for your attention."

In an instant there was clamor in the wardroom. Twenty officers
spoke at once, then subsided. Finally only the voice of Lieutenant
Commander Denton was heard as he inquired:

"Sir, are we entitled to ask any questions?"

"I will answer any questions that I may properly," smiled the
executive officer.

"We are going to Mexico, sir, in fighting trim, are we not?"

"I think what I have already said will indicate that," came Commander
Bainbridge's reply.

"Has anything happened in Mexico," continued Denton, "which makes
it imperative for us to fight there?"

"Nothing, so far as I know," answered the executive officer, "other
than the usual daily outrages that are disgracing the fair name
of Mexico."

"Then nothing of unusual importance has happened, which would
make us sure that we are heading for Mexico on a definite fighting
errand?"

"I have no knowledge that we are actually going to fight in Mexico,"
replied Commander Bainbridge. "It has occurred to me that this
ship, and others of the line, are being ordered to Mexico as a