“No and I ain’t goin’ to now!” Williams insisted. “You’re goin’ back to camp!”
By this time, Rosa had collected her senses and made a flying leap for the sergeant’s back, clawing his neck and pulling his hair until he screamed with pain. They struggled for a while, with the girl getting the better of things until Panama finally gripped her hands and flung her across a table.
“Don’ push her aroun’ like that!” Lefty interfered by saying. “She’sh my li’l old pal!”
Panama was at the end of his rope by this time and glared at the boy with fire in his eyes. “You shut up, savvy? I’m gonna get you outa here if I have to drag you bodily!”
The boy supported himself against the post and raised his head in drunken defiance. “Don’ get tough with me, ol’ kid!”
“You shut your trap or I’ll close it for you!” the sergeant shouted, completely devoid of patience now.
A good-sized crowd had formed a circle about Lefty, Panama and the girl and they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the little impromptu show. Rosa regained her bearings and rushed in between the two Marines, ready for another wild session.
“I keel you!” she threatened Williams. “You no tak away my hombre!”
“If you don’t clear out of here, lady,” Panama warned the girl, “I’m gonna paste you one in the mouth!”
“Oh, no, you won’t,” Phelps interrupted in an antagonistic manner of defiance. “She’s my gal an’ nobody’s gonna hurt her when I’m ’round!”