CHAPTER XVII.

A MEETING OF REVOLUTIONISTS.

Midway between the Hacienda del Rio and the _hacienda_ of Don Pablo Ojeda, near the source of the little mountain stream across which the Broncho Rider Boys chased the horse thieves in recovering old Bray, there stands an old mill. When built, or by whom, not even the oldest inhabitant of that region can remember. It is made of rock quarried out of the mountain side; and although the water wheel has long since gone to decay and the millstones have fallen into their beds, the walls of the building remain intact.

To be sure there is no roof on the building, but the heavy oak rafters, cut from trees on the mountain side, are reasonably strong, and, covered with a wealth of tropical foliage, form sufficient covering for one who is accustomed to the outdoor life of these regions.

Into this ancient structure, on the afternoon of the same day on which Capt. Peak and his young comrades discovered the rifles of the gun-runners, four men might have been seen to enter. Three of them were strangers. The fourth was the missing Don Rafael.

That they had no fear that they would be seen, was evidenced by the open manner in which the strangers dismounted from their horses and threw their bridle reins to their accompanying servants.

Of the three one had a decidedly military bearing while the others bore evidence of being well-to-do landowners.

"You surely have a veritable fortress here, Don Rafael," declared the military man after a brief glance around. "With a little work in the way of outer trenches, it might be made well nigh impregnable to any but those armed with modern siege guns."

"So I have thought, General," replied Don Rafael deferentially.

"Where have you hidden the arms?"

"This way, General," and Don Rafael led the way to the rear of the ruins and pointed out a strongly constructed door, which apparently opened into a vault. "They are well cared for."

"How many have you?" asked one of the others.

"In the neighborhood of ten thousand small arms and ten machine guns. Another shipment was brought over the river last night and will be carted up here tonight."

"Good!" exclaimed the general. "But now to the purpose of our visit. You asked us to meet you to hear the plans of General Orosco regarding the overthrow of the Madero government. What are they?"

"Sh-sh-h! Not so loud," exclaimed Don Rafael, as he cast furtive glances out toward the servants and the horses. "Your mozos might overhear!"

"Small chance of that," said the general, "and if they did they would want to join the movement."

"Briefly," said Don Rafael, "the plan is this: To start the movement in the northern states with the revolt of the Chihuahua garrison. General Orosco stands ready at a moment's notice to come north and assume command; but you will have to start the movement in your state. I will start it here."

"How about Villa? Will he join us?"

"I am sure he will; but if he will not, I will see that he does not interfere."

"How many men can you muster?" asked the general.

"I shall have two thousand. I should have been able to do better, had it not been that my plans were interfered with by three young Gringoes who are touring this state on horseback! I ran into them at a most inopportune time, and as I did not wish to get into trouble with the United States authorities, I could not punish them as I otherwise would."

"That's bad," said the general.

"Yes, it is; but if they come across my path again, I shall make short work of them."

"Well," said the general after a few more questions and answers, "I think we know enough. I shall expect to see you at Presidio del Norte in a few days. I trust you will succeed in your mission with Villa."

Then, as he emerged from the old mill and once more stood and looked at the old structure: "This surely is a wonderful spot! We must see that it is properly fortified."

The visitors approached their horses and were about to mount, when a peon on foot was seen approaching from downstream. That he was the bearer of a message of some sort was evident from his actions, and the horsemen remained unmounted, awaiting his coming.

"It's one of the men who were with us on last night's expedition," explained Don Rafael as the man approached near enough to be recognized. "I wonder what he wants."

They were not kept long in suspense, for the messenger, seeing that they were waiting, hastened his footsteps and soon reached them.

"What is it, hombre?" asked Don Rafael.

"A serious mistake was made last night."

"How so?"

"A lot of rifles and a machine gun were left on the American side of the river."

"What!" exclaimed Don Rafael "A machine gun?"

"Si, Señor!"

"What's to be done?"

"That's what Don Pablo wants to know. He told me to say that he has discovered that the guns are right where they were left and so far have not been seen. One of the men has been posted on this side of the river to watch that no one molests them. Don Pablo thinks if they are not discovered during the day, we can easily bring them over right after dark, so that they can come up here with the others!"

"I don't see anything else to do," said Don Rafael.

"Then you will send the men to help?" asked the man.

"Is that what Don Pablo wants?"

"Si, Señor!"

"Very well. Tell him I will have a dozen men on hand as soon as it is dark. I may come myself to see that he makes no more blunders."

"That's the only safe way," said the general.

The messenger made no reply, but with a muttered "_Hasta lluego_,"[3] took his departure as fast as he had come and the three strangers soon followed his example.

Left alone, Don Rafael watched them as they slowly wound their way down the mountain path, and when they finally passed from view, turned and entered the mill. Quickly he ascended the dilapidated stone stairs to the second story, where, in a small room partitioned off from the rest of the mill, he had made him a habitation, and threw himself upon his crude bed.

"Pancho Villa!" he exclaimed with a mocking laugh. "Pancho Villa, indeed! It will be a long time before anyone sees Pancho Villa!"

Footnote:

[3]: Until we meet again.