Dan sat on the stern rail alone. He was impressed with the importance of his assignment. He realized that he had it in his power, perhaps, to bring on war between two friendly powers. Every minute the steamer was drawing nearer and nearer to the landing stage.
Dan felt no nervousness. He did not try to make up his mind what he should do when he got ashore. Time enough for that when he got there.
The landing stage reached, the men were piped out.
"Fall in, forward march, by twos!"
The men fell into step and marched steadily up the street.
It was a small command that Dan Davis had under him, but he was as proud of it as if he had been commanding a company.
CHAPTER IX
ROUNDING UP THE STRAGGLERS
"Halt!"