General Orizaba sprang to his feet and with a shout drew his revolver and covered Dick.
Shirley screamed. Then General Orizaba lowered his revolver.
“No, I won’t do it yet,” he said. “I promised you should see your countrymen defeated, and so you shall. I shall kill you later.”
“Thanks,” said Dick.
In spite of his apparent nonchalance, he breathed easier, however, for he had been at the point of death, and none knew it better than he did.
“We are all right now,” he told Shirley in a low voice. “The marines and sailors will soon be here, and these fellows can’t stand up against them.”
Shirley smiled at him bravely.
“I know it,” she replied quietly.
Now the leader of the revolutionists signalled two of his men to bind the prisoners. This was soon done, and they were taken well to one side of what proved to be the line of battle.
“I do this so I may be sure you will be saved for me,” said General Orizaba with an evil smile. “It would be nice to have you shot down by American bullets, but I would rather do it myself. Besides, from here, you can see us defeat the Americanos.”