Pokes and Jabbs have been sent to the border to report events for a sensational daily newspaper, but things are quiet and news is scarce. A telegram, tolling them to send in some thrilling news items or quit arouses them to action. A Mexican is seen skulking through the woods clutching a jewel box. Their attention is attracted and they see visions of columns of thrilling news, so decide to follow the mysterious stranger. The trail leads to the foot of a tree, where the stranger digs a hole, plants the box and then departs. Pokes and Jabbs start to dig the box out and have almost reached their goal, when the stranger returns. They take refuge in a tree. The stranger, noticing that someone has discovered his hiding place, digs up the box and is about to depart when Pokes and Jabbs demand to know his business and the contents of the box. The stranger relates a wonderful and thrilling tale of persecution, privation and hardship. Pokes and Jabbs take down the main facts for publication, but when the stranger tells of his wife and two pretty daughters being held in captivity, they volunteer to rescue his loved ones. The stranger accepts their assistance, and agrees to lead them to the dungeon in which his wife and children are confined. The way leads through weird places and strange mishaps are encountered, but all obstacles having been surmounted, the three arrive at their destination, where Pokes and Jabbs are thanked for the return of Mysterious Pedro, whose mania is hiding empty jewel boxes in the sand.