_To_ MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE BARNETT, _Commandant, United States Marine Corps,_
_who, while holding the chief position of honor in that organisationsince nineteen hundred and fourteen, has accomplished so much infurthering its efficiency and its prestige, and who has at all times andin all ways endeared himself to his officers and men, this volume isrespectfully dedicated_
Introduction
How many of our boys, in times past, while glancing through the morningpaper have read the following statement: "The United States Marines havelanded and have the situation well in hand." The cable message may havecome at any date, and from any part of the world. If those words causedany comment on the part of the young American, it was probably a mildwonder as to just who the marines were. Sometimes he may have asked hisfather for enlightenment, and the parent, being no better informed thanthe son but feeling a reply was necessary, would say in an off-handmanner, "Oh, they are just a lot of sailors from one of our battleships,that's all," and there the subject rested.
It is the author's desire in this volume to explain just who the marinesare, what they do, where they go, so as to make every red-bloodedAmerican boy familiar with the services rendered by the United StatesMarine Corps to the nation in peace and war. And if in this endeavoryou suspect me of exaggeration I ask that you will get the first realmarine you meet to tell you where he has been and what he has done.Then, if at the end of a half hour you are not convinced that theadventures of Dick Comstock, in this and the books to follow, are modestin comparison, I shall most humbly apologize.
THE AUTHOR.
Contents
I. A Bitter Disappointment II. "The Oldest Branch of the Service" III. Uncle Sam's Uninvited Guests IV. Semper Fidelis--Always Faithful V. A Drummer in the U. S. Marines VI. A Queer Conversation VII. Off for Treasure Island VIII. An Adventure Ashore IX. Historic Battlefields X. Winning His First Medal XI. A Republic in Distress XII. Senor Perez Asks for Aid XIII. Circumstantial Evidence XIV. Dick Makes The Acquaintance of Columbus XV. The Escape from the Barrio XVI. The Attack on the Consulate XVII. A Map-Making Expedition XVIII. Mexican Pete Again XIX. A Brave Act and a Clever Ruse XX. "To the Ditch at Panama" XXI. The Marines Have Landed XXII. Dick is Left Behind XXIII. Dick Makes a Flying Leap XXIV. The Situation Well in Hand
Illustrations
The Thin Brown Line of Marines . . . . . . _Frontispiece_
How the Accident Occurred
The Marine Orderly Answered the Summons
The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
"Look, There is Your Horseman!"
The Sampson Medal
Medal for Campaign in the West Indies and for Spanish War
A Leaf From Dick's Score Book
Marksman's Badge
Sharpshooter's Badge
Expert Rifleman's Badge
"Hands Up!"
Map Showing Position of Hut in Which Boys Took Refuge