Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/124

100 Columbia to proceed upon her way again under full sail. Olan Oleson kept his distance, nor did he even look at Larry or Striker. "He's learned his lesson," said the Yankee tar, but how grievously he was mistaken the chapters which follow will show.

They were now reaching the vicinity of Wake Island, and a constant lookout was kept, that they might not pass the spot, which is low-lying, rather, barren, and of small territory. Larry was up in the cross-trees one afternoon, when he saw the island far to the north of the Columbia.

"Land O!" he sang out, and the cry soon rang through the ship, speedily bringing the captain, Mr. Wells, and everybody else on deck.

"Where away?"

"On our starboard quarter, captain. I can just see a bit of rocks and trees."

A marine glass was brought into use, and after a brief survey Captain Ponsberry decided that it was Wake Island. The course of the Columbia was immediately changed, and an hour later they were moving slowly into a small but safe harbor, surrounded by coral reefs upon which the sea pounded incessantly.