by Roy J. Snell
CHAPTER XX.--UP THE MEXICAN COAST.
The passengers aboard the _Yucatan_ gazed curiously at the approachingbattle cruiser.
It was the morning following the departure from Champerico, and the_Yucatan_ had been halted by a shot fired across her bow. Officers andpassengers 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 gazedover the rail at the oncoming stranger.
"Must be either English or Japanese," replied Dick. "Not much chance ofany other vessel being in these waters, unless, of course, she is aUnited States cruiser. But that can't be, because she would not havehalted us."
Signs of activity became apparent aboard the cruiser, and the colorswere 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 warwith 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 scrapedalongside the _Yucatan_. An officer appeared over the side and wasgreeted by Captain Anderson.
"How did you get here?" was his first question. "I had reason to believethe _Yucatan_ was now in other waters."
"Well," replied Captain Anderson dryly, "your little piracy schemedidn'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, inirons. I released him on parole, and he broke it. I'll never trustanother German."
The German officer drew himself up angrily.
"Have a care, sir!" he exclaimed. "You seem to forget that I can sinkyou on a moment's notice."
"Oh, no I don't. But I'm sure you won't. Already you have troublesenough. I'll thank you to dispose of your business immediately and thenget 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 elsein sight but water.
The blur became larger, and at last took the shape of a vessel. As itdrew nearer it could be seen that it was a battle cruiser. It bore downtoward 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 ofthe _Yucatan_ and dashed toward the captain's cabin. A moment later bothreappeared, dropped over the side and the boat made back toward thecruiser.
The _Yucatan_ was very close, and now, at a command from CaptainAnderson, she got under way.
"If that other cruiser is a Britisher, there is bound to be a fight, andwe don't want to be in the way," explained the captain. "We'll stand offat 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 cruiserwaiting 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 wasdetermined, turned to flee. She seemed fully as large as the Britishship, and there were comments of surprise aboard the _Yucatan_ that shedidn't offer to accept battle.
But there was to be no escape for the German. The British cruiser gavechase, 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 theenemy. The _Yucatan's_ passengers watched eagerly for the result.
The German cruiser seemed to stagger in her stride, and a cloud of woodand steel flew in the air. The first shot had struck home, and in somemanner 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 handsand 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 Germancommander will surrender."
"I am sure he won't," declared Shirley.
"No, he won't surrender," said Dick. "Whatever else you may say of theGermans, their bravery cannot be doubted."
Now the first gun on the German cruiser spoke, and a shell plowed up thewater alongside the Britisher.
"They'll have the range in a minute," said Dick, "and then they'll go atit hammer and tongs."
He was right. The next shot from the German burst squarely over herenemy'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 nextshot.
A shell burst squarely amidships on the German. A moment later there wasa 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 ofthe _Yucatan_.
Captain Anderson was a humane man, and while the matter possibly wasnone of his business, he determined to aid the unfortunate victims. Heordered the ship's lifeboats manned and lowered.
"Look!" cried Shirley.
Another terrific explosion drowned her voice. The German cruisersuddenly sprang into a brilliant sheet of flame, seemed to leap in theair, then disappeared.
The calm waters of the Pacific closed over her. She was gone.
Shirley and Mabel held their breath in speechless amazement. It seemedto them incredible that such a great ship could have been sent to thebottom 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 nowstood among the others. "With my glass I saw the commander on the bridgea 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 wentdown I do not know; but how many of those who did knew what they werefighting for? Not many."
Meanwhile the little lifeboats of the _Yucatan_ were helping the crewsof the British cruiser pick up the survivors. The work went on with theutmost haste, for there were many who could not swim.
Fortunately most of those who had jumped just before the explosion weresaved. These were all taken aboard the British cruiser, and a short timelater the British commander came aboard the _Yucatan_.
Shirley and Mabel looked with some awe at this British sea fighter. Heseemed a veritable hero in their eyes. Once on deck, he strode towardCaptain Anderson with quick steps, his carriage erect.
"I thank you for your assistance in saving many helpless sailors," hesaid to Captain Anderson. "Without your aid many would have perished."
"How badly is your ship damaged, sir?" asked Captain Anderson, askingthe question that was uppermost in the minds of all aboard the_Yucatan_.
"Very little, sir," was the reply. "Two guns shot to pieces, and fivemen injured. No man was killed. There was also some sli
ght damage to theengine 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 thelatter's cabin, where he inspected the ship's papers. Half an hour laterhe made his way over the side of the _Yucatan_ and was soon back aboardthe cruiser.
Immediately he had left, the _Yucatan_ got under way and continued herjourney 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 tosight in the distance, a faint smoke marking her location, hardly an eyewas 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 theEnglish won."
"And so am I," agreed her father. "How do you think you would like to bea 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 hisheel, he went below.