Later, word had been brought that one of the boys was missing and the others had gone to look for him. When none of them returned after all these hours, Gen. Sanchez had organized a searching party, of which Tony proved to be the advance guard.
A few minutes later, several horsemen dashed up and the boys were given a rousing reception.
"The Jefe politico is waiting to greet you," Tony told the boys.
The jefe politico is the mayor.
Billie smiled broadly and once more rubbed his stomach.
"This begins to look encouraging," he remarked to Pedro. "I think I can taste the good things already."
Half an hour later the boys reached the city and were given a cheer as they passed through the main street and up to Gen. Sanchez' home, which was located half a block from the plaza. And in another ten minutes Billie was facing the mayor over a plate of steaming soup, while a mozo stood at his back waiting to serve the leg of a twenty-five pound turkey. Raising his eyes from the table, he caught sight of what was coming and gave Donald, who sat next to him, a dig in the ribs with his elbow.
"How's this for a prophet of evil?" he asked.
Donald took a look at the great bird which was rapidly falling into pieces under Gen. Sanchez' skillful hand, and remarked with a wink:
"Great!"