The Broncho Rider Boys with the Texas Rangers Part 26

"What effect will it have upon your work?" asked Donald.

"I expect it will increase it greatly. We shall have to be more active than ever to prevent gun-runners, smugglers-for gun-running is nothing less than smuggling-from getting arms across the border."

"You seem to have done about all you can since we have known you,"

laughed Adrian. "I don't see how you can do much more."

"Well, in the first place," explained Capt. Peak, "I expect we shall be attached to some regiment of regular army cavalry, or at least we shall be under the direct orders of some United States officer, instead of working as state troops as we do in times of quiet. This will undoubtedly be the first step. After that, we can only guess as to what duty may be a.s.signed us."

The Captain's prediction proved quite correct and before night it was announced that Captain Peak's company had been a.s.signed to duty with the regulars under command of Col. Bliss.

During the day many rumors were afloat as to happenings across the river, but it was not until that night that the revolution developed in Presidio del Norte. Then firing was heard, and from the American side it could be seen that a skirmish of some sort was in progress.

It was while these events were shaping themselves that the Broncho Rider Boys held a council of war over their own future.

"We ought to be in El Paso now," said Donald, in reviewing the situation. "We are already past due and Billie's father will be greatly worried at our non-appearance; but I don't know how we can help it."

"Can't we telegraph him?" asked Billie.

"There is nothing but a military line from here to Langtry," replied Donald.

"Well, I'm sure Capt. Peak can get a message through for us," insisted Billie. "I feel more like staying here now than ever. I am sure I shall be able to get a line on Don Rafael, and if I can't capture him I may be able to help some one else do so."

"I feel a good deal like Billie," declared Adrian, "and I vote to notify Billie's father, if possible, and stay right here for a few days longer anyway."

"Two is a majority," said Donald, "so let's go and see what we can do."

They found Capt. Peak in conversation with a member of Col. Bliss' staff and made known their wants.

"These are the young men of whom I have just been speaking," said Capt.

Peak to the officer. "Boys, I want to introduce you to Lieut. Grant of the regular army!"

The boys acknowledged the introduction.

"And so you want to get a message to El Paso," said the Lieutenant.

"If we can," replied Billie. "I am afraid my father will be getting worried."

"Of course you know the line is for purely military purposes?"

"Yes sir," was Billie's prompt reply, "and this message is a military necessity."

"Yes?" queried the Lieutenant. "How so?"

"Because it has to be sent to prevent Capt. Peak from losing our services."

Both the Lieutenant and Capt. Peak laughed heartily at Billie's witty reply, while the Lieutenant said forcibly:

"And that he cannot afford to do right now. We have already counted upon your a.s.sistance in a little scouting expedition."

"Then the message can be sent?"

"Undoubtedly. Also, we will undertake to get you a reply."

"That is most kind of you," said Billie, "and for my part I am ready to volunteer for duty this minute."

"How about your companions?" asked the Lieutenant.

"We are like Dumas's three guardsmen," said Adrian. "'One for all and all for one.'"

"Then we'll consider the matter settled," said the Lieutenant. "Report here at seven o'clock this evening for instructions."

"Well," remarked Donald as the trio rode away, "I never expected to become a military scout."

"Nor I," declared Billie, "but neither did I ever expect to be christened Broncho Billie. I'll sure have some tales to tell when I get back east."

"Yes," laughed Adrian. "First thing you know you'll become a regular Buffalo Bill, and be running a Wild West show!"

"I shouldn't be at all surprised. In these days of rapid-fire methods, why not a circus?" asked Billie.

And the other two replied: "Why not?"

CHAPTER XX.

SCOUTING FOR UNCLE SAM.

When the boys reported for duty to Lieut. Grant at seven o'clock they found that conditions across the river had developed rapidly. The revolutionists had taken possession of Presidio del Norte and the skirmish referred to in the last chapter was in full swing.

"I hadn't expected such rapid developments," said the Lieutenant after a word of greeting. "This breaking out of open hostilities has made the mission upon which I wish to send you much more dangerous than I had thought. If, under the circ.u.mstances, you do not feel like undertaking it, I will detail someone else."

"Has the telegram gone to my father?" asked Billie.

"Yes."

"Then I feel bound to perform the duty you desire."

"You need not," said the Lieutenant.

"Whether I need, or not, I do. When I'm paid for doing a job I expect to do it. Of course," he added, "we'd do whatever you want us to anyway; but the telegram is personal with me."

"I admire your spirit," said the Lieutenant earnestly, "and I am now more than ever convinced that you are the very ones to perform the service."

The Lieutenant opened a drawer in his desk and took therefrom a large map, which he spread out upon a table. It was drawn so as to show, not only the boundaries of the different counties and districts, the watercourses and highways, but was also shaded so as to show the topography of the country on both sides the Rio Grande.

"Now look," he said to the boys, placing the point of his pencil on the map, "and listen carefully. Here is where you found the guns the other day. Here is the beach where you captured the boat. Back here, half a mile, you strike the trail leading to the little town of Alamito. There you come upon the line which has been surveyed by the Orient road and which strikes the Southern Pacific at Alpine. The reason why this spot has been selected for gun-running is that arms can be unloaded at Alpine and brought down here over these trails. Do you understand?"