The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 33

"No," grumbled the captain. "I hope I never set eyes on him again."

"Dad," said Shirley, "do you remember what you said to us about getting into trouble?"

Mr. Willing growled some unintelligible reply.

"We've never been in jail yet, Dad," continued Shirley slyly. "Were you?"

Mr. Willing glanced at his daughter and seemed about to make some sharp response. Then he controlled himself and spoke:

"Yes, we were in jail," he growled. "We spent the best part of the day there."

"Well," said Shirley, "you are always getting in trouble. I reckon Mabel and I will have to keep closer watch on you."

"I am sure of it," declared Mabel.

d.i.c.k smiled, but there was no amus.e.m.e.nt on the faces of Mr. Willing nor Colonel Ashton. They scowled at their daughters.

"Now, Dad," continued Shirley, "did Captain Von Blusen-"

"Will you be quiet?" demanded Mr. Willing. "Haven't we had enough trouble for one day without all this chatter. Come, Ashton, we'll go to our cabin."

Shirley, Mabel and d.i.c.k broke into a loud laugh as the two stalked away arm in arm, looking neither to the right nor left.

CHAPTER XX.-UP THE MEXICAN COAST.

The pa.s.sengers aboard the _Yucatan_ gazed curiously at the approaching battle cruiser.

It was the morning following the departure from Champerico, and the _Yucatan_ had been halted by a shot fired across her bow. Officers and pa.s.sengers alike were curious as to the ident.i.ty of the cruiser.

So far she had shown no colors.

"Do you suppose she is English?" asked Shirley of d.i.c.k, as they gazed over the rail at the oncoming stranger.

"Must be either English or j.a.panese," replied d.i.c.k. "Not much chance of any other vessel being in these waters, unless, of course, she is a United States cruiser. But that can't be, because she would not have halted us."

Signs of activity became apparent aboard the cruiser, and the colors were run up the masthead. For a moment they could not be distinguished, but as the breeze caught the ensign, a gasp went up from the pa.s.sengers, with here and there a cheer.

For the colors thus displayed were the red, white and black of Germany!

"My goodness! Will she shoot us?" exclaimed Shirley in some dismay.

"Hardly," declared d.i.c.k. "I don't believe Germany wants to go to war with the United States."

There came a message from the German to Captain Anderson:

"I am coming aboard!"

A few moments later a boat put off from the cruiser, and soon sc.r.a.ped alongside the _Yucatan_. An officer appeared over the side and was greeted by Captain Anderson.

"How did you get here?" was his first question. "I had reason to believe the _Yucatan_ was now in other waters."

"Well," replied Captain Anderson dryly, "your little piracy scheme didn't work, you see."

The German officer controlled his temper with an effort.

"Have you a pa.s.senger by the name of Bristow aboard?"

"Oh," said the captain, "you mean Von Blusen. We did have him aboard, in irons. I released him on parole, and he broke it. I'll never trust another German."

The German officer drew himself up angrily.

"Have a care, sir!" he exclaimed. "You seem to forget that I can sink you on a moment's notice."

"Oh, no I don't. But I'm sure you won't. Already you have troubles enough. I'll thank you to dispose of your business immediately and then get off my ship."

"I'll have a look at your papers," said the German shortly.

Captain Anderson led the way to his cabin.

As they talked, the pa.s.sengers on deck noticed smoke upon the horizon.

Save for this little blur and the German cruiser there was nothing else in sight but water.

The blur became larger, and at last took the shape of a vessel. As it drew nearer it could be seen that it was a battle cruiser. It bore down toward the German cruiser at full speed.

"I hope it's an Englishman," declared Shirley.

"Probably is," said her father, "although it may be a j.a.p."

Still the German officer was in the cabin with Captain Anderson.

Suddenly the head of another German officer appeared over the rail of the _Yucatan_ and dashed toward the captain's cabin. A moment later both reappeared, dropped over the side and the boat made back toward the cruiser.

The _Yucatan_ was very close, and now, at a command from Captain Anderson, she got under way.

"If that other cruiser is a Britisher, there is bound to be a fight, and we don't want to be in the way," explained the captain. "We'll stand off at a distance and look on."

This plan met the approval of the pa.s.sengers, and as the _Yucatan_ steamed toward a safe spot all eyes were turned upon the second cruiser waiting for her to show her colors.

And at last they were unfurled, and a cheer rang the length of the ship.

The British ensign fluttered from the mast.

The German cruiser, immediately the ident.i.ty of the other was determined, turned to flee. She seemed fully as large as the British ship, and there were comments of surprise aboard the _Yucatan_ that she didn't offer to accept battle.

But there was to be no escape for the German. The British cruiser gave chase, and it was soon apparent that she was much faster than the foe.