Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/100

78 "How much he say he lose?" questioned Oleson.

"I lost six dollars and a few cents," returned Larry. The big Norwegian shrugged his shoulders. "I no be thief for seex dollars," he murmured. "If de boy want money so much, hp can have out of my wages when trip is done," and he put on a look of disdain.

"I only want my own," cried Larry, the hot blood rushing into his face. "I'd not touch a cent of your dirty cash, you—you—" he broke off as the Rev. Martin Wells caught him gently by the arm. "I don't care—he has no right to talk to me in that fashion," he finished, in a lower tone.

"The only thing to do is to let the matter drop right where it is," said Captain Ponsberry, and spoke so decidedly that all felt he was laying down the law. "I am sorry that you lost your money, Russell, but you can see yourself you have no clear case against Oleson. Now, I won't have any quarrelling on the Columbia, mind that, both of you. You can each think as you please, but don't go for to put it into words. And remember, too, I expect each of you to do his full duty—not one to hold back, expecting the other to do