"Yes. They were looking for my husband. They said he was hidden in the house; but he was not. He is with Gen. Carranza."
"When was this?"
"Yesterday. I have been in the mountains all night. There was a fight a few minutes ago and I saw them pass. Then I came here, when the awful beast sprang out," and again she drew the child to her.
"Are you hungry?"
"Si, señor!"
It was the child that answered.
In an instant Billie's hand was in his pack and he held out the tortillas, which both mother and child took and ate ravenously.
After their hunger had been appeased, they questioned the woman further, telling her they were going to Vera Cruz.
"If you will come with me down the mountain, you can hide in my house," she said.
"We don't want to hide," laughed Billie. "We want to get to Vera Cruz. However, we'll see you home, if you don't mind."