The astonishment on the soldiers’ faces upon seeing the machine guns which their ten companions had passed out to them from the house was almost ludicrous, but our lads could give no thought now to the drollness of the situation. Juarez had undoubtedly reached the rebel lines in safety; by now orders were being sent from Ruiz’s headquarters to attack immediately instead of waiting for sunset. The government, acting upon the information from the minister, given in good faith, had strengthened Tortuga Hill to the disadvantage of all other points of the defense. La Mesa was almost deserted. Before the lads’ bewildered eyes a mounted aide rode at full gallop up to the battery on the hill above them, shouting hurried orders. They saw the battery limber up and charge down the slope, disappearing along the military road below them.
“Syd, you must intercept that horseman,” Phil cried pointing to the solitary figure but a scant five hundred yards from them. “He has ordered that battery away; he must be told the seriousness of abandoning this hill.”
Sydney bounded away in pursuit. The aide walked his horse down the slope, away from La Mesa, surveying the scene about him. He stopped and cast an enquiring glance at those on the hill. Catching sight of the approaching midshipman he wheeled about to meet him. A moment later he had dismounted at Phil’s side and with eyes full of astonishment saw the machine guns and the great store of ammunition.
Phil explained in a breath. The aide’s swarthy face betrayed his fear for the results of the expected assault.
“You say the rebels will attack at once,” he cried after the lad had finished his story; “then this hill is lost. It will take an hour to get sufficient force here to hold it.”
“We can hold it ourselves, if these men will remain,” Phil declared stoutly. “But the lieutenant has orders to leave us.”
“I don’t understand,” exclaimed the aide incredulously; “how can you expect to hold this hill with but a company of soldiers? You have just said that General Ruiz will concentrate his entire force here to obtain these guns. We must retreat carrying these guns with us.”
He opened his mouth to give the order, but Phil raised his hand desperately to be heard.
“That would be unwise,” he cried earnestly. “My companion and I can mount these guns. We have ammunition here in abundance. These thirty guns can hold La Mesa against the rebel army.”
The aide’s face was a study. He knew nothing about machine guns; and like all ignorant men he believed the Americans were deceiving him.