The doubting Thomas scratched his head and looked off in the direction of the disappearing ships absently.
“I’ll bet any mother’s son here and now that there ain’t no war and there ain’t goin’ to be no war and furthermore, there ain’t no Sandino!”
“How much’ll you bet there ain’t?” the tall, lanky fellow responded.
“Six bits!”
“Have you got six bits?” one of the other men asked, a trifle eagerly.
“I’ll have it pay day!”
Someone made a peculiar sound with his mouth that in no way added to the prestige of the Marine who wanted to wager three-quarters of a dollar out of a pay envelope that, considering the circumstances, might not be due for the next six months or a year.
“I’d like to take a good poke at you!” the corporal of the squad ventured to say, eyeing the stubborn Marine from head to foot.
“You and how many others?”
“Me alone, buddy. When it comes to fightin’ a guy like you, well—it’s in the bag, brother, right in the bag!”