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. Señor 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 Dick’s Map of Camp Pendleton "Do You Ride?" Map Showing Position of Rock and Track The Marines Have Landed CHAPTER I A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT "Dick Comstock, you’ve been fighting! What will Mother and Father say when they see your black eye?" and Ursula Comstock looked with mingled pity and consternation at her brother, who, at the moment, cautiously entered the cheery living-room. "And to-day of all days in the year to have such a thing happen," she continued. "Everyone in town will see it to-night when you deliver your oration. I do think, Dick, if you had to fight, you might have waited until to-morrow, at least." "It couldn’t be helped, Sister, so stop scolding, and get me a raw steak or something to put on my eye," answered her brother, ruefully. "I know it’s going to mortify Mother fearfully that her ’handsome son’ is so badly banged up, but necessity knows no law, in war anyway. Now be a good sister and help me. Maybe by to-night it won’t look so bad, and if you are as clever painting my face as you are your canvases it may not even be noticed." "How did it happen?" inquired Ursula a little later, after first aid had been applied to the injured eye. "Oh! It wasn’t anything really of any account. I had to teach ’Reddy’ Doyle a lesson he has been needing for a long time, that’s all," answered Dick, bending over a basin of hot water while the tall, lithe girl, one year his junior, handed him steaming hot compresses.