“Under arrest? What for?”
“You have no right on this part of the rock. How did you get here?”
“Through a gate. It was unlocked and no sentry on duty, so we thought it was all right.”
“The sentries were being changed and for the minute there was not one there. That does not excuse you.”
“But we are sailors from the flag-ship of the American fleet!”
“That makes it all the worse. We don’t like Yankees prowling around here.”
“Pooh! I could blow your old rock out of the water with one of our guns!” sputtered Herc, very red in the face.
“That will do, young man. None of your impertinence. Forward, march.”
“Where are you taking us?” asked Ned, as the file moved off, marching on each side of the boys.
“To the officer of the day.”