This, being heard by sailors on duty outside, started the rumor that the officers had heard that an immediate landing was to be made in Vera Cruz or at Tampico.

Thus, the jackies forward had an exciting evening talking the prospects over.
So Dave was not placed under charges, and the majority of his brother officers on the "_Long Island_" regarded the suspicion against him as being absurd.

Yet Darrin knew that suspicion existed in some minds, and felt wretched in consequence.
Meantime, the news reached the fleet, as it reached newspaper readers at home, that General Huerta was becoming daily more stubborn.
Then came the news that the Mexican dictator's refusal had been made final and emphatic.
"The house has passed a resolution justifying the President in employing the military and naval forces of the United States in whatever way he deems best in exacting satisfaction for the insult to the Flag at Tampico," spread through the ship on the evening of Monday, the 20th of April.
From then on no one in the American fleet doubted that war with Mexico was soon to begin.

It was all right, the "_Long Island's_" officers declared, to talk about a mere peaceful landing, but no doubt existed that the landing of American sailors and marines would mean the firing of the first shots by resisting Mexicans which Would provoke war.
On the morning of the 21st of April the officers assembled in the ward-room as usual.
"Gentlemen," said Commander Bainbridge, calmly, in a moment when the Filipino mess servants were absent, "the present orders are that the American naval forces land and occupy Vera Cruz this forenoon.

Orders for the details have been made and will be announced immediately after breakfast.