Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/230

200 coffee that he found it necessary to let out one catch in the belt about his waist.

The officer of marines detailed to look after them was a whole-souled fellow, and as they ate, he readily gave them all the information at his command respecting the cruiser and her destination. Both Larry and Striker listened with keen interest.

"You see," went on the sergeant, in the course of his talk, "we are really going to do more than smash the Spanish fleet, or take a try at it. Spain owns the Philippines, and as she has chosen to go to war, why, it's no more than right that we should endeavor to capture the islands."

"But will that be fair?" questioned Larry. "I thought the trouble was all on account of Cuba."

"So it is; but in war one side lays hands on everything it can find belonging to the other," laughed the sergeant, who rejoiced in the peculiar name of Joe Joster. "If we can do the trick, we'll bottle up that Spanish fleet first, then capture the Philippines, and then go for the Caroline Islands."

"Bottling up that fleet may not be sech an easy task," observed Striker, helping himself to another bowl of coffee, the fourth. "How many ships do ye calculate this here Admiral What's-his-name has?"