by Roy J. Snell
CHAPTER XVII.--MABEL BRINGS THE BLUEJACKETS.
Shirley and Mabel needed no further urging, and took to their heels.Dick followed close behind.
In the one brief glance in which he had perceived the return of thesoldiers, Dick had been unable to determine whether their presence hadbeen discovered, but he believed it wise to take a chance. Hence hiscommand to run.
The three sped lightly over the ground and had gone some distance whenthey heard a shout from behind, followed by the sharp reports of severalrifles.
Dick stopped suddenly and called to the girls to halt. They obeyedinstantly.
"There is no use being shot," said Dick quietly, "and although they arepoor shots they would be sure to hit one of us sooner or later."
"Then what shall we do?" cried Mabel.
"There is only one thing to do," was the reply. "Surrender."
"Dick is right," agreed Shirley. "It is foolish to attempt to escape."
In the meantime the band of revolutionists had been coming toward them,and at length surrounded the three figures. A man, who appeared to bethe leader, though he wore no uniform nor mark of distinction, advancedand addressed Dick.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" he demanded in English.
Dick explained, and the man heard him through quietly.
"And who was it hurt Pedro back there?" and the leader waved toward thespot where Dick had struggled with the Nicaraguan.
"I did," he replied quietly, and explained the cause of the fight.
"Well, you will have to stand trial for attacking one of my men," saidthe leader. "I am General Orizaba."
He signalled for his men to surround the three, which was soon done, andthey continued their march back toward the city.
"Every step in this direction is better for us," said Dick to the twogirls, as they marched along. "We'll get out of this trouble some way,be sure of that."
"Oh, I know no harm will come to us as long as you are here," repliedShirley.
"Thanks," said Dick dryly. "But I don't see how I can do much for any ofus right now."
"Something will turn up," said Shirley positively.
"I hope it turns up soon," declared Mabel.
But if the prisoners hoped to be taken directly back to town they weredoomed to disappointment.
After crossing the clearing in the woods, General Orizaba led his men tothe left, where after an hour's march, he called a halt. Then he againapproached the prisoners.
"We shall camp here," he said. "Here, also, you shall be tried forattacking Pedro."
Dick made no reply, but Shirley did
"We are Americans," she said, "and you don't dare to interfere with us."
"I don't, eh?" was the reply. "You shall see."
Pedro, it now appeared, had been revived and brought along. The generalmotioned for him to approach. He pointed to Dick and spoke in Spanish.It was impossible to tell what they were talking about, but all threewere keen enough to know that it boded no good for them.
The general turned again to Dick.
"Pedro says you struck him without warning and without provocation," hesaid. "I have decided, therefore, to dispense with the trial, and to fixyour punishment myself."
"I warn you----" began Dick.
"Caramba!" roared the leader, becoming very angry. "What do I care foryour warnings, or for your friends either?"
"There is an American cruiser in the harbor," said Dick quietly. "Thecommander knows where I am, and if I am not back within two hours, hewill land a force of sailors to see why."
General Orizaba seemed to hesitate, following these words. Then hebecame even angrier than before. He was about to speak, when a horsemanclattered up.
The general turned to him and they conversed in low tones. Then thehorseman dismounted, and leaving his horse, made his way to where therest of the revolutionists sat upon the ground some distance away.
General Orizaba again faced Dick.
"Dog of an Americano!" he thundered. "You shall be shot for daring tointerfere with one of my men."
Dick only smiled.
"I guess you don't mean that," he replied quietly.
"I don't, eh? You shall see." He paused a moment. "But you shall liveuntil sunset."
He turned to call one of his men; and at that moment, Mabel, who stoodclosest to the riderless horse, suddenly leaped forward and sprang uponthe animal's back.
So sudden was her movement that for a moment the Nicaraguans failed torealize her intention.
That moment was sufficient for Mabel to seize the reins and turn thehorse's head toward the city. Then she dug her heels into his flanks andaway they went.
Dick and Shirley were no less surprised than the Nicaraguans, and bothuttered cries of alarm.
General Orizaba darted forward with an ejaculation, and called to hismen.
"Shoot!" he cried.
Rifles were brought to bear, but the horse had gained his stride and wasgalloping along like the wind. Volley after volley was fired after thegirl, but thanks to the movement of the horse and the poor marksmanshipof the Nicaraguans, Mabel was not touched.
Rapidly she rode, nor did she draw rein when she entered the town butgalloped straight to the pier. Here still lay the small boat of the_Yucatan_, manned by its crew. Rapidly explaining the situation, thegirl urged the sailors back to the ship without waiting the return ofthe first officer, who was some place in the town.
About the ship, Mabel found that Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton wereashore searching for the girls, and so she went straight to CaptainAnderson. That worthy acted promptly. He quickly signalled the cruiser_Prairie_, which Mabel, saw for the first time, perceived lay close by.
The _Prairie_ signalled for the captain and Mabel to come aboard, whichthey did without loss of time. In a few words Mabel explained thesituation to the commander of the cruiser.
Action came quickly.
A bugle sounded, piping the crew to quarters. The commander detailed alanding party of one hundred and fifty marines and sailors. These werequickly rowed to the shore--Mabel going with them as a guide, for sherefused to be left behind.
Once ashore, the girl led the way toward where she had left her friends,the men going forward at the double-quick, their weapons ready forinstant use.
When General Orizaba perceived that Mabel had made good her flight, hisanger knew no bounds. He berated his men roundly and danced about like amadman. Then he turned to Dick.
"But you shall not escape!" he declared.
"You'll have a squad of marines down on you in a few minutes," repliedDick with a cheerful smile. "Then where will you be?"
"Bah!" said the angry general. "What are a few marines? We can drivethem back."
"Think so, do you?" asked Dick. "I'm afraid you'll be surprised."
"You shall see," declared the angry leader. "You shall live until yousee your countrymen defeated."
"Guess I shall live a long time then," said Dick, with a smile.
The smile angered the leader, and he stepped close to Dick and slappedhim across the face.
Dick's anger boiled up and he promptly sent his fist crashing into thegeneral's face, knocking him down.
The young man regretted this act the next moment, for he knew thatprobably he had brought matters to a crisis.
General Orizaba sprang to his feet and with a shout drew his revolverand covered Dick.
Shirley screamed. Then General Orizaba lowered his revolver.
"No, I won't do it yet," he said. "I promised you should see yourcountrymen defeated, and so you shall. I shall kill you later."
"Thanks," said Dick.
In spite of his apparent nonchalance, he breathed easier, however, forhe had been at the point of death, and none knew it better than he did.
"We are all right now," he told Shirley in a low voice. "The marines andsailors will soon be here, and these fellows can't stand up againstthem."
Shirley smiled at him bravely.
"I know it," she re
plied quietly.
Now the leader of the revolutionists signalled two of his men to bindthe prisoners. This was soon done, and they were taken well to one sideof what proved to be the line of battle.
"I do this so I may be sure you will be saved for me," said GeneralOrizaba with an evil smile. "It would be nice to have you shot down byAmerican bullets, but I would rather do it myself. Besides, from here,you can see us defeat the Americanos."
"Many thanks for your kindness," returned Dick. "I'll speak a word foryou when you are in the hands of the Americanos, as you call them."
"That," was the reply, "will never be."
Dick shrugged his shoulders.
"Have it your own way," he said.
Came a shout from one of the men who had been sent forward on scoutduty.
"The Americanos!" he cried.
General Orizaba hurried toward him. Dick and Shirley drew a breath ofrelief.
An instant later a long line of hurrying blue figures came into view.Shirley and Dick looked at them with pride in their eyes.
The marines and sailors advanced at the double.
"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"
The battle had begun!
