The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 18

It was almost three hours later before the reply came. General Fullaway read the message in silence, then turned to the others.

"Your story must be true, Miss Ashton," he said. "Washington seems to have had some rumor of it. The cruiser _Tennessee_, now stationed here, has been ordered to take the _Yucatan_ in charge."

"Will there be a battle?" demanded Mabel anxiously.

"I do not think so. The _Yucatan_, armed though she probably is by this time, would hardly be a match for the _Tennessee_."

"I wish we could go with her," declared Shirley.

"So do I," agreed d.i.c.k.

General Fullaway was silent for some moments, and then he said:

"Perhaps it can be done. There will be no danger. I don't believe Captain Ainslee would object. The _Tennessee_ will not sail before morning. I shall communicate with the captain immediately, and let you know before morning. He will probably wish to hear your story anyhow."

Shirley, Mabel and the others returned to the hotel, where they prepared for bed. Mr. Willing was just about to retire when there was a knock at the door. Opening it, a bellboy pa.s.sed him a message. It was from General Fullaway and said that Captain Ainslee would expect the Willing party aboard the _Tennessee_ by 8 o'clock in the morning.

Mr. Willing called this piece of news to d.i.c.k and the two girls, and all were greatly pleased.

"Just think of taking a trip on a warship!" exclaimed Shirley.

All were about early the next morning and were soon at the pier, where they found that a cutter from the _Tennessee_ had been sent to meet them. Captain Ainslee himself greeted them as they made their way over the side of the cruiser, and conducted them to his cabin.

Here he left them for a few minutes while he gave orders to get the ship under way. Directly it began to move slowly through the waters of the harbor, Captain Ainslee returned to the others.

"Now," he said to Mabel, "I should be glad to hear your story at first hand."

Mabel repeated it and the captain listened attentively.

"To tell the truth," he said, "this may be more serious than I supposed.

If Germany is bent upon drawing the United States into the war, the _Yucatan_ may not surrender so easily."

"You don't mean she is likely to fight?" asked Mr. Willing in some alarm.

"That's just what I mean," was the reply.

And Captain Ainslee proved a good prophet.

It was well after noon when a cry from the lookout brought all to deck.

"Steamer off the port bow!" it came.

The two girls rushed to the deck with the others. The ships were still too far apart for those aboard the cruiser to make out the other plainly, and the wireless was immediately put in action.

"German converted cruiser _Kaiserin_!" came the reply to Captain Ainslee's message.

"I desire to come aboard you," was the message flashed back. "Heave to!"

The vessels drew nearer together, until at last Captain Ainslee knew the other vessel was in range of the _Tennessee's_ big guns.

"I was afraid he would run," he explained. "Now I shall make my demand for surrender. It's the _Yucatan_ as you can see."

The wireless was again put to working, and a demand made upon the German to surrender.

"What for?" came the question.

"Theft of United States vessel and threatening destruction of Colon,"

was the reply flashed back.

Captain Von Blusen must have realized that the game was up. The _Yucatan_ was brought quickly about and turned to run.

"Clear for action!" came the command aboard the _Tennessee_.

Shirley, Mabel and the others of the party found themselves hurried back into the Captain's private cabin. There, through the port-hole, they watched the preparations for battle.

The girls were greatly interested, and in spite of the fact that they knew they were in danger, they did not lose their coolness nor their courage.

Realizing that the pa.s.senger ship was probably faster than the cruiser, Captain Ainslee wasted no further time. The great forward turret gun spoke with a roar, and Shirley and Mabel cried out at the terrific noise.

They could watch the progress of the big sh.e.l.l as it sped toward the _Yucatan_, where it kicked up the water but a few yards to port. Again and again the big gun spoke, and then there was a cheer from the crew as a sh.e.l.l struck home.

Twice more the _Yucatan_ was. .h.i.t, and, while not in a vital spot, her speed was suddenly reduced. The _Tennessee_ dashed on.

Then came the first shot from the enemy. The spray flew high beside the cruiser as a sh.e.l.l struck the water to larboard. Before she could fire again, another sh.e.l.l from the _Tennessee's_ forward turret gun crashed aboard her.

Then a white flag was run up the _Yucatan's_ masthead.

The firing aboard the _Tennessee_ ceased, and the cruiser bore down on the enemy.

Boats were hurriedly lowered, manned and darted across the water to take charge of the _Yucatan_. Half an hour later one of them returned bearing the German commander and his officers. They were conducted to the captain's cabin immediately.

Henry Bristow-now Captain Von Blusen-at first did not see the members of the Willing party in the cabin, and he faced Captain Ainslee angrily.

"What is the meaning of this outrage?" he demanded.

Captain Ainslee smiled.

"Come, come, captain," he said. "Why this air of wounded dignity? Surely you won't attempt to deny that you stole the _Yucatan_?"

"Of course I deny it," was the reply.

"And I suppose you will also deny sending a message to the commandant at Colon, threatening to blow up the city?"

"That is absurd," was the reply.

Captain Ainslee motioned to Mabel, and she stepped forward.

"Do you recognize this young lady, captain?" demanded the commander of the _Tennessee_.