Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/130

106 kind of fellows aboard and there's trouble right away—I've seen it a hundred times."

"You might add the Norwegians to the off crowd," put in Larry, glancing to where Olan Oleson sat sullenly chewing his quid of plug-cut.

Hobson laughed and tossed his head. "I would willingly if they were all like yonder chap. But they are not—I've known Norwegians as fair and square as any of us."

"We'll let him alone, so long as he lets us alone," rejoined Striker. "What's up, Cal?" he added, as the boatswain approached.

"The captain says as how if any of you want to take a swim now is your chance," said the boatswain of the Columbia. "We'll put the jollyboat out and lower the sails, and them as wants to can stay out till sundown."

"Hurrah! " cried Larry, closing his book and springing up. "A swim will just suit me. Come on, Striker, and let's get at the sails at once."

The majority of the crew were willing to do anything to break the monotony, and soon the sails were furled and the yawl swung over and allowed to drift astern, with a couple of pairs of oars placed athwart the seats, in case it should prove necessary