The offender told of a car block in New York that had made it impossible for him to return on time.
"Lieutenant Cantor," returned the executive officer, dryly, "a careful officer will allow himself sufficient margin of time to make it morally certain that he can be back to his duty on time.
Now, sir-----" But at this moment an apprentice messenger, standing in the doorway, his right hand drawn up in salute, attracted the gaze of Commander Bainbridge: "The captain" compliments, sir; will the executive officer report to him at once." "That is all---for the present---Lieutenant Cantor," said Commander Bainbridge, rising from his chair and hastening out.
"And all this, on account of a puppy of a junior who will not use sense and reason at the request of a superior officer!" ground Cantor between his teeth.

"I shall pay Darrin for this, and for that greater insult, too." Some minutes before the call to breakfast was due, Darrin and Dalzell appeared from their quarters and walked aft to where a group of the "_Long Island's_" officers stood.

Three or four of them had newspapers in their hands.
"It's time the government did something!" exclaimed one lieutenant commander, testily.
"We're going to do something, soon," asserted another officer, with a snap of his jaws.
"When ?" demanded a third officer, while several men laughed derisively.
"We'll have to," continued the second speaker.

"Every day the Mexican situation becomes worse.

The usurper, Huerta, is becoming more of a menace all the time.