.

"We have a message for you from a fellow patriot," Adrian finally replied. "Perhaps it would be better if we entered your house."

"My casa is a very humble one," replied Villa, "but, if you will deign to honor it with your presence, you are quite welcome, _senores_."

The boys alighted and threw their bridle-reins over a post at the side of the gate.

"Stay here and watch the gentlemen's horses, Secundino," said Villa to the guide, who was about to leave. "If you see anyone lurking about, call."

"_Bueno_" was the reply and the guide threw himself down beside the horses.

The boys entered the house, followed by Villa. As their guide had said, it was a poor house, but it was comfortable and clean. Its only furniture consisted of a few chairs, a table, a bed, and some rugs on the floor. A single candle furnished the light.

"Now, _senores_," said Villa, after they had all been seated, "we can talk without being interrupted. What is your message, and from whom?"

"Our message," replied Adrian, who seemed to have made himself the spokesman, "is a warning. It is from one who calls himself only Santiago."

"Santiago!" exclaimed Pancho. "Santiago! And how did he come to make strangers-Americans-the bearer of a message to Pancho Villa?"

"It is a long story," replied Adrian, "but if you will listen we shall be glad to explain."

"No story is too long, if it is the truth," said Villa.

"Which this is," declared Adrian earnestly, and for the second time that evening the events of the past few days were rehea.r.s.ed.

"And you mean to tell me that Rafael Solis attempted to kidnap the son of General Sanchez?"

"That is exactly what he did," declared Billie, who had scarcely been able to keep quiet while Adrian was talking. "And he would have succeeded, too, if we had not been there to help him escape."

"But that isn't the worst, to my way of thinking," exclaimed Donald.

"The worst thing was his a.s.sault upon Santiago!"

"He explained that to me by saying that Santiago was playing into the hands of the _haciendados_," declared Villa, meaning by the "_haciendados_" the rich landowners, who for years have been grinding the peons under their heel.

"Explained to you!" exclaimed Billie. "Then you have seen him?"

"He left me not an hour ago."

"It is none of our business," said Donald, "but as we are interested in Santiago, we should be glad to know what he wanted."

"Just what you might expect-to help him overthrow President Madero, who, he says, is just as bad as was Diaz."