The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 50

"I have three prisoners here I would like you to see," he said quietly.

With a sudden movement he threw wide the door, and there stepped forth first d.i.c.k, then Shirley, then Mabel.

The two men absolutely ignored d.i.c.k, who stepped aside.

With glad cries the others rushed toward each other. Shirley found herself clasped in her father's arms, and Mabel and her father also clung tight together. Then they stepped back and looked at each other.

"This is my little surprise," said Captain Anderson with a smile.

CHAPTER XXIX.-"CAPTAIN VON BLUSEN."

"And when we found you had escaped we didn't know where to look for you," said Mr. Willing, in concluding the story of the search.

"We never doubted that we should get away in some manner," declared Shirley. "We were sure you would find us, but when the chance for escape came we took advantage of it."

"And where did you get to when you left the consulate?" demanded Colonel Ashton of d.i.c.k.

d.i.c.k explained.

"And if Captain Anderson had not arrived so opportunely, there is no telling what might have happened," he declared. "He put the enemy to rout."

"It wasn't much of a job," replied the captain, waving aside Mr.

Willing's thanks. "I just touched two of them with my fists and they went down."

"I reckon you didn't touch them very gently, captain," said Colonel Ashton, with a grim smile.

"Well, perhaps not," answered Captain Anderson, "but it was no time for half way measures." He turned to Captain Von Blusen. "And what am I to do with you?" he asked.

"I should be glad if you would take me to San Francisco," was the reply.

Captain Anderson turned this over in his mind.

"You have made much trouble for me," he said finally, "and besides, the United States authorities may be looking for you, for all I know.

However, I have no such information, and as you seem to have turned over a new leaf, I shall do so."

"Thank you, captain."

"I would advise you, however," continued the captain, "to go ash.o.r.e at the first American port instead of going to Frisco. The authorities may be on the lookout for you, and I don't know what they would do with you.

Your theft of the _Yucatan_ was nothing short of piracy."

"I suppose you are right," returned Captain Von Blusen, "and I shall act upon your advice. What is the first United States port at which you shall touch?"

"San Diego."

"Then I shall go ash.o.r.e there."

"Very well, unless, of course, in the meantime I should receive word to hold you."

"But you won't report the captain's presence here?" exclaimed Shirley hopefully.

"No; I shall say nothing about it unless I am asked."

"Thank you again, captain," said the young officer.

He turned on his heel and left the room.

"When shall we get under way again, captain?" asked Colonel Ashton.

"First thing in the morning," was the reply. "We'll probably be out of sight of land when you tumble out."

"We can't get away from here any too quick to suit me," declared Shirley.

"No, indeed," Mabel agreed. "We have had trouble enough to last us for a long time to come. The sooner we get back to civilization the better."

"And that goes for all of us," agreed Mr. Willing.

"I'm glad to have you back aboard the _Yucatan_," declared Captain Anderson. "To tell the truth, I didn't expect to see you in Mazatlan. I felt sure you would eventually find the young ladies safe and sound, but I feared I should have to make the rest of the trip without you. I tell you, it made me feel good to run across young Stanley here this afternoon."

"It didn't make you feel as good as it did me, captain," returned d.i.c.k significantly.

"Well, perhaps not under the circ.u.mstances," laughed the captain. "The only one of our pa.s.sengers who will not complete the trip is Mrs.

Sebastian."

"And a good thing for all concerned," declared Colonel Ashton. "I don't see how she fooled us so completely, Willing."

"She did though," returned Mr. Willing. "I would never have suspected her of having any ulterior motives."

"You wouldn't listen to me," said d.i.c.k. "I suspected her from the first.

Now I can say 'I told you so.'"

"We'll place more confidence in your foresight in the future," declared the colonel.

"I don't want to run you away," said Captain Anderson, "but it's my belief you had all better turn in. You look f.a.gged out, the whole bunch of you. Sleep is the best remedy."

"You are right, captain," declared Shirley. "I feel as though I could go to sleep standing on my feet."

They bade the captain good-night, thanked him again for his a.s.sistance, and made their way to their cabin, where, after some further talk, all turned in.

So completely were they exhausted that it was after eight o'clock the following morning when Shirley, the first to awake, sprang up. She glanced out the window of her stateroom. The sun shone brightly, and from the barely perceptible motion of the steamer she knew they were moving.

She called Mabel, and the girls dressed quickly. Shirley knocked on the next door and aroused the others, and an hour later, after a hearty breakfast, all stood forward on the promenade deck enjoying the fresh morning breeze.

There was not a speck of land in sight and would not be for hours. An hour later Captain Von Blusen joined them and after awhile Captain Anderson stopped to exchange a few words.

It was while the commander of the _Yucatan_ was there that there came a hail from the lookout.