DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ
Fighting with the U.S. Navy in Mexico
by
H. IRVING HANCOCK
CONTENTS
CHAPTERS
I. Ready for Fight or Frolic
II. At the Mercy of a Bully
III. The Junior Worm Turns
IV. The Ward-Room Hears Real News
V. Watching and Waiting--Behind the Guns
VI. First to Invade Mexico
VII. Dave Darrin to the Rescue
VIII. Disobedience of Orders
IX. Cantor Finds His Chance
X. Dave is Stung to the Quick
XI. A Brother Officer's Whisper
XII. The Man of the Evil Eye
XIII. "After the Rascal!"
XIV. A "Find" of a Bad Kind
XV. Ready for Vera Cruz
XVI. In the Thick of the Snipping
XVII. Mexicans Become Suddenly Meek
XVIII. In the House of Surprises
XIX. A Traitor in the Service
XX. The Skirmish at the Diligencia
XXI. A Rescue and a "Facer"
XXII. Playing Birdman in War
XXIII. The Dash for the Traitor
XXIV. Conclusion
CHAPTER I
READY FOR FIGHT OR FROLIC
"Do you care to go out this evening, Danny boy?" asked Dave Darrin,
stepping into his chum's room.
"I'm too excited and too tired," confessed Ensign Dalzell. "The
first thing I want is a hot bath, the second, pajamas, and the
third, a long sleep."
"Too bad," sighed Dave. "I wanted an hour's stroll along Broadway."
"Don't let my indolence keep you in," urged Dalzell. "If you're
going out, then I can have the first hot bath, and be as long
about it as I please. Then I'll get into pajamas and ready for
bed. By that time you'll be in and we can say `good night' to
each other."
"I feel a bit mean about quitting you," Dave murmured.
"And I feel a whole lot meaner not to go out with you," Dan promptly
assured his chum. "So let's compromise; you go out and I'll stay in."
"That sounds like a very odd compromise," laughed Darrin. "On
the whole, Dan, I believe I won't go out."
"If that's the way you feel," argued Dalzell, "then I'm going
to change my mind and go out with you. I won't be the means of
keeping you from your stroll."
"But you really don't want to go out," Dave objected.
"Candidly, I don't care much about going out; I want that bath
and I'm tired. Yet in the good old cause of friendship---"
"Friendship doesn't enter in, here," Dave interposed. "Danny
boy, you stay here in the hotel and have your bath, I'll go out
and pay my very slight respects to Broadway. Doubtless, by the
time you're in pajamas, I'll be back, and with all my longing
for wandering satisfied."
"Then, if you really don't mind---"
"Not at all, old chap! So long! Back in a little while."
Through the bathroom that connected their two rooms at the Allsordia
Hotel, Dave Darrin stepped into his own apartment.
Having donned coat and top-coat, Darrin picked up his new derby
hat and stepped to his room door. In another half minute he was
going down on the elevator. Then he stepped into the street.
Dave Darrin was young, healthy, happy, reasonably good-looking.
His top-coat and gray suit were well tailored. Yet, save for
his erect, military carriage, there was nothing to distinguish
him from the thousands of average well-dressed young men who thronged
Broadway after dark on this evening in late March.
For perhaps fifteen blocks he strolled uptown. All that he saw
on that gaily lighted main thoroughfare of New York was interesting.
It was the same old evening crowd, on pleasure bent.
Then, crossing over to the east side of Broadway, Dave sauntered
slowly back.
Laughing girls eyed the young naval officer as he passed. Drivers
of taxicabs looked the young man over speculatively, as though
wondering whether he might be inveigled into going on a, to them,
profitable round of New York's night sights. Human harpies, in
the form of "confidence men"---swindlers on the lookout for
prey---glanced but once at the young naval ensign, then looked away.
Dave Darrin's erect carriage, his clear steady eyes, his broad
shoulders and evident physical mastery of himself made these
swindlers hesitate at the thought of tackling him.
Through the occasionally opened doors of the restaurants came
the sounds of music and laughter, but Dave felt no desire to enter.
He was several blocks on his homeward way, and was passing the
corner of a side street quieter than the others, when he heard
a woman's stifled cry of alarm.
Halting, bringing his heels together with a click, and throwing
his shoulders back, Darrin stopped on the corner and looked down
the street.
Five or six doors away, close to a building, stood a young woman
of not more than twenty-two. Though she was strikingly pretty,
Dave did not note that fact in the first glance. He saw, however,
that she was well dressed in the latest spring garments, and that
her pose was one of retreat from the man who stood before her.
That the man had the external appearance of the gentleman was the \
first fact Darrin observed.
Then he heard the young woman's indignant utterance:
"You coward!"
"That is a taunt not often thrown at me," the young man laughed,
carelessly.
"Only a coward would attempt to win a woman's love by threats,"
replied the girl, more calmly, though bitterness rang in her tone.
"As for you, I wish to assure you that I am quite through with you!"
"Oh, no, you're not!" rejoined the annoyer, with the air of one
who knows himself to be victor. "In fact, you will do very much
as I wish, or your brother---"
"You coward!" spoke the girl, scornfully again.
"If your brother suffers, your pride will be in the dust," insisted
the annoyer, "and, remember, I, alone, can save your brother from
disgrace."
"I am not even going to ask you to do it," retorted the young
woman. "And now our interview is over. I am going to leave you,
and I shall not see you again. I-----"
"Going to leave me, are you?" leered her tormentor. He stepped
forward, holding out his hand, as though to seize the young woman's
wrist, but she alertly eluded him.
"If you try again to touch me, or if you attempt to follow me,"
warned the young woman, "I shall appeal for assistance."
So absorbed were the disputants in their quarrel that neither had
noticed Darrin, standing on the corner.
The tormentor's face flushed, then went white, "Make your appeal,"
he dared, "and see what happens!"
Again he attempted to take the girl by the wrist.
"Can I be of service, madam?" inquired Darrin, as he strode toward
them.
Like a flash, the annoyer wheeled upon Darrin, his eyes flashing
dangerously.
"Young man," he warned, threateningly, "the best thing you can
possibly do will be to make yourself scarce as quickly as possible.
As for this young woman-----"
The tormentor moved a step nearer to the young woman, whose face
had turned very pale.
Dave slipped quietly between them.
"As this young woman does not wish to talk with you," Darrin suggested,
"you may address all your remarks to me."
While the two young men stood eyeing each other Darrin noted that
the young woman's annoyer was somewhat taller than himself, broader
of shoulder and deeper of chest. He had the same confidence of
athletic poise that Dave himself displayed. In a resort to force,
it looked as though the stranger would have the better of it.
Yet this stranger seemed suddenly deprived of much of his assurance.
Plainly, there was some good reason why he did not wish to fight on
this side street so close to Broadway.
"Madam," inquired Darrin, half turning, "may I have the pleasure
of escorting you to your friends?"
"If you will call a taxi-----" she began, eagerly.
At that moment a fareless taxicab turned the corner of Broadway
and came slowly down the street.
"Hold on, chauffeur!" cried Darrin, in a voice of command. Then,
as the cab stopped at the curb, Dave turned his back upon the
tormentor for a moment, while he assisted the young woman into
the taxicab.
"Do you feel satisfied to go without escort," asked Darrin, "or
may I offer my services in seeing you safely to your home?"
"I shall be all right now," replied the young woman, the troubled
look in her lustrous brown eyes vanishing as she favored her unknown
defender with a smile. "If the driver will stop, two blocks from
here, I will direct him where to take me."
"Step aside, boy!" ordered the unknown man, as he tried to brush
Dave away and enter the cab.
It was no time for gentle measures. Ensign Darrin's right fist
landed heavily on the face of the stranger, sending him prone to
the sidewalk.
At a wave of Dave's hand the chauffeur started away. Scenting
trouble, the chauffeur drove as fast as he could down the side
street, making the round of the block, then heading into Broadway
and going uptown, for the young woman had called out her destination.
As for the stranger whom Dave had knocked down, the fellow was
on his feet like a flash. Ignoring Darrin, he tried to dash down
the side street after the taxicab.
"Step back!" ordered Dave, catching hold of the fellow, and swinging
him around. "You're not going to follow."
"I must have the number of that taxicab," cried the stranger,
desperately.
"Too late," smiled Dave, as he saw the taxicab turn the next corner.
"You won't learn the number. I happened to see it, though," he
added incautiously.
"Give it to me, then," commanded the other. "I'll overlook what
you've done if you truthfully give me the number of that taxicab.
Find that girl I must, and as early as possible. Though I know
her well, and her family, too, I do not know where to look for
them in New York."
Dave, without a word, turned as though to walk toward Broadway.
"Give me that taxi's number," insisted the stranger.
"I won't," Dave returned, flatly.
"Give me that number, or-----"
"Or what?" drawled Darrin halting and glancing contemptuously
at the furious face before him.
"Or I'll pound the number out of you!" came the ugly challenge.
"Go ahead," Dave invited, coolly. "I don't mind a fight in the
least, though perhaps you would, for I see a policeman coming
up the street. He would be bound to arrest both of us. Perhaps
you have better reasons than I have for not courting the activities
of the police."
It was plain that a fearful, even though brief struggle, took
place in the stranger's mind before he made reply to Dave's taunt.
"I'll find you again, and the next time you shall not get off
so easily," muttered the other. "Depend upon it, I shall see
you again!"
With that the stranger walked toward Broadway. Smiling, Dave
strolled more slowly after him. By the time the naval ensign
reached the corner of that great artery of human life, the stranger
had lost himself in the crowds of people that thronged Broadway.
"If I see him again within twenty-four hours, I think I shall
know him," laughed Darrin. "My first blow put a red welt on his
cheek for purposes of identification."
Then Darrin finished his walk, turning in at the Allsordia.
Dan Dalzell had also finished his bath, and lounging comfortably
in his pajamas, was reading a late edition of the evening newspaper.
"Have any fun?" asked Ensign Dalzell, glancing up.
"Just a little bit of a frolic," smiled Darrin, and told his chum
what had happened.
"I'm glad you punched the scoundrel," flared Danny Grin.
"I couldn't do anything else," Dave answered soberly, "and if
it weren't for the shame of treating a woman in such high-handed
fashion as that fellow did, I'd look upon the whole affair as
a pleasant diversion."
"So he's going to look for you and find you, then settle up this
night's business with you, is he?" demanded Dalzell, with one
of the grins that had made him famous. "Humph! If he finds you
after ten o`clock to-morrow morning, it will be aboard one of
our biggest battleships and among fifteen hundred fighting men."
"I'm afraid I shall never see him again," sighed Dave. "It's
too bad, too, for I'm not satisfied with the one blow that I had
the pleasure of giving him. I'd like to meet the fellow in a
place where I could express and fully back up my opinion of him."
"I wonder if you'll ever meet him again?" mused Dalzell, aloud.
"It's not worth wondering about," Dave returned. "I must get
into my bath now. I'll be out soon."
Fifteen minutes later Darrin looked into the room, saying good
night to his chum. Then he retired to his own sleeping room; five
minutes later he was sound asleep.
No strangers to our readers are Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell "Darry"
and "Danny Grin," as they were known to many of their friends.
As members of that famous schoolboy group known as Dick & Co.
they were first encountered in the pages of the _"Grammar School
Boys Series."_ All our readers are familiar with the careers in
sport and adventure that were achieved by those splendid Gridley
boys, Dick Prescott, Dave Darrin, Greg Holmes, Dan Dalzell, Tom
Reade and Harry Hazelton. The same boys, a little older and twice
as daring, were again found in the pages of the _"High School Boys
Series,"_ and then immediately afterward in the _"High School Boys'
Vacation Series."_
It was in the _"Dick Prescott Christmas Series"_ that we found all
six of our fine, manly young friends in the full flower of high
school boyhood. A few months after that the six were separated.
The further fortunes of Dick Prescott and Greg Holmes are then
found in the _"West Point Series,"_ while the careers of Darrin
and Dalzell are set forth in the _"Annapolis Series,"_ just as the
adventures of Reade and Hazelton are set forth in the _"Young Engineers
Series."_
At Annapolis, Darrin and Dalzell went through stirring times,
indeed, as young midshipmen. Now, we again come upon them when
they have become commissioned officers in the Navy. They are
now seen at the outset of their careers as ensigns, ordered to
duty aboard the dreadnought "_Long Island_" in the latter part
of March, 1914.
Certainly the times were favorable for them to see much of active
naval service, though as yet they could hardly more than guess
the fact.
General Huerta, who had usurped the presidency of Mexico following
the death---as suspected, by assassination---of the former president
Madero---had not been recognized as president by the United States.
Some of Madero's friends and former followers, styling themselves
the "Constitutionalists" had taken to the field in rebellion against
the proclaimed authority of the dictator, Huerta. The two factions
had long fought fiercely, and between the two warring parties that
had rapidly reduced life in Mexico, to a state of anarchy, scores
of Americans had been executed through spite, as it was alleged,
and American women and children had also suffered at the hands of
both factions.
Lives and property of citizens of European governments had been
sacrificed, and now these European governments looked askance
at the Washington government, which was expected to safeguard
the rights of foreigners in Mexico.
To the disappointment and even the resentment of a large part
of the people of the United States, the Washington government
had moved slowly, expressing its hope that right would triumph
in Mexico without outside armed interference.
This policy of the national administration had become known as
watchful waiting. Many approved of it; other Americans demanded
a policy of active intervention in Mexico to end the uncertainty
and the misery caused by the helpless of many nations, who were
ground between the opposing factions of revolution in Mexico.
With this brief explanation we will once more turn to the fortunes
of Ensigns Dave and Dan.
At 6.45 the next morning the telephone bell began to tinkle in
Dave's room. It continued to ring until Darrin rose, took down
the receiver, and expressed, to the clerk, on duty below, his
thanks for having been called.
"Turn out, Danny Grin!" Darry shouted from the bathroom. "Come,
now, sir! Show a foot! Show a foot, sir!"
Drowsily, Dalzell thrust one bare foot out from under the sheet.
"Are you awake in sea-going order, sir?" Dave asked, jovially.
"Aye, aye, sir."
"Then remain awake, Mr. Dalzell, until I have been through the
motions of a cold bath."
With that Darrin shut the door. From the bathroom came the sounds
of a shower, followed by much splashing.
"Turn out the port watch, Mr. Dalzell," came, presently, through
the closed bathroom door. "The bathroom watch is yours. Hose
down, sir."
With that Dave stepped into his own room to dress. It was not
long before the two young naval officers left their rooms, each
carrying a suit case. To the top of each case was strapped a
sword, emblem of officer's rank, and encased in chamois-skin.
Going below, the pair breakfasted, glancing, in the meantime,
over morning newspapers.
Just before nine-thirty that same morning, our young naval officers,
bent on joining their ship, stepped along briskly through the
Brooklyn Navy Yard.
It was really an inspiring place. Sailors, marines and officers,
too, were in evidence.
In the machine shops and about the docks thousands of men were
performing what once would have passed for the work of giants.
Huge pieces of steel were being shaped; heavy drays carried these
pieces of steel; monster cranes hoisted them aboard ships lying
at the docks or standing shored up in the dry docks. There was
noise in the air; the spirit of work and accomplishment pervaded
the place, for word had come from Washington that many ships might
soon be needed in Mexican waters.
Eight dreadnoughts lay at their berths. Even as the boys crossed
the great yard a cruiser was being warped in, after an eighteen-thousand
mile voyage.
Alongside floating stages in the basins lay submarines and torpedo
boat destroyers. A naval collier was being coaled. A Navy launch
was in sight and coming closer, bearing a draft of marines bound
for duty on one of the battleships.
Every sight spoke proudly of the naval might of a great nation,
yet that might was not at all in proportion with the naval needs
of such a vast country.
"It does an American good, just to be in a place like this, doesn't
it?" asked Danny Grin.
"It does, indeed," Dave answered. Then, his bewilderment increasing,
he turned to a marine who stood at a distance of some sixty feet
from where he had halted.
"My man!" Dave called.
Instantly the marine wheeled about. Noting the suit cases, with
the swords strapped to them, the marine recognized these young
men in civilian attire as naval officers. Promptly his hand sought
his cap visor in clean-cut salute, which both young ensigns as
promptly returned.
"Be good enough to direct me to the `_Long Island_,'" Darrin requested.
"Yes, sir," and the marine, stepping closer, led the way past three
large buildings.
"There she is, over there, sir," said the marine, a minute later,
pointing. "Shall I carry your suit cases, sir, to the deck?"
"It won't be necessary, thank you," Darrin replied.
"Very good, sir," and again the marine saluted. Returning the
salute, the two young officers hurried forward. As they strode
along, their eyes feasting on the strong, proud lines of the dreadnought
on which they were to serve, their staunch young hearts swelled
with pride. And there, over the battleship's stern, floated the
Flag, which they had taken most solemn oath to defend with their
lives and with their honor, whether at home, or on the other side
of the world.
In both breasts stirred the same emotions of love of country.
Just then neither felt like speaking. They hastened on in silence.
Up the gang-plank they strode. At a word from the officer on
deck, two young sailors, serving as messengers, darted down the
plank, saluting, then relieving the young officers of their suit
cases.
Up the gang-plank, and aboard, walked the young ensigns. First
the eyes of Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell sought the Flag. Bringing
their heels together, standing erect, they faced the Stars and
Stripes, flying at the stern, bringing their hands up smartly
in salute. The officer of the deck returned to the youngsters
the salute on behalf of the Flag.
Then Darrin and Dalzell approached the officer of the deck.
"I am Ensign Darrin, and I report having come aboard, sir," said
Dave. Dan reported his own arrival in similar terms.
"My name is Trent," replied the officer of the deck, as he extended
his right hand to each, in turn. "I hope you will like all of us;
I know we shall like you."
Then to the messengers Lieutenant Trent gave the order to carry
the suit cases to the rooms assigned to the two new ensigns.
Dave and Dan followed the messengers through a corridor that led
past the ward-room. The messengers halted before the curtained
doorways of adjoining rooms, bags in left hands, their right hands
up in salute.
"This is your room, sir," announced the messenger, in the precise
tones of the service, while Dan's messenger indicated the other room.
"Some kind fate must have given us adjoining rooms," laughed Dave,
when he realized that the two doors stood side by side.
As Darrin passed into his new quarters his first glance rested
lovingly on the breech of a huge gun that pierced the armored side
of the dreadnought.
"That's great!" thought the young ensign, jubilantly. "I shall
have an emblem and a constant reminder of my duty to the United
States!"
His second glance took in the polished top of a desk, over which
hung an electric light.
There is no door to an officer's room; instead, a curtain hangs
in place, screening the room from outside view. At one side,
in the cabin, was another curtain, this screening the alcove in
which lay the berth.
But Darrin did not stop to study his new quarters just then.
There was a duty first to be performed. Opening his suit case,
he took out the trousers and blouse of the blue undress uniform.
Into this he changed as rapidly as he could, after which he brushed
his hair before the little mirror, then put on his cap.
Next he fastened on his sword belt, after which he hung his sword
at his side. An anxious head-to-foot glance followed, and Ensign
Darrin found himself spick and span.
Now he stepped to Dan's door, calling in:
"May I come in, old fellow?"
"I'll be in a strange state of mind if you don't," Danny Grin
answered.
Ensign Dalzell was putting the finishing touches to his own rapid
toilet.
"I'm going to help myself to your card case," announced Dave,
who already held a card of his own. Adding Dan's to that, Ensign
Darrin stepped to the doorway, glancing quickly about him.
"Sentry!" Dave called.
"Sir!" answered a marine, stepping forward and giving the customary
salute.
"Pass the word for a messenger, sentry!"
"Aye, aye, sir."
In a twinkling the messenger arrived, saluting.
"Take these cards to the captain, with the respectful compliments
of Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, and state that they await his
permission to report to him."
"Aye, aye, sir."
In less than a minute the messenger returned, stating that the
captain would receive them at once.
Captain Gales, a heavily-built, stately-looking man of fifty,
rose from his desk in his office as the two young ensigns stepped
through the door. The young men saluted their commander, then
stood rigidly at attention.
"Mr. Darrin?" asked the captain, extending his hand, which Dave
promptly clasped. Then Dan was greeted.
"Glad to have you with us," was all the captain said. Then, to
the marine orderly who stood just within the door: "Show these
gentlemen to the executive officer."
"He didn't ask after our folks, nor even if we liked the looks
of the ship," Dalzell complained, in a whisper, as they followed
the orderly.
"Be silent, Danny Grin!" urged Darrin, rebukingly. "This is no
time for jesting."
Commander Bainbridge, the executive officer, received the young
officers in his quarters. He proved to be more communicative,
talking pleasantly with them for fully a minute and a half after
the young men had introduced themselves, and had turned over to
him the official papers connecting them with this dreadnought's
personnel.
"Let me see, Mr. Dalzell," said Lieutenant Commander Bainbridge,
referring to a record book on his desk, "you will be in Lieutenant
Trent's division. Find Mr. Trent on the quarter deck and report
to him. Mr. Darrin, you are assigned to Lieutenant Cantor's division.
I will have an orderly show you to Mr. Cantor."
Dan departed first, walking very erect and feeling unusually elated,
for Dalzell had thoroughly liked the appearance of Trent in their
brief meeting, and believed that he would be wholly contented in
serving under that superior.
While Dave's quarters were on the port side of the ship, Cantor's
proved to be on the right side.
The messenger halted before a curtained doorway, rapping.
"Who's there?" called a voice inside.
"Messenger, sir, showing Ensign Darrin to Lieutenant Cantor, sir."
"Then you may go, messenger. Darrin, wait just an instant won't you,
until I finish my toilet."
"Very good, sir."
A moment later the hail came from within.
"Right inside, Darrin!"
Dave entered, to find a somewhat older officer standing with
extended hand. But Ensign Darrin could not believe his eyes
when he found himself faced by the man who had annoyed the young
woman on the night before---and that annoyer standing there erect
and handsome in the uniform of a Navy lieutenant!