The Tennessee returned immediately to Colon, followed by the Yucatan, now manned by a crew of American sailors. The run was made quickly, and darkness had just descended when the ships came to anchor and the Willing party made their way ashore and returned to their hotel.
Captain Von Blusen and the members of his crew were immediately turned over to the Canal Zone authorities, pending orders from Washington.
What was the surprise of Shirley and the others, upon reaching the hotel, to find there others of the passengers who had been set adrift when the Yucatan was captured by the German conspirators. They greeted each other warmly.
“We were picked up by a steamer and just reached here this afternoon,” one of the women passengers explained to Shirley and Mabel. “We had about given you up for lost. The rest of us are all here.”
“And so is the Yucatan,” replied Shirley.
In response to exclamations of astonishment, she related the story of the recapture of the vessel.
“Then we shall be allowed to continue our trip, I suppose,” remarked one of the passengers.
“Unless the government decides to hold on to the steamer,” said another.
But the government did not, and the following day the full crew of the Yucatan was once more aboard the vessel, and it was announced that she would resume her journey the following morning.
The day was spent by most of the passengers viewing the sights of interest in the canal zone and in the city of Colon proper.