"I fear so. Later dispatches from Tampico state that the American
Admiral has demanded a salute of twenty-one guns to the American
flag. I know Gen. Huerta well enough to know that he will never
order the salute."
"Then what will happen?" asked Donald.
"No one can say. I understand that the American government has
placed the matter in the hands of Admiral Fletcher, the ranking
officer, who is in charge of the Atlantic fleet off Vera Cruz."
"Do you think we should go at once?" queried Billie.
"Yes, I think it would be better. I will make such arrangements
as I can for your transportation to Vera Cruz. In the meantime
you had better go and register yourselves at the United States
Embassy. I am never sure of Gen. Huerta."
Without further discussion the boys prepared to take Gen.
Sanchez' advice, and, donning their hats, started for the
embassy, leaving Pedro much chagrined and Guadalupe in tears.
"I can't see why there has to be war!" she declared. "Why can't
men behave themselves?"
"What do girls know about war?" asked Pedro.
"They know it's terrible and takes their fathers and brothers,
that's what they know, and they wish they didn't have to know
that."
Pedro made no reply, but went to his room, where he selected from
among his most cherished belongings a gift for each of his
guests--three beautiful opals--and laid them upon their
respective suit cases.
Pages:
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73