The boys looked serious.
"Do you really think it is as bad as that?" asked Adrian.
"I fear so. Later dispatches from Tampico state that the American Admiral has demanded a salute of twenty-one guns to the American flag. I know Gen. Huerta well enough to know that he will never order the salute."
"Then what will happen?" asked Donald.
"No one can say. I understand that the American government has placed the matter in the hands of Admiral Fletcher, the ranking officer, who is in charge of the Atlantic fleet off Vera Cruz."
"Do you think we should go at once?" queried Billie.
"Yes, I think it would be better. I will make such arrangements as I can for your transportation to Vera Cruz. In the meantime you had better go and register yourselves at the United States Embassy. I am never sure of Gen. Huerta."
Without further discussion the boys prepared to take Gen. Sanchez' advice, and, donning their hats, started for the embassy, leaving Pedro much chagrined and Guadalupe in tears.
"I can't see why there has to be war!" she declared. "Why can't men behave themselves?"
"What do girls know about war?" asked Pedro.