The Marines Have Landed

, sandy beaches connected abrupt, green-clad headlands in the semblance of Nature's own rosary. Coral reefs everywhere, with varying depths of water over their tr

d or played games as their fancy dictated. On the bridge, the ever alert Quartermaster attended the duties of his watch; while pacing the quarter-deck, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Bentley, and his Executive Officer, Lieutenant-Co

n. The reports at the mast[#] for the last few days show it clearly. In spite

eal mast, where complaints against the conduct of enliste

y that liberty parties are ashore I have had patrols along the trails to stop men going in that direction. Furthermore, we maintain a patrol in town, each ship taking a turn at it, to a

e brains to see that the navy man is revolutionizing his habits and trying to live down the idea of him which years ago was so prevalent. The desire to 'spend their money like a drunken sailor' still holds an attraction for some of these brainles

ith their C.P.O.'s, and also I have put Sergeant Dougla

e parties to earth; nothing is worse for the discipline of a ship," and wi

r the night in Target Bay, but during the day, excepting Saturdays and Sundays, joining with three other

y have guns assigned them of larger calibre. During this time they were mostly occupied with work pertaining to their profession on board, or with boat drills, and hikes on shore. For this latter dr

umpeter Cabell went ashore in the first liberty boat to leave the ship. Dick, already having made a name for himself as an oarsman, was a member of

ands of Flamingo Bay, where the mighty rollers swept in with unrestricted grandeur from the blue Atlantic, stretching northward farther than the eye coul

r the narrow trail leading to a group of shacks on the saddle of the ridge they had to cross. With their swifter pace they soon passed the others of the party. After breasting the summit of th

d the boy, while ordinary politeness would have led him to do so, therefore Dick continued at his slow trot in the center of the path. Nearer came the rider, and the boy now saw he was reeling in his sa

For the fraction of a second Dick did not comprehend what had happened. The blow across his bare back nearly brought him to his knees and, missing his foot

ore had he felt that insane rage within him that knew no other imp

nowhere in sight. By this time Henry came swinging along the trail, and

him?" yelled

?" questi

unken scoundre

ng about, Dick? I'v

rail, riding a pony like mad and lashin

ve been seeing things, Dick,

I've been 'seeing things'!" shouted Dick, and he turned while Henry examined w

, Dick, but--you say a

ing to get him and thrash him before this day is over," said Dick, and having delivered his outburst he rushed

clothes. You stay here on watch while I go back and fetch them. The rest of

y Spig,"[#] muttered Dick, but seeing the wis

atin-American countries and of the Philippines and Guam, given by

s leading to the thicker undergrowth beyond. Returning to the hut he pushed open the dilapidated door and entered the musty interior. The place was bare of furniture or utensils, a few bits of rubbish littered the floor and in one corner were several bottles and flasks, all empty. Picking up one and extractin

stion, "where do you suppose tha

"when he ducked past me he yelled som

kid he runs with think they are some class. They'

oe now asked as the two stopped

speakers run past the front of his refuge and dash int

d Dick, looking at the em

e men passed the shack without stopping. These

second consideration he decided not to. He preferred

them to try and trace it. He had said it would be a feather in their caps could they succeed in finding

im of his companion's return. As Henry reached the corner of the

Henry entered, breathing hard from th

ed during Henry's absence. The young trumpeter was equally enthusiastic over the prospect of

tough nuts who joined us from San Juan in the last draft right after we came here. He's been on some 'spit-kit'[#] stationed down in

he deck for spit-boxes. Spitting upon decks is an unpardonable sin

asked Richard, prepa

ht name; the men on boa

he time bragging how he can mix it up with the gloves, but no one ever saw him

ow,--a tough cus

of briers, weeds, bamboo and underbrush, but after a quarter of a mile with no break on either side the path joined into a wider and well worn trail through a piece of timberland leading almost due north and

was now nearing the boundaries of the northern tract. For another quarter of a mile they went on, each moment hoping to discover some evidence to substant

but not a house nor animal nor human being rewarded their sharp searching. To their left was South West Cay, separated from the larger island

enry caught Dick by the shoulder and pulled him down in the shelter of the long gr

edly, forgetting his voice would not reach half th

RE IS YOU

ly, "coming up from that sh

mething over their shoulders. They can go around to Firewood Bay that way. We've go

ust about five minutes," answered Dick, taking an extra tug to his belt. "That fellow is coming right up the hill to

y found an entrance to the trail up which the lone horseman could be seen spurring and lashing his worn-out

brute won't escape us; and let me tell you something, I'm not going to beat him up for lashing me

f the trail, while Dick waited imp

hough slender, was well knit. On reaching the crest of the hill the horse's head was turned southward and again the rider raised the heavy quirt to bring it down on the bleeding, swollen flanks. That blow never fell, for with the quick spring of a tiger Dick grabbed the rider around the wai

coolly, giving the coward a final blow across the legs

no mas!" cried the man as he saw Dick's a

g the trail they had followed. "Never mind your h

nt of them. The native limped along protestingly, but every ti

down to Firewood Bay, Dick poi

Dewey?" h

ponse, and the shifty black eye

e man a push in the right direction, while both boys, as if performi

nry and then he turned to Dick. "Shake, D

, one dusting the ground at their feet and

e trail and, keeping under cover until a fold in the groun

ooting iron before?" questioned D

un," said Henry, still beaming with joy over the adventu

close for comfort to suit me, and yet I hated to have to run away as we did. Still it would have been worse than f

r it, but it didn't scare me as

the native on the other side of the hill, but all had heard the five shots. The boys did not enlighten them as

wore rubber boots, and Dick remembered that they had taken them ashore that afternoon under their arms, whereas now they carried their shoes, from the tops of whic

e," said Henry, "for I'd bet a mo

Dorlan frisk them when they go up on d

top of the gangway, was surprised to hear Dick whisper as he passed, "Search the rubber boots, Corporal," but he was not slow of comprehension, and as soon as the

id Mr. Thorp, the

Dorlan mere

-that's a

voice behind the line of men who had witnessed this little scen

ll the credit belongs to Drummer Comsto

this matter at once, Mr. Thorp; hav

ard his name ca

d having heard the entire story of the exciting afternoon ashore he ordered Dick

ve him locked up. In the meantime, Mr. Thorp, send a detail of marines ashore under arms to search and destroy the shack these tw

two culprits, Comm

ourt-martial can dispose of your case. Have these

confinement of me

n Thorp gave the Master-at