se the
first men killed."

"That was regrettable," replied another officer, "but we of the
Navy expect to go down some day. The two men who were killed
died for the honor and credit of the service, and of the Flag,
which we serve. It is the lot of all of us, Darrin. If war comes
many a soldier and sailor will find an honored grave, and perhaps
not a few here will lose their mess numbers. It's just the way
of the service, Darrin!"

"Cantor, you were out of luck last night," observed Lieutenant
Holton, who sat next to him.

"In what way?" asked Cantor, but he flushed deeply.

"You had only a boat ride, and missed the fight," replied Holton.

"Oh!" replied Cantor, and felt relieved, for he had thought that
Holton referred to something else.

"Where are we heading now?" asked Dave.

"Didn't you notice the course?" inquired Dalzell.

"About westerly, isn't it?"

"Yes; we are bound for Vera Cruz," Danny Grin answered. "We shall
be there in two hours. Mr. Carmody and his party have no notion
of going back to their plantation at present. Instead, they'll
take a steamer to New York."

Breakfast was nearly over when an orderly appeared, bringing an
envelope, which he handed to Commander Bainbridge.

"Pardon me," said the executive officer to the officers on either
side of him. Then he examined the paper contained in the envelope.

"Gentlemen," called Commander Bainbridge, "I have some information
that I will announce to you, briefly, as soon as the meal is over."

Every eye was turned on the executive officer. After a few moments
he continued:

"Yesterday, at Tampico, an officer and boatcrew of men went ashore
in a launch from the 'dolplin.' The boat flew the United States
Flag, and the officer and men landed to attend to the purchase
of supplies. An officer of General Huerta's Federal Army arrested
our officer and his men. They were released a little later, but
Admiral Mayo demanded a formal apology and a salute of twenty-one
guns to our insulted Flag. Some sort of apology has been made
to Admiral Mayo, but it was not satisfactory, and the gun salute
was refused. Admiral Mayo has sent the Mexican Federal commander
at Tampico something very much like an ultimatum. Unless a
satisfactory apology is made, and the gun salute is fired, the
Washington government threatens to break off all diplomatic
relations with Mexico and to make reprisals. That is the full
extent of the news, so far as it has reac