Phil’s keen eye noted the hesitancy in Takishima’s face.
“If not, Taki, as much as I would regret it,” he said calmly, “we would lock you in your stateroom and put a sentry over it to prevent your getting out.”
Takishima remained in deep thought for several minutes.
“I cannot give you my word,” he said finally. “I might not be able to keep it.”
“I am sorry,” was all Phil said as he walked away to give the disagreeable orders for Takishima’s confinement.
During the next two days the two American sailors with Randall and Wells and all the Chinese deck hands were busy changing the outside appearance of the yacht. When it was all finished the two midshipmen surveyed the effect in wonder; the “Sylvia” had been quite obliterated, and in her place there was a white gunboat. The shape of the deck houses had been concealed with painted canvas, with cleverly painted open gun ports and guns protruding. Fighting tops had been built on the masts and the top of the lofty spars had been sacrificed. In every respect, even to the bow and stern guns which they had discovered hidden away in the hold of the vessel, the “Sylvia” was now the counterpart of one of the small gunboats owned by many nations for tropical service.
The lads were loud in their praise for the sailors’ handicraft, and Bill Marley received his share with his usual silent smile of pleasure.
Takishima, after refusing the offer made to him, went to his stateroom, and Phil, true to his word, after again endeavoring to extract a promise from the obdurate Japanese, turned the key in the lock and gave it over to the keeping of Marley, who was to be the jailer.
Impey kept to himself. The midshipmen did not encourage more friendly relations, and he was apparently man of the world enough to see that they did not desire him at their councils.
The fog still held, and the “Sylvia” was making her best speed through the almost calm water. Phil and Sydney had thrown themselves down in steamer chairs on the after-deck, while O’Neil and Impey’s assistants were casually conversing near by but out of ear-shot.