Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water

by Roy J. Snell

  CHAPTER XXIX.--"CAPTAIN VON BLUSEN."

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

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

  "And where did you get to when you left the consulate?" demanded ColonelAshton of Dick.

  Dick explained.

  "And if Captain Anderson had not arrived so opportunely, there is notelling what might have happened," he declared. "He put the enemy torout."

  "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 theywent down."

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

  "Well, perhaps not," answered Captain Anderson, "but it was no time forhalf way measures." He turned to Captain Von Blusen. "And what am I todo 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, theUnited States authorities may be looking for you, for all I know.However, I have no such information, and as you seem to have turned overa new leaf, I shall do so."

  "Thank you, captain."

  "I would advise you, however," continued the captain, "to go ashore atthe first American port instead of going to Frisco. The authorities maybe 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 actupon your advice. What is the first United States port at which youshall touch?"

  "San Diego."

  "Then I shall go ashore there."

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

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

  "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 ofsight of land when you tumble out."

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

  "No, indeed," Mabel agreed. "We have had trouble enough to last us for along 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 CaptainAnderson. "To tell the truth, I didn't expect to see you in Mazatlan. Ifelt sure you would eventually find the young ladies safe and sound, butI feared I should have to make the rest of the trip without you. I tellyou, it made me feel good to run across young Stanley here thisafternoon."

  "It didn't make you feel as good as it did me, captain," returned Dicksignificantly.

  "Well, perhaps not under the circumstances," laughed the captain. "Theonly one of our passengers who will not complete the trip is Mrs.Sebastian."

  "And a good thing for all concerned," declared Colonel Ashton. "I don'tsee how she fooled us so completely, Willing."

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

  "You wouldn't listen to me," said Dick. "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," declaredthe colonel.

  "I don't want to run you away," said Captain Anderson, "but it's mybelief you had all better turn in. You look fagged out, the whole bunchof you. Sleep is the best remedy."

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

  They bade the captain good-night, thanked him again for his assistance,and made their way to their cabin, where, after some further talk, allturned in.

  So completely were they exhausted that it was after eight o'clock thefollowing morning when Shirley, the first to awake, sprang up. Sheglanced out the window of her stateroom. The sun shone brightly, andfrom the barely perceptible motion of the steamer she knew they weremoving.

  She called Mabel, and the girls dressed quickly. Shirley knocked on thenext door and aroused the others, and an hour later, after a heartybreakfast, all stood forward on the promenade deck enjoying the freshmorning breeze.

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

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

  "Smoke to the leeward, sir!"

  All glanced in the direction indicated. There, upon the distant horizon,was a faint cloud of smoke. As they gazed it presently took shape, andhalf an hour later it did not take the second cry of the lookout to tellthem the approaching vessel was a battle cruiser of the first class.

  "Wonder what this one is?" said Shirley, as the vessel drew nearer.

  "I don't know. It might be German. It has been supposed there were twoGerman vessels in these waters, but we have already encountered one.This may be another."

  "It's hardly possible, though," said Mr. Willing. "Captain Von Blusen,to your knowledge, are there any German ships of war in these waters?"

  "I can't answer that question definitely, sir," he replied. "All I cansay is that it is possible."

  "I don't believe this is a German," said Dick. "But whatever she is sheis coming right toward us."

  It was true. The stranger was shaping a course that would intercept the_Yucatan_ several miles ahead.

  "I wonder if she will stop us?" said Mabel.

  "Of course," replied Captain Von Blusen. "The commander will probablycome aboard to have a look at the ship's papers."

  "Will he interfere with you?" asked Mabel.

  "Hardly," was the reply. "In spite of the fact that I am a German, hewill not dare to interfere with me aboard a neutral ship."

  "Boom!"

  It was the sound of a great gun aboard the cruiser.

  "Signal to heave-to," said Captain Anderson.

  He made his way to the bridge, and in response to his command, the_Yucatan_ came to a pause. Then all eagerly waited for the cruiser toshow her colors.

  "German!" was the audible gasp from the passengers as the red, white andblack of the German Empire were unfurled at the masthead.

  "I am coming aboard you," was the message the German commander flashedto Captain Anderson.

  A small boat put off from the cruiser and soon bumped alongside the_Yucatan_. A moment later an officer in a smart uniform came over theside. He made his way at once to where Captain Anderson stood on thebridge.

  "Is this the way you meet a German naval officer?" he demanded angrily.

  Captain Anderson looked at him in surprise.

  "What would you have me do?" he demanded, taking a step forward.

  "And when you address me, say sir!" exclaimed the German, who seemedrather young and possessed of much self-importance. "You should have metme as I came over-side."

  "Say sir to you, eh?" exclaimed Captain Anderson. "If you don't get offmy ship in five minutes I'll throw you over the rail."

  The German officer stepped back, and half drew a revolver. CaptainAnderson advanced another step.

  But interference came from an unexpected source.

  Captain Von Blusen, who had stood close enough to overhear thisconversation, suddenly ascended to the bridge. He walked quickly upbehind the German officer, and seizing him by the shoulder, swung himaround sharply.

  "You forget yourself, Lieutenant Von Meyers!" he said angrily. "G
et backto your boat!"

  The German lieutenant gazed at this newcomer threateningly, then a lookof the greatest astonishment passed over his face. He took three quicksteps backward.

  Captain Von Blusen stood perfectly erect, one hand pointing toward thesmall boat from which the German lieutenant had just climbed to the deckof the _Yucatan_. He said no further word.

  And while officers and passengers of the _Yucatan_ looked on inamazement, the German lieutenant took two quick steps forward again,fell upon one knee, took Captain Von Blusen's other hand and touched itwith his lips!

  Then he arose, saluted, and walked rapidly away.