esiding or traveling in that
country. These aliens have every right to protection."

"Quite true," remarked another officer. "But what has that to
do with the United States? What has there been in our conduct
during the past three or four years to indicate that we would
take any strong-handed action to make life and property safe in
Mexico?"

"We shall soon interfere," predicted the former speaker, confidently.
"Affairs in Mexico are now nearing a crisis. The United States
will no longer be called a civilized and honorable nation if Army
and Navy men are not sent to Mexico to uphold our government and
the rights of American citizens living there."

"Do you think, Holton, that will happen before you and I have been
put on the retired list as white-haired rear admirals?" asked
another officer, half-jeeringly.

"You will find," insisted Lieutenant Holton, "that we shall soon
be listening to the thunder of our American naval guns at Vera
Cruz, Tampico, or some other port on the shores of the Gulf of
Mexico."

"Hurrah!" came from the throats of a dozen officers, but the cheer
was not a very confident one. Too long had the United States
been patient in the face of one insult or injury after another.
General Huerta, in Mexico City, and Carranza and Villa, in the
west and north of that country, had headed factions, neither of
which seemed to care about Mexico's good name in the world at
large. Maltreated Americans demanded punishment of the Mexican
offenders, but the United States had been engaged in patiently
waiting and watching, only once in a while sending a feeble protest
either to the Federal or the Constitutionalist leaders in that
murder-ridden country of Mexico.

Mess-call sounded to breakfast. The officers filed into their
places at table; then, on observing that the executive officer
was not in his place at the head of the table, they remained standing
by their chairs.

A minute afterward Commander Bainbridge entered with brisk stride,
going to his place and giving the seating signal as he said:

"Pardon my tardiness, gentlemen; the captain detained me on a
most urgent matter."

After that the buzz of conversation broke loose. Breakfast orders
were taken by the white-coated, noiseless Filipino servants. When
all had been served, the executive officer glanced up, then rose.

"The attendants will withdraw," he ordered. "Orderly!"

"Aye, aye, sir!" responded the marine orderly on post just insi