Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/261

Rh By the talk of several petty officers Larry learned that it was expected they would sight the western coast of Luzon inside of the next twenty-four hours, and one of the officers added, that, if the Spanish fleet was where it was supposed to be, there would be hot fighting before the week was out.

"I imagine it will be rather hot fighting," said the boy to Striker. "Phew! the thermometer must be over a hundred in the shade, already!"

"We've struck a calm, and that is what makes it so uncomfortable," answered the down-easter. "We're sure to have smooth weather after sech a lot o' hurricanes as we had afore we were picked up.

It was indeed hot, and during the middle of the day the men were permitted to take it rather more easily than usual. After the drill at the guns Larry took the chance to bathe and felt much better for it.

The remainder of the day passed without special incident, although it was easy to observe as the warship drew closer to the land under the flag of the enemy that the officers and some of the men were under a strong mental tension. Heretofore the vessels had been sailing somewhat far apart, but as night came on they bunched up, and a closer watch than ever was kept.