"_Carramba!_" he cried. "_Emboscado!_" meaning "an ambush," and putting spurs to his horse he turned and fled in the direction from which he had come, followed by the entire band, while the Americans fired a volley into the air. "They'll never stop running," laughed the corporal, "until they reach home--wherever that is." "And in the meantime we'll get out of here," said Mr. Black. The men sprang to their feet and to their horses. At the same moment there came from the woods to the left the well-known whistle of the Broncho Rider Boys. "It's Don!" cried Billie, as he gave the answering call, and an instant later Donald came into view through the trees, closely followed by half a score of Uncle Sam's troopers. "Just too late," said Adrian. "Too late for what?" queried Donald. "To see a masterly retreat," and in a few words he told Donald what had occurred. "Well," was the rejoinder, "I am glad no blood was shed. But who fired the shot from the rear?" "I," came a voice, and out of the shadows appeared a figure which had a most familiar appearance. "If you don't recognize me," he continued, "you may recognize Ambrosio." "By George!" exclaimed Billie, "if it isn't our old friend Strong. Where on earth did you come from?" "I suppose I might ask you the same thing," was the laughing reply. "Briefly, I am on my way to Vera Cruz. I heard there was a band of American brigands out in the mountains and I thought I might fall in with them." "So that's what they call us, is it?" said Billie. "I never expected to be called a brigand." "Strange things happen to men who travel," declared Strong facetiously; "but you'd better be going. There are some good troops in this section and they are on the lookout." "Good advice," muttered the old trooper. "This ain't no pleasure excursion." "Sorry we haven't a horse for you," said Adrian to Strong, "but I guess you are used to walking." "A good deal more so than riding. But, if one of you don't mind giving Ambrosio a lift, it will help some." Several expressed their willingness to take the ape on behind, but he would go to no one but Billie. "All right, old man," laughed the boy; "but no funny business," and he broke off a twig and shook it at Ambrosio. "You see this." Now that the two companies had united, they broke away from the railroad and made a bee line toward Vera Cruz, arriving in sight of the city at daybreak. "Here's where we part company with the troopers," explained Donald. "We six and Ambrosio will ride into town together and the boys will come in as they wish. There must be no suggestion of a military expedition." "I see," said Mr. Black, "and I want to thank you all for your kindness to my daughter and to me. That is about all I can do now. Perhaps some day I can do more." "That's enough," muttered the old trooper, "unless you can get us all sent back home. I can't see any use of keeping us here."