“Just out of curiosity, sir. I have never before seen an army, and I wanted to see one.”
General Percy eyed the boy searchingly for a few moments, and then said:
“It seems to me you have come good ways to satisfy a feeling of curiosity. Your action is a little bit unusual. You appear to have an inquiring mind.” There was something in his tone that Tom did not just like. It had a threatening sound. However, he kept a bold face, and said as calmly as possible:
“Yes, sir.”
“I suppose,” said the general after a few moments, “that you have so much curiosity, you would like to see all that you possibly can.”
Tom still did not fancy the general's tone and air, but he answered:
“True, sir. So I would.”
“Very well. Such being the case, I have no doubt that you would like to see the interior of one of the old hulks down at the bay, that we use as prisons for rebel spies and other prisoners. I am going to send you down there, my boy, and I hope you will like the looks of things there, for you will probably be there some time.”
Tom started and turned slightly pale.
“Surely you are not going to make me a prisoner there, sir!” he exclaimed in dismay.