But as they were about to take to their heels, they were startled by the sound of a voice directly behind them.
“Ha!” it said.
The girls wheeled in their tracks to confront a man with rifle levelled directly at them. A cry of fear was rung from Mabel’s lips, but Shirley said nothing.
The man advanced and the girls shrank back. A torrent of words poured from the man’s lips, but it was absolutely unintelligible to either of the girls.
Shirley made a gesture, indicating that they did not understand, and the man said:
“Americanos?”
“Yes,” replied Shirley. “Do you speak English?”
“Si!” replied the man, “a leetle!”
“We want to go away,” said Shirley eagerly. “We belong on the ship in the harbor.”
“No! Stay here. General Orizaba will return soon,” said the man in broken English.