Madero. When Madero was shot, Gen. Sanchez fled to Pachuca where
he had a large hacienda and also owned vast interests in the
silver mines at Real del Monte, some six miles up the mountains.
Later, however, he was promised protection by Gen. Huerta, who
was anxious to have the friendship of such a prominent man, and
returned to the City of Mexico. It was some time after this,
about March 1, 1914--when matters had quieted down in the City of
Mexico--that the three American boys went to visit Pedro.

A few days previous to the one on which we find the four boys
headed for the railroad to foil the would-be train robbers, they
had come to Pachuca, which is located some sixty miles from the
City of Mexico, on horses furnished them by Gen. Sanchez, to see
the mines and the beautiful mountains overlooking the plains of
Quesco. Every day they took long rides in various directions, in
spite of the unsettled condition of the country--a condition
which compelled them always to go armed with their trusty Marlins
and Colts--and that is how they happened to be on the Real road
at such an opportune time.

With these explanations, it is no wonder that the boys were keen
for the adventure upon which they were now embarked.

A sharp ride of fifteen minutes brought them to the river and
into it the horses plunged. At places it was only knee deep and
at other places where they were obliged to cross it was necessary
for the horses to swim; but this was only fun for the Broncho
Rider Boys.

Half an hour after sighting the bandits, the boys halted on the
railroad track, well secreted from their quarry by the curve
before mentioned.

"And none too soon," declared Donald as the sharp whistle of the
engine was heard perhaps half a mile away.

"How shall we flag her?" asked Pedro.

"With that red bandana handkerchief on Billie's neck," replied
Donald as he reached over and snatched the neckwear from its
place.

Springing from his horse, he ran up the track waving the red
signal as he ran.

A sharp blast from the whistle a couple of minutes later gave
proof that the danger signal had been seen, and the grinding of
the brakes told that the train was coming to a stop. Even before
this was an accomplished fact the conductor swung himself from
the front car and came running down the track to see what was the
matter, while the guards covered the boys with their carbines.

"What do you mean by stopping the train?" he demanded angrily.