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

lver was in its scabbard over his left

the night was so dark that there was little

ugh his mind in a twinkling, as

of action was as

ly. "Amigo de los prisoneros!

had bounded forward, struck aside the rifle, and had gri

young ensign's fists, a

un toward the spot. In a few moments the sentry, doubtless badly scared, h

oxswain, post eight men around the house, and take com

around to the rear of the house, s

stood on a table. Around the table were seven men, eating and dri

en were on their feet, staring wildly at the intruders. One man started for

ach for a gun, or dra

rdered,

icans, in Spani

e have not come here to molest you, but you hold America

of the Mexicans, smilin

o prisone

. Had he made a mistake in invading this house, o

ected Mexica

ing the truth. Stand where you are, all of you, and no harm shall come t

oup and stepped into a hallway, i

ted, "who want help? If so, there are A

gle exclamation of joy, fol

ed a voice deman

et the pri

that had answered Dave. "We are attacked by

hand. As soon as he heard voices inside Riley had cleverly caused his men to walk ab

American sailors below?"

ates Navy, sir," Dave replied, g

s,

any attempt to hold you, and if any harm is offered you, we

an above. "There are two guards up here who seem

careful to take no chance of being surprised in the dark, for he we

llway he saw an open door, through which a dim light shone.

ss," Dave commanded, bluntly, in the best

called out loudly, demandi

the prisoners pass,"

ntries moved aw

his eye on the two guards, who stood glowering sullenly at h

d. One look at Dave and the door was flung wide by a ta

f our own Navy. I never paid much attention to it before, b

pression of deep gratitude in his eyes,

ty girls. Then came another woman, younger than the firs

to find and rescue John Carmody, his wife and two

," Mr. Carmo

icans or otherwise, who are held here by

," replied Mr. Carmody, promptly. "In fac

d through the hallway to the room at the end of the passage,

after another the trembling women followe

lors, who stood revealed in the light of the room, as

at room, "I will ask you to lead your party out of do

had passed into the open. Then, replacing his cap, the young naval officer turned to

. "I regret that I have no authority to punish you as you

e room. All four of the young sailors, however, stood just outside, where th

s who had surrounded the house, "lead these people

children of his party

ed back to speak

ount of the failure to raise the ransom money, we were

r," Dave

titude to which I shall endeavor to give some ex

de, Mr. Carmody," Dave Darrin answered. "As to sa

hook his head

the nine we saw in th

ll not endeavor

a few men in the house, but there are twenty or thirty more sleeping in the stables behind the

he called down the straggling line, which was now just outside the grounds an

astened forward, scanning the darkness to his rear. Seeing the ensign

smiled Dave. "I hear there is a large force behin

," the coxswain replied, doggedly, "but we won't leav

er orders?" D

s, sir," Riley mumbled, loo

d Dave, holdi

hedge he heard the swi

a pistol shot. It was answered insta

ut into the night. The air w

the steel-jacketed bullets ab

ign Dave Darrin fell to the