Part 7 (1/2)
”Yes, sir.”
”At whom?”
The lad, a very young recruit, pointed to Sam and Dan. There were traces of pie on Dan's cheeks still.
Dan had given the young recruit a warning glance, whereat the lad checked himself and volunteered no further information.
”Davis, is this true?” demanded the quartermaster sternly.
”Yes, sir.”
”One of these men threw a piece of pie at you?”
”A piece of pie hit me in the face. There were two pieces thrown.”
”Both at you?”
”I think not.”
”At whom, then?”
”One struck me in the face and the other hit my friend Sam, sir.”
”You know who threw the pie?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Name him.”
Dan was silent.
”Point out the man who did it.”
”Sir, I would rather not,” answered Dan, eyeing the officer steadily, but with nothing of disrespect in his gaze.
”I repeat, point out the man.”
”Sir, I have no wish to inform on one of my s.h.i.+pmates. I wish you would not press the question, sir. I wish to obey orders strictly, but I cannot be a sneak. Perhaps the pie was thrown in a spirit of fun. I am sure the man who threw it is sorry for his act now, and then there was no harm done, except that my uniform is slightly soiled.”
The quartermaster turned to Sam Hickey. For a moment he eyed the freckled-faced boy steadily. Sam did not quail. He returned the quartermaster's gaze steadily.
”You were hit also?”
”Yes, sir.”
”With the same piece?”
”No, sir; with a second piece.”