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

me?" flashed through Dave's mind, a

ng the salute, merely tur

stepped over to Darrin, when the pa

d the lieutenant, his burning gaze

hat, sir?"

axicab

, s

hi

nly course possible to a gentleman," Ensign Darrin replied,

e me your friend!" urg

d be delig

try to be iro

mained

, "it is possible, on the other hand, to make an enemy of me. As an e

t was as near as he could come, courteously, to informing Ca

e quarter-deck. There was a low-toned conversation between the two officers. Then, as the pair exchanged sa

I will pass the word for the petty officer who will have charge under you, and he will sh

rd, sir," Dave replied. "This

w dungarees--the brown overall suit that is worn by officers and crew alike when doing

brought Riley, the cox

of the stores in number four hold," Cantor announced. "S

work of some twenty men of the crew. At the hatch above,

" declared Coxswain Riley. "If you'll allow me,

ervice on this ship," smiled Darrin. "Thank you, C

umber two hold. In ten minutes Darrin found himself bathed in perspiration. Dust from barrels and pack

d with pitch from some of these barr

is nothing," Dave a

concerned

mosphere. By the time the watch was ended Dave Darrin

chum, looked rough and ready enough in

nted, as he and his chum exchanged salutes. Then the relieved young officer hastened above to r

rs, then realized that the lieutena

s own cabin on the way to duty between decks. Without these appurtenances of duty on the quart

porting to the quarter-deck when in any but dungaree clothes, should wear his gloves and sword

, made haste to his quarters, then returned wearing sword and

time to-day that I have had to teach you the things you should have learn

this time did no

ter I trust to find in you a more a

ed man publicly, and as severely as the offense warrants, and it is the further privilege of an of

rd, Darrin wheeled and

at down before the desk in his cabin. "I wonder what I am to do, in order to keep my self-respect and k

mind, reviewing his first acquaintance with this officia

hough, I wouldn't get the detail, unless I gave what were considered sufficiently good

de, sounded passing

sh, for he recognized

nt

than I can advise myself. I wish I could talk freely with some older officer, who knows shipboa

r Bainbridge, the executive officer, stood in the door

l eleven o'clock to-night. As we are busy aboard, Mr. Cantor's division is due for watch duty at eight bells this evening. As Mr. Cantor has shore leave you will report as o

aye,

salute, the executive

appearance with

r, after being relieved, is entitled to retain an untidy appearance longer than is necessary. You sho

respectfully, "as soon as my baggage comes aboa

your baggage does not arrive between now and dinner-time, you will not be warranted in going

ave answered, respectfully, with another salute

he young ensign hung his various uniforms, placed his shoes according to r

ed with care in a fresh blue uniform, stepped to the exe

e returned to his quarters to dress for dinner. This done, he stepp

ficer at that point. Commande

d, Dave addressed the commander as s

ion connected with my own p

eplied the exe

ounsel from an older officer if at any time I found myself

with keen scrutiny. "An older officer should always esteem it a pleasure, as well as a duty, to advise a younger officer

you might tend to prejudice you against one of your subordinate officers, would it be wiser for

d against whom you would not wish to carry tales? In that case, you would, by all means, show good judgment consulting a younger officer. But remember, Darrin, that not all men a

lize how deeply grateful I am to

r Bainbridge cut the discussion sho

ith snowy damask, glittered with crystal and silver. Silent, soft-moving lit

officer sat the other officers, in two long rows, according to their rank. On either side of the Commander were seated the officers with rank of lieutenant commander. Next to them wer

nd then a good joke or a witty sally called forth hearty laughter. Here and th

found time to mu

long with your tyr

Dave answer

you over the

rin detailed th

for you, all right," mut

oubt," Dave replied. "If he can bring me up be

vision," Dan sighed. "He's a gentle

hest praise that can b

division, probably y

Darrin

esides, I'd do a good many things to a mean superior that you wouldn't. If I had to stand watch with Cantor, and he tried any

But I don't like to spring traps fo

lf-defence?" ch

eutenant Cantor's absence, Darrin took the watch trick alone as o

rin made a note of the man's return and entered the time. Twice, a messenger brought some small order fro

his watch and glancing at it under the light that came from the

ur passed, and no Lieu

by without the l

ality that is required of a naval office

ntor came briskly up over the side, halting on the deck and s

" reported the lieutenant, turni

ed close

note that I came o

Dave reminded his superior, at th

board at 10.58," insi

called Dav

aye,

he chronometer insi

n, returning the mar

even-for

ntry of the lie

ged that sentry into it, just so you would have supporting testimony of the ti