They set forth early. Only a few curious and silent people watched them go. The town seemed more than half deserted.
"Those men who did not join the rebels," explained Juan, "haf run from the troops of the Señor General De Soto Palo. Oh, yes! They will come back—and go to work again later."
They set forth along the branch railroad, on which the ore was brought down from the mines to the stamp mills. In the yards box cars and gondolas were overturned and half burned; rails were torn up; switch shanties demolished.
"We Mexicans," said Juan, grinning, "we do not lofe the railroad, no! Before the railroad come our country was happier. Viva Méjico!"
"Hi tunket!" muttered Marty. "That 'Viva Méjico!' business covers a multitude of sins—like this here charity they tell about. If you sing out that battle cry down here you can do 'most anything you want—and get away with it!"
They went on slowly, for no amount of prodding would make the burro go faster than a funeral march. On all sides they saw marks of the fighting which had followed the occupation of San Cristoval by the government troops.
Juan explained that General Palo had waited for reinforcements at first; but finally a part of the rebel army come over to him and fought against their former friends under the standard of the government; so he was now pushing on steadily, driving the other rebels before him.
"Why did they come over to the government side if they believe in la patria?" asked Marty curiously.
"For twenty centavos a day more, señor," said Juan placidly.
"What's that?" ejaculated the boy. "D'you mean they got their wages raised?"