"But I want to take a hand in the fun," said Billie.
"It's no fun, as you'll find after it's all over. No knowing how many of our boys are being lost, to say nothing of the Mexicans."
"Look!" cried Adrian, who had not taken his eyes from the scene in the harbor. "There are a couple of other ships going into action."
Billie turned at sound of Adrian's words. Sure enough, there came flashes from more guns, as the Chester and San Francisco moved up into striking distance, although at that time the boys did not know the vessels' names.
"What show will the Mexicans have against those guns!" exclaimed Donald. "They'll be driven out of town in short order."
Once more Donald was right and after some minutes of firing, the boys realized that the rifle fire was becoming less.
"If they retreat, which way do you suppose they will go?" queried Adrian.
"I was just thinking about that," was Donald's reply. "What do you think, Billie?"
"I should think along the main line of railroad."
"And I imagine they'll retreat in every direction," said Adrian.