The Broncho Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers Part 30

CHAPTER XXII.

BESIEGED BY REVOLUTIONISTS.

At the cry of spies all was confusion, and the revolutionists, with loud imprecations, sprang forward to seize the accused.

But quick as were the Mexicans, the Broncho Rider Boys were quicker!

Evading the outstretched hands which would hold them, the boys dashed for the door, striking right and left at all who came within reach.

"Look out for the knives and use your fists," cried Donald, as he planted a well directed blow on the point of Don Carlos' chin, which laid that enthusiastic revolutionist low.

Billie and Adrian followed suit, and the two nearest them went down under their attack.

Another bound and they had reached the door.

"Shoot them," cried Don Rafael. "They are friends of Gen. Sanchez!"

He drew his revolver and would have fired, had not the man nearest him knocked his revolver from his hand.

"You'll hit our own men," he said. "Who are you anyway?"

"I'll show you who I am," replied Don Rafael, beside himself with rage.

"Take that!" and he aimed a blow at the man, which not only knocked the man down, but caused Don Rafael to nurse his fist with pain.

And now the boys are in the street and the whole band is after them, shouting and firing their revolvers indiscriminately.

Ordinarily such an affair would have created great excitement, but with firing in progress all about the city, it only attracted a few old men and boys, who joined in the pursuit.

"Get off the plaza," cried Adrian. "Get into the dark!"

"Can't we get our horses?" gasped Billie.

"No!" replied Donald as they ran. "Never mind the horses! Look for some place where we can hide."

They darted down the first street which seemed to offer a refuge, with the whole band in hot pursuit.

"They're gaining on us," said Billie. "Let's turn another corner!"

This they did and still another, but were unable to shake off their pursuers, who seemed to increase in numbers.

"In here!" at last cried Donald, as he noticed the door of a house standing partly open. "In here and shut the door!"

Suiting the action to the word, he darted in. The others followed, slamming the door behind them.

It was not a moment too soon, for the next instant the crowd came around the corner and pa.s.sed down the street, thinking the boys still ahead.

It was pitch dark in the room into which they had stumbled, but Donald produced his electric light and they took a hasty survey of their surroundings.

"Here's a candle," he said. "We'd better light it and save our electricity."

This they did, and as the dim light gave them a better view of the entire place they were all struck with its familiar appearance.

"It seems to me as though I had been in here before some time," said Billie.

"Me too," declared Adrian, and he looked about more carefully.

"I've got it!" exclaimed Billie. "It's Villa's house!"

"By George, you're right," said Adrian. "I wonder where he is?"

"It don't look as though anyone had been here since we were," said Billie.

"Maybe there hasn't," replied Donald. "This surely is a queer mess we have fallen into."

The noise of a great commotion in the street and the sound of pounding on doors came to them through the grated window.

"The mob is returning!" said Adrian.

"What do you suppose the pounding is?" queried Billie.

"I should say they were breaking into the houses along the street," said Donald.

"That is just what they are doing," a.s.serted Adrian. "Looking for us, no doubt."

"We'd better barricade the door," exclaimed Donald, and he grabbed the bed and pushed it against the door, while Billie pushed up the table.

"Not much to barricade with," remarked Adrian and he piled up the chairs.

The work had hardly been completed when there was a knocking on the door.

The boys made no response.

"Open!" cried a voice, "in the name of the law, open the door!"

Still the boys made no reply; but they made ready to use their weapons if necessity demanded.

Then came blows upon the door, evidently from an ax, and in a moment the lock was shattered.

"It's time to give them warning," said Donald. "Fire through the first opening they make."

The very next blow made the opening desired and three shots rang out.

They were followed by screams from the street and the hammering ceased.

"They've found out that there is some one here, anyway," said Billie. "I wonder what they'll do next?"

A volley from without was his answer, but the shots were all high and no damage was done. The boys did not wait for a second volley, but jumped around to each side of the door, out of range.