"Sure."
"Wal, yer know jest as much as I do who it was. Yer see, it's like this. It's my watch an' I was looking out back here when I saw that flash out there. Three or four times I saw it an' then, seein' as how I had this thing with me, I thot as how I'd jest answer it an' I did. That's all I know about it."
"I see."
Jack knew that the man was lying, but he also knew that, at present, he was powerless to prove it.
"Wot yer doin' out here this time o' night?" the mate asked suddenly, the stern look coming back to his face.
"Oh, I woke up and, as it was pretty hot in the cabin, I though I'd get a little fresh air," Jack replied easily.
"Hum, then yer didn't hear nothin'?"
"Why, no, not till I got out here and heard you."
"Hum."
"Who do you suppose it is out there?" Jack asked as the light flashed again.