In the heavy darkness Tom could just make out that the figure was in khaki and he thought it was the uniform of an officer.
“I ain’t doing anything,” he said.
“What did you come here for?” the voice demanded sternly.
“I—I don’ know,” stammered Tom, thoroughly frightened.
Quickly, deftly, the man slapped his clothing in the vicinity of his pockets.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
“I’m captain’s mess boy.”
Laying his hand on Tom’s shoulder, he marched him into the saloon and to the head of the companionway where the dim light from the passageway below enabled him to get a better sight of the boy. Tom was all of a tremor as the officer scrutinized him.
“You’re the fellow that read the semaphore message, aren’t you?” the officer demanded.
“Y-yes, sir, but I didn’t notice them any more since I found out I shouldn’t.” Then he mustered courage to add, “I only went back there because it was dark and lonely, kind of. I was thinking about where I live and things——”