The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 22

"It's an outrage!" declared Shirley. "I wouldn't have given him anything. Isn't there something we can do about it?"

"Not a thing," was the reply. "It is legitimate graft. But watch, now, you'll see what the little folks do."

As the native officer continued to swagger along, from behind houses and from down streets a hail of rocks and stones dropped upon him. The children, divided in the fight for the quarter, had joined forces against this common enemy and were pelting him vigorously.

"Good!" exclaimed Mabel. "I am glad of it. I hope they hurt him, the big coward."

The native officer stopped and glared around angrily at his small a.s.sailants for a moment, while the rocks and stones fell on him faster than before. One struck him in the face. This was too much for his courage. He took to his heels, and with the mob of children in close pursuit, was soon lost to sight.

"I hope they get him," declared Shirley vehemently.

"They won't, though," replied the officer of the _Yucatan_. "If he were to turn on them they'd stop and, from a safe place, continue their bombardment. He'll find shelter some place."

Before they could return to the launch which would take them back to the ship, the swarm of children again came into view, rushing for them.

"Quick!" cried the officer, "into the boat. They'll run right over us.

They've caught a sight of silver and they won't let us alone until we give them some, or until we are out of reach."

He hustled the others toward the small boat at a run, and succeeded in getting them in before the native children reached the water's edge.

Then the boat put off for the ship.

A cry of anger went up from the sh.o.r.e.

"Duck!" cried the officer, himself taking his place in the stern and grasping the rudder.

His warning came not a moment too soon.

A shower of missiles, hurled with unerring aim, fell upon the little craft. Disappointed in their quest, the native children were now bent on revenge.

As fast as they could pick them up and throw, rocks went skimming across the water, falling on both sides, and in front and behind the boat.

Several dropped aboard.

One, in falling, just skimmed the back of Shirley's head as she stooped over in the boat. d.i.c.k immediately squeezed in behind her, and another, thrown with unerring aim, carried away his hat. Fortunately however, this broke the force of the stone, and it fell to the bottom of the boat without doing any further damage.

The boat was drawing out of danger now, and the occupants sat up again and drew breaths of relief. Only the stronger of the tots could now reach them with their missiles, and the distance was too great for accurate throwing, so those in the boats felt perfectly safe.

Upon the sh.o.r.e the crowd of native boys and girls gave vent to cries of rage at thus being deprived of their revenge. They danced about excitedly and waved their hands in angry gestures.

At this juncture another native officer hove in sight, and the crowd turned on him. Again rocks, stones and other weapons came into play as the children turned upon him to vent their wrath. For a moment the officer seemed on the point of charging into the crowd, then changed his mind, wheeled on his heel and took to flight. The young ones gave chase, their shouts and cries carrying across the water to the occupants of the boat.

"Well!" exclaimed Shirley, now that they were out of harm's way at last, "they are vicious little things, aren't they?"

"Rather," replied the officer dryly. "If a person fell into their hands it would go hard with him."

"But what makes them so fierce?" asked Mabel, greatly interested.

"That's hard to say. However, it probably is because they are half starved and look upon the whole world as a common foe. More than one tourist has received rough treatment at their hands."

"And will they attack any one like that?" asked d.i.c.k.

"Not unless he shows money," was the reply. "That is the remarkable part about it. No matter how much a man may have in his pocket they will not attack him unless they catch sight of silver or gold. One glimpse of it, however, seems to drive them wild."

The officer gave his attention to the boat for a moment, and then continued:

"Another thing, as you have just observed. They will fight each other, but let a third party interfere and they will all jump on him."

"Just like a quarrel between a man and his wife, eh?" asked Mr. Willing with a smile.

"Exactly. They're a queer lot, and you will find them about the same in all Central and South American countries."

The small boat now rubbed gently against the side of the _Yucatan_ and the pa.s.sengers scrambled up the ladder to the deck.

"We were lucky to get out of that with whole skins," declared Shirley, when all once more stood on deck.

"I should say we were," agreed Mabel.

"Perhaps this experience will teach you to heed the advice of others, daughter," said Mr. Willing dryly.

"I won't try and play the good Samaritan to native children any more, Dad," said Shirley smiling.

A long blast from the ship's whistle, followed by the clanking of chains as the anchor was drawn in, the vibrations of the engines became noticeable, and, with her nose pointed to the open sea, the steamship _Yucatan_ resumed her journey.

CHAPTER XIV.-U. S. S. PRAIRIE.

"Steamship off the port bow, sir!"

It was the cry of the lookout.

All eyes were turned in the direction indicated. There, showing dimly through the gathering darkness, steamed a dark gray shape. Another glance from the lookout was enough to convince him of the vessel's ident.i.ty.

"United States cruiser, sir!" came his call.

"Can you make her out?" asked the captain's voice from the bridge.

The lookout was silent for several minutes, and then called back:

"Cruiser _Prairie_, sir."

There was a muttered e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n from the captain. Shirley, standing near, caught the words:

"Wonder what she's doing in these waters? She was in Bluefields the last I heard of her. Must be trouble of some kind or she wouldn't be here."

The two ships exchanged messages, the nature of which were unknown to the pa.s.sengers, however. Both continued on their course.