Crossed Trails in Mexico / Mexican Mystery Stories #3

he Rio Grande and breathing in the fresh, invigorating morn

ll give us time to do a little sightseeing. I wish we didn't have to go clear to

. "I wish there were a short cut somew

nd Jo Ann made this same remark to the service man, he looked puzzled and merely nodded his

, there is a bridge you can cross here. They are putting in a new h

way," Florence replied. "It will

bout a hundred kilome

was so close to the country where her parents liv

her gray head vigorously. "It's probably impassable. Ask him if it's any

iently relaye

grinned and shrugged his shoulders

ny season doesn't begin till September. We're not likely to have rain. Lo

en country." Miss Prudence hesitated a moment, then went on, "If we'll sav

ated all three

sang out Carli

n's directions and turned into the side road leading across the toll bridge. With little di

irls and Carlitos, to Miss Prudence's evident disapproval, excl

on the Mexican side, and so they were soon permitted to drive on. They had not left the river far behind before the vegetation began to

ing in a disgusted tone, "Desolation itsel

productive the land is after it'

ld about the condition of the road. "And that man called this a good road. I'd

't worry," com

she had to drive in low gear frequently. As a result the engine soon b

the radiator." She drew her brows together into a frown. "Where'll I get the wate

a water hole down toward the river. We might walk down that gully a pi

the car up to one side

?" Miss Prudence c

d see if I can find some water for it." She reached down and p

" Florenc

gy shook her head. "Not I. I'd feel as if I were being el

aimed, "Why, look! Here're some automobile tracks, and here's one that looks as if it'd b

or

ar tracks led up the sloping left side of the gully. All at once sh

ere behind that mesquite. Looks as if someone's tried to hide it there. So

o Ann by the hand and pulled her along as fast as she could through

n in such a desolate spot. Maybe"-she whispered her nex

--" Florence tugged at J

back and start

, too. I'm not going to stay here alone." After

slope. Cautiously they peeked through the mesquite and chapa

o one in sight, Jo Ann made her way up to the o

seeing the quantities of pottery and

e car belonged to smugglers, she suddenly noticed that there was ste

t the car must have been hidden there only a few minutes before. Wit

ned to be able to identify the car if she should see it again. She felt that there was something mysterious about its

lips to remark about it. Before she could utter a word, a man's angry voice float

convulsive clutch, and she turned to

voice sounded, with an e

s run!" Flor

Just before reaching the top she halted and peered cautiously i

alting when thorns tore Florence's skirt and

Florence this way," Jo Ann thought as she ran. "All

h only a hurried glanc

ing, they reached the road, Jo

's a thief-cheating us-

e Florence was catching her bre

e said-something about some packages weigh

what was in

N

e men are smugg

ed. "I feel s

to that gang of smugglers

d to

r car, too." Jo Ann threw another hasty glance over her shou

so hot-and we ha

the engine's co

Ann glanced anxiously to see i

was no sign of misty vapor rising from the radia

'd decided you'd tumbled into a water hole or th

" began

iedly with, "We coul

e spoke up quickly. "We can't

ine's cooled

of folly to start out on a

r, but not before both she and Florenc

knowingly on noticing their anxious side glances and the excited expression i