Suddenly a bugle sounded across the valley. A gunshot cracked the air. A second shot and then a third. Casita threw herself flat on the ground and crawled to the edge to see. At the crest of the rising hill across the river, a row of soldiers appeared, the sun at their backs. Hundreds of them, wearing the blue woolen uniform of the US Cavalry. To the sound of a merry bugle, the soldiers charged straight for her home.

Crouched on the ledge Casita couldn’t move, couldn’t tear her eyes away. Although the soldiers were across the river, their noise was deafening. They were shouting and wildly shooting their guns into the air. She heard yells from the village; they knew danger was coming.

Juanita crawled out to look. She cried out when she saw the soldiers. “The Americans cannot cross the great river!” Juanita cried.

“They did!” Casita answered.

“We have to tell the village!” Juanita stood up to warn them.

Casita pulled Juanita to the ground. “Stay down! They know!”