“Darrin, you lucky dog!” called Lieutenant-Commander Denton, as soon as the officers were seated.

“Am I really fortunate?” Dave smiled back.

“Yes; for you were privileged to order the firing of the first shots in the Mexican war that is now close at hand.  You are, or will be, historical, Darrin!”

Dave’s face clouded as he replied, gravely: 

“And I am also aware, sir, that I had the misfortune to lose the first men killed.”

“That was regrettable,” replied another officer, “but we of the Navy expect to go down some day.  The two men who were killed died for the honor and credit of the service, and of the Flag, which we serve.  It is the lot of all of us, Darrin.  If war comes many a soldier and sailor will find an honored grave, and perhaps not a few here will lose their mess numbers.  It’s just the way of the service, Darrin!”

“Cantor, you were out of luck last night,” observed Lieutenant Holton, who sat next to him.

“In what way?” asked Cantor, but he flushed deeply.

“You had only a boat ride, and missed the fight,” replied Holton.

“Oh!” replied Cantor, and felt relieved, for he had thought that Holton referred to something else.

“Where are we heading now?” asked Dave.

“Didn’t you notice the course?” inquired Dalzell.

“About westerly, isn’t it?”

“Yes; we are bound for Vera Cruz,” Danny Grin answered.  “We shall be there in two hours.  Mr. Carmody and his party have no notion of going back to their plantation at present.  Instead, they’ll take a steamer to New York.”

Breakfast was nearly over when an orderly appeared, bringing an envelope, which he handed to Commander Bainbridge.

“Pardon me,” said the executive officer to the officers on either side of him.  Then he examined the paper contained in the envelope.

“Gentlemen,” called Commander Bainbridge, “I have some information that I will announce to you, briefly, as soon as the meal is over.”

Every eye was turned on the executive officer.  After a few moments he continued: 

“Yesterday, at Tampico, an officer and boatcrew of men went ashore in a launch from the ‘dolplin.’  The boat flew the United States Flag, and the officer and men landed to attend to the purchase of supplies.  An officer of General Huerta’s Federal Army arrested our officer and his men.  They were released a little later, but Admiral Mayo demanded a formal apology and a salute of twenty-one guns to our insulted Flag.  Some sort of apology has been made to Admiral Mayo, but it was not satisfactory, and the gun salute was refused.  Admiral Mayo has sent the Mexican Federal commander at Tampico something very much like an ultimatum.  Unless a satisfactory apology is made, and the gun salute is fired, the Washington government threatens to break off all diplomatic relations with Mexico and to make reprisals.  That is the full extent of the news, so far as it has reached us by wireless.”