CHAPTER XXX.

AU REVOIR, BUT NOT GOOD-BY.

It was not until two hours after daylight that the complete result of Villa's strategy was apparent. At that hour the battle was over and the Federals took possession of the city. For a minor battle it had been a severe one, and the victory was well won.

From the balcony of the city hall the Broncho Rider Boys watched the victorious army, with General Sanchez at its head, march into the town. As the column passed the place where the boys stood, the general caught sight of them as he glanced from right to left, and gave them a salute with his sword, which was followed by every member of his staff. The boys returned the salute, and a few minutes later were given a chorus of "_Vivas_," as the troop of Villa passed the balcony.

The Americans who had taken part in the rescue of the boys had returned to the American side before it was light.

"I reckon we had better return, too," said Donald, as the boys were talking the matter over a few minutes later.

"Yes," replied Adrian, "I suppose we should go and make our report to Lieutenant Grant."

"I can't see that there is much to report," declared Donald.

"Why," exclaimed Billie, with a hearty laugh, "that the gun-running expedition has been abandoned for want of runners."

"Don't you think he has heard about it before this?" asked Adrian.

"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."

"For what?" asked Billie.

"Why, in reference to the ten thousand pounds. If we succeed in tracing the purchaser of these drafts, your testimony will be necessary to punish those who may be responsible for creating this trouble along the Rio Grande."

"What is he talking about, Ad?" queried Donald.

"I'm sure I don't know. I haven't heard anything about ten thousand pounds. What is it, Billie?"

In answer to which question, Billie related again, both for the benefit of his chums and of Lieutenant Grant and Captain Peak, the story of his experiences in the river and at Don Pablo's _hacienda_.

"Suppose no owner is found for the drafts?" asked Captain Peak. "Then what?"

"I reckon the bank will be that much ahead, unless," the lieutenant added, with a laugh, "our friend Billie should wish to return them to Don Pablo."

"Hardly," replied Billie. Then, as an afterthought: "Santiago said they were to be a part of my reward."

"Who is Santiago?" queried Lieutenant Grant.

"A mystery," was the laughing rejoinder.

And a mystery he must remain for the present, although in the story of the Broncho Rider Boys with Funston, the mystery is cleared away, and the ownership of the ten thousand pounds is settled in a manner that shows what strange things may happen when a nation is at war.

"There is just one more question which I should like to ask," said Lieutenant Grant to Billie, as the boys were about to leave. "Of course there were no Americans in the force that captured Presidio del Norte?"

"Certainly not," replied Billie. "I am reliably informed that every American, except we three, left the city some hours before it was captured. Isn't that right, Captain Peak?" And Billie turned to the captain of the rangers.

"Such is the report that was made to me," declared the captain, "and I have no reason to doubt it!"

"Then that will be all," laughed the lieutenant; "and I wish you a pleasant journey home. When do you start?"

"Just as soon," replied Billie, "as we can get old Bray loaded with enough provisions to carry us through."

And with a hearty handshake all around, the boys started to make preparations for continuing their journey, carrying with them the best wishes of all the Texas Rangers.

THE END.

THE NAVY BOYS SERIES

A series of excellent stories of adventure on sea and land, selected from the works of popular writers; each volume designed for boys' reading.

Handsome Cloth Bindings

Price, 60 cents per volume

THE NAVY BOYS IN DEFENCE OF LIBERTY.

A story of the burning of the British schooner Gaspee in 1772. By William P. Chipman.

THE NAVY BOYS ON LONG ISLAND SOUND.

A story of the Whale Boat Navy of 1776. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS AT THE SIEGE OF HAVANA.

Being the experience of three boys serving under Israel Putnam in 1772. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS WITH GRANT AT VICKSBURG.

A boy's story of the siege of Vicksburg. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS' CRUISE WITH PAUL JONES.

A boy's story of a cruise with the Great Commodore in 1776. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS ON LAKE ONTARIO.

The story of two boys and their adventures in the War of 1812. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS' CRUISE ON THE PICKERING.

A boy's story of privateering in 1780. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS IN NEW YORK BAY.

A story of three boys who took command of the schooner "The Laughing Mary," the first vessel of the American Navy. By James Otis.

THE NAVY BOYS IN THE TRACK OF THE ENEMY.

The story of a remarkable cruise with the Sloop of War "Providence" and the Frigate "Alfred." By William P. Chipman.

THE NAVY BOYS' DARING CAPTURE.

The story of how the navy boys helped to capture the British Cutter "Margaretta," in 1775. By William P. Chipman.

THE NAVY BOYS' CRUISE TO THE BAHAMAS.

The adventures of two Yankee Middies with the first cruise of an American Squadron in 1775. By William P. Chipman.

THE NAVY BOYS' CRUISE WITH COLUMBUS.

The adventures of two boys who sailed with the great Admiral in his discovery of America. By Frederick A. Ober.

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers

A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York.

THE BOY SPIES SERIES

These stories are based on important historical events, scenes wherein boys are prominent characters being selected. They are the romance of history, vigorously told, with careful fidelity to picturing the home life, and accurate in every particular.

Handsome Cloth Bindings

Price, 60 cents per volume

THE BOY SPIES AT THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS.

A story of the part they took in its defence. By William P. Chipman.

THE BOY SPIES AT THE DEFENCE OF FORT HENRY.

A boy's story of Wheeling Creek in 1777. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES AT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.

A story of two boys at the siege of Boston. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES AT THE SIEGE OF DETROIT.

A story of two Ohio boys in the War of 1812. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES WITH LAFAYETTE.

The story of how two boys joined the Continental Army. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES ON CHESAPEAKE BAY.

The story of two young spies under Commodore Barney. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES WITH THE REGULATORS.

The story of how the boys assisted the Carolina Patriots to drive the British from that State. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES WITH THE SWAMP FOX.

The story of General Marion and his young spies. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES AT YORKTOWN.

The story of how the spies helped General Lafayette in the Siege of Yorktown. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES OF PHILADELPHIA.

The story of how the young spies helped the Continental Army at Valley Forge. By James Otis.

THE BOY SPIES OF FORT GRISWOLD.

The story of the part they took in its brave defence. By William P. Chipman.

THE BOY SPIES OF OLD NEW YORK.

The story of how the young spies prevented the capture of General Washington. By James Otis.

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers

A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York.

THE JACK LORIMER SERIES

5 Volumes

By Winn Standish

Handsomely Bound in Cloth

Full Library Size

Price 40 cents per Volume, postpaid

CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER; or, The Young Athlete of Millvale High.

Jack Lorimer is a fine example of the all-around American high-school boy. His fondness for clean, honest sport of all kinds will strike a chord of sympathy among athletic youths.

JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS; or, Sports on Land and Lake.

There is a lively story woven in with the athletic achievements, which are all right, since the book has been O.K'd by Chadwick, the Nestor of American sporting journalism.

JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS; or, Millvale High in Camp.

It would be well not to put this book into a boy's hands until the chores are finished, otherwise they might be neglected.

JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE; or, The Acting Captain of the Team.

On the sporting side, the book takes up football, wrestling, tobogganing. There is a good deal of fun in this book and plenty of action.

JACK LORIMER, FRESHMAN; or, From Millvale High to Exmouth.

Jack and some friends he makes crowd innumerable happenings into an exciting freshman year at one of the leading Eastern colleges. The book is typical of the American college boy's life, and there is a lively story, interwoven with feats on the gridiron, hockey, basketball and other clean, honest sports for which Jack Lorimer stands.

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers

A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York.

THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS SERIES

By Carolyn Judson Burnett

Handsome Cloth Binding

Price, 40c. per Volume

Splendid Stories of the Adventures of a Group of Charming Girls

THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS' VACATION ADVENTURES; or, Shirley Willing to the Rescue.

THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS' CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS; or, A Four Weeks' Tour with the Glee Club.

THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS IN THE MOUNTAINS; or, Shirley Willing on a Mission of Peace.

THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS ON THE WATER; or, Exciting Adventures on a Summer's Cruise Through the Panama Canal.

THE MILDRED SERIES

By Martha Finley

Handsome Cloth Binding

Price, 40c. per Volume

A Companion Series to the Famous "Elsie" Books by the Same Author

MILDRED KEITH MILDRED AT ROSELANDS MILDRED AND ELSIE MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE MILDRED AT HOME MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers

A. L. BURT COMPANY, 114-120 East 23d Street, New York.