Captain Anderson freed his arm with a quick wrench, and tapped the officer lightly on the shoulder with his hand.
“Caramba!” roared the Guatemalan, and levelled his revolver at the captain.
“Caramba yourself!” cried the captain, and extending his arm suddenly, he took the pistol away from the little officer.
The latter stamped the ground angrily and broke into another torrent of unintelligible words.
But Captain Anderson now perceived he had acted rashly in thus giving way to his temper. The blood of the other native officers was aroused, and they surrounded the Americans gesticulating vigorously.
At that moment Captain Von Blusen, who had been hovering just around the corner, reappeared, and approaching the officers, addressed them in Spanish.
“These men tried to rob me,” he declared. “I want them arrested!”
“Si señor! It shall be done!” replied one of the officers.
“I’ll go with you to make the charge,” continued the young German.
“Si señor!” said the native officer.