“Do you suppose she is English?” asked Shirley of Dick, as they gazed over the rail at the oncoming stranger.
“Must be either English or Japanese,” replied Dick. “Not much chance of any other vessel being in these waters, unless, of course, she is a United States cruiser. But that can’t be, because she would not have halted us.”
Signs of activity became apparent aboard the cruiser, and the colors were run up the masthead. For a moment they could not be distinguished, but as the breeze caught the ensign, a gasp went up from the passengers, with here and there a cheer.
For the colors thus displayed were the red, white and black of Germany!
“My goodness! Will she shoot us?” exclaimed Shirley in some dismay.
“Hardly,” declared Dick. “I don’t believe Germany wants to go to war with the United States.”
There came a message from the German to Captain Anderson:
“I am coming aboard!”
A few moments later a boat put off from the cruiser, and soon scraped alongside the Yucatan. An officer appeared over the side and was greeted by Captain Anderson.
“How did you get here?” was his first question. “I had reason to believe the Yucatan was now in other waters.”