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diff --git a/41037.txt b/41037.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a742361..0000000 --- a/41037.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9103 +0,0 @@ - THE MARINES HAVE LANDED - - - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - - -Title: The Marines Have Landed - -Author: Giles Bishop - -Release Date: October 12, 2012 [EBook #41037] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARINES HAVE LANDED *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - -[Illustration: Cover] - - - - -[Illustration: THE THIN BROWN LINE OF MARINES] - - - - - THE MARINES - HAVE LANDED - - - By - LIEUT.-COL. GILES BISHOP, JR. - - United States Marine Corps - - - - Illustrations by - Donald S. Humphreys - - - - THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY - PHILADELPHIA - 1920 - - - - - Copyright 1920 - by The Penn Publishing Company - - The Marines Have Landed - - - - - _To_ - MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE BARNETT, - _Commandant, United States Marine Corps,_ - -_who, while holding the chief position of honor in that organisation -since nineteen hundred and fourteen, has accomplished so much in -furthering its efficiency and its prestige, and who has at all times and -in all ways endeared himself to his officers and men, this volume is -respectfully dedicated_ - - - - - Introduction - -How many of our boys, in times past, while glancing through the morning -paper have read the following statement: "The United States Marines have -landed and have the situation well in hand." The cable message may have -come at any date, and from any part of the world. If those words caused -any comment on the part of the young American, it was probably a mild -wonder as to just who the marines were. Sometimes he may have asked his -father for enlightenment, and the parent, being no better informed than -the son but feeling a reply was necessary, would say in an off-hand -manner, "Oh, they are just a lot of sailors from one of our battleships, -that's all," and there the subject rested. - -It is the author's desire in this volume to explain just who the marines -are, what they do, where they go, so as to make every red-blooded -American boy familiar with the services rendered by the United States -Marine Corps to the nation in peace and war. And if in this endeavor -you suspect me of exaggeration I ask that you will get the first real -marine you meet to tell you where he has been and what he has done. -Then, if at the end of a half hour you are not convinced that the -adventures of Dick Comstock, in this and the books to follow, are modest -in comparison, I shall most humbly apologize. - -THE AUTHOR. - - - - - Contents - - I. A Bitter Disappointment - II. "The Oldest Branch of the Service" - III. Uncle Sam's Uninvited Guests - IV. Semper Fidelis--Always Faithful - V. A Drummer in the U. S. Marines - VI. A Queer Conversation - VII. Off for Treasure Island - VIII. An Adventure Ashore - IX. Historic Battlefields - X. Winning His First Medal - XI. A Republic in Distress - XII. Senor Perez Asks for Aid - XIII. Circumstantial Evidence - XIV. Dick Makes The Acquaintance of Columbus - XV. The Escape from the Barrio - XVI. The Attack on the Consulate - XVII. A Map-Making Expedition - XVIII. Mexican Pete Again - XIX. A Brave Act and a Clever Ruse - XX. "To the Ditch at Panama" - XXI. The Marines Have Landed - XXII. Dick is Left Behind - XXIII. Dick Makes a Flying Leap - XXIV. The Situation Well in Hand - - - - - Illustrations - - -The Thin Brown Line of Marines . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ - -How the Accident Occurred - -The Marine Orderly Answered the Summons - -The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal - -"Look, There is Your Horseman!" - -The Sampson Medal - -Medal for Campaign in the West Indies and for Spanish War - -A Leaf From Dick's Score Book - -Marksman's Badge - -Sharpshooter's Badge - -Expert Rifleman's Badge - -"Hands Up!" - -Map Showing Position of Hut in Which Boys Took Refuge - -Dick's Map of Camp Pendleton - -"Do You Ride?" - -Map Showing Position of Rock and Track - - - - - The Marines Have Landed - - - - CHAPTER I - - A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT - - -"Dick Comstock, you've been fighting! What will Mother and Father say -when they see your black eye?" and Ursula Comstock looked with mingled -pity and consternation at her brother, who, at the moment, cautiously -entered the cheery living-room. - -"And to-day of all days in the year to have such a thing happen," she -continued. "Everyone in town will see it to-night when you deliver your -oration. I do think, Dick, if you had to fight, you might have waited -until to-morrow, at least." - -"It couldn't be helped, Sister, so stop scolding, and get me a raw steak -or something to put on my eye," answered her brother, ruefully. "I know -it's going to mortify Mother fearfully that her 'handsome son' is so -badly banged up, but necessity knows no law, in war anyway. Now be a -good sister and help me. Maybe by to-night it won't look so bad, and if -you are as clever painting my face as you are your canvases it may not -even be noticed." - -"How did it happen?" inquired Ursula a little later, after first aid had -been applied to the injured eye. - -"Oh! It wasn't anything really of any account. I had to teach 'Reddy' -Doyle a lesson he has been needing for a long time, that's all," -answered Dick, bending over a basin of hot water while the tall, lithe -girl, one year his junior, handed him steaming hot compresses. - -"Tell me about it," demanded the girl, for between Richard and herself -there were few secrets, and a more devoted brother and sister would be -hard to find in all New England. - -"Well, you see, Doyle and I never have been good friends in all the -years we've been classmates at school. He goes with a gang I never -cared for and he has always been inclined to bully. We've often had -little tussles, but nothing that amounted to a great deal. You know -he's a dandy athlete and I couldn't afford, half of the time, to have -trouble with him. He is just cranky enough to have resigned from the -school teams, and he's really too valuable a fellow to lose, -consequently I've so often swallowed my pride in order to humor him that -he began to believe I was afraid of him, I guess. - -"But he has one mean trait I simply can't endure, and that is the -torturing of dumb animals. I often heard from the other fellows of his -tricks in that line. To-day I witnessed one, and--well--I've a black -eye to pay for my meddling." - -"That is not all the story, and you know it, Dick, so you may as well -tell me now, for I shall get it sooner or later. What did he do that -caused you to take such chances on this day of all days?" - -"I didn't happen to think much about the day," grinned Dick, "but I do -guess I'm a sight. Dad won't care; yet, as I said, I do feel sorry on -Mother's account." - -"Richard Comstock, if you do not stop this evasion and tell me at once -what occurred, fully and finally, I'll refuse to help you another single -bit. Now talk." - -While Ursula was speaking she unconsciously shook a piece of very raw, -red beef at her brother in such an energetic manner that he feared it -might land in any but the place for which it was intended unless he -obeyed without further delay. - -A final rehearsal for the high school graduating exercises which was -scheduled to take place in the evening had been held in the theatre, and -after dismissal, as a number of the boys were going along Broad Street, -a poor, emaciated cat ran frantically across the road towards them and -climbed a small tree just in time to escape the lathering jaws of a -closely pursuing bulldog. Percy Doyle, the red-haired owner of the dog, -not satisfied with witnessing the poor feline barely escape his pet, ran -quickly to the tree, grasped the cat by the neck and threw it to the -eager brute. Almost instantly the powerful animal had shaken the cat to -death. - -This cold-blooded act was more than the good-natured Dick could stand -and with a warning cry of anger and indignation he called upon Doyle to -defend himself. Then there followed a royal combat, for these two lads -were strong for their age and their years of activity in all kinds of -sports had made them no mean antagonists. - -In the end Doyle was beaten, but the victor had by no means escaped -unscathed. - -By the time Dick finished his recital the raw beef was properly bound -over his eye and the grime of battle washed from his face by his gentle -nurse, who completed her task by kissing him as she exclaimed with -enthusiasm: - -"Good for you, Dick, I hope you thrashed him well while you were about -it, for he certainly deserved a beating. Now run along and get a bath -and clean up properly before Mother comes home. She has gone to the -station to meet Father. You have no time to spare; the New York express -is about due," and with the words she shoved him towards the doorway -leading to the hall. - -"Call me when you are ready, and I'll come and paint you up like an -Indian," she added as he disappeared up the stairs. - -A half hour later when Dick appeared in the living-room and greeted his -parents, Ursula's efforts at facial decoration proved so successful that -no one other than his fond and adoring mother discovered the deception. -Her searching eye was not to be deceived, however, and once again Dick -was obliged to recount the details of his afternoon's experience. - -"No one will notice my black eye, Mother, and if so half of the audience -will have heard how I got it, so you need not worry." - -Dick's father said nothing, but the look of pride and approbation in his -eyes was enough to quiet any qualms as to his father's attitude. - -John Comstock, having laid aside the evening paper he was reading when -his son entered, now began searching through its pages, speaking as he -did so: - -"Have you seen to-night's paper, Dick?" - -"No, Dad. Why, is there anything of particular interest in it--that is -aside from the announcements of the big event being staged at the -theatre?" inquired Dick. - -"Unfortunately, yes," replied his father. "When I left home last week I -told you I would see Senator Kenyon while in Washington and try to get -him to give you that appointment to the Naval Academy we all have been -hoping for and which we believed as good as settled in your favor until -a few weeks ago." - -"Did you see him? What did he say?" asked Dick in one breath, his face -lighting up with excitement. - -"Yes, I saw him, but my visit was fruitless. He politely but firmly -told me he could not give it to you; and he would not tell me at the -time who was to be the lucky boy. In to-night's paper I have just read -that the selection has been made." - -The look of disappointment which came over Dick's countenance was -reflected in the faces of both his mother and sister. He gulped once or -twice before he finally mustered up courage to reach out his hand for -the paper, and the tears blinded his eyes while he read the brief -article which so certainly delayed if it did not entirely destroy his -boyhood's dream. - -For a few moments silence reigned in the little group, and Ursula, -rising quietly, walked to her brother and placed an affectionate, -consoling arm over his dejectedly drooping shoulders. - -"Never mind, Dick, the appointee may not pass the exams, and then -possibly you will get your chance after all," she said consolingly. - -"There's no hope he won't pass," answered Dick dolefully, and then more -bravely, "neither would you nor I wish him such bad luck." - -"Is it anyone we know?" now inquired Mrs. Comstock. - -"I should say we do. It's one of my best friends;--it's Gordon Graham, -our class valedictorian." - -"Gordon Graham!" exclaimed Ursula, a slight flush tinging the peachy -contour of her cheek, "Gordon Graham! Why, I never knew he even wanted -to go to Annapolis!" - -"He doesn't," answered Dick ruefully, "but his father does want him to -go, and now Gordon has no choice." - -"Mr. Graham is a rich man, and a politician. I suppose he wields such -an influence in this district that Senator Kenyon could not afford to go -against his wishes in the matter," said Dick's father, "and -unfortunately I am not wealthy, and have always kept out of politics. -Consequently, my boy, you may blame your father for this miscarriage of -our plans. With the election so near, a senator has to look to his -fences," he added as they arose to answer the summons to the evening -repast. - - -"Our Policy in the West Indies and the Caribbean," was the subject of -Richard's salutatory address in the crowded theatre that evening at the -graduation exercises of the Bankley High School. To his friends it -seemed something more than the average boyish ebullition. At any rate, -Dick was a thoughtful lad and had expended his best efforts in the -preparation of his oration. During its composition he had even looked -into the future and in the measures he advanced as necessary for the -military, naval and commercial integrity of the nation, he had always -liked to think of himself as a possible factor. - -To-night he experienced his first bitter disappointment, and instead of -"Admiral Richard Comstock" being an actor in the stirring events that -some day indubitably would occur, he saw his more fortunate chum, Gordon -Graham, writing history on the pages of his country's record. - -After the exercises he met Gordon, and the two boys walked home together -along the lofty, elm-arched streets. - -"Naturally I'm fearfully disappointed," said Dick, having first -congratulated Gordon on his good fortune, "but I'm not churlish about -the matter, and I guess the chief reason is because you got it. I'm -mighty glad for you, Gordon." - -"It is too bad, old man," Gordon replied feelingly, "because I know how -you have looked forward to being appointed, and you know, Dick, I never -was anxious for it. If it was not for frustrating my father's wishes, I -should almost be inclined to flunk the examinations. In fact I may be -unable to get by anyway, for they are very difficult." - -"You'd never do that, Gordon! You couldn't afford to do such a -thing--humble your pride in that manner. That wouldn't be helping me -and you'd only injure yourself and hurt your father beyond measure," -said Dick bravely. - -"Oh, I suppose I shall have to go, and I will do my best, Dick; only I -do wish we both were going. It is beastly to think of separating after -all these years we have been together." - -"We have a few days left yet before you leave, so cheer up," answered -Dick, "and suppose we make the best of them. What do you say to a swim -and row to Black Ledge to-morrow morning?" - -"Good! I will meet you at eight o'clock. Bring along your tackle, for -we may get some bass or black-fish, and we will make a day of it," -responded Gordon enthusiastically, as they parted at the corner. - -On entering the house Dick immediately sought his father. - -"Father," he said, "what do you propose for me now that the Annapolis -appointment is closed?" - -"I have been thinking over the question for weeks," answered Mr. -Comstock, leaning back wearily in his chair. "I counted on the Naval -Academy more than you did, I might say; for, Dick, things have not been -going well in the business, and the family exchequer is at a very low -point, so low in fact I hardly know just how things will end." - -Dick, immersed in his own selfish thoughts, for the first time realized -how worried and care-worn his father appeared. - -"What is the trouble, Dad?" he asked with a world of solicitude and -tenderness in his voice. - -"To tell you the truth, Dick, I cannot afford to send you to college. I -am afraid that unless I can recoup my recent losses I shall be unable -even to allow your sister to finish her art studies after her graduation -next year, as we had planned. My boy, I have very little left." - -He stopped for a moment and his hand visibly shook as he passed it over -his troubled brow. - -"I broke the news to your mother some time ago, and my visit to -Washington was in the hope of recovering something from the wreck, but -it looks dark. Also while there, beside seeing Senator Kenyon, I tried -my best to get you into West Point. But that, too, was a failure." - -"Dad, don't worry about me," said the boy, rising and going to stand by -his father's side; "I'll get along all right, and between us we will -fasten on something I can turn my hand to. I have had a mighty easy -time of it for seventeen years, nearly, and I'm only too glad to pitch -in and help out." - -"The situation is not so bad as all that, Richard," answered Mr. -Comstock, gazing at his manly boy with a proud look. "You do not have -to strike out for yourself for a good while yet. I even thought another -year at Bankley, taking the post-graduate course, would be the best plan -for the present. In the meantime you have a whole summer's vacation -ahead of you, which your good work at school richly deserves." - -"No, I've finished with Bankley," said Dick with finality in his tone. - -"Well! Well! We must talk about the matter some other time, my son, -and if you intend to go to Black Ledge to-morrow morning with Gordon, -you had best be getting under the covers." - -Whereupon Dick said "Good-night" and slowly climbed the stairs to his -bedroom. - -Before Dick succeeded in getting to sleep he firmly resolved to relieve -his father's shoulders of some of the burden by shifting for himself, -but just how he proposed to go about it was even to his own active mind -an enigma. - - - - - CHAPTER II - - "THE OLDEST BRANCH OF THE SERVICE" - - -When Dick ran down the wharf the next morning he found Gordon and -several other boys there already. He was later than he had intended; -unless an early start was made their sport would be spoiled. Black-fish -bite well only on the flood tide, and the row to Black Ledge, situated -at the mouth of the broad river, near the entrance to the spacious -harbor, was a distance of at least four miles. - -In order to better their time Dick and Gordon invited Donald Barry and -Robert Meade, two boys of their own age, to join them and help man the -oars, while Tommy Turner, a freshman at Bankley, was impressed as -coxswain of the crew. - -Lusty strokes soon carried them away from the landing out into the -sparkling waters of the river. Tommy Turner, though not a "big boy," -knew his duties as coxswain, so he set his course diagonally for the -opposite bank. Already the tide had turned, and to go directly -down-stream would have meant loss of more time, while under the shelter -of the left bank of the river the current and wind were not so strong as -out in mid-channel. - -With expertness born of much experience he guided the little -round-bottomed craft in and out amidst the river traffic. The swell -from an outward-bound excursion steamer caused the rowboat to rock and -toss, but not a single "crab" or unnecessary splash did the rowers make -as they bent their backs gladly to their task. - -"Those farmers from up state on board the _Sunshine_ thought we would -all be swamped sure," remarked Tommy, laughingly. "I'd like to bet that -half of them never saw blue water before in their lives." - -Dick, stroking the crew, only grinned appreciatively at Tommy's sally, -but Donald Barry called out from his place as bow oar: - -"Don't get too cocky, Tommy, for if they knew you had never learned to -swim, they might well have felt uneasy about you." - -"I'll learn some day, fast enough," answered Tommy, slightly chagrined -at Donald's remark, "but in the meantime, Don, if you would feather your -oar better maybe the wind against it wouldn't be holding us back so -much." - -Tommy Turner was always ready with a "come back," as the boys expressed -it, and for a while nothing more was said. Suddenly the coxswain, who -had been gazing fixedly ahead for some time, gave a loud shout. - -"Say, fellows, the fleet is coming in! I thought I couldn't be mistaken -when I saw all that smoke way out there, and now it's a sure thing." - -By common consent the rowers ceased their exertions and looked in the -direction indicated by Tommy. Far out over the white-capped waves of -the Sound could be seen against the deep blue sky, dark, low-lying -clouds of black smoke, while just becoming distinguishable to the naked -eye the huge hulks of several battleships could be discerned. - -"This sure is luck," exclaimed Robert Meade. "I've often wanted to see a -lot of battleships come to anchor together, but never have been on the -spot at the right moment." - -"Let's call off the fishing and row out to their anchorage; it's only a -little over a mile farther out. What do you all say?" asked Donald, -appealing to the others. - -"Yes,--let's!" spoke up the ubiquitous Tommy. "We can go after the fish -later if we like." - -"You would not be so much in favor of that extra mile or two if you were -pulling on an oar, kid," vouchsafed Gordon rather grimly, for the sight -of the ships brought to his mind that sooner or later he might be -passing his days on one of those very vessels. - -"Right you are, sir, Admiral Graham, sir," quickly retorted the -coxswain, and even Dick joined in the laughter now turned on Gordon. - -How differently he gazed at the ships to-day from what he would have -done a few days since. Then they would have meant so much to him, while -now he seemed to resent their very presence in the harbor. - -The rowers had resumed their work and without further words Tommy -changed the boat's course. - -By the time the five boys in their tiny craft reached the vicinity the -great vessels were steaming in column towards the harbor entrance. On -the fresh morning breeze was borne the sound of many bugles, the shrill -notes of the boatswain's pipes calling the crew on deck, and the -crashings of many bands. - -The boys resting on their oars drank in the beauty and majesty of the -scene with sighs of complete satisfaction while they interestedly -watched every maneuver of the approaching ships. The powerful -dreadnaught in the lead flew the blue flag with two white stars of a -rear admiral. From the caged mainmast and from the signal yard on the -foremast strings of gaily-colored flags were continually being run up or -down, and sailors standing in the rigging were waving small hand flags -to and fro with lightning rapidity. - -"Those colored and fancy flags make the outfit look like a circus -parade," remarked Tommy, lolling back in the stern sheets with the -tiller ropes lying idly in his hands. - -"That's the way the Admiral gives his orders to the other ships," -volunteered Dick. "You'll notice they run up every set of flags first -on the flagship, then the ships behind follow suit, finally when the -order is understood by them all and it comes time to do that which the -Admiral wants done, down they all go together." - -"Jinks! I'd think it a pretty tedious way of sending messages," -remarked Donald Barry, watching the gay flags go fluttering upwards in -the breeze; "just imagine spelling out all those words. I'd think that -sometimes they'd all go ashore or run into each other or something -before they half finished what they wanted to say." - -Dick, having spent considerable of his spare moments in reading up about -naval matters, smiled at Donald and continued his explanation. - -"It isn't necessary to spell out the words. Each group of flags means -some special command, and all you have to do is to look it up in the -signal book as you would a word in the dictionary. Most of the commoner -signals become so well known after a little experience that it is only a -matter of seconds to catch the meaning." - -"I wish we could go on board one of the ships, don't you, fellows?" -mused Robert rather irrelevantly. He was generally the silent one of -the party, but the lads agreed with him that his wish was a good one. -Yet such luck was hardly to be expected. - -The flagship was passing but a few yards away, and the watchers could -readily see the sailors on her decks all dressed in white working -clothes, while on the broad quarter-deck a line of men, uniformed in -khaki and armed with rifles, were drawn up in two straight military -rows. Near these men glistened the instruments of the ship's band as -they stood playing a lively march. - -Suddenly the boys heard a sharp command wafted to them over the water. -"Haul down!" were the words, and simultaneously from every ship in the -column the lines of flags were hauled down to the signal bridges. Then -came the splash of anchors, the churning of reversed propellers, the -smoke and dust of anchor chains paying out through hawse pipes, and the -fleet had come to anchor. Hardly had the great anchors touched the -water when long booms swung out from the ships' sides, gangways were -lowered, and from their cradles swift launches with steam already up -were dropped into the water by huge electric cranes. - -"What is the blue flag with all the stars they hoisted at their bows -when they stopped?" questioned Donald, turning to Dick as being the best -informed member of the party. - -"That is the Union Jack," Dick replied, "and they fly that from the jack -staff only when a ship is in dock, tied up to a wharf or at anchor; and -also, if you noticed, they pulled down the National Ensign from the gaff -on the mainmast and hauled another up on the flagstaff astern at the -same time. When the flag flies from the gaff it means the ship is under -way." - -"It certainly is a shame, Dick, you cannot go to Annapolis in my place," -remarked Gordon, regretfully; "you already know more than all of us -combined about the Navy. But do you know, seeing these ships to-day and -the businesslike way they do things has stirred my blood. It is just -wonderful! But for the life of me I cannot see how a chap can learn all -there is to know about them in only four years. I rather think I shall -have to do some pretty hard digging if I ever expect to be a naval -officer." - -"Keep your ship afloat, Admiral Graham, and hard digging won't be -necessary," interposed Tommy, and a roar of laughter followed his quip, -as was usually the case. - -The boys now began rowing towards the flagship, which in anchoring had -gone several hundred yards beyond them. Nearing her, the strains of a -lively march were heard, and an officer in cocked hat, gold lace and -epaulettes, went down the gangway into a waiting motor boat. No sooner -had the officer stepped into the boat than she scurried away for the -shore landing. Again the boys stopped to watch proceedings. When the -motor boat started from the gangway one of the sailors on deck blew a -shrill call on a pipe and the khaki-clad line of men, who had been -standing immovably with their rifles at the position of "present arms," -brought them to the deck as if actuated by a single lever, and a moment -later they were marched away. - -"Those soldiers are marines, aren't they?" asked Robert. "Anyway, they -are dressed the same as the marines up at the Navy Yard." - -"Sure they are marines," answered Tommy; "I know all about 'em, for my -Uncle Fred was a marine officer once. He swears by 'em, and says they -are the best fighters in the world." - -This was Robert Meade's first year at Bankley High School, having spent -all his life previously in an up-state town, and the soldier element on -board ship was not clear in his mind. - -"I always used to think that the marine was a sailor," said he. "At -least, most of the papers half the time must be wrong, for you see -pictures supposed to be marines landing at this or that place and they -are almost always dressed as sailors." - -"That's because the papers don't know anything," commented Tommy -indignantly. "Why, the marines are the oldest branch of the service; -older than the Navy or the Army. Aren't they, Dick?" - -"Well, to tell the truth," Dick answered, "I'm a bit hazy about marines -myself. Of course I've seen them around town and on the ships all my -life, off and on, but I've been so much more interested in the work of a -sailor that I haven't paid much attention to the military end of it." - -"The marine is 'soldier and sailor too,'" said Tommy, sententiously. -"That English poet, Kipling, says he can do any darned thing under the -sun; and if all my uncle tells me is true, it must be so. He was a -volunteer officer of marines in the war with Spain and fought in Cuba -with them." - -"Well, if they are soldiers also, why don't they stay ashore with the -army?" persevered Robert, wishing to understand more about the men who -had excited his interest. - -"It's a pretty long story to tell you in a minute," answered Tommy; -"besides, I may not get it all straight." - -"That will be all right, Tommy," Gordon called out. "I do not know -anything about them, either, and I suppose I had better learn everything -I can about the Navy now. I've made up my mind, boys, that I do want to -be an officer on one of these ships, and I am going to tell my father so -to-night, as I know it will please him. So, Tommy, I propose that when -we start for the boat-house, as you will have nothing else to do but -steer, you tell us all you know about these 'Sea Soldiers.' Is my -motion seconded?" - -As Gordon finished speaking they were lying a little off the starboard -quarter of the flagship, idly tossing in the short choppy sea that the -breeze from the Sound had stirred up. A whistle from the deck now -attracting their attention, the boys looked up in time to see a small -marine with a bugle in his hand run along the deck and, after saluting -the naval officer who had summoned him by the shrill blast, receive some -instructions from the officer. After giving another salute to the -officer, a second or two later the little trumpeter blew a call, the -meaning of which was unknown to the silently attentive lads in the -rowboat. - -All the boys had some remark to make at this. - -"Hello, look at Tom Thumb blowing the bugle," called Tommy, and he -added, "If all the marines are his size, I should think someone had been -robbing a nursery." - -"Wonder what all the excitement means, anyway?" inquired Donald, as he -saw various persons on the ship running about, evidently in answer to -the summons of the bugle. - -"You know all the bugle calls, Dick, because you were the best bugler in -the Boy Scouts when we belonged; what was the call?" Gordon asked. - -"You've sure got me buffaloed," answered Dick. "I learned every call in -the Instruction Book for Boy Scouts, and I know every army call, but -that one wasn't among them." - -During this time their little boat was drifting slowly astern again when -suddenly a long heavy motor boat rounded the battleship, just clearing -her, and at terrific speed bore down on the drifting rowboat. - -Instinctively the occupants of the rowboat sprang into action. - -A warning cry was shouted to them through a megaphone from the deck of -the battleship, the coxswain of the fast flying motor boat sounded two -short blasts on his whistle, threw his helm hard over, and the crew -shouted loudly. Tommy Turner in the excitement of the moment mixed his -tiller ropes and sent his frail craft directly across the sharp bow of -the approaching vessel. - -With a smashing and crashing of wood the heavy motor boat practically -cut the rowboat in two, forcing it beneath the surface and passing over -it, and more quickly than it has taken to relate it the five boys were -thrown into the sea. - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -[Illustration: How the accident occurred] - - How the accident occurred - -1. B is the position of the rowboat when the motor boat A came under -the stern along dotted line, heading directly at rowboat. Tommy pulled -on wrong rope and sent his boat in direction of B'. It can be seen the -coxswain steered in the same direction and the boats smashed at the -point B'. The motor boat stopped about A'. - -2. The diagram illustrates also the manner of designating the -directions of objects from the ship by lookouts. Example: A sailboat at -"C." The lookout would call out "Sailboat, Broad on Port Bow" or he -might say "Four Points on Port Bow." - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -Dick Comstock, coming first to the surface, looked about him for his -companions. The motor boat was now about fifty yards away; her engine -had stopped and her crew were looking anxiously towards the spot where -the accident had taken place. - -As Dick shook the water from his eyes and ears, he heard the voice of -the coxswain answering a question apparently addressed him by someone -from the deck of the flagship. - -"I can't reverse my engines, sir. Something fouling the propellor," he -called out. - -By this time Dick saw the bobbing heads of Robert, Donald and Gordon not -far from him. - -"Where's Tommy?" called Dick, anxiously, trying to rise from the water -as far as possible in his endeavor to sight the missing boy. - -To these four lads the choppy sea meant nothing, in spite of the fact -they were fully clothed when so suddenly upset. But in Tommy's case it -was a far different matter, for, as has been stated, Tommy, though a -plucky little fellow, was unable to swim. - -The wrecked rowboat had floated some distance away and with one accord -the four boys swam rapidly towards it in the hope that Tommy might be -found clinging to the debris. - -Meanwhile on the deck of the battleship there was great excitement. A -life-boat was being quickly lowered from its davits and active sailors -were piling into it. The starboard life-lines of the quarter-deck were -lined with men in white uniforms and dungarees, for many of the engine -room force had been attracted to the deck to witness the episode though -they were not allowed there on ordinary occasions in that attire, and -also there was a sprinkling of marines in khaki. Shouts, signals and -directions were coming from all sides, while two of the motor boat's -crew were already in the water swimming back towards the boys to lend -them aid if necessary. - -On reaching the wreck, Dick, who was first to arrive, half pulled -himself out on the upturned bottom in order to search to better -advantage. Discovering with sinking heart that Tommy was not there, -without a moment's hesitation he disappeared beneath the boat searching -with wide open eyes for his little friend, nor was he alone in his -quest, for each of the boys in turn dove under the boat on arrival. -Staying as long under water as he possibly could Dick came to the -surface to free his lungs of the foul air with which they were now -filled. Again his anxious eyes swept the roughened water in eager -survey and then with a loud cry of gladness he was going hand over hand -in the famous Australian crawl, but this time away from the boat and -towards the ship. - -In that momentary glance he saw an arm and hand emerge from the waves, -the clenched fist still holding fast to a piece of tiller rope. It had -shown but an instant above the surface and then disappeared. Could he -reach the spot in time? Could he? He would--he must, and with head and -face down his arms flew like flails beating the water past him as he -surged forward. - -On board the flagship, Sergeant Michael Dorlan, of the Marines, had been -an eye-witness of the whole occurrence. For some time previous he had -been watching the boys in the boat. The manner in which they handled -their oars showed him they were no novices. He noted also that there -were five occupants in the unlucky craft when she was struck. Calmly he -counted the heads appearing in the water beneath. - -"One," counted Dorlan aloud to himself as Dick's drenched head almost -instantaneously bobbed up, "two, three," he continued in rapid -succession, "four----," and then he waited, holding his breath, while -his honest Irish heart beat faster beneath his woolen shirt. - -"They kin all shwim," he muttered aloud as the four lads struck out -vigorously in the water, "but, bedad, the fifth kid ain't up yet." - -During all this time Dorlan was unlacing his shoes with rapidly moving -fingers. His coat he unconsciously took off and threw to the deck and -then he climbed to the top rail of the life-lines, steadying himself by -holding to an awning stanchion. Never once did his sharp, gray-blue -eyes leave the surface of the water. As Dick cried out and dashed -through the waves towards the spot where he momentarily glimpsed the -tightly clenched hand of Tom Turner, a brown streak appeared to shoot -from the rail of the dreadnaught and with hardly a splash was lost and -swallowed up in the sea. - -Sergeant Michael Dorlan had also seen that for which he was looking and -like a flash he had gone to the rescue. From the height of over twenty -feet his body shot like a meteor in the direction of the drowning boy. -To the officers and crew on board the flagship it seemed an eternity -before a commotion below them and a spurning and churning of the water -announced his reappearance. And Dorlan did not come to the surface -alone, for it was seen that he was supporting the form of the boy he had -gone to rescue. - -A great cheer filled the air as the crew of the ship spontaneously gave -vent to their relief, and a few seconds later the unconscious lad was -hurried up the gangway by willing hands, followed unassisted by his four -drenched and solicitous comrades. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - UNCLE SAM'S UNINVITED GUESTS - - -"Right down to the sick bay[#] with him," ordered an officer as Tommy -was carried over the side in the strong arms of Sergeant Dorlan, who, on -climbing up the gangway, had tenderly taken the boy from the sailor -holding him. "Hurry along, Sergeant, the surgeon is already there -waiting." - - -[#] Sick bay--The ship's hospital. - - -After giving these directions the officer turned to the four dripping -lads and said: - -"Are you boys injured in any way?" - -"No," they replied as if with one breath. - -"You look as though you had been struck in the eye pretty badly," said -the officer, giving Dick's bruised cheek a close scrutiny, and for a -moment the boy blushed as if caught in a misdemeanor. - -"I was hit in the eye yesterday," he finally managed to stammer; "it -wasn't caused by anything that happened to-day," and then to change the -subject if possible, he inquired: - -"May we have permission to go down where they have taken Tommy Turner? -We are all mighty anxious about him." - -"Don't you all want to get on some dry clothes first?" inquired the -officer. - -The boys preferred, however, to hear first the news as to their friend's -condition; consequently they were taken below, where already the ship's -surgeon and his assistants were working hard to restore life to the -still unconscious Tommy. - -Sitting on a mess bench which some men had placed for them, each boy -wrapped in blankets furnished by other thoughtful members of the crew, -they waited silently and with palpitating hearts while a long half hour -slowly ticked away. Though many sailors were continually passing to and -fro they were all careful not to disturb the four shipwrecked boys who -sat there with eyes fastened in anxious hopefulness on the door to the -"sick bay," as the hospital is called on shipboard. - -After what seemed an eternity, the door opened and Sergeant Dorlan came -out quietly, closing it behind him. Immediately the watchers jumped to -their feet. - -"Is he all right?" whispered Dick, plucking at Dorlan's wet sleeve. "Is -he----" - -"Lord love ye, me lads, he's as fit as a fiddle and will live to laugh -at ye in yer old age," replied Dorlan, cheerfully, and it was with a -mutual sigh of relief they heard the announcement. A messenger -approaching at this moment, called to the boys: - -"The Officer of the Deck says, seeing your friend's all right, that you -are to follow me to the Junior Officers' Quarters, where you can get a -bath and your clothes will be dried out for you." - -"We'd like to see our friend first, if we might," suggested Dick. - -"The little lad's asleep and old 'Saw Bones' wouldn't let ye in to -disturb him for love nor money. Go ahead and get policed up," suggested -the sergeant, turning aft towards the marines' compartment as he spoke. - -"We do not know your name, Sergeant," spoke up Gordon, placing a -detaining hand on the marine's arm, "but we all want to thank you for -saving Tommy Turner's life. It was just too fine for words, and I for -one should like to shake hands with you." - -"It's all in the day's wurruk, me lad," said Dorlan, confused by this -frank praise, "but it's happy I am to shake the hands of such plucky -lads as ye are yersel's, so put her there," and he extended a brown -horny hand which they all grasped simultaneously. - -"When ye git all fixed up and dhried out, come on back here and it's -proud I'll be to show ye about the old tub," with which remark he left -them at liberty to follow the Officer of the Deck's messenger to the -Junior Officers' Quarters. - -Divesting themselves of their soaked garments on arrival there they were -supplied with soap, towels and bath robes and were soon enjoying the -bath. With spirits no longer depressed for fear of danger to their -friend, the four lads were now beginning thoroughly to enjoy their novel -experience. - -"Which fellow said he wished he could visit a man-of-war?" questioned -Donald from the confines of a little enclosure where the sound of -splashing water announced he was already under the shower. - -"It was the Sphinx," laughingly answered Gordon from his own particular -cubby hole. - -"I didn't want to come on board in quite the manner I did, though," -called out Robert, "and furthermore, don't call me Sphinx in the future. -If I'd had the sense of that old hunk of stone, I could have foreseen -the danger and been able to avoid it." - -"Hurry up, you fellows, and don't talk so much. Let me have a whack at -one of those showers," called Dick, who had been forced to wait, there -being not enough bathing places to allow all to indulge at the same -time. "I want to hurry out of this and take a look around this ship -before I go ashore." - -"Speaking of leaving," remarked Gordon as he emerged for a rub down, -"how do you suppose we are going to leave?" - -"To tell the truth, I hadn't thought of that," Dick replied, "and how -about your boat? It's all smashed up." - -"She was about ready for the junk pile, anyway," said Gordon, "and I was -going to give her to the boat club before I left for Annapolis next -week." - -"I wonder what Uncle Sam does when he smashes up your boats like that?" -questioned Donald. - -"In this case," Dick vouchsafed, "I rather guess 'Uncle Sam' will say it -is altogether our own fault. Poor Tommy was so rattled that he pulled on -the wrong rope and steered us right in front of the motor boat even -after they had veered off to avoid hitting us." - -"Well, if they permit us to take a look around the ship, I am willing to -call it square," Gordon remarked philosophically. - -A little later the boys were escorted to a vacant stateroom or cabin -where they found their underwear already dry and waiting to be donned. - -"I call that quick work," exclaimed Gordon, and while he was speaking a -knock sounded at the door. - -"Come in!" he called out, and a colored mess boy stuck his woolly head -into the room. - -"Yoh clo'es will be ready foh yoh all in jest a jiffy, sah. Here am yoh -rubber shoes dry a'ready an' de tailor am a-pressing yoh pants and yoh -coats, sah." - -"Where did you find our coats?" inquired Dick. "They were in the rowboat -the last I knew." - -The colored boy grinned broadly, showing an expansive row of shining -white teeth. - -"Ah don't rightly know foh shu, boss, but Ah reckon dey foun' 'em -floatin' on de water an' fetched 'em aboahd wid yoh boat, sah." - -"You mean to say they have rescued the rowboat too and have it on board -this ship?" asked Gordon incredulously. - -"Shu as shootin', sah, an' Chips wid his little Chips is fixin' of her -up good as new. Dey ain't nuthin' we cain't do on one ob Unc' Sam's -ships, sah." - -With which closing encomium the black face was withdrawn and the door -closed. - -"Wonder what he meant by his 'Chips wid his little Chips'?" laughingly -questioned Robert Meade. - -"You will have to ask Dick," answered Gordon rather enviously. For now -that he had become so enthusiastic over his determination to follow his -father's wishes and become a naval officer he felt he had neglected many -past opportunities for learning about the service. - -"He meant the Chief Carpenter and his helpers, I 'reckon. 'You see, -'Chips' is a nickname in the Navy for the man who handles the saw and -hammer," Dick announced. - -"When you boys are dressed come out into the mess room. Put on your -bath robes till your clothes are ready for you," called a voice from the -passageway outside their door and needing no second bidding they all -walked out into the comfortable room where a number of junior officers -were standing about. - -"I am Ensign Whiting, and these are the junior officers of the ship," -announced the officer who had previously called to them, and he -introduced the lads to the others with an easy wave of his hand. "Sit -down and tell us all about the accident. By the way, your friend Tommy -is still sleeping, and as it is noon we should be very glad if you would -accept our invitation to lunch. The Captain sent word he wishes to see -you, but I told him you probably would eat with us, so, unless you are -in a hurry to get away, you need not go up to see him till later." - -The boys gladly accepted the kind invitation and as the meal was -immediately announced they sat down in the places already provided and -proceeded to enjoy thoroughly their first meal on board a battleship. - -During the repast they related how the accident occurred, and all were -high in praise of the marine sergeant who so promptly came to their -rescue. They learned that their wrecked boat had been towed back to the -ship and hauled out on board, and the damage to it was not so great but -that the ship's carpenters could easily repair it. - -"Mike Dorlan is a bit too fond of the firewater," volunteered one of the -officers, "but when it comes to being the right man in the right place -at the right time, it would be hard to find his equal." - -"We tried to thank him for rescuing Tommy," said Gordon, "but we could -not make him understand what a noble thing it was." - -"That's Mike all over. He's a gruff old chap as a rule, and I suppose -saving anyone in such an easy manner, as he would call it, doesn't seem -much to him," remarked Ensign Whiting. "Mike already owns gold and -silver life-saving medals presented to him by the Navy Department." - -"I never knew that," said an officer who had been introduced to the boys -as a Lieutenant of Marines. "He never wears them at inspection nor the -ribbons for them at other times." - -"Dorlan? Wear medals? Not that old leatherneck!"[#] exclaimed Whiting. -"Yet I happen to know that he has several in his ditty box[#] and if you -tackle him just right he will spin you some mighty interesting yarns. -Why, he was all through the Spanish War, first on a ship and then ashore -at Guantanamo; he fought in the Philippine Insurrection and was one of -the first marines to enter Pekin during its relief at the Boxer uprising -in 1900, and later he was in Cuba during the insurrection there in 1906, -and I believe he has landed for one reason or another in about every -place there ever was trouble brewing in the last fifteen years. To cap -the climax he even has a medal of honor which he received for some -wonderfully impossible stunt he did out in China. Ah! Old Mike is a -wonder, all right!" - - -[#] Leatherneck--A sobriquet often applied to marines. Supposed to have -originated from the leather collar which formed part of the uniform of -marines in the early days of the last century. - -[#] A small wooden box issued to the men in which they keep writing -paper, ink, and odds and ends. It is fitted with a lock. - - -"Do you suppose we can see Sergeant Dorlan later?" asked Dick eagerly. -"You see, he promised to show us over the ship, and this being the first -time that any of us has ever been lucky enough to get on board a United -States ship, we all want to make the best of fortunate misfortune, as -you might say." - -"Why, certainly: right after you see the Captain," replied Ensign -Whiting, "and as your clothes are now ready, suppose you get into them -at once and I will take you up above for your interview." - -Captain Cameron, of the U.S.S. _Nantucket_, flagship of the Battleship -Division of the Atlantic Fleet, was a big jovial man of ruddy complexion -and his greeting of the shipwrecked boys who were ushered into his cabin -by the marine orderly was hearty, and complimentary. - -"It is a pleasure to meet you, young gentlemen," he said, shaking each -of them by the hand. "I only regret your introduction on board my ship -was attended by such an unhappy incident. However, it is to be hoped -that you won't bear the Navy any grudge after I explain to you that we -are doing our best to make full amend for the accident. Mr. Ennis, the -ship's carpenter, reports that his men will soon have your boat in -nearly perfect condition, and the surgeon states your young friend will -have no ill effects from his experience. Please be seated and make -yourselves at home, for I have a few questions to ask you." - -It was indeed an interesting place to sit, being filled with curios -which the Captain during his many years of service in the Navy had -collected in nearly every corner of the world, and while he talked they -found it difficult to keep their eyes from wandering about the room on -cursory inspection of the idols, weapons, pictures and objects of art, -attractively arranged on walls and tables. - -"Now that we are all comfortable, suppose you tell me how the accident -occurred," said their host, turning first to Dick, who was seated -nearest him. Whereupon the boy told him the entire story and each of the -others added the details that came to their minds. - -"It is needless to say that I wish it had not happened," said he; "my -coxswain was at fault for coming around so close under the stern of the -ship, but I can see that you are inclined to place the blame on your own -coxswain, who steered you across the bow of the motor boat after she had -blown the proper whistles. However, I have endeavored to do the best I -can by you. Your boat is nearly repaired; your oars and stretchers -replaced, your clothes recovered, and though they may have suffered a -little from their wetting I do not imagine any great harm has resulted. -It is true you lost your lunches but I am inclined to believe you have -not suffered on that account either, and even the box of fish lines was -picked up. The only thing really worrying me is your friend Tommy, but -even in his case nothing more than a slight bruise on the forehead has -resulted. Now I want to know if there is anything else I can do to even -up our account?" - -"Well, sir," Richard answered, looking a little embarrassed while he -turned the edge of a rug with the toe of his shoe, "there is one more -thing you may do for us if you will." - -Captain Cameron, believing he had already done more than he was called -upon to do under the circumstances, was surprised at this reply. - -"And what may that be?" he inquired rather sharply. - -"If you would permit all of us to have a good look around your ship, -sir, before we leave, it would be greatly appreciated and also, sir, we -should like it very much if Sergeant Dorlan could act as the guide. You -see, he offered to do it," and Richard ended his request by looking -directly at his host. - -"If that is all, my boys," said the Captain, once again his genial self, -"I gladly grant it, and furthermore, during our stay in port I shall be -happy to see you on board at any time outside of working hours." - -Ringing a bell, the marine orderly answered the summons. - -[Illustration: THE MARINE ORDERLY ANSWERED THE SUMMONS] - -"Orderly, present my compliments to Captain Henderson and ask him to -detail Sergeant Dorlan to accompany these young gentlemen on an -inspection tour of the ship." - -The marine snapped his hand to his cap in salute, and after his "Aye, -aye, sir," which is the naval way of replying to an order, he turned and -left the cabin, followed by the delighted youngsters. - -Captain Kenneth Henderson, United States Marine Corps, was holding -five-inch gun drill when the orderly found him. After receiving the -message from his Commanding Officer he immediately called Sergeant -Dorlan and gave him his instructions. - -"Before you start out, Sergeant, you had better stop in the sick bay and -pick up the other member of the party. When I came by there a while ago -he was feeling fine and getting ready to dress. He of course will wish -to go around with you." - -Tommy was feeling perfectly well. A small blue mark still remained on -his forehead showing where he had been hit by some part of the wreckage -in the accident and knocked insensible. Being fully dressed when the -others arrived, they all were soon investigating the wonderful -battleship. For two full hours they pestered the patient Dorlan with -more questions and inquiries than he could have answered in a lifetime. -In the course of their personally conducted trip they were on a visit to -the bridge when their attention was again attracted to the small bugler -of marines who had been the innocent cause of their presence on board -the flagship. He was again sounding the call which they had been -discussing when the motor boat dashed under the stern of the vessel and -crashed into them. - -"What is the meaning of that call?" asked Dick of their guide. - -"He's callin' away the motor sailer," replied Dorlan. - -"Is he a marine--the little fellow blowing the bugle?" inquired Tommy. - -"Surest thing ye know," was the answer. - -"Why! He can't be as old as we are," remarked Dick; "how old do you -have to be to enlist in the Marines?" - -"Those kids sometimes come in at the age of fifteen," answered Dorlan; -"they enlist as drummers and trumpeters and serve till they're -twenty-one years old." - -"May anyone enlist?" Dick asked. - -"Sure, if yer old enough." - -"And work your way up to a commission, as they do in the army?" - -"Indeed ye can, if ye've got it in ye," replied the Sergeant; "Captain -Henderson come up from the ranks, and a mighty good officer he is, too," -he added. - -After this talk Richard Comstock remained very thoughtful. A sudden -idea had come to his mind, and he wanted to think it over. The sight of -the neat-looking marines, their military bearing, smart uniforms and -soldierly demeanor attracted him powerfully, and when he learned that -enlisted men were afforded the opportunity to rise in rank to that of -commissioned officer, he saw in this a means of following a career -which, if not exactly the one he had always desired to pursue, was -similar in many respects, at least. - -A little later the boys were taken ashore in one of the flagship's -steamers, first being assured that their own boat would be sent to the -boat club in the morning. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - SEMPER FIDELIS--ALWAYS FAITHFUL - - -The actions of Dick Comstock for the next few days were clothed in -mystery so far as his own immediate family was concerned, for he kept -his own counsel as to his movements when away from home. Even his sister -Ursula was not taken into his confidence. In the meantime the day of -Gordon Graham's departure for Annapolis arrived, and his friends went to -the station to give him a proper send-off. - -Ursula and Dick were there, also Donald, Robert and Tommy Turner and -many of Gordon's classmates, of whom Dick was the closest friend. - -"I still wish you were going, Dick," said Gordon sadly when the express -pulled in under the train shed. "It will be fearfully strange down -there with none of the old crowd around. Have you made any plans yet -regarding what you are going to do?" - -"Not fully," answered Richard. "I expect to be leaving town in a day or -two, though." - -"Where are you going?" inquired Gordon in surprise. But Ursula -approached them at that moment, and Dick gave a warning signal for -silence which Gordon saw and understood. - -"Good-bye, Gordon," she said prettily, and Gordon suddenly regretted -that so many of the boys and girls were there to bid him farewell. He -would have much preferred to say his adieus to Ursula with no others -present. Strange he never before realized what a beautiful girl she had -become, with her blue eyes looking straight out at one from under the -black eyebrows and the hair blowing about her delicately tinted cheeks. - -"A-l-l A-b-o-a-r-d!" rang the voice of the conductor, standing watch in -hand ready to give the starting signal to the engineer. The porters -were picking up their little steps and getting ready to depart. - -"Good-bye, Ursula," said the lad simply, wringing her hand with a -heavier clasp than he knew, and though he nearly crushed the bones, she -never gave the least sign of the pain he was causing her; perhaps she -did not really feel it. - -"Kiss me, Gordon," cried his mother, as she threw her arms around him. -"Don't forget to write immediately on arriving." - -"Come on, my son, time to jump aboard," cautioned his father in a -suspiciously gruff tone, and in a moment more Gordon mounted the steps -where from the platform of the moving train he stood waving his hat in -farewell. - -"Give him the school yell, fellows," shouted Tommy Turner at the top of -his lungs, and with that rousing cry ringing in his ears Gordon Graham -started on life's real journey. - -That same evening while Dick's father was engaged with some business -papers, the boy came quietly into the room. - -"Father, may I interrupt your work for a little while?" he inquired. - -"Nothing important, Dick, my boy," answered Mr. Comstock, laying aside -the document he was reading; "what can I do for you?" - -"Mother has just told me you are going to New York to-morrow; is that -so?" - -"Yes, I have business there for the firm. Why?" - -"I was hoping I might go along with you," returned the boy. - -Dick's father scrutinized his son's face for a moment, wondering what -was behind the quiet glance and serious manner of the lad. - -"What is the big idea?" questioned Mr. Comstock. "Want to spend a week -or two with Cousin Ella Harris?" - -"No," replied Dick slowly, "I have something else in mind, but I don't -want to tell you what it is until we get on the train. It's a matter I -have been thinking over for some time and--well, you will know all about -it to-morrow, if I may go with you." - -"Very well," replied his father, turning again to his work; "pack up and -be ready to leave in the morning. We'll take the ten o'clock express." - -"Good-night, Dad, and thank you," said Dick simply. - -"Good-night, Dick," answered Mr. Comstock, without looking up, -consequently he failed to see the lingering look the boy gave the -familiar scene before him, as if bidding it a silent last "good-night." -For Dick was drinking in each detail of the room as if trying to fix its -every feature indelibly in his memory. - -At breakfast next morning he was more quiet than his mother had ever -known him, and both she and his sister Ursula were surprised to see the -tears fill his eyes when he kissed them. - -"I never knew you to be such a big baby, Dick," said Ursula. "If you -feel so bad about leaving us why did you ask Father to take you on for a -visit with Cousin Ella?" Although Dick had not said that this was his -object in going away, it was a natural inference on Ursula's part, and -as he vouchsafed no reply to the contrary she consequently watched him -depart with a light heart. - -In the crowded train Mr. Comstock and Richard succeeded finally in -getting a seat to themselves, and while his father finished reading the -morning paper, Dick spent his time in looking out the car window at the -familiar sights along the road. But before long he was talking -earnestly. - -"Dad, I've decided what I want to do," he began, "but I can't do it -unless I get your consent." - -"What's on your mind, son?" said Mr. Comstock, folding his paper and -smiling at the boy beside him. "Go ahead and I will pay close -attention." - -"If I went to Annapolis," Dick observed, "I'd finish my course there at -the age of twenty-one, shouldn't I?" - -"Yes, the course is four years at the Naval Academy." - -"It would be the same if I went to West Point. In other words, by the -time I was twenty-one years old I would, if successful at either -institution, be either an ensign or a second lieutenant, as the case -might be!" - -"Quite true," remarked Mr. Comstock, still unable to comprehend where -this preliminary fencing was leading. - -"Have you ever heard of the United States Marine Corps?" asked Dick -after the silence of a second or two. - -"Most certainly I have," was the reply. "The marines figure in nearly -every move our country makes in one way or another. They are always -busy somewhere, though they get but little credit from the general -public for their excellent work. I am not as familiar with their -history as I should be--as every good American who has his country's -welfare at heart should be, I might add, though perhaps I know a little -more about them than a vast majority. Were it not for the marines our -firm would have lost thousands of dollars some years ago when the -revolutionists started burning up the sugar mills and the cane fields in -Cuba. Our government sent a few hundred marines down there in a rush -and they put a stop to all the depredations in a most efficient manner. -The presence on the premises saved our mill beyond a doubt. But, how do -the marines figure in this discussion? You don't mean----" - -"Well, you see, it's this way," said the boy, and now his words no -longer came slowly and haltingly, "I've made up my mind to become a -Marine Officer, and if I can't do it by the time I'm twenty-one, then my -name isn't Richard Comstock." - -"Bless me! How do you propose going about it, Dick? As I have told -you, there is no chance of going to the Naval Academy this year, and I -understand that all marine officers are appointed to the Corps from -among Annapolis graduates. For that reason I do not believe you -have----" - -"Excuse me, Dad, but that's just where you are mistaken. All the marine -officers don't go through the Naval Academy. Some of them enlist and go -up from the ranks. They win their shoulder straps on their own merit. -That's what I expect to do if you will only give me the chance. And you -will, won't you, Dad?" Dick's voice trembled with eagerness as he put -the momentous question. - -A few moments elapsed before his father answered and when he began -speaking he reached out and gently placed his hand over that of his son. - -"Evidently you have been looking into this matter thoroughly. I know -now what has been keeping you so silent these last few days. I -suspected you were grieving over your disappointment at my inability to -send you to the Naval School or possibly over the departure of your -chum, Graham, but I might have known my boy was using his time to better -advantage than 'crying over spilled milk.'" - -Mr. Comstock paused a moment and then continued: - -"I know how your mind is wrapped up in a military career, Dick. Ever -since you were a little shaver you have played at military and naval -mimic warfare. You love it, and I believe you would become a good -officer some day with proper training. Anything I may honorably do for -the attainment of your desires and your advancement I am but too willing -to undertake. But, my boy, I am not sure of the advisability of -permitting you to become an ordinary enlisted man with that uncertainty -of ever gaining your point--I imagine it is a more or less uncertain -proposition. Besides, Dick, you are pretty young to be allowed to start -out on such a hard life. The career of an enlisted man is not a bed of -roses--full of trials and temptations of all kinds. At West Point or -Annapolis you will be given kind treatment and be under careful -surveillance for four years and not subjected to the roughness and -uncouthness which must attend a start in the ranks. In another year -there may be an opening for you at either place. However, I will not -deny your request until I have looked further into the case. I am -afraid your mother would never hear of such a thing for her only boy. -Why not wait and consult her regarding it?" - -"I'll tell you why, Dad," began Dick, launching again into his subject -at once so as to press home the slight advantage he believed he had -gained, "on the Fourth of July I'll be seventeen years of age. Mother -didn't happen to think of that, or she would have made me wait a few -days before going to Cousin Ella's, where she believes I have gone. You -know, Dad, that for years I've been able to blow a bugle and handle the -drumsticks better than any other boy in town. Well, last week, when we -were on board the _Nantucket_, I saw some young boys belonging to the -Marine guard of the ship, and I found out all about them. Why, they -were smaller than Tommy Turner! - -"It appears that there is a school for musics[#] at the Marine Barracks -in Washington, D.C., where boys between the ages of fifteen and -seventeen are given training. They enlist to serve until majority, but -often after they have served a short time as drummer or trumpeter they -get permission to change their rank and become privates. This puts them -in line for promotion to the rank of corporal and sergeant. I've been -talking with Tommy's uncle, and he was kind enough to have me meet an -officer of Marines stationed at the Navy Yard back home, who recently -came from recruiting duty. That officer, Lieutenant Stanton is his name, -told me that the Corps is filled up just now, and all enlisting stopped, -so that my only chance to get in right away would be in this school for -musics. In two days more I'll be too old to get in. I knew if I -proposed the subject at home, Mother would offer such objections that I -just couldn't refuse to do as she wished. Therefore I've packed up and -left home for good. Dad, you--you won't stop me, will you? You'll give -me this chance? I've set my heart on it so much!" - - -[#] In the Army and Marine Corps drummers and trumpeters are generally -called "musics." On board ship the sailor man who blows the trumpet is -called a "bugler." The school for Marine Corps musics is now located at -Paris Island, S.C. (1919) - - -Dick stopped talking. It was the longest extemporaneous speech he ever -had made in his life, and as he watched his father's face, he wondered -if he had said too much or not enough! - -Once again a long silence ensued, while Mr. Comstock reviewed all the -boy had said. What should he do? To deny Dick's request might be the -very worst step he possibly could take, for he knew the process of -reasoning by which this purposeful, upright son of his arrived at his -conclusions. He believed thoroughly in his son, and wanted to make no -mistake in his decision. - -"Let us go in to luncheon, Dick, and give me a little time to think this -over. It is a little sudden, you know, and should not be gone into -unwisely." - -During the meal John Comstock questioned Dick closely regarding this -subject uppermost in the minds of both. He saw that the lad was bent -upon carrying out his project; that the boy had given it careful -thought; that he had weighed its advantages and disadvantages with more -acumen than most boys of his age. - -Richard was a good student, and not for a moment did the father doubt -that his son if given the opportunity would win his commission. - -"Was it your idea to go to the New York recruiting station to-day on our -arrival?" asked Mr. Comstock, when they resumed their seat in the day -coach. - -"Yes, Dad, for if I enlist in New York the government sends me to -Washington and pays my way there." - -"I have a better plan than that," said his father. "I will let my -business in New York wait on my return, and we will both go to -Washington this afternoon, and spend the night in a comfortable hotel. -To-morrow I will go to the Commandant of the Marine Corps with you, -armed with a letter of introduction, and we will talk it over with him. -In this way I shall have a much clearer and more authoritative view of -your prospects. Then if you get by the physical examination and are -accepted I shall be able to see for myself how and where you will be -fixed." - -"Then I may go? You will allow me?" cried Richard, almost jumping out -of his seat in his enthusiasm. "You are just the finest Dad in the -world! And what is best of all about your plan is that Mother will be -less worried if you are able to tell her everything as you see it." - -"That is one of my chief reasons for going about it in this way," -quietly remarked his father. "I know she will be heart-broken at first, -and probably will accuse me of being an unworthy parent; so, my boy, it -is a case of how you manage your future, which must prove to her that we -both acted for your best interests." - -"I'll work hard; I don't need to tell you that, Father," Dick replied. - -On arriving in New York they hastened across the city, luckily making -good connections for Washington, and the following morning the schedule -as planned was begun. - -It was Richard's first visit to the capital, and consequently everything -he saw interested him. The wonderful dome of the Capitol building; the -tall white shaft of Washington Monument, the imposing architecture of -the State, War and Navy Departments, the broad streets, the beautiful -parks and circles with their many statues, all claimed his attention. - -After securing the letter of introduction, Mr. Comstock first took -Richard to the Navy Department where, on inquiry, they found that Marine -Corps Headquarters was in a near-by office building. The original -structure built for the Navy was even then getting too small for the -business of its many bureaus. The building they sought was but a few -steps away, and their route led them directly past the White House, the -official residence of the President of the United States. - -While on their journey they saw but few persons in uniform. Even in the -Navy Building there was a decided absence of officers or men in the -dress of their calling. This seemed very odd to the boy, as he always -pictured in his imagination the "seat of the nation" was gay with -uniformed officials of his own and other countries. - -"Why is it, Father, you see so few uniforms in the capital?" he -inquired. - -"I am not positive I am right," replied Mr. Comstock, "but the American -officers, soldiers and sailors object to wearing their military clothes -except when they are actually required to do so.[#] Our nation is so -democratic that they believe it makes them appear conspicuous. -Furthermore, in uniform they are often discriminated against, -particularly in the case of enlisted men. This is one of the reasons -why a better class of men do not go into the service--they consider the -wearing of a uniform belittles them in the eyes of the public." - - -[#] Previous to the war with Germany officers of the United States -services were not required to wear uniforms when off duty and outside -their ship or station. Enlisted men were also permitted to wear civilian -clothing while on liberty, under certain restrictions. Civilian -clothing was generally called "cits" by those in service. - - -"I think a uniform is the best kind of clothing a fellow can wear. I'll -be mighty proud of mine, and never will be ashamed of it." - -"In Europe," continued Dick's father, "a soldier is looked upon in a -different light, depending to a great extent in what country he serves. -They are honored and usually given every consideration, or at least the -officers are, and particularly in Germany, where militarism is the first -word in culture. The United States, on the other hand, maintains such a -small and inadequate army and navy that our men in uniform are really -more like curiosities to the people than anything else." - -"But there are a lot of men in uniform back home," Dick remarked. - -"Yes, enlisted men, seldom officers. The reason is, the proximity of -several army forts, a navy yard and the frequent visits of the -men-of-war in our harbor. So we at home are familiar with the different -branches of the service; but it is far from being the case in most -cities of our republic," answered Mr. Comstock. - -They were now approaching the building wherein the headquarters of the -Marine Corps were located, when Dick exclaimed: - -"Look, Father! There are some marines now; aren't they simply great?" - -Two stalwart men in uniform were crossing the street just ahead of the -speaker. In their dark blue coats piped in red, with the five shiny -brass buttons down the front and yellow and red chevrons on the arms, -trousers adorned with bright red stripes and blue caps surmounted by the -Corps insignia over the black enameled vizors, they were indeed a most -attractive sample of the Marine Corps non-commissioned officer at his -best. - -"It's their regular dress uniform," Dick announced, "and I think it's -the best looking outfit I have ever seen, but, Dad, you should see the -officers when they get into their full dress!" - -"Where did you pick up all your knowledge of their uniforms, Dick?" -asked his father curiously. - -"Oh, Tommy Turner made his uncle show them all to us. You see, he -stayed in the Corps for some years after the Spanish War, and he has -always kept his uniforms. He believes that some day he may need them -again if ever the United States gets into a big fight, and if that time -comes he is going back into the marines." - -Following the two non-commissioned officers into a tall structure, Mr. -Comstock and Richard were whisked up several stories in an elevator and -found themselves before an opened door upon which were the words, "Aide -to the Commandant." - -A young man in civilian dress rose as they entered and inquired their -business, which Mr. Comstock quickly explained. - -"Sit down, sir, if you please, and I will see if the General can talk -with you," he said. - -They did as directed, while the young man disappeared into an adjoining -room. A few moments later he returned and motioned for them to follow -him. - -"What may I do for you, Mr. Comstock?" inquired a large, handsome, -gray-haired gentleman standing behind the desk when they entered. He -too was in civilian clothes, but despite the fact, looked every inch the -soldier he was known to be. - -Mr. Comstock introduced Richard to the General and then told him the -reason of his visit. - -"My boy is anxious to become a marine, and I have promised to look into -the necessary preliminary steps. I understand that you are not -recruiting just at present, but we were told that possibly my son would -be taken into the Corps as a bugler or drummer." - -"Yes, we do take boys in for training as field musics," said the -General, glancing at Dick for a moment, "but your son, I fear, is too -old; the ages for this class of enlistment are from fifteen to seventeen -years, and judging by the lad's size he already passed the age limit." - -"He is very nearly, but has yet a few hours of grace," replied Mr. -Comstock. "He will be seventeen to-morrow, and I was hoping that you -might enlist him to-day. My son's object in going into the Corps is to -work for a commission. That is one of the inducements which I understand -the Corps offers its enlisted personnel, is it not?" - -"You are right, Mr. Comstock; at the present time our officers are taken -from graduates of the Naval Academy or from the ranks. There have been -times when civilian appointments were allowed, but the law has now been -changed." - -"In that case then, could you take my boy into your organization? He -understands that his advancement depends entirely on his own merit, and -he has taken a decided stand as to what he intends to do and has my full -consent to try it." - -"Does he also understand that the number of officers appointed from the -ranks are few, and picked for their exceptionally good records and -ability, and that he serves an apprenticeship until he is twenty-one -years of age?" inquired the Commandant. - -"Yes, sir," answered Richard, speaking for the first time. - -"Why do you not enter the Naval Academy, young man, and after graduation -come into the Corps?" asked the General, looking at Dick with his stern -eyes. - -"Well, sir, I failed to get the appointment at the last minute." - -"Do you also realize there are many unpleasant things connected with the -life of an enlisted man, and are you prepared to meet them?" - -"Yes, sir, and I believe I can make good." - -"I like your spirit, young man," said the General approvingly; "the -motto of the Marine Corps is '_Semper Fidelis_--Always Faithful,' and to -be a true marine you must bear that motto in mind at all times and under -all conditions, if it is your hope to succeed in the service." - -He now turned to Dick's father: - -"Ordinarily, Mr. Comstock, our young men are held at the school for a -few days before we complete their enlistment in order that they may get -an idea of the life and duties to which they are about to bind -themselves when taking the oath of allegiance. In your son's case, I -believe he knows what he wants, and he is the kind of young man we wish -to get. Were he compelled to wait according to our usual custom he -would be past the age limit, consequently I will further your desires -and arrange to have him sworn into service immediately, providing he -passes the surgeon's examination. I will give you an order to the -Commanding Officer of the Marine Barracks which will answer your -purpose." - -Saying this he gave the necessary directions to the aide, who had -remained standing near by, and a little later Dick and his father were -on a street car bound for the barracks, where the School for Musics was -located. Arriving there they soon found themselves in the presence of -the colonel commanding the post, who, on reading the instructions of the -Commandant, looked the boy over with an approving eye. - -"I reckon you will be about the tallest apprentice we have here," he -said, and calling an orderly directed him to escort Dick to the -examining surgeon, and invited Mr. Comstock to sit and await the result. - -The Marine Corps is primarily organized for service with the Navy, -though this has by no means been its only function in the past, nor -likely to be in the future. On many occasions the Corps has acted -independently and also with the Army, which is provided for in the -statutes. Being attached to the Navy and operating with it at Navy -Yards, Naval Stations and on board ship its medical officers are -supplied by the Navy, for the Corps maintains no sanitary service of its -own. - -The Navy surgeon gave the lad a very thorough examination, one even more -thorough than usual, and after Dick had been passed and departed he -remarked to his assistant: - -"That boy is one of the finest specimens of the American youth I have -ever examined. He is so clean limbed and perfectly muscled that it was -a joy to look at him." - -After this visit, Dick, with the attendant orderly, returned to the -office of the Commanding Officer. - -"Well, the surgeon states you are all right," said Colonel Waverly, -having glanced at the slip of paper the orderly handed him; "you are -quite positive that you wish to undertake the obligation, young man?" - -"Quite, sir," was Dick's laconic response. - -"Very well," and the Colonel then called loudly for the Sergeant Major. -"Sergeant Major, this young man is to be enlisted as an apprentice at -once. Make out the necessary papers." - -Fifteen minutes later, with his right hand held high, his head proudly -erect, Richard Comstock took the solemn oath of allegiance to his -country, which so few young men seriously consider as they repeat its -impressive vows, and with the final words he graduated to man's estate. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - A DRUMMER IN THE U. S. MARINES - - -"Rise and shine! Come on, you kids, shake a leg and get up out of -this!" - -Dick Comstock sleepily rubbed his eyes for the fraction of a second and -then sprang out of his comfortable bunk as the sergeant's voice bellowed -through the room. In the long dormitory thirty-odd boys, their ages -ranging from fifteen to Dick's own, were hurrying their preparations to -get into uniform and down on the parade ground in time for reveille roll -call. Another day in a marine's life had begun. - -Out the doors and down the stairs clattered the noisy, boisterous -throng, fastening last buttons as they emerged into the light of the -midsummer rising sun. - -August was half gone and Dick had now completed over a month and a half -in Uncle Sam's _corps d'elite_, for such it was acknowledged to be by -well informed military men of both continents. During that time he had -not found the days hanging heavily on his hands. Being fortunate in -knowing, before he came into the service, how to handle the ebony sticks -and blow a bugle, he had escaped a good deal of the monotonous -preliminary ground work which the boys in the "school for musics" were -required to undergo. It is true that he first had to prove his ability -to his drill masters, and having received no regular instruction -previously, he made no mention of his accomplishments during his first -few days at the school. - -With the others he had gone each morning to the basement, where the -drumming lessons were given; sat astride the wooden benches with his -companions and lustily pounded out "Ma-ma, Dad-dy," till the very walls -seemed to shake and tremble from the fearful racket. - -The old retired drummer who called him up for his first lesson asked -Dick no questions. - -"Comstock!" he had called out, and Dick went modestly forward to receive -his instructions from the old martinet, for such he was, and had to be -with that mischievously inclined, irresponsible lot of young Americans. -"I want you to start in practising this to-day--yes, that is right--you -hold the sticks correctly! Now, make two strokes with the left -hand,--slow, like this,--then two with the right. Now watch me," and the -old fellow tapped the bench before him demonstrating his meaning. - -With each two strokes of the left-hand stick he would say aloud, -"Ma-ma," and with the right-hand strokes, "Dad-dy," slowly at first then -more quickly, till finally the plank beneath gave forth the wonderful -roll of sound never acquired except by long and faithful practise. - -"Now you see how it should be done! At first you must only try to do it -slowly, for unless you get this down thoroughly at the start you will -never be a drummer. Next!" And Dick was moved along to practise in -playing "Mama, Daddy," "Mama, Daddy," for the next hour. - -It had been otherwise with the bugle instructor. He saw at once that the -boy knew how to "tongue" the mouthpiece, and that his lip was in -condition, and after trying him out the first day and finding him able -to read notes, Dick was told to learn the calls with which he was -unfamiliar and left to work out his own salvation. - -In a little over a month he passed the required examination and was -regularly appointed a drummer. - -The prediction of Colonel Waverly that Dick would probably be the -largest boy in the school proved nearly correct, there being but one -other boy, Henry Clay Cabell, a Southerner, who approached him in size. -"Hank" or "Daddy" Cabell, as he was called by the rest of the school -until Dick's entrance, had been the oldest boy there; he was as tall as -Richard, but did not have the weight nor strength. From their first -meeting Dick and Henry formed a liking for each other which daily -increased and strengthened. Henry confided to Dick that he hoped to -work his way up to a commission, and they agreed to help each other with -that end in view. At the same time Dick was graduated and made a -drummer Henry Cabell was appointed a trumpeter, and it was their fondest -desire to be detailed for duty at the same station if sent away in the -near future, as was very likely to be the case. - -On this particular August morning while the two walked back to their -squad room after the regular physical drill which followed the reveille -roll call, they were discussing this matter. - -"I reckon it won't be long before we get our walking papers," said Henry -in his deliberate Southern drawl, "now that we are no longer -apprentices. - -"I'll be glad to leave that crazy bunch, anyway," he continued as they -stopped for a moment under the barracks arcade and watched the -apprentices racing wildly across the parade ground after being dismissed -from their drill. "I don't reckon they ever will learn anything. They -are only mischief-making children, and seem to have no sense of -responsibility at all. Sometimes I wonder why they take such babies -into a crack organization like this. Do you reckon it ever pays in the -long run? They try to fuss 'Old Grumpy' the entire time, and never make -the least attempt to learn their lessons at school." - -"I guess you've still a great deal to learn about the marines," remarked -Dick drily. "In the first place, those boys seldom fool Gunnery -Sergeant Miller with their tricks. He has been handling boys for such a -long time in the capacity of 'N.C.O.[#] in Charge' that they have to get -up pretty early in the morning to put one over on him. He has been -through the mill himself, for he is a graduate from this very school. -It's just because they are kids, that's all, and most of them have not -had the advantages you and I have enjoyed, Hank, in the way of schooling -and home training and associations. They get the spirit of the Corps -sooner or later, I guess. You see, we were fortunate; we both went -through high school, and that is why we were excused from taking the -lessons those boys have to labor over. Some of those chaps never got -beyond the primary schools till they came here." - - -[#] Non-commissioned officer. - - -"Where did you get all your dope, Dick?" inquired Henry, rather curious -to know how his friend found out so many things. - -"Well, you see, Hank, I'm in the Marine Corps to learn all I can about -it. I want to be familiar with its history in every way, and I've had -several talks with Miller and other N.C.O.'s about service things. In -this way I get quite a little valuable information not put down in the -rules and regulations; and it may come in handy some day." - -"Oh yes, I reckon so, and you may be right; but for my part the N.C.O.'s -are such an ignorant lot themselves, and more or less vulgar too, that I -avoid all of them as much as possible. Until you came along, Dick, I -hardly spoke to anyone in the barracks. It goes against the grain to -have too close an intimacy with them." - -"Henry, you are too good a fellow to hold such ideas; and besides, you -are wrong about their being ignorant, or vulgar either. I am beginning -to believe that every individual can teach us something which, if we use -the knowledge properly, is bound to help us and make us better men. If -you hope to become a successful officer you will have to know your men, -how to treat them and to deal with them; you will have to make their -interests your interests to a great extent; but if you despise your men -because they all don't happen to measure up to your standard, socially, -mentally and morally, I'll tell you right now you've got a hard row to -travel ahead of you, old boy." - -"Your argument doesn't appeal to me, Dick," responded Henry, with a -little coolness in his voice. "I reckon I'll get along. So, as we can't -agree on that point, let us cut out the discussion and get our quarters -policed up. It is nearly time for mess call." - -It was Saturday morning, and the quarters of the apprentices were due -for an extra cleaning, for on this day of the week the Commanding -Officer of the Post held his weekly inspection, and woe betide any -luckless youngster whose bunk was not properly made up, shoes not -accurately lined and shined, or whose steel clothes locker was not in -"apple pie order." - -Each boy had his own work to do. The narrow aluminum painted bunks were -carefully aligned along either wall of the long room. Folded back on -the wire springs towards the head of the bed were the mattresses in -their immaculate white covers; on top of each mattress were the folded -sheets, their smooth edges to the front. Next came the pillow in its -linen case; and finally surmounting these were the gray blankets with -the initials "U.S.M.C." woven in dark blue lettering across their -centers, while plainly in view were the owners' names in white stencil. - -In the five-foot spaces between bunks were the dark, green-painted steel -lockers in which were stored toilet articles, knickknacks, and wearing -apparel. Each bit of clothing was laid with the folded edge outward and -flush with the front of the locker shelves. - -The hard-wood floors needed but a careful sweeping and dusting, for -Friday is field day in every Marine Corps garrison, consequently the -scrubbing and preliminary polishing had been previously attended to. - -The work was barely completed when the blaring call of a bugle announced -breakfast. - - "Soupy, soupy, soupy, - The worst I 've ever seen: - Coffee, coffee, coffee, - Without a single bean: - Porky, porky, porky, - And not a streak of lean." - - -Thus sang the bugle! - -Again the clattering down the stairs, as not only the music boys, but -the entire garrison "fell in" under the arcade and were marched into the -spotless mess hall to a breakfast of bacon and eggs, hot cakes and -coffee. Then the clatter of heavy china dishes on the wooden mess -tables, the noise of knife and fork and spoon, the clatter of voices -filled the air. Messmen, who were themselves marines detailed for the -duty, for which they received an extra compensation of five dollars pay -per month, their uniforms covered with long white aprons, scurried to -and from the galley, with steaming pitchers of hot coffee or large -platters of golden-brown flapjacks, serving the hungry men at the -tables. - -In the middle of this tumult an officer entered, dressed in khaki, and -wearing at his left side the famous "sword of the Mamelukes" in its -glittering scabbard. - -"'Ten--shun!" - -The command rang out in stentorian tones through the room. Each man sat -bolt upright in his place. The hustling messmen[#] stood halted in -their tracks and instant silence reigned. Some N.C.O., catching sight -of the Officer of the Day coming through the doorway to inspect the -morning meal, called out the order, but only for a moment was the -progress of the repast delayed; almost before the noise had ceased the -O.D.'s command, "Carry On,"[#] was heard, and the din and clatter began -with redoubled energy. - - -[#] By Navy Regulations one mess-man is allowed for every twenty men in -the mess. - -[#] A Navy and Marine Corps command, by voice or bugle, meaning for the -men to continue work, drill, or occupation in which they were engaged -when interrupted. This command has been in vogue for many years. - - -In and out among the tables walked the officer, asking this or that one -questions about the food or calling the attention of the busy messmen to -some trivial defect, then he disappeared in the direction of the galley -to taste for himself the quality of the articles served. This routine -was part of the O.D.'s duty. - -In service, meals are quickly over, and no loitering is allowed at -tables, especially on inspection day. Richard, having finished his -rations with all the gusto of a healthy boy, strolled from the mess hall -back to his squad room. The apprentices were supposed to have their -quarters in proper "police" by mess call in the morning, and while they -were engaged in filling their stomachs, the N.C.O. in charge, Gunnery -Sergeant Miller, usually made his unofficial morning inspection in order -to discover and correct any violations of requirements before the -regular function by the O.D., or on Saturdays the Commanding Officer. - -"Old Grumpy" knew boys from "A to Izzard," and though they were ever -attempting to play all sorts of pranks on him it was seldom they -succeeded. Tall, lean, gruff, the boys soon found he possessed a heart -under the weather-beaten exterior, and honestly admired and respected -him. He was never unjust, he gave them no work not necessary to their -welfare. He heard their complaints, settled their disputes; or, if he -believed these could be settled only by a fistic encounter, he arranged -the match, and acted as referee, timekeeper and general adviser. - -He also took charge of their scholastic career, so sadly neglected in -many cases. It was called "Grammar" school, but its curriculum was -little more than the "three R's." Besides being the drill instructor, -Gunnery Sergeant Miller strove at all times to teach his young charges -the manly virtues of honesty, courage, self-control, obedience, industry -and clean living. - -When Dick entered the squad room he thought at first it must have been -occupied during his absence at breakfast by a menagerie of wild beasts. -At the far end, where there happened to be a few empty bunks, a regular -free-for-all fight seemed to be in progress. Shoes were flying about -the room in all directions, boys wrestling on the floor, pulling at one -another, yelling, laughing, punching, crawling. During "Old Grumpy's" -inspection, while they were at mess, he had found several pairs of shoes -unblackened, others not aligned, and still others poked away in improper -places. So he gathered all the shoes in the room in a heap and left -them for their owners to disentangle and set aright. It was not an easy -job to find one's shoes when mixed up in a jumbled mass of over sixty -pairs, and by the time the owners secured their rightful property, get -them again cleaned (for the scrimmage had effectually destroyed any -previous gloss), and aligned under the bunks, brass work of drum and -bugle polished, leggins khaki-blancoed, clothing and equipment brushed -and adjusted, guard mounting was over and first call for inspection -sounded from the area of barracks. - -At the sounding of assembly the lads formed in two ranks on their -allotted parade ground, while the companies under arms and the band -marched to their assigned places. - -This was the first Saturday inspection for some of the apprentices -recently arrived, so Gunnery Sergeant Miller took occasion to give them -a few last cautions regarding their duties, and ended by addressing them -as follows: - -"I want to tell you boys that every time in the future I don't find your -shoes properly policed at early inspection they all go into a pile as -they did this morning. That means more work for all hands. I can't -stop to pick out the few that are all right when so many are all wrong. -Take the hint and all of you cooeperate and save yourselves extra and -useless work. That's all! At Ease!" - -The strains of the band were now heard and the apprentices watched the -movements of the companies as they went through the ceremony of -inspection and review. - -The United States Marine Corps band is one of the most famous -organizations of its kind in the world. It is stationed at the Marine -Barracks in Washington, D.C., and plays during all parades, guard -mountings, and other like ceremonies. Once John Philip Sousa was its -leader, and the band has always rendered his well-known march music to -perfection. At this moment following the sounding of "Adjutant's Call," -the space between the barrack buildings was filled with marching men -forming in one long line with the band on its right, swords flashing, -guns glinting in the sun, and the red, white and blue of the silken flag -fluttering. It was indeed a martial and inspiring sight. Later, as the -armed men passed in review before Colonel Waverly to the sound of the -Marines' own march by Sousa--"Semper Fidelis"--every step and movement -was in perfect unison. - -"Any man whose feet don't just naturally keep in time to that music -never will be a soldier if he lives to be as old as Methuselah," -remarked Gunnery Sergeant Miller to the latest recruit near whom he was -standing, "and when you get to blow the bugle like those musics in rear -of the band, then you're a field music and no mistake." - -Behind the band twelve boys, all recent graduates from the school, among -them Richard Comstock and Henry Cabell, were adding volume to the music -during certain parts of the march. It was then that the whole enclosure -fairly vibrated with the soul-stirring strains. - -The review ended: the extra musics fell out and joined their fellows -under Miller, and the inspection of the troops began. During this -function the band rendered various selections much to the delectation of -many curious sightseers who had been admitted at the Main Gate to the -barracks. Many of these people were music lovers and could be found -seated on the same benches day after day, listening to the band. - -"Do you see that pretty girl across the parade, Dick?" asked Henry. -"No, not where you are looking, but the one standing near the bench -under the trees--the girl looking this way." - -Dick's eyes following the directions of his friend soon spied the girl -referred to. How familiar she looked! She reminded him of--yes,--it -was,--Ursula, his sister, and by her side stood his mother and father. - -Forgetting he was no longer a free agent, Dick gave a wild "whoop" and -started from the ranks. Just in the nick of time Henry caught him by the -coat-tails and jerked him backward to his place in line. - -"Watch yourself, Dick," muttered Henry between his teeth, "here comes -the 'Old Man!'" His prompt action probably saved Dick a severe -reprimand, if nothing worse. - -Gunnery Sergeant Miller had whirled about on hearing the unaccustomed -war whoop but he was not swift enough to catch the culprit. So he was -forced to postpone further investigation of the untoward circumstance -until another time, for Colonel Waverly was now but a few yards away, -coming to inspect the apprentices. - -"Attention! Prepare for inspection; Open--Ranks; March!" - -The apprentices became a stiff line of human ramrods and at the command -of execution--"March,"--the rear rank took three paces backward and -halted, while in both lines heads and eyes were turned smartly to the -right. Having verified the alignment of both ranks the Gunnery Sergeant -stepped to the front and commanded: - -"Front!" - -Each head snapped to the front. The N.C.O. in charge then saluted the -Commanding Officer by bringing the sword he carried up to a position in -front of the center of his body, the right hand grasping the hilt a few -inches from his chin, with the blade slanting upward and slightly -outward. This part of the ceremony being over Colonel Waverly carefully -inspected every boy in line. He examined their shoes, the fit of their -clothing, their equipment, the cut of their hair and even, if truth must -be told, their necks, to see if soap and water had been recently and -properly applied. - -All this time Dick was nearly bursting with impatience. He began to -believe the Colonel never would finish. At last the ordeal was over and -immediately on being dismissed he requested and received of "Old Grumpy" -permission to speak to the Commanding Officer. Approaching him, Dick -rendered his most military salute. - -"What do you wish, Music?" questioned Colonel Waverly. - -"Drummer Comstock would thank the Commanding Officer for permission to -go to the visitors' benches and speak with his mother, father and -sister. They have just arrived, and are over near the gate, sir." - -"Granted, young man, and you are excused for the rest of the day." - -Dick Comstock cannot recollect whether or not he saluted his colonel -after a fervent "Thank you, sir," but he still remembers the feeling of -those motherly arms about him and the sweet kisses on his lips as Mrs. -Comstock gathered her stalwart drummer boy to her bosom,--drum, -drumsticks and all. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - A QUEER CONVERSATION - - -"We were here all the time, Dick," said Ursula soon after the first -outburst of joyful greeting had subsided, "and we all tried our level -best to catch your eye but, goodness--you were so military you would -look neither to the right nor left," and she straightened her back and -puffed out her cheeks in comic imitation of her brother on parade. - -"It is quite as well I didn't see you, for if I had, I'd have forgotten -every bit of military discipline I've absorbed since being here," -responded Dick, smiling good-naturedly at his sister's mockery; "as it -was I came near making a break when Hank Cabell pointed you out to me; -but fortunately he grabbed me and saved my reputation as a marine." - -"Is 'Hank,' as you call him, the boy about whom you wrote to us--the -Southerner?" inquired Dick's father. - -"Yes, Dad, and I want you to meet him. He's a dandy chap and comes from -a good family, though I believe they are very poor, and likewise very -proud." - -"Sometimes that combination isn't all that could be desired as an -asset," drily remarked Mr. Comstock. - -"But he is all right, Dad," said Dick, quickly coming to the defense of -his friend against any possible insinuation. "There he is now. I'll -get him to come over here." - -Suiting actions to his words Richard presently returned with Henry, and -the formality of introductions over, Mr. Comstock invited his son's -friend to join them at luncheon and for the day. Henry's rather sombre -face lighted up with pleasure. - -"I should be very glad to go, sir, providing I can secure early -liberty," he said. - -"How about you, Dick, are you in the same boat as your friend Henry?" -inquired his father. - -"No, Dad; you see, when I told Colonel Waverly you were here he excused -me for the rest of the day," replied Richard, and turning to Henry he -said, "Suppose you hurry up and get permission, Hank, while I go and put -away my implements of warfare." - -"Implements of war, indeed!" laughed Ursula, pointing banteringly at the -drum slung over her brother's shoulder, "and are your weapons as -dangerous as my brother's?" asked she, turning her questioning eyes on -Henry. - -"Mine consists of a brass trumpet," replied the boy with a smile, "but -it has one advantage over the drum as a weapon, for it makes a handy -bludgeon in time of need." - -"Run along, boys," cautioned Mrs. Comstock, "it is nearly noon and I for -one am famished." - -"I reckon it would be better for us to get permission to wear cits; it -might be less embarrassing for you all," and Henry looked inquiringly at -Richard's parents. - -"Not for me," interposed Dick, with some emphasis; "I'm in uniform, and -I'm proud of it, and so are my people." - -"I didn't mean it in that light," Henry replied, flushing at the -suggested rebuke. "I was merely thinking of your mother and sister and -the possibility of saving them embarrassment. You may not know this, -but enlisted men in uniform are not greeted cordially everywhere, even -here in Washington." - -"Excuse me, Henry, for being so hasty; I had not thought of that side of -the question," said Dick frankly, and he turned red himself because of -his readiness to find fault with his chum's remark. - -"Yes, Henry was quite right in what he said," stated Mr. Comstock. "I -read of many such incidents in the papers; but there are laws now which -slowly but nevertheless surely are making people understand that the -enlisted man in uniform may no longer be treated with disrespect. A -better class of men seem to be joining the colors these days, and they -are calling their defamers to a strict accounting. But this is not -getting something to satisfy our appetites. You boys hurry up now and -get yourselves ready." - -After a bountiful luncheon at one of the best hotels in the city a tour -of the capital was proposed and an enjoyable afternoon of sightseeing -followed. In Dick's spare moments during his stay in Washington he had -visited nearly every one of the public buildings and he took great -pleasure in showing his sister about. The three young people even -climbed the thousand steps of Washington Monument, scorning the -slow-moving elevator which carried their elders up the five hundred feet -which still left them fifty-five feet beneath the apex of the wonderful -shaft. - -Ursula was enchanted with this superb view of the "magic city," as she -was pleased to call it, and for a long time they all enjoyed the -panorama of land and water, field and forest, country and city, spread -before them to the distant horizons. - -After this they walked back to their hotel, and while Mrs. Comstock -enjoyed a little rest before dinner and Mr. Comstock departed on a -business engagement the trio of young people occupied themselves in -animated conversation in one of the ornate reception rooms. - -Feeling that Ursula and Richard might appreciate being alone together -for a while, Henry excused himself, promising to return in time for the -evening programme, which would not end until after the roof garden -supper following the theatre. - -After his departure Ursula and Dick strolled over to one of the low -windows and pushing aside the long curtains which reached to the floor -they stepped into the vacant space of a small narrow balconied window -ledge and stood looking at the passing traffic. A group of palms, the -half-closed blinds and the long curtains effectually concealed them from -the view of people inside the room. - -The mere fact of being together was happiness in itself for these two -devoted young people and gradually a silence fell upon them as they -stood absorbed in the scenes outside. - -A subdued murmur of voices came from the room behind them, and Dick -heard someone say: - -"Here is a quiet place where we may talk freely." - -Glancing over his shoulder the boy saw three men seating themselves and -deliberately placing their chairs near the window where he and his -sister were standing. He was wondering why they took such care with the -chairs, when again the same voice gave him the reason. - -"We can see from here whomever comes into the room, gentlemen, and it is -well to observe caution while discussing this question." - -"Shall we speak in German, Senor?" brusquely inquired a heavily built -man whose blond hair stood up in short stiff bristles on his head. - -"Si, Senor," deferentially replied the third member of the party, a -slender, black-haired man whose dark skin announced him a resident of -some Latin-American country, and from then on they spoke in the tongue -agreed upon, and so quietly that Dick could not overhear. Knowing that -he was an unintentional eavesdropper he turned back again to the street -feeling it was unnecessary to move from the window, for unless he made -an especial attempt the words of the speakers were inaudible to his -ears. A little time passed in this way, when suddenly Dick placed his -hand over Ursula's mouth, for she had turned, meaning to address him. -At the same moment he motioned her to be silent. - -To both Richard and Ursula Comstock the German spoken language was an -open book, for Mrs. Comstock had employed German nursemaids to attend -them when they were little tots, and until Ursula was twelve years of -age she had had a German governess. Even the cook, a family retainer -for years, was a native of Cologne. In consequence the loud remark -which Dick heard from the room behind was as significant as if spoken in -English. He knew that the big foreigner from across the ocean had -uttered it. There was no mistaking the deep, abrupt, explosive voice. - -"The United States can do nothing! Germany can whip her any day! -Germany can whip the whole world; and some day she will!" - -The speaker had risen and the others now pushed their chairs back and -stood beside him. Their voices came distinctly to the ears of the boy -and girl tensely listening in the shadow of the blind. - -"Well, I should not go so far as that, you know!" protested the tall man -who had led them to the window for their talk and whom Dick decided was -an Englishman. - -"Maybe you wouldn't, but it's so," reiterated the German, using his -words as a ruffian would a cudgel. "Now, Senor, I must have your -decision regarding this canal business at once, or it will be too late -to be of any use to us. If your revolution in Nicaragua is a success, -will the man you put in the presidential chair grant Germany the canal -right-of-way or not?" - -"I cannot tell you, Senor. It is a question which must be placed before -the committee. I am only empowered to offer you the things already -mentioned in return for financing our uprising. The United States has a -concession, I believe--had it as far back as eighteen eighty-two. They -would not permit us to agree to your proposal." - -"I tell you that you are wrong. The United States never made any treaty -with Nicaragua. Your government granted a concession to a private -corporation in 1897 to build a canal, and they bluffed for a while at -digging it on the Atlantic side. The United States also sent a -commission down to Nicaragua several times, but nothing came of it. Then -they forced Panama into revolt against the Colombian Government, and -made her give them the present location. Therefore if you want our -money and our secret aid your candidate must agree to Germany's terms." - -"Suppose we give Senor Cabanas a few days to consult with his -committee," suggested the Englishman in his mild voice. - -"The committee knows it already," exclaimed the exasperated Teuton. -"The subject was thrashed out in Leon while I was there six months ago. -I tell you it is subterfuge, pure and simple. They know what we want, -and they should have deputized their man to grant our demands." - -"Pardon me again, Senor," came the suave voice of the little man, yet -his eyes must have flashed ominously at the brutal pounding of the -German's heavy voice, "I assure you that this is absolute news to me." - -"It shouldn't be! Your committeemen are a set of vacillating fools; -that is all, and the best I can say of them. Go back to them and -arrange it; but I warn you--not a mark,--not a single mark, unless----" - -"Be careful, Mein Herr, here comes the house detective--they are all -secret service men in Washington. We had best postpone this and meet -again." - -It was the Englishman who gave the warning, and with the words the three -conspirators moved towards the door leading to the hotel lobby. - -Behind the curtains Richard and Ursula still stood, hardly daring to -breathe for fear of disclosing their presence. Every word uttered by -the plotters since Dick placed his hand over Ursula's lips had been -distinctly heard and understood by both, and they realized the import of -the information they had obtained so unintentionally. - -Barely had the three men disappeared when Dick, exclaiming, "Wait for me -here!" was running towards the door in pursuit. - -Henry Cabell, returning from his self-imposed absence, came around the -corner of the entrance at that identical moment, and the lads collided -forcibly. The delay caused thereby was sufficient to enable the quarry -to efface themselves and though Dick made a careful search his efforts -were futile. - -Returning, he found Ursula excitedly relating their experience to Henry. -They both looked up expectantly at Dick's entrance. - -"Did you catch them, Dick?" his sister inquired breathlessly. "Did you -have them arrested?" - -"No, I lost them," announced Dick in a disgusted tone; "I couldn't have -them arrested anyway on the little we know; this is a free country. But -I sure would have liked to see their faces. All the time they had their -backs towards us, and I merely glanced at them when they first came in. -I do wish I'd been more observing." - -"What would you have done had you caught them?" asked Ursula. - -"I'm sure I don't know; only I'd have pointed them out to that house -detective, for one thing." - -"Could you identify any of them if you saw them again?" asked Henry. - -"I'd know that big brute of a German by his back, in a million, but I'm -not sure of the others,--yes, I believe I could tell the Englishman -too." - -"I should know him if I ever saw him again," said Ursula. "I never -should forget that peculiar suit of clothes he wore, nor----" - -Both the boys broke into a shout of laughter at this remark and Dick -said: - -"That's like a woman; noticing the dress first of all." - -"Oh, you need not laugh, Dickie dear; I do not doubt that he has other -clothes, but the chief thing I should recognize him by was a peculiar -patch of white hair on the right side of his head behind his ear, and -also half the middle finger of his left hand was missing." - -"We apologize most humbly for our premature expression of opinion -regarding your powers of observation," said Dick, bowing low to Ursula -with mock deference, "but now the question is,--what shall we do with -this information we have acquired?" - -"Here is Father; let us ask him," and Ursula ran to greet Mr. Comstock -who at that moment approached them. - -After hearing of the episode, Mr. Comstock advised Dick to write out all -the details as he and Ursula remembered them, and he, Mr. Comstock, -would see that the report was placed in proper hands. - -"I believe you have discovered a very pretty plot, which would seriously -damage us if carried to an ultimate conclusion," said Dick's father. -"We all know that Germany is expanding her trade lines enormously and -making greater strides in systematic foreign commercialism than any -other nation, but I can hardly conceive she would dare to finance such a -risky venture with the canal right-of-way as her only payment." - -"Would Uncle Sam permit Germany or any other country to build a canal -across Nicaragua now that the Panama Canal is almost completed?" asked -Henry. - -"I doubt it so much that I feel perfectly safe in saying, most -emphatically,--No!" - -"The United States would never allow any country to acquire territory in -the Western Hemisphere--it would be contrary to the provisions of the -Monroe Doctrine," said Dick. He leaned over and picked his campaign hat -from the floor, then pointing to the small metal object thereon, he -continued: - -"This little insignia of the marines tells its own story; this is the -Western Hemisphere; across it the anchor and above the eagle with -spreading wings, holding a ribbon on which is inscribed the motto of our -Corps. It is our part to look out for these little countries, and -according to history the marines have been doing it mighty effectually -since the United States became a nation. And I guess we can keep up the -good work." - -"With the able assistance of one Drummer Richard Comstock, U.S.M.C.!" -slyly interposed Ursula, and Dick joined in the laughter which followed -her remark. - -"The thing I can't figure out," said Henry, "is what the Englishman is -mixed up in it for! Do you reckon England is joining hands with -Germany?" - -"No, I doubt anything of that nature," answered Mr. Comstock. "The -interests of England and the United States are too closely allied for -her to risk rupturing them by any such hazardous undertaking." - -"I would not trust an Englishman as far as I could see him! I cannot -bear them!" exclaimed Ursula, vehemently. - -"Why do you feel so bitter against our mother country?" asked Henry, who -was surprised at her outburst. "Is that the general feeling up North? -For I am quite certain it is not in the South." - -"Ursula's feeling is largely due to local influences," answered her -father. "In our home town the English have never been popular since the -day during the Revolutionary War one of their officers, a major, after -having received the surrender of our brave Colonel Ledyard at the Battle -of Groton Heights, took that officer's proffered sword and ran him -through the heart and then commanded his troops to massacre the -surviving gallant defenders of the fort, who were drawn up, unarmed, in -one of the bastions. That same day our city was burned to the ground by -the traitor, Benedict Arnold." - -"The brute! Why! I'd rather be Benedict Arnold than that Englishman," -and Ursula's pretty face looked very stern and her hands clenched in -anger. - -"It was fortunate you both understood German," said Henry a little later -in the evening. "I never could bear the study of languages, though I -did struggle along for a year or two with Latin at school." - -"We neither of us have studied German, merely picked it up as children, -and we always use it talking to the cook. But I like French and had it -three years at school, but really no practise in it," said Dick. - -They were at the theatre and Dick sat next to his father, which afforded -the two many opportunities to converse during the vaudeville acts. - -"I am glad, Dick, that you keep writing to your mother regularly," said -Mr. Comstock; "it is a fine habit to form and to stick to. If every boy -wrote home at least once a week, I believe the world would be a better -place. So many boys grow careless and after a while lose touch with the -home ties and associations. Then, too, besides being a good thing for -you personally, you have no idea what those letters mean to your -mother." - -"I like to get letters, and unless I wrote them on my part my mail would -be pretty slim," replied Dick. "I have seen already how the men welcome -the sight of the mail orderly, and some who never get mail envy those -who do. Some of our boys never receive home news, and they must be -homesick and heart-sick at times the way they sort of hang around and -listen when some fellow happens to read out a few of the things that -happen back in the home town. I know I'd be, were I in their place." - -"You will never regret being thoughtful when it comes to giving your -mother a little line or two of written happiness. But in your letters I -have noticed an absence of complaints. Is it because you have none to -make or that you didn't want us to feel bad by recounting them?" - -"I haven't a single kick coming, Dad, for we are treated splendidly. -Good food and well cooked, good clothes, fine beds and healthy work. I -only wish it was more strenuous than it is. I spend a lot of time in -the gym and playing ball. I did hope we musics would get more military -drill than we do, but outside of a little marching and physical drills -and a 'hike' across the river into Maryland, we do nothing of real -soldiering. One of the privates has taught me the manual of arms and -bayonet exercises, so I'm not wasting my opportunities. I think that in -a year more I can get my rank changed to a private, then I shall be in -line for promotion to corporal." - -"Time enough, my boy. It is better to make haste slowly and thoroughly, -for I don't doubt you will have to be very thorough if you are to -succeed. Have you any idea what books you will require?" - -"Well, I'm studying the U.S. Army Guard Manual, which the marines have -adopted, and there is a book called 'Landing Force and Small Arms -Instruction' for the Navy which is just filled with meat and will take -some time to digest. I shall have no difficulty in getting the books as -I need them, and my high school education was along the lines that would -have helped me most at Annapolis--physics, chemistry, astronomy, -surveying and so forth. All these are sure to be valuable, to say -nothing of the mathematics up to trig." - -"It pleases me to hear you like the life," said Dick's father. "That is -more than half the battle always,--the interest and liking we have for -the task at hand. No man ever became successful without being in -perfect harmony with his work and his environments, no matter what his -walk in life." - -Richard's mother was more solicitous regarding her son's creature -comforts, and the following day she insisted on making a visit to the -barracks and seeing with her own eyes exactly how and where her boy -lived. The manner of her request so enchanted Colonel Waverly when she -asked to be taken around the post that he volunteered to act as her -escort, nor was her New England sense of cleanliness and order once -outraged with what she saw. - -They visited the living quarters, offices, mess hall, auditorium, -storerooms and galley, and she even tasted with approval the food in -preparation for the noonday meal. A youthful Lieutenant of Marines, -accompanying the party, insisted on presenting Ursula with several pairs -of N.C.O. dress chevrons and trumpet cords from the Quartermaster's -stores, with which she might decorate a sofa pillow, and not to be -outdone in gallantry, Henry Cabell, on seeing these evidences of the -officer's regard for the charming sister of his friend, made a dash for -the post canteen before its closing hour and purchased for her a dainty -little gold and silver pin, a miniature of the Marine Corps emblem, for -which he required her to give him a copper in payment. - -Dick and Henry had not been included in the inspection tour but they -later accompanied their visitors to the train which carried them away -that beautiful Sunday afternoon back to New England. - -"These two days have been, sure enough, the happiest days I have spent -since leaving home," remarked Henry as the boys retraced their way to -the barracks. "I didn't half thank your folks for the great pleasure -they have given me." - -"It was fine, wasn't it?" said Dick simply, for his mind still dwelt on -the last proud look his father had given him; the suspicion of tears -bravely suppressed in Ursula's eyes and voice; and the -never-to-be-forgotten good-bye kiss from his mother's trembling lips. - -Yes, it was fine indeed! - -And how fortunate this visit was, for two weeks later came orders -sending aboard the cruiser _Denver_ a detail of marines to replace men -whose tour of sea-duty had expired, and with that detail went Richard -Comstock and Henry Cabell, Drummer and Trumpeter. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - OFF FOR TREASURE ISLAND - - -The little detachment for the _Denver_ were ordered to go on board fully -equipped. This necessitated packing all personal belongings in the -khaki-colored canvas knapsacks and haversacks. - -Gunnery Sergeant Miller happening through the squad room found Dick and -Henry thus engaged soon after they had been notified to be ready for -departure in two hours' time. - -"Want some help?" he questioned, stopping near their bunks. - -And indeed they did want help, for though they had been taught how to -make up their packs, they had never before been required to stow away -every blessed thing they owned in one of the infernal things--this being -about the way they expressed themselves in answer to his query. - -"To begin with, you won't be allowed to have any cit clothing on -shipboard," said the Sergeant. "The best thing to do, if you don't want -to send them home, is to sell them to Ikie Cohen across the street, or -if you choose, you can pack them up with the things you won't need and -turn them over to the Police Sergeant for storage; then when you -transfer to shore duty again have them sent to your new station." - -Following this sound advice the boys proceeded to divide their -possessions into two lots. Even then it did not seem possible to carry -along everything laid out for their taking. - -"Now dump the whole outfit on your bunk," directed Miller, "and first -fold your blankets and clothing in the way you have been taught. The -detachment will travel in blues, so before doing anything else run down -to the Post Tailor and tell him to press them in a hurry and send them -up. Here, Cabell, you take both uniforms with you and Comstock will -help you on your return." - -Henry picked up the new blue uniforms, which the boys had not worn as -yet, and hurried to the Post Tailor. Then proceeding under his able -instructor, Dick first packed his knapsack to its limit. Two blankets, -three suits of khaki, two O.D. shirts, three suits of summer underwear, -one pair of tan shoes, six pairs of socks, a towel or two, and his -toilet articles, one by one disappeared into the enchanted bag. His -overcoat, recently issued him, was rolled and tied in straps to the top -of the pack after fastening down the flaps by means of the rawhide -thongs. In the meantime Henry had returned. - -"Put that extra pair of tan shoes in your haversack with all the rest of -your odds and ends," advised their instructor. "You will wear leggins -and campaign hats, though personally I think it a poor combination with -blues, and you can hook your blue cap to the pack after you get it on." - -"Sergeant, didn't you tell me that marines used to have dress coats with -long skirts, black spiked helmets, white helmets and white uniforms?" -asked Dick, while he stowed away a little pocket edition of the New -Testament in his haversack as the final act of his work in hand. - -"Yes, that's right," answered Miller. - -"Well, for the love of Mike, how did you ever travel with all that junk -and still always be the first to get there when there was trouble -brewing?" - -"Indeed it was a question in the old days," said Miller reminiscently, -"but you must understand that when hurry-up orders came along we took -what was needed for the work in hand and no extra stuff at all. When we -made a permanent change of station then we hauled along our whole -equipment, and what we could not carry on our backs was shipped to us by -the Quartermaster." - -"About how much do you reckon this knapsack weighs, Sergeant?" asked -Henry. - -"I should say at least sixty pounds--that means all your equipment, and -it is about the weight you would carry on a regular hike, counting arms -and ammunition and all that. Now when you boys come to leave ship and -go to a shore station, you will be surprised to find how much more junk -you will have to send ashore than you took on board. It's always the -way. Things accumulate, and you never seem to know where they all come -from. Many a souvenir and trinket I've left behind or lost in my time -which I'd like to have right now. If you are able to, take my advice -and send all your little keepsakes back to your home people. The day -will come when you will have a heap of fun looking them over and living -again the pleasure you experienced in acquiring them." - -Word having been passed for the detachment to "fall in" for the O.D.'s -final inspection, Dick and Henry struggled into their harness. Canteens -and haversacks were slung by their leather straps over opposite -shoulders and the galling heavy knapsacks adjusted as comfortably as -possible. Besides these impedimenta each boy was armed with a web belt -from which hung a forty-five calibre Colt's revolver in a fair leather -holster, tightly strapped to the right leg to prevent swinging. Dick -was also loaded down with his drum and sticks, and Henry carried his -trumpet with the red trumpet cord attached. The other men of the -detachment carried their Springfields--among the best military rifles in -the world--and bayonets in leather scabbards. - -The trip to Philadelphia and its Navy Yard, where the _Denver_ was -lying, occupied a little over three hours, so that the men from the -Washington Barracks reported on board their future home in time for -evening mess call. - -First Sergeant Stephen Douglass, commanding the Marine Detachment of the -U.S.S. _Denver_, a gray-haired, clean-shaven, wiry little man, was known -throughout the service as a "sea-going marine." Never, if he could -prevent it, would he serve at a barracks, and his length of service and -known ability generally secured a respect for his wishes from his -superiors. The meal having been quickly disposed of by the new -arrivals, he called them to his tiny office to assign them their -stations. - -"Here is where we begin our web-footed existence," whispered Dick to -Henry as they stood waiting their turn outside the door. - -"It is a little bit of a boat, isn't it?" irrelevantly answered Henry. - -"Don't say 'boat,'" cautioned Dick, "for in the Navy everything big -enough to fly a commissioned officer's pennant is dignified by being -called a ship." - -"What is a 'commissioned officer's pennant'?" inquired Henry. - -"It is a long narrow flag tapering to a point, with the wide part near -the hoist, where it is attached, you know--blue with thirteen white -stars in the field, and the rest is divided in half lengthwise with a -red and a white stripe. Vessels commanded by a commissioned officer of -the Navy only are entitled to fly it at the truck of the mainmast." - -"Thanks, Dick; I reckon I am pretty green, but what's a 'truck'? It -sounds like a wagon of some sort!" - -"That is the name given to the very top of a mast or flagstaff. You'll -soon pick up these little points," said Dick generously. "I just happen -to know some of them because of being brought up in an old whaling port -and having seen and known about ships all my life; but I've a lot to -learn myself." - -First Sergeant Douglass now called the boys in to interview them. - -"Your first duty, eh?" he said after adjusting his glasses and glancing -over the enlistment record which accompanies every marine in his -travels. "Either of you know anything about a ship?" and he looked up at -the two youngsters with an approving gaze. - -Dick said nothing, but Henry spoke for him: - -"Drummer Comstock does; he has been making me acquainted with some of -the many things I never knew before." - -"To-morrow morning I'll have Corporal Dorlan take all the new arrivals -over the ship, and I want you two musics to become acquainted with every -nook and corner of her. You will have to act as messengers for the -Officer of the Deck and must be ready to go to any place and find any -person without hesitation. If you shouldn't happen to know where the -place or person or thing is located then you must be prepared to know -how and where to find out about 'em in the most expeditious manner. The -Officer of the Deck can't be bothered with questions, so it's up to the -messenger to know." - -"Is Corporal Dorlan any relation to a Sergeant Michael Dorlan who was on -the _Nantucket_?" asked Richard. - -"Couldn't be closer related," answered the First Sergeant; "he is one -and the same person. Do you know him?" - -"I should say I do," beamed Dick; "he saved the life of a boy friend of -mine this past summer; but I thought he was a sergeant." - -"He was a sergeant, but unfortunately an enemy of Dorlan's got the best -of him, and he was reduced to the rank of corporal by sentence of a -court-martial." - -"My, I'm sorry to hear that," returned Dick, honestly grieved over the -misfortune of his brave acquaintance. - -"Yes, boys, everyone who knows Mike Dorlan is sorry, and I hope neither -of you will ever have an enemy like his, nor a 'court' against your -record, nor any other kind of an offense, for that matter. Your slate -is clean now; keep it so, and when you've finished your enlistment -you'll be wearing one of these,--and proud of it too, I'll warrant." - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -[Illustration: The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal] - - THE MARINE CORPS GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL - -Awarded to any enlisted man in the corps at the expiration of his -enlistment who receives a mark of "Excellent" and who has not been tried -by Court-Martial. If the man reenlists the possession of this medal -entitles him to receive 83-1/2 cents a month additional pay. If at the -end of subsequent enlistment he receives the Excellent discharge--a -bronze bar is awarded to be attached to the ribbon and suitably -engraved. These bars also bring additional monthly pay. - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -The old sergeant opened a little drawer of his desk and took from it a -bronze medal suspended from a bar of like metal by a bright red silk -ribbon through the center of which ran a narrow band of deep blue. -Across the ribbon, almost covering it, were other narrow bronze bands -fastened. - -"This here is a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and each of the smaller -bands of bronze means a renewal of the medal's original significance for -a whole enlistment. But to earn one of these you must 'mind your p's -and q's' and be 'Johnnie on the spot' if it is your duty to be there at -all." - -After the boys finished their examination of the trophy, the First -Sergeant continued: - -"Now to return to business. Comstock, your pay number is six, your -watch number is seven-twenty-one, your locker number, twenty-three, and -you are in the port watch; your station at 'Abandon Ship' is in the -sailing launch. Yours, Cabell, are, pay number, seven; watch number, -seven-three-naught-seven; locker number, twenty-four, and you are in the -steamer for 'Abandon Ship.' Report to the Police Sergeant, get your -locker keys, draw your hammicks and find out where you swing. You will -find plenty of work to keep you busy from now till 'taps.' Remember, I -am always ready to listen to your complaints if you have any and will -right them if able, but I also expect you to do your duty up to the -handle. And just a word more before you go. The marines of this -detachment are proud of their reputation of being the best looking, -cleanest, smartest division on this ship. You are now responsible that -that standard isn't lowered in the slightest degree. You will find a -copy of the ship's routine on the Bulletin Board in our compartment. -That's all." - -The sergeant rose as he finished his talk and both boys had -unconsciously straightened up to the position of attention. At their -dismissal they simultaneously rendered the old veteran a military -salute, but First Sergeant Stephen Douglass was too much the proper and -precise marine to accept an honor to which he was not entitled. - -"Wait!" he commanded as they turned to leave the office, "you salute -only commissioned or warrant officers in our service, never -non-commissioned or petty-officers, except at certain prescribed times -during drill or ceremonies. Run along." - -"I knew better than to salute him," said Henry while they were waiting -for Police Sergeant Bruckner to return from some duty he was at the time -engaged in, "but somehow it seemed to be the only proper thing to do, he -was so fine." - -"Glad to hear you talk like that, Hank, old boy! I told you that the -N.C.O.'s were a pretty fine lot when you get to know them," and Dick was -very well pleased that his friend was beginning to come to his own way -of thinking. - -Outside the office were the rest of the men who had journeyed with them, -all waiting to draw hammocks. None of these men had served at sea -before this, consequently their conception of a "hammock" was formed -from those artistic things of net, made up in gay colors which decorated -the piazzas and lawns ashore. It was quite a different article that -Police Sergeant Bruckner dealt out to each of them. It consisted of a -white piece of canvas, six feet long by three and one-half feet wide. -Across either end eyelets were worked, through which passed the small -lines called "nettles," and these in turn were fastened to a galvanized -iron ring. These last two articles combined were called the hammock -"clews." In addition to these, a manila rope lanyard was spliced to one -of the rings to facilitate swinging the hammock between hooks fixed -rigidly, in almost every conceivable corner, to the overhead beams of -the ship. Each man's hammock had a small piece of canvas sewed to it -about eighteen inches from the head upon which was his watch number in -stencil. These watch numbers corresponded to the numbers over the hooks -where their hammock berths or sleeping places were located. Every man -on shipboard who swings in a hammock has two issued to him; one of them -is in constant use and the other kept below in the sail-room, each -division stowing their own hammocks separately in large canvas bags made -for the purpose. - -Mattresses made of "kapok"[#] and mattress covers were also given each -man, and with these articles under their arms the new arrivals returned -to the marines' compartment where, after receiving the keys to their -lockers, they proceeded to "stow away their gear." - - -[#] Kapok is the product of a tropical American tree which was -introduced into the Island of Java and there extensively cultivated. The -tree has numerous uses. It puts forth a pod somewhat similar to a -milkweed pod, filled with seeds to which a cottony substance is -attached. This fibre is impervious to water and consequently being -buoyant has been found to be better than cork for use in -life-preservers. Of late years our navy has utilized great quantities -of kapok in making sea mattresses, which in emergency could be used as -life rafts,--also jacket life preservers. Kapok is very inflammable. - - -"This is like having the 'makings' for a cigarette and not being able to -roll one," remarked Henry, as he gazed ruefully at the heavy canvas, the -rings, strings and rope, his mattress and blankets, lying on the deck at -his feet. - -"The only difference being we don't smoke, while we do sleep," sagely -added Dick. "Perhaps some of these other fellows will initiate us into -the mysteries of this folding bed. Let's ask them." - -With the help of willing hands the clews were soon tied in place, -mattress and blankets rolled inside the canvas, and the lashings -properly made. Then their long sausage-like beds were stowed away in the -hammock nettings to remain until the proper time came for reissuing them -to their owners, which was regulated by routine calls and schedule. - -"I've learned another sea-going expression," said Henry as the two boys -finally completed their work, "and that is, never call a 'hammock' -anything but a 'hammick,' or they will know you are a rookie." - -At taps the boys found it to be quite an athletic feat to get into those -swinging contraptions, but having once succeeded they settled down for a -well earned sleep. But who ever heard of rookies coming on board ship -for the first night who escaped at least one tumble to the hard deck -below, sent there by the sharp knife blade drawn across the taut foot -rope, in the hand of the omnipresent practical joker? And the -experience of the two music boys this first night on board the _Denver_ -was in no way different from hundreds of others before them. - -Richard and Henry found the daily routine on board ship very pleasant. -At first Henry was inclined to feel peeved because there was not a -commissioned officer in command of the marine detachment which was -honored by his presence. But he admired First Sergeant Douglass, and -daily he was losing his snobbish ideas regarding his messmates. -Shipboard life is a much closer relationship than life in the barracks, -and he was beginning to find that manhood did not necessarily go hand in -hand with riches, polished manners and a finely branched family tree. -At the first opportunity, Richard had made himself known to Corporal -Dorlan, and that worthy individual acted much in the status of guide and -mentor to the two boys, nor could they have had a better, for though -Michael was his own worst enemy, where others were concerned, he was -constantly preaching against the "Demon Rum," as he dubbed the agent of -his misfortune. - -"'Twould be far better for me," said he sadly, "if the powers that be -never would promote me. For whinever I git to be a sergeant, then -begorra, I always have to celebrate, and it's all off with old Mike." - -Having taken the necessary stores aboard for her cruise, the gunboat -quietly slipped from her berth one brisk morning in November and was -soon on her way down the broad reaches of the Delaware River. At the -Delaware Breakwater the pilot was dropped. Many of the crew took -advantage of this opportunity to send ashore last messages and letters, -for the _Denver_ was bound for the West Indies; her first port of entry -would be Culebra Island, and her first landfall Porto Rico, a six days' -voyage. - -It is a peculiar fact of ocean travel that whenever a ship is about to -put to sea the general topic of conversation seems to hover around one -point--seasickness. Everywhere one turned that beautiful morning the -fatal word pursued one. - -"Ever been seasick, Jack?" - -"Well, only onct in a big typhoon coming across from Formosa," or: - -"Nuh, this is the first time I've been to sea, but I've struck her some -rough in the lakes, and I guess I can stand it," or: - -"Son, if you get sick and want a quick cure, take a nice piece of fat -pork, tie a string to it and----" but why go into further detail, when -the men who never before had seen blue water were half sick before they -left the wharf, so vivid their imagination, and thoroughly sick when -finally the _Denver_ began digging her nose in the short seas they -encountered on leaving the protection of the inland waterways! - -Henry Cabell had fully determined he would not be seasick, but the sight -of so many in that predicament placed his resolutions in the realm of -other broken vows, and he was soon _hors de combat_. Dick, on the -contrary, never felt the slightest discomfort, over which good fortune -he was highly elated. He did not do as many others did, namely, gloat -over the misery of the less fortunate ones. - -The evening of the second day out found nearly all the sick men on the -upper decks, albeit many were "green in the gills" from their unpleasant -experience. - -"You feel as if you didn't care whether you died or not," said Henry, -while he and Dick stood at the bow of the ship holding to the life-lines -that encompassed the entire main deck, "but I don't reckon I'll be sick -again. I feel nearly all right now, and even this sudden dipping and -stomach-dropping rising hardly gives me a squirm." - -Dick did not answer. He was hanging over the rail looking down at the -slight lines of phosphorescence spreading out in quivering angles from -the bows with each plunge of the ship. He was enjoying every moment of -this new life. No longer did he regret his inability to get the -appointment to Annapolis, for already the spell of the Marine Corps was -clutching at every fibre of his being, claiming him body and soul for -its service. In the crew's library he had found a copy of Collum's -History of the Corps and for the first time he was reveling in its -illustrious deeds from the day of its inception, which antedated the -regular Navy and even the Declaration of Independence,--November 11, -1775, up to and including the part they took in the relief of Pekin in -July, 1900. As they stood there, Corporal Dorlan, making the round of -sentinels, stopped for a moment's converse. - -"How goes it, me lad?" he inquired of Henry, and without waiting for a -reply, he continued, "To-morrow we'll be findin' of ourselves in the -waters of the Gulf Stream, and ye will believe that ye never saw such -blue water in yer livin' born days. And ye will keep on believin' that -till ye see the waters of the Caribbean and then ye will be changin' the -moind of ye, like as not." - -"I'd rather see some good brown earth and a little green grass at this -present moment," said Henry, wistfully. - -"And there'll be a-plenty of both on this cruise, I'm thinkin'," said -Mike cheerfully. "But do you know where we're goin'? If ye don't then -I'll tell ye. We're bound for Treasure Island, and a foine place it is -to roam around in for a bit. Ye can't git lost and ye can't git into -trubble unless ye look for it, and that's more'n ye can say for most -places. Its right name is Culebra, which is the Spanish for 'shnake,' -but some feller wrote a wonderful story about it under the name I've -just mentioned to ye, so like as not if ye look in the right spot ye may -yet find some of the old pirates' buried gold. Heigho!--I'd better be on -me way, for it's about time to make me report of lights to the bridge. -Good-night, me lads," and off he tramped. - -"And as a better man than I just said," remarked Dick a few moments -later, "'Heigho! I'd better be on me way'; let us get to bed." - -"I second the motion," said Henry, "for I'm getting sick of this motion, -and the 'hammick' sounds good to me. Maybe by to-morrow I won't be -bluer than the Gulf Stream, after a good night's rest." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - AN ADVENTURE ASHORE - - -Saturday afternoon! Under the azure dome of the tropic sky the verdured -hills of "Treasure Island" sparkled with emerald brilliancy. Stretches -of glittering-white, sandy beaches connected abrupt, green-clad -headlands in the semblance of Nature's own rosary. Coral reefs -everywhere, with varying depths of water over their treacherous beauty, -afforded so many wonderful shades of blue and green that the cleverest -artist would despair of reproducing their tantalizing colors on his -canvas. - -In the deep but sheltered waters of Target Bay, close anchored to the -beach, swung the _Denver_, her graceful outlines reflected with -startling perfection in the mirror-like depths. Under her white spread -awnings, members of the crew dozed, conversed or played games as their -fancy dictated. On the bridge, the ever alert Quartermaster attended -the duties of his watch; while pacing the quarter-deck, the Commanding -Officer of the ship, Commander Bentley, and his Executive Officer, -Lieutenant-Commander Ogden, were earnestly conversing. Near by, the -Officer of the Deck, with a telescope, the insignia of his office, -tucked beneath his arm, was trying to catch the drift of his superiors' -conversation without appearing to be too inquisitive. - -"It is apparent, Mr. Ogden, that someone ashore is furnishing liquor to -our men. The reports at the mast[#] for the last few days show it -clearly. In spite of all the 'Alcalde' at Dewey may say, the men are -getting the stuff somewhere." - - -[#] The "mast"--A fixed place on deck, often not near a real mast, where -complaints against the conduct of enlisted men are heard by an officer, -and judgment passed on them. - - -"I agree with you, Captain, and I wish we could get a clue sufficient to -convict the guilty party. By your order the men are not allowed in the -towns of Dewey or Roosevelt, and every day that liberty parties are -ashore I have had patrols along the trails to stop men going in that -direction. Furthermore, we maintain a patrol in town, each ship taking a -turn at it, to arrest any of the men seen inside the restricted -district. The revenue officer on the island has assured me that not a -store or shack this end of the place has a license to sell alcohol." - -"It beats the Dutch," remarked Captain Bentley, after a short silence, -"how enlisted men will go out of their way to get into trouble. A lot -of youngsters think it smart to be tough and rough, imagining they are -then real sailors. They haven't the brains to see that the navy man is -revolutionizing his habits and trying to live down the idea of him which -years ago was so prevalent. The desire to 'spend their money like a -drunken sailor' still holds an attraction for some of these brainless -idiots. Our older men have been through the mill, and the worst element -among them is weeded out. They have sense enough to keep out of harm's -way, but---- Oh, well, the fact still remains, they are getting liquor, -and bringing it on board too." - -"I have had a talk with the officers and they in turn with their -C.P.O.'s, and also I have put Sergeant Douglass on the trail, so I hope -of getting some results soon." - -"Keep at it, Mr. Ogden, and for the sake of all hands I hope we can run -the parties to earth; nothing is worse for the discipline of a ship," -and with that parting remark Commander Bentley turned and descended to -his cabin. - -For over a month the cruiser had been in and around the waters of -Culebra Island, generally anchoring for the night in Target Bay, but -during the day, excepting Saturdays and Sundays, joining with three -other ships of her class in division drills and maneuvers while at the -same time preparing for target practise. - -The _Denver's_ marines, having only two six-pounders in their charge, -did not take as great an interest in the gunnery work as marines -generally do on board the battleships and dreadnaughts, where they have -guns assigned them of larger calibre. During this time they were mostly -occupied with work pertaining to their profession on board, or with boat -drills, and hikes on shore. For this latter drill they were landed -twice a week and worked in cooeperation with the detachments from the -other vessels. Later on when the Fleet arrived combined maneuvers -ashore on a grand scale would be carried on. - -Liberty was granted, to those whose duties did not intrude, on Saturday -and Sunday afternoons. On this particular Saturday, Drummer Comstock and -Trumpeter Cabell went ashore in the first liberty boat to leave the -ship. Dick, already having made a name for himself as an oarsman, was a -member of the marines' dinghy racing crew, and this afternoon he and -Henry helped pull the big cutter ashore and well up on the coral beach -in Firewood Bay. - -From this spot it was about a two-mile walk over the hills, down into -the valley past Laguna de Flamingo to the perfect, crescent-shaped, -smooth, level sands of Flamingo Bay, where the mighty rollers swept in -with unrestricted grandeur from the blue Atlantic, stretching northward -farther than the eye could reach. Here, in spite of the wonderfully -high surf there was little or no undertow and the bathing was considered -safe, and free from venturesome sharks. - -According to their habit, the two boys undressed at Firewood Bay and -leaving their clothes in the cutter, wearing only rubber-soled sneakers -and bathing trunks, they were soon dog-trotting over the narrow trail -leading to a group of shacks on the saddle of the ridge they had to -cross. With their swifter pace they soon passed the others of the -party. After breasting the summit of the ridge they followed the -torturous downward trail to the Lake of the Flamingos. The trail led -past an unused hut half-way down the hillside, at one end of which it -abruptly turned to the left. - -Dick, well in the lead, having turned the corner of the hut, saw a man -dashing towards him, mounted on a fiery little West Indian pony. There -was plenty of room for the rider to turn aside so as to avoid the boy, -while ordinary politeness would have led him to do so, therefore Dick -continued at his slow trot in the center of the path. Nearer came the -rider, and the boy now saw he was reeling in his saddle and lashing his -horse viciously as he came tearing up the hill. Still the boy did not -change his course. The next moment the pony had of its own volition -jumped out of the trail to avoid collision. - -At the moment he passed the native rider cut Dick a fearful lash across -the shoulders with his leather quirt, yelling loudly some vile expletive -in Spanish. For the fraction of a second Dick did not comprehend what -had happened. The blow across his bare back nearly brought him to his -knees and, missing his footing, he fell headlong. In an instant he was -up again holding a rough, jagged piece of rotten-rock in either hand and -running back after the reckless horseman. - -Never before in his life had Dick been thoroughly angry--never before -had he felt that insane rage within him that knew no other impulse than -the desire to inflict bodily harm on another human being. - -The horseman must have disappeared behind the deserted shack, for he was -nowhere in sight. By this time Henry came swinging along the trail, and -he was surprised to see his chum coming towards him like a raving -maniac. - -"Did you see him?" yelled Dick furiously. - -"See whom?" questioned Henry. - -"That black drunken scoundrel on horseback." - -"What are you talking about, Dick? I've seen no horseman." - -"Didn't a native just pass you on the trail, riding a pony like mad and -lashing the poor brute with a rawhide quirt?" - -"Nope,--I reckon you must have been seeing things, Dick," and Henry -started to laugh. - -"'Seeing things,' nothing! Look at that red welt across my back, if you -think I've been 'seeing things'!" shouted Dick, and he turned while -Henry examined with amazement the angry looking ridge across the broad, -sun-browned shoulders. - -"I see it, right enough, Dick, but--you say a man on horseback did it?" - -"Yes, and if he didn't pass you on the trail then he turned by this hut -and went off into the bush, and I'm going to get him and thrash him -before this day is over," said Dick, and having delivered his outburst -he rushed off towards the clump of bushes, tall grass and cabbage palms, -clustering close to the far corner of the hut. - -"Hold on, Dick," called Henry, "we can't get through that jungle without -our clothes. You stay here on watch while I go back and fetch them. The -rest of the liberty party will be along any time now and they will lend -us a hand." - -"I don't need any help to thrash that cowardly Spig,"[#] muttered Dick, -but seeing the wisdom of Henry's suggestion he consented to wait. - - -[#] "Spig" or "Spiggoty"--A generic term for all inhabitants of -Latin-American countries and of the Philippines and Guam, given by -sailors, soldiers and marines only since the Spanish War of 1898. - - -Left to his own devices, he began a systematic scouting of the ground in -the vicinity. The trail, baked hard by the sun, showed no signs, but -across the ground in front of the palm-thatched hut he found distinct -traces of recent hoof prints. Following them he came to a newly broken -trail through the long grass leading to the thicker undergrowth beyond. -Returning to the hut he pushed open the dilapidated door and entered the -musty interior. The place was bare of furniture or utensils, a few bits -of rubbish littered the floor and in one corner were several bottles and -flasks, all empty. Picking up one and extracting the cork he found a -strong smell of whisky. Evidently this was the rendezvous of those men -from the ships recently found under the influence of liquor while on -shore. Presently he heard the sound of footsteps coming down the trail. -Probably members of the liberty party with whom he came ashore, thought -Dick. - -"Say, Joe," he heard a voice question, "where do you suppose that marine -was hot-footing it to?" - -"I dunno," answered the one addressed, "when he ducked past me he yelled -something, but I didn't get it, did you?" - -"Nuh! Glad he's out of the way, 'cause him and the kid he runs with -think they are some class. They'd put a crimp in our game if they got -next to it." - -"Any of the others in sight?" Joe now asked as the two stopped beside -the corner of the shack. - -"No; get a hustle on," and with that Dick heard the two speakers run -past the front of his refuge and dash into the woods near the spot he -had just been investigating. - -"The plot thickens!" mused Dick, looking at the empty bottle he still -held. - -Again the sound of footsteps, but this time the men passed the shack -without stopping. These men were bound for the beach at Flamingo Bay. - -At first the boy thought of calling them back, but on second -consideration he decided not to. He preferred working out this affair -with only Henry's assistance. - -That very morning First Sergeant Douglass had given the marines a talk -about the liquor traffic and asked them to try and trace it. He had -said it would be a feather in their caps could they succeed in finding -the guilty parties. For that reason, all the more honor if he and Henry -carried it through by themselves. - -It seemed an interminable while before the soft patter apprised him of -his companion's return. As Henry reached the corner of the hut, Dick's -warning hiss attracted his attention to the open door. - -"Come in here, Hank," he called, and Henry entered, breathing hard from -the grind of his strenuous race up-hill. - -While he dressed, Dick explained more fully about the drunken native and -of what had transpired during Henry's absence. The young trumpeter was -equally enthusiastic over the prospect of an exciting adventure ahead of -them and thoroughly agreed they alone could manage the business. - -"I reckon we are on the right track for sure," said Henry, struggling -into his O.D. shirt. "That fellow Joe Choiniski is one of the tough -nuts who joined us from San Juan in the last draft right after we came -here. He's been on some 'spit-kit'[#] stationed down in these waters -for a long time and speaks the native lingo. The man with him is a bad -egg too, though he has never been caught so far." - - -[#] "Spit-kit"--Really "spit-kid," a small wooden cask set about the -deck for spit-boxes. Spitting upon decks is an unpardonable sin. The -name is slangily applied to the smaller vessels of the Navy. - - -"What is his name?" asked Richard, preparing to open the door. - -"Never did hear his right name; the men on board call him 'Slugger.'" - -"I know now," said Dick, "they say he used to be a prize-fighter and -he's all the time bragging how he can mix it up with the gloves, but no -one ever saw him put them on since he came on board. He's husky enough, -but all out of training." - -"That's the fellow,--a tough customer, I reckon." - -The boys, finding the coast clear, emerged from the hut and were soon -following the trail which the two men and horseman before them had -presumably travelled. For a while the way led through a veritable -tangle of briers, weeds, bamboo and underbrush, but after a quarter of a -mile with no break on either side the path joined into a wider and well -worn trail through a piece of timberland leading almost due north and -south. In the shade of the tall hardwood trees the ground was softer -and the spoor of the horse was distinctly shown turning to the right. -This fortunate discovery saved the boys any possibility of going wrong. - -The island at this point was sparsely settled, as in 1906 the Navy -Department had required all squatters to move off the government -reservations. The trail was now nearing the boundaries of the northern -tract. For another quarter of a mile they went on, each moment hoping -to discover some evidence to substantiate their deductions, but the -silence of the wilderness was about them, only broken occasionally by -the cooing of the blue doves high up in the tree-tops. - -Here and there the woods gave place to clearings covered with waving -grass or untended banana patches, affording long vistas of land and -water but not a house nor animal nor human being rewarded their sharp -searching. To their left was South West Cay, separated from the larger -island they were on by a narrow dangerous channel. To their right they -caught occasional glimpses of Flamingo Bay or the distant top of Mount -Resaca. - -During one of their halts before emerging into plain view on the -hog-back trail, Henry caught Dick by the shoulder and pulled him down in -the shelter of the long grass which carpeted a steep slope on their -left, down to the very edge of the water. - -"Look, there is your horseman!" he whispered excitedly, forgetting his -voice would not reach half the distance to the object at which he was -pointing. - -[Illustration: LOOK, THERE IS YOUR HORSEMAN!] - -"I see him," said Dick grimly, "coming up from that shack at the foot of -the hill." - -"Yes, and see those two sailors going down to the beach; they're toting -sacks or something over their shoulders. They can go around to Firewood -Bay that way. We've got 'em, all right," exclaimed Henry joyfully. -"What do you reckon we'd better do now?" - -"I 'reckon' there's going to be one native of this 'Treasure Island' -who's going to get the beating of his life in just about five minutes," -answered Dick, taking an extra tug to his belt. "That fellow is coming -right up the hill to this trail, and I'm going to be right at the top to -welcome him. Come along, Hank, but lie low and leave him to me." - -Stooping low, both lads ran across the open space till they came to the -edge of the farther wood, where they found an entrance to the trail up -which the lone horseman could be seen spurring and lashing his worn-out -steed. The animal was too far gone to respond to the cruel treatment, -and plodded slowly and wearily upward. - -"Hank, you go to the other side in case he should happen to turn that -way," directed Dick. "That brute won't escape us; and let me tell you -something, I'm not going to beat him up for lashing me, alone, I'm going -to try and even up some of the debt for that poor dumb animal he's -torturing." - -Henry scuttled to the north side of the trail, while Dick waited -impatiently where he first had hidden. - -The labored breathing of the horse came to his ears, and then, preceded -by a volley of oaths, rider and horse reached the ridge trail. The -native, a dark, swarthy, pock-marked man, about thirty-five years of -age, with black, bloodshot eyes and long, yellow teeth, was broad -shouldered, and though slender, was well knit. On reaching the crest of -the hill the horse's head was turned southward and again the rider -raised the heavy quirt to bring it down on the bleeding, swollen flanks. -That blow never fell, for with the quick spring of a tiger Dick grabbed -the rider around the waist and tore him from the saddle, throwing him to -the ground. At the same time he snatched the quirt from the surprised -man's hand and began belaboring him as he groveled at the boy's feet. -The startled horse meanwhile had turned down the slope and was stumbling -towards the foot of the hill. - -"How do you like that, you yellow cur?" questioned Dick coolly, giving -the coward a final blow across the legs. "Do you think you want to try -any more tricks on me?" - -"No! No! Senor! Pardon, Senor! Por Dios, no mas!" cried the man as -he saw Dick's arm rise again and the lash snap ominously. - -"Get up and vamoose," ordered Dick, pointing along the trail they had -followed. "Never mind your horse; you can get him when I get through -with you." - -Never taking his eyes from the man, Dick made him march in front of -them. The native limped along protestingly, but every time he stopped -to argue Dick applied the lash with good effect. - -On reaching the trail leading down to Firewood Bay, Dick pointed towards -the town of Dewey. - -"You savvy Dewey?" he inquired. - -"Si, Senor," came the surly response, and the shifty black eyes glared -for a moment at the boy. - -"Well, beat it--pronto," ordered Dick, and with the words he gave the -man a push in the right direction, while both boys, as if performing a -military drill, simultaneously aided him with a persuading kick. - -"Just to help you along a bit," called Henry and then he turned to Dick. -"Shake, Dick; that was a job well and nobly done." - -As he spoke five bullets whistled past them, one dusting the ground at -their feet and ricochetting with a shrill "Z-z-z-i-i-n-n-g." - -Instantly the startled boys dropped to the grass beside the trail and, -keeping under cover until a fold in the ground effectually protected -them, they ran for the boat landing. - -"Wonder why he didn't use that shooting iron before?" questioned Dick, -looking back over the trail. - -"Reckon he was too plumb scared to remember he owned a gun," said Henry, -still beaming with joy over the adventure. "Do you believe he'll take -any more pot shots at us?" - -"No, we are out of pistol range down here, and he can't come down the -hill without being seen. Those shots were too close for comfort to suit -me, and yet I hated to have to run away as we did. Still it would have -been worse than foolhardy to tempt Fortune by hanging around up there -with that rascal in hiding. How do you like being under fire?" - -"Can't say I've any hankering for it, but it didn't scare me as I -thought it would," said Henry. - -The men from Flamingo Bay were now coming over the brow of the hill and -soon reached the boat. They had not seen the native on the other side of -the hill, but all had heard the five shots. The boys did not enlighten -them as to the cause, having decided to report the whole matter to First -Sergeant Douglass on their return to the _Denver_. - -While they were shoving the heavy cutter into the water the two men, Joe -Choiniski and "Slugger" Williams, came from around the point and joined -the group. Both men wore rubber boots, and Dick remembered that they -had taken them ashore that afternoon under their arms, whereas now they -carried their shoes, from the tops of which were sticking some finely -branched pieces of unbleached coral. Dick also noticed how carefully -they got into the boat when all was ready to shove off for the ship. - -"Wonder where they hid their booze," said Henry, "for I'd bet a month's -pay they have it somewhere." - -"I guess I know, and you watch Corporal Dorlan frisk them when they go -up on deck," answered Dick with a knowing wink. - -Arriving at the port gangway, the liberty party went aboard and fell in -on the quarter-deck for inspection before being dismissed. Corporal -Dorlan, standing at the top of the gangway, was surprised to hear Dick -whisper as he passed, "Search the rubber boots, Corporal," but he was -not slow of comprehension, and as soon as the men were all in line he -went directly up to Joe and "Slugger" and feeling down their boot legs -brought forth several flat flasks carefully wrapped in dry seaweed. - -"What is this?" said Mr. Thorp, the Officer of the Deck. - -And Corporal Dorlan merely answered: - -"'Wilson--that's all,' sir." - -"That is fine work, Corporal. I congratulate you," said a hearty voice -behind the line of men who had witnessed this little scene, and turning -Dorlan found Commander Bentley standing near him. - -"It's not me what discovered it, sir. All the credit belongs to Drummer -Comstock. He's the lad what put me wise, sir." - -"We will hold 'mast' and investigate this matter at once, Mr. Thorp; -have Comstock report here immediately." - -Dick, having heard his name called, approached. - -"Now, young man, tell me all you know of this business," ordered the -Captain, and having heard the entire story of the exciting afternoon -ashore he ordered Dick to go to the Executive Officer's office and -dictate a full report to the Yeoman. - -"A man like the one you describe has no business to be at large," he -said. "I will communicate with the authorities ashore and have him -locked up. In the meantime, Mr. Thorp, send a detail of marines ashore -under arms to search and destroy the shack these two boys discovered. -It's on the government reservation and has no business there. Trumpeter -Cabell will go ashore and act as guide." - -Then turning to the two culprits, Commander Bentley said: - -"I'll keep you men in close confinement until a court-martial can -dispose of your case. Have these two men taken to the brig[#] at once, -Mr. Thorp." - - -[#] Brig--Cell for confinement of men under punishment. - - -"Aye, aye, sir!" and Ensign Thorp gave the Master-at-Arms the necessary -orders. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - HISTORIC BATTLEFIELDS - - -"Speaking of that report against our horse beater," remarked Henry a few -days later, "reminds me, Dick, that I never thought to inquire if you -ever heard from the report you wrote out in Washington against those -plotters." - -"No," answered Dick, looking up from the signal card he was studying, "I -wrote it the following Monday and sent it to Dad, but never heard -anything from it." - -"We heard from your last report," said Henry. "That Spig was a wise -hombre, right enough. The revenue officer found out all about him, but -'Mexican Pete' was too quick. He left for parts unknown that same day, -and all the authorities in Porto Rico are on the lookout for him. He's -a famous smuggler down in these regions and a regular bad man in the -bargain. It's said he has served jail sentences in nearly every town -from here to Vera Cruz. He's a Mexican by birth, a bad man by nature -and a wanderer most of the time by necessity." - -"That is all true, Hank, but it is not getting down this Morse code," -replied Dick. "We've learned the semaphore, wigwag and Ardois, and I -think we can give the signal boys on the bridge a run for their money; -but I can't seem to get these sound signals. Guess my ear isn't attuned -properly!" - -"I don't see why you want to bother with it, anyway. You don't have to -learn it." - -"Never can tell when such knowledge will come in handy; besides, Hank, -it helps pass the time when we've nothing else to do. It proved pretty -useful last week when we were having that scouting drill ashore and by -knocking two rocks together I was able to tell you to go to the left of -that clump of bamboo. If you'd gone the other way the enemy would have -captured you and your message, which would have meant the capture of our -whole detachment." - -"Yes, I'd forgotten that, Dick, and seeing that we both hope to be made -privates some day the extra pay we will pull down as first class -signalmen is not to be sneezed at. Well, here goes; see if you can get -this!" - -Thereupon Henry began a quick tap-tap with a pencil against the rim of -the brass bugle he held on his knees. - -For an hour the two boys practised at their self-appointed task, never -using a spoken word in the meantime, but often smiling at each other -over the messages they sent back and forth. - -Richard Comstock was not wasting his time in the service. He had -enlisted with one stated purpose in view, and all his work was to him a -means to an end. Every new bit of knowledge acquired connected with his -profession was just one more step in the ladder he meant to climb, until -his hopes and ambitions were realized. - -The friendship existing between Henry Cabell and himself was of great -help to both boys. They often had their differences of opinion, but -petty quarrels and bickerings never entered in their discussions. Both -lads were high spirited, quick to take offense but as quick to -acknowledge their errors in the light of reasoning. Day by day, Henry -was losing his attitude of snobbishness. His association with Richard, -who tried to find something worthy in every person with whom he came in -contact and to see the bright side to every cloud, was the best thing -which could have happened for the hot-headed Southerner. - -Their duties on board ship were not particularly arduous. They stood -four-hour watches as messengers for the Officer of the Deck, dividing -this duty with the ship's sailor-buglers; assisted in the work of -keeping their part of the ship clean, accompanied the marines on their -drills ashore and participated in the routine drills of shipboard life. -Sometimes the musics on the larger vessels are members of the secondary -battery gun's crews or have other battle stations at "general -quarters,"[#] but not so on the _Denver_, which was only a third-class -cruiser of a little over three thousand tons. Also on shipboard the -marine drummer has but little use for his drum and sticks, which are -generally put away in the storeroom and a bugle issued in lieu thereof, -as all calls are given by means of the trumpet or the piping of the -boatswain's whistles. Therefore, in so far as their duties were -concerned, the boys did identically the same work on the _Denver_, and -except when their watches interfered they were generally to be found -together. - - -[#] When the ship is ready to go into action. The drill for this -preparation is called General Quarters. - - -One day they were conversing about the former achievements of the -marines, and Dick, who by now had read Collum's history from beginning -to end, said: - -"I wonder if when they put those new dreadnaughts in commission they -will reverse the time-honored custom and move the marine detachments up -forward!" - -"I don't reckon I know what you mean, Dick; why shouldn't they put the -marines wherever they want to on the ships?" - -"These days there is no real reason why they shouldn't," said Dick. -"But you know what the relation of the marines was originally as regards -the ship's crew, don't you?" - -"Y-e-e-s; at least I think I do. They were the policemen on the ship, -weren't they?" - -"Oh, Hank, you simply must read the history of this organization before -you go any further. It will be the best thing to make you get the right -kind of ginger into your work. It will make you proud of your job and -proud to be a U.S. Marine; it is one of the chief things you -need:--_esprit de corps_--it's what has kept this outfit up to snuff, -and without it no organized body of men could make a name for themselves -any more than you can 'make a silk purse of a sow's ear.'" - -"All right, if you say it takes _esprit_ to make that purse, Dick, I'll -take your word for it, but don't get started preaching. Now tell me why -should or should not the marines be moved, and if not, why not, or -whatever it was you began on when you lost yourself on Pulpit Street. -Go ahead, I'm listening!" - -"To begin with, the sailors in the early days were a mighty tough lot of -customers, picked up from nearly every nation under the sun. They were -employed to work the ship; whereas the marines were organized to do the -fighting and were picked men. Because of the mixed and unruly element in -the crew the sailors often became mutinous. In those days all weapons, -and firearms particularly, were stored in the after part of the ship -where the officers had their quarters and having this advantage, they -were able to keep the crews under subjection. But there were only a few -officers as compared to the crew, consequently the trustworthy marines -were given that part of the ship to berth in between the officers and -the sailors, who generally were berthed in the forecastle. I don't know -just when this was made the fashion, but I do know that it has been -handed down to the present day and you will always find marines in a -compartment next the ward-room. Now do you see what I mean?" - -"I understand what you have said, Dick, but what has it to do with the -new battleships?" - -"Why, I was wondering if another old Navy custom is going out of vogue, -that's all. For in these new ships the officers are going to change -places with the crew--their living space is going to be the forecastle -instead of the stern. Question: What will they do with the marines?" - -"When did you say that custom started, Dick?" - -"Oh, I don't know, Hank; way back in the days of bi-remes and tri-remes, -I guess." - -"Then all I have to say is that it's high time a change was made; allow -the officers a chance to take care of themselves--we marines have nursed -them altogether too long," said Henry, and they were yet laughing at the -remark when Police Sergeant Bruckner came along the deck seeking them. - -"The 'Top'[#] says you boys should go with me to the storeroom and draw -rifles, so come right along and get 'em." - - -[#] "Top"--Top sergeant--first sergeant, or also applied to the highest -ranking sergeant at a post. - - -"Get rifles?" questioned Dick. "What are we going to do with rifles, -I'd like to know?" - -"Ask the Top; don't bother me with your questions;" and Bruckner led the -way below. - -"They're brand new shooting irons, and you will have some job getting -off the cosmoline, so I adwise you to get busy before you report to the -First Sergeant," cautioned Bruckner, whose German origin accounted for -the manner in which he pronounced his letter "V" on occasions. He had -come to the United States as a lad of fifteen years and after ten years -spoke, with this exception, almost like a native-born citizen. Six of -these ten years he had spent in the Marines. - -After noting the number of each rifle in order to enter them on the -public property card of the musics, they all repaired to the upper deck -and the work of cleaning the new rifles was soon under way. - -"You musics will fall in for aiming and sighting drill each morning," -called out Sergeant Douglass, who saw them at their labors. "Although -you aren't required to handle a gun you are required to know how to -shoot straight. Come to my office when you get through with that work, -and I'll give you each a score book which one of our Marine Officers got -up and it will give you all the best dope on rifle shooting." - -It was not long before the boys were applying for the promised books. - -"When shall we have a chance to fire on the range?" asked Dick. - -"From the 'galley yarns'[#] flying about the ship, it would not surprise -me if we were on our way to Guantanamo in a day or two, and when we get -there I'm going to try my best to have the guard put through the regular -Marine Corps practice as well as the Navy course, and I want to keep our -high showing up to standard." - - -[#] In some mysterious way stories get started on shipboard, generally -founded on guess or rumor and turn out to be true; all are supposed to -start in the "galley," hence the name. - - -"Do we get a medal or anything like that out of it?" asked Henry. - -"Yes, you have an opportunity to get a number of things out of it. The -marines shoot the same course for qualification as that prescribed for -the army. There are three grades which pay you well for trying to do -your best. The highest is that of expert rifleman. If you qualify, you -get five dollars more pay per month from the date of qualification to -the end of your enlistment and also a silver badge,--crossed rifles with -a wreath around them. Sharpshooter pays you three dollars per month till -you next shoot for record the following year and a badge consisting of a -silver Maltese cross, while a marksman's qualification pays two dollars -and you get only a silver bar with 'Marksman' on it. But you will find -out all about it in those books. Run along now and don't bother me any -more with your questions. By the way, Cabell, to-morrow morning you -will report to Ensign Gardiner as orderly for the summary court-martial -at ten-o'clock, in the ward-room. Mr. Gardiner is the recorder of the -court." - -"What is the recorder of a court?" asked Henry, who was as full of -questions at times as a hive is of bees. - -"He is to a summary court what the judge advocate is to a general court, -and the prosecuting attorney to a civil court," answered the First -Sergeant patiently, "and I hope your acquaintance with all of these -gentlemen may be that of an orderly or a witness only. And, Comstock, -speaking of witnesses, reminds me you had better stand by for a call, as -both Williams and Choiniski are to be tried to-morrow for smuggling -liquor on board ship." - -Promptly at ten o'clock the next morning the "musics" were in attendance -at the meeting of the court-martial, but no testimony was required, as -the accused sailors both pleaded "guilty" to the specifications[#] -preferred against them, and merely put in a plea for clemency. - - -[#] The written statement of specific acts for which the accused person -is being tried. - - -Richard was standing outside the ward-room door when Chief -Master-at-Arms Fitch brought the two prisoners aft for their trial. - -"I'll get you for this, you fresh Leatherneck, and I give you fair -warning to keep out of my way when I get out of the brig," muttered -Choiniski, glaring malignantly at the drummer. - -"Shut up and don't talk so much or I'll see that you get hung," snapped -Fitch on hearing the remark. "After you two birds get out of your cage -you'd better be looking round for friends, not enemies, I'm thinking." - -And two days after the trial with the entire crew of the _Denver_ -mustered aft on the quarter-deck, the sentences were published to the -two offenders. - -"Whew! You'll never catch me smuggling any liquor on a man-o'-war," -said Dick to his friend, Corporal Dorlan, as they sat talking in the -marines' compartment soon after the crew had been dismissed. - -"No, it's bad business no matter how ye bring it on board, inside or -outside," said Mike, dolefully, "and it's meself who should know, bad -'cess to the stuff." - -"Have those two men got to stay in those hot little cells up forward -with nothing but bread and water to eat for thirty days, and lose three -months' pay, and in addition, do three months' extra police duties with -no liberty meanwhile?" - -"Not quite that bad, me lad; they'll be after gittin' a full ration on -every fifth day, so as to show them what they're missin' in the way of -good chow,[#] and accordin' to my way of thinkin' it will do them both a -world of good. Until they came to this packet 'twas the happy ship; but -the likes of them are always makin' trouble." - - -[#] A Chinese term generally used by men in the service for food. - - -"Did you hear that we are going to Guantanamo Bay before the fleet -arrives here, Mike?" questioned Richard. - -"Well, it won't be the first time Michael Dorlan has been in that place, -and well I remember the time we showed the Spaniards they couldn't fool -with Uncle Sam's Marines and git away with it." - -"Were you in a fight there during the Spanish War, Corporal?" - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -[Illustration: The Sampson Medal] - - THE SAMPSON MEDAL - -The medal commemorating the U.S. Naval Campaign in the West Indies, -during the war of 1898. The ribbon has a blue center with red on either -side. Commonly called The Sampson Medal after the -Commander-in-Chief--William Sampson, U.S.N. - -A similar medal for Admiral Dewey's victory in Manila Bay was awarded, -suspended from a ribbon with broader band of blue in center and yellow -on either side. - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -"Right ye are, me lad, and 'twas no slouch of a scrimmage, at all, at -all. The Navy wanted a good sheltered harbor as a base for their ships -close to Santiago, where that foine old Spanish Admiral, Cervera, was -bottled up. So Guantanamo Bay, being the foinest kind of a place, they -decided to go in there, dhrive away the enemy and hold it. Well, the -ships shelled the beach before we landed and then us marines was sent -ashore under Colonel Harrington; and a hot reception we got, I'd like ye -to know." - -"How many marines were there in the fight?" - -"About four hundred altogether, and out in the bosky[#] there were over -three thousand Spaniards pouring the lead into us at every opportunity. -We took the beach with a rush and charged up the hill back of our -landin' place, and then havin' got a toe-hold we dug in and we stayed -dug in, with the Dagoes a-takin' pot shots at us every time we showed a -hat." - - -[#] Really the word "Bosque"--Spanish word meaning wood, and -pronounced--boskay. - - -Henry, having joined the little group surrounding Dorlan and Richard, as -usual asked a question at this point in the recital: - -"Did the army come to help you, Corporal?" - -"Army nothin'. They was busy gettin' ready to take Santiago, and didn't -bother about us. We marines was the first to land and the first to -fight, but unless we drove those Dagoes out of the woods it wasn't goin' -to be a very healthy place to stay put." - -"And did you drive them away?" inquired Dick. He had read all about the -fight, but to get first hand news from one who had participated in the -actual fighting was much better than reading it from a book. - -"Of course we did. You see, the Colonel learned from friendly Cubans -that the Spaniards in that region depended for all their water on a well -a few miles away over the hills--Cusco Well, it was called. So if we -took that well then they'd have to git out of the country. It was up to -us to destroy the well. We made all the arrangements, and one of the -ships was told to shell the locality where the well was located. -Finally we started off dhriving the Dagoes ahead of us, when suddenly -the shells from the ship began droppin' all about us instead of into the -ranks of the enemy. Every minute they kept comin' hotter and faster and -there was little chanct of us bein' successful as things were goin'. -Then I saw one of the nerviest jobs pulled off that mornin'--one of the -things ye often read about and believe is fiction. Right behind us in -plain view was a high bare hill and on the top of that there hill, his -back to the Spaniards and facin' the flashin' guns of the ship, was a -marine sendin' wigwag messages to the ship and tellin' them where to -shoot. Begorra, the bullets was a-flyin' around him like hail. Kickin' -up little spats of dust at his feet, cuttin' down the cactus on either -side of him, singin' through the little flag he was a-wavin', but did he -stop? Not onct--and before long the shell fire lifted and began fallin' -among them Dagoes and off they went with us marines after them, chargin' -and yellin', sweatin' and swearin'. Yes, we found the well and -destroyed it and went back to our own lines carryin' our dead and -wounded with us. And onct again the good old Corps had scored, for -Sergeant Major John Quick, the feller what did the signalin', won the -first medal of honor in the War of 1898." - -"Tell us some more, Dorlan," one of the bystanders pleaded. - -"Ah, g'wan with ye. Sure I'm so dhry now from so much blabbin' I can -drink the scuttle-butt[#] dhry, and that without half tryin'." - - -[#] A tank holding drinking water. - - -"Let us see the campaign medal the government gave you, will you, Mike?" -asked Dick. One of his chief ambitions was to be able some day to wear -some of those little bronze medals suspended from the bright colored -silk ribbons on his own coat. Their intrinsic value was small but what -an honor it would be to have the right to wear them. - -Mike Dorlan opened his ditty-box, upon which he was sitting, and -fumbling around in its interior brought forth two bronze medals; one -considerably larger than the other. - -"This one," said he, holding up the larger medal, "is the Sampson Medal, -given for bein' on board of a ship of the U.S. Navy in some of the -actions against the coastwise towns or with the Spanish Fleet. You all -know that Admiral Sampson was in command of our naval forces that -bottled up Cervera in the harbor of Santiago. That feller Cervera was a -brave man indeed, and he fought like the gentleman he was, with no more -chance of escapin' than I have o' bein' made the Commandant of the -Corps, and you know how likely that is, bedad. This other little piece -of bronze is the regular medal everyone got who was in Cuban waters or -on Cuban soil durin' the war. It's the Spanish or West Indian Campaign -Medal." - -"Why don't you ever wear your ribbons and medal, Mike?" asked Dick. -"Believe me, if I had 'em I'd be so proud I'd want to show 'em to -everybody I met. I would like to see you with them all on some day at -inspection." - -"I'll tell ye why, me lad, and ye can belave it or not, as you please; -there's one medal I want mor'n all of these combined and until I can -wear that one, I'll not be wearin' of any." - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -[Illustration: Medal for Campaign in the West Indies and for Spanish -War] - - MEDAL FOR CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST INDIES AND FOR SPANISH WAR - -Issued to those of the Army, Navy and Marines who served on the high -seas en route to or in immediate vicinity of Cuba, Porto Rico or -Philippines between certain dates. In case if the army or navy service -was not in the West Indies the inscription read "Spanish Campaign." - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -"Which one is that, Dorlan?" - -"It's one of them good-conduct medals the Top Sergeant was showin' of ye -that first day ye come on this ship, and I'll git one yet! In three -days more me present enlistment expires. I'm going to ship over right -off, and I'll be makin' a bargain with ye right now!" - -"What's the bargain?" asked Dick. - -"Well, if I don't git one of them little bronzes at the end of my next -enlistment, I'll be givin' all the rest o' me medals to ye, and ye can -melt 'em up into copper pennies; but if I do git it, I'll string the -hull lot of them across me chest at the first inspection what comes -along." - -And midst much laughter from the group surrounding them, Dorlan and -Richard shook hands on the "bargain." - -Ten days later the "galley yarns" came true, as they sometimes do, and -the _Denver_ steamed through the narrow entrance and into the wonderful, -green bordered, blue waters of Guantanamo Bay, where she anchored for an -indefinite stay. - -Upon the first opportunity, Sergeant Douglass took the entire guard -ashore for a view of the historic battlefields. Landing at Fisherman's -Point, they climbed the steep slopes of McCalla Hill, where stands the -monument erected in memory of the heroes who lost their lives in the -memorable engagement. But it was Corporal Michael Dorlan who explained -to the interested men every phase of the landing and the attack; who -showed them the hill from which the intrepid Quick had signalled so -calmly oblivious of personal danger, and finally he took them through -the dusty cactus and chaparral to the old well, the destruction of which -forced the Spanish troops to evacuate and leave the field to the sturdy -soldiers of the sea. - -At a later date, the boys in company with Dorlan and others made a -week-end "liberty" to Santiago, where the winning battles of the war -were fought on land and water. They saw the exact spot where Hobson and -his brave crew blew up the _Merrimac_ in the harbor entrance; they -scaled the walls of Morro Castle, which withstood with hardly a scar the -fierce bombardment of our fleet; and they rode out to San Juan Hill, -where the gallant soldiers of Shafter's army fought so valiantly and -successfully. - -These little trips to old battlefields resulted in a great demand for -books dealing with the wars of that period, and the crew's library of -the _Denver_ was more popular than it had been for months. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - WINNING HIS FIRST MEDAL - - -Overhead the sun shone mercilessly from a cloudless sky. Hardly a -breath of air stirred the stubby grass and scrubby bushes which covered -abrupt little hillocks of piled-up coral lightly spread with clinging -bits of sandy soil. From the floor-like level of the baked sand flats, -covered with white streaks where the sun's rays had gathered up the -water and left small deposits of salt, the heat-waves rose, bubbling and -boiling, a snare to the unwary or unknowing riflemen, who, from various -ranges and positions, were sending little pellets of lead encased in -steel jackets at rows of paper targets surmounting the earth and -concrete parapets, known as the "butts." - -It was a busy and interesting scene of action. Marines in khaki and -sailors in white were sprinkled over the vast plain, all intent on -watching the bobbing rectangles of brownish paper with black, round, -bull's eyes whereon was marked each shot-hole caused by the bullets in -their flight. - -For days the preliminary drill had been under way. To the men who never -before had fired there seemed to be much useless labor and time wasted. -Position and aiming drills are monotonous at best, and to stand at long -intervals raising the rifle from the hip-position of "load" to a certain -height, then bringing it to rest against the right shoulder, bending the -head and squinting over the sights at small round black pasters an inch -in diameter stuck to a bulkhead or wall and finally snapping the -trigger, seemed the height of folly. When, however, the sighting drills -progressed to their making tiny triangles by getting points on a piece -of white paper twenty feet distant from the rifle sights and connecting -these with straight lines, followed by explanations why certain -triangles were good and if a bullet had actually travelled along the -indicated path, excellent or poor scores would have resulted, then the -drills held more interest for Richard and Henry. - -Each day Sergeant Battiste, one of the famous shots of the Corps and -attached to the _Denver_, gave lectures on rifle shooting. A celebrated -coach, member of many winning teams in the National Rifle meets, holder -of the coveted Distinguished Marksman Medal, and Military Rifle Champion -of America for two consecutive years, he was well fitted for his task. - -Marines are entitled to fire the regular record practise for -qualification under the Small Arms Firing Manual of the United States -Army once during each target year; but those men who made the grade of -Expert Rifleman were not required to fire again during their current -enlistment and for that time received each month the extra pay which is -a reward for their merit. Naturally all hands were anxious to make the -score necessary to acquire these benefits and Sergeant Battiste left no -stone unturned to help them in their desires. Each step had been -carefully rehearsed, instruction practise completed and to-day the -record firing would decide their final merit. - -"I've already told you," said Battiste, the men being gathered around -him on arrival at the 200-yard firing point, "not to get excited and to -take your time. Get your rear sight in perfect alignment with the front -sight and the 'bull' sitting oh top; fill your lungs--then, the moment -you are ready to fire hold your breath for that instant and squeeze the -trigger--don't pull or jerk it, first take up the 'creep,' and by now -every one of you should know just when that little additional pressure -will be sufficient to release the firing-pin. We've a perfect day for -shooting, and if you don't make good scores it's your own fault. As we -go back to the longer ranges the wind will come up, but it will blow -steadily from the left or nine o'clock,[#] if I know anything about this -range and the action of the wind here, and I claim I do. We shall have -to watch out for mirage. Your targets have been assigned. Each man -knows the number he will fire at and there is no excuse for shooting on -the wrong target. To do so would possibly spoil another fellow's score, -and it means you will receive a 'goose egg'[#] for your own shot, and -goose eggs mean low qualifications." - - -[#] When facing the target the range is supposed to represent the face -of a clock. Twelve o'clock is at the target; six, at the firing point; -three, to the right, and nine, to the left. The direction of the wind -is easily designated by reference to any hour of the clock dial. A -clock-face is also imagined on the target-face; twelve at the top and -six at the bottom, facing the firer. - -[#] A Zero on the score. - - -"Are we permitted to blacken our sights on record practise, Sergeant?" -inquired Dick, as Battiste paused for a moment. - -"Yes, you may blacken both front and rear sights. I'd suggest the use -of camphor, and I should also smoke the barrel well, as this sun makes -the blued metal glare badly. The red flag is up in the pits, so the -'sand rats'[#] are ready for us to begin. Get on the line, men, and -begin firing when your target comes up. Each shot will be marked. If -you fail to hit the target a red flag will be waved across its face, -indicating a miss; the white disk placed over the shot hole means a -bull's-eye, or five; the red disk, four; the black and white disk a -three and the black a two. If any of you wish to challenge the marking, -Mr. Gardiner, who is the Range Officer, will call up Mr. Thorp in the -butts and have the target gone over carefully. Remember to keep your own -score in your book and see that it corresponds with the marking and with -the scorekeepers' records." - - -[#] Men who operate the targets and signal the hits from the butts. - - -"How many shots do we fire?" called out Private Jones, the most -inattentive man of the guard, but also the one always spotlessly clean, -which reputation had gained for him the position of one of Commander -Bentley's cabin orderlies. - -"This is slow fire at 200 yards," answered the coach, who seldom lost -his temper and had the patience of Job. "Each man will fire two strings -of five shots each from the standing position, then we shall move back -to 300 yards, and fire the same number of shots from either the sitting -or kneeling position. No sighting shots allowed at either of these -ranges. The targets are up, men! Commence firing!" - -Immediately following the command came the crack of rifles all along the -line--the record practise was under way. - -Neither Richard nor Henry, before this week on the range at Guantanamo -Bay, knew anything of rifle shooting, though both, one in the New -England woods, the other along the bayous of the Mississippi, had spent -many happy hours with dog and shotgun. Practise with the high-powered -military rifle was a decidedly different proposition, but they took to -it as a duck does to water, and during instruction practise they -agreeably surprised Sergeant Battiste with work that was excellent for -beginners. - -Dick, having more patience and being more cool-headed, strong and -nerveless, was without doubt the better of the two. Henry's one failing -was his impatience to "get the shot off." In case he failed to bring -his sights in perfect alignment on the bull's eye with a steady hand, he -would fall back on the quick "fly shot" so necessary to the hunter armed -with a fowling piece, but disastrous to one who aspires to perfection -with the military weapon. - -"Five o'clock three for you, Cabell," sang out the coach; "must have -pulled down on your gun at the last moment. Remember my caution--take -your time and squeeze the trigger. Good work, Drummer Comstock; you've -found the bull first shot. It's nipping in at twelve o'clock.[#] It -pays to be calm and deliberate." - -"I'm way off to the right, Sergeant," called out Jones irritably; "all -three of my shots have gone in the same place--twos at three o'clock, -and you said there wasn't any wind blowing." - - -[#] "Nipping in at twelve o'clock"--A rifleman's term for a bull's-eye -just barely cutting the black at the top. - - -"Not a bit of wind, Jones, and if you would only remember to set your -wind gauge properly those twos would have been bulls, every one. You -have almost three points of right wind on, and you shouldn't have any. -Apply your quarter-point rule. Each quarter-point on your wind gauge at -200 yards moves your shot how many inches on the target?" - -"It moves it two inches, and three times two is six inches," said Jones -smugly. "My shots are about two feet from the center of the bull, so -there must be wind blowing from the left." - -"Your arithmetic needs a little oiling, Jones. There are four quarters -in every full point and that makes twelve quarters altogether for your -three points. Each quarter point moves you two inches, making -twenty-four inches in all. You see, that is the two feet that your -shots are out, which is what I said in the beginning." - -Jones sheepishly corrected his sight, and the next shot on his target -was marked a "pinwheel." - -Thus it was the coach went up and down the firing line, offering the -advice of long and successful experience. - -At the completion of the firing at 200 yards the line of riflemen moved -back to the 300-yard point, and taking the sitting or kneeling position, -began the next stage of the course. A "possible" or perfect score of -ten shots would mean fifty points towards the three hundred points -necessary to qualify the men as marksmen, and this they would have to -get in order to be permitted to shoot the sharpshooter's course. The -firing at 200 yards was the hardest in Dick's estimation, and though he -had started off with a bull's-eye, or five, as already stated, he did -not continue to see the little white marker or spotter in the black -space as he hoped would be the case. His first and last shots were -fives and the rest fours, making his total score forty-two. Henry was -six points below centers, or thirty-four. - -Three hundred yards was an easy range for Dick and he surprised himself -with the high score at that stage--forty-seven points, all bulls but -three, which fell close outside in the four-ring. Henry had made one -over centers, or a score of forty-one. - -"Now we will go back to five and six hundred yards," said Battiste. -"Each man must fire two sighting shots at both those ranges before he -can count his shots for record. The firing will be the same as it was -in instruction--from the prone position. I expect every man to average -up his score at the 500-yard range, for the bull looks as big as a -barn-door, and you can't miss it. You know we change the size of the -targets now and use the mid-range or B-target, and the bull's-eye is -twenty inches in diameter. In the short-range or A-target it is but -eight inches, and in the long-range or C-target it is thirty-six inches. -For this reason B-target at 500 yards and C-target at 800 yards are what -we call 'easy marks.'" - -"Supposing we fire the twelve shots and the first ten are bulls but the -last two goose eggs, would the latter count against you?" asked Henry, -as he rearranged the leather sling on his rifle around his left arm -before lying down. - -"It's your last ten shots which count," replied the coach. "Firing -regulations require you to take the two sighting shots, and you can't -juggle them around to suit yourself; they've got to be the first two -fired. The mirage is no longer boiling straight up,[#] but it's moving -off to the right a bit, so I'd advise you all to take your sighting -shots, make your own deductions and then wait for me to see how nearly -correct you are." - - -[#] Mirage--Heat waves near the earth, visible on some days to the naked -eye, but more clearly seen through a telescope. It is really the air -travelling on the range, and the best guide for windage, as it is the -actual air through which the bullet travels. When there is no movement -to left or right the wind is either still for a moment or carrying the -mirage directly towards or from the target. It appears to rise and is -said to be "boiling." - - -The moment Dick's target appeared he lay flat on his stomach with his -body at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the firing line, feet -spread apart with the heels turned inwards. His leather sling was -fastened tightly about the upper part of his left arm, and the left hand -was well under the rifle, bearing against the lower swivel, which held -one end of the sling. The butt of the rifle was placed, with the aid of -his right hand, against the right shoulder, both elbows on the ground, -the right hand grasping the small of the stock with the forefinger -curling around the trigger. His cheek was against the left side of the -stock and his right eye so near the rear of the cocking-piece that to -one uninitiated it would appear dangerous. But it was the safest -position he could assume, and the rifle in his grasp was steady as a -rock. - -Crack! Crack! The first shots sped on their way to the butts, as Dick -and the man on his right fired almost simultaneously. - -Nothing followed! Dick's target screen did not move. He was certain -his position, his aim, his pull, were all perfect. The shot must have -gone through the black paper in the center or one of the black annular -rings and was not seen by the "sand rat" in charge. - -"Mark number three target," shouted the sailor who was keeping Dick's -score, and the man at the field-telephone relayed the message to the -butts. A second or two later "number three" was "sashed," or pulled -down; then up it popped with the fatal red flag waving back and forth -across it as if in derision. - -Dick was surprised at this, for he was positive his first shot must have -been a bull's-eye. He looked at his sight critically. What was wrong? -Perhaps the wind was blowing enough to throw him off the "bull," but -never could that light breeze throw him off the target altogether. He -had one more sighting shot, and unless he found the target with that one -he would have no "dope" for his ten record shots that were to follow. -Already he had a quarter-point of left wind on his gauge, which meant, -at this range, if he took one-half a point windage that would move the -shot one-half the width of the "bull"--enough to put him in the -four-ring if his aim deviated the slightest and his "dope" happened to -be wrong. - -He was about to make the change, even though against his better -judgment, when the man at the end of the telephone called out: - -"Two shot holes in the bull on Number Four target!" - -Dick drew a long breath of relief. He had fired his first shot not at -his own but at his right-hand neighbor's target. - -"Thank your lucky star, young man, for the sighting spots, or else your -score would have been spoiled in the making," quietly remarked Sergeant -Battiste, who was standing back, enjoying the lad's perplexity. "Let it -be a lesson to you--always take a squint through your peep sight at the -number below your target before you fire. One of those fives in Four -Target was right in the center--a pin wheel! How much windage did you -have?" - -"A quarter-point of left wind," answered Dick. - -"Just right--now, go ahead and make a possible." - -And that is exactly what Drummer Comstock did--every one of his -following shots hitting the bull's-eye for a perfect score, and to the -present day he shows that page from his score book with great pride. - -Dick's luck continued with him at 600 yards, which to many old and tried -riflemen is one of the most interesting ranges. With forty-three points -here and the fifty at 500 yards, Dick now had a total score of one -hundred and eighty-two points. - -"What's your total, Hank?" asked Dick while they rested during the noon -hour. - -"One hundred and sixty-three, so far; but do you know who has the -highest total for the day?" - -"No, I didn't get through at six hundred in time to look over the -score-boards; why, who is it?" - -"Oh, a fellow named Richard Comstock! Great Scott! If you keep this up -they will be hailing you as the Military Champeen of the World, Dick. -That was great shooting you did at 500 yards, old man." - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -[Illustration: A Leaf From Dick's Score Book] - - A LEAF FROM DICK'S SCORE BOOK - -1. This leaf is from Dick's Score Book, which he inked in after he left -the range. - -2. It will be noticed the mirage was bad and Dick's 2nd sighting shot -and first four record shots were low, therefore he raised his sight 25 -yards. The bull's eye of this target (B) is 20 inches in diameter. 25 -yards up on sight gauge would be about 6-1/4 inches. - -3. "The square rule" is, changing the elevation 100 yards at any range -gives change on the target equal to the number of inches in the square -of the range. Example: at 500 yards equals 25 inches. - -4. On the 9th and 10th shots, Dick raised his sight again and kept in -the bull. The mirage had increased, tending to "throw" his shots low. - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -"I am proud of it, of course, but when you read how some of these crack -shots make a string of bulls as long as your arm at that range then it -loses some of its lustre as a star score." - -"They didn't get those wonderful records, though, on the first real -practise, as you have done, Dick; and Battiste says you have a natural -gift for shooting which further practise will surely develop." - -"Yes, I got along pretty well with the slow fire, Henry, but I'm rotten -in rapid fire, especially at 200 yards. Somehow I can't get the knack -of it." - -"That is funny, for I am perfectly at home in rapid fire," said Henry. - -"If I can get on my tummy and shoot 'em I am safe, therefore I don't -fear the skirmish runs. How many more points can be made from now on? -Let's figure it out!" - -"We could make three hundred more. Each of the two skirmish runs counts -one hundred, and the scores at rapid fire at 200 and 300 yards are fifty -each, but I don't reckon we will get anything like that. Besides, you -shouldn't worry, and I need but one-thirty-seven to qualify as marksman, -and you a hundred and eighteen." - -"You are wrong, Hank. It's true you require but three hundred points to -make you a marksman, but you need as many points as you can get. I'm -not satisfied just to scrape through in a matter of this kind, and -because the thing appears easy is all the more reason we should try for -the highest score we possibly can get. Then there is another reason; -your marksman's score is added to what you make in the sharpshooter's -course, and you've got to make a total of four hundred and fifteen -points to get the qualification, which then gives you the right to shoot -the expert test." - -"You are right again, Dick, and thank you for the tip, or I might have -missed my badge and the extra pay." - -[Illustration: Marksman badge. This is the badge of the lowest -qualification. Below this men are rated as "1st class," but receive no -badge.] - -That night when the different divisions of the _Denver's_ complement -returned, tired and hungry, to their ship, Sergeant Battiste worked till -late arranging the scores of those who had fired, and out of twenty -aspirants for the honor all had qualified as marksmen and would shoot -the following day. Of the twenty, the top notch shot was none other than -Dick, and fighting for last place were Trumpeter Cabell and Private -Jones, both with 323 points to their credit. Dick had made the -excellent score of 449 out of a possible 500 points. - -[Illustration: The Badge Awarded to Henry Cabell] - -The following evening when the shooting cohorts returned on board having -finished the Sharpshooter's[#] Course, he was still leading the -detachment with a total score of 586 points. - - -[#] This course consisted of ten shots slow fire at 800 yards, same at -1,000 yards, and ten shots rapid fire at 500 yards; a possible score -being 150 points. - - -"The 1,000-yard range was my Waterloo to-day," he explained to First -Sergeant Douglass, who did not have to fire, being already an expert -rifleman; "a fellow needs a lot more practise than I've had to be able -to find and hold the bull at that distance, especially if there is a -'fish tail'[#] wind blowing, as happened to-day. Anyway, I'm sure of my -Maltese Cross; but I want to pull down that expert's badge to-morrow, -for it's the finest of the lot." - - -[#] A wind coming from a direction nearly parallel with the flight of -the bullet:--the course the bullet travels through the air is called its -trajectory. - - -The expert rifleman's test consisted in first firing ten shots slow fire -from 600 yards over an embankment at the silhouette of a kneeling figure -of a man with his arm raised as in shooting. Then came five shots at -500 yards and five at 400 yards at the same figure, only in this -shooting it bobbed up above the butts for five seconds and might show up -at any point, with five-second intervals between appearances. Next, two -strings of five shots each at the "ducks," or Target F, the silhouette -of a man lying, are fired at 500 yards. These "ducks" are supposed to -fall over when hit, and at 300 and 200 yards the target first fired at, -Target E, is pulled across the range on a track fifty yards long, in -thirty seconds, while ten shots are being fired. Every hit counts one -point, and the firer must make twenty-five hits out of fifty shots to -qualify. - - Expert Rifleman badge. - - 1. This badge is of silver metal. For every three years of - re-qualification a bar is awarded with years engraved thereon and - suspended between the crossed rifles and the top bar. This is the - badge won by Dick at Guantanamo Bay Rifle Range. - -It is a true test of the individual's ability, where steady hand, quick -eye and excellent judgment are prime qualities for its successful -accomplishment, yet, in spite of his fine showing on the two previous -days, Dick barely scraped through with the exact number of hits to win -out. But he had won, and two months later when the little silver -emblems were received from Headquarters, it was with mingled pride and -thankfulness he saw his own name neatly engraved on the reverse of the -pin which Sergeant Douglass handed over to his keeping. - -Five new experts, eleven sharpshooters and four marksmen was the final -result of Sergeant Battiste's course of training. - -"Well, I don't believe," Dick remarked as he strained his eyes to see -the bright new badge he had pinned to his khaki coat preparatory to -Saturday morning inspection, "that I'll ever have as much pleasure in -winning anything as I had in winning this, my first real medal." - -"You may be right, Dick," said Henry, looking a little regretfully at -the new sharpshooter's badge he held in his hand, "but what appeals more -to me is that extra pay these little silver gadgets bring in each -month." - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - A REPUBLIC IN DISTRESS - - -Christmas and the New Year's holidays passed by uneventfully, and the -_Denver_ still remained at anchor in Guantanamo Bay. Other vessels -arrived and departed, but no orders came for the cruiser, much to the -disappointment of all hands. - -Rumors of trouble at various points often reached their ears, but the -crew finally began to lose hope of moving. The Department must have -forgotten them! The Secretary of the Navy was going to make her a -station ship! The Admiral of the Fleet had it in for the Captain, and -wouldn't let him move! All sorts and kinds of excuses and reasons were -forthcoming, but they were as unsatisfactory as they were improbable. - -Over six months of outdoor life, swimming, boating, fishing, riding -horseback, taking a leading part in athletics, for which his days at -Bankley High School and the healthy life in the New England seaport -formed a splendid foundation, had developed Richard Comstock into a -tall, broad-shouldered, small-waisted, powerful young man, one able to -give an excellent account of himself, no matter what the situation. As -bow oar of the winning marines' dinghy race-boat crew he had already -given evidence of the strength and endurance of his well-knit muscles. -He was nearly as brown as the Cubans who plied their bum-boat[#] trade -at the port gangway during meal hours, and with his straight black hair -and dark eyes he might easily have disguised himself as one of them. - - -[#] A shore boat which sells fruit, post-cards, curios, etc., to ships -visiting the port. - - -The months had likewise worked a change in Henry Cabell, but his figure -was much slighter and less robust than that of his boon companion. The -boys were trying to master the Spanish language, and when ashore on -visits to Caimanera and Guantanamo City, as frequently they were, it -became a practise to carry on all their conversation in that tongue, -much to the amusement of themselves and particularly the natives with -whom they came in contact. However, the practise was good for them, and -they were able to converse quite fluently, and to chatter glibly with -the Phillipino cooks and mess attendants, of whom a number were attached -to the ship. - -Usually their evenings were spent ashore at the Marine Barracks on -Fisherman's Point, where a nightly programme, consisting of the best -moving-picture plays, were shown on the screen or boxing and wrestling -matches, in both of which Dick occasionally took part, helped pass the -hours. - -In the meantime Joe Choiniski and "Slugger" Williams, having completed -their term of punishment in solitary confinement, were released and -restored to duty. The long enforced diet seemingly wrought a change in -Williams' attitude towards the world in general; and the ship's athletic -officer, Lieutenant Robling, hearing of the "Slugger's" reported prowess -with the gloves, had interested him anew in boxing, and he had gone into -training with a view of winning laurels when the Fleet should finally -put in its appearance during the winter maneuvers and target practice. -Choiniski belonged to the "black gang,"[#] and his living space was far -removed from the marines' compartment, consequently the boys rarely came -in contact with him, but if black looks could speak for anything it was -certain that Joe's feeling for them was still full of animosity. - - -[#] A nickname for the Engineer Division on shipboard. - - -Altogether Captain Bentley's ship was having a peaceful, rather than a -wildly exciting time. - -Then like a bolt from the blue came a cable message--received at the -little station near the lighthouse. - -"Revolution in San Domingo. Proceed immediately to Monte Cristi and -report to Senior Officer Present for further assignment on arrival." - -Thus ran the order. - -It was Saturday afternoon, and most of the crew were ashore. -Immediately the "Cornet"[#] was hoisted at the foremast, which was a -peremptory order for everybody to return on board at once regardless of -length of leave. It told those on shore that the ship was under sailing -orders and about to get under way. - - -[#] A signal flag used to recall all boats and liberty parties. - - -Conjectures were rife in the boats hurriedly returning from all the -various places to which they had gone for the afternoon's outing. -Swimming parties hardly waited to get into their clothes before shoving -off for the cruiser; officers playing golf did not stop to look for the -balls they had sent flying along the "fairway" or bouncing into the -"rough"; the baseball game in progress halted as a batsman in the act of -making a "home run" cut swiftly across the diamond from second base and, -grabbing his sweater, made his final spurt for the boat landing. - -"Back to the good old U.S.A. for us, boys!" - -"Hooray! Broadway and the white lights, fellers!" - -"Philly's good enough for me!" called out one enthusiast from the stern -sheets of the loaded sailing launch. - -These and many other such remarks filled the air. - -"Whoop her up, boys, for ten days' leave in the old home town, no matter -where it may be!" yelled one joyful youngster, and all who could lent a -willing hand on the heavy oars. - -Then came the disappointment! - -Within an hour the gangways and boat booms were rigged in, awnings -furled, cutters and steamers hoisted aboard, life-boats secured for sea, -all the hundred and one things necessary to the departure of a -man-of-war attended to. - -Last of all the mail was sent ashore, for this might be the only -opportunity for days,--possibly weeks; who could tell? - -Now came the peeping of the boatswains' whistles and raucous voices -bellowing throughout the ship. - -"All hands, Up anchor!" - -Silently the divisions fell in at their proper stations. Slowly the -propellers began their revolutions, which would not cease until the -arrival at that island of trouble, San Domingo--the Hispaniola of the -Spanish Main. - -Ashore the little garrison of marines lined the beach at Fisherman's -Point. They had heard the news and when the _Denver_ passed, clouds of -smoke issuing from her funnels, her ensign snapping in the breeze, and -her crew drawn up on deck, the envious men ashore gave her three rousing -cheers to speed the parting guest. On past the lighthouse, out through -the narrow entrance of the harbor into the deep indigo waters of the -Caribbean, where, once the coral shoals were well astern, the course was -changed to due east, and one by one, buildings, bay, and lighthouse were -swallowed in the distance and the bluish haze which hovered over the -terraced hills and shore of Cuba's southern slopes. - -Captain Bentley, unlike most naval officers of his day, believed in -informing his officers of all the reasons underlying his official -actions and the movements of the vessel he commanded. The idea which so -many officers held,--divulge nothing, keep officers and crew in -ignorance of situations, destinations and intentions until the last -possible moment, was not in accord with his conception of good -management, executive ability and cooerdination, therefore, unless -absolutely forbidden by his instructions, he made it a point to explain -fully all orders which would sooner or later affect them, so that they -might familiarize themselves with all the ramifications of the probable -events. - -Following out this policy he summoned the heads of all departments to -his cabin after supper, and there being no officer in charge of the -marines, he included First Sergeant Douglass among those present, and -furnished them with a short resume of all the messages he had received -since the first one ordering him to sea so unexpectedly. - -"Gentlemen, for some months the political situation in the Dominican -Republic has been hovering on the brink of another revolution, and from -these despatches received to-day, armed conflict has at last become a -fact. Our government anticipated this state of affairs, but owing to -various causes we have not sufficient ships in San Domingan waters -adequately to guard the interests of American citizens nor protect the -customs, which as you are aware, are under the supervision of the United -States. The situation is so acute, in the belief of the Department, -that already marines are embarking on board the _Dixie_ at Philadelphia, -and by morning will be on their way to Monte Cristi, where the greatest -activity against the organized government seems centered. It will be -five days at best before the marines will reach here. I have been -ordered to proceed there also and report to the S.O.P. for assignment. -Barring unforeseen accidents we should arrive at our destination on -Monday morning. It is advisable for us under the circumstances to make -ourselves acquainted with such facts as are available regarding the -political, economical and geographical features of the unfortunate -republic. Our duties may take us to any one of its ports; therefore a -study of the charts and a glimpse at the island's history will be -beneficial to all. I believe the day is not far distant when San -Domingo will become a territory of ours, or at least a protectorate -under us." - -"If you have time and inclination, sir, I believe all present would -appreciate a short talk along the lines you indicate," said Lieutenant -Commander Ogden. - -"Very gladly, and I will not waste time on preliminaries," said Captain -Bentley. "Of course, you all know Christopher Columbus discovered Santo -Domingo on his first voyage, and by his direction his brother -Bartholomew founded the first European settlement in the New World on -August 4, 1494, naming it New Isabella. From this time to the present -the island has been the scene of more continual fighting, and strife, -and dissension, than any other portion of the globe of equal size. The -Spaniards were the first people to believe in the policy that 'a good -Indian is a dead one,' and they proceeded to make them 'good.' English, -French, and Spanish armies and navies have fought along and on its -shores. Revolution has succeeded revolution. The French end of the -island was declared a republic in 1801 after an uprising of the blacks -under Toussant L'Ouverture, who incidentally was the son of a Royal -African King. The French and Spanish long disputed certain portions of -the island, and a treaty establishing the boundary was made January 3, -1777, but with the independence of Haiti the whole island came under the -rule of the negroes. Soon the Spanish element revolted against the -blacks and formed an independent republic, and the old boundary lines -were reestablished in 1844. In 1849 President Baez endeavored to lease -Samana Bay to the United States, but our President, Mr. Pierce, did not -succeed in putting the measure through. The countries of Europe were -fearful of our securing a base in the West Indies of such prime -importance, and a revolution against Baez, incited so it is claimed by -the English, overthrew the government. - -"Strife was again rampant, and finally Spain was invited to take over -her former colony by the people in 1861. - -"This lasted till 1865, when the Spanish yoke was again thrown off and -another futile attempt made to interest us in Samana Bay. Hardly a year -has passed since without dissension and bloodshed. In the interests of -our own and foreign citizens, and to carry out the policy of the Monroe -Doctrine, the United States has at all times endeavored to settle these -sanguinary conflicts, and with some success; but never has a permanent -peace resulted. - -"About 1905 we agreed to manage their customs for San Domingo, and to -assist them to liquidate many of the enormous financial claims against -their government by various foreign and domestic concerns. Germany, -ever on the alert to expand her power, was only too anxious to establish -herself in the Western Hemisphere, and in order to continue our stated -policy of protection against such invasion, some such act on our part -was absolutely necessary. Deprived of the rich benefits of custom dues, -revolutions did not prove profitable, and a period of comparative quiet -ensued. But it seems that a Latin-American people cannot long remain -stable, and now they are again on the rampage. European influence is -undoubtedly behind it, but I do not feel free to divulge that phase of -the matter. I hope I have not bored you." - -"Are you able to give us the present situation regarding the contending -forces?" asked Lieutenant Robling, the engineer officer. - -"Only in a general way. The rebels seem to hold the interior towns and -country, and with the exception of Monte Cristi the seaports are all in -the hands of the government troops. A great amount of smuggling is -being carried on between the rebels and Haitians, and the officials are -powerless to prevent it." - -"Do you believe we shall land?" inquired the Executive Officer. - -"That I cannot say; however, we must be prepared for any emergency." - -"I will make all arrangements for the landing force to be ready for -instant service. To-morrow is Sunday, but with your permission I will -'turn to' in the morning, go over the details, and break out and stow on -deck our equipment." - -"Go ahead with the work as you see fit, Mr. Ogden, and be sure that the -gunner gets his small-arms ammunition ready for issue. Turn over to -First Sergeant Douglass enough rifle and pistol ammunition to equip the -guard. The marines may be needed immediately on arrival for service -ashore. If that is all, gentlemen, I will bid you good-evening." - -No feeling of disappointment prevailed among the _Denver's_ crew upon -receipt of the news that they were en route to aid in putting down a -full-fledged rebellion, and everybody was once again full of -cheerfulness and smiles. This elation was particularly noticeable among -the marines, for if there was "anything doing" ashore their -participation was a foregone conclusion. The mere fact that a thousand -of their fellows were already sailing from Philadelphia was indication -enough that the situation was critical. - -Time and again the marines had been rushed here and there and everywhere -to police up this or that fractious republic; it was an old yet ever new -story with them, and though the activities and general status of this -fighting branch of Uncle Sam's armed forces were obscure to the majority -of people at home, they were well known and greatly respected in those -lands where they labored, fought and often died in their country's -service. - -Richard and Henry were greatly excited over the prospect and worked with -a will the following day in getting out stores, munitions, clothing and -otherwise preparing for the hoped-for duty ashore. - -"It's lucky we went to Guantanamo, Dick, else we might not have had any -experience with these big Colt's forty-fives we pack around on our -hips," Henry remarked. - -The two lads were at the time carefully oiling and cleaning their heavy -revolvers, the weapons the "musics" of the Corps carried into conflict. -Splendid shooting arms they were, too, and during the stay in Cuba they -had received a certain amount of practise with them in connection with -the Navy Small Arms Course, wherein scores with both rifle and revolver -were required. - -As he spoke, Henry whirled the open cylinder about, and with a clever -twist of the wrist snapped it shut, then pointing the empty revolver at -a passing man he snapped the hammer rapidly. - -"Stop that!" came a curt command, and looking up Henry found Corporal -Dorlan standing over him. The look in Dorlan's eye was not pleasant to -see, and the usual good-natured smile was missing from the older man's -face. - -"Stop what?" asked Henry, flushing because of the harshness in Dorlan's -voice and glance. - -"Stop that foolishness! Ye ought to be gettin' sense in the noodle of -ye after bein' these months in the marines." - -"I reckon I've as much sense and maybe a little more than some marines -around here, who've been in as many hitches[#] as I have months, and I -don't need a trial by Summary Court to teach me lessons," and Henry -glared hotly at the veteran soldier. - - -[#] "Hitches"--Enlisted man's term for enlistments. - - -"If that's the case, me lad, let's see ye use it, both in yer actions -and yer manners," said Dorlan, and the twinkle was now returning to the -gray-blue eyes; "but I'll tell ye one thing sure;--it won't be a -'summary' but a 'general' ye will be after gettin' if ye go around so -careless like aimin' and shootin' yer gun at human bein's, and ye can -put that in your pipe and shmoke it for the rest of yer life, and 'twill -do ye a wurrld of good." - -By this time Henry's better nature asserted itself and rising he put out -his hand frankly and asked the elder man to excuse his unwisely chosen -words. - -Richard, witnessing the incident, was happy to see these two good -friends of his settle so amicably what might have developed into a -bitter animosity on the part of the young Southerner. - -"Now that 'the battle is over, Mother Dear,'" quoted Dick, "suppose you -sit down, Corporal Michael Dorlan, and tell us the causes of the -Revolutionary War." - -"And I could do that too, me lad," said Dorlan, smiling at Richard, whom -he claimed as his own particular protege, "but I'll sit me down and tell -ye somethin' that may be of interest and profit to the two of yez." - -Seating himself on a near-by sea-chest, Dorlan continued: - -"Just a bit ago, young man, I saw ye pointin' a gun at one of yer -shipmates and not only that, but pullin' of the trigger," and he looked -severely at Henry. - -"What of that? The revolver wasn't loaded--it couldn't harm anyone," -stated Henry. - -"That's where ye are wrong, lad, for it's the gun what ain't loaded -which generally goes off and kills yer best friend. It's the kind of -accident ye read about in almost any paper ye pick up in any part of the -world, and I'd make a bet with ye that the weapon the other fellow -'didn't know was loaded' since the invention of gun-powder has caused -more deaths and serious accidents than have the aimed shots in actual -warfare." - -"But, Corporal, I knew my pistol was empty," protested Henry; "I looked -through the cylinder before I closed it. Besides, we've had no -ammunition given us." - -"Nevertheless, what I say is true, Henry, and here is a safe rule for ye -to follow for the rest of your life: never point a gun, loaded or -unloaded, at any human bein' unless ye mean to kill or wound him." - -At the instant Dorlan finished speaking a half dozen laughing -bluejackets came running around a corner into the marines' compartment. -Following in close pursuit was a companion flourishing a noosed rope in -one hand and a revolver in the other. As he appeared he called out: - -"Catch the bandits!" - -It was innocent horse play and the men in the vicinity turned to watch -the chase. The "bandits" disappeared through a door on the port side of -the deck, the pursuer aimed his revolver at them and pulled on the -double-action trigger. There was a loud report and a leaden bullet -flattened itself harmlessly against the iron bulkhead. - -The young apprentice seaman who had fired the shot stopped short and, -with a white face, looked in horror at the smoking weapon as it fell -from his nerveless grasp to the deck. - -"I never knew it was loaded!" he cried hoarsely. - -Reaching for the heavy Colt's, Corporal Dorlan picked it up and broke -open the cylinder,--every chamber but the one just discharged was filled -with death. - -"Come up to the Officer of the Deck, young feller," ordered Dorlan -grimly, taking the trembling sailor by the arm, and as they turned to -leave, he looked towards Dick and Henry, saying: - -"As I said before--never point a gun unless ye mean to kill." - -No more salutary lesson could have been given than old Mike's talk and -its startling sequel. - - -Out into the windward passage; northward then eastward into the -trade-wind-tossed, white-capped waters of the Atlantic; past the -mountainous shores of Haiti and the famous or infamous island of -Tortuga, whence came the buccaneers and their notorious chief, Sir Henry -Morgan. - -Then the character of the land changed from rugged mountains rising at -the shore line to low, gray, misty ranges rearing their serrated ridges -far inland. Finally from out the sea a lone peak reared its crest; -growing ever higher and higher--the well-known Monte Granero, so called -by the great discoverer when he first saw it, and from the summit of -which can be seen the site where now are the ruins of New Isabella on -the northern shore of San Domingo. On the low-lying plain a few miles -southwestward from the base of the mountain was the straggling town of -Monte Cristi, sweltering in the morning sunshine. - -Since before dawn the spluttering snap of the wireless filled the air on -board the _Denver_ as the message sped through the intervening miles of -space to the flagship lying in the open bay off Cabras Island. - -Captain Bentley on the bridge read the aerograms with interest, and -particularly the last one. - - -"Large force rebels reported operating vicinity Samana Bay. Proceed to -Sanchez, investigate conditions, protect American and foreign lives and -property. Guard customs. Report conditions." - - -"We will continue on our present bearing, Mr. Ogden," said the Captain; -"read this, and send word to the Navigating Officer to report to me at -once in my cabin." - -Captain Bentley then went below, and soon was poring over the chart of -Samana Bay, one of the finest harbors and most desirable bases in the -whole of the West Indies. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - SENOR PEREZ ASKS FOR AID - - -Before the mud caused by the dropping anchor rose to the surface of the -water, a shore boat containing two oarsmen and one passenger put out -from the wharf and pulled for the _Denver_. That the passenger was in a -hurry was evidenced by his gesticulating hands, and by the black cotton -umbrella held by its bulging center which he waved in an attempt to make -the clumsy boatmen pull together. From under the white cork helmet his -dark face worked spasmodically as with a mixture of Spanish, English and -German words he urged on his laggard crew. - -Interested sailors and marines lined the ship's rail, watching the -approach of the stout, excited little foreigner. His rapid speech was -now quite audible though not intelligible. - -"He is giving those peons what my mother would call 'gowdy,'" said Dick -to Henry, "and that is her worst swear word." - -"Meaning our excitable friend is rather strong in his choice of -expletives?" inquired Henry. - -"You've got it, Hank! His language is hot enough to make a bottle of -Tobasco sauce weep tears of envy." - -By this time the boat was within a few yards of the ship. - -"Boat ahoy! What do you want?" hailed the Officer of the Deck. - -"I want to see the Captain. I am the consul. I am Senor Perez. There -is much trouble." - -"Come alongside," ordered the Officer of the Deck, and walked to the -gangway to meet the consul who, with surprising agility, sprang from his -boat and waddled hurriedly on deck. - -"Excuse the absence of honors, Senor, but we did not expect you. The -Captain will see you at once, sir." - -"I do not want the honors, I want the protection. I want----" - -"Orderly, conduct Senor Perez to the Captain's cabin," said the officer, -and still talking volubly the little man disappeared below, the marine -orderly leading the way. - -"It was a regular vaudeville show," said Private Jones later, hardly -able to control his laughter while he related the interview to a group -of friends accosting him for news after he came off watch. "The little -Spig is our consul, all right enough, and after the Old Man had quieted -him down a bit he appeared to be a pretty agreeable sort. But, say! He -was going strong when he first opened up, and that's no idle jest." - -"All right, Jonesie, cut that part and tell us what all the excitement's -about." - -"From what I gathered seeing the door to the cabin was open all the -time," continued Jones, "he's all wrought up over the arrival of a bunch -of rebels in the hills back of the town. He has just returned from a -trip to the States; came on a Clyde Liner Saturday. His daughter was -struck in the leg by a stray bullet during the revolution two years ago -and has been in New York for treatment. He brought her back, also a new -German governess for his four children, the oldest being this little -girl--her name is Sol-la-de-da or something like that----" - -"Guess you mean Soledad," volunteered Dick. - -"That's it,--Soledad! Well, last night the rebs shot up the town, but -no one was hurt. The little girl--he sort of worships her--was scared -stiff, and so was everyone else. The government troops were afraid to -leave the fort, but added their shots and shouts to the general uproar. - -"Some of the bullets hit the consulate, and Perez believes, because he -is the American Consul and Americans are unpopular with the rebs--also -because he was active in electing the present president--that they are -after him. He's a native of San Domingo, and I expect he ought to know -what he's talking about." - -"What did the Old Man tell him?" asked one of the men. - -"The Captain told him he'd received orders not to send any forces ashore -unless absolutely necessary; in other words, that we are not to get -mixed up with any of the fighting at all if we can help it. He offered -to take him and all his family on board for a while." - -"What did the Spig say to that?" - -"Oh, he went up in the air at first, but it was finally settled to -arrange signals from his house to the ship, and if he was actually -attacked he could send up a rocket or two and we'd land in a jiffy. You -see, there are only about fifty insurrectos in the hills, so it's -estimated, and there are two hundred government troops in the town, and -the rebs are afraid to come in to attack, even though the federals are -afraid of them. We are going to keep our search-lights on all night, -and though we can't see the Spigs in the bosky they'll think we can, and -that'll be enough to scare 'em. After that Mr. Consul went ashore with -a bundle of rockets under one arm and his old bumbershoot under the -other, mollified but not satisfied." - -"Is that all you know?" inquired another inquisitive man. - -"You can't expect me to remember everything; besides, I'm no evening -paper," answered Jones. - -"You ain't no yeller journal, that's sure," said Joe Choiniski, -sneeringly, from the edge of Jones' audience. "I, for one, wouldn't -give two cents to read all you've chawed about so far." - -"Nobody asked you to butt in and listen," promptly answered Jones, -looking at the speaker, who was none too popular, especially with the -marines, "but I've got a dime thriller up my sleeve for the Sunday -edition." - -"Loosen up, Jonesie," said a big marine, tossing into the circle a -quarter, which Jones deftly caught, "here's two bits; you can keep the -change. What's the scandal?" - -Rather proud at being the center of so much attraction, an honor not -ordinarily accorded him, Jones continued: - -"Well, the chief thing old Perez was excited over is a bunch of money -he's got in his house. He's about the richest man in town, and is a -kind of banker too, and he's got several thousands of dollars of -government money in his keeping. He can't get rid of it, for the -railroad is busted up. He's afraid to let the Commanding Officer of the -government troops know about it, for the simple reason that a lot of pay -is already due him and his men, and they'd be liable to confiscate it -and his own coin too. He claims that the rebel chief is an enemy of his -and wouldn't hesitate to kill him and his whole family if he heard about -the money and could get it. He can't let the money out of his house for -the reason he's received word a federal officer is expected at any old -time to get it, and if he didn't have it ready for instant delivery, -he'd always be in bad with the authorities, and----" - -"You have done enough talking, young man," interrupted First Sergeant -Douglass, who overheard the latter part of Jones' discourse, "and I want -to tell you, if ever I hear you or any other orderly disclosing, without -authority, official matters which you may happen to overhear while on -duty in a position of trust, I'll see that you get well and properly -punished. You may not have thought of it in that light, but it's a -sneaking, unmanly trick, and marines are supposed to be men, not -sneaks." - -Private Jones was honest enough to feel the humiliation of this rebuke, -but that did not stop the tales he told from being quickly carried to -every member of the crew. - -Soon after, "all hands" was called. Rifles and ammunition issued to the -sailors and word passed that the landing force would sleep under arms -until further notice, after which recall sounded and the routine drills -were resumed. - -Much to the disappointment of the crew, no one was allowed ashore, and -though the town did not offer much in the way of diversion or -entertainment, it was a new country and a new people for the majority, -and all were naturally curious. - -On the steep slopes of the hill, rising abruptly from the water's edge, -nestled the little town, consisting of one principal street following -generally a contour line, while from it on either hand were cobbled -lanes and narrow paths with no general symmetry or direction. Back of -the town on a spur of the mountain stood the red-walled fort, a winding -road leading to its entrance. Barefooted soldiers in red caps and blue -denim coats and trousers and armed with nearly every make of antique -rifle lined the walls of the fort or marched along the road. At -frequent intervals strange calls sounded on high pitched bugles to which -no one seemed to pay the slightest attention. - -Night fell! A glorious rising moon spread its effulgent rays over a -peaceful scene. From the little village on the hillside came the tinkle -of guitars, the shouts of playing children. The shore lights twinkled -cheerfully, while in a large building a dance was in progress. Added to -the moon's brilliancy were the beams of the ship's search-lights -constantly moving over woods and town, making objects clear cut and -distinct but casting massive black shadows where house or hillock -intervened. - -"This is the bloodiest war I've ever heard about," said Henry in disgust -at the peaceful turn of affairs. "I do wish they'd start something, -don't you, Dick?" - -Dick glanced about at the sleeping men, their rifles by their sides, -canteens and haversacks and bayonets within easy reach, ready for any -emergency, but instead of answering he emitted an unintelligible grunt, -turned over on his side and was soon asleep. - -For two nights peace and quiet. The insurrectos had withdrawn from the -near-by hills, so it was reported, but were guarding all the roads and -keeping fresh supplies from reaching the inhabitants. - -On Wednesday afternoon liberty was granted a limited number of officers -and men. Henry, being on duty, was unable to go ashore, so Dick found -himself alone soon after his arrival on the beach. - -A small hotel attracted most of the men with its one decrepit pool -table, tinny piano and refreshment cafe. The town was a little garden -spot, each yard filled with a profusion of flowers. Dick turned to the -left at the main street and strolled along in the direction of the -consulate. Passing the house, easily the finest residence in sight, he -noticed the bright colors of the American flag hanging from the white -pole, and on the spacious piazza three children, olive-skinned and -dark-eyed, waved their hands in friendly greeting to the young marine. -He addressed them in his halting Spanish, but they hung back bashfully, -making no reply. - -Senor Perez's residence was at the end of the well-kept street on the -outskirts of the town. Dick, not noticing where the winding road to the -fort branched off, continued into the country before he became aware -that the road was little more than a wide trail, which had turned and -twisted away from the bay. Occupied with his thoughts, and the tropical -vegetation and strange birds on every hand, he had gone much further -than was his intention. - -He was about to retrace his steps when a woman's scream from around the -bend ahead arrested him. Though no words were uttered it was distinctly -a call for help, and without a second thought Dick ran towards the spot. -Arriving at the bend of the road he saw a young woman in the grasp of -two disreputable looking natives, while a few yards beyond a half dozen -others with rifles slung over their shoulders were turning off the trail -into the dense underbrush. - -The leading man of those in the distance carried a struggling child, a -girl, in his arms. From where he stood Dick noticed her face was -covered with a dirty cloth which stifled any outcry. The two men -holding the woman were so occupied in keeping her from breaking away in -pursuit of the men with the child, and attempting to gag her, that they -were unaware of Dick's timely approach. The fact that the ruffians did -not see him favored the attack which the boy delivered silently and -swiftly. One of the men was holding the woman's arms while the other, -bending, endeavored to bind them behind her with a piece of rope. She -twisted her supple body and kicked vigorously with her stout walking -shoes. - -As Dick reached them he swung his right fist with all his strength on -the jaw of the standing man, knocking him senseless to the road. -Grabbing the other about the waist he fairly lifted him off the ground -and threw him heavily. - -Like a cat the native was on his feet. Rushing at Dick with a savage -cry he drew back his right arm, in which was a dangerous looking knife. -His assailant was within a few feet of him when Dick launched his one -hundred and sixty-five pounds of brawn and muscle in a low tackle which -did credit to his football training at Bankley. Unaccustomed to such a -method of attack, the native had no chance at all, and again he fell to -the path, his head striking against a rock; the knife flew from his hand -into the bushes, and he lay there motionless. - -In another moment Dick was up, and taking the pieces of rope he found -near by, he quickly tied both men securely, nor did he do the task at -all gently. The man whom Dick had first struck was now groaning, for the -terrific blow had fractured his jaw; as for the other, it was not -certain in Dick's mind whether he was dead or not, for he had not moved -since his second fall. - -For the first time Dick looked at the woman whose summons for help he -had so effectually answered. To his surprise she was lying in the road, -her eyes closed and face deathly pale. What should he do? Was she -dead? Had her assailants dealt her some fatal blow? Had he arrived too -late to save her? - -Kneeling at her side Dick looked anxiously into her face; he felt -incompetent to cope with this phase of the situation. She was a comely -woman about thirty years of age, her fair complexion and light hair -proclaiming her of a northern race. As he watched, the color began -slowly returning to the white cheeks. He saw her lips move and bending -he caught the one word they uttered: - -"Soledad!" - -He was still bending over her when the eyelids quiveringly opened and -drawing a deep sigh the blue eyes of the woman looked straight up into -the dark eyes of the brown-skinned boy, whose straight black hair and -aquiline features, now covered in dirt and dust, brought to her mind but -one thought--the horrible men who had attacked her. She started to -scream, but the unspeakable terror again crept over her and again she -fainted. - -Dick's mind was working with lightning rapidity. The name "Soledad" must -be that of Senor Perez's daughter; this woman must be the new governess! -Her two assailants, securely bound, were no longer a menace, but the -child was in a dangerous predicament. The German woman would soon -regain consciousness and be able to secure help--but Soledad, the little -girl already in mortal fear of rebels, who for two years had suffered -from a former revolution, what of her? If he returned for help her -abductors would be far away by that time. If he set out in pursuit at -once he might overtake them and--and what? - -He was unarmed! What could he accomplish against so many? Six men had -disappeared in the tangle of woods,--there might be more, and those he -had seen were armed with rifles. He remembered that point distinctly. - -How fast his brain worked!--the pros and cons flashing before his mind's -eye with kaleidoscopic clearness, in all their varying positions. Would -those who had gone wait for their two comrades? - -In that thought was a glimmer of hope, for it might be they were even -now waiting not far off. Could he find them? The trail, the -country,--all were new to him! - -His roving eyes swept the two men lying at the roadside. Here were -weapons. He at least would not go unarmed. Rising, he went to the -trussed-up men and calmly took from them their revolvers, holsters and -ammunition belts. The man with a broken jaw was suffering, but with the -stoicism of a brute rather than of a man. From him Dick also removed a -two-edged dagger in its sheath, while the fellow glared at him silently. -A moment in adjusting his weapons, another to find his campaign hat, a -final inspection of the bound legs and arms of the natives, a last look -at the woman, who was showing signs of returning consciousness, and he -was running off down the road. Not a mad dash such as he made in his -attack, but the long swinging stride of the cross-country athlete. - -It seemed to Dick as though hours had elapsed, when in reality the -minutes had been but few. In the stress of action, when brain and mind, -flesh and bone, nerve and muscle, are working in perfect cooerdination -even Time in his flight appears to stop and wait. But Dick's mind was -not engaged in thoughts of this character as he turned from the trail -and disappeared into the tropical jungle on his precarious errand of -mercy. - -Fraeulein Stauche opened her eyes slowly. She almost feared to do so, -for the last thing she remembered were the black eyes of a dirty -ferocious native glaring into her own, his face so close she could feel -his breath fanning her cheek. This time she saw nothing but the blue -sky overhead. The sun, low on the western ridge, would soon sink, -bringing a premature twilight hour to the little town nestling at the -base of the lofty mountain. The glare, however, hurt her eyes and she -closed them. It was easier to collect her thoughts thus. Why was she -lying here under the open sky, and who had been the man staring at her -when she looked but a second or two ago? Where was Soledad? - -Soledad! - -The name brought back with such startling poignancy the fearful tragedy -through which she had lived that she struggled to her feet and looked -about her in fear and trembling. She recalled how, with Soledad holding -her hand, they had strolled along this path, when without warning two -men sprang at her from the bushes and attempted to gag her, while -others, how many she could not remember, grabbed her dainty little -charge and ran along the path and disappeared in the thicket, leaving -her fighting and struggling. She looked down the trail and caught sight -of a man just turning where the others had turned. - -What had they done with the child? What should she do? Fear was -tugging at her heart and her knees shook with weakness. A movement at -the roadside attracted her. She looked. Lying there were two men. -They were now still, but the eyes of one were fastened on her. With a -scream of terror, Fraeulein Stauche turned and ran as fast as she could -for the town behind her. - -At last the consulate--and from the pole flew the stars and stripes in -the evening breeze! Thank the good God that the gray ship was in the -harbor. Help would soon be forthcoming, and as she struggled on she -prayed it would not come too late. - - -When the officers reported their divisions at evening quarters on board -the _Denver_ that night another of the ship's force was among those -missing. For Drummer Comstock had already been reported as absent upon -the return of the liberty party at five-thirty, but now the Engineer -Officer stated that Joe Choiniski had jumped ship. - -"How do you think Choiniski got ashore?" asked the Captain of Mr. Ogden. - -"The only solution I can offer is that during the noon hour, while the -men were buying fruit from the bum-boats, Choiniski secreted himself -aboard one of them. He was seen hanging around the port gangway at that -hour in dungarees and Chief Master-at-Arms Fitch ordered him below." - -"Did he obey the order?" - -"Fitch does not know, sir. The Officer of the Deck called him at that -second to drive away some bum-boatmen trying to tie up to the starboard -gangway, and when he returned Choiniski was gone." - -"That coal passer is a bad man, and I hope, now that he's gone, that we -have seen the last of him; but, isn't it a strange coincidence that -Drummer Comstock did not return on time? Do you attach any significance -to that?" - -"Oh, no, Captain, Comstock and Choiniski are not in the least friendly. -They would not hob-nob together." - -"That is not what I mean. I have heard that Choiniski threatened to get -even with Comstock on account of the affair in Culebra. I was thinking -that he might have made his threat good. I believe him capable of -almost any act. I don't like his face." - -"Here is Sergeant Douglass, sir; he may give us some information," said -Mr. Ogden, and the Captain turned to the old marine. - -"Sergeant, what have you heard regarding the actions of Drummer Comstock -while on shore?" - -"From inquiries, sir, I find he did not stay with the others, but went -around town by himself. Some sailors were talking with him in front of -the hotel, and they state that he started off for the fort. After he had -gone some distance they also decided to visit the fort and followed him, -but when they came to the road that leads up the hill they saw him still -going along the main road in an easterly direction. They thought he -acted queerly in not asking them to accompany him, for they were -discussing the matter between them, and when they saw he didn't go -towards the fort at all, they decided he must have some reason for not -wanting them along. That was the last seen of the boy." - -"Thank you, Sergeant, that is all. Let me know if you hear anything -further." - -"Aye, aye, sir," and Sergeant Douglass saluted and turned away. - -"It's after six o'clock, sir, and if that is all for the present I will -get ready for mess." - -Captain Bentley was about to reply when the Gunner came hurriedly up the -ladder and, spying Lieutenant Commander Ogden, he approached and -saluted. - -"Mr. Ogden, the chief gunner's mate reports to me that two Colt's -forty-fives, and a dozen boxes of ammunition have disappeared from the -armory since morning quarters. He put the revolvers away himself and -locked the door--it is a snap lock--which was still as he left it when -he went in the armory a while ago." - -"Who has access to the armory, Mr. Nelson?" asked the Captain, and a -dark frown appeared on his face. Too many inexplicable things were -happening on board his ship this day to suit him, and he was becoming -decidedly annoyed. - -"I have the only key, sir, and I never allow anyone in the armory except -the chief gunner's mate. Whenever he gets through his work there he -always brings the key to me. Of course, Mr. Ogden has duplicate keys, -as you know, sir." - -"Does the chief gunner's mate permit anyone in there?" - -"No, sir, I believe he obeys my order to the letter. A few days ago he -asked and received permission to allow Drummer Comstock of the marines -in there. The boy wanted to familiarize himself with the mechanism of -the Colt's machine-gun." - -"Hm-m-m-m! What do you think now, Mr. Ogden?" and Captain Bentley gazed -scowlingly at the darkening shadows on the mountainside, and the lights -appearing, one by one, in the houses ashore. - -Even while he looked there came distinctly to his ears the loud: - -Sh-h-h-s-h-h! like escaping steam as from the vicinity of the consulate -a streak of fire shot into the air. Then came the sound of an -explosion, while directly over the ship three green balls of fire cast a -ghostly glare on the upturned faces of officers and men. - -Senor Perez had called for aid! - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE - - -The three green balls of fire floated past the ship and slowly faded -away in the heavens. Absolute silence reigned, while those on the -_Denver's_ deck watched with fascination their weird progress. - -From the shore came no sign nor sound of disturbance. No calls, shouts, -nor firing of guns. What, then, was the meaning of the rocket? - -"It was fired from the consulate," said Captain Bentley. "My agreement -with the consul was to send up a rocket in case he absolutely needed -assistance, but he is such an excitable individual and his nerves are in -such state that he is quite capable of committing any error of -judgment." - -"The shore looks peaceable enough," remarked Mr. Ogden. "Shall I have -the search-lights turned on, sir?" - -"Yes, and then I wish you to go ashore and investigate. Take a squad of -marines with you and a bugler. If in your estimation an immediate -landing is required, he can sound 'call to arms' from the consulate. It -will save time. I seriously doubt if there is need of such drastic -action." - -The search-light beams lighted up the shore while the Captain was -speaking and those officers who had binoculars scanned the town for -evidences of excitement. A few people strolled about the streets -turning their faces from the glare as the travelling rays momentarily -flooded them with daytime brilliancy. - -"Call away the steamer, Mr. Gardiner, and send word to Sergeant Douglass -to have a squad of men and a trumpeter ready to get aboard when she -comes alongside. I will go ashore in the same boat," and having given -his orders Mr. Ogden disappeared below to get his sidearms. - -Ensign Gardiner, Officer of the Deck, issued his orders promptly. In -the marine compartment Douglass was besieged with requests from eager -marines to be among those landed, but his announcement that Corporal -Dorlan's squad was detailed for the duty blasted the hopes of all but -the fortunate ones included. Henry Cabell, being the only music left in -the guard, was also detailed, and a few minutes later Mr. Ogden followed -the last of his guard into the steamer. - -"Shove off, coxswain. Take your orders from Mr. Ogden," ordered Mr. -Gardiner, and the little steamer started on its way to the landing, full -speed ahead. - -A little after five o'clock that afternoon Senora Perez awaited the -return of the governess and little Soledad. The rebel forces had -withdrawn; the American sailors were ashore, and no thought of danger -entered her mind. From the high ground of the garden in front of the -house she could now see the boats returning to the ship laden down with -the liberty party. It was high time for Fraeulein to be back. - -A sound as of someone trying to lift the latch of the gate came to -Senora's ears. - -"They have come home," she thought as she turned to watch the entrance, -but the next moment, with a cry of apprehension she was running to -support the faltering form of the German governess. - -"Where is Soledad? Where is my child?" she demanded in a shrill, -strange voice. - -But Fraeulein Stauche was unable to answer. She had reached the limit of -her endurance, and she fell into Senora Perez's arms, overcome and -speechless. - -With the help of servants she was carried into the house and -restoratives given. Messengers were sent for the consul and a -physician. In the meantime the distracted mother listened to the -disconnected words and sentences which told her of her child. Finally -the consul arrived and in turn was given the sad news. But all this -took time, and nearly three hours had elapsed since Soledad was snatched -from the keeping of Fraeulein. Unhesitatingly the consul fired the -signal which would bring the most efficient aid he could command, and -while he watched its gracefully curving arc shooting out over the -darkening waters, and the three green balls of fire slowly drift across -the bay, he lost all hope of ever seeing his child, for he knew the -rebel chief Gonzales whose forces held the approaches to the town and he -knew nothing but evil of the man. Waiting there in the darkness he heard -the bugle on board ship calling away the boats, bringing aid to his -door. He saw the search-lights illuminate the shore line and then he -paced from door to gate, back and forth waiting--waiting! No longer a -fussy, ridiculous figure, for the despair which gripped his heart lent -him a new dignity. - -Soon the tramp of men on the macadam road! No native soldiers ever -walked with that long swinging stride. He watched them pass beneath a -glimmering street light at the corner, "two, four, six, eight," he -counted, as the rifle barrels flashed by. What! No more than eight -men, when hundreds were needed if ever they hoped to catch Gonzales! -Yes, more than hundreds! - -Then he saw two more Americans pass the light, one a naval officer in -his white uniform. Ah, perhaps this little body was merely an advance -guard! - -Rushing to the gate, he met Lieutenant Commander Ogden and in the fewest -possible words, brokenly related his pitiful story. Meanwhile Dorlan -and his men entered the grounds and stood at ease, silently attentive. - -"May I see Fraeulein Stauche?" asked Mr. Ogden. "Perhaps she may -remember more incidents now that she has recovered a little. Does she -speak English?" - -"Si, Senor[#] Ogden, she speaks four languages fluently. Come this -way," and the Consul led the officer to the hysterical governess, and -while the questions he asked her were being answered Dorlan stood by -listening. - - -[#] Yes, sir, or master, or mister. Senora is lady, madam, etc. Nina -means little girl and nino, little boy. - - -"Yes, two men first attacked her. No, they were not soldiers. On -second thoughts she was positive one with whom she fought was dressed -like the American soldiers from the ship. He was the one she remembered -bending over her when she recovered consciousness, and now she recalled -seeing him run down the road after the others with the child. Yes, he -was armed with two revolvers. No, she did not understand why two natives -were lying near her on the road--she only remembered seeing the eyes of -one of them fastened on her and, becoming terrified, she fled. Not a -word had been spoken, but the last man looked like a Spaniard. He was -good looking but very dirty." - -Mr. Ogden was at a loss as to what action he should take. It was out of -the question to send a searching party into the country; in the night -they could accomplish nothing. Leaving Dorlan and his men in charge he -returned to make his report to Captain Bentley. The Consul had sent -word to the Commandant at the fort, but that official said he could not -order his men out on such an errand without permission of higher -authority. More than likely his men would refuse to go in any case. - -"The evidence against Drummer Comstock and Choiniski seems to be -growing," said the Captain when Mr. Ogden had ceased speaking as they -sat in the cabin, after the Executive's return. - -"Yes, it is, startlingly so, for to-night Corporal Dorlan told me that -every man on the ship knows the Consul has a large sum of money in his -house. I supposed that fact was known only to you, the Consul and -myself." - -"How did it leak out?" - -"Your orderly, Jones, repeated what he had overheard the first day Senor -Perez came on board. Both the absentees were present and Choiniski even -questioned Jones later regarding the talk. As for the Drummer, -Fraeulein Stauche describes him very accurately, dark eyes, black hair, -dark skin,--you know how tanned he is--and 'dressed like soldiers from -the ship.' Comstock claimed he was bound for the fort, and apparently -was anxious to be alone, but we know he did not go up there. He was -last seen on that very road, and shortly before the attack happened. -Dorlan swears that the boy is innocent, and believes he was hurt and -possibly is lying on the road wounded or else he has gone in pursuit of -the men who abducted the child." - -"It is a serious matter," said the Captain. "I dislike to hold a -suspicion of the kind against the young marine, but the circumstances -are certainly damaging, and there are some points you have overlooked." - -"Something derogatory to the marine?" - -"Yes. If you recall, he was allowed in the armory as a favor, and -to-day two revolvers are missing from there; also the governess says the -last man who disappeared had on two revolvers." - -"Well, sir, it looks black indeed. If it is true then the rebel leader -Gonzales is not the guilty party. But what is the object in taking the -child?" - -"Having possession of the Consul's daughter and knowing the Consul has a -large amount of cash, the object is altogether too plain to admit of -error in arriving at a conclusion;--hostage and ransom money, Mr. Ogden! -It is Choiniski's idea, and Comstock's help in the matter will make the -venture a success. I was cruising in the Mediterranean when the -missionary, Miss Stone, was abducted in Turkey. The bandits of the -Balkans and of Turkey resort often to this method of procuring funds. -Joe Choiniski was born in Krajik, a small village hidden away in the -wildest part of the Albanian Mountains. To him this is no horrible -thing, as it is to us." - -For a while there was silence in the little cabin. Then the Captain -continued: - -"By morning I think we may have some news. I have no fears for the -child's life. She is too valuable alive. Her abductors want money and -will find a way to have a message reach her father demanding payment. -But nothing can be done to-night." - -"One more thing, Captain. I have stated these facts about the young -marine, not because I am convinced of his guilt, but because every point -having bearing on the case should be weighed. Now, if he is not guilty -or implicated, what has become of him? Corporal Dorlan wanted permission -to go up the road to where the attack took place and look over the -ground. He feels that young Comstock may be lying there in the road and -unable to return. He is staunch in his belief in the boy, and if you -have no objection I would like to send him on the errand. It could do no -harm." - -"Is there anyone ashore who can read signals?" - -"Almost all the marines are good signalmen, and Trumpeter Cabell is an -expert. He can read any kind of a message not in code." - -"Very well, send the order, and have Dorlan report by signal immediately -upon his return. But he is not to go off the trail nor further than the -point mentioned. You say he has a flash-light, and it should be easy to -discover traces in the dirt of the roadway." - -Trumpeter Cabell felt the importance of his position when, a little -later, he began spelling out the message, from the string of red and -white lights, sent by Ardois[#] from the _Denver_. Corporal Dorlan took -down each letter carefully, for he wanted to make no mistake in his -instructions. - - -[#] "Ardois" lights are used for night signalling in the Navy. - - -"It's about time they was doin' somethin' regardin' that lad," he -mumbled as he wet the stubby pencil in order to write more legibly. -"Now, young feller, ye wigwag to the ship, when they throw the light on -this balcony and can see yer, that I want 'em to keep that fool -search-light away from this place. Every time they shine it over here -it puts the whole lot of us in plain view to git shot up by any Spig in -the neighborhood. Tell 'em you will signal with a lantern, and we don't -want their bloomin' old light around here." - -With this parting word the corporal started out on his reconnaissance -along the road where the Fraeulein had met with her adventure. - -There was no moon, and soon the trail turned back from the bay. Here -the darkness of the tropical night hung heavily about the little party. -The old soldier took no chances in his work, and formed his three-man -patrol in accordance with the rules of warfare. - -One man marched about fifty yards ahead, the other the same distance in -rear of Dorlan. This formation lessened the danger of a surprise, and -increased the chances of at least one member of the patrol's escape, if -attacked. Dorlan had brought his small flash-light with which to search -the ground for clues of any import. - -"I know that lad ain't mixed up with that rascal Joe Choiniski," mused -Dorlan as he walked, "no matter what the First Lieutenant believes. -It's more'n likely he's the very one what knocked out them two fellers -what tackled the Dootch girl, and--ah! Here we are!" he exclaimed. - -With a low peculiar whistle he halted his men and began a systematic -search of the tracks in the dusty path. - -"Here's where the Dootch girl fainted, and here's where the shoe marks -show the scrimmage took place. These tracks were made by government -issue shoes and were worn by a marine. The imprint of the strap of the -leggin' is plain as the nose on yer face. Them's Dick Comstock's -tracks; and it's as I says,--he's gone after them greasers for sure. -Hello, what's this? The grass and bushes all bendin'. Ah, ye dirty -Dago ye. I've got ye. Come back here, Smithers, and help untie these -two fellers. We'll take 'em back and see what they've got to say for -themselves. And I guess that's about all I can do this night, accordin' -to me orders." - -And back over the trail to the consulate went the patrol to deliver -their two prisoners and make their report. But if the natives knew -anything, they refused to talk, and the whereabouts of little Soledad -and Drummer Comstock still remained an unsolved mystery. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - DICK MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF COLUMBUS - - -Lieutenant Commander Ogden's surmise as to the manner in which Joe -Choiniski jumped ship was correct, but as to the theft of the revolvers, -which he was inclined to fasten on Drummer Comstock, was not. - -Just before the noon hour Choiniski, happening by the armory and finding -the door ajar, entered, confiscated the weapons and ammunition and with -them tucked inside his dungaree jumper left the place, snapping the lock -after him; he was unseen by any of his shipmates. - -Since the _Denver's_ arrival off Sanchez, he had been bargaining with -the bum-boatmen to secrete him and take him ashore in one of their -boats, but they would not risk the chance of discovery without payment, -and having lost all his money by sentence of the court-martial, -Choiniski was without funds, nor could he borrow any sum sufficient to -tempt their cupidity. That noon, however, when he promised a Colt's -forty-five together with cartridges in payment, the bargain was -consummated. - -Choiniski had visited the Samana Bay ports previously while attached to -his former ship, and on one occasion he met the man Gonzales, a -Spanish-negro stevedore in the employ of the German concern owning the -one and only wharf. Gonzales was now in command of the rebel forces -holding the roads leading into the town, and Joe felt sure his -information regarding the large sum of money in the consulate would be a -certain means of securing for him an established position with the rebel -chief. His familiarity with the language and his experience, not only in -the Navy but with the armed forces in the Balkans a few years before, -was enough to make him at least second in command if he worked his wires -properly in dealing with the rebels. - -Within an hour after reaching the shore he was talking with Gonzales. - -"And how much money do you say Senor Perez has in his house?" asked the -general. - -"Many thousands of dollars. I do not know the exact amount, but enough -to keep us both comfortably for many years," answered Choiniski. - -"How do you propose getting it?" - -"It should be easy," said Joe. "To-night we will go to his house and -demand it. The Consul will answer our summons. We shall prevent him -from sending any message or signal to the ship. If he does not give us -the money and if we cannot find it on searching the house, we will take -his daughter as a hostage. It is said he loves her more than anything -else. Having her in our possession he will pay up promptly." - -"Your idea is good, Senor. Now I must get my brother, Alfredo, to -assist us. I do not trust these men with me on such work. They would -want too much for their share. My brother is in command of an outpost -on the Camino Real not far from the consulate. I will go to him at -once. In the meantime, Senor, await my return. Adios!" - -And off went the chief to consult with his brother, commanding a half -dozen picked men in hiding on the road along which Soledad and the -Fraeulein, who was a stranger and who did not understand the danger, -were even then strolling. - -Gonzales had no intention of permitting anyone but himself to reap the -benefit of the news confided to him by the deserter from the Yankee -ship. Least of all did he intend that Choiniski should be a gainer -thereby. The plan was excellent, but the sailor would never see a peso -of that wealth stored in the house of Senor Perez. - -Before leaving camp Gonzales gave orders to disarm the sailor and hold -him a prisoner. - -"We do not need his help," said he, after having outlined the plan to -his brother. "How do I know that it is not all a clever scheme to catch -me! Perhaps it is a spy who has come among us." - -"Hush! Hermano mio!" said Alfredo, and he gazed up the road intently. -"Ah! We are indeed fortunate, for here comes the Senorita Soledad and -her duenna, along the trail. Good luck is with us! You will take the -nina, while Juan Mendoza and I secure the woman. We will carry her into -the hills with us and at nightfall set her free. She will be unable to -find her way back until morning. You and the rest of my men will carry -the child to camp and leave her. To-night we will make our attempt to -get the money after the Yankee sailors sleep. Then, before they can do -anything, we have the money and are gone." - -This was agreed to and it was with great satisfaction that Alfredo, a -little later, saw his brother, Fernando, disappear in the bush carrying -the child and followed by his erstwhile soldiers. But the duenna was -putting up such a desperate struggle that he was glad indeed Juan was -there to aid him. - -As the rascal pinned Fraeulein's arms behind her, his black eyes -sparkled with happy anticipation of the prosperous days of joyous living -about to be his. He grew careless in his efforts to hold the governess, -and in the one instant her mouth was freed she had called loudly for -help. But this made little difference. No one dared to leave the town -these days with General Gonzales' band of insurrectos holding the roads, -and---- - -Then came the crashing blow of a hard fist on his jaw and for a time he -knew nothing more. As for Juan, though taken by surprise and thrown -heavily to the path, he was quick to attack on his own account, but with -the result that has been told. - -When Juan recovered his senses darkness had fallen. His chief, Alfredo, -was endeavoring to untie the cords which bound him, but to no avail. -They turned on their sides, and back to back, worked at the knots, each -trying to assist the other. Then their quick ears heard footfalls of -someone approaching from the town, and fearful of discovery they rolled -over and over in the grass and shrubs, away from the trail, only to be -discovered eventually by Dorlan and his men and marched back to the -consulate as prisoners. - -Corporal Dorlan's request regarding the searchlight had been observed -and the consulate was in darkness when the reconnoitering party -returned. It was then decided to hold the prisoners until morning before -turning them over to the military authorities and by the time the final -message to that effect was exchanged with the ship, "taps" had sounded -over the quiet waters, and the crew settled down to a night's rest. -However, many discussions were being carried on in an undertone -regarding the circumstances connected with Dick Comstock's absence and -Joe Choiniski's "jumping ship." In spite of Sergeant Douglass' warning -another orderly had violated his confidential position and the news was -common property throughout the cruiser. Most of Dick's ultimate friends -were indignant at hearing the story, but the majority were inclined to -regard his actions as suspicious and proclaimed him guilty. - -How fortunate it was that the object of all this commotion was unaware -of the nature of these rumors flying among his shipmates, for had he -known of them his brain would not have been so free to grapple with the -task he had set out to accomplish. - -Soon after turning from the trail he was following at a discreet -distance the six men carrying off little Soledad. - -How should he go about getting the child? He must take no chances, -because to do so might mean his own capture and but add to the child's -troubles; so he carefully trailed along behind her abductors, waiting -for some circumstance which would assist him in solving his problem. - -That the men did not intend to wait for their two accomplices was -evident, for they proceeded through the forest without a backward -glance. All the time Dick was drawing nearer to them, but as he was -forced to make his way warily, and often off the poor trail, he was -seriously handicapped. - -Finally the men with the child emerged from the woods into a clearing in -which was situated the barrio[#] where Gonzales made his headquarters. -A dozen or more houses and shacks along either side of the road afforded -shelter for his troops, about one hundred in number. A few native -women, and dirty, half-naked children could be seen, while the barking -of several mangy canines filled the air. - - -[#] Barrio--Small collection of houses. - - -Beyond the houses on the far side of the road were a few scraggly -bushes, and a thick grove of cocoanut trees filled the space to the -shore of the Bay. Here some native boats were drawn up on the beach out -of sight of the water, and in the grove small groups of rebel soldiers -were engaged in various pursuits. - -Perforce, Dick was obliged to stop on the edge of the woods and watch -General Gonzales and his small band cross the clearing and enter the -largest house on the far side of the road. Dick crouched down in a -thick bed of ferns and studied the situation, keeping close tab on the -incidents taking place before him and waiting for the darkness which -would soon fall. That the rebels were carefully guarding the road was -evidenced by the little groups of men, to be observed about one hundred -yards from either end of the barrio, who halted all persons approaching. - -Near Dick's refuge was a well which supplied the drinking water for the -community, and frequent visits to this well were made by men, women and -children. - -It was nearly dusk when a small native boy came bounding out of the -quarters of General Gonzales, and the General himself appeared in the -dimly lighted doorway. That he had been chastising the urchin was -evident from the way the boy rubbed his shoulders and from his loud -lamentations as he stood at a safe distance and observed the rebel -leader. - -"Here you rascal, you! Be quiet, or I will beat you more. Go and bring -me some fresh water at once, or you will be sorry your namesake ever -discovered this island," and with the words Gonzales threw a battered -pail at the boy. - -"Come now, hurry, you imp of Satan;" with that the General entered the -house and closed the door. - -Painfully the boy picked up the pail and approached the well. Dick -could hear his sobs as he drew near. Arriving at the well he made no -attempt to draw the water but stood looking back in the direction of the -house. Finally he shook his small hand in a gesture which Dick's -knowledge of West Indian customs told him implied contempt and insult, -and from the boy's rapid speech Dick heard enough to convince him that -here was a possible ally, could he but win the native lad's confidence. - -With a sibilant hiss Dick attracted the boy's attention, but though he -looked about him in some fear he was unable to discover who called. - -"Quien habla?"[#] he questioned, still looking about him. - - -[#] Who speaks? - - -"Un amigo: un Americano,"[#] answered Dick, and then before the boy had -time to make an outcry he spoke again. - - -[#] A friend, an American. - - -"Do you want to make plenty of money, muchacho?"[#] - - -[#] Spanish for boy. - - -The boy had now located Dick's hiding-place and he approached warily. - -"How can I make plenty of money?" he questioned in a dubious tone. - -"If you will help me, I will see that you get it, and also I will see -that the big man is punished for beating you." - -The boy was by this time squatting down on his haunches within a few -feet of Dick and even in the dusk, Dick could see the eyes flash with -anger at the mention of the past incident. - -"But what can you, an American, do against General Gonzales, and all his -soldiers? Everyone here fears him! Even my father grovels at his feet, -and my mother must do as he says. He will kill my father and my mother -and me some day, I fear, when he becomes angered. He is a big chief. I -am afraid to do aught against him." - -"There will be no danger if you do as I will suggest and----" - -At that moment the door of the General's house was thrown open, and -again the figure of the chief was framed in the lighted doorway. - -"Columbus! Columbus! Come here at once!" roared the harsh voice across -the clearing. - -"I must go, or he will send the soldiers for me. But I will return," -said the lad, rising, and quickly filling the pail he ran back across -the clearing. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - THE ESCAPE FROM THE BARRIO - - -In an incredibly short time Columbus was back, and this time he nursed a -large bruise on the side of his head where the General's cane had fallen -with no light force. - -"If my father were able to fight he would kill that nigger," exclaimed -the excited lad. "But my father was crippled in the last revolution. -That general, he makes our house his own. He makes my mother to cook -for him and to wash for him. We could not leave my father when the -rebels occupied the barrio. We had to stay to look out for him. They -eat our food and kill our pigs and chickens, and never pay. They----" - -"Is your name Columbus?" inquired Dick in order to cut short the boy's -tale of trials and tribulations. - -"Si, Senor." - -"Well, Columbus, here are two brand new Americano pesos for you, and -there will be many more if you do as I tell you," and Dick passed over -the silver coins. - -"What must I do?" - -"First of all tell me how many soldiers are in the barrio." - -"Over one hundred, Senor." - -"How far is it from here to Sanchez?" - -"By the shore road it is nearly three kilometers. The shore road passes -through the barrio," said the lad. - -"Is the road guarded by more soldiers than the group of men I could see -before dark on the outskirts of the town?" - -"Oh, yes, Senor, they patrol the entire road every night. The big light -from the ship does not frighten them." - -"Can you see the ship from the beach back of your house, Columbus?" - -"No, a point of land prevents that, but it is not far by boat,--a little -over a kilometer." - -"Who is in your house with the General?" - -"The five soldiers who came with him this afternoon, my mother and -father and a little girl the general stole from her people. I do not -know her name. She weeps all the time, but makes no noise. He has told -her he will kill her if she tries to run away." - -"Columbus, I want to get the little girl out of that house and return -her to her father and her mother. If you help me they will pay you -well." - -"It is impossible, Senor. I overheard the General making plans to go to -Sanchez and attack the house of her father to-night, and he gave his men -orders to guard the child carefully. There are to be men both inside -and outside the house all the time." - -"Would your father and mother help us?" - -"No, Senor, they could not afford to. They would fear to go contrary to -General Gonzales' orders." - -"At what hour does the General start for the town?" - -"Very soon, for he expects to be there by ten o'clock, Senor." - -"Are there any small boats on the beach?" - -"Oh, yes, and the best canoe there is my own." - -"Providing I get the little girl out of the house, will you go in the -canoe with me to the American ship?" - -"No, Senor, I am afraid; but I will place paddles in my canoe and I will -do what else I can to assist you. My canoe is the last one on the beach -nearest the town." - -"Describe your house, Columbus. Where are the windows and doors?" - -"That reminds me, Senor--after all, I can help you. If you approach our -casa from the rear you will find a little cocina[#] which opens into the -middle room. My father and mother occupy the room on the right as you -enter from the cocina. My room was on the left, but it is now the -General's, and the little girl is lying in there now, weeping. Long ago -I loosened a board at the side near the cocina so that it will slide -back, and I used it to go out when my parents believed me asleep. I -will tell the child about you and the hole and she can escape that way. -First I will put my paddles in the canoe, and then you can take her in -it to your ship. Keep close to the shore until you are around the -point, then go direct to the vessel. There are no shoals to fear. The -only thing to be careful about is passing through the cocoanut grove. -Avoid the hut, for soldiers are guarding a prisoner there also." - - -[#] Cocina--Kitchen. - - -"Another prisoner? A native?" questioned Dick. - -"No, he is a sailor who ran away from your ship and came here shortly -after noon to-day, and he told the General about the money and the -little girl. But the General had him imprisoned, for he distrusts him -and he had the sailor's pistol and ammunition seized." - -"Did you hear the name of the sailor, Columbus?" - -"Yes, Senor, his name is Jose. He is a dark man and very dirty, and -wears peculiar blue clothes." - -"Joe Choiniski, or I miss my guess!" exclaimed Dick as he looked towards -the lights flickering through the grove on the far side of the road. - -"Can you get me some meat, Columbus?" Dick asked, after a brief pause. - -"Has the Senor hunger?" - -"No, I don't wish it for myself, but there are many dogs in the barrio, -and when they discover me they will betray me to the soldiers if I come -near the houses. With the meat I could quiet them." - -"Never fear, amigo mio; all the meat in this village would not be enough -to satisfy the appetite of the dogs in the barrio nor keep them quiet. -They are ever barking and fighting at night, so the soldiers would not -think it strange, especially in the early part of the evening. If that -is all, Senor, I will go, for the General may miss me. What time shall -I tell the nina to be ready for you?" - -"Tell her to wait for three knocks on the wall of her room from the side -of the cocina, after the General leaves the house. Then she must slide -back the board and I will be waiting for her in the cocina. Make her -understand I am her friend and will take her back to her people. And, -Columbus, here is all the money I have with me, but I will see that you -are rewarded later on, if you carry out our plan," and Dick pressed all -his remaining currency into the hands of the boy crouching by his side. - -"Thank you, Senor, but I cannot take this money. I am a common peon and -my people are poor, but they would not wish me to accept money to help a -little girl in distress," and Columbus bravely handed back the bills to -Dick, though his fingers were itching to keep them. - -He made his little speech with such an air of pride, however, that Dick -did not insist and with a low whispered, "adios, amigo mio," the brown -boy was swallowed up a moment later in the shadows and darkness. - -Impatiently Dick waited in his refuge for the departure of General -Gonzales on his proposed expedition. Finally becoming tired of such -long inactivity he arose and boldly stepped out into and across the -clearing. Dick reasoned that in the darkness of the night should he -pass anyone inside the camp he would not be recognized nor suspected. He -pulled his khaki shirt outside his trousers so as to appear more in -keeping with the native soldiers' costume should he happen to meet -anyone. - -With rapid strides he was soon in the vicinity of the houses lining the -near side of the road. The barking of a dog at his approach caused him -a little nervousness, but he kept on, remembering what Columbus had told -him. Another dog came sniffing and growling at his heels. He paused -long enough to kick the canine and it scampered away with shrill yelps -of pain and fright. - -The following moments were the most thrilling of Dick's life. Turning, -after delivering the kick which sent the cur scampering off in the -darkness, he almost ran into a man. - -"Get out of my way, you spawn," said a voice which he recognized as none -other than that of General Gonzales. "Why are you on this side of the -road, anyway, when I told you to guard my quarters? Go over there where -you belong, and let the dogs bark as much as they please, but attend to -your duties, or it will fare badly with you in the morning. Obey me, -pronto!" and the rebel chief shoved Dick out into the wide street. - -How grateful Dick was that no answers were required of him, otherwise he -might have been discovered. He did not know now whether or not Gonzales -was following after him, and he feared to turn and look. He could hear -no footfalls. Now directly in front of him and not fifteen feet distant -was the house where Soledad was held a prisoner. According to Columbus, -and this was already verified by the remark of Gonzales, there was a -sentry guarding the house, and somewhere in the shadows ahead that -native soldier was walking. What if he was waiting to attack Dick on -his nearer approach? Perhaps he had heard the chief talking to Dick on -the opposite side of the road and was watching his movements with -catlike eyes. Dick's ears detected no sound as he drew nearer the -house. Now he was within a few feet of the walls. The next moment he -dodged around the corner of the building, and just in the nick of time, -for, as he did so, the front door was thrown open and the light from the -interior streamed into the street. Flattening himself against the wall -Dick peered around cautiously. Before the door stood Gonzales, while -emerging from it were five men, presumably those who had accompanied -their leader from the outpost on Camino Real. - -"Everything is ready," announced the General. "Come, let us go. The -others have already started, and we must not delay." The party moved -off down the road in the direction of Sanchez, and once again quiet -reigned in the immediate vicinity. Dick now knew the time for action had -arrived. Forgetting for the moment that he had to deal with the sentinel -who was supposed to be here on duty he was about to step out in the -direction of the cocina when he observed the dim moving figure of a -soldier coming from the rear of the house. - -Slowly the soldier sauntered towards Dick until he arrived so near that -the boy could have touched him. Here the man stopped. Dick's heart -thumped so violently from the suspense that it almost seemed the soldier -could not fail to hear it. The noise pounded in his own ears like the -striking of a bass drum. It was so dark that he could not see what the -sentry was doing. Perhaps the eyes of the native, more accustomed to -darkness than Dick's own, were even then fastened on him and enjoying -his discomfort, perhaps---- - -A rattling noise assailed Dick's ears. It was the sound made by safety -matches shaken in a partially empty box. The sentry had seen him, but -now was going to strike a light in order to discover his identity. - -The match scraped along the box, but made no spark. At the second -attempt the yellowish flame flared up. In its light the dark brown face -of the soldier stood out boldly in the Stygian darkness. A white papered -cigarette was between the fellow's lips and his dark eyes were bent -solely on the flame, seeing nothing else. The flame wavered, then there -was the sound of a dull blow, the light disappeared and the sentinel -sank to the ground. Once again Dick Comstock's hard fist had found a -victim, and once again he was binding and gagging a rebel soldier. - -Dick used his own regulation belt to make fast his victim's arms, while -the soldier's belt sufficed to secure his legs. Pulling the native's -shirt over his head Dick stuffed part of it in his mouth and bound it -there with a handkerchief. In the darkness it was difficult work, but -he did the best he could, and after dragging the soldier to one side and -under a bush, the drummer boy began to feel his way towards the cocina -at the rear. A dim light, shining through the cracked walls of the -center room, saved him from stumbling into a collection of pots and pans -in the small lean-to, which Columbus had dignified by the name of -kitchen. Creeping cautiously to the wall of the building under the -lean-to, the lad rapped the boards three times, giving the signal agreed -upon. Then he waited breathlessly for some response. Finally he heard -the scraping of one board on another. The noise came from near the -floor where he was waiting. Then he saw the white figure of little -Soledad squirm through the opening. Quietly he assisted her to her feet -and without a word, hand in hand, the two stole from the house and out -into the grove in the direction of the bay. - -They had gone about fifty feet when another figure suddenly confronted -them, and again Dick's heart seemed to jump to his throat while his -right hand sought the pistol hanging at his side. - -"Silence, Senor, it is Columbus. I have come to help you find the -canoe. Follow me, carefully, for we are near the house where the sailor -is imprisoned," and on the little party went like flitting shadows -through the grove. - -Soon came the soft rustle of waves on the shore, and emerging from under -the dense overhead foliage of the palms, objects were more -distinguishable. They found the canoe, and in it the paddles which the -faithful native boy had previously placed there. Dick took his place in -the stern, the little girl tremblingly, but with no hesitation, sat in -the bottom. Then with a whispered "buenas noches,"[#] Columbus shoved -the frail craft from the sands out into the waters of the great bay, and -with a happy heart Dick sent the canoe on its way with long powerful -strokes. - - -[#] Buenas noches--Good-night. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - THE ATTACK ON THE CONSULATE - - -Corporal Dorlan on making the rounds of his little force shortly after -taps noticed the Ardois lights from the _Denver_ were flashing -regularly. Not being an adept signalman he sought Trumpeter Cabell, who -was trying to snatch a little sleep on the back piazza of the consulate, -and shook him into wakefulness. - -"Come, me lad, shake a leg, for the ship is callin' of us, and I want ye -to read the message." - -"Be with you in a jiffy," said Henry, going to get the lantern, which he -had already put to good use in the earlier part of the evening. - -Soon he was acknowledging the call, and the message Corporal Dorlan -noted down as Henry called off the letters caused the veteran many a -chuckle of satisfaction. It was a long message, and immediately it was -finished Dorlan and Henry shook hands over it in great glee. - -"I knew that lad would turn the trick, and come out on top," remarked -the older man as he entered the house in search of Senor Perez. - -In the center of the building was a room, which, because of past -revolutions, the Consul had prepared against the chance of stray -bullets. It was but a makeshift affair, but it had served its purpose -on many occasions, and during times of danger the family always occupied -it. Around the walls of this compartment rows of iron-wood railroad -ties were placed from the floor to ceiling and these tough native -timbers could be counted upon to stop the leaden bullets used in the -guns with which the opposing factions were generally armed. Corporal -Dorlan's knock at the door of the "strong room," as it was called, was -immediately answered by the Consul. - -"'Tis the 'best of news I have for ye, sir," he said, and his face shone -with delight. "Yer little daughter is safe and sound aboard the -_Denver_. It seems that our drummer boy, Dick Comstock, followed them -rascals what stole her, and he's just now got her away from 'em and is -back on the ship. After ye give yer wife the good news I've got -somethin' important to tell ye, and the quicker the sooner, sir." With -that the thoughtful fellow closed the door and impatiently awaited the -Consul's reappearance. - -Soon the little man came out and, running up to Dorlan, he embraced the -marine in true European fashion by kissing him on both cheeks, much to -the old fellow's embarrassment. - -"Your good tidings have made me the happiest man in the world, whereas, -but a short time since, I was the most miserable," said the Consul, and -he again threatened Dorlan with another exhibition of his enthusiasm, -but this time the marine evaded it. - -"That's all right, yer honor, but we can't be talkin' of that now. -There's other doin's afoot this night, and with yer help we can do a -neat stroke of work to cap the climax of this day's excitement." - -Thereupon he outlined his plan, and an understanding having been reached -Senor Perez returned to his wife, while Dorlan made mysterious visits to -each member of his little force. He then distributed them to his -satisfaction about the house and grounds. All the lights were -extinguished except a low-burning lamp in the spacious hallway, and then -he sat down to wait behind the closed front door, much as a cat sits -before the mouse hole she knows will soon be the scene of some lively -action. - -Since the end of the message from the ship not a light other than the -usual anchor lights could be discerned by the closest observer on the -shore. Nor could activity of any kind be noted, but as a matter of fact -khaki-clad marines were even then silently embarking in one of the -cutters and under muffled oars were pulling towards the landing pier. -And from the opposite side of the ship three boat-loads of bluejackets -were as silently doing the same thing--but, pulling in the opposite -direction, en route to a little barrio less than three kilometers down -the coast. - -General Fernando Gonzales at the head of his picket force of thirty men -halted on the beach road and looked out over the waters at the ship. He -heard the beautiful notes of the bugle sounding the soldiers and sailors -good-night, and he saw the lights, which had been flickering at the -masthead for so long, cease punctuating the darkness. With their -cessation he felt reasonably certain that the crew had a feeling of -security, and that they felt that everything ashore must be going well, -for the big search-light was not shining as on previous nights. He did -not understand the meaning of the red and white lights, nor know that -they were just finishing a message regarding his whereabouts at that -very moment. Such signals were unknown in the armies of San Domingo. - -Already the people of Sanchez were closing their doors and windows; soon -the streets would be deserted. Leaving his men concealed, General -Gonzales ventured forth in the direction of the consulate for a little -preliminary scouting. It was high time his brother and Juan Mendoza -were at the rendezvous, but their non-arrival caused him no great -uneasiness. The street before the Consul's home was also deserted, and -he approached the place boldly. As he passed the gate the lights in the -house were turned out,--the family of Senor Perez had retired. A few -yards beyond the last few members of the Club were closing the door and -leaving for their homes. He decided to wait no longer. Calling his -men, he soon stationed them in the hedge and shrubbery surrounding the -consulate, then with his chosen half dozen villains he approached the -front entrance and mounting the broad piazza he knocked loudly. Finally -the door opened a few inches and the face of Senor Perez appeared. - -"Who are you, and what do you want at this hour of the night?" said the -Consul in a voice he tried hard to control. - -"I wish to talk with you, Senor, on a matter of great importance to us -both. Let me in." - -"Who are you?" again came in inquiry, though the father knew well that -this was the man who had caused him so much heartache that day. - -"I am General Fernando Gonzales, and if you do not admit me without -further talk I will shoot you," and a long-barreled revolver was shoved -ominously through the opening into the face of the consul, who fell back -into the dimly lighted hall. In a moment the General and six followers -rushed in, well pleased over the success of their operations thus far. - -Was it a sudden draft of wind which closed the door so softly behind -them? Gonzales never had time nor thought to inquire, for suddenly the -large room became a blaze of light, and he found himself staring into -the leveled muzzles of six gun barrels in the hands of Dorlan's men. - -"Hands up, ye spalpeens!" called out the voice of the Corporal, and -though not a man there understood his words they did understand the -menace in the voice, and in a twinkling there were fourteen dirty brown -and black hands held tremblingly aloft. - -[Illustration: "HANDS UP!"] - -"Take them guns and knives, and throw them in the corner, me lad," now -ordered Dorlan, and Henry began to disarm the rebels. It was then that -the leader Gonzales, knowing what would be his fate if he were turned -over to the government troops, made a break for liberty. - -Although he put up his hands with the rest he still held in his right -hand the revolver he had carried on entering. Now with a wild yell the -negro half-breed fired one shot into the air, another in the general -direction of the Consul, and as he dashed for a window near by he fired -the remaining four shots at the marines lined up across the hall. On -reaching the window he unhesitatingly jumped through the flimsy lattice -work which guarded it, and was running across the lawn before the house. - -The sudden attack of the negro so surprised most of the marines, who -were not looking for any active resistance after the men had thrown up -their hands, that there was an appreciable moment of inactivity which -held back their fire. But not so with Henry, for with the first shot of -the rebel chief, the trumpeter had pulled his automatic from the -holster, and as Gonzales jumped through the window he fired two shots. - -One of those bullets found a resting place in the fleshy part of the -native's leg. The impetus of Gonzales' rush carried him on, but now he -stumbled and called upon his followers hidden in the bushes to come to -his assistance. Again he stumbled, this time falling headlong into a -flower bed. As he attempted to rise, a figure in khaki rose in front of -him; there was the flash of a clubbed rifle, then the weapon descended -with crushing force on the general's skull, and he sank to the ground. -The days of General Fernando Gonzales as a rebel chief were ended. - -From all sides came a fusillade of shots. The bullets tore their way -through wooden walls or spattered on the tin roof of the building, but -harmed no one. From the fort on the hill came the sound of high pitched -bugles sounding the alarm, while flashes of light and the sound of guns -showed the government troops were as usual wasting ammunition by firing -at nothing in particular and everything in general. - -Then a red star shot up from the main road a little to the west of the -consulate; there came a rush of heavy shoes on the macadam, a rattle of -accoutrements, and First Sergeant Douglass at the head of the remainder -of the _Denver's_ guard charged down the road. Again the search-light -of the ship flooded the shore and then, without waiting to see what had -befallen their leader, the rebels took to their heels and fled. - -It was daylight before the excitement in the town subsided, but by then -it was known that the hold of the rebels over the inhabitants was -effectually broken. The General was dead, his brother, his lieutenant, -Juan Mendoza, and the six others were turned over to the custody of the -Federal troops. As for those rebels in camp at the barrio, they too had -been dispersed, for when the landing party of sailors, guided by Dick, -reached the shore near the barrio and demanded the surrender of the -deserter Choiniski they fled incontinently, fearing an attack from the -Americanos, which they did not relish. - -When a search of the barrio and the hut in the grove was made it was -found that Joe had either taken the opportunity to escape or the rebels -had taken him with them into the hills, for the place was deserted. The -only persons remaining behind were the native boy Columbus, his crippled -father and his mother. On learning how well the urchin had assisted -Dick, and how the rebels had treated the poor peons, a very substantial -purse was collected by the kind-hearted men and presented to the lad's -mother, and the landing party was then towed back to the ship. - -It was Dick Comstock's privilege to escort little Soledad ashore at an -hour shortly after sunrise, and though Senor Perez was too much overcome -to thank the rescuer of his favorite, Dick felt fully rewarded just to -witness that joyful reunion. - -Reports now began coming in from all points that the revolution was -toppling, and soon those who were still under arms were pleading to be -allowed to surrender and go to their homes and former occupations. -Orders also came for the _Denver_ to leave Sanchez and proceed on a -surveying trip near the border line dividing San Domingo and Haiti, and -incidentally to watch for some smuggling reported to be carried on -extensively in that vicinity. - -The day of departure arrived. In the afternoon a shore boat came -alongside carrying Senor Perez, his wife, children and the governess. -Captain Bentley met the party at the gangway, and after a few words he -gave orders that the crew be assembled aft. When all had gathered there -in the shade of the awnings, Captain Bentley stepped forward and called -for Richard Comstock of the United States Marine Corps to come to the -mast. Then in behalf of the Consul, his family and the governess, the -Captain presented the drummer boy with a beautiful gold wrist watch, -appropriately engraved, which the grateful donors had ordered by cable -from New York City and which the Clyde Liner had but that morning -delivered. - -Dick felt that he should make some reply, but for the life of him he was -unable to utter a single word. Suddenly there was a patter of light feet -on the white deck and to his relief Soledad rushed forward. As he bent -to take the child's hand, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed -him squarely on the lips. The look of amazement now on Dick's face was -so great that the entire assembly roared with laughter, and Chief -Master-at-Arms Fitch, regulations to the contrary notwithstanding, -called out: - -"Three cheers for our Drummer Boy and the girls he rescued." - -They were given with a will, for now there was no longer doubt as to the -loyalty, faithfulness or bravery of Richard Comstock. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - A MAP-MAKING EXPEDITION - - -"I consider that we are the two luckiest youngsters in the service, -Dick. What do you think about it?" - -Henry looked about him at the surrounding country, a combination of -river scenery, swamp land, tropical jungle and lush savannahs, with an -appraising eye. - -The two boys stood on the rickety landing near the Captain of the Port's -house at the mouth of the Estero Balsa, a branch body of water -communicating with Manzanillo Bay, where the _Denver_ was anchored, and -where certain members of her officers and crew were engaged in making a -chart of the coast line, river deltas and numerous lagoons. - -It was interesting work for those so engaged, and each day the various -boats of the ship started at an early hour taking lines of soundings -from one point to another, measuring angles, plotting positions, -sketching in prominent features, or locating reefs and shoals. At night -they combined their data, and with compass and rule worked over the -smooth copy of the chart which would be sent to the Department at -Washington when complete and eventually supplied to each ship of the -Navy cruising in these waters. - -Having received permission from the Navigating Officer, Dick often -accompanied the chart makers on their expeditions, and, always eager to -learn, he proved himself a valuable helper with compass or sextant, in -taking angles, both vertical and horizontal, and working them out. - -Also at night the _Denver's_ boats were engaged in other and more -exciting work. Owing to various causes there was a systematic smuggling -going on between the two island republics. Small sailing vessels and -motor launches were suspected of carrying contraband merchandise back -and forth across the Bay at night, and organized bands of smugglers made -the passage of the Massacre River from its mouth up to and beyond the -San Domingan town of Dajabon, on its eastern bank, and the Haitian -village of Ouanaminthe, directly opposite. The customs officers were -doing their best, but they were too few in number to cope with the -situation. In consequence money was being lost to both governments. -The United States was administering the customs affairs of San Domingo, -and the Navy had to be called in at times to aid in putting a stop to -this illegal traffic. - -The presence of the _Denver_ had its salutary effect, and the smuggling -by day in the boats had practically ceased, but at night activity was -resumed. Consequently the ship's boats, which during the day were -engaged in the aforesaid work of surveying, became at night a fleet of -armed patrols with certain definite sectors to cover. Many exciting -chases resulted in the overhauling, arrest, and, occasionally, -resistance and escape of the venturesome smugglers. - -The marines were often detailed for this night work in the patrol boats, -and they enjoyed it, for there was always a chance of a lively little -"scrap," and that is what marines enlist for--scrapping. - -All articles coming across the border were supposed to be entered at -Dajabon, and after customs dues were adjusted the goods were sent to -other points along the only really passable road which led through -Copey, a town at the headwaters of the Estero Balsa, thence to Monte -Cristi or towns and cities of La Vega Real. - -Somewhere in the dense jungle between Dajabon and the office of the -Captain of the Port, where the two boys were now engaged in -conversation, were trails unknown to the general public, and these -trails the smugglers used for their purposes. As charts made by naval -officers usually show but little of the interior terrain it was not the -intention of Captain Bentley to include any roads on the map his -officers were engaged in compiling. However, if Dick and Henry -succeeded in getting information of value it was decided that their work -should be incorporated with the rest. Both boys had studied surveying -while at school, and early on the cruise they had secured a volume on -Military Topography and spent many hours in acquiring a thorough -knowledge of what was needed in a military map. First Sergeant -Douglass, seeing how they desired to get ahead and only too glad to give -them something to keep them out of mischief (for musics are generally -conceded by all hands to be mischievous), allowed them to have a cavalry -sketching case from his storeroom, and with this they became quite -expert in making position-sketches and road-maps. - -In response to Henry's question, Dick finally replied: - -"Yes, I think we are lucky, but it's not going to be an easy task, -Hank." - -"Right you are, Dickie. This country is all swamps and jungle, with few -trails really leading anywhere. I believe it is going to be a difficult -proposition to cover the entire area between this place, Copey and -Dajabon, in time to be back and meet the steamer in three days." - -"Let's not count up the obstacles, though, Hank. We will meet them as -they come in the best way we can. We are handicapped by being obliged -to do the work secretly. Captain Bentley impressed that upon me. You -know, since we were so lucky in the Culebra and Sanchez affairs he has -come to regard us as older than we are and capable of a man's work, and -with a man's reasoning powers and discretion. I'm not so sure of it -myself; but it certainly is up to us to make good now that the -opportunity has come our way." - -"Tell me just how we happened to get here, Dick. I've been so busy -getting things together since you sprung the surprise this morning that -I've not had time to question you." - -"Well, it was this way! Last night I was out in the steamer on patrol -work. Mr. Gardiner was in command. About midnight one of the lookouts -thought he spotted a motor boat moving in from the west. We gave chase, -but as often happens it was a false alarm and the lookout was conjuring -things from being so anxious to see something. - -"Well, after it quieted down, Mr. Gardiner began talking about the -chart, and how it would aid the ships to be stationed here later on in -searching out smugglers. Then he said it was too bad the trails between -the coast line, Dajabon and Copey couldn't be sketched in on the map, -particularly as one of the ship's boats was to get the data of the -Massacre River the following day. With that, and all the trails in -between, the map would be of much greater value, he thought. The -trouble was, they didn't have enough officers to do the additional work -and get through in time, for we are expecting orders to leave here most -any day now." - -"I reckon you didn't let that opening get by you, Dick," Henry remarked. - -"You just bet I didn't. I said that I thought you and I could do it if -the Captain would allow us, and told him how much we'd like to try it." - -"What did he say?" - -"Well, he said, 'Maybe you could,' and he mentioned that First Sergeant -Douglass had shown him one of the road maps we made together, last -winter while at Culebra, and then the subject was dropped. But this -morning Top told me the skipper wished to see me in the cabin at once, -and when I reported Mr. Gardiner was in there, and the Captain told me -what was wanted, and that I might go ashore and try my luck. He said I -should have to go on what was ostensibly a hunting trip, and that I -should probably get into trouble with the authorities if they discovered -what I was up to." - -"Did you ask if I might come along?" - -"Of course! I told him we had worked together on road sketches and -showed him that one we made of the road from Playa Brava to the old -naval station. He seemed satisfied with the work, but then he began to -doubt if it were wise to let two kids such as we are go on such an -errand." - -"He surely put enough restrictions on us," said Henry. - -"Oh, not so many, Hank, and they are all wise provisions." - -"But why is it necessary that we should return each night to this place? -Why can't we stay where we happen to be when night comes, then continue -our work next day right where we left off?" - -"The Old Man wants to be sure we are all right. Each night I will make -up a report and send it in to him, and also all our data up to that -time, by the boat making the trip here on the high tide. Then, too, -they are nearly through their work anyway, and orders for us to move on -are daily expected. The next reason is, that by making our headquarters -here we won't have to move our camping outfit or our rations, and this -place is centrally located, so that each day we can cover new -territory." - -"I hadn't thought about all those things," said Henry thoughtfully, "but -I reckon the Old Man is right, after all." - -"Well, now that you are satisfied, let's get our gear up to the palatial -hut assigned for our use by Senor el Capitan del Puerto, fix things -shipshape, and make our plans for to-morrow." - -This was done, and in the vacant, earthen-floored shack they unstrapped -their cots, arranged their bedding, hung mosquito bunk-nets, and after -building a fire, cooked their evening meal. It seemed to the two boys -as though fried hen-fruit, baked spuds, crisped bacon, ship's punk and -steaming java,[#] never tasted so delicious. Nor did the coffee make -any difference to such healthy bodies and minds, when a little later -they crawled under their white nets and blue-gray blankets, and went to -sleep. - - -[#] Sailor and marine slang for fried eggs, baked potatoes, crisped -bacon, ship's bread and steaming coffee. - - -Though advised against doing so by the native owner, they left both -doors to their domicile wide open to admit the night breezes. In most -tropical countries, the natives, of the poorer classes especially, close -every door and window at night, so as to prevent the slightest breath of -fresh air from striking them, and it is for this reason, undoubtedly, -that during times of epidemic, the fatality among the natives in -semi-civilized places is so great. - -Sometime before dawn the boys were awakened by the sound of agonizing -cries and the rush of many feet across the hard-packed floor of their -hut. Almost at the same instant they sat up, and reached for their -automatics. Then they listened, but all was silent, except for the -creaking of night insects or the gentle stirring of the palm leaves on -their thatched roof. Inside the room was inky darkness, nor was the -light outside much brighter. - -"Did you hear that, Hank?" questioned Dick, softly, not quite daring to -make any further move until he knew where his companion might be and -until he understood a little more of the situation. - -"I reckon I heard it right enough, Dick; but what was it?" - -"I haven't any idea. I heard a yell and someone running and suddenly -found myself awake and sitting up." - -"Same here, Dick, but I thought it was you chasing something or someone. -It looks a little funny, doesn't it?" - -"Keep quiet a minute, Hank; I believe they are still in here. I hear -someone moving." - -Silence followed the caution while they listened intently. Then came a -deep-drawn sigh from the center of the hut, and the sound as of a heavy -body being dragged across the floor. - -"Who's there?" challenged Dick. "If you move again I'll fire." - -Once again absolute silence, which was finally broken by a series of -sharp staccato taps. Dick immediately recognized the private call Henry -and he used in their practise at telegraphy and sound signalling. His -companion was rapping on a match-box with some kind of an instrument. -If the person or persons in the room understood English then any -conversation would inform them of the action to be taken against them. -Dick grinned delightedly to himself at Henry's quick way to secret and -safe cooeperation. As the light sounds shuttled back and forth it was -evident to what a state of expertness these two young marines had -drilled themselves. - -"Look out, I will turn on my flash-light. Be ready to shoot. Do you -understand?" came Henry's message. - -"It is dangerous. Let me do it, and you shoot," cautioned Dick. - -"No! You are the better shot. I think he is near the door, and if I -flash the light you can get him better than I can. Stand by right after -I sound 'preparatory.' Stand by!" - -The safety catch on Dick's automatic hardly made a sound as he pushed it -down with his thumb and peered into the darkness near the door. The -weapon was already loaded, so that but a slight pressure on the trigger -would bring its deafening response. Breathlessly he waited. The next -moment came the rattle of the match-box as once again Henry struck it -with sharp emphasis: - -One rap--two short raps--one rap--one rap! - -Then the room was lit by the electric torch from Henry's side of the -hut. There was a wild rush of many feet, loud squeals filled the air, -and out of the open doorway raced and scrambled an enormous razor-back -pig with a litter of squealing, frantic piggies at her heels. - -The sudden transition from the serious to the comical was so great that -both Dick and Henry burst into a roar of hysterical laughter, and both -made a solemn pact never to relate this part of their adventures to a -living soul. After this, sleep being out of the question and the gray -dawn already lightening the eastern horizon, they prepared their morning -meal and made ready for an early start. - -From previous tests each of the boys knew the exact stretch of ground -covered in one of his strides[#] and Dick's stride being sixty inches, -even though he was a six-footer, and five feet being a most convenient -multiple, it was to be his duty to keep account of the distances between -observation points or stations. For this purpose he carried an -instrument used in checking off the number of coal bags hoisted on board -during coaling ship, and with each step taken with his left foot he -recorded it by pressing on the lever with his thumb. The tally was so -small it could be carried unobserved in the palm of the hand. Besides -the tally Dick carried a small pocket note-book, conveniently ruled, in -which he entered his data and from which, on their return, they would be -able to make a very comprehensive sketch of their travels. - - -[#] A pace is the distance between footsteps; a stride the distance -between the spot where one foot strikes the ground and the next -succeeding fall of the same foot; a stride is therefore the equivalent -of two paces. - - -Henry was provided with a small prismatic compass by means of which he -read the angles from each selected point to the next station. With -these simple instruments they could accomplish their work and arouse no -suspicion, at least in the minds of any ordinary native with whom they -were liable to come in contact. - -There was but one trail for them to follow from their point of -departure, and it led to the town of Copey. To follow this trail the -first day and plot in the cross trails between it and the Massacre River -on the following days was their intention, and as the sun rose in a soft -pink cloud of color, with shotguns under their arms, game bags over -their shoulders, and the heavy Colt's forty-fives strapped to their -right thighs, the young surveyors started out on their quest with an -eagerness born of youth and enthusiasm. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - MEXICAN PETE AGAIN - - -The method followed by the two marines was very simple. Having selected -a landmark some distance ahead of them on the trail, Henry, with the -sight-leaves of his compass raised, would look through them towards the -point and read the azimuth or angular direction with respect to the -north and south line, or meridian. This angle was called the bearing of -the point or station. - -Starting at the Captain of the Port's house they named their point of -departure "A," and sighted upon a distant tree, calling it station "B." -A line drawn from "A" to "B" would form an angle with another line -passing through station "A" and the north pole. This angle was read off -in degrees on the compass-card from north going around in the same -direction as the hands of a clock, and there would be two methods of -recording it. They could state the whole angle as read from the -compass, which would then be the true azimuth of station "B," or they -could note the true bearing of the line A-B. The true bearing of a line -is that angle less than ninety degrees which the line makes with the -true meridian. The boys decided to use the true azimuth in their data. - -Dick, having made the entry in his book, started marching towards "B," -pressing on his tally register with every fall of his left foot. -Reaching "B," the number of his strides were entered, a new sight taken, -and the march resumed. - -Where trails crossed or joined the route, their bearing was jotted down. -Features of the country to one hundred yards either side of the trail -were kept under observation; houses, corrals, streams, bridges and their -nature, cultivated fields, swampland, all were noted carefully. - -It was several hours before they met a native, though there was every -appearance of the way being well travelled. At noon they halted in the -shade of a clump of bamboo and ate their luncheon. There was nothing -about them to indicate they were members of a famous military -organization, because they had been supplied before leaving the ship -with some "cit" clothes. Their canteens of water were carried in the -game-bags, for good soldiers never drink water found in strange -countries until it has first been boiled, and there was no time for work -of that nature while engaged in their present task. - -Overhead the sky was a brilliant azure. The sparkling beams of the -noonday sun danced gaily with the shadows cast by the leafy foliage and -a soft breeze whispered through the feathery leaves and hanging moss. -Little lizards darted about in quest of insects, butterflies floated by -on downy wing and the hum of bees seeking honey-laden blossoms added a -drowsy note to the lazy hour. - -"When should we reach Copey, Dick?" asked Henry, with an undisguised -yawn. - -"In about an hour, I guess. We have been going slowly, but it won't -take long on the return trip. From now on we must be extremely careful. -The country in front of us is more populated, and the trails joining -this one are more numerous." - -"Hullo--here are some people coming along the road," said Henry, sitting -up; "sounds like a goodly party." - -Soon after a considerable company came riding by, consisting of about -twenty mounted men and boys, driving before them a number of burros and -horses. Most of the party passed without noticing the two marines, but -at the rear of the cavalcade was one man who permitted nothing to escape -his roving eyes. Spying Dick and Henry, he rode up and inquired in -Spanish as to their business. - -"Buenos dias, amigos! I see you are hunting! What luck have you had?" - -"Very poor luck," Dick replied, looking up at his interrogator but -without deigning to rise. "And what did you hope to shoot along this -trail, my friend?" inquired the native, looking searchingly at Dick. - -"'Most anything--we heard that the ground doves were plentiful, but it -has not proven so to-day." - -"Where do you come from, stranger?" the horseman now asked. "I know you -are Americans, but I have never seen you around this part of the country -before, and I know every foreigner from Monte Cristi to the border." - -"We are just passing through," said Dick, evading a direct answer. - -"Ah! Then, of course, you are bound for Copey. I regret I cannot be -there to offer you the hospitality of my home, humble though it is. I -am Senor Don Antonio Lugo y Suarrez, alcalde[#] of the town, and if you -are to remain in this neighborhood for any length of time, it will----" - - -[#] Alcalde--Mayor. - - -"Thank you, Senor, but we are to be here but a short time, -otherwise----" and Dick, now having risen, waved his hand in a gesture -that was meant to indicate his regret. - -"Nevertheless, I shall hope for the pleasure, Senors, and now I must -hurry along to my friends. Adios, amigos!" and with a low bow, the -alcalde put spurs to his steed and disappeared up the trail. - -"That fellow is a slick one, Hank. He talks too much, and he's too -suave to suit me. As for his expressions of regret and regard--it's all -tommy-rot." - -"He surely kept his eyes busy during his visit," drawled Henry. - -"Well, there was nothing to satisfy his curiosity," said Dick, looking -around to see if he was correct in his statement. "By jinks, Hank, if -he put two and two together he might have cause to suspect. You know I -didn't give him any satisfaction as to who we were, but as alcalde, he -naturally would have heard of the _Denver_ being busy around Manzanillo -Bay, and so it's easy to connect us with the ship. But if he wanted -proof of what we were doing, there is the evidence." - -Henry immediately sat up to look where Dick pointed. On a small tree -near by were hanging the two canteens of water with the black letters -"U.S.M.C." stenciled on their sides, while on the ground beneath, the -flap to one of the hunting-bags had fallen open, and there lay -note-book, pencil, tally register, compass, and a rough sketch of the -locality around the Bay, which Dick had brought along as a possible aid -in their work. - -"If Senor Don Antonio and-all-the-rest-of-his-name, was half as wise as -he looked he knows pretty well, right now, what we are up to," added -Dick grimly. "I wonder what his next move will be!" - -The sound of a horse galloping along the trail came to them and then -like a streak, horse and rider dashed by and along the way they were -about to travel. The rider was spurring and beating his steed as he -bent low in the saddle. If he saw the boys, he at least gave no sign. - -"That fellow reminds me of something or someone," mused Dick, watching -horse and rider disappear in a cloud of dust. - -"The way he's beating his animal makes me think of the Mexican you -horsewhipped in Culebra last winter," said Henry. - -"By jinks, Hank, that's who he is, and no mistake. He was riding along -with that outfit a while ago, and now the alcalde has sent him back on -an errand. I'd bet an old hat that it won't help us any either; also I -hope Mexican Pete doesn't see us, for we can hardly hope he won't -remember us. And if he does, the jig is up." - -"I've got an idea, too. If that is Mexican Pete, then he's in cahoots -with the alcalde, and they are starting out on a smuggling expedition, -and the alcalde is sending back word to prevent us from any possibility -of getting information of it." - -"That's more than likely correct, Hank, and we shall have an interesting -report to send in to the Captain to-night. Well, we'd better be getting -along, for I've a feeling the more we can accomplish to-day the better -it will be in the end. If that outfit is a band of smugglers then it's -up to us to discover their trail and see where it leads. It will be -easy to find it, and we shall have accomplished our mission if we find -even one of their routes." - -"Let us go after them right now," suggested Henry. - -"If we go back now, of course we can pick up their trail easily enough, -but they have taken the precaution to send back word regarding us, and -they surely have left some people to watch us if we attempt to follow -them. On the other hand, we may never get another such favorable -opportunity to finish up the road map to Copey, and as it will be a -valuable addition to the chart for future reference, I guess we'd do -well to complete it." - -"Vamos,[#] then," said Henry, rising and starting off. - - -[#] Vamos--Let us go. - - -They worked more rapidly now, taking every precaution against arousing -suspicion. The houses beside the road were more frequent, and often -they had to guess at the azimuths from one station to another when -curious natives were watching them. The pacing of the distances, though, -was not interfered with, and they hoped to be able to check up -questionable data on their return. Fortunately it was the siesta hour, -and few men or women were abroad. Even the streets of the town, when -they arrived, were fairly deserted. - -The road on which they entered Copey continued through the town until it -crossed the broad highway which lay between Dajabon and Monte Cristi. -Arriving at this point and accosting a native lounger as to where they -could procure refreshments, they found themselves surrounded with -surprising rapidity, and the attitude of the men in the group was -anything but friendly. - -"There is a good cantina there on the corner, Senor," replied one of the -men in answer to Dick's question. - -"Thank you," said Dick, starting for the store; "and perhaps you will -join us?" he added, believing it better to appear sociable even though -he did not feel so. - -The native accepted with alacrity. Inside the little building it was -cool and dim and they ordered, at the proprietor's suggestion, "huevos -fritos, pan tierno y mantequilla, y cafe con leche."[#] - - -[#] Eggs fried, fresh bread and butter, and coffee with milk. - - -During the preparation of the repast, Dick and Henry, taking their -weapons with them, repaired to the yard in the rear of the cantina, -where a small brown girl brought them fresh water, soap and towels. -Dick, having finished his ablutions first, gave the diminutive maid a -silver coin, over which her little fist closed greedily, and the next -moment she was displaying it to her mother, who stood in the doorway of -the cocina, and who smiled pleasantly at the donor. - -"Your child is very pretty, Senora," said Dick. - -"The Senor Americano is very kind to say so," replied the woman in her -soft voice. - -"And how do you know I am an American?" asked Dick. - -"Hush!" almost whispered the woman, glancing cautiously back into the -cantina. "Listen to me, Senor, your lives are in danger here. It is -said you are spies sent here by the Americans, and everyone in the town -knew of you before your arrival. You must never attempt to go to -Dajabon. The alcalde here is very powerful, and his orders are law. -The feeling is very bitter against all Americans. Some of your officers -were stoned yesterday in Monte Cristi. Be careful! I can say no more!" - -"And why do you tell us this, Senora?" asked Dick. - -"Because I like the Americans. An American surgeon saved my child's -life when she was ill last year. You, too, were kind to her. Hurry and -finish your meal and leave at once. Watch out for trouble, as they will -follow your movements. Do not let them suspect that you know anything. -Be careful--here comes my husband," and the woman hurriedly occupied -herself with some household duties. - -"Everything is prepared, gentlemen, and awaiting your pleasure," -announced the owner of the cantina, and the boys followed him to their -places at the table where their guest still awaited them. - -During the meal conversation was confined to the subject of hunting, and -it was noticeable how their guest and host agreed that it was a bad -season for doves, that the birds never were numerous in the locality, -and discouraged any further attempts at enjoying sport of that nature -anywhere except along the coast, where snipe of all kinds abounded. - -Many times the proprietor left them for the purpose of supplying -numerous thirsty individuals who seemed to flock to his little bar, and -all his customers seemed mightily interested in scrutinizing the party -seated at the marble-topped table. Finally, after paying their bill, the -boys bid good-bye to their host and, still accompanied by the native who -had partaken of their bounty, they began their return trip over the road -by which they had entered the town. - -On reaching the outskirts of the village their self-appointed escort -volunteered the information that if his friends were returning to the -Captain of the Port's house at Estero Balsa he would be glad to serve -them by showing them a short cut which was very easy to travel, but with -many expressions of good-will they declined and, with relief, they saw -the native turn back over the trail to town. - -"Phew! But I'm glad that Spig has gone! I've been nearly bursting to -talk over what that woman told us," said Henry. "Do you believe they -are up to anything?" - -"Did you see any of those men coming into the cantina while we were -eating?" asked Dick, as he loosened the flap covering his automatic in -the holster, and turned it back so that he could easily draw the pistol -in case of need. - -"No; my back was towards the door, and I thought it best not to appear -too curious." - -"If you'd seen them you'd not feel very easy over the matter, Hank, for -one of them was none other than Mexican Pete; and he recognized us, too. -He came sauntering in, and I noticed him start when he saw me sitting -there. He didn't know I was looking at him; and later he kept his back -turned all the time, but was giving us the once-over in the -looking-glass behind the bar. I saw him at the head of a detachment of -mounted men leaving town about fifteen minutes before we left." - -"Do you reckon they expected us to take the short route and hoped to -catch us on some blind trail?" asked Henry. - -"Possibly. You see the country along the road is fairly open on either -side, and a considerable body of men would have some difficulty in -surprising us. But they can easily pick us off if they are good shots." - -"I see you've unlimbered, and I reckon I'll do the same," said Henry, -looking at Dick's pistol; "also I'm going to change my load in this -pump-gun from bird to buck shot." - -"Mine has been loaded with buck since we started this morning," said -Dick. "If ever I had taken a crack at a wild pigeon and one of those -slugs hit, there wouldn't have been enough feathers or bird left to -satisfy the appetite of an Argentine ant." - -The boys kept up a pretty rapid pace, and it was not long before they -had left behind their noonday resting place and now were keeping careful -watch of the trail in order to discover where the alcalde and his troop -had turned from it. The marks of the horses on the road had not been -disturbed, and about five miles from Copey the tracks plainly turned off -to the left up a trail through the dense woods. It was certain that -here was at least one clue to their credit which would be of value to -the customs officials. - -"Why did you hurry on by, Dick? We might have gone up that trail for a -way. We've plenty of time." - -"Yes, and we might never have come down it and returned to the ship with -our information, Hank. That is why I told you not to stop nor act as if -you'd noticed anything unusual. I saw something I didn't like when I -squinted up that beautiful sylvan dell, and I believe we'd better do -some tall hustling from now on." - -"What did you see?" - -"Well, it looked like a full-sized native jumping behind a tree. I -believe they thought we might turn up that way, and were waiting for us. -As it is, I'll feel a whole lot better when I can get around that turn -ahead of us. I've an idea there is a gun pointing between my -shoulder-blades this minute, and it doesn't feel a bit comfortable." - -Unconsciously Henry turned his head to look back over the road; then -with a shout of caution he started forward on the run. - -"Beat it, Dick; Mexican Pete and his gang are after us!" - -With the words came a scattering volley, and the yells of the natives in -their rear, the sound of the leaden bullets tearing through the leaves -and shrubs, helped the boys onward in their flight. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - A BRAVE ACT AND A CLEVER RUSE - - -As the two marines dashed around the bend in the road they found before -them an open plain with small clumps of low-lying shrubs here and there -on its sun-baked, level surface. Three hundred yards to their right a -thatched hut of mud stood at the edge of the mangroves which bordered -the plain. Apparently deserted, it offered the only real shelter in -sight, and this was shelter from observation only, in all probability, -for its walls would offer little resistance to the shots of their -enemies. - -"Make for the shack, Hank," called Dick, and together they dashed across -the firm ground. Before they reached their haven the bullets were again -zip-zipping about them. Dick, in the lead, was within a few yards of -the hut when he was arrested by a cry of distress from Henry. Turning, -he saw his chum on his hands and knees about twenty yards in the rear, -while from the direction of the bend an exultant yelling told him the -natives were aware that one of the party was injured. Instantly Dick -doubled on his tracks and was soon at Henry's side. - -"Did they get you, Hank?" he inquired anxiously. - -"Yes, in the right leg," answered the plucky boy, with a smile. "It -knocked me down. Doesn't hurt much, but I can't seem to use my leg." - -"I'll fix you all right," said Dick cheerily, though he felt far from -happy, and bending while Henry sat up, he easily picked up his companion -in the way he had been taught to use in carrying wounded men off the -field. He took Henry's left leg under his own left arm, and made the -injured boy bend over his left shoulder. Then, grasping Henry's left -wrist with his right hand, Dick was up and again running towards the -hut. The shooting kept up while Dick was bending over his chum, but -when the natives saw him carrying away the fallen boy they redoubled -their fire and their yells increased in proportion. Fortunately they -were poor marksmen, and Dick reached the shack without further mishap. -Here he deposited Henry on the dirt floor and reaching in his -hunting-bag he brought forth a first-aid package. The wound was -bleeding freely, and without hesitation Dick ripped the right trousers' -leg from the knee downward with his knife (the same one he had taken -from Gonzales at Sanchez) and then with an expert hand he bound the -wound up firmly. - -"I feel O.K. now, old chap, and you'd better squint outside and see what -those rapscallions are up to." - -"They've quit shooting and there is no one in sight," said Dick, who -crawled to the empty doorway and looked out across the flats towards the -bend. - -[Illustration: Map Showing Position of Hut in Which Boys Took Refuge] - -"Do you reckon they've decided to let us alone?" - -"I don't know, Henry, but I'll know in a minute. I'm going out after our -shotguns. We're pretty poor soldiers to leave our weapons lying all -around the country," and Dick's grin was meant to convey the idea that -the task he was about to undertake was not of much importance nor -danger. - -"Don't try it, Dick. Perhaps they are only waiting for us to show -ourselves and then when we do they hope to pot us." - -But Dick had rushed out of the doorway before Henry finished speaking. -He zigzagged his way across the open space to about fifty yards, the -point where he had rescued Henry, and with his reappearance another -fusillade began. As Dick reached the spot he saw the two guns lying -within a few feet of each other, and between them and the enemy was a -small clump of green bush. - -Back in the doorway Henry now sat watching with bated breath. He saw -Dick stop in his mad rush, then he saw him throw up his hands in a wild -gesture of despair and fall to the ground. That his brave friend was in -great agony was evident to the helpless watcher. He saw Dick roll over -and over, his arms and legs seeming to thresh the air. Finally the -movements ceased and Dick lay stretched out like a log on the scorching -hot plain. The tears rolled unheeded down Henry's cheeks, and then, -hearing the loud victorious shouts of the natives as they streamed out -from behind the shelter of the woods near the bend, and on across the -plain, his lips pressed together and his eyes grew cold and stern, for -the brain behind was dominated by but one thought, the desire to avenge -his comrade. - -With grim determination he placed all the spare magazines for his pistol -within easy reach and drew his heavy Colt's from the holster. Not a man -should ever reach Dick's body if the steady hand and cool nerve of Henry -Cabell could prevent. - -On came the natives, and Mexican Pete was leading them. Even as they -came they continued firing at the hut and in the direction of the still -body lying behind the little bush where it had rolled in the last -struggles. Henry, unheeding the pain in his leg, rolled into the -doorway on his stomach and, resting both elbows on the floor, he -squinted over the sights and took careful aim at the Mexican. He meant -to make every shot count, and so he waited until the leader should be -within seventy-five yards of him. So intense was he on judging the -precise moment to open fire that he saw nothing but this one man whom he -covered with his pistol. - -As he looked he saw the Mexican throw up his arms, whirl about and run -back towards cover. What caused this? Henry lowered his pistol, and now -saw the rest of the gang wildly scattering, leaving two of their number -lying on the plain. The next moment Henry was rubbing his eyes to see -if he were awake. The body lying in the shelter of the bush had come to -life. Dick Comstock was working his shotguns with lightning rapidity, -and clouds of dust flew up from the plain as the buckshot sprayed about -among the fleeing men. As the last one was lost in the distant cover -Dick ceased his fire and came running, with both guns in his hands, for -the hut. - -"Say, boy, but didn't I fool 'em?" he joyfully shouted as he sprang -through the doorway. "Did you see me get 'em, Hank?" - -"Old boy, I thought they had gotten you. I reckon I was pretty much all -in too, Dick, when I saw you go down, and I was just about to open up -when you began on them. It was sure a good trick you played, but, Dick, -be careful to let me know about it the next time or I'll die of heart -failure. Did they get you at all?" - -"Not once; but one of their darn slugs took off my cap, right enough, -and right then the thought flashed through my mind to play the trick. -Whew! It's some hot out there, and, Hank, do you still see those two -chaps that fell? I wonder if they're hurt, or--or---- Gee! I feel -kind of squeamish, now that it's over," and Dick sat down rather -suddenly with his back against the wall. - -"No, they are not dead, Dick, for one of them jumped up and limped off -when your fire stopped, and the other is yelling for help right now. -Besides, they deserve no better fate, and our death would have meant -nothing to them in the way of regret, at least." - -"I feel better, after what you've said, but for a moment the thought of -killing a man was making me sort of sick at my stomach. I didn't feel -that way when I was shooting at 'em, though," and Dick took a deep -breath of relief, then rising he looked out at the scene of recent -conflict. Out in the middle of the plain the wounded native still -called for help, but if his comrades were within hearing they made no -attempt to render any assistance. - -"I reckon those buckshot sort of stung a bit," snickered Henry; but his -snicker ended in a little painful gasp that he tried in vain to control. - -"I've got to get you out of here, Hank, and in a hurry. There is no -telling what they'll do next, and they'll be back as soon as the first -fright wears off. I believe that path back of the hut will take us to a -creek which flows into the Estero Balsa and which the officers plotted -in on the chart last week when I was with them. Anyhow, it's worth -trying. If you feel well enough suppose you keep an eye out on the plain -while I reconnoiter in the rear." - -"Good; I feel fine, Dick, so go along, and I'll keep them off, don't -worry." - -In ten minutes Dick returned with the news that his surmise was correct, -and as luck would have it, a small boat with two men was even then -coming up the narrow creek. Taking Henry on his shoulder once more, -Dick carried him to the bank of the creek, arriving there as the boatmen -reached a point opposite. At his hail the boat was soon nosing the -bank, and the natives inquired what was wanted. - -"My comrade just met with an accident, and I wish to take him to the -Captain of the Port's house; will you row us there?" - -The two fishermen at first demurred, but Dick settled the matter by -taking hold of the gunwale and at the same time drawing his pistol. It -was no time to parley; in a moment they saw the force of his remarks. -Henry was placed carefully in the bottom of the boat, and soon they were -speeding down-stream. - -Once during the passage the two boys looked at each other and winked -knowingly, for from far upstream came the sound of numerous shots. - -"Seems to be a lot of hunting in this country," said Dick aloud. - -"Oh, yes, Senor, the doves are very plentiful this year," said one of -the rowers. - -Crossing the waters of the Estero, they drew up alongside the wharf, -where they had landed less than twenty-four hours previously. One of -the ship's boats was there, and the coxswain in charge hailed them. - -"Hurry aboard, you leathernecks. I've all the stuff from your camp. -The ship's under sailin' orders fer Nicaragua, where there's a hot -little revolution goin' on. What's that, one of you hurt? Well, they -shouldn't let boys carry guns anyway; they're all the time a-shootin' of -themselves. Steady, lads! Handle him with care, and make a soft place -fer him in the cockpit with them cushions. Shove off, for'rd! Full -speed ahead! Say good-bye to this heck of an island, fellers; we're off -this time, for sure!" - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - "TO THE DITCH AT PANAMA" - - -"There goes the good old _Denver_, Mike. I guess she'll reach the -fighting grounds before we do." - -"Don't let that be for worryin' of ye, Dick, me lad," responded Corporal -Dorlan. "We'll be havin' a bellyful of it, I'm thinkin', if all signs -is correct. Nevertheless, she was one of the foinest little crafts I've -ever served on, and they was a grand lot of Navy officers on her, too; -but I'm glad to git back to the Corps again. I'm a marine, Dick, -through and through, and though I get along with them Navy men well -enough, I like to serve with me own kind best of all." - -The old veteran and young drummer were standing on the wharf at -Cristobal, at the Atlantic end of the ten-mile stretch of land across -the Isthmus of Panama known as the Canal Zone, which by treaty with the -Panamanian Government had come under perpetual control of the United -States. Fading away in the dim distance was the ship which for many -months had been Dick's official home. Diverted from her original -orders, she had put in at Cristobal long enough to land all her marines, -with the exception of Henry Cabell, who was still under the surgeon's -care; and now she was bound for Bluefields, on the Mosquito Coast of -Nicaragua. In order to fill existing vacancies in a regiment of marines -hurrying to the scene of action on board the Naval Transport _Dixie_, -which ship was just appearing above the distant horizon, the guard of -the _Denver_ had been unceremoniously "dumped on the beach," as the men -put it. - -There was no question that the revolution in progress, most active on -the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, was a lively one. Marines were being -assembled from all available points, even reducing the guard at Camp -Elliott to a mere skeleton detachment. These men from the Zone were the -first to leave for Nicaragua, and the army men stationed there had -watched them depart with feelings of envy. - -"Blame it all! Those marines are always getting into something. I'll -bet I take on with that outfit the next time I sign up," more than one -regular army "file" had been heard to say. - -And that first lot of "soldiers of the sea" had already met with -opposition. Even now they were somewhere between Corinto and the -capital city, Managua. If they found the rails torn up, they repaired -them; bridges burned, they built new ones temporarily. They were -threatened with annihilation if they interfered, yet they continued with -a dauntless, young and able leader at their head, relieving the fears of -the foreigners in the interior and keeping the single line of railroad -back to their base in fairly good order. Only this very audacity could -assure the success of their undertaking, and also a possible -misunderstanding on the part of Federals and Rebels as to which side -"these interfering Yankees" were really there to help, though it was the -bearers of the red rosettes who actively opposed their progress. -American financial interests were jeopardized, and underlying all the -fuss and furor were greater stakes than the general public realized. - -Perhaps Drummer Richard Comstock and Trumpeter Cabell, in a talk before -they separated that morning, were closer to the real reason for this -strong force being despatched than were even the best informed officers -of the expedition. - -"I reckon a certain conversation you all overheard in Washington a year -ago is bearing fruit," suggested Henry, looking up from his bunk in the -sick bay where Dick had gone to visit him. - -"It looks that way," Dick had replied. - -"Well, if you run across a certain German and a three-fingered Limey,[#] -Dick, you'll do well to keep an eye open. I sure wish I could go with -you all, but we'll get together again before long; so good-bye, old boy, -and good luck," and Henry turned to the wall to cover the emotion this -separation caused him. Thus they had parted. - - -[#] "Limey"--British maritime regulations require the captain to issue -regular rations of lime-juice as a preventative for scurvy. British -ships and sailors are therefore known as "Lime-juicers," or in sailor -slang, "Limeys." - - -Steadily the transport grew upon the vision of those awaiting her -arrival. Finally, when she came alongside her berth, the place became a -seething ant-hill of activity. Tons and tons of rations, tents, -munitions, wireless outfits, buckets, clothing, field ranges, medical -supplies, field artillery, and the thousand other things necessary for -extensive operations were sent up out of the ship's holds and packed on -freight cars, and soon trains of men and supplies were slowly creeping -from under the railroad sheds, out past Monkey Hill, on and on, with -ever-increasing speed, towards the Pacific terminus at Balboa. - -Much to Dick's pleasure and Corporal Dorlan's satisfaction they found -themselves detailed for duty with a company commanded by an old -acquaintance, Captain Kenneth Henderson, formerly in charge of the -Marine Detachment of the U.S.S. _Nantucket_. - -"Well, Sergeant Dorlan, I'm glad to have you back under my command," -said the Captain as he shook hands; "report to the First Sergeant at -once, and tell him I said you are in charge of the working detail -loading the cars." Then he turned to Dick. "Where have I seen you -before, music? Your face looks familiar, but I can't place you." - -"I met the Captain on the _Nantucket_, sir, if the Captain remembers the -day we were upset by a motor boat and Dorlan rescued Tommy Turner." - -"Now I know! You are Drummer Comstock. Your friend's uncle asked me to -keep an eye on you in case I ran across you. How is it that you are a -drummer? I understood you enlisted to get a commission." - -"I hope to have my rank changed before long, sir, but at the time I -enlisted they were taking only musics into the Corps." - -"Does this young man know anything? Can we make a corporal out of him?" -asked Captain Henderson, turning to Dorlan, who still stood at attention -near by. - -"Indeed he's a broth of a lad, sir, and knows more'n most of the -corporals right now, but if the Captain will excuse me, I wanted to -explain before goin' to the First Sergeant that I'm only a corporal -meself, sir. Ye may disremember I was reduced in rank over a year ago." - -"I remember it very well, Dorlan; but from to-day on you are again a -sergeant. So get busy with that work of loading. As for you, music, -I'll make you my orderly for the present. Go aboard, find my mess boy, -Jackson, and get my luggage on that train. It is already packed. Then -present my respects to the Colonel, and tell him my company is ready to -move any time he sends me word." - -Thus it was Dick found himself on board the first troop train to cross -the Isthmus. He was well repaid now for the hours he had devoted to his -graduation essay. At that time he had gone deeply into the subject and -since then, while cruising in the West Indies, many times his previous -reading and study had been of great help. The history of the Panama -Canal was a favorite subject, and now he verified his book knowledge by -actual experience. The sight of the vast area already flooded as a -result of the nearly completed dam at Gatun, the names of Frijoles, Bas -Obispo, Camp Elliott, Cucaracha, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores brought -back to his mind afresh the disappointments of the French and the -difficulties overcome by his country. At one place on the road a dirt -train held them up for a short space of time, and from the car window he -caught glimpses of the mighty Bucyrus steam shovels scooping up tons of -earth and rock in their capacious maws with almost human intelligence. -The new line they travelled passed to the east of Gold Hill, back of -which was Culebra Cut, where the slipping, unstable earth caused so much -delay, disappointment and expense by its dangerous slides. Every where -were scenes of activity! Hundreds of cars and engines, empty trains, -trains filled with excavated earth, trains of freight, passenger trains, -workmen's trains, thousands of men, negroes from the South and the West -Indies, Spaniards, Englishmen, Frenchmen, Chinese, Latin-Americans, full -blooded Central American Indians, Hindoos from the Far East, all busy, -all hustling, even in this tropic zone. They passed through little -villages and settlements, each a reminder of the fabled "Spotless Town," -with their excellent roads, splendid drainage, immaculate, screened -buildings, stores, boarding-houses, hotels, public buildings and -residences, all under the supervision of the Government. How proud the -young drummer was to be a part of this big republic which did things on -such a wonderful scale; that he served this country which flung to the -breeze the Stars and Stripes: that he was even then on his way to help a -misguided people, who, under the far-sighted provision of that Doctrine -of President Monroe, now needed a helping hand to guide their ship of -state over treacherous waters: that he was Richard Comstock, United -States Marine. - -All too soon the passage of that narrow neck of land was completed, and -the train pulled in under the sheds of the Balboa wharves. Again the -hustle and bustle, for close behind followed freight trains and more -troops, and the work of unloading the cars and filling up waiting -lighters was begun. - -Men's hands, unaccustomed to the rough work, blistered and went raw, -their backs ached, their muscles grew stiff and strained, the -perspiration soaked their khaki clothing a dark brown color, but -cheerfully they stuck to their task. And truly it was Herculean, for -after being placed aboard the lighters the stores were towed alongside a -great gray battleship lying far out in the harbor, where they again had -to be transferred aboard and stored away. - -The companies worked in two-hour shifts, one battalion being detailed at -each of the transfer points. They arrived at Cristobal at noon, and a -little after midnight the work ashore had been completed. Captain -Henderson's company was one of those detailed for work on the Balboa -wharves, and shortly before ten o'clock he started in a motor car for -the city of Panama, taking his newly appointed orderly with him. About -the time the relief shift was to go on they returned, laden down with -sandwiches of all kinds and several big freezers of ice-cream with which -to regale officers and men. The cooks in the meantime had made gallons -of hot coffee, and when mess-call sounded, never was food and drink more -welcome than to those dirty, grimy, sweat-laden marines, who, seated on -box or barrel, gun carriage or packing case, in the glare of many cargo -lights, munched and drank to repletion. Then "carry on" was sounded, and -with cheerful shouts and renewed vigor they tackled their task. - -By six o'clock the next morning the big ship slowly swung her bows out -towards the ocean of Balboa, the mighty Pacific, and laid her course for -Corinto, Nicaragua's principal seaport on the west coast. - -Then it was that Dick Comstock realized he was tired--good and tired, -but there could be no rest for the weary. Every man must first know to -which boat he was assigned in case of "abandon ship," what he was -supposed to do in case of fire, where he was to berth; then there were -roll calls and cleaning ship and stowing away the stores on deck, and it -was dark once more before the willing workers finally found the time and -the place to catch a little sleep. But it was all worth while when the -Colonel Commanding sent around to each company his official word of -praise: "No body of men could better their record, and he doubted if any -could equal it," so read the memorandum. And Dick, curled up in an -unoccupied corner on deck, fell asleep, while ringing in his ears was -that well-known stanza of the Marines' Hymn which a group of still -energetic Leathernecks were softly singing somewhere up near the bridge: - - "From the pest hole of Cavite - To the ditch at Panama, - They're always very needy - Of marines, that's what we are, - We're the watch dogs of a pile of coal - Or we build a magazine, - Though our duties are so numerous, - Who would not be a Marine?" - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - - THE MARINES HAVE LANDED - - -"That's a fine-looking engine," said Dick, three days later, as he -gazed, with a derisive laugh, at the locomotive backing onto the wharf -at Corinto to couple up with a train of laden flat cars ready to start -on the precarious journey to support the battalion of marines somewhere -along the line, but just where no one rightly knew. - -And indeed it was an engine of a type quite new to most of the marines -perched on every available sticking-place amid the boxes, barrels and -bales with which the train was laden. A care-free, jovial lot of -huskies they were, taking this back-breaking work as a mere matter of -course. They were marines, so it was their just due to be chased from -one corner of the world to the other; and if it had not been so, they -would have said disgustedly that they "might as well be in the Army." -The world moved and the marines moved with it; they themselves were -sometimes inclined to think they moved it. - -"The only place I ever saw an engine of that type was on those blue -three-cent stamps the United States put out for the centennial -celebration many years ago," remarked a junior officer, seated near Dick -on the floor of the car, with his feet swinging idly over the side. - -"You are not much of a philatelist, Mr. Mercer," said Captain Henderson, -who happened by, "or you would have known of other postage stamps with -an engraving of the wood-burning type of engine on their face. This -country we are now in uses a series of them over on the Mosquito Coast, -and Honduras has another series. But I see we are about to start. Pass -the word to fix bayonets: no rifles to be loaded without command. Each -man must understand this affair is being handled with kid gloves, and -they must not precipitate things by any hasty action on their part. -Remember, too, that we are here to keep order, and unless interfered -with we will go about our business quietly. To us, at the present time, -all Nicaraguans are our friends until they prove otherwise. Treat both -parties alike until you get orders to the contrary. Those men wearing -red rosettes and ribbons are 'agin the government'; they are rebels; so -be careful of your every act." - -The engine with its enormous bell-topped stack by now had bumped into -position and with a jerk and wrench and creaking of wheels the journey -was begun. - -All along the route could be seen small bands of men. Some carried -rifles, but the majority were armed with long knives, called machetes. -Many sported uniforms, but most were attired in ordinary clothing, the -little red badges identifying them with the insurgent forces. - -Hour after hour they clattered and bumped along the fearful road-bed. -Forward! Bump, stop! Bump, ahead! Stop! Little by little, mile after -mile, they progressed. Here the rails were slippery, and with shovel in -hand the men jumped off the cars and covered them with dirt so that the -wheezy engine could once more proceed. At a town named Quezalgaque, -just as darkness fell, the engine ran out of water. A bucket line was -formed down the steep river embankment at this spot and under the glare -of flaming torches the men worked filling the boiler till the Navy -Machinist in charge of the engine stated the gauge was "full up." Then -forward once more with the cheers of the detachment of Uncle Sam's -sailors, stationed here to guard the bridge, ringing in their ears. - -The night was so black that it was difficult to see one's hand before -one's face and when, after about five miles more of bumping and thumping -had been covered, the train again halted, word passed from the head of -the train for no one under any circumstances to leave the cars. There -seemed to be a mysterious something in the air, as of a dense crowd of -humanity pressing in from all sides, yet there was no sound, other than -the puffing of the wood-burner at the head of the train. - -"Wonder what makes this place so spooky like?" whispered Dick to Dorlan, -who sat beside him filling his old corn-cob pipe preparatory to lighting -up; "I have a feeling that if I put my hand out I'd touch some human -being; and yet I can't see a thing in this blackness." - -Dorlan did not reply, but the light from his match made a small glare in -the surrounding night. Small as it was the men in his immediate vicinity -were startled at what it disclosed. A sea of faces, a forest of armed -men, crowded up to the very edge of the track on all sides. - -"Whew! Did you see them?" whispered a man near Dick. "Every beggar in -sight has a gun, and here we are right in the middle of 'em, and we -didn't know it." - -There was a restless movement on the part of the marines. Those who had -been drowsing awakened, to grip more firmly the rifle which, since -darkness, no longer held the knife-like bayonet. One man quietly opened -the bolt of his rifle and nervously fingered a clip of cartridges in his -belt. - -"Easy, men!" came the caution down the length of the train, and the -slight flutter of nerves calmed to steadiness. But the tension was -there, and only the excellent discipline held them in check, for these -rebels were too close for comfort. Then followed the slow ringing of -the locomotive's bell, brakes were released and the train moved on, -crossed a high trestle bridge, and again halted. - -"Pile out, everybody! Throw our company stores off the cars at once and -stow them alongside the track. Get some lanterns working, men. On the -jump, now!" and Captain Henderson strode along the embankment shining -his flash-light and encouraging his men to do good work. - -Lights flickered along the train. Stores were tossed off in quick -order, camp sites selected, police parties immediately prepared -latrines, and the guard was posted. Then, the immediate requirements -being attended to, the men rolled up in their blankets on the hard earth -to get such sleep as they could. - -"Who were all those hombres[#] surrounding us before we crossed the big -bridge, Sergeant?" asked Dick, pulling his knapsack into a more -comfortable position beneath his head. - - -[#] Hombres--Men. - - -"They was the chief army of the rebels in these parts," replied Dorlan. -"When we stopped back there we were right in the middle of the biggest -town in Nicaragua, and the one where all the trouble starts. The people -of Leon are always ready to revolute with the hope of makin' it the -capital instead of Managua, and bein' on the only railroad from the -capital city to the seaport, Corinto, they're in a foine place to -control things. The nearest Federal troops are at a place called La -Paz, about twenty-three kilometers from here." - -"How long is a kilometer, Sergeant?" questioned one of the men. - -"It's about five-eighths of a mile, so La Paz would be about fourteen -miles south of here. From there on the Federal troops hold the railroad -to the southern outskirts of Managua, and as this line goes on to -Granada, I figure it's up to us to do considerable of work yet, for they -say that we'll never get through the rebel lines beyond the capital -without a fight. However, so far things seem to be goin' pretty slick." - -"Do you know how many troops there are in Leon, Sergeant?" - -"About two or three thousand, so they say, and they didn't want us to -pass through there to-night, but finally consented. The Adjutant told -me the leaders were pretty ugly about it, but as you see they finally -gave in, and here we are." - -"Now we are here what are we going to do?" inquired Dick. - -"This battalion's goin' to camp right here and watch these fellers in -Leon; the rest of them behind us will go on through when they come up -and help the outfit that's ahead. All the telegraph and telephone lines -are down between here and La Paz Centro. The rebs have cut 'em, and we -can't get word of what's goin' on up ahead; but we'll know by to-morrow -night. Now, quit yer askin' of questions. It's three o'clock in the -mornin', and reveille's set for five A.M. Ye always want to get all the -sleep ye can on campaign, for ye can't never tell what's a-goin' to be -happenin' the next minute. Good-night, boys," and Sergeant Dorlan rolled -over, his snores soon announcing he had followed his own excellent -advice, but it was a long time before Dick's eyes closed in slumber, and -it seemed as though the notes of reveille awakened him even before he -had succeeded in getting the time-quoted "forty winks." - - "I can't get 'em up! I can't get 'em up! - I can't get 'em up in the morning! - I can't get 'em up! I can't get 'em up! - I can't get 'em up at all! - The private's worse than the corporal, - The corporal's worse than the sergeant, - The sergeant's worse than the Captain, - And the Captain's worst of all." - - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -[Illustration: Dick's Map of Camp Pendleton] - - DICK'S MAP OF CAMP PENDLETON - -The map was made by Dick, and is a fairly good one, though many -necessary things have been omitted. The Railroad from Granada to -Corinno through Leon goes south to north. Captain Henderson's company -was in the woods at S.W. corner of map. The outpost near bridge was to -prevent damage to structure. - -The camp was named after Colonel Joseph H. Pendleton, U.S.M.C., who -commanded all the marines on this expedition, but the camp itself was -commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Charles G. Long, U.S.M.C. One battalion -of marines, a battalion of sailors from the U.S.S. _Colorado_, -Quartermaster Depot, Navy Medical Unit, and Wireless Outfit, were -encamped in the enclosed area and occupied about two-thirds of the -space. This camp was made on September 11-12, 1912. - -The map shows no contours, but a gentle slope, and from E to W gave -excellent drainage, and Leon, a mile distant, was in full view. The -single dotted lines are trails. The double dotted lines are unfenced -roads and the rectangles are generally houses, except in camp, where -they represent tents. - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -"Come on, ye lazy bones, roll out of yer hammicks," called Dorlan -cheerily, "and if ye foller that path down by the shack acrost the road -ye'll reach the river and a good place to wash, only don't go too far -down-stream, as there's a bunch o' buzzards cleanin' up some dead men, -and the sight ain't extry fine on an empty stummick." - -It was not long before Dick had finished his ablutions, and as he had -avoided the buzzard's feast he felt quite capable of doing justice to -the breakfast the mess cooks prepared. - -The day was spent in fixing up the camp, preparing it for defense, -reconnaissance work, and sorting stores. That the rebel general felt -kindly towards the Americans might have been implied from the fact that -he sent two beeves to the Colonel Commanding, with his compliments, but -these were returned with expressions of thanks, as the Colonel did not -feel he could accept the gift. Many parties of rebel soldiers passed -the camp during the day and curiously watched the soldiers from the -great Northern Republic at their varied occupations. Other days -followed, some filled with flurries of excitement, some slow and -monotonous. The rest of the regiment passed on towards the capital and -a battalion of sailors came to augment the force, and for the time they -were ashore, absorbed the Marine Corps spirit, "hook, line and dipsey." - -One day a rebel "armored" train came puffing along from Leon, where they -kept it carefully locked up in the station shed, and proceeded towards -La Paz, with red flags streaming and a poor edition of Joan d'Arc -astride the cow-catcher brandishing a big machete and cheering on the -deluded soldiers. - -"Viva Luis Mena! Viva Leon!"[#] they shouted to the marines, and waving -their guns wildly, passed on. - - -[#] "Hurrah for Louis Mena! Hurrah for Leon!"--Mena was the rebel -candidate for presidential honors and after the battle of Coyotepe he -was taken under guard by the marines to Corinto and deported. - - -"They are off for a fight," hazarded the onlookers, but it was only a -foraging party out for wood and fresh beef which they confiscated as -they found it. One of the flat cars was arranged with sand bags, and -over the parapet thus formed a Hotchkiss machine-gun menacingly stuck -its baleful snout. This rebel train was an eye-sore to the American -officers; for as long as General Rivas, who commanded at Leon, had this -train and locomotive locked up in the station, so long it was sure to be -a menace. The marines were in Nicaragua primarily to keep open the -railroad, which was American-owned, and orders now came from the Admiral -commanding the forces afloat and ashore to demand the surrender of the -train. This Rivas refused, feeling confident that the few Yankees -encamped across the river were neither strong enough nor brave enough to -attempt to force him, and should they do so then it was quite certain -they were no longer impartial. One Sunday morning in September, to his -astonishment, three trains filled with marines and sailors pulled into -the sidings at Leon. The attitude of the officers and men on this train -was such that Rivas considered surrender the better part of valor, -though at one time it looked as though his enraged men would precipitate -a bloody struggle. Anyway, the train was taken out from its shed; the -rebels were permitted to remove their gun, and amid the curses and -execrations of the multitude gathered at the station, it was towed back -to the American camp. - -As for Richard Comstock, he found the life exciting and full of -adventure. Following his application, he had had his rank changed to -that of a private, and accompanied Sergeant Dorlan, who had been -appointed special messenger to carry despatches, up and down the line. -The situation was getting more critical every day. Then came orders to -send all the field artillery from Leon to Managua, and on the train that -took them went Dorlan and Dick, bearing special despatches to the -Admiral who had gone on to the capital city for a conference. The -rebels near the Leon camp looked gloomily upon this move. A few days -before a train bearing marines, on passing through Masaya, a city south -of Managua, had been fired upon, some men being killed and wounded on -both sides. - -Now it was apparent that the Yankees were going to assist the Federal -troops. What would be the outcome? Would they attempt to attack the -rebels at Barrancas and Coyotepe? If they did they could never take -those positions. No troops had ever yet wrested those strongholds from -the soldiers defending them. It had never been done in the history of -the republic and its many wars. Secretly General Rivas despatched bodies -of mounted men to augment the rebels in the vicinity of the threatened -points. - -When the artillery train stopped for watering the engine at La Paz, -hundreds of Federal troops met it with a band at their head and cheering -vociferously: - -"Viva los Americanos! Viva los Federales!" they shouted till their -throats were hoarse. - -"Let's get off and buy some fruit, Sergeant," said Dick, who was riding -on the engine with his companion. - -"You go along, Dick, but hurry back, as I heard the engineer say we'll -be pullin' out o' here in a jiffy." - -Climbing down from his seat, Dick elbowed his way through the crowd till -he came to a fruit stand at the far side of the station platform. After -selecting some oranges and mangoes he was hurrying back when the broad -shoulders, red neck and blond, bristly hair of a foreigner standing at -the edge of the crowd drew his attention. Beside him was a tall man -whose tanned face could not hide the fact that he too was a stranger -from another land. Under the brim of the taller man's hat was a white -spot of hair over and behind one ear, and the left hand, as he raised -it, showed half the middle finger missing. - -"The German and the Englishman!" - -Dick almost said the words aloud in his excitement over the discovery. -Both men were watching the crowd in front of them with great interest, -and conversing in rather loud tones in order to make themselves heard -above the din made by the enthusiastic soldiers cheering the train. -Unobserved, Dick stopped directly behind them. - -"Just our blooming bad luck to have them go through during daylight, -after we have been waiting for this very move for several days," said -the Englishman in a drawling voice. - -"I never expected they would make the move by day, or I should have made -better arrangements. If it were dark, as we expected it would be, we -could pull off the same kind of game we worked in Masaya when Butler's -Battalion went through there. I had to do that trick against General -Zeladon's wishes. If he had consented to let me work it as I wished -that train-load of marines never would have lived to get through as they -did. I had to make it appear an unpremeditated affair, and as a result -not half the people joined in the fight. A single defeat of these -Yankees to the credit of the rebels, and the whole country would have -joined us, Mena would have been president without a doubt, and our plans -would be well under way towards consummation." - -"You made a mistake, though, Mein Herr. You should never have made it -appear that the rebels began the shooting. Our policy is to lead these -Americans to believe that the Federal troops are against their -interference." - -"Bah! You don't know what you are talking about," said the German in -the same arrogant way of speaking that Dick remembered so well. - -"Well, don't let us get ratty over it; you know, old top, we have other -things to think about. Now if we might delay this train in some way it -would still be possible to work the game here." - -"No chance at all! Not a chance!" exclaimed the big man impatiently, -"but it would have been a fine opportunity to turn the tables had it -only been dark. Our men here would have been enough to make them -believe the whole outfit of Federals were shooting them up, and in the -excitement the marines would have returned the fire, and the fight would -have become general." - -"Will the other trick work?" the Englishman now asked. "Will those -papers implicating Chamorra come into the Americans' hands in a -perfectly natural way?" - -"Yes, and it is our last hope, outside of actual defeat of this Yankee -rabble by the rebels, and I believe that is a possibility. These men -are nothing but play soldiers. What do they know about war? And as for -taking Coyotepe away from Zeladon and his men, bah! they can never do -it! They will have to declare war first, and get down their miserable -army. That will delay them long enough for us to defeat the Federals, -and Mena and his men will be in supreme power. Hello, the train is off. -Donder und Blitzen! How I wish it were night!" and the speaker stamped -in wrath upon the gravel of the roadway. - -So interested was Dick in the conversation of these two men which for a -second time had been overheard by him that he had failed to note the -train was moving away. To his consternation he saw now that he could -not catch it because of the crowd between him and the last car, which -was passing as he looked over the sea of heads. Running to the -telegraph office where, owing to many previous visits with Dorlan, he -was well known, he dictated a wire to be sent on to Nagarote, the next -stopping place along the line, explaining briefly that he had missed the -train. Then he turned to the operator, and before the man knew what was -happening had divested that surprised individual of his coat. - -"Quick, Frederico, loan me your coat and hat," he said. "Take charge of -my canteen and haversack till I return. Oh, yes, I'll borrow your -necktie too," he added, stripping it off the neck of the open-mouthed -native, and after pulling off his leggins and putting on the things he -had commandeered, he sped out through the doorway in pursuit of the two -men whose rapid strides were even then carrying them towards the center -of the town. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - - DICK IS LEFT BEHIND - - -As Dick ran from the telegraph office and looked about him in search of -the two foreigners, he saw them disappearing around a street corner a -few hundred yards away, but when he arrived at the same spot they were -nowhere in sight. He dashed up the long street scouring each crossing -for a sight of them, but in vain. The town was practically deserted. -Most of the smaller houses were open and vacant. The stores and larger -dwellings were closed and locked. The inhabitants had vacated when the -Federal forces occupied the town some weeks before. La Paz was in too -great a danger of changing hands again to make it comfortable as a place -of habitation. - -Small patrols of Federal soldiers sauntered about, but the majority had -returned to the entrenchments which surrounded the town on all sides. -Even women and children were noticeable by their absence, for the -families of the Latin-American soldiers as a rule accompany their -fighting men into the field, living with them on the firing line. Often -the women themselves join in the fray, armed with machetes, and are most -savage and blood-thirsty opponents. - -Failing to discover the whereabouts of the German and the Englishman, -Dick was at first at a loss as to his next step. Then he recalled -having met at the station a few days before Colonel Solorzano Diaz, -nephew to the president of Nicaragua,, and second officer in command at -La Paz. Undoubtedly this officer could give him information of the two -he sought, as it was improbable they could be inside the Federal lines -and not be known to him. - -"Is Colonel Diaz in La Paz?" asked Dick of a group of soldiers standing -on a corner. - -"Yes, Senor, he is at his headquarters." - -"Take me to him at once! I have important news for him!" demanded Dick. - -The young soldier who had answered his query now volunteered to act as -guide, and after a ten minutes' walk they came to the Colonel's tent, -erected near a battery of field guns. The smart, military-looking -orderly on duty there halted them and after inquiring their business, he -ushered them into the Colonel's presence. - -"You say you are an American and have important news for me?" asked the -handsome young Colonel, immaculately attired in a splendidly fitting -uniform. - -"I have, Colonel, and will be glad to tell you what I know if I may see -you alone." - -"First, explain how you come to be within our lines. Your arrival has -never been reported to me, senor." - -"I met the Colonel three days ago when I delivered a letter from the -Commanding Officer at Camp Pendleton. I am a marine, Senor." - -"Why are you dressed as you are, if such is the case?" and the officer -looked Dick over with suspicion in his eyes. - -Briefly Dick gave his explanation, but before Diaz would consent to hear -the rest of his disclosures the orderly was directed to telephone -Frederico at the station to verify the statements. - -Colonel Diaz was a graduate of an excellent military school in the -United States, and his command was remarkable for training and -discipline, and though Dick fussed over the delay, he nevertheless -admired the native officer for his caution. - -Dick now saw that he had erred in not telegraphing to have the train -held at Nagarote until he could explain by wire to the marine officer in -command all the facts in order to permit that officer to govern his -future movements to better advantage. While thinking of this, Colonel -Diaz entered the tent, having gone out in order to talk to Frederico in -person. - -"You are Private Comstock, guard for Sergeant Dorlan, special messenger -for the American forces?" he stated in a questioning manner. - -"I am." - -"I will hear what you have to say. Step outside, orderly, and take the -guard who brought this man here with you." Then turning to Dick, he -said in a most agreeable tone, "Be seated, Senor, and proceed." - -Dick now told of his two meetings with the German and Englishman, and of -the conversation he had so fortunately overheard on each occasion. - -"Do you mean to say, Senor, that these two gentlemen, Senors Schumann -and Heffingwell, are the men you heard engaged thus?" asked Diaz in -amazement. - -"If those are the names of the German and the Englishman I have -described, yes," answered Dick positively. - -The black eyes of the officer flashed ominously, and a deep flush -mantled the smooth olive complexion. - -"They will pay dearly for this, Senor. Those two men have had many -concessions from my uncle, the president, in the past. They have been -in Nicaragua for some years, and now I understand why they were ever -busy in travelling about on various pleas. Sometimes it was to -investigate the mines, at others to visit the coffee plantations of -Diriamba or the rubber industry of the midlands. But this is not action! -Orderly," and the clear voice rang with decision, "find out at once if -Senors Schumann and Heffingwell have passed the outposts; if not they -are to be brought here immediately." - -During the time they waited for the report Colonel Diaz paced up and -down the tent in deep thought, puffing great clouds of smoke from his -cigarette. - -"The Captain commanding the outposts, sir, states the two foreigners and -escort of fifteen cavalrymen crossed the southern outpost fully ten -minutes ago. Their passes were in due form and signed by yourself, -sir." - -"Yes, I gave them permission to leave at any time that suited their -convenience, and provided an escort for their protection--the same men -who accompanied them in here two days ago with a pass through our lines -from General Pollito." - -"Probably rebels in federal uniform," suggested Dick, "and the ones they -depended upon to start the fracas at the station had the train arrived -after nightfall." - -"Yes, uniforms these days consist of little more than a ribbon to be -changed as it suits the fancy or the convenience, but the question is, -what should be done in the matter? It is evident they can do nothing to -harm the train. The road, which nearly parallels the track from here to -Managua, is in no shape for fast going. I inspected these men the day -they arrived here. Their horses were worn out and poor at best. Even -the lay-up they have enjoyed would not put them in condition. I will -acknowledge there have been times a man on a good horse could leave here -and arrive at the capital ahead of the train, but never unless it was -held up by carelessness on the part of the native engineers. Nearing -Managua the train has to descend some tortuous grades in the hills and -the wagon road is more direct and gives the horseman the advantage -during the last few kilometers." - -"What do you propose to do, Colonel?" asked Dick. "Could you not send -your men out after them and bring them back?" - -"I cannot spare the men. We are too few here already, and at any moment -we are expecting an attack. Also I have no absolute proof of their -perfidy which would justify me in taking such drastic measures. They -are under the protection of my superiors, and though I believe your -story, unfortunately I am not the only one who would need to be -convinced. The best that I can do is to telegraph my suspicions to all -points and have them watched carefully from now on." - -A scraping on the canvas at the front of the tent attracted Colonel -Diaz's attention. - -"Come in," he called, and then as his orderly appeared he added, "What -is it you wish?" - -"A telephone message from the station states that the telegraph wires -between here and Nagarote have been cut, sir," reported the soldier, and -at a nod from his superior he withdrew. - -"They are at it again," said Diaz quietly; "no sooner do we send out and -repair it than the line is cut at another point." - -For a few seconds the officer and the young marine sat lost in thought. -That some disaster threatened the train bearing the battery of field -guns and the marines had become a conviction in Dick's mind. He could -not forget the Englishman's question, "Will the trick work?" and the -German's reply in the affirmative. Dick felt sure that this "trick" was -to occur before Managua was reached, and this being so, what could be -done to prevent it? Could it be prevented? It was certain that he -could not count on help from Colonel Diaz, and now, adding to the -difficulty, the wires were down. - -Glancing through the tent opening Dick saw beneath a tree, held by a -uniformed orderly, two spirited horses, saddled and bridled. The sight -at once suggested action to the mind of the worried boy. Anything was -better than this inactivity. Furthermore, Dick knew that if he stayed on -here at La Paz he should never witness the stirring events which were -bound to follow the arrival of the artillery at Managua. Here was a -means of going forward and joining his companions. Possibly too he -might learn something of advantage by following the route taken by -Schumann and his band. It was worth trying. - -"Colonel Diaz, may I borrow horses from you and a guide? I wish to -proceed to Managua at once." - -"Do you ride--ride well, I mean?" - -[Illustration: "DO YOU RIDE?"] - -"Yes," replied Dick. - -"It is sixty-three kilometers by rail, and about fifty-eight by road to -Managua, senor. It is possible even to cut that distance with a man who -is thoroughly acquainted with the country. A good horseman, well -mounted, should reach there before dark." - -"May I have the horses and a guide, Colonel?" and this time Dick looked -enviously at the horses outside. Following the glance Diaz now espied -the impatiently waiting animals. - -"Ah! And did you mean my horses? Well, Senor, they are the only two -horses in this camp capable of making the journey," and he said it with -a pardonable touch of pride. "Those are not native ponies. They are -thoroughbreds. I love them as a father would his sons, and----" he -hesitated. - -"I will give them good care," said Dick, who, to tell the truth, had no -idea that the Colonel would entrust two such animals in his keeping when -he had asked for horses, but now he thought possibly this would be the -outcome of his request, and thought he understood why Diaz made his -involuntary pause. - -"That is not the only consideration, Senor Comstock. Those two horses -are almost as well known as their master. You would be in constant -danger of attack along the way, and seeing you, an American Marine, -riding my horse, every rebel you encountered would do his best to stop -you. They would not hesitate to shoot in case they could not capture -you otherwise. Besides, those whom you seek are between you and your -destination and they would surely hold you up. No, the chances are -against you ten to one." - -"Were they a thousand to one, Colonel, I would wish to make the -attempt." - -A smile of understanding lit the face of the officer and, rising, he -gripped Dick's hand with warmth. - -"I understand! It is the call of duty--of patriotism--and for you my -heart holds naught but admiration, and my hand withholds nothing. You -may take my horses, Senor, and may the good God who watches over brave -men watch over you on your ride to the assistance of your fellow -countrymen." - -Colonel Diaz now called the orderly who brought the horses to the tent -door, and turning again to Dick, he said: - -"Tomas is an old servant in my household, Senor. He will accompany you -and be under your orders. This paper will pass you through any of the -Federal lines. Again, Senor, I wish you luck. Adios!" - -Less than five minutes later Dick, mounted on the powerful black horse -and followed by Tomas Casanave, a full-blooded Indian, was swinging -along beside the railroad on a path which his guide informed him would -save nearly a kilometer at the start. - -At the first pond of water they came to, Dick ordered a halt. -Dismounting and ordering Tomas to do likewise, he gathered up a quantity -of mud and began smearing it over the velvety coat of the animal he -rode, over his clothes and shoes, even putting some on his face. - -"And why does the Senor do this?" asked Tomas, looking on in amazement -at the proceeding. - -"The Colonel told me his horses are known from here to Managua by every -rebel along the line, but they are well known because they are always so -well groomed, for one thing." - -"I care for the Colonel's horses, Senor," said Tomas, simply, but with -much pride in his voice. - -"By spreading this mud over the horses," continued Dick, "it may help -deceive persons whom we meet. Now, Tomas, turn those saddle cloths, -smear mud on the trappings and harness, and tie your coat in a roll back -of your saddle. Also hide your carbine and its boot where you will be -able to find it on your return, and last, but by no means least, remove -that blue band from your sombrero." - -Tomas followed Dick's advice, and by the time he had finished no one -would suspect either of them of belonging to any military organization. -In fact the Tramps' Union, if there be one, would have disowned them. - -"In case we are held up you are to answer all questions. I will tie -this handkerchief about my neck, and you may state I am ill and we are -hurrying to Managua to consult a doctor about my throat, which pains me -and prevents me from speaking. Now, Tomas, we have lost time enough. -You take the lead and I will follow. Save every minute, but also -remember these horses must carry us to the end of the journey." - -Springing into the saddle they instantly broke into the long lope which -was to be their gait for the coming hours. - -When told of the task before him by Colonel Diaz, Tomas had been -anything but pleased at the prospect. He knew the danger of running the -gauntlet of rebel bands infesting the country between La Paz and the -capital city, and he was filled with apprehension. Dick's preparations -won his admiration, and the boy's knowledge of Spanish was another -agreeable surprise. He began to believe they might win through, rebels -or not. - -That the foreigners, who had a half hour's start, were following the -same road, was soon discovered by the Indian. Accustomed to reading -signs of the trail he interpreted them for Dick's benefit. Once he -dismounted just before crossing a small stream which trailed across the -road and carefully examined the ground on the far side near the water's -edge. - -"They passed here less than ten minutes ago, Senor," he said as he -remounted and splashed across the brook. "I can tell this by the water -which dripped from their horses, and the degree of moisture still -remaining." - -On they went to the accompaniment of the thud of the well-shod hoofs, -the creak of leather, the jangle of bit and spur. Tomas was still -watching the road, when without apparent reason he stopped. - -"What is the trouble?" asked Dick, reining in the black charger on -arriving abreast of his companion, but before answering the native -looked about him cautiously. - -"I have lost their trail, Senor. They have left the road." - -"Which way did they turn, Tomas?" - -"I cannot tell without going back, but I believe to the right." - -"Is there any cross trail or road?" - -"No, and there is no reason that I know for them to leave the road." - -"Why do you suppose they have done so?" - -"Quien sabe?"[#] answered Tomas, giving his shoulders a shrug which -carried as much meaning as his words. "Possibly they are in hiding and -watching us to ascertain if they are being followed. If so, it would not -be wise to retrace our steps in case it is your desire to learn what -became of them. But now that we are evidently beyond them, I think we -are fortunate, and would suggest we proceed at once on our way. So far -we have been unusually lucky, having met with no rebels." - - -[#] Quien sabe--Who knows? - - -That there was wisdom in the Indian's words could not be denied, but -Dick felt a distinct sense of disappointment as he looked about him in -the vain hope of seeing something of those they had been following so -closely. About a half mile to the west an almost bare hill stuck its -summit high into the glaring blue sky. Its slopes were cone shaped and -fringed with a short stubby growth. In spite of disappointment, it was -impossible to see the beautiful symmetry of the hill without admiring -it, and as Dick watched, a cloud of smoke burst forth from its apex. -Knowing the volcanic nature of the country he was nevertheless surprised -at the sight, as Mount Momotombo, rising from the waters of Lake -Managua, was the only active volcano in this immediate neighborhood. - -"Is that small hill an active volcano, Tomas?" he asked. - -The native looked long and searchingly at the smoking hilltop. At first -his face expressed fear and amazement, followed in turn by a look of -question, and then of understanding. - -"No, no, Senor, it is not a volcano. It is a signal. Someone is sending -smoke signals." - -"Smoke signals? What do they mean?" - -"They may mean anything. It is a method used by my people long ago and -often resorted to by the natives of Nicaragua. If you notice the smoke -is interrupted; sometimes long columns, sometimes short clouds or -puffs." - -"Are you able to read the message?" - -"No! one has to know the code, Senor." - -"If I had field glasses, it would be possible to see who is sending the -message," said Dick, straining his eyes to discover if he could detect -any movement on the hill. - -"There are binoculars in the saddle-bags belonging to Colonel Diaz," -exclaimed the native. - -Dick placed his hand in the bag, which in the haste of departure from La -Paz had not been removed, and brought forth a powerful pair of prismatic -glasses. Adjusting them to his eyes, the cone-like hill appeared to be -almost within reach of his hand. On the hilltop, more or less screened -by the scrubby growth, were a number of men standing about a fire which -gave forth a thick volume of smoke. Two of the men were moving a -blanket back and forth over the fire, which caused the smoke to rise in -irregular clouds. Half-way down the hill he saw about twenty horses -with a few mounted men tending them. - -Again he searched the hill. He was convinced these men made up the band -whose trail they had followed from La Paz, and if he could discover the -two foreigners his suspicions would be verified. As he watched he saw a -man pointing to the southward. The others now turned their heads to -look, and then from the shade of a boulder, he clearly saw both Schumann -and Heffingwell arise and reaching for their binoculars, focus on the -distant point. - -"It is our party, Tomas," said Dick; "they are all looking to the south -and evidently pleased at what they see there." - -"That indicates their signal is answered," replied Tomas. - -"It must be so, Tomas, for they are scattering their fire, and some are -trailing down the hill. All have left now, except the two foreigners. -They are apparently reading a paper between them, though I cannot quite -make out what it is. Yes, it was a paper, for the German rolled it up -and threw it on the ground near the rock on which they had been -sitting." - -"The message or the code, Senor," stated Tomas; "if we had it----" - -"We shall have it, for I am going to get it. It is too good an -opportunity to let pass, and even though it were nothing, I should not -feel I had done my best if I left here without it." - -"We are in plain view from the hill, Senor. If we remain here longer we -may be detected." - -"Never fear, they won't get us, but we must take to cover until they -pass, and then secure the paper." - -"As the Senor wishes; but having let them precede us again we may have -difficulty in passing them in turn and reaching Managua in safety." - -"We must take the chance," replied Dick, with no thought of wavering, -and after replacing the glasses he led the way deep into a rough tangle -of high trees and dense undergrowth at the roadside. Here they awaited -impatiently the reappearance of the horsemen. - -Soon the clatter of hoofs and the shouts of men greeted their ears, and -they came galloping up the road. - -"Seem to be in a big hurry, all of a sudden," mused Dick as he peeped -through the green branches at their approach. - -With the completion of his thought the blood in his veins seemed to -congeal, for the black horse which he rode, hearing the oncoming troop, -pricked his ears, and then before Dick had time to grab the quivering -nostrils to prevent it a loud ear-splitting neigh filled the silent wood -with its tell-tale message. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - - DICK MAKES A FLYING LEAP - - -Too late the boy's firm fingers closed upon the nose of the black horse, -and fearing a repetition of the alarm Dick pinched for dear life, -meanwhile peering apprehensively through the surrounding mass of green -foliage. To his mystification the road was clear of any living soul. - -Turning anxiously to question the Indian, he caught him in the midst of -choking back an amused chuckle. Not understanding the situation, and -believing the guide was suffering from a stroke of apoplexy, Dick began -to pound him vigorously on the back. - -"Bastante, bastante![#] I am not choking," exclaimed Tomas as soon as -he was able to stop his fit of laughter. "Pardon me, my friend; I -expected your horse to send out his challenge, but I knew those in the -road would never hear it. They were too noisy themselves. In -consequence, I could not refrain from a little enjoyment at your -expense." - - -[#] Bastante--Spanish for "enough." - - -"You mean to say they did not hear at all this black -fog-horn-fourteen-inch-double-barreled-siren-and-brass-band all rolled -into one? Why! It was enough to awaken the dead. Boy! but it sure -made me sweat," and Dick wiped the beads of perspiration from his -forehead. - -"They heard nothing, Senor, and at the rate they were going they are -well on their way by now." - -"Then, Tomas, let us make haste to get that paper," and without further -words they turned their horses' heads in the direction of the cone-like -hill. On arriving at the point where those before them had left their -horses Dick, dismounting and leaving Tomas in charge, climbed the -remaining distance alone. - -At the top of the hill he saw the dying remnants of the scattered fire, -and then with a glad cry he sprang forward to pick up a crumpled ball of -paper lying dangerously close to a glowing ember. - -Seating himself he smoothed out the sheets. Upon one was a rude sketch -in ink; the other was filled with writing in Spanish. Feverishly he -translated it aloud. - - -"Senor: Everything is prepared, and when I see your smoke signals I will -know the exact hour to spring my surprise. The rock is in position to -roll on the track at the curve marked X, where the arrow points. -Crushed beneath it, as if accidentally by his own carelessness, will be -the body of a Federalista, a close friend of the President. In his -pockets will be found the papers proving conclusively that the Federals -planned to wreck the American train. Even the money paid for the work -will be in the dead man's pocket, untouched. If the train arrives at -the spot in the night, our scheme cannot fail. If by day, and it should -be discovered in time to prevent a bad accident, the proof will be there -anyway, and the northern meddlers must then believe Diaz and his -adherents are implicated. Viva el Republic! Viva Mena! - -"CANDIDO. - -"P.S. My men have driven away those peons who fill the tender with fuel -at the wood pile south of Mateare, and that will cause more delay." - - -Having finished the letter, Dick studied the map, but it was so -inaccurate and he was so little acquainted with the country that he -gleaned no real information from it. He believed that the curves -depicted represented the tortuous stretch of rail a few kilometers north -of Managua. There the road turned and twisted through a group of hills, -and in many places the sides of the cuts were lined with rocks of great -size and weight. Often these had been loosed in the past, either by -natural causes or otherwise, and, falling into the right of way, caused -many serious accidents. Perhaps Tomas would be able to recognize the -spot, and Dick ran down the hill to question the waiting soldier. - -"Here, Tomas, read this aloud to me," he demanded, thrusting the letter -into the guide's hands. The reading proved that Dick's opportunities for -learning the Spanish tongue had been used to good advantage. - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -[Illustration: Map Showing Position of Rock and Track] - -NOTE:--1. This map is very inaccurate, but nevertheless is clear enough -to designate the position of the rock and track. - -2. The meaning of the Spanish words is as follows: Lago de -Managua=*Lake of Managua*. Ferrocarril=*railroad*. Aqui--_here_. -Montes=*mountains*. Camino=*road*. - - - * * * * * * * * * - - -"I know the exact place, Senor," said Tomas, and his features reflected -Dick's own excitement. "It is one hour's hard riding from here, and -Senor, look! There is the train pulling away from the filling station -now. You may know it to be so because of the trail of black smoke. We -can never reach the spot before the train. We are too late, and soon it -will be dark and we cannot then ride as fast." - -"We must make the trial," said Dick, mounting his restive steed. "Come, -lead the way. Do not spare the horses now," and with the Indian in -advance they were soon clattering down the hill at breakneck speed. On -reaching the road the Indian, bending low in the saddle, for the first -time touched his horse with the spur, and the splendid animal responded -to the unaccustomed punishment as if shot from a catapult. - -Side by side the two sped along the roadway towards their distant goal. -Again the rails and track ran parallel and Tomas, taking advantage of -his knowledge of short cuts, turned from the highway and led the chase -along the narrow trail beside the tracks, never once stopping the -fearful speed of his mount. - -Suddenly from behind them came the long wailing whistle of a locomotive. -Glancing over his shoulder Dick saw a few hundred yards behind a fast -approaching train. This could not be the troop train, he was sure. -Once more he heard the whistle warning him to get clear of the track. - -"Tomas," he called, but the Indian gave no sign of having heard his cry. - -Another look behind showed the train rushing on with no slackening of -speed. Still Tomas continued in his mad flight. Dick tried to swerve -his horse from the trail beside the track, fearing that when the train -overtook them the animal might become frightened and dash against the -side of the train; but now the black horse was infected with the -fighting spirit, and so long as the bay horse in the lead was ahead just -so long would he keep up the heart-breaking run. Dick could feel the -powerful muscles beneath him working with the smoothness of well-oiled -machinery, and in spite of the enormous strides with which they covered -the ground, he hardly rose from his saddle, so perfect was the action. - -Then to Dick came a new thought. Unless the train ahead was delayed he -never could hope to reach the danger point in time to warn the troops. -He knew his attempt was futile, so why continue! This train now -thundering along so close behind might catch up with and stop the -artillery train. But how could he let those on board know of the danger? -To attempt to flag the train was useless now. Had he thought of it -before it might have been possible, but it was not very likely, under -the most favorable conditions, that they would stop on the signal of two -lone and unrecognized horsemen alongside the track. Should he attempt -to interfere with its progress, the chances were that the train -guard--men from his own corps, possibly his own company, would shoot him -as a suspiciously acting native: "shoot first and inquire after," was a -fundamental principle in these treacherous revolutionists. - -His mind, naturally active in summing up situations in their true light -in times of stress, and quick to formulate his plans, saw only one way -left open to him. He must board the moving train. He must make the -leap from his saddle in some way, grasp hand-guard, brake, door, window -or sash, and hang there until those on the train could pull him to -safety. - -Even as he made his resolve the engine, foot by foot, was gliding ahead -of him. From the cab window the engineer, a sailor from one of the -ships of the Navy, watched with deepest interest what he believed was a -vain race between two "loco Spigs"[#] and the train, and turning to his -grimy fireman he ordered him to keep up the steam pressure at all costs -and "Durn the expense." - - -[#] Loco--Spanish for "foolish." - - -That the horses could keep up their terrific speed for any length of -time was out of the question. The Indian's horse appeared to have taken -matters in his own hands and was running away, though Tomas was now -doing his best to hold in the excited brute. - -Now the tender and the first car had passed Dick. Another quick glance -from the corner of his eye and he saw there were but three more cars in -the train, and when his eye returned to the narrow trail he saw it -gradually drawing away from the rails. Unless it returned beside the -track within the next few rods his last opportunity would be gone. - -On the train every window was filled with excited faces watching this -uneven race between God-made and man-made power, but they tried to -encourage the riders with shouts and yells and much waving of hats and -hands. Dick heard and saw the "rooters," but beneath his cap there was -no change of expression; his face was white and stern with a bulldog -tenacity of purpose. - -Now the second car had drawn past him, and the middle of the third car -drew opposite the straining horse. Would the trail never get nearer? -Must he in a last desperate endeavor pull with all his might on the left -rein and cross the rough ground in order to bring the laboring animal -against the side of the cars? If he did it meant almost certain -destruction. - -Now the fourth car appeared, nosing forward on his flank, yet he dared -not take his eye from the trail. Must he leave it and make the dash -across the rough uneven space? He would wait just a few strides more. -Then once again he found the narrow path converging towards the tracks. -Already Tomas was racing beside the car, ten feet in advance. Would the -black horse be equal to the effort? With a wild yell the boy dug the -spurs into the flanks of the steed, and with a gasp of surprise the -horse bounded forward as never before. For a second the painted side of -the clattering coach was like a dull smear on Dick's blurred -vision--then he leaned far out in his saddle to his left, his clutching -fingers slid along the beveled edges of the car's wooden frame, they -gripped the iron hand-rail at the rear end of the platform, the next -moment he was pulled from his saddle, his feet struck the steps and with -a last, final effort he fell breathless on the floor, held in safety by -the strong hands of two astonished train guards. - -"Well, I'll be jiggered, if it ain't Dick Comstock," exclaimed Private -Jones, late of the _Denver's_ guard. "I ain't seen you since we -separated at Colon. Say, Dick, what in the dickens are you doing here, -and where did you come from? I sure am some glad to see you." - -"Wait a minute; let him get his breath before you take it all away again -by making him answer your questions," said the other marine, assisting -Dick to his feet, and looking at this sudden arrival with unfeigned -admiration. "My word, Bo, but you beat any movie picture hero I ever -seen. By the way, your friend back there doesn't seem to know what's -become of you." - -"I'm thinking he must believe the Angel Gabriel come along and took you -up in his chariot," said Jones, whose knowledge of Biblical characters -and their history was fragmentary. - -Far down the track Tomas could be seen halted in the middle of the rails -scratching his head while he gazed after the train in evident -perplexity. - -"I guess he'll figure it out. He's a wise old Indian," said Dick; then -the reason for his being on the train struck him with its full -significance, and, "Who's in charge of the train?" he asked. - -"Why, Dick, our old friend, Sergeant Bruckner. He's up forward on the -engine. Why? What's up?" - -But Dick did not stop to answer. Roughly pushing his way through the -crowd of natives gathered at the end of the car to see what manner of -man it was who rode hair-breadth races with railroad trains, he ran -through the remaining coaches to the front end of the train, climbed -over the tender, now nearly empty of wood, and finding the sergeant, he -told him what he had done and what there was still to do. - -"You say the artillery train left the vood station about tventy minutes -ago?" asked Bruckner, reverting to his v-habit in his excitement. - -"Yes, and they will necessarily have to go slowly. It is getting dark, -and I believe we can catch them before too late." - -"But ve also have to stop and refill with vood, and as ve von't find any -men there to do the vork for us, it's going to be a very slow business." - -"Slow? Why, if necessary, we'll make every passenger on this train lend -a hand, willingly or otherwise," said Dick. - -"Well, here we are," called the engineer who, though keeping his eye on -the rails ahead, was an eager listener. "Come, all hands, get everyone -on the job, and I'll lend a hand myself." - -Never was wood hustled into a tender of the Ferrocarril de Nicaragua so -fast as it was that October evening, and when the fireman finally -announced that he had sufficient, the ear-splitting whistle had barely -died away before the old wood burner was surging on into the gathering -darkness, her headlight streaming on the lines of shining rails ahead, -making them appear like two bars of yellow gold stretching on into -infinity. - -"If there are any ties out, fishplates gone or spikes driven between the -rails this night we're goners," said the fireman to Dick as the two -worked, throwing log after log into the capacious maw of the engine, -where the draft seemed quickly to turn them into a mass of dark red -cinders which streamed out of the great stack and left a glowing trail -as of a comet's tail following them through the night. - -"I've been with old man Strong, the engineer, every trip he's made, and -I never seen him light out like this. I almost believe we're making -forty-five miles, and mebbe more than that, especially on the down -grades. Wow! Man dear, but he took that curve on two wheels, and it's -a wonder we stayed on the track when he struck the reverse. What's his -idea of pullin' the whistle every two seconds, anyhow?" - -"He's started sounding the 'S.O.S.' calls," said Dick, "hoping the train -ahead will hear us and wait to see what's up." - -"How many miles have we got left to catch 'em?" - -"I don't know," answered Dick, as for a moment he ceased his labors, and -holding to the rail at the side of the cab peered ahead along the -parallel lines of light; "it can't be much more, for we are in the hills -now, and on the down grade. If we are to do any good at all it must be -soon." - -The next moment there was a long weird shriek of the whistle, then the -grinding of brake-shoes on the wheels as the signal for the train guards -to man the wheel brakes followed in staccato blasts. Groaning, -straining, shaking, screeching, bumping and thumping, the train -slackened its speed, crawled for a few yards, and then with one last -resounding rattle it stopped, and there, but a few short yards ahead, -waiting to discover the reason for the wild signals for help they had -picked up, stood the officers and men of the artillery train, safe and -unharmed. - -Owing to a "hot-box" they had been forced to stop and repair at a -station called Brasiles. While there they discovered that the lines of -wire either side of the station had been cut and later, hearing the wild -whistling of the engine in their rear as they proceeded cautiously on -their way, and believing rightly that the signal was meant for them, it -was decided best to await the arrival of the news before going further. - -It was Richard Comstock who, a little later from the seat above the -cow-catcher of the leading train, gave a shout of satisfaction. -Rounding the last abrupt curve in the hills before descending to the -straight road-bed of the plain, he espied a great mass of rock thrown -directly across the rails. Had the train been other than creeping along -through the cuts and defiles a serious accident would have followed -undoubtedly. - -Slowly the train drew up to the dangerous obstacle, and then, true to -the contents of the letter which Dick had delivered into the hands of -the Marine Officer in charge, they found crushed beneath the mass of -rock the body of a man in whose pockets was the letter and the money, -which, if the truth had not been known, might have changed the pages of -Nicaragua's history. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - - THE SITUATION WELL IN HAND - - -Zoom! Whiz-z-z, and then a distant bursting cloud of cottony white -smoke high in the blue sky over the hill called Coyotepe. Soon the -waiting ear heard the sharp explosion of that seemingly soft fluffy -cotton-ball, which in reality carried death in its wake, for with the -bursting came hundreds of tiny bits of steel and bullets seeking out the -enemy behind their entrenchments. And through the day and the night -following the sound of the field guns prepared the way for the attacking -marines, sailors and Federal troops the next morning. - -At the first break of day two battalions of United States Marines began -their advance. In reserve, a battalion of sailors, as yet untried in -land warfare, fretted and fussed at their position behind the actual -firing line, and some even rolled in the yellow mud till their white -suits were the color of marine khaki and then, rifle in hand, sneaked -away from their command and joined their brothers in arms. As for the -Nicaraguans, supposed to attack but not relishing the job, they delayed -and delayed, only too happy to let Colonel Pendleton and his command -assume the task of attempting to drive Zeladon and his insurrectos from -Coyotepe and Barrancas. Deep down in their hearts they felt that what -no Nicaraguan army had yet accomplished could never be carried to a -successful issue by these few pale-faced Americans from the North. - -No! It seemed that those who held these two hills which commanded the -road and railroad, north and south, could never be driven from them. -Yet, little by little, step by step, up the rocky, slippery slopes, -struggled the thin brown lines of marines. On through briar and bush; -over jagged cliff or bullet-strewn open space; on and ever on. Through -prepared traps of barbed wire; cutting, slashing, firing, sweating, -swearing, always upward, till finally in one mad, glad, glorious, -soul-stirring, blood-thrilling rush, they mounted the earthworks on the -hilltop's crest, in spite of rocks, in spite of cannon, in spite of -rifle, in spite of machine-gun fire, and there at bayonet's point -engaged in hand-to-hand conflict with enraged men and wild Amazonian -women who wielded bloody machetes with fanatical frenzy. - -With those who shared in the glory of that conquest was Richard -Comstock, his breath coming in short, labored gasps; the rifle he held, -taken from a fallen comrade far down the slope, still burning hot, and -the knife-like blade of the bayonet shining brightly in the early -morning sunlight. - -And the marines accomplished this supposedly impossible task in less -than forty minutes from the beginning of their advance. Is it any -wonder that the natives of the countries where the fighters visit and -uphold the glory of the stars and stripes, honor and respect them, -individually and collectively? - -After the pursuit of the fleeing rebels the Federal troops, encouraged -by the unbelievable success of their allies, attacked, took and sacked -the town of Masaya in true native style, which always involves useless -destruction and uncalled-for brutality. - -The "handwriting on the wall" was now unmistakable and when later in the -day some of the victorious troops and the battery of field guns were -entrained and started for Leon, the rebels in that city gave up all hope -of ever putting their candidate into office. - -Carrying despatches on the first train north went Sergeant Dorlan and -his guard, Dick Comstock, and in those despatches was a very -complimentary letter to Dick's immediate commanding officer which told -of his timely warning and the manner of its accomplishment. - -Barrancas and Coyotepe were taken on October fourth, and on the sixth -long lines of marines and sailors were seen leaving Camp Pendleton. -That the rebels had agreed to surrender and lay down their arms without -a fight was very much doubted, and Lieutenant Colonel Long, who had -charge of the coming occupation, was going to enter the town in force -and take no chances of a possible ambush. - -Immediately after reveille the first troops had quietly reenforced the -company already on duty at the railroad station. This was done without -incident, and then on three sides of the city the forces began their -advance. The rebel troops, knowing that their leaders, Generals Rivas -and Osorio, had fled, had spent the night in drinking and debauchery. As -the main column debauched into the principal street and the excited, -inflamed wearers of the red cockades saw the stars and stripes of the -United States flaunting in the breeze, they resorted to their usual -street fighting tactics. - -Street by street the marines advanced. Every inch of the way was -disputed and the bullets whizzed and cracked, sang and stung; taking -their tally of wounded and dead. - -"Dick, me lad, I'd give me old pipe, I would, to be able to be on ahead -with the advance instead of here with the colors, much as I love 'em," -announced Dorlan as he stood in the shelter of an overhanging roof and -watched the windows of a pretentious building on his right. - -Reaching a street corner or alley a little later it was found that the -natives had resorted to their brutal, inhuman tactics in dealing even -with civilized troops. A sailor, stripped of his clothing and -mutilated, was lying in the roadway. Perhaps he had lost his section -and wandering here trying to locate it, was set upon by the cruel -natives. - -"Ah! a sight like that makes the very blood in me bile," said Mike, -shaking his fist in the direction of the dodging opponents far up the -street; "if I knew the feller what did that to the poor flatfoot,[#] I'd -be a brute meself and tear him to pieces with me bare hands." - - -[#] "Flatfoot"--Marine Corps slang for a sailor. - - -"Look out, Dorlan," yelled Dick, and falling flat on the rough cobble -stones in the middle of the street he emptied a clip of cartridges into -a doorway which that moment was flung open, and from which a half dozen -rifle barrels were pointing from behind a rough barricade. But he did -not stop the volley of shots which followed, and the heavy leaden slugs -splashed, pattered, and flattened all about the little color guard. -They rained against the walls of the buildings on either hand, gouging -out great chunks of mortar and plaster to a depth of several inches, and -one bullet, partly spent, struck Dick in the shoulder, penetrated to the -bone and lodged there. - -"I guess I'm hit, old pal," he said weakly to Mike, after they had -silenced the fighters behind the barricade and had gone on for a couple -of blocks. "I thought it was only a scratch, but the blood's running -down my back, and----" but just then it seemed as though a great -thunder-storm was descending upon the city; the sky grew black and the -darkness came so swiftly that he could not see where to step, and with a -sob he fell into the arms of his faithful friend. - - -"After all, it is not much more than a scratch; it is lack of sleep and -nourishment during the last few days," said the surgeon, handing Dick a -piece of lead he had recently removed from the boy's wound, "but I have -recommended that you be sent back to Corinto, where you can receive -proper attention on board ship." - -"But is the fighting all over?" asked Dick weakly. - -"Surest thing you know, my boy, for 'the marines have landed and have -the situation well in hand,' as the papers always say," answered the -surgeon smiling. - -"Thanks for the Navy's bringing us here," added Dick with a wan smile, -and then he dropped off into a much needed peaceful sleep. - - -Two days later as he lay on his white bunk in the sick bay of the U.S.S. -_Buffalo_, steaming southward to Panama, and the wonderful hospital at -Ancon, a letter was handed him. On opening it he found a document -appointing him a corporal in the United States Marine Corps. Also -enclosed was a very complimentary letter from the Commanding Officer of -Marines ashore, thanking him for his excellent work during the exciting -days of the campaign, and at the end he read with satisfaction that, -owing to his information, a certain German and his accomplice had been -arrested by the Government authorities and were on their way to the -coast, where they were to be deported, and forbidden ever to return. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARINES HAVE LANDED *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41037 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. 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