The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 47

"Shirley! Mabel!" called d.i.c.k.

The girls half halted in their stride, and then, with glad cries, came toward him.

The men who had attacked d.i.c.k, seeing the approach of another man, turned and made their way to the next corner, where they stood to watch developments.

Hernandez, perceiving that he had but one to contend with, and this a young man, advanced confidently. Shirley and Mabel had now reached d.i.c.k's side, and the three faced the Mexican.

Without a word Hernandez's hand went to his pocket, but d.i.c.k was too quick for him.

"No you don't," he cried, and sprang forward.

His right fist shot out with stunning force, and the Mexican rolled on the ground, his revolver, which he had succeeded in drawing, being hurled from his hand.

d.i.c.k quickly took each girl by the arm and urged them along.

"Hurry!" he cried.

What he feared came to pa.s.s.

Hernandez got quickly to his feet, and perceiving the men who had so recently attacked d.i.c.k, he beckoned them to him.

As the men came up, he waved his arm at the figures of the two girls and the young man.

"Catch them!" he shouted. "Reward!"

The men needed no further urging, but dashed after the three. d.i.c.k urged the girls along as swiftly as they could go, casting occasional glances over his shoulder. He hoped against hope that a.s.sistance would come from some quarter.

But not a sign of a native officer did he see. The few people they pa.s.sed looked at them curiously, and must have realized the aspect of things by the noise of the pursuers, but none offered to lend a helping hand.

Several times d.i.c.k was on the point of turning back to face the pursuers, but he determined only to do this as a last resort to give the girls time to get away while he held the others back.

He led the girls sharply around a corner and they ran as fast as they could along the dirty street. But the pursuers were gaining, as d.i.c.k perceived by a quick glance over his shoulder. Then d.i.c.k made his decision.

As he rounded the next corner he whispered to the girls:

"Run hard!"

He released their arms and stopped, just out of sight from the pursuers.

A moment later they came into view, and d.i.c.k was upon them in an instant, striking right and left as swiftly as he could. Just as it seemed there was a chance of his overcoming his two foes, a third figure joined in the fray.

This was Hernandez himself, and he turned the balance in the favor of d.i.c.k's enemies.

Shirley and Mabel had gone on a few feet when d.i.c.k had turned back, for they had not known what he was about to do. They missed him in a moment, however, and stopped to see what had become of him.

They saw the struggling knot of men, and Shirley cried:

"Oh! d.i.c.k will be hurt! What shall we do?"

"What can we do?" demanded Mabel. "d.i.c.k said to run. I guess we had better run."

"And leave him there like that? I should say not."

"But what can we do?" asked Mabel, in consternation.

"I don't know. But I am not going to run away."

And Shirley resolutely made her way back toward the fighters. Mabel followed.

But aid came for d.i.c.k even as it had for his first two enemies. And the aid was from an unexpected source.

"h.e.l.lo!" exclaimed a voice in English. "What's going on here?"

"Help!" cried d.i.c.k in English.

"An American, eh," said the voice, "and three greasers attacking him with knives. Here goes."

d.i.c.k felt his enemies give way before him, all but one, and this one he sent to the ground with a hard blow to the face. Then he gazed about.

Nearby stood Shirley and Mabel, and upon the ground were the other two Mexicans. d.i.c.k looked at the man who had come to his rescue, and gave a cry of astonishment.

"Captain Anderson!"

The commander of the _Yucatan_ was no less surprised. He surveyed d.i.c.k and the two girls critically.

"How in the name of all that's wonderful did you all get together again and how did you beat me here?" demanded the captain.

d.i.c.k explained his arrival in a few words, and then Shirley took up the story.

"But we had no idea of the _Yucatan_ was here," said d.i.c.k.

"I landed not fifteen minutes ago," replied the captain. "Of course a train runs faster than a boat, which is the reason you are here ahead of me. Now I guess you had better return aboard with me."

"We'll go to the consulate first," declared d.i.c.k. "The others are probably still there."

"Good idea," replied the captain. "I was on my way there now."

He led the way, and the others followed.

But when they reached there they learned, much to the disappointment of both girls, that neither the consul nor any of the others were about.

"Consul Harrington and his visitors accompanied General Seauterey and a squad of soldiers," a clerk explained. "They left not fifteen minutes ago."

"Too bad," declared Captain Anderson. He turned to the girls. "Will you remain here or come aboard?" he asked.

"We'll go aboard, thanks," replied Shirley. "I want to get out of this city and this country. We can leave word with the clerk here, and Mabel's father and mine will come aboard as soon as they return."

"Right you are," agreed Captain Anderson. He addressed the clerk. "When Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton return with the consul," he said, "you tell them to come aboard the _Yucatan_ immediately. I have important news for them."