Neither of the boys had obtained a clear look at him until Fred suggested, “What’s the use? We’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Come on, let’s go and speak to the man on board the motor-boat.”
John hesitated a moment and then quickly followed his friend, as they advanced openly along the shore.
“Do you see who that is?” whispered Fred, clutching John by the arm.
“Yes, I do,” answered John. “It’s that little Jap that we saw on Cockburn Island.”
“That’s exactly who it is. What do you suppose he’s doing here?”
“He’s not doing much of anything just now. I should guess that he is in charge of the boat until his boss comes back. I’m going to hail him.”
In response to John’s hail the little Japanese quickly turned and glanced in the direction from which the unexpected call had come.
“He doesn’t understand English, don’t you remember?” said Fred.
“I know he pretended that he didn’t, but we’ll see how much he knows now. Got anything to eat on board?” called John, turning once more toward the motor-boat.
The first feeling of alarm or surprise had passed and the little manservant now broke into another of his loud and unmusical laughs.