"Was there any trouble?" asked Cantor.
"Yes, sir. We were fired upon, and forced to defend ourselves."
"You fired upon the natives?" exclaimed Lieutenant Cantor, in an \ astonished tone.
"I had to, sir."
"In the face of orders not to fight?" pressed Dave's enemy.
"Sir, if I had not fought, I would have lost my entire command," Darrin answered, with an indignation that he could not completely veil.
"Ensign Darrin," came the sharp rebuke,
"You have disobeyed the orders of Captain Gales, which were repeated by me just before we parted company. Did your fire hit any of the Mexicans?"
"I think we must have done so, sir," Dave returned dryly. "Several of them lay down, at all events."
"Any losses in your own command?" pressed Cantor.