from Donald, "if he succeeded; but bad if he did not."

"Then what had we better do?"

"Give it up. Suppose we wait here a while and something may turn
up."

"I'd like to know what can turn up?" asked Billie.

"I don't know; but I was thinking that one of the ships might
happen to send a boat ashore for something. If we saw it coming,
we could ride quickly into town."

Adrian laughed. "I reckon it would be just as hard to get through
the Mexican lines then as now. No! I'm going out to reconnoiter."

It was an hour later when he returned.

"I've found a way," he said as he threw himself on the ground and
fanned himself vigorously with his hat. "It's down by the water
works. There are several Americans down there."

"Good," said Billie. "Let's go. I'm getting mighty hungry."

"Now don't be in a rush," cautioned Adrian. "There's a picket
between here and there. We'll have to ride easy. You put the
saddles on the horses. I'm pretty well tired. I want to tell you
it's hot."

Billie was busy with the horses when Don suddenly pointed out
toward the American men-of-war.

"Look!" he exclaimed. "There's something doing."

And sure enough there was.

Out from behind two of the largest vessels there suddenly darted
a number of launches loaded with blue-jackets and marines.

In another instant they had headed for the shore, while out
behind them trailed the American flag.

The boys sprang to their feet and watched the approaching boats
with the utmost interest.

"There must be a thousand of them!" exclaimed Billie.

"More than that," said Donald, as his eyes ran over the oncoming
boats. "There's nearer fifteen hundred."

"And look there," cried Adrian. "See those two smaller ships
moving in toward shore."

"What do you suppose they are going to do?" asked Billie, all in
a tremor of excitement.

"Looks to me," replied Donald, "like they were going to capture
the town."

"Why, that's war!" from Adrian.

"Well, isn't that what we've been expecting? I wish I knew what
it all means."

As some of the readers may not know what was the cause of the
action it may be explained that a German steamship had arrived
the night before loaded with arms for Huerta's army. Admiral
Fletcher had no right to seize the German ship, so he determined
to seize the port of Vera Cruz. Then if the arms were landed they
would be in the hands of the Americans.

"Well," declared Adrian, "whatever else it means, it means
business.