The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 49

He motioned his men to the door.

"He'll run when he sees the broken door," he said. "I'll command him to halt. If he doesn't obey, fire."

It was as the general had predicted. When Hernandez saw the broken door, he stopped in surprise. Then he turned and would have run. General Seauterey stepped forward and shouted:

"Halt!"

Hernandez paid no heed.

"Fire!" cried the general.

Two puffs of smoke and two sharp cracks. Hernandez fell to the ground, but sat up in a moment and seized his left foot in his hand, at the same time moaning with pain.

"Good work, men!" cried the general. "Go and bring him here!"

Two of the soldiers obeyed, and Hernandez was soon in the house.

"Where are the two prisoners?" demanded the general.

Hernandez looked at him and sneered.

"Find out," he said.

"So I will," returned the general.

He motioned to his men.

"Bind the prisoners and put them in the car outside," he ordered.

Then he led the way from the house.

"I shall have this man questioned more fully," he said to the consul, "and I shall send you a message to the consulate within an hour. He will not fail to tell what he knows of the prisoners."

With this Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton were forced to be content, although the anxiety of each was growing at every minute.

The Mexicans and their prisoners climbed into one of the automobiles, and the Americans and Captain von Blusen into the other. They were whirled back to the consulate.

The clerk addressed Mr. Willing.

"Captain Anderson, of the Steamship _Yucatan_, was here a few moments ago, sir," he said. "He desires your presence aboard immediately. He says he has important news for you."

"Regarding my daughter?" asked Mr. Willing eagerly.

"He didn't say, sir," replied the clerk.

"Come, Ashton," cried Mr. Willing excitedly. "Perhaps Captain Anderson has learned something."

"I shall accompany you," said Captain von Blusen.

The others offered no objection and the three hurried away together, Mr.

Willing telling Consul Harrington that they would let him know the result of their trip.

At the water front they were fortunate enough to find an unengaged boatman, who offered to put them aboard the _Yucatan_ for a fair price.

"Never mind the price," said Mr. Willing. "Hurry and get us there."

The boatman wasted no time, and soon they were heading for the big steamship as fast as they could go.

Dusk was just falling as they went swiftly over the water, and none could but think what a pretty spectacle the great ship made with her thousands of electric lights shining brightly.

"And that's the ship you attempted to get away with, Captain Von Blusen," said Mr. Willing.

"Yes, and would have gotten away with but for Miss Ashton," replied the captain. "However, I bear no ill will. It is the fortune of war."

"And we bear you no ill will, captain," declared Colonel Ashton. "It is true that you have made us considerable trouble, but I appreciate your position in the matter. I know that you were acting under orders."

"Thank you," replied the captain.

"I can say the same, sir," declared Mr. Willing, "Here, at the last, you have been of service to us, and in view of that, things that have gone before must be overlooked."

"Thank you, sir."

The little boat now sc.r.a.ped alongside the _Yucatan_. Several moments later the three were aboard the big steamship and rushing toward Captain Anderson's quarters.

Their arrival had been reported before they came aboard, and so they found Captain Anderson alone.

"Glad to see you gentlemen again," said the captain, shaking hands with Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton. He looked Captain Von Blusen over coldly. "I shall talk to you later," he added.

Captain Von Blusen bowed.

"Oh, he is all right, captain," said Mr. Willing. "He has been of great aid to us in searching for our daughters."

"So?" Captain Anderson's stern expression relaxed a trifle. "I am glad to hear it."

He held out his hand, and the young German grasped it.

"You but did your duty, as you saw it, I suppose," said Captain Anderson.

"What is the piece of news you have for us, Captain Anderson?" asked Colonel Willing, who had been waiting impatiently for the commander of the _Yucatan_ to broach the subject that had called them aboard.

"Have chairs, gentlemen," said the captain, ignoring the question.

The others sat down, the older men twisting about uneasily. At last Mr.

Willing could stand it no longer.

"Captain," he cried, jumping to his feet, "if you have any words of our daughters, tell us. Don't keep us in suspense any longer."

Captain Anderson gazed at him steadily for a few moments, then arose, and walked to a door in his cabin.