“Where are the other men who came ashore in your liberty party?”
“I dunno,” and the tone in which this was said appeared to imply that the speaker cared still less.
Ned paid no more attention to him for the time being. He had other work in hand.
“Sharp, come out at once if you don’t want me to summon the patrol and yank you out,” commanded Ned in a voice that left no mistake as to his determination to follow out his threat.
There was a scuffling sound from under the table and out came Sharp. He was a sullen, hang-dog looking fellow who had been years in the navy on different ships and was now serving his third enlistment aboard the Manhattan. He bore a bad reputation and had never risen from the rank of seaman.
“Manners, I’m sorry to see you in such company,” said Ned. “It can only lead to the brig and stoppage of your pay and shore leave. Now then, both of you come ahead.”
“Not much!” shouted Sharp. “You overbearing, conceited young puppy! Take that!” He aimed a terrific blow at Ned’s head, but the boy skillfully dodged it by ducking. He made no attempt to return the blow, remembering Captain Dunham’s instructions.
“See here, Sharp, I intended to make things as easy for you as I could, but I won’t stand for anything like this. Now then, are you coming peaceably or not? If you won’t come like a sensible man, and save yourself future trouble, I’ll summon the patrol and have you taken aboard the ship.”
Ned had previously arranged that three sharp blasts on his navy whistle or a single shot from his revolver would mean: “Trouble, come at once.”
But he was not anxious to have trouble. If he could get the two men out peaceably he would much prefer it.