As some of the readers may not know what was the cause of the action it may be explained that a German steamship had arrived the night before loaded with arms for Huerta's army. Admiral Fletcher had no right to seize the German ship, so he determined to seize the port of Vera Cruz. Then if the arms were landed they would be in the hands of the Americans.
"Well," declared Adrian, "whatever else it means, it means business."
"Do you suppose the Mexicans will try to prevent the landing?" asked Billie.
"We'll know in a minute, for they are most ashore," said Donald.
Donald was right and in another minute a shot rang out followed by a rattle of musketry.
"Flash! Flash! Bang! Bang!" spoke the howitzers in the foremost of the launches.
Boom! Boom! Boom! came the sound of three guns from the ship nearest the city, which proved to be the Prairie.
The crash of the six-inch shells as they struck in the city could be heard above the rattle of the rifle fire which had now become continuous.
"It's a sure enough battle," cried Billie. "Come on! Let's go down!" and he flung himself onto his horse.
"What would you do?" cried Donald, seizing Billie's horse by the bridle. "You'd be killed by the fire from our own guns. This is the best place we could be in while the firing is going on. As soon as our men have driven the Mexicans out of town, then we can go in."