The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 31

"I didn't see him," replied Mabel. "I suppose they are looking for us in some other part of the town. I'll bet they are badly frightened."

"I fear so too," replied Shirley. "I guess we had better get back as soon as we can. But we shall have to thank the lieutenant first."

That officer declared that he wanted no thanks.

"We are glad to have been able to take a shot at those fellows," he said. "We have been wanting to do it for a long time, but this is the first opportunity we have had. We-h.e.l.lo!"

He broke off suddenly. Riding rapidly toward them was a large body of men, and above them floated a white flag. They dismounted some distance away, and one approached.

The girls recognized this man immediately. He was President Garcia.

He rode up to the lieutenant, and introduced himself.

"And I would like the person of Orizaba delivered to me," he said quietly.

"You shall have him," replied the lieutenant. "It will save us trouble."

The unfortunate revolutionist, fully recovered now, was turned over to the President of Nicaragua and marched away. Then President Garcia appeared to perceive Shirley and Mabel for the first time. He raised his hat to them.

"I am pleased that the senoritas have escaped safely," he said quietly, and making a low bow to them, he turned his horse about, and a moment later was gone.

The lieutenant in command of the marines now ordered his men back to their ship, and the girls accompanied them on their return march through the town. Dark looks were cast at them from all sides, but none ventured a word.

"You may see they don't love us very much in these parts," said the lieutenant with a smile. "They would welcome a chance to shoot us all."

At the pier the two girls saw their fathers approaching rapidly, and they ran forward to meet them. The meeting was affectionate, for both Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton had been greatly alarmed at their long absence.

"I am going to keep my eye on you in the future," declared Mr. Willing.

The girls only laughed. Both men were profuse in their praise of d.i.c.k's gallant actions, and Colonel Ashton declared:

"It's a good thing we brought him along, Willing."

The marines gave the Willing party a rousing cheer as they stepped into the _Yucatan's_ small boat and were rowed back to the vessel.

"I'm glad to see you back," declared Captain Anderson. "We're late now.

We shall leave here at once." He turned to the first officer. "You may get under way immediately, sir!"

And as the _Yucatan_ steamed from the harbor, the pa.s.sengers gathered about the two girls, demanding an account of their experiences.

CHAPTER XIX.-A GUATEMALA ADVENTURE.

"This," said Captain Anderson, waving his hand, as the steamer entered a little harbor, "is Champerico, the only Guatemalan port at which we shall touch. It is the last Central American republic we shall see.

Would you care to go ash.o.r.e?"

"I would like to go," said Shirley, with a sidelong look at her father.

"You won't go unless I do," was Mr. Willing's ultimatum. "You have been in trouble enough. I'm going to keep you in sight." He turned to Colonel Ashton. "Would you care to go ash.o.r.e, Ashton?"

"Why, yes," was the reply.

"Good. Then we shall all go," said Mr. Willing.

"You can go with me," said Captain Anderson. "I am going to pay my respects to the American consul."

An hour later a small boat put off from the ship and headed sh.o.r.eward.

In it, besides Captain Anderson and the crew, were Mr. Willing, Colonel Ashton, d.i.c.k, Shirley and Mabel.

"We'll keep out of trouble this time," commented Mr. Willing.

They accompanied Captain Anderson to the United States consulate, where they were introduced to the consul. An hour later they all started back toward the boat.

As they walked down one of the dirty streets Captain Anderson espied a figure slinking along.

"Hey!" he cried. "There goes that scoundrel Von Blusen, who broke his parole and ran away at Corinto. I'll get him!"

He darted hurriedly across the street, and laid a hand on the young man's shoulder. The latter looked up in surprise, and then perceiving Captain Anderson, jerked suddenly free and took to his heels, running directly toward the Willing party.

"Head him off!" cried Captain Anderson, and d.i.c.k and the two men leaped to obey.

Straight at them rushed the young German officer, and a few feet away hurled himself forward with a powerful spring. He struck the three squarely, and all went to the ground in a tangled heap.

Von Blusen was the first to regain his feet. He raised a hand as though to strike one of his fallen adversaries, but the approach of Captain Anderson at that moment caused him to turn and flee quickly.

The captain made after him at top speed, calling upon him to halt.

Around the block they ran, and then, unconsciously doubling back, Von Blusen once more found himself bearing down on d.i.c.k and Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton.

A moment later Captain Anderson, panting, hove in sight and gasped out:

"Stop him!"

This time the three spread out, so they would have a better chance of halting the fugitive. The latter ran straight at Mr. Willing and the force of the contact sent both to the ground. As Von Blusen arose Colonel Ashton leaped for him.

But the German was too quick for the colonel, and missing his grasp, the latter sprawled on the street. Von Blusen turned just in time to meet d.i.c.k with a hard blow to the face, and d.i.c.k toppled over.

Then Von Blusen darted up a little alleyway.

Unmindful of his intention to keep a close eye on the girls, Mr.

Willing, now red with anger, made after him, as did the colonel, Captain Anderson and d.i.c.k.

The girls found themselves alone in the street.

The noise of the chase had attracted many spectators, among them several members of the native police.