harply to the left and
dashed for the shelter of a piece of woodland something like a
half a mile away. Pell-mell they went over rocks and shrubs,
regardless of themselves or their horses, and succeeded in
reaching the friendly cover just about three minutes before the
cavalry came into sight over the hill.

"We're all right now," said Mr. Black, "if the troopers will
stick to the road, but if they should take it into their heads to
scatter, we might have trouble."

With eager eyes the boys watched the oncoming horsemen, prepared
to flee for their lives if they should be discovered, as they
realized how useless would be any resistance.

Nearer and nearer they came until the leaders were at the very
spot they had just left, and then with a rush they passed by,
turning neither to the right nor to the left.

Every one in the party heaved a deep sigh of relief.

"It's a wonder some of them didn't stop," said Billie.

"Oh, I don't know," laughed Adrian. "Look yonder," and he pointed
to the brow of the hill, where another, but much smaller body of
horsemen had appeared. "They evidently didn't intend to have
their mission interfered with by fighting a rear-guard skirmish."

"I think the best thing we can do," said Mr. Black, "is to
surrender ourselves to the pursuers. They are evidently
Carranzistas and our passes will protect us."

Breaking off a piece of bamboo, Mr. Black tied a handkerchief to
it and raising it above his head the little party rode out of the
woods. They were sighted at once and a party of horsemen dashed
toward them, and surrounded them.

It was as they had expected and Gen. Dorantes' passes were
immediately recognized by the officer in command. He was much
pleased at the information given him concerning the corporal and
thanked the boys in the name of Gen. Carranza for their good
offices. He furthermore detached an escort of a dozen men to see
that they reached Moreno in safety and commended them to the care
of the jefe politico, with the verbal instruction that the boys
be allowed to proceed on their way to Vera Cruz at their will.

CHAPTER XIV.

APRIL TWENTY-ONE.

"Boys," said Mr. Black the following morning as they were
preparing to pay a visit to the jefe politico, "I want you to do
me a favor."

The boys looked at him in surprise.

"Well, what is it?" asked Donald, when Mr. Black did not
immediately continue.

"I want you to accept, as a mark of my appreciation of your
b