“I shall answer your questions later,” he said once.
Although the girls did not know just what was the matter, they realized that the Nicaraguans were fleeing from another, and, supposedly, a larger body of men.
“I hope they overtake us. I want to get back to Dad,” cried Mabel.
“And I hope they don’t,” exclaimed Shirley.
“Why, Shirley!”
“I mean it. If they do overtake us it may mean a battle, and then we would be in danger. As long as we keep away from them we are safe. Besides, Dad will find us some way. Our fathers and Dick won’t permit us to be carried off.”
“I reckon you are right, Shirley,” Mabel agreed finally. “Besides, there is an American cruiser near. They’ll have the bluejackets out searching for us.”
“And they will find us, too,” declared Mabel.
“I hope they hurry up and come,” exclaimed Shirley. “I’m badly frightened, but I don’t want to show it. The thing to do is to make the officer think we are not a bit scared.”
“We’ll try,” said Mabel calmly.