Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz: Fighting with the U.S. Navy in Mexico

in light clasp, witho

ing his right hand mechanica

ordered, by the executive officer, to

My division goes on watch at eight bells noon. You

good

ng it slightly aside and peering out into the passage-way. His

nted on his cheek last night. But it staggers me," he thought, gravel

t Cantor stepped back, facing the young ensign, whom he lo

" said Cantor, with a quick, h

ret, we have, sir," D

t ni

s,

aved abomina

eed,

or continued, "with one of the mo

f the most shameful,

his glance cold. He felt no respect for Cantor, an

ee you again," Cantor continued, his g

to be of th

be of the Navy. Otherwise, it is not like

al, Mr. Cantor, my conduct could not have

fool!" hissed the

r, for your good opinion," Da

utenant frowned deeply

e almost friendl

t you will have a chance to repa

ir

d noted the number of the taxicab i

id,

ber that number. Indeed,

mber the n

?" asked Can

concerned," Ensign Darrin answered

a right to know," Lieutenan

f the young woman herself," Darrin answered, slowly. "As I do not even kno

an answer to my question," insisted

m some one other than myself,

ore than I really ought to tell. I

of your intentions, sir?

ve that I should see her as early as possible. Give me the number of that taxicab, and

already know the address of a young

sed an exclamation of im

is at a considerable distance, and I do not know where to find her in New York. Give me that ta

you luck in a matter like this

, and at once," replied Cantor. He did not raise hi

lined to do that, s

that I am your superior?

erior officer," Darrin answered, with

o please me in a

d, I cannot believe that your discovery of her address w

using to tell me that

nant C

nute Lieutenant Cantor stared at his subordinate in speechless a

d, you--you y

nce, and the lieutenant contin

f the roster of the division. Also make a copy of our station bills. You

ir! Any furt

on

ook in his eyes, but Dave, salutin

nt prospect ahead of me, if I must depend upon the instructions and the official favor of a bully and a scoundrel like Cantor! And he can make it hot for me, too, if he ha

station bills. These he took to his room, placing them in a drawer of the de

quarter deck, he was not now there. Dave walked about by

, I suppose, sir

directing the stowag

n detailed to a divi

Lieutenant Can

ondered if Trent did not like Cantor. If such were the case, the

" Trent said, after a pause, not lon

his, for he could thi

ked him," Trout went on, with a smile. "I fancy

iled Ensign Darrin, "it puzzles me to under

"You will soon begin to realize that we are in a cramped atmosphere. With fifteen hundred

nough to carry a small

in s

pped to the starboard

"We call a ship 'she,' Darrin, and let me assure you, 'she' is some girl! Look at the magnificent l

, Ensign Darrin started forward along the decks, tak

ieutenant of the marine guard. Dave stepped inside. Almost immediately he heard a

ng with Trent," Dave's division

s,

u discu

s,

you say,

t you were my di

nt say a

at you were a very

nything--about--er-

," Dave

ut that?" ins

"I am an officer and,

Trent nothing a

told you, sir,

on this ship?" pre

ight, that I had met wi

do!" snap

good

lzell about me si

ave

on't?" pre

to pledge myself," Darrin res

ou want to ma

me, wish to make an enemy. I am

mise from you," returned Can

not promise silence. Yet it is difficult to conceive what would make me open my mouth on the subject of last night's happening. I have never been a tale-bearer, and, much as I may despise that

me, appeared, walking aft. There was time only for a smiling nod, for Dave sudden

n, then hastily rummaged the suit case for a pair of

uick step Ensign Darrin took his momentary post. Then, when the old watch

, I trust you will be more mindful of the responsibility of an officer in setting his men an example in

s face flushed, then paled from the humiliation of the rebuke. Yet he had been guilty of an actua

he bit his lip in the same instant for he realized how thoroughly hi

an Dalzell he

was hung to the breeze. While that flag flew no one was

e Filipino mess serva

him to their a

o to mess, sir?" Dav

nt

s the sho

uard was in charge at the quarter-deck gang plank.

zell found themselves assigned

cing the new arrivals to the officers

chum, as soon as that was possible under the cover of the conversation o

at he was not in danger of being overh

as the man of whom I

the

Dave

y could be guilty of any such conduct," Dalzell gas

welt on Mr. Cantor's ch

, then fell silen

hat both the new ensigns were introduced to

mes--scores of 'em!" gasped Dan, as the

. "But I mustn't stand talking," Dave went on, as he again hung his

l what Cantor did las

n't you tel

d, little Giant!" assured Dalzell. "You are st

pped alertly to the quarter deck, to find hi