He stood just outside the door and, in a moment, they were electrified to see a stream of light dart from his hand.
"He's signalling again," Bob thought.
From where they lay they were, of course, unable to see whether or not he was receiving any reply to his signals and soon Bob was determined that he was going to get out where he could see regardless of the risk. Carefully he urged his body toward the door inch by inch confident that Jack would understand and lie quiet. He reached the open door without making the slightest noise and, even in the intense darkness, he could see the mate as he stood by the railing not more than six feet away. Slowly and cautiously he drew himself to his feet until he was standing erect in the doorway. He knew that the man might turn his head at any moment, but he trusted to the more intense darkness, with the room as a background, to hide him in case it happened.
The mate was now flashing his light rapidly out over the water and Bob strained his eyes to catch the faintest sign of an answering flash from out in the night. But, so far as he could see, none came, and after a few more minutes, the man, with an exclamation of disgust, turned after shutting off his light. Would he see the boy standing like a statue in the doorway? Bob dared not make a move so close was he to the mate and he held his breath for fear he might catch even that slight sound. One, two and then three steps he took toward him and so close was he that Bob could have reached out his hand and touched him. Then suddenly, as though struck by a new idea, he turned and quickly descended the stairs. Had he seen or heard him? Bob was not sure. He had heard no sound from Jack, and, for a second, he was undecided what to do. Then, he darted down the stairs in pursuit of the man. As soon as he reached the lower deck he paused and listened. No sound, to tell him which way he had gone, was audible and he had no way of knowing. But, from the suddenness of the man's movement as he had turned, he felt certain that he had had some definite object in mind and he was determined to find put what the object was if at all possible. So far they had learned nothing that would be of any help. To be sure they had foiled his attempt to send a message to his confederates, whoever they might be, but with that he was far from satisfied.
Perhaps he had gone to see if they were in their cabin. The thought struck him suddenly and, without waiting to analyze it, he started off as rapidly as he dared. But, when he had reached the door of his cabin he had not encountered the man and, after listening a moment, he opened it and went in. Turning on the light for an instant he satisfied himself that the room was empty nor could he see any evidence that the mate had been there.
"Reckon I guessed wrong that time," he thought as he switched off the light.
Stepping outside once more, for some moments he stood leaning against the railing looking out across the dark water. He made no attempt at concealment knowing that he could easily explain his presence in case the man should discover him.
"Up early 'aint yer?"
The question came so suddenly that Bob gave at start. Then, turning, he saw that the mate was standing close behind him.
"Great snakes, I'd as soon be killed as scared to death," he laughed.