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

imagine I have extremely pleasant news for two of you. Commander Bainbridge and Lieutenant Tren

Then this communication can hardly be in reference to

med the captain, "lead the first expeditions by United

Both Dave and Dan fairl

and two daughters nineteen and sixteen years of age, came down by muleback from the plateau some three weeks ago. Carmody is a planter up in that part of the country, and the Deemings were his guests. Different bands of bandit raider

s (native laborers), and travelling on mule back, the party started through the mountains for Vera Cruz. Four hours out from the plantation th

the Americans were taken to a house near a deserted sugar mill, somewhere on the coast opposite us. This sugar mill stands on a lagoon, and that is as much of a description

cannot even guess. Admiral Fletcher sent me the news two hours ago, by wireless. Ever since then

dits undoubtedly have some means of signaling to comrades. Our landing party might be observed, and the news of the attempt at rescue would

These requests have been carried on through agents of Cosetta, but none of the appeals have borne fruit. Wearied, Cosetta has announced that on a certain morning, if the ransom has not arrived, Carmody and all the mem

of the Navy officers wh

this proposed atrocity must be prevented, and the American captives rescued at all h

d to his desk, wher

nother and Ensign Dalzell the third. Each launch will carry one automatic gun, and a landing party of a corporal, six marines, a petty officer and twelve seamen. Each party will be armed, but, gentlemen, I must caution you as to the extreme seriousness of any conflict on shore, or of firing, even though your fire is not directed at human beings. These are days when our relations with Mexico are of an extremely delicate nature. If we send

e young officers concerned, to make sure that t

kely that a craft as large as this ship would be noted from the shore, and her errand suspected. That might result in the execution of the American captives before aid coul

our and ten minutes to reach their respective lagoon destinations. It will take the lieutenant just under thirty minutes to reach the Alvarez lagoon. Ensign Dalzell will go to the Perdita lagoon, and Ensign Darrin to the Acunda lagoon. Forty minutes

mplished--or has failed. But, gentlemen"--here Captain Gales' voice sank low, yet vibrated with intense earnestness--"all of you will realize the extreme importance of your mission, and the awful consequences of fail

the captain's quarters, discussing furth

Commander Bainbridge soon told the news to a few of the "

e Darrin. "How did you work it, Darrin, to secure one of the details for to-night tha

," Dave laugh

p?" asked Lieutenant Ho

dollars left

l for to-night I'll reward you with a mo

change could be easily arranged, I'm afraid I

en," sighed Holton. "

ths' of my pay tog

"I never realized that you had so much impudence! The idea of a mere en

my performance will be on

an manage to queer you

imself, as

ch prized details was commented upon with a great deal of chaffing. Even Lieutenant

d ensigns were once more sent for, to go ove

abreast of the Alvarez mill, the first launch was c

to the launch towing alongside. It was Coxswain Riley

e's greeting. "Are you to

the petty officer in charge of the seamen

gave the order to cast off. Under slow speed ast

u on shore tonight with me, C

he coxswain, saluting and ac

ahead, not a light showing, for it is the privilege of the commander of a war vessel to sail without light

speed, it was hoped that each landing pa

instructions once more, talkin

be no fighting," Cantor added, impressiv

rifle ammunition, and when each automatic gun is supplied with

ow get under way," ord

each sentence of

the night, bound east and west, while the th

had made a most careful study of the map, and felt certain that he could

d place of landing, "when you are close enough to shore to signal the engineer, you will do so by hand s

replied both cox

ind the American captives at the A

st sighted the lagoon, his h

n a quarter of a mile from shore the sugar mill, deserted since the

of the mill the launch ran, then s

step ashore, signing to his me

prevent it being rushed in case the bandits are abroad to-night. Coxswain Riley, you will form your m

s of the night would not be seen at any distance, whereas the wh

ady located the house. Like the old mill, the residence was in

ht Darrin, with a comical little shiver, as his left hand gripped hi

d twelve armed seamen were following h

to the house strode Darrin, but h

in gained this, and was about to pass in through an opening in the hed

ast, and in a steady voice came the hail that

en v

ish challenge--