The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 23

Morning showed to the pa.s.sengers the cruiser proceeding ahead of them.

All day the two ships retained their relative positions and when night came on they were unchanged.

When Shirley awoke the following morning the _Yucatan_ was stationary.

Shirley and Mabel dressed quickly and went on deck. There they found that they were in a little harbor. Shirley asked a question of one of the other pa.s.sengers.

"Where are we?"

"Port of Corinto, Nicaragua," was the reply.

At this moment a small boat was just about to be lowered. Shirley and Mabel rushed up to the first officer, who was in command of it.

"Can we go with you?" she asked.

The officer hesitated, then: "I see no reason why you cannot," with a smile. "Jump in."

The girls obeyed and a few moments later were being rowed toward the not-far-distant sh.o.r.e. There the boat drew up at the wharf, and, signalling to the girls to accompany him if they so desired, the officer leaped lightly ash.o.r.e and lent them a helping hand. The sailors were ordered to await his return.

"Where are you going?" asked Shirley.

"American consulate," was the reply. "There has been some trouble here, and Captain Anderson has sent me to find out what it's all about."

At the consulate Shirley and Mabel remained outside, while the first officer was closeted with the consul.

"We might as well walk around a bit," Shirley decided. "There is no telling how long he may remain there."

Mabel was nothing loath, and they made their way to the street. Here they walked along slowly, looking curiously at the native Nicaraguans and the queer buildings, all of old Spanish architecture and design.

"None of this for me," was Shirley's decision half an hour later.

"Nor me," agreed Mabel. "I want to live in civilization."

Unconsciously the girls had wandered further from the consulate than they realized, and as they were on the point of turning back Mabel caught sight of a familiar figure.

"Captain Von Blusen!" she exclaimed, catching Shirley by the arm.

Shirley caught her breath and gazed in the direction Mabel pointed.

It was true. There, slinking along furtively, was the gallant captain and he was walking along at a rapid rate.

"Wonder where he is going and why he's in such a hurry?" asked Mabel.

"I don't know," returned Shirley, "but I'll warrant he is up to no good."

"But he has given his parole to make no attempt to escape."

"I don't imagine he'll set much store by that if he sees a good opportunity to get away."

Shirley would have continued her way back, but Mabel said:

"Wait a moment, Shirley. Perhaps, by following him a bit, we may learn something useful. What do you say?"

For a moment Shirley hesitated, but for a moment only.

"Perhaps we can," she said then. "There can be no danger if we keep out of sight. Come on."

The German was now some distance ahead of them, and taking care to avoid being seen should he turn suddenly, the girls followed him.

But apparently Captain Von Blusen had no idea that he would be followed.

He strode rapidly along and not once did he turn his head.

"He must have been here before," Shirley decided. "He seems to know where he is going."

For another ten minutes they followed him, and then Shirley halted.

"I am afraid we had better go back," she said. "We may get lost."

"Oh I guess not," declared Mabel. "And besides we have plenty of time.

The ship will probably stay here most of the day. Come on, Shirley."

Shirley allowed herself to be led along.

They had now approached the outskirts of the little town, and the young German struck off through a clump of trees. At the edge of these Shirley stopped abruptly.

"We won't follow him any further," she said decisively. "It might be dangerous."

"I guess you are right," agreed Mabel. "I wish he had stayed where we could keep track of him."

"So do I. But he didn't. We had better be getting back."

They turned and started to retrace their footsteps, but even as they did so the footsteps of a large body of men came toward them. They were not yet in sight, but the men were coming right down the street through which the girls must go on their way back.

Mabel looked at Shirley in alarm.

"What shall we do?" she exclaimed.

"We'll just have to put on a bold face and walk right along," declared Shirley. "Come."

She started out slowly, Mabel walking by her side.

A moment later there appeared ahead of them, advancing at a rapid march, a body of armed men. Shirley and Mabel shrank close to the side of the street to give the marchers as much room as possible.

At first it seemed the girls would get by without trouble, for the first troop had pa.s.sed them, paying no attention to their presence.

But as the officer in command of the troop came abreast of them, a command suddenly rang out:

"Halt!"

The troop stopped abruptly, and grounded their arms. Shirley and Mabel also paused, as they believed the words were meant for them. Then, seeing the soldiers pause, they moved on again. But again came the cry of "Halt."