The battle had begun!
CHAPTER XVIII.—END OF THE REVOLT.
The Nicaraguans met the first charge of the bluejackets bravely enough, but they were now opposed to men who knew not the meaning of the word defeat, nor what it meant to retreat. Under the first fire from the Americans they wavered; at the next they began to fall back and at the third they turned and fled.
Dick and Shirley, bound as they were, nevertheless could see how the fighting progressed, while thanks to the thoughtfulness of the revolutionary leader they were out of danger themselves.
But now that the day was going against the enemy, Dick feared that General Orizaba, mindful of his threat, would return to his prisoners before seeking safety in flight. Therefore he began to devise a way of escape.
After some effort he succeeded in getting out his pocket knife. Then, holding it in one of his bound hands, he bent his head and opened the big blade with his teeth. Fortunately the rope with which he was bound was not thick, and the knife was sharp.
For perhaps ten minutes, holding the knife in his mouth by the handle, Dick sawed at the bonds on his hands. At last the rope parted. Quickly he untied his feet, and then unbound Shirley, who also arose to her feet.
The Nicaraguan forces were now in full retreat, and as Dick would have led Shirley forward toward the town, a single figure burst into sight. As the man came closer Shirley and Dick could see anger and hate written large on his features. They recognized him upon the instant.
“Orizaba!” exclaimed Shirley.
“And come to fulfill his promise, I guess,” agreed Dick quietly.