“I expect it will increase it greatly. We shall have to be more active than ever to prevent gun-runners, smugglers—for gun-running is nothing less than smuggling—from getting arms across the border.”
“You seem to have done about all you can since
we have known you,” laughed Adrian. “I don’t see how you can do much more.”
“Well, in the first place,” explained Capt. Peak, “I expect we shall be attached to some regiment of regular army cavalry, or at least we shall be under the direct orders of some United States officer, instead of working as state troops as we do in times of quiet. This will undoubtedly be the first step. After that, we can only guess as to what duty may be assigned us.”
The Captain’s prediction proved quite correct and before night it was announced that Captain Peak’s company had been assigned to duty with the regulars under command of Col. Bliss.
During the day many rumors were afloat as to happenings across the river, but it was not until that night that the revolution developed in Presidio del Norte. Then firing was heard, and from the American side it could be seen that a skirmish of some sort was in progress.
It was while these events were shaping themselves that the Broncho Rider Boys held a council of war over their own future.
“We ought to be in El Paso now,” said Donald, in reviewing the situation. “We are already past due and Billie’s father will be greatly worried at our non-appearance; but I don’t know how we can help it.”
“Can’t we telegraph him?” asked Billie.
“There is nothing but a military line from here to Langtry,” replied Donald.