“Possibly,” and Billie chuckled to himself; “but that doesn’t relieve us from making our report. Besides (decidedly), I’m hungry, and there is nothing this side of the river fit to eat!”
“I thought there was some reason for the anxiety,” laughed Donald, “but at that, I think we should go and report.”
They made their way hastily to General Sanchez’s headquarters, where they were cordially received, although General Sanchez was so busy with the work of taking over the city that he could spare them but a moment. He thanked them, however, in the presence of all the officers for what they had done, and gave them an escort to the river.
“When these troublesome times are over,” he said, as the boys were leaving, “you must all come and pay Pedro a visit in the City of Mexico. We shall be most glad to see you.”
The boys thanked him for his invitation, and rode away.
It was not until they had enjoyed a good breakfast that they put in their appearance at Lieutenant Grant’s quarters. Here again they were cordially received, although, as they had expected, a report of what had happened on the other side of the river had already been made. Here, also, Billie found a telegram from his father, telling him that he could wait no longer in El Paso, and saying that he would write him about coming back East in the near future.
“It looks as though my days as a Broncho Rider Boy were about over,” said Billie, with a sigh; “but whenever you fellows are ready to go and visit Pedro in the City of Mexico, let me know, and I’ll surely be with you.”
And in passing it may be well to say that some two months later, when affairs became so bad in Mexico under General Huerta that the United States government was obliged to send a force of sailors and soldiers to take possession of Vera Cruz, our Broncho Rider Boys found themselves—because of General Sanchez’s invitation—right in the midst of this trouble. This furnishes another story of the Broncho Rider Boys, which will be known as The Broncho Rider Boys With Funston At Vera Cruz, Or Scout Duty Afloat and Ashore.
“You must leave me your permanent address,”
declared Lieutenant Grant. “I may have occasion to write you almost any time.”