"How's this for a prophet of evil?" he asked. Donald took a look at the great bird which was rapidly falling into pieces under Gen. Sanchez' skillful hand, and remarked with a wink: "Great!" CHAPTER VII. THE INSULT TO THE FLAG. A week later, or, to be more exact, on April 10, 1914, the Broncho Rider Boys and their friend Pedro were back in the City of Mexico. During the two weeks they had been at Pachuca, many changes had taken place and on the morning in question they had just finished their coffee in the breakfast room when Guadalupe, Pedro's sister, brought in the morning paper. "What's the news?" asked Adrian. Guadalupe glanced at the paper and hid it behind her back without making any reply. "Why, Sister!" exclaimed Pedro with all the dignity of his sixteen years. "How can you be so rude?" "She's only joking," laughed Billie, who was always found on Guadalupe's side when any argument took place. "Come, tell us! What is it?" Guadalupe shook her head. "Oh, I can't," she replied in a pained voice. "Why not?" from Billie. "It says we are going to have war with the United States and I don't believe it." "Of course you don't," replied Billie. "Neither does any one else." "Let me see," said Pedro sternly. Slowly the girl handed her brother the paper. He opened it and read. "A party of American marines was arrested in Tampico yesterday for landing on Mexican soil with arms in their hands. They were marched through the streets under a heavy guard and lodged in jail. After a parley with the American Admiral, Mayo, the commandant of the city finally released them upon the assurance of the Admiral that it should not occur again." "Well, if it was only a mistake, that doesn't mean war," laughed Billie, but Donald's face took on a more serious look. "That isn't all," said Pedro. "Well," from Billie, "let's have the rest of it." "The American Admiral has now declared that the men did not land on Mexican soil with arms in their hands, but that they were in their boat at the pier when arrested. He claims that they were taken from under the American flag----" "What?" almost shouted Billie, springing to his feet. "Taken from under the American flag? Well, I'll bet that will mean war--unless," he added after a brief pause, "Gen. Huerta apologizes." "Why should he apologize?" asked Pedro. "For insulting the American flag." "That's what the American Admiral says," interrupted Guadalupe, "and he threatens to fire on the city." "And I'll bet he'll do it," said Adrian. "If he does we'll sink his ships," said Pedro. "What with?" asked Billie sarcastically. "Why, Admiral Mayo could blow Tampico out of the water." "If he does, the Mexicans will march on Washington," from Pedro. "What?" from Donald. "March on Washington? Why, Huerta can't hardly keep Carranza out of the City of Mexico." "But if your admiral fires on Tampico, Carranza will help Gen. Huerta," declared Pedro. "Do you really think so?" asked Adrian.