Admiral Dewey started for the United States at four o’clock in the afternoon of Saturday, May 20. The departure proved a gala time, the harbor and shipping being decorated, and the other warships firing a salute. The bands played “Auld Lang Syne,” “Home, Sweet Home,” and “America,” and the jackies crowded the tops to get a last look at the noble flagship as she slipped down the bay toward the China Sea, with the admiral standing on the bridge, hat in hand, and waving them a final adieu. In all the time he had been at Manila, Admiral Dewey had served his country well, and his home-coming was indeed to be one of grand triumph.
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE ADVANCE UPON SAN ISIDRO
“Why, Luke Striker, is it possible! I thought you had sailed for the United States on the Olympia.”
“Well, ye hadn’t no right to think that, captain,” responded the old gunner, as he shook hands warmly. “It might be that the others could go away and leave Larry behind, but he’s too much my boy for me to do that—yes, sirree. When I hears as we were to set sail for the States, I goes up to the admiral himself, an’ says I: ‘Admiral,’ says I, ‘do you remember how Larry Russell an’ yer humble servant comes on board of the Olympia?’ says I. ‘Yes,’ says he. ‘I remember it well,’ says he. ‘Well,’ says I, ‘Larry is ashore, a prisoner of the enemy,’ says I. ‘I don’t want to go for to leave him, nohow. Can’t you leave me behind,’ says I. And he laughs and asks me all about Larry, and finally says I can 268 go ashore and report to Rear Admiral Watson—who is comin’ on—sometime later. And here I am, come to the front, to find Larry, ef sech a thing is possible.”
The old sailor’s honest speech went straight to Ben’s heart, and he saw very plainly how deep was Luke’s affection for his younger brother. “You’re a messmate worth having, Luke!” he exclaimed. “I don’t wonder Larry thought so much of you.”
“Avast, I’m only a common sea-dog at the best, captain,—an ef I remained behind to cast around fer the lad, ye mustn’t think thet Jack Biddle an’ the others have forgotten Larry, fer they ain’t, not by a jugful. Every man jack o’ them is his friend, an’ was, almost from the start.”
Luke had come up to the camp by way of Malolos, accompanying a pack-train of caribao carts carrying rations and army equipments. He had left the Olympia several days before, and had not waited to witness the departure of the flagship.