Lieutenant Mayberry listened with very evident interest as the story of the capture was unfolded to him.
"Corporal, did you see the boat in question?" asked the officer of the day, at last.
"Yes, sir, though very indistinctly, in the distance. It was out of sight in the darkness, an instant after, sir."
"But there can be no doubt that the boat was there, Corporal?"
"I am absolutely certain of it, sir," replied the corporal.
"That is all, now," finished Lieutenant Mayberry. "Overton and Terry, I am going to commend you, in an off-hand way, now, for your judgment and intelligence to-night. You have made an excellent beginning. You may very likely hear from the commanding officer later."
At that moment a bugle call was heard.
"That's taps, isn't it?" asked Hal, realizing for the first time how time had passed at the guard-house.
"Yes," replied Sergeant Collins. "Tattoo went some time ago."
"You won't find yourselves in any trouble, men," broke in Lieutenant Mayberry, with a slight smile. "Report to the non-commissioned officer in charge of your squad room that you have been at the guard-house under orders."