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.