"What is that?"
"Why, we're supposed to be enemies to the flag."
"But only supposed to be, Herc, for the purposes of perfecting the strength of Uncle Sam's defenses, and playing a useful part in exposing any weakness in our nation's fortifications."
"Huh; well, that's all the kind of enemy I ever want to be—a supposed one."
"I'm going into my cabin to lay out our course," said Ned, after a few more words. "I want you on deck, Herc, to see how things are going on. It won't take me long and—— What on earth is the matter? Got a stroke?"
There was a large glass skylight over the wardroom and, owing to the warmth of the weather, the flaps of this had been raised. With the expression of one who has been suddenly hypnotized, Herc was staring with open eyes and mouth straight up at the wardroom roof.
"What do you see?" demanded Ned, springing to his feet. "Shall I get you a glass of water? Shall I——"
"Umph! You might get me a gun," snorted Herc.
"A gun! What on earth do you want with a gun?"