"I know it. We may have our little family troubles down here in Mexico, but if the United States should interfere, we'd all turn in and fight her." Billie was about to reply when Gen. Sanchez entered the room. "I see you have been reading the news," he said calmly. "And discussing it too," said Donald. "Which we had better not at present," replied the General. "You boys are our guests and as long as you are, you are our friends; but I am afraid there is serious trouble coming and I think it will be much better if you make arrangements at once to return to the United States. As you know, I am not a favorite with the present administration and I might not be able to protect you." "We can ask the protection of the American Ambassador," said Donald. Gen. Sanchez smiled kindly. "The American Ambassador may be asked to leave." The boys looked serious. "Do you really think it is as bad as that?" asked Adrian. "I fear so. Later dispatches from Tampico state that the American Admiral has demanded a salute of twenty-one guns to the American flag. I know Gen. Huerta well enough to know that he will never order the salute." "Then what will happen?" asked Donald. "No one can say. I understand that the American government has placed the matter in the hands of Admiral Fletcher, the ranking officer, who is in charge of the Atlantic fleet off Vera Cruz." "Do you think we should go at once?" queried Billie. "Yes, I think it would be better. I will make such arrangements as I can for your transportation to Vera Cruz. In the meantime you had better go and register yourselves at the United States Embassy. I am never sure of Gen. Huerta." Without further discussion the boys prepared to take Gen. Sanchez' advice, and, donning their hats, started for the embassy, leaving Pedro much chagrined and Guadalupe in tears. "I can't see why there has to be war!" she declared. "Why can't men behave themselves?" "What do girls know about war?" asked Pedro. "They know it's terrible and takes their fathers and brothers, that's what they know, and they wish they didn't have to know that." Pedro made no reply, but went to his room, where he selected from among his most cherished belongings a gift for each of his guests--three beautiful opals--and laid them upon their respective suit cases. When the Broncho Rider Boys arrived at the embassy they found a large crowd of Americans already assembled. Word had been circulated that it would be wise for all of them to leave Mexico and those who could were going, while many men whose business detained them in Mexico were sending their families. All had come to the embassy for information and to register. As a result it was late in the afternoon before the boys returned to Gen. Sanchez' residence. But late as they were, the general had not yet come in. They went to their room and when they saw the gifts which Pedro had laid on each valise, they could not keep back the tears.