Another day passed, and Vera Cruz, now completely occupied by the Americans, had ceased to be a battle ground.  Now and then a solitary shot was heard, but in every instance the sniper was tracked down, and his fate provided another tenant for the Vera Cruz burying ground.

Detachments were now posted even to the suburbs of the city.

On the morning of the fifth day, just after Trent’s detachment had been roused from a night’s sleep in a park in the heart of Vera Cruz, orders came to the lieutenant that seemed to please him.

“We are to march as soon as we have had breakfast,” Trent told his two junior officers.  “We are to take position a mile and a half south-west of the advanced line, and there wait to protect, if necessary, the Navy aviators, who are going out soon on a scouting flight.  At the same time, we are to keep a lookout for the appearance of one of the airships that the Huerta forces are supposed to possess.  If we see one, we are to try to get it with the machine guns or rifles.  And here is a piece of news that may interest you youngsters.  If requested by either of the Navy aviators, I am to allow one of my junior officers to go up in the airship to help with the preparation of field notes to be used in making a military map.  If such a demand be made upon me, which of you young men shall be the one to go?”

Ensigns Dave and Dan had turned glowing faces to Trent.  Then they glanced at each other.  A scouting trip in one of the Navy aircraft would be an unqualified delight to either.

“Let Darrin go,” urged Danny Grin.

“I withdraw, in favor of Dalzell,” spoke Dave, with equal quickness.

“Which shall it be, then?” Trent demanded quizzically.

“Dalzell,” said Dave.

“Darrin,” decreed Danny Grin.

“How am I to decide?” asked the lieutenant, smiling at the two eager faces.  Then, suddenly he added:  “I have it!  Which excelled the other in map work at Annapolis?”

“Darrin had the higher marks!  I defy you to dispute that, David, little giant.”

As Danny Grin’s statement was true, Dave could not dispute it, so be contented himself by saying: 

“Dalzell’s map-work at Annapolis was good enough to suit any need around here, and I shall be glad to see Dalzell get the chance.”

“On that showing,” returned Trent, “Darrin shall have the chance if it comes this way.”

After a quick meal the detachment was under way.  In about an hour the position ordered had been taken.

“Here comes the first Navy birdman!” cried Dan suddenly, pointing townward.

Just appearing over the housetops, and soaring to an elevation of a thousand feet, came one of the huge hydro-aeroplanes in which Navy aviators had long been practicing for just such work as this.  Capable of coming down and resting on the water, or of rising from the same, these aircraft were ideally suited to the work.  Swiftly over Vera Cruz came the airship, then straight out over the advanced line, and next on toward the detachment beyond.