The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 25

While absent from Managua there was an uprising. It seems to have been well planned, for it broke out in all parts of the republic at once, even here in Corinto."

"I was surprised with my men this morning and was forced to flee. That's about all there is to it."

"But why did you bring us with you?" demanded Shirley. "Why didn't you allow us to return to our ship."

"Because you might never have reached there," replied the President quietly. "You would probably have fallen into the hands of the revolutionists. While you are with me you are safe."

There was no doubting the sincerity in the President's voice, and both girls unconsciously breathed easier.

"Besides," continued the general, "your presence may help me a bit."

"In what way sir?" asked Mabel.

"Well, there is a United States cruiser in Corinto harbor. When you are missed the natural supposition will be that you have fallen into the hands of the revolutionists. The U. S. sailors will be sent after you, and will be likely to attack my foes."

"I see," said Shirley with a slight smile. "Then you did not save us from an altogether unselfish motive."

"My dear young ladies, consider," said the President, "it is better for both of us."

"I don't doubt you, sir," replied Shirley; "but just the same I would rather be safe aboard our ship."

"And so you shall be, if it is within my power to put you there,"

declared the President of Nicaragua warmly.

At this moment two of the general's troopers approached, dragging a third man between them. Shirley and Mabel fell back a few feet.

"h.e.l.lo! Who have we here?" demanded President Garcia.

"Prisoner, sir," replied one of the men.

"Release him," said the President. "I shall talk to him myself. Who are you, and what are you doing here?" he demanded sharply.

Shirley and Mabel both started at the sound of the prisoner's voice. He was none other than Captain von Blusen.

"I'm Captain von Blusen, of the German navy," was the reply. "I have been held prisoner aboard an American ship, and have but recently escaped. I am seeking Colonel Hernandez."

"Hernandez!" exclaimed President Garcia, stepping back in surprise. "The leader of the revolutionists!"

"And may I ask your name, sir?" said Captain von Blusen.

"I," said the general, "am the President of Nicaragua."

The prisoner gave vent to a long whistle and a look of dismay pa.s.sed over his face. It was gone in a moment, however, and he turned to the President with a smile.

"I am fortunate in finding you, sir," he said. "I am authorized by my government to make you a proposition."

"Well, I shall hear it," said the President.

"I am authorized to offer you a large sum of money for the privilege of establishing a German naval base on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua."

"Enough!" cried the general with a wave of his hand. "It shall not be done if I can prevent it. Germany indeed. Were I able, I myself should draw a sword against her. You will find no German sympathy in these parts."

Captain von Blusen bowed his head. He said nothing further on the subject.

"What will you do with me?" he asked.

"I shall hold you until the rebels have been put down," was the reply.

"Then you shall be released. I wouldn't trust you now."

He signalled two of his men and the young German officer was led away between them.

At this moment another officer rushed up to the general.

"Our presence has been discovered, sir," he gasped. "The enemy is approaching."

Shirley and Mabel now perceived that the President of the Republic of Nicaragua, in spite of his advanced years, was a man of action.

He turned rapidly from one to another of his officers, and these dashed quickly away. A moment later the few troops began to move, and the girls realized that President Garcia had taken some steps to offset the advance of the revolutionists.

They found themselves going along with the troops.

"My goodness! I wish we were back on the ship," exclaimed Shirley.

"You don't wish it any more than I do," declared Mabel. "I am more frightened than you are. Suppose there should be a battle. What would happen to us?"

Shirley shrugged her shoulders.

"You know as much about it as I do," she made answer.

Mabel looked at her in amazement.

"Why, Shirley Willing!" she exclaimed. "Aren't you afraid? I am scared half to death."

"I am just as badly frightened as you are," declared Shirley. "I may not look it, but I am."

"I don't believe you are frightened at all," said Mabel.

In spite of the seriousness of the situation and her declaration that she was badly frightened, Shirley was forced to smile at her friend's words.

"Well, perhaps I'm not so awfully scared," she confessed. "I'm anxious to see what is going to happen."

"I know what is going to happen," was the reply. "We are going to get hurt!"

Mabel broke down and began to cry.

Shirley took her chum gently in her arms, and stroked her hair.

"There, there!" she said. "Stop crying. No one is going to hurt us. You are just overwrought, that's all."