"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"We just came to town," replied Billie, "and we're trying to help avenge the insult to the flag."
"Good!" was the emphatic reply. "Fall in behind us. You may be of service."
The boys obeyed and followed the company as it swept up the street. Presently they came to a barricade, behind which the marines had taken a stand. The boys expected the command to halt, but instead they passed the barricade and pushed onward toward the outskirts of the city.
All the time there was a continuous fire upon them by men secreted on the roofs of houses.
"I'd clean out those snipers if I were in command," said Donald to his companions.
The words were hardly out of his mouth ere another company of marines made its appearance and the men dashed into the houses on either side of the street.
"Somebody has the same idea, Don," was Billie's comment as they rode along.
Two blocks farther came the order to halt and entrench. A minute later the officer called the boys toward him.
"Would you rather lend us your horses, or act as orderlies?" he asked.