the messenger;
"Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell are directed to report to his office
immediately."

"Perhaps you'll hear the news at once," murmured Trent, as his
juniors left him.

When the two ensigns reported to him, Commander Bainbridge was
pacing the passageway outside his office.

"The captain is awaiting us in his office," said the executive.
"We will go there at once."

The instant he entered the captain's quarters, Darrin had sudden
misgivings of some impending misfortune, for Lieutenant Cantor,
very erect, and looking both stern and important, was talking in
low tones with Captain Gales.

"Now, what has the scoundrel found to fasten upon me?" Ensign
Dave Darrin wondered, with a start. "And how has he managed
to drag Dan into it?"

CHAPTER VI

FIRST TO INVADE MEXICO

"Gentlemen," began Captain Gales, seriously, though there was
a pleasant smile on his face, "I imagine I have extremely pleasant
news for two of you. Commander Bainbridge and Lieutenant Trent
have already some idea of the news, but I will go over it again for
the benefit of all here."

"I may go on breathing again," Dave thought grimly. "Then this
communication can hardly be in reference to any complaint that
Cantor may have lodged against me."

"Messrs. Cantor, Darrin and Dalzell will tonight," resumed the
captain, "lead the first expeditions by United States forces that
have been made in a great many years."

Had war been declared? Both Dave and Dan fairly jumped with
eagerness.

"A letter, coming by some mysterious, round-about route," continued
Captain Gales, "has reached the American consul at Vera Cruz.
An American party, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. John Carmody and
two small sons, and of Mrs. Sarah Deeming 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 raiders have visited the Carmody plantation from time
to time within the last two years, stealing stock and supplies,
and levying money blackmail, until Carmody found himself practically
ruined, unless the present crops should turn out well.

"Three weeks ago Carmody learned that it was high time for isolated
Americans to reach the protection of some large town. Attended
by two peons (native laborers), and travelling on mule back, the
party started through the mountains for Vera Cruz.