ust coming up the
stairs.

Billie obeyed and a minute later the fugitives had gathered upon
the last place of safety left.

"If we only had some ammunition," moaned Billie. "Can't we do
something?"

Then, as in answer to his own query, he picked up a twelve-pound
cannon ball that lay on the roof and, raising it above his head
with both hands, hurled it through the opening upon those below.

This unexpected attack caused the besiegers to draw back, but
only for a moment. Then they came on again. In his desperation,
Mr. Black, with almost superhuman strength, picked up the cannon
itself, just as Billie had picked up the ball, and hurled it down
the stairs.

Half a dozen men fell beneath its weight, while the others,
frightened at such an exhibition of strength, fell back in
dismay.

A shout from the captain urged them forward, but ere they could
gather their courage for another rush there came the sound of a
volley in the patio below and a minute later Adrian rushed up the
stairs, followed by Captain Lopez and a squad of his soldiers.

Taken in the rear and entirely by surprise, the Huerta forces
threw down their arms and cried for mercy, and in less than five
minutes after the arrival of Captain Lopez and his men, the
entire force, or as many as remained, were prisoners.

CHAPTER XIII.

A NARROW ESCAPE.

Two days later the three boys sat on the verandah of Mr. Black's
commodious house awaiting the call to breakfast. Under escort of
Captain Lopez' men they had crossed the valley between Mr.
Black's and Gen. Blanco's the day after the night attack and had
spent the time since in getting a much needed rest.

"It's less than four days since we left the City of Mexico,"
remarked Donald, "but it seems like a month. I wonder how matters
stand at Vera Cruz?"

"From that telegram from Gen. Maas, that we took from the
lieutenant, Admiral Fletcher may have taken the city," said
Billie.

"I hope not," from Adrian.

"Why?" asked both the others.

"'Cause I'd like to be there when it happens."

"Yes, so would I," echoed Billie.

"If he has taken it," ventured Donald, "we may have difficulty
getting through the Mexican lines."

"Well, the best thing we can do," asserted Adrian, "is to get
somewhere and find out what is going on just as soon as we can."

The call to breakfast interrupted their conversation, but as soon
as they were seated at the table, they broached the matter to Mr.
Black.

"I ex