Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/202



days had passed, and they had made themselves fairly comfortable on the island, when, on chancing to walk some distance up the shore in search of dry driftwood, Larry saw a sight that fairly made his heart stop beating.

"Luke! Luke! come here, quick!" he cried, as soon as he could catch his breath. "Oh, what a find!"

"What is it, Larry?" called back the Yankee sailor, and came running from the hut on the double-quick. "A boat, as sure as you're born! Now ain't we the lucky ones, though!"

He was right; Larry had discovered a boat,—a heavy, cumbersome craft, such as old-time merchantmen were in the habit of carrying for trading purposes among the natives. The boat lay on her side, half in and half out of the water, and had evidently washed up on the beach the night before.