"It was a woman," explained Adrian, "and she was hiding me. But where were you when I whistled for help?" "That's a long story," was the reply, "which I will tell you when we have time; but briefly we were on the other side of the town, where we left the man on guard. It appears that our friend Jose was a first-class traitor." "As I discovered," said Adrian. "Yes," continued Billie, "he sent a bunch of soldiers to capture us. The sentry heard them coming and gave the alarm. We went to his aid and succeeded in rescuing him, but that is what got us into this trouble." "And now what?" "Now we have to get away just as soon as we can." "Right," said Mr. Black. "There is no enemy in sight at this moment and the best thing we can do is to run for it. If we can cross the valley safely, we shall have little trouble." "I'd like to stay and give them a few shots," said the corporal, "but it would probably be unwise." "I'll tell you what, Brooks," suggested Billie, "suppose you and I remain behind until we see the others well across the valley. If there is any pursuit, we can hold them back for a few minutes. They will not know how many we are and it will give the others a chance to escort Mr. Black and his daughter to a place of safety. You know that is what we really came for." "Fine!" was the corporal's reply. Mr. Black and Adrian protested, but they were overruled. "It's a good idea," said the oldest of the troopers, "and now to run for it." It was fully five minutes after the others had left that Billie and Brooks saw the Mexican infantry, some fifty in number, emerge from the town and come slowly toward them. Looking across the valley, they could perceive that the little band under the direction of Mr. Black was nearing the protection of the forest that covered the next hillside. "Two minutes more and they will be safe," said Billie. "Then we'll give them the two minutes," replied the corporal. "Cut loose at the bunch as soon as it is near enough." A moment later two rifles spoke out and then they turned loose their automatics, to give the impression of a much larger force. Two men fell and a minute later two more, as the boys' Winchesters again spoke. "Now for the horses!" cried Billie as the Mexicans threw themselves upon the ground. They sprang to their horses and dashed away down the valley. They were not discovered until they had cleared the shelter of the trees and then a volley was fired after them. The bullets sang all around them, but they escaped unhurt, and before another volley they were out of range. "It's a good thing for us that they have no cavalry," said Brooks as they sped along. "Sure is," was the response, "and I hope they don't succeed in getting word ahead of us." "We'll fix that," said Brooks. "We cross the railroad just at the foot of the hill and I'll climb up and cut the telegraph wires." "They may have sent word already."