Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/324

 "Then come. I'd be mighty glad to have you, boy."

But Nelson shook his head slowly. "I guess not, sir. I think I'll stay right here. I suppose I couldn't change if I wanted to, and I don't want to. No, sir, I'll stick and see it out on the Gyandotte."

"Well, just as you say, Nelson. I'd like to have you with me, but you seem to fit pretty well where you are. Maybe it won't be for long now, son. There's got to be an end of it some time."

"And it's going to be the right end, when it comes," said Tip emphatically. "No half-way business, Captain Troy. We're going to fight Germany to her knees, sir!"

"Aye, sir, I hope we will! I wish I was young enough to take a hand! But I ain't. Nelson here'll have to do my fighting for me, I guess."

"Well," laughed Martin, "he seems to be able to! Eh, Tipperary?"

"Rather! What price Number Four gun? Speech, Mr. Garey!"

Garey smiled quietly. "Number Four speaks for herself! And," he added, "every time she speaks she says something!"

"I guess," said Nelson, "I wouldn't like any other gun so well. Nor any other ship so well. 299