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 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!