Shirley started to protest, but the man made a threatening gesture with his rifle.
The two girls looked at each other in dismay.
“Out of the frying pan into the fire, Mabel,” declared Shirley. “I guess we shall have to stay.”
There was apparently no help for it. They sat down upon the grass to await the arrival of General Orizaba, who, they rightly guessed, was the commander of the revolutionary forces.
Their captor stood vigilant guard. Apparently he was determined to allow them no chance to escape. He sat some distance away, with his rifle across his knees. The two girls settled themselves with their backs to a large tree, and made themselves as comfortable as they could under the circumstances.
There was a snapping of a twig behind them, and Shirley glanced about uneasily.
“S-s-h-h,” came a low voice. “Keep still and show no surprise.”
Both girls recognized the voice in an instant.
They maintained their composure well, and spoke only to each other.