same ship with me—he went swimming overboard when we was in the tropics, though he was told not to on account of sharks and these morays; but he did, and he got his all right.” 

 “How?” asked Frank, interested in spite of himself. 42 

42

 “He was all chawed up. We just managed to get him out of the water alive. If youse go on a battleship, look out about swimming over the side when you’re in tropical waters.” 

 “I guess there isn’t much chance for us,” remarked Frank. “Come, Ned,” he went on, “we really must be going!” 

 At that moment another man came up, evidently in something of a hurry, and he pressed eagerly forward to look at the morays. He shoved against Frank with some force, and Frank, in turn, collided with the stranger who claimed to be from one of the United States battleships. 

 “Here, look where you’re shovin’ to!” the sailor called to the newcomer. “What do youse mean by bunkin’ inter my friend here in that way?” 

 The other did not answer for a moment, but looked the speaker over from head to foot, and an angry look came over his face. 

 “What’s gittin’ inter youse?” the second man demanded. “I didn’t step on your corns, did I?” 

 “No, but you shoved my friend here,” and the sailor indicated Frank, “and I won’t stand for anythin’ like that. Not for a minute, no sir!” 

 “Aw, ain’t your friend got a tongue of his own?” roughly demanded the newcomer. “I didn’t hear him kickin’ none!” 43 

43

 There was contempt in his tone, and anger also. 

 “It really doesn’t matter,” Frank said. “I have no doubt it was an accident.” 

 “Of course it was,” insisted the man who had offended. “Youse is a gentleman, youse is, an’ I apologizes.” 

 “Does that mean I ain’t no gentleman?” asked the sailor, in fierce tones. 

 “Youse kin take any meanin’ from it youse likes,” was the cool answer. The newcomer was about to walk away, when the sailor stepped up to him quickly, fairly crowding Ned and Frank together to 

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