The Broncho Rider Boys with Funston at Vera Cruz / Or, Upholding the Honor of the Stars and Stripes

THIS IS NO PLACE FOR ME, COMMENTED BILLIE AS HE KEPT HIMSELF WELL HIDDEN BEHIND A GIANT CACTUS. The Broncho Rider Boys with Funston at Vera Cruz. Page 33.



Let me look, Billie, and Donald reached out his hand for the field glass through which Broncho Billie was gazing down from the summit of Real del Monte upon the plain of Quesco, through which the Pachuca river winds its way. Maybe I can make out who they are.
Billie handed over the glass without a word and stood expectant, while Donald scrutinized closely a body of horsemen—twenty or more in number—which had halted beside the railroad that connects the little city of Pachuca with the City of Mexico.
They are not soldiers, that's certain, was Donald's comment after he had inspected the riders carefully for a couple of minutes.
That's what I thought, from Billie. They look like a bunch of vaqueros to me; but what would a crowd of fifty cowpunchers be doing in a country where the only cattle are goats?
That's right! laughed Donald, greatly amused at Billie's odd expression, but still that is what they appear to be. Perhaps they are expecting a drove of cattle up on the train.
More likely they are expecting a load of bullion going down to the City of Mexico, remarked the third of the party. What do you think, Pedro? turning to the fourth of the boys who composed the quartette.
I am afraid you are right, Adrian, replied Pedro, with an accent which denoted that of the four he was the only one who was not of an English-speaking race.
You don't think they would hold up a train in broad daylight, and that not more than five miles from town, do you? queried Billie.