The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water Part 35

She had travelled much, apparently, and told them tales of many lands.

Her husband, she said, was abroad in Europe, but would join her in San Francisco within a month. She was well posted on current events, and seemed to have the history of Mexico at her finger tips.

It was while the _Yucatan_ was steaming into the harbor of Acapulco, the first Mexican port at which they were to touch, that Mrs. Sebastian related some of the history of the revolution-torn republic.

"I have always been greatly interested in Mexico," she told the girls, as the three leaned over the rail this morning. "I have spent several years in the country. I have friends here in Acapulco, and I shall make an effort to see them while here. Would you care to go with me?"

"We would love to," declared s.h.i.+rley, "but I don't know whether Dad will consent to our going without him."

"We shall see," returned Mrs. Sebastian. "I can promise you a dinner that you will never forget. Nowhere outside of Mexico can you get real Mexican food, and it will be something to remember."

Colonel Ashton, Mr. Willing and d.i.c.k now joined the others on deck, and s.h.i.+rley asked for permission to accompany Mrs. Sebastian.

Mr. Willing appeared somewhat dubious, but Mrs. Sebastian also asked him to consent.

"I'll promise to return them to you safely," she said with a smile.

"In that event, I shall give my consent to their going, madam," returned Colonel Ashton gallantly.

"And I," agreed Mr. Willing.

"Thanks so much," said Mrs. Sebastian, "and I'll go and ask Captain Anderson just how long we shall remain here."

She walked away.

"Mr. Willing," said d.i.c.k, "it may appear wrong, but somehow or other I don't exactly trust that woman."

"Pooh!" replied Mr. Willing. "What does a youngster like you know?"

"Perhaps I am wrong," replied d.i.c.k, "but something tells me she is not to be trusted. She is up to some mischief."

"Why, d.i.c.k!" exclaimed s.h.i.+rley. "Don't you want us to go?"

"To tell the truth I don't," was the reply.

"Young man," said Colonel Ashton, "you will learn, as you grow older, not to jump to such rash conclusions. Mrs. Sebastian is a gentlewoman."

"Right you are, Ashton," declared Mr. Willing. "We're old enough to know, eh?"

The two men smiled at each other and walked away, leaving the young people together.

Mrs. Sebastian returned a few moments later.

"Captain Anderson says we shall be here until evening," she said, "so we shall have plenty of time for our trip ash.o.r.e. He says we may go in the first boat, so you girls had better run along to your cabin and get ready. Mr. Stanley will entertain me until you return."

s.h.i.+rley and Mabel hurried away, and d.i.c.k and Mrs. Sebastian stood together looking across the water at the sh.o.r.e, which was drawing closer rapidly.

"Where are you going when you get ash.o.r.e?" asked d.i.c.k abruptly.

"Why, I am going to call upon a friend," was the smiling reply.

"Then you have been here before?" questioned d.i.c.k.

"Many times."

"Mrs. Sebastian," said d.i.c.k quietly, "are you a Mexican?"

The woman started back in surprise.

"Why, no," she replied at last. "I was born in Spain. Why do you ask?"

"I just wondered," was d.i.c.k's evasive answer. "By the way, I suppose it is perfectly peaceful here now?"

"Yes, indeed," was the reply. "I guess the fighting is all over, now that General Villa has been successful in Chihuahua and other northern states."

"But there has been trouble down here?"

"Oh yes, but it is all over. Besides, the revolutionists probably have not enough money to buy arms and ammunition."

"Why don't they steal them? It wouldn't be the first time."

Mrs. Sebastian's face turned red.

"What do you mean?" she asked angrily.

"I am sorry I offended you," d.i.c.k apologized. "I spoke thoughtlessly."

"Say no more about it," said Mrs. Sebastian with a laugh. "I am naturally touchy on that subject, for I have friends who were of the revolutionary party."

"I see," replied d.i.c.k, and the subject was changed as s.h.i.+rley and Mabel returned to them.

Half an hour later the _Yucatan_ dropped anchor a mile off sh.o.r.e and the small boats were lowered for such pa.s.sengers as desired to land.

Mrs. Sebastian, s.h.i.+rley and Mabel soon found themselves in the first boat and making sh.o.r.eward at a good clip.

"We shall be back in plenty of time," Mrs. Sebastian had called to Mr.

Willing just before they took their places in the boat.

The men nodded and waved their hands, and the occupants of the boat returned the salute.

Now the small boat sc.r.a.ped the sh.o.r.e, and an officer sprang out and lent a hand to the pa.s.sengers. Mrs. Sebastian was the first to go ash.o.r.e, and s.h.i.+rley and Mabel followed a moment later.

The little street that ran along the water front was crowded with natives, dirty, ragged and unkempt, with here and there a gaily bedecked Mexican. They did not present a very inviting aspect, and the two girls shrank close to Mrs. Sebastian.

The latter paid no attention to the natives, but pushed her way through the crowd with never a glance to right or left. She continued along the street until they came upon a long line of dilapidated cabs.

She signalled to one of the drivers, who opened the door. Mrs. Sebastian motioned the girls to climb in, spoke a few quick words in Spanish to the driver and entered the cab. A moment later they were being driven through the dirty streets as fast as the old horse could go.

"I thought my friend might be at the landing to meet me," the woman explained, "but as I didn't see anything of her, I thought best to drive right to her home."