Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/80

58 American boy get captain to send Kuola off, and American boy take Kuola's place."

"I didn't get them to send you off," returned Larry, a light dawning upon him. "He sent you off because you drink." He mentioned the last fact for Kuola's breath smelt strongly of rum, as did also the breath of Wakari.

Both of the natives scowled until their faces assumed a most ferocious appearance.

"American boy pay Kuola for loss of work—must pay," insisted the discharged one.

"What do you want?" asked Larry, not that he intended to pay anything, but in order to gain time to think over what was best to be done. The boarding-house stood fifty feet back among the trees; it was dark at the entrance to the grounds, and the road was practically deserted.

"Pay Kuola and Wakari each two dollars," came the quick reply.

"And will you let me go unharmed if I do that?"

"Yes," and the natives' eyes gleamed, for they felt certain by the worried look upon Larry's face that their demand would be satisfied.

"Let me see what money I have in my pockets,"