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 the
soldiers, Dick had been unable to determine whether their presence had
been discovered, but he believed it wise to take a chance. Hence his
command to run.
The three sped lightly over the ground and had gone some distance when
they heard a shout from behind, followed by the sharp reports of several
rifles.
Dick stopped suddenly and called to the girls to halt. They obeyed
instantly.
"There is no use being shot," said Dick quietly, "and although they are
poor 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 be
the leader, though he wore no uniform nor mark of distinction, advanced
and 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 the
spot 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," said
the leader. "I am General Orizaba."
He signalled for his men to surround the three, which was soon done, and
they continued their march back toward the city.
"Every step in this direction is better for us," said Dick to the two
girls, 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," replied
Shirley.
"Thanks," said Dick dryly. "But I don't see how I can do much for any of
us 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 were
doomed to disappointment.
After crossing the clearing in the woods, General Orizaba led his men to
the left, where after an hour's march, he called a halt. Then he again
approached the prisoners.
"We shall camp here," he said. "Here, also, you shall be tried for
attacking 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 general
motioned for him to approach. He pointed to Dick and spoke in Spanish.
It was impossible to tell what they were talking about, but all three
were 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," he
said. "I have decided, therefore, to dispense with the trial, and to fix
your punishment myself."
"I warn you----" began Dick.
"Caramba!" roared the leader, becoming very angry. "What do I care for
your warnings, or for your friends either?"
"There is an American cruiser in the harbor," said Dick quietly. "The
commander knows where I am, and if I am not back within two hours, he
will land a force of sailors to see why."
General Orizaba seemed to hesitate, following these words. Then he
became even angrier than before. He was about to speak, when a horseman
clattered up.
The general turned to him and they conversed in low tones. Then the
horseman dismounted, and leaving his horse, made his way to where the
rest 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 to
interfere 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 live
until sunset."
He turned to call one of his men; and at that moment, Mabel, who stood
closest to the riderless horse, suddenly leaped forward and sprang upon
the animal's back.
So sudden was her movement that for a moment the Nicaraguans failed to
realize her intention.
That moment was sufficient for Mabel to seize the reins and turn the
horse's head toward the city. Then she dug her heels into his flanks and
away they went.
Dick and Shirley were no less surprised than the Nicaraguans, and both
uttered cries of alarm.
General Orizaba darted forward with an ejaculation, and called to his
men.
"Shoot!" he cried.
Rifles were brought to bear, but the horse had gained his stride and was
galloping along like the wind. Volley after volley was fired after the
girl, but thanks to the movement of the horse and the poor marksmanship
of the Nicaraguans, Mabel was not touched.
Rapidly she rode, nor did she draw rein when she entered the town but
galloped straight to the pier. Here still lay the small boat of the
_Yucatan_, manned by its crew. Rapidly explaining the situation, the
girl urged the sailors back to the ship without waiting the return of
the first officer, who was some place in the town.
About the ship, Mabel found that Mr. Willing and Colonel Ashton were
ashore searching for the girls, and so she went straight to Captain
Anderson. 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, which
they did without loss of time. In a few words Mabel explained the
situation to the commander of the cruiser.
Action came quickly.
A bugle sounded, piping the crew to quarters. The commander detailed a
landing party of one hundred and fifty marines and sailors. These were
quickly rowed to the shore--Mabel going with them as a guide, for she
refused 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 for
instant use.
When General Orizaba perceived that Mabel had made good her flight, his
anger knew no bounds. He berated his men roundly and danced about like a
madman. 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," replied
Dick with a cheerful smile. "Then where will you be?"
"Bah!" said the angry general. "What are a few marines? We can drive
them 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 you
see 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 slapped
him across the face.
Dick's anger boiled up and he promptly sent his fist crashing into the
general's face, knocking him down.
The young man regretted this act the next moment, for he knew that
probably he had brought matters to a crisis.
General Orizaba sprang to his feet and with a shout drew his revolver
and covered Dick.
Shirley screamed. Then General Orizaba lowered his revolver.
"No, I won't do it yet," he said. "I promised you should see your
countrymen defeated, and so you shall. I shall kill you later."
"Thanks," said Dick.
In spite of his apparent nonchalance, he breathed easier, however, for
he 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 and
sailors will soon be here, and these fellows can't stand up against
them."
Shirley smiled at him bravely.
"I know it," she replied quietly.
Now the leader of the revolutionists signalled two of his men to bind
the prisoners. This was soon done, and they were taken well to one side
of what proved to be the line of battle.
"I do this so I may be sure you will be saved for me," said General
Orizaba with an evil smile. "It would be nice to have you shot down by
American 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 for
you 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 scout
duty.
"The Americanos!" he cried.
General Orizaba hurried toward him. Dick and Shirley drew a breath of
relief.
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!