Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock
page 85 of 234 (36%)
page 85 of 234 (36%)
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Pseu! pss-seu! pss-seu! Sang the steel-jacketed bullets about the ears of the Americans. Then the sailor nearest Ensign Dave Darrin fell to the ground with a stifled gasp. CHAPTER VIII DISOBEDIENCE OF ORDERS Outnumbered, the Americans did not falter. Save for Hicks, the guide, and the wounded man, the sailors threw themselves automatically to one knee, bringing their rifles to "ready." For a moment Ensign Darrin felt sick at heart. He was under orders not to fire, to employ no armed force in a way that might be construed as an act of war in the country of another nation. Yet here were his men being fired upon, one already wounded, and American women and children in danger of losing their lives. Perhaps it was against orders, as given, but the real military commander is sometimes justified in disregarding orders. |
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