The Broncho Rider Boys with Funston at Vera Cruz Part 16

He opened the telegram he held in his hand and read:

"American Admiral has given an ultimatum. Hold train and pa.s.sengers until further orders.

Maas."

"Who is Maas?" asked Donald sternly.

The captain shrugged his shoulders, but said nothing.

"You'll answer in just one minute, or you'll never have a chance to answer another question," said Donald, as he stood with drawn sword, while Billie covered the captain with his revolver.

"Would you murder an unarmed man?" asked the captain.

"I wouldn't consider it murder. Answer."

The look in Donald's eyes was not to be mistaken.

"Gen. Maas is in command of Vera Cruz," the captain said.

"Good. I think I see it all. If it is decided not to accede to the ultimatum, it is proposed to hold the train load as hostages."

The captain smiled.

"Now listen!" and Donald spoke very slowly so that every word might find lodgment. "You have one chance for your life. Can you guess what it is?"

The captain shook his head.

"To do just exactly as I bid. Just one little attempt to do differently, and you are a dead man."

The captain scowled, but made no reply.

"Put on your hat and come with me. Order the pa.s.sengers back on to the train and give your engineer instructions to cover just as much of the distance between here and Vera Cruz by daylight as he knows how!"

The captain shrugged his shoulders as he arose from his seat.

"I see you think it will be easy to escape. Just put any such idea out of your mind. There is no possible chance."

Donald turned to Billie.

"This is what must be done. We shall walk directly back to where the pa.s.sengers are. The captain will give his order without any hesitation. Otherwise I shall shoot him through my pocket. You will keep right behind us. If I fire, you fire also. One of us will be sure to kill him."

Donald led the way from the car and Billie brought up the rear.

Through the dark they marched, each with a hand on the captain, so they might feel his slightest tremor.

Arriving at the engine the captain summoned the sergeant.

"Order the pa.s.sengers to board the train," was the brief command.

The sergeant hastened to obey.

"Bueno!" said Donald, as the pa.s.sengers rushed back.

Then under his breath to Billie: "Call Adrian."

Billie did so.

"Where are you?" Adrian called back.

"Down near the engine."

A moment later Adrian appeared coming through the crowd of hurrying pa.s.sengers.

"Where's Don?" he asked as soon as he caught sight of Billie.

"Not far. Stay here. We may need you."

Adrian's face showed some surprise, but he said nothing.

"Now, captain," said Don quietly, "your orders to the engineer,"

and under cover of the darkness he pushed the point of his revolver into the captain's side, while Billie touched him significantly in the back.

The captain gave the order as he had been instructed.

"Now for the conductor," ordered Donald.

The order was given, but the conductor refused to obey.

"I must have a written order," he said.

"Why?" asked Donald, in his role of lieutenant.

"To countermand the order of Gen. Maas."

"Captain," was Donald's quiet hint, "don't you think it would be well to place the conductor under arrest?" and again he poked his revolver into the captain's side.

The order for the conductor's arrest was quickly given.

"Now, then, vamose," called Adrian. Then to the engineer, "I will act as conductor."

The guards and extra soldiers who had been detailed for this special service, sprang aboard; the engineer pulled open the throttle and the train began to move.

"Aren't you going, too?" asked Adrian.

"Yes," whispered Billie to Donald, "hurry aboard with your prisoner."

The captain was evidently of the same mind, for he started to board the already moving train.

"No you don't," exclaimed Donald, pulling him back. "You're going to stay here with us!"