Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/102

80 At first the others of the crew heeded Grandon's warning not to take sides in the matter, but this rule was broken that night by Luke Striker as he and Larry were turning in, having been on the same watch together.

"It ain't for me to say much, Larry," said the Yankee sailor. "But I like your way,—took to you when fust I clapped eyes on you,—and I'll back your word up against that furiner every clip. If he tries any underhanded game on you, jest don't hesitate to let Luke Striker know, and we'll send him on the rocks in a jiffy. Now, promise me, will you?"

And Larry promised with all his heart. He felt he had a true friend in the whole-souled Yankee sailor, but how much of a friend time was still to show.