The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 17

"He has only been recently put in command," was the reply. "I too know him well."

The _Reliance_ proved to be a very slow vessel, and it was days before the city of Colon was sighted.

At the entrance to the Panama Ca.n.a.l, Colon is a very picturesque city.

Since work on the ca.n.a.l was begun, bringing thousands of Americans to the country, it has been more or less metropolitan in character, at the same time retaining its South American atmosphere.

Shirley and Mabel looked about with wonder as they made their way through the dirty narrow streets toward the hotel. This, however, they found to be strictly up to date in all respects, and they were soon installed in comfortable quarters.

Several hours later, Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton left the hotel, announcing that they were going to pay their respects to General Fullaway. They were back several hours later and informed Shirley, Mabel and d.i.c.k that they were to dine with the general in his quarters that night.

The girls were naturally excited at this prospect, and spent most of the day in the purchase of suitable garments. d.i.c.k, as well as Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton, also purchased more clothing to take the place of what had been lost when they were set adrift from the _Yucatan_.

General Fullaway had already heard the story from the captain of the _Yucatan_, but supper over, he desired to hear it once more from his guests.

Mr. Willing related their first meeting with the German commander, who had introduced himself as Henry Bristow when they had first met. He told of the experience aboard the _Yucatan_ while the vessel was tied up at Jacksonville.

"You did wrong not to let the men take him, no matter who they were,"

was General Fullaway's verdict.

"I realize that now," said Mr. Willing, "but who could have suspected such a gigantic plot?"

"It was a gigantic plot," agreed the general, "and was carried out excellently. It must have been well planned."

"Mr. Bristow warned us not to come to Colon, general," spoke up Shirley.

"He did?" exclaimed the general in surprise. "And why, pray?"

"Well, he said it wasn't safe," replied Shirley.

"Hm-m-m," muttered the general, with a smile. "And did he tell you why?"

"No, sir."

"I thought not," laughed the general.

"But he told me, general," put in Mabel.

The others looked at the girl in surprise, but Mabel bore up steadily under their scrutiny.

"What do you mean, Mabel?" demanded Colonel Ashton.

"You remember when he took me aside just before we were set adrift, father?" asked Mabel.

"Yes, of course."

"That's when he told me, but it seemed so absurd and impossible that I didn't repeat it."

"What was it, Miss Ashton?" asked General Fullaway. "Will you tell us?"

"He said that Colon was in danger," replied Mabel, and she repeated the conversation she had had with Captain Von Blusen aboard the _Yucatan_.

The others listened to her with breathless interest, and there were exclamations of surprise when she concluded.

"Absurd," said Mr. Willing.

"Impossible," Colonel Ashton agreed.

"It would seem so, on the face of it," said General Fullaway, "and I suppose it is. It is true, there are two j.a.panese warships off the entrance to the Ca.n.a.l. They have not been allowed to pa.s.s through because several German merchant vessels are here. As soon as they have cleared, of course we shall permit the j.a.ps to go through."

"And have the j.a.ps objected to the delay?" asked Mr. Willing.

"They have indeed. They have demanded permission to pa.s.s, which has been refused. That was yesterday. But this tale of yours," the general turned to Mabel, "is incredible. I suppose the German commander told it to you to frighten you."

"I suppose that was his reason," Mabel agreed.

At this moment an orderly entered the room and gave a message to General Fullaway. The latter read it, and then turned to Mabel again.

"It seems that your warning may bear fruit, after all," he said quietly.

"Why, sir?" asked the girl eagerly.

"Why, this message I have here," said the general, tapping the paper with his finger, "is, or seems to be at least, a communication from the j.a.panese commander. He says if his ships are not allowed to pa.s.s through the ca.n.a.l to-morrow, he will destroy the city of Colon!"

CHAPTER XI.-A WAR SCARE.

An air of intense antic.i.p.ation pervaded the General's dining room.

Shirley finally broke the silence.

"And will you give them permission, general?" she asked.

"Not without such instructions from Washington," was the reply. "My duties are clearly defined. The j.a.panese ships cannot pa.s.s through the ca.n.a.l while German merchantmen are in Colon harbor. However, I am not at all sure the message is from the j.a.ps."

"You mean-the _Yucatan_," asked d.i.c.k.

General Fullaway nodded.

"I wouldn't be at all surprised," he replied quietly. "I shall communicate with Washington at once, repeating the story you have told me."

He left the room, and returned in a few moments with a slip of paper which he gave to the officer who had brought the message.

"I should have a reply in a couple of hours," he told the others. "Would you care to wait and hear the result?"

"Indeed we would," declared Shirley.