CHAPTER XX.--UP THE MEXICAN COAST.

The passengers aboard the _Yucatan_ gazed curiously at the approaching battle cruiser.

It was the morning following the departure from Champerico, and the _Yucatan_ had been halted by a shot fired across her bow. Officers and passengers alike were curious as to the identity of the cruiser.

So far she had shown no colors.

"Do you suppose she is English?" asked Shirley of Dick, as they gazed over the rail at the oncoming stranger.

"Must be either English or Japanese," replied Dick. "Not much chance of any other vessel being in these waters, unless, of course, she is a United States cruiser. But that can't be, because she would not have halted us."

Signs of activity became apparent aboard the cruiser, and the colors were run up the masthead. For a moment they could not be distinguished, but as the breeze caught the ensign, a gasp went up from the passengers, with here and there a cheer.

For the colors thus displayed were the red, white and black of Germany!

"My goodness! Will she shoot us?" exclaimed Shirley in some dismay.

"Hardly," declared Dick. "I don't believe Germany wants to go to war with the United States."

There came a message from the German to Captain Anderson:

"I am coming aboard!"

A few moments later a boat put off from the cruiser, and soon scraped alongside the _Yucatan_. An officer appeared over the side and was greeted by Captain Anderson.

"How did you get here?" was his first question. "I had reason to believe the _Yucatan_ was now in other waters."

"Well," replied Captain Anderson dryly, "your little piracy scheme didn't work, you see."

The German officer controlled his temper with an effort.

"Have you a passenger by the name of Bristow aboard?"

"Oh," said the captain, "you mean Von Blusen. We did have him aboard, in irons. I released him on parole, and he broke it. I'll never trust another German."

The German officer drew himself up angrily.

"Have a care, sir!" he exclaimed. "You seem to forget that I can sink you on a moment's notice."

"Oh, no I don't. But I'm sure you won't. Already you have troubles enough. I'll thank you to dispose of your business immediately and then get off my ship."

"I'll have a look at your papers," said the German shortly.

Captain Anderson led the way to his cabin.

As they talked, the passengers on deck noticed smoke upon the horizon. Save for this little blur and the German cruiser there was nothing else in sight but water.

The blur became larger, and at last took the shape of a vessel. As it drew nearer it could be seen that it was a battle cruiser. It bore down toward the German cruiser at full speed.

"I hope it's an Englishman," declared Shirley.

"Probably is," said her father, "although it may be a Jap."

Still the German officer was in the cabin with Captain Anderson.

Suddenly the head of another German officer appeared over the rail of the _Yucatan_ and dashed toward the captain's cabin. A moment later both reappeared, dropped over the side and the boat made back toward the cruiser.

The _Yucatan_ was very close, and now, at a command from Captain Anderson, she got under way.

"If that other cruiser is a Britisher, there is bound to be a fight, and we don't want to be in the way," explained the captain. "We'll stand off at a distance and look on."

This plan met the approval of the passengers, and as the _Yucatan_ steamed toward a safe spot all eyes were turned upon the second cruiser waiting for her to show her colors.

And at last they were unfurled, and a cheer rang the length of the ship. The British ensign fluttered from the mast.

The German cruiser, immediately the identity of the other was determined, turned to flee. She seemed fully as large as the British ship, and there were comments of surprise aboard the _Yucatan_ that she didn't offer to accept battle.

But there was to be no escape for the German. The British cruiser gave chase, and it was soon apparent that she was much faster than the foe.

There was a heavy crash as her big guns opened fire on the stern of the enemy. The _Yucatan's_ passengers watched eagerly for the result.

The German cruiser seemed to stagger in her stride, and a cloud of wood and steel flew in the air. The first shot had struck home, and in some manner had disabled the engines of the German. Escape being impossible, the latter turned to give battle.

Immediately the British cruiser reduced her speed.

Shirley and Mabel stood at the rail of the _Yucatan_ with clasped hands and strained faces.

"And to think that we shall see a real sea fight!" exclaimed Mabel.

"But think of the poor sailors," said Shirley.

"Of course," said Mabel, "but they may be saved. Perhaps the German commander will surrender."

"I am sure he won't," declared Shirley.

"No, he won't surrender," said Dick. "Whatever else you may say of the Germans, their bravery cannot be doubted."

Now the first gun on the German cruiser spoke, and a shell plowed up the water alongside the Britisher.

"They'll have the range in a minute," said Dick, "and then they'll go at it hammer and tongs."

He was right. The next shot from the German burst squarely over her enemy's forward turret, putting it out of commission.

There was a cheer from the few German passengers aboard the _Yucatan_.

But the British cruiser more than evened up the score with her next shot.

A shell burst squarely amidships on the German. A moment later there was a terrific explosion.

The German cruiser seemed to part in the middle. It staggered crazily. She had been wounded unto death, as every passenger aboard the _Yucatan_ realized.

Men flung themselves into the sea, and struck out in the direction of the _Yucatan_.

Captain Anderson was a humane man, and while the matter possibly was none of his business, he determined to aid the unfortunate victims. He ordered the ship's lifeboats manned and lowered.

"Look!" cried Shirley.

Another terrific explosion drowned her voice. The German cruiser suddenly sprang into a brilliant sheet of flame, seemed to leap in the air, then disappeared.

The calm waters of the Pacific closed over her. She was gone.

Shirley and Mabel held their breath in speechless amazement. It seemed to them incredible that such a great ship could have been sent to the bottom in such a short time.

"The poor sailors!" exclaimed Shirley. "I hope they will all be saved."

"They won't be," declared Captain Anderson, who had come up and now stood among the others. "With my glass I saw the commander on the bridge a moment before the ship went down. He has gone with her, and so, probably, have most of his officers."

He lifted his cap from his head, as did the passengers.

"It's a terrible thing, this war," continued the Captain. "How many went down I do not know; but how many of those who did knew what they were fighting for? Not many."

Meanwhile the little lifeboats of the _Yucatan_ were helping the crews of the British cruiser pick up the survivors. The work went on with the utmost haste, for there were many who could not swim.

Fortunately most of those who had jumped just before the explosion were saved. These were all taken aboard the British cruiser, and a short time later the British commander came aboard the _Yucatan_.

Shirley and Mabel looked with some awe at this British sea fighter. He seemed a veritable hero in their eyes. Once on deck, he strode toward Captain Anderson with quick steps, his carriage erect.

"I thank you for your assistance in saving many helpless sailors," he said to Captain Anderson. "Without your aid many would have perished."

"How badly is your ship damaged, sir?" asked Captain Anderson, asking the question that was uppermost in the minds of all aboard the _Yucatan_.

"Very little, sir," was the reply. "Two guns shot to pieces, and five men injured. No man was killed. There was also some slight damage to the engine room. It was a notable victory."

"Indeed it was!" cried Shirley, who could keep silent no longer.

The British sea captain gazed at her for a moment, then bowed slightly.

Shirley's face grew red at her own boldness, but she said nothing more.

The commander of the British cruiser followed Captain Anderson to the latter's cabin, where he inspected the ship's papers. Half an hour later he made his way over the side of the _Yucatan_ and was soon back aboard the cruiser.

Immediately he had left, the _Yucatan_ got under way and continued her journey up the Mexican coast.

All the passengers remained on deck gazing after the British cruiser, which had turned in the opposite direction; and until she was lost to sight in the distance, a faint smoke marking her location, hardly an eye was taken from her.

"Well, Shirley," said Mr. Willing, "what did you think of the battle?"

"It was wonderful," replied the girl, clasping her hands. "I am glad the English won."

"And so am I," agreed her father. "How do you think you would like to be a sailor aboard a man-o'-war."

"I'd love it!" declared Shirley with enthusiasm.

Dick looked at her peculiarly.

"I believe you would," he said quietly at last, and, turning on his heel, he went below.