Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/115

Rh could stand alone on the lower deck and thread a sailor's needle by the light of a flash of lightning, and not only lost all his pocket money by the wager, but also got a bad tumble and ran the needle well into his thumb. Another bet that he could stand alone and balance a plate of soup on his palm for five minutes, and ended by slipping flat and dashing the soup into the face of an officer who happened to be passing. Little short of a row followed, which came to an end when a blinding flash of lightning lit up the ship from end to end. The flash of light was followed by a wild cry from the deck.

"Back ship! We are on the rocks! Back ship, or we are lost!" A grinding and a sickening crash followed, sending a shiver over the transport from stem to stern, and then the Central backed with all the strength of her powerful compound engines.