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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/37907-8.txt b/37907-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6cfa5b6 --- /dev/null +++ b/37907-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9810 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Brave Old Salt, by Oliver Optic + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Brave Old Salt + or, Life on the Quarter Deck + +Author: Oliver Optic + +Release Date: November 2, 2011 [EBook #37907] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRAVE OLD SALT *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + + + + [Illustration: Somers and the Admiral.] + + + [Illustration: BRAVE OLD SALT. + OLIVER OPTIC. + LEE & SHEPARD. BOSTON.] + + + + + BRAVE OLD SALT; + + OR, + + LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK. + + A Story of the Great Rebellion. + + BY + + OLIVER OPTIC, + + + Author of "THE SOLDIER BOY," "THE SAILOR BOY," "THE YOUNG + LIEUTENANT," "THE YANKEE MIDDY," "FIGHTING JOE," "THE WOODVILLE + STORIES," "THE RIVERDALE STORY BOOKS," ETC., ETC. + + BOSTON: + LEE AND SHEPARD, + SUCCESSORS TO PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & CO. + 1866. + + + Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by + WILLIAM T. ADAMS, + In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of + Massachusetts. + + ELECTROTYPED AT THE + _Boston Stereotype Foundry_, + No. 4 Spring Lane. + + + TO + + SAMUEL C. PERKINS, ESQ., + + This Book + + IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, + + BY HIS FRIEND + + WILLIAM T. ADAMS. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +This volume, the sixth and last of "THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES," is a +record of "Life on the Quarter Deck," mostly in the squadron of Vice +Admiral Farragut, one of whose familiar appellations, used in the +ward-room and on the berth deck, has furnished the leading title of the +book. The terrible war which devastated our country for four years has +given to history two generals, Grant and Sherman, and one admiral, +Farragut, whose achievements are unsurpassed, if they are equalled, in +the annals of military and naval warfare; but while the author, in this +work, has gratefully rendered his tribute of admiration to the +distinguished naval commander, he has not attempted to present a +complete biography of him. + +Those who have read the preceding volumes of this series need hardly be +told that this is a book of adventure--of personal experience in the +great struggle of the nineteenth century. Jack Somers, "The Sailor Boy," +Mr. Somers, "The Yankee Middy," and Captain Somers, Lieutenant +Commanding, are the same person; though often as he changes his official +position, he is still the same honest, true, and Christian young man. + +In our completed sixth volume we take leave of the Somers family with +many regrets. If our young friends in the army and navy had been less +true, noble, and Christian, we could have parted with less sorrow. Yet +the army and navy, as they crushed the Rebellion, have given us many +young men just as true, just as noble and Christian. Let us gratefully +cherish these living heroes, and they will not pass away from us "like a +tale that is told." + +To the readers, young and old, who have perseveringly followed my heroes +through the two thousand pages of this series, I am even more than +grateful; for I feel that they have sympathized with me in my desire to +present a lofty ideal to the young man of to-day--one who will be true +to God, true to himself, and true to his country, in whatever sphere his +lot may be cast, whether on the forecastle or the quarter deck; as a +private or an officer, in the great army which must ever battle with +life's trials and temptations till the crown immortal be won. + + WILLIAM T. ADAMS. + + HARRISON SQUARE, MASS., March 13, 1866. + + + + + CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER + + I. LIEUTENANT PILLGRIM. + II. WAITING FOR THE SHIP. + III. THE WOUNDED SAILOR. + IV. THE FRONT CHAMBER. + V. SOMERS COMES TO HIS SENSES. + VI. LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N. + VII. LANGDON'S LETTERS. + VIII. THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA. + IX. IN THE STATE-ROOM. + X. THE CHIEF CONSPIRATOR. + XI. AFTER GENERAL QUARTERS. + XII. THE BEN NEVIS. + XIII. A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY. + XIV. THE PRIZE STEAMER. + XV. THE PRISONER IN THE CABIN. + XVI. CAPTAIN WALMSLEY. + XVII. OFF MOBILE BAY. + XVIII. BRAVE OLD SALT. + XIX. THE BOAT EXPEDITION. + XX. THE PICKET BOAT. + XXI. THE BEN LOMOND. + XXII. RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. + XXIII. A YANKEE TRICK. + XXIV. PILLGRIM AND LANGDON. + XXV. THE BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY. + XXVI. IN THE HOSPITAL. + XXVII. MISS PORTINGTON NOT AT HOME. + XXVIII. THE BEN LEDI. + XXIX. A LONG CHASE. + XXX. THE END OF THE REBELLION. + + + + +BRAVE OLD SALT. + + + + +BRAVE OLD SALT; OR, LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +LIEUTENANT PILLGRIM. + + +"Well, Prodigy, I congratulate you on your promotion. I even agree with +your enthusiastic admirers, who say that no young man better deserves +his advancement than you," said Miss Kate Portington, standing in the +entry of her father's house at Newport, holding Mr. Ensign John Somers +by the hand. + +"Thank you, Miss Portington," replied the young officer, with a blush +caused as much by the excitement of that happy moment, as by the +handsome compliment paid by the fair girl, who, we are compelled to +acknowledge, had formed no inconsiderable portion of the young man's +thoughts, hopes, and aspirations during the preceding year. + +John Somers had been examined by the board of naval officers appointed +for the purpose, had been triumphantly passed, and promoted to the rank +he now held. A short furlough had been granted to him, and he had just +come from Pinchbrook, where he had spent a week. A visit to Newport was +now almost as indispensable as one to the home of his childhood, and on +his way to join the ship to which he had been ordered, he paused to +discharge this pleasing duty. + +Ensign Somers was dressed in a new uniform, and a certain boyish look, +for which he was partly indebted to the short jacket he had worn as a +midshipman, had vanished. Perhaps Miss Portington felt that the +pertness, not to say impudence, with which she had formerly treated him, +though allowable, under a liberal toleration, towards a boy, would +hardly be justifiable in her intercourse with a young man. Though, from +the force of habit, she called him "Prodigy," there was a certain +maidenly reserve in her manner, which rather puzzled Somers, and he +could not help asking himself what he had done to cause this slight +chill in her tones and actions. + +Undoubtedly it was the frock coat which produced this refrigerating +effect; but it was a very elegant and well-fashioned garment, having the +shoulder straps on which glistened the "foul anchor," indicating his new +rank, and each sleeve being adorned with a single gold band on the +cuff, also indicative of his new position. The cap, which he now held in +his hand, was decorated with a band of gold lace, and bore on its front +the appropriate naval emblem. In strict accordance with the traditions +of the navy, he wore kid gloves, without which a naval officer, on a +ceremonial occasion, would be as incomplete as a ship without a rudder. + +We have no means of knowing what Mr. Ensign Somers thought of himself in +his "new rig," which certainly fitted with admirable nicety, and gave +him an appearance of maturity which he did not possess when we last saw +him on the quarter deck of the Rosalie. We will venture to assert, +however, that he felt like a man, and fully believed that he was one--a +commendable sentiment in a person of his years, inasmuch as, if he feels +like a man, he is the more likely to act like one. As we can hardly +suppose he soared above all the vanities of his impressible period of +life, it is more than probable that he regarded himself as a very good +looking young fellow; which brilliant suggestion was, no doubt, wholly +or in part due to the new uniform he wore. + +If not wholly above the weakness of a young man of twenty, possibly he +had a great deal of confidence in his own knowledge and ability, +regarded some of the veterans of the navy as "old fogies," and looked +upon his own father as "a slow coach." But we must do Mr. Somers the +justice to say that he tried to be humble in his estimate of himself, +and to bear the honors he had won with meekness; that he endeavored to +crush down and mortify that overweening self-sufficiency which distorts +and disfigures the character of many estimable young men. His native +bashfulness had, in some measure, been overcome by his intercourse with +the world, and the humility of his nature, though occasionally assaulted +by the accident of a new coat and an extra supply of gold lace, or by +the hearty commendations of his superiors, was genuine, and, in the +main, saved him from the besetting sin of his years. + +Standing in the presence of Miss Kate Portington, after an absence of +several months, wearing a new coat glittering with the laurels he had +won on the bloodstained decks of the nation's ships, he would have been +more than human if he had not felt proud of what he was, and what he had +done--proud, not vain. He was happy, holding the hand of her who had +occupied so large a place in his thoughts, and whose image had fringed +with roseate hues his brightest hopes and strongest aspirations. + +Kate was not so free with him as she had been, and her reserve annoyed +and perplexed him. He had anticipated a much warmer welcome than that +which greeted him on his arrival. He was slightly disappointed, though +there was nothing in her manner for which he could have reproached her, +even if their relations had been more intimate than they were. She was +less stormy, but still gentle and kind; a little more distant in manner, +though her looks and words assured him she regarded him with +undiminished interest. Had he known that the elegant frock coat he wore +produced the chill in the lady which so vexed and disconcerted him, he +would willingly have exchanged it for the short jacket in which he had +won his promotion. + +They were standing in the entry. When the servant admitted Mr. Somers, +Kate had heard his voice, and perhaps from prudential motives--for there +was a visitor in the parlor--she had preferred to meet him in the hall. + +"You have been very fortunate, Mr. Somers," added she, gently releasing +her hand from that of the ensign. + +Mr. Somers, instead of "Prodigy"! + +"I have. I don't deserve my promotion, I know; but I could not help +taking it when it was within my reach," replied Somers; and her words, +though so slightly chilled that the frigid tone could not have been +noticed by any one who did not expect an unreasonable warmth, took half +the conceit out of him, and let him down a long reach from the high +hopes and brilliant expectations with which he had looked forward to +this meeting. + +"On the contrary, Mr. Somers, I think you deserve even more than you +have received." + +"Thank you, Miss Portington; you were always more lavish of kind words +than I deserved." + +"Why, Prodigy--" + +She suddenly checked herself. It was evident to Somers that she intended +to say something pert or saucy. Perhaps she choked down the impertinent +words from the fear that the honorable secretary of the navy, if such +wild and wayward young ladies as herself were permitted to contaminate +the plushy air of Newport society, would remove the Naval Academy back +to Annapolis, where it is better to be "proper" than to be loyal. + +"You were about to say something, Miss Portington," said Somers. + +"I was, but it was saucy." + +"I am sorry you did not say it." + +"I am glad I did not, for you must know, Mr. Somers, that mother has +scolded me so much for being saucy, that I have solemnly resolved to be +proper in all things henceforth and forevermore." + +"I am sorry for it," answered Somers, with unaffected earnestness. + +"Sorry, you wretch?" + +Somers laughed. + +"There's another slip. I have done my best to reform my life. I am +afraid I shall never succeed. Now, Prodigy--" + +Somers laughed again. + +"Again!" exclaimed Kate. + +"I wish to ask one favor of you, Miss Portington." + +"It would afford me more pleasure to grant it, than it does you to ask +it. Name it." + +"That you will never call me Prodigy again." + +"I had firmly resolved before you came never to do it," laughed she. + +"Well, I only asked it in order to help along your good resolutions." + +"Then you are making fun of me?" + +"Like yourself, I am very serious." + +"But I am in earnest, Mr. Somers; I mean to reform. Now, father and +mother will be very glad to see you, Mr. Somers." + +"Your father?" + +"He was temporarily relieved to attend a court martial. He is going away +again to-morrow." + +"You have other visitors?" + +"Only Lieutenant Pillgrim." + +"I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance." + +"He is a Virginian, I believe; at any rate he is from the South, and has +just been restored to his rank in the navy." + +Kate led the way into the parlor, where he was first welcomed by her +mother. + +"Mr. Somers, I am glad to see you, and to congratulate you on your +promotion," said the commodore, as he grasped the hand of the young +officer. + +"Thank you, sir," replied Somers. "The only ungratified wish I had was +that I might be appointed to your ship." + +"My ship!" + +"I should have been glad to serve under so able and distinguished a +commander." + +"I wouldn't have you in my ship," promptly returned the commodore, +shaking his head energetically. + +Somers looked abashed, and Kate wore a troubled expression. + +"I should endeavor to do my duty," he added. + +"I have no doubt of it, but I wouldn't have you in my ship." + +"Your remark is not very complimentary," said Somers, his face beginning +to flush with indignation at what seemed to be an assault upon his +professional character. + +"It is the most complimentary thing I could say to you. And I mean what +I say: I wouldn't have you in my ship." + +"Why not, father?" demanded Kate. + +"Because I like the young dog, and because I believe in discipline. I +never indulge in partiality on board my ship, and it is better to keep +out of temptation. I am under obligations to you, Mr. Somers; I am happy +to acknowledge them, but they must not come between me and duty. Mr. +Somers, Lieutenant Pillgrim," continued Commodore Portington, turning to +the visitor. + +Somers looked at the officer thus indicated, and as his eyes rested +upon him, he started back with a momentary astonishment, for the face +had a strange look of familiarity to him. + +"Mr. Somers, I am happy to meet and to know you. Your name and +reputation are already familiar to me." + +"I am glad to know you, sir," replied Somers, with some confusion. "Your +face looks so familiar to me, that I think we must have met before." + +"Never, to my knowledge," answered the lieutenant, with easy +self-possession. + +"I was quite sure I had seen you before." + +"Possibly; I do not remember it, however." + +"If I had met you without the favor of an introduction, I should +certainly have claimed the honor of your acquaintance." + +"I should have been proud to be so claimed, but I must confess you would +have had the advantage of me." + +"Of course, I must be mistaken, as you suggest." + +"It is not unlikely that we have met in some ante-room where we were +dancing attendance on the powers that be, in search of employment; but I +am quite sure, Mr. Somers, that I should have been proud and happy to +number you among my friends." + +"It is not too late now," said the commodore. + +"Certainly not. I should be but too happy to have as my friend one who +has served his country so faithfully," added Mr. Pillgrim, as he bowed +gracefully to Somers, "especially as I understand we are appointed to +the same ship." + +"Indeed!" + +"I am ordered to the Chatauqua." + +"So am I." + +"Then, Mr. Pillgrim, you will take care of our Prodigy; you will be +excellent friends, I trust," said Kate, beginning very impulsively in +her old way, and suddenly checking herself when her resolution to be +"proper" interposed itself. + +"What is the matter, Kate? Have you and Mr. Somers had a falling out?" +demanded the commodore. + +"O, no, father." + +"You talk as though you had had a quarrel, and for a moment had +forgotten to be savage." + +"We have had no quarrel, pa," replied Kate, blushing. "I was going to be +saucy, but ma says I must not be saucy, and I shall not be saucy any +more. I only hoped the two gentlemen who are going to live together in +the same ship would be good friends." + +"Of course they will. Officers never quarrel." + +"Perhaps they don't; but they are not always as good friends as I hope +these gentlemen will be," laughed Kate. + +"Perhaps he will be my friend for your sake, if he is not for mine," +added Pillgrim. + +"I do not wish that. I don't like to have anybody do anything for my +sake, unless it be to take paregoric when I am sick." + +"I trust I shall not be paregoric to him," said Pillgrim. + +"Then he will not take you for my sake." + +"As Lieutenant Pillgrim is my superior officer, I should be likely to +court his good will, and prize his friendship very highly. If we are not +friends, I am sure it will not be my fault." + +At this moment the dinner bell rang; and although Somers did not feel +intimate enough with the family to invite himself to dine, he was easily +prevailed upon to remain, and gallantly gave his arm to Mrs. Portington, +as Kate, for some wayward reason of her own, had already seized upon +that of Lieutenant Pillgrim. + +At the table Somers sat opposite the lieutenant, and he found it +impossible to avoid looking upon him with a strange and undefinable +interest. Since his first glance at the commodore's visitor, who seemed +to be on the best of terms with the family, he had been perplexed by +some strange misgivings. He could not banish from his mind an assurance +that he had seen him before; that he had talked with him, and even been, +to some extent, intimate with him. + +The thought that Kate was somewhat changed in her demeanor towards him +did not contribute to increase his satisfaction. She had contrived to +take the lieutenant's arm instead of his own, and perhaps he had come as +the successor of Phil Kennedy, who had been reputed to be high in her +good graces. But Mr. Pillgrim was a gentleman of thirty-five, at least, +and this was not probable, in his view of the matter. Somers, being +disinterested, was more worried to know when, where, and under what +circumstances he had met the lieutenant. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +WAITING FOR THE SHIP. + + +Somers was utterly unable to satisfy himself in regard to Lieutenant +Pillgrim. The face was certainly familiar to him, not as a combination +of remembered features, but rather as an expression. To him the eye +seemed to be the whole of the man, and its gaze would haunt him, though +his memory refused to identify it with any time, place, or +circumstances. Though his reason compelled him to believe that he was +mistaken, and that Mr. Pillgrim was actually a stranger, his +consciousness of having seen, and even of having been intimate with, the +gentleman, most obstinately refused to be shaken. + +"Of course, gentlemen, you have no idea to what point the Chatauqua has +been ordered?" said the commodore. + +"I have not," replied Mr. Pillgrim. + +"I have heard it said that she was going to the Gulf," added Somers. + +"Very likely; there are two points where extensive naval operations are +likely to be undertaken--at Mobile and at Wilmington. The rebellion has +had so many hard knocks that the bottom must drop out before many +months." + +"I am afraid the end is farther off than most people at the North are +willing to believe," said Mr. Pillgrim. + +"Every thing looks hopeful. If we can contrive to batter down Fort +Fisher, and open Mobile Bay, the rebels may count the months of their +Confederacy on their fingers." + +"I think there is greater power of resistance left in the South, than we +give it the credit for." + +"The rebels have fought well; what of it?" continued the commodore, who +did not seem to be pleased with the style of the lieutenant's remarks. + +"As fighting men, we can hardly fail to respect those who have fought so +bravely as the people of the South." + +"People of the South!" sneered the commodore. "Why don't you call them +rebels?" + +"Of course that is what I mean," answered Mr. Pillgrim, a slight flush +visible on his cheek. + +"If you mean it, why don't you say it? Call things by their right names. +The people of the South are not all rebels. Why, confound it, Farragut +is a Southerner; so is General Anderson; so are a hundred men, who have +distinguished themselves in putting down treason. It's an insult to +these men to talk about the people of the South as rebels." + +"I agree with you, Commodore Portington, and what I said was only a form +of expression." + +"It's a very bad form of expression. Why, man, you are a Southerner +yourself." + +"I am; and I suppose that is what makes me so proud of the good fighting +the people of the South--I mean the rebels--have done. We can't help +respecting men who have behaved with so much gallantry." + +"Can't we?" exclaimed the commodore, with a sneer so wholesome and +honest, that Lieutenant Pillgrim withered under it. "I can help it. I +have no respect for rebels and traitors under any circumstances." + +"Nor I, as rebels and traitors," replied Pillgrim, mildly. + +"As rebels and traitors! I don't like these fine-spun distinctions. If a +man is a traitor, call him so, and swing him up on the fore-yard arm, +where he belongs." + +"You are willing to acknowledge that the rebels have fought well in this +war?" added the lieutenant. + +"They have fought well: I don't deny it." + +"And you appreciate gallant conduct?" + +"That depends on the cause. No, sir! I don't appreciate gallant conduct +on the part of rebels and traitors. It is not gallant conduct; and the +better they fight, the more wicked they are." + +"I can hardly take your view of the case." + +"Can't you? The best fighting I ever saw in my life was on the deck of +a pirate ship. The black-hearted villains fought like demons. Not a man +of them would yield the breadth of a hair. We had to cut them down like +dogs. Is piracy respectable because these men fought well?" + +"Certainly not; but the bravery of such men--" + +"Nonsense! I know what you are going to say; but you can't separate the +pirate from his piracy, nor the traitor from his treason," replied the +commodore, warmly. "The other day I saw a little dirty urchin fighting +with his mother. The young cub had run away, I suppose, and the woman +was dragging him back to the house. He was not more than six years old, +but he displayed a power of resistance which rather astonished me. He +kicked, bit, scratched, and yelled like a young tiger. He called his +mother everything but a lady. The poor woman tugged at him with all her +strength, but the little rascal was almost a match for her. I wanted to +take him by the nape of the neck, and shake the ugly out of him: nothing +but my fixed principles of neutrality prevented me from doing so. I +suppose, Mr. Pillgrim, you would have sympathized with the brat, because +he fought bravely." + +"Hardly," replied the lieutenant, laughing at the simile. + +"But he fought like a tiger, and displayed no mean strategy in his +rebellious warfare. Of course he was worthy of your admiration," sneered +the commodore. + +"That's hardly a fair comparison." + +"The fairest in the world. The rebels have insulted their own +mother--the parent that fostered, protected, and loved them. They +undertook to run away from her; and when she attempts to bring them back +to their duty, they kick, and scratch, and bite; and you admire them +because they fight well." + +"I stand convicted, Commodore Portington. I never took this view of the +matter; I acknowledge that you are right," said Mr. Pillgrim. + +Somers, who had been an attentive listener to the conversation, thought +the lieutenant yielded very gracefully, and much more readily than could +have been expected; but then the logician was a commodore, and perhaps +it was prudence and politeness on his part to agree with his powerful +superior. + +After dinner the party took a ride to the beach and to the Glen; and +after an early tea, Somers and Pillgrim, who were to be +fellow-passengers to Philadelphia, where the Chatauqua was fitting out, +began to demonstrate in the direction of their departure. Kate, though +she had been tolerably playful during the afternoon, had, in the main, +carried out her good resolution to be proper. She had not been +impudent--hardly pert; and deprived of this convenient mask for whatever +kindness she might have entertained towards the young ensign, she seemed +to be very cold and indifferent to him. She was more thoughtful, +serious, and earnest than when they had met on former occasions. He +could not help asking himself what he had done to produce this marked +change in her conduct. + +"Good by, Miss Portington," said he, when he had taken leave of her +father and mother. + +"Good by, Mr. Somers. Shall I hear from you when you reach your +station?" she asked, presenting her hand. + +"If you desire it." + +"If I desire it! Why, Mr. Somers, you forget that I am deeply interested +in your success." + +"Perhaps, if I do anything of which you would care to learn, the +newspapers may inform you of the fact," replied Somers, with a kind of +grim smile, which seemed actually to alarm poor Kate. + +"I would rather hear it from you." + +"I judge that you are more interested in my success than you are in me." + +"Ah, Mr. Somers, you cannot separate the pirate from his piracy, pa +said; nor the hero from his heroism, let me add." + +"Thank you, Miss Portington." + +"I cannot forget how deeply indebted we are to you, Mr. Somers." + +"I wish you could." + +"Why do you wish so?" demanded the astonished maiden; more astonished at +his manner than his words. + +"I am sorry to have you burdened with such a weight of obligation." + +"I think you mean to quarrel with me, Mr. Somers. I beg you will not be +so savage just as you are going away," laughed Kate, though there was a +troubled expression on her fair face. "I asked you if I should hear from +you, Mr. Somers." + +"Certainly, if you desire." + +"Why do you qualify your words? I should be just as glad to hear from +you as I ever was." + +"Then you shall, at every opportunity." + +"Thank you, Mr. Somers. That sounds hearty and honest, as father would +say." + +"I do not wish you to feel an interest in me from a sense of duty. I +shall not write any letters from a sense of duty, or even because I have +promised to do so. I shall write to you because--because I can't help +it," stammered Somers, almost overcome by the violence of his exertions. + +"I thank you, Mr. Somers, and I am sure your letters will be all the +more welcome from my knowledge of the fact." + +"Good by," said he, gently pressing the little hand he held. + +"Good by," she replied; and to his great satisfaction and delight, the +pressure was returned--a kind of telegraphic signal, infinitely more +expressive than all the words in the spelling-book, strung into +sentences, could have been to a young man in his desperate condition. + +Mr. Ensign Somers was now entirely satisfied. That gentle pressure of +the hand had atoned for all her reserve and coldness, real or imaginary, +and made the future bright and pleasant to look upon. Undoubtedly Mr. +Somers was a silly young fellow; but there is some consolation in +believing that he was just like all young men under similar +circumstances. + +Mr. Pillgrim followed him out of the house, and they hastened down to +the wharf to take the steamer for New York. On the passage the two +officers treated each other with courtesy and consideration, but there +appeared to be no strong sympathy of thought or feeling between them, +and they were not drawn so closely together as they might have been +under similar circumstances, if there had been more of opinion and +sentiment common between them. + +On their arrival at Philadelphia, they found the Chatauqua was still in +the hands of the workmen, and would not go into commission for a week or +ten days. They reported to the commandant of the navy yard, and took up +their quarters at the "Continental," where Somers found his old friend +Mr. Waldron, who had been detached from the Rosalie at his own request, +and ordered to the Chatauqua, in which he was to serve as executive +officer. This was splendid news to Somers, for he regarded Mr. Waldron +as a true and trusty friend, in whom he could with safety confide. + +"Do you know Lieutenant Pillgrim?" asked Somers, after they had +discussed their joint information in regard to the new ship. + +"I am not personally acquainted with him, though I have heard his name +mentioned. He is a Virginian, I think." + +"Yes." + +"If I mistake not, there were some doubts about his loyalty, though he +never tendered his resignation; he has been kept in the background." + +"He seems to be a loyal and true man." + +"No doubt of it, or he would not have been appointed to the Chatauqua." + +"He has some respect for the rebels, but no sympathy." + +"I think he has frequently applied for employment, but has not obtained +it until the present time. I have no doubt he is a good fellow and a +good officer. He ranks next to me. But, Somers, I leave town in half an +hour," continued Mr. Waldron, consulting his watch. "I am going to run +home for a few days, till the ship goes into commission. I will see you +here on my return." + +Somers walked to the railroad station with his late commander, and +parted with him as the train started. During the three succeeding days, +he visited the museums, libraries, and other places of resort, +interesting to a young man of his tastes. He went to the navy yard every +day, and, with his usual zeal, learned what he could of the build, rig, +and armament of the Chatauqua, and gathered such other information +relating to his profession as would be useful to him in the future. + +Lieutenant Pillgrim passed his time in a different manner. Though he was +not what the world would call an intemperate or an immoral man, he spent +many of his hours in bar-rooms, billiard-saloons, and places of public +amusement. He several times invited Somers to "join" him at the bar, to +play at billiards, and to visit the theatre, and other places of more +questionable morality. The young officer was not a prude, but he never +drank, did not know how to play billiards, and never visited a gambling +resort. He went to the theatre two or three times; but this was the +limit of his indulgence. + +Mr. Pillgrim was courteous and gentlemanly; he did not press his +invitations. He treated his brother officer with the utmost kindness and +consideration; was always ready, and even forward, to serve him; and +their relations were of the pleasantest character. + +One evening, when Somers called at the office for the key of his room, +after his return from the navy yard, a letter was handed to him. The +writing was an unfamiliar hand, scrawling and hardly legible. It was +evidently the production of an illiterate person. On reaching his room +he opened it. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE WOUNDED SAILOR. + + +The curiosity of Somers was not a little excited before he opened the +uncouth letter in his hand. It was postmarked Philadelphia, which made +its reception all the more strange, for he had no friends or +acquaintances residing in the city. He tore open the dirty epistle, +which was not even enclosed in an envelope, and read as follows:-- + + PHILA. June the 19. 1864. + +MR. JOHN SOMERS ESQ. Sir. I been wounded in the leg up the Missippi and +can not do nothing more. I been in your division aboard the Rosalie, and +I know you was a good man and I know you was a good officer, I hope you +be in good helth, as I am not at this present writen. my Leg is very +bad, and don't git no better. This is to inform you that I am the only +son of a poor widdow, who has no other Son, and she can not do nothing +for me, nor I can't do nothing for her. I have Fout for my countrey and +have been woundded in the servis. If you could git a penshin for me. it +would be a grate help to me Sorrowin condition. I live No -- Front +Street. If I might make bold to ask you to come and see a old Sailor, +thrown on the beam ends of missfortune, I would be very thankful to you. + + Yours to command, + + THOMAS BARRON. + +N. B. The doctor says he thinks my Leg will have to come off. + +Tom Longstone knows me, and you ask him, he will tell you all About me. + +"Thomas Barron," mused Somers, as he folded the letter. "I don't +remember him. There were two or three Toms on board the Rosalie. At any +rate, I have nothing better to do than call upon him. He is an old +sailor, and that is enough for me." + +It was already after dark; but he decided to visit the sufferer that +night, and after tea he left the house for this purpose. He was +sufficiently acquainted with the streets of this systematic city to make +his way without assistance. Of course he did not expect to find the home +of the old sailor in a wealthy and aristocratic portion of the city; but +if he had understood the character of the section to which the direction +led him, he would probably have deferred his charitable mission till the +following day. On reaching the vicinity of the place indicated, he +found himself in a vile locality, surrounded by the lowest and most +depraved of the population. + +With considerable difficulty he found the number mentioned in the +letter. The lower story of the building was occupied as a liquor shop, +and a further examination of the premises assured him the place was a +sailor's boarding-house. As this fact was not inconsistent with the +character of Tom Barron, he entered the shop. Half a dozen vagabonds had +possession; and as Somers entered, the attention of the whole group was +directed to him. + +"Is there a sailor by the name of Thomas Barron in this house?" asked +Somers of the greasy, corpulent woman, who stood behind about four feet +of counter, forming the bar, on which were displayed several bottles and +decanters. + +"Yes, sir; and very bad he is too," replied the woman, civilly enough, +though the young officer could hardly help shuddering in her presence. + +"Could I see him?" + +"I 'spect you can, if you be the officer Tom says is comin' to see him." + +"I am the person." + +"Tom's very bad." + +"So he says in his letter." + +"He hain't had a minute's peace or comfort with that leg sence he come +home from the war. Be you any relation of his?" + +"I am not." + +"Mebbe you're his friend." + +"He served under me in the Rosalie." + +"Tom hain't paid no board for two months, which comes hard on a poor +woman like me, takin' care of him, and his mother too, that come here to +nuss him." + +"Perhaps something can be done for him." + +"Well, I hope so. I don't see how I can keep him any longer. He owes me +forty dollars. If any body'll pay half on't, I'd keep on doin' for him." + +"I will see what can be done for him. Why was he not sent to the +hospital?" + +"He's too bad to be sent, and he don't want to go, nuther. He says the +doctors try speriments on poor fellers like him, and he don't want to be +cut up afore he's dead." + +"Well, I will endeavor to have something done for him. I am entirely +willing to help him as much as I can." + +"Perhaps you'd be willin' to do sunthin' towards payin' my bill, then." + +"Perhaps I will; but I wish to see the man before I do anything. Will +you show me to his room?" + +"I don't go up and down stairs none now. Here, Childs, you show this +gentleman up to the front room," said the landlady to one of the +vagabonds before her. "Then go and tell Tom his officer has come. I +suppose they'll want to slick up a little, afore they let you in; but +Miss Barron will tell you when she is ready." + +Somers followed the man up a flight of rickety stairs, and was ushered +into the front room. It was a bedchamber, supplied with the rudest and +coarsest furniture. The visitor sat down, after telling Childs that the +sailor's mother need not stop to "slick up" before he was admitted. He +did not like the surroundings, even independent of the villainous odors +that rose from the groggery, and those that were engendered in the +apartment where he sat. Slush and tar were agreeable perfumes, compared +with those which assaulted his sense in this chamber; and he hoped Mrs. +Barron would humiliate her pride to an extent which would permit him to +make a speedy exit from the house. + +Mrs. Barron, however, appeared not to be in a hurry, and Somers waited +ten minutes by his watch, which seemed to expand into a full hour before +he heard a sound to disturb the monotony of the chamber's quiet. But +when it was disturbed, it was in such a manner that he forgot all about +the place and the odors, the hour and the occasion, and even the poor +sailor, who had so piteously appealed to him for assistance. + +In the rear of the room in which Somers sat, there was a door +communicating with another apartment. The house was old and out of +repair; and this door, never very nicely adjusted, was now warped and +thrown out of place, so that great cracks yawned around the edges, and +whatever was said or done in one room, of which any knowledge could be +obtained by the sense of hearing, was immediately patent to the +occupants of the other. Somers heard footsteps in the rear room, though +the parties appeared not to have come up the stairs by which he had +ascended. The rattling of chairs and of glass ware next saluted his +ears; but as yet Somers had not the slightest interest in the business +of the adjoining apartment, and only wished that Mrs. Barron would +speedily complete the preparations for his reception. + +"It's dangerous business," said one of the men in the rear room; which +remark followed a smack of the lips, and a rude depositing of the glass +on the table, indicating that the speaker had just swallowed his dram. + +The man uttered his remark in a loud tone, exhibiting a strange +carelessness, if the matter in hand was as dangerous as the words +implied. + +"I know it is dangerous, Langdon," said another person, in a voice which +instantly riveted the attention of the listener. + +Somers heard the voice. It startled him, and he had no eye, ear, or +thought for anything but the individual who had last spoken. If he had +considered his position at all, it would only have been to wish that +Mrs. Barron might be as proud as a Chestnut Street belle, in order to +afford him time to inform himself in relation to the business of the men +who occupied the other room. + +"You have been shut up in Fort Lafayette once," added the first speaker. + +"In a good cause I am willing to go again," replied the voice so +familiar to the ears of Somers. "I lost eighty thousand dollars in a +venture just like this. I must get my money back." + +"If you can, Coles." + +Coles! But Somers did not need to have his identity confirmed by the use +of his name. He knew Coles's voice. At Newport he had lain in the +fore-sheets of the academy boat, and heard Coles and Phil Kennedy mature +their plan to place the Snowden on the ocean, as a Confederate cruiser. +He had listened to the whole conversation on that occasion, and the +knowledge he had thus obtained enabled the government to capture the +steamer, and defeat the intentions of the conspirators. + +The last Somers had known of Coles, he was a prisoner in Fort Lafayette. +Probably he had been released by the same influence which set Phil +Kennedy at liberty, and permitted him to continue his career of treason +and plunder. Coles had lost eighty thousand dollars by his speculation +in the Snowden, for one half of which Kennedy was holden to him; but the +bond had been effectually cancelled by the death of the principal. Coles +wanted his money back. It was a very natural desire; but Somers could +not help considering it as a very extravagant one, under present +circumstances. + +The listener could not help regarding it as a most remarkable thing, +that he should again be within hearing of Coles, engaged in plotting +treason. Such an event might happen once; but that it should occur a +second time was absolutely marvellous. If our readers are of the opinion +that the writer is too severely taxing their credulity in imposing the +situation just described upon them, he begs they will suspend their +judgment till the sequel justifies him. + +It was so strange to Somers, that he could not help thinking he had been +brought there by some mysterious power to listen to and defeat the +intentions of the conspirators. He was not so far wrong as he might have +been. It was Coles who spoke; it was Coles who had been in Fort +Lafayette; and it was Coles who had lost eighty thousand dollars by the +Snowden. All these things were real, and Somers had no suspicion that he +had inhaled some of the vile compounds in the bar below, which might +have thrown him into a stupor wherein he dreamed the astounding +situation in which he was actually placed. + +Somers listened, and when Coles had mixed and drank his dram, he spoke +again. + +"I can and will get my money back," said he, with an oath which froze +the blood of the listener. + +"Don't believe it, Coles." + +"You know me, Langdon," added the plotter, with a peculiar emphasis. + +Langdon acknowledged that he did know him; and as there was, therefore, +no need of an introduction, Coles proceeded. + +"You know me, Langdon; I don't make any mistakes myself." + +Perhaps Langdon knew it; but Somers had some doubts, which, however, he +did not purpose to urge on this occasion. + +"Phil Kennedy was a fool," added Coles, with another oath. "He spoiled +all my plans before, and I was glad when I heard that he was killed, +though I lost forty thousand dollars when he slipped out. He spilt the +milk for me." + +Somers thought not. + +"Phil was smart about some things; but he couldn't keep a hotel. Why, +that young pup that finally gave him his quietus, twirled him around his +fingers, like he had been a school girl." + +"Thank you, Mr. Coles; but I shall have the pleasure of serving you in +the same way before many weeks," thought Somers, flattered by this warm +and disinterested tribute to his strategetic ability. + +"You mean Somers?" said Langdon. + +"I mean Somers. The young pup isn't twenty-one yet, but he is the +smartest man in the old navy, by all odds, whether the others be +admirals, commodores, lieutenants, or what not." + +"That's high praise, Coles." + +"It's true. If he wasn't an imfernal Yankee, I would drink his health in +this old Bourbon. Good liquor--isn't it, Langdon?" + +"Like the juice of a diamond." + +"I would give more for this Somers than I would for any four rear +admirals. He has just been appointed to the Chatauqua; but he will be in +command of some small craft down South, before many months, doing more +mischief to us than any four first-class steamers in the service. He is +as brave as a young lion; knows a ship from keel to truck, and is as +familiar with every bolt and pin of an engine as though he had been a +machinist all his life." + +"Big thing, eh, Coles?" + +"If I had this Somers, I could make his fortune and mine in a year, and +have a million surplus besides." + +"What would you do with him?" + +"I would give him the command of my steamer. I would rather have him in +that place than all the old grannies in the Confederate navy." + +Somers thought Mr. Coles was rather extravagant. He had no idea that Mr. +Ensign Somers was one tenth part of the man which the amiable and +patronizing Mr. Coles declared he was; and he was impatient to have the +speaker announce his intentions, rather than waste any more time in such +unwarrantable commendation. + +But instead of telling what he intended to do, he confined himself most +provokingly to what he had failed to do, giving Langdon minute details +of the capture of the Theban and the Snowden, dwelling with peculiar +emphasis on the agency of Somers in the work. This was not interesting +to the listener, but something better soon followed. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE FRONT CHAMBER. + + +"But I am going to get back the money I lost, and make a pile besides," +said Coles, when he had fully detailed the events attending the loss of +the Snowden. + +"If you can," added the sceptical Langdon. + +"Of course there is some risk, but my plans are so well laid that a +failure is hardly possible," continued Coles. + +"It was possible before." + +"Nothing but an accident could have defeated my plan before. Everything +worked to my satisfaction, and I was sure of success." + +"But you failed." + +"I shall not fail again." + +"I hope not." + +"Then believe I shall not," retorted Coles, apparently irritated by the +doubts and fears of his companion. + +"It is not safe to believe too much," added Langdon, with a kind of +chuckle, whose force Somers could hardly understand; "you believed too +much before." + +"I have been more cautious this time, and I wouldn't give anybody five +per cent. to insure the venture." + +Somers was becoming very impatient to hear the particulars of the plan, +for he was in momentary fear of being summoned to the bedside of the +wounded sailor. Coles was most provokingly deliberate in the discussion +of his treasonable project; but when the naval officer considered that +the conversation was not especially intended for him, he did not very +severely censure the conspirators for their tardiness. + +"I don't understand what your plan is," said Langdon. + +"Nor I either," was Somers's facetious thought. + +"I will tell you all about it. Are there any ears within hail of us?" + +"Not an ear." + +"Is there anybody in the front room?" + +"No." + +"Are you sure?" + +"The old woman told me the front room was not occupied. She sent in +there an officer who wanted to see a sick sailor upstairs; but he is +gone before this time." + +"Perhaps not; make sure on this point before I open my mouth. I have no +idea of being tripped up this time," said the cautious Coles. + +"I will look into the front room," added Langdon, "though I know there +is no one there." + +Somers was rather annoyed at this demonstration of prudence; but it was +quite natural, and he was all the more interested to hear the rest of +the conference. Dismissing for a moment the dignity of the quarter deck, +he dropped hastily on the floor, and crawled under the bed, concluding +that Langdon, who was already fully satisfied the front room was empty, +would not push his investigations to an unreasonable extent. But he had +already prepared himself for the worst, and if his presence were +detected, he resolved to take advantage of the high estimation in which +he was held, and, for his country's good, proposed to offer his valuable +services in getting the piratical ship to sea. He could thus obtain the +secret, and defeat the purposes of the conspirators. + +He fortunately avoided the necessity of resorting to this disagreeable +course, for Langdon only opened the door, and glanced into the chamber +he occupied. + +"The room is empty," he reported to Coles, on his return. + +"There are cracks around this door big enough to crawl through. Somebody +may go into that room without being heard, and listen to all I say." + +"There is no danger." + +"But there is danger; and I will not leave the ghost of a chance to be +discovered. Langdon, lock that front room, and put the key in your +pocket. I must have things perfectly secure before I open my mouth." + +Langdon complied with the request of his principal; the door was locked, +and Somers, without much doubt or distrust, found his retreat cut off +for the present. But, at last, everything was fixed to the entire +satisfaction of Coles. The glasses clinked again, indicating that the +worthies had fortified themselves with another dose from the bottle. +Somers crawled out from under the bed, and heedless of the dust which +whitened his new uniform, placed himself in a comfortable position, +where he could hear all that was said by the confederates. + +Coles now told his story in a straightforward, direct manner, and Somers +made memoranda on the back of a letter of the principal facts in the +statement. The arch conspirator had just purchased a fine iron +side-wheel steamer, captured on the blockade, called the Ben Nevis. She +was about four hundred tons burden, and under favorable circumstances +had often made sixteen knots an hour. It had already been announced in +the newspapers that the Ben Nevis would run regularly between New York +and St. John. Coles intended to clear her properly for her destined +port, where she could, by an arrangement already made, be supplied with +guns, ammunition, and a crew. She was to clear regularly for New York, +but instead of proceeding there was to commence her piratical course on +the ocean. + +This was the plan of the worthy Mr. Coles, which Langdon permitted him +to develop without a single interruption. But the prudent, or rather +critical, confederate raised many objections, which were discussed at +great length--so great that Somers, possessed of the principal facts, +would have left the room, if the door had not been locked, and escaped +from the house, so as to avoid the possibility of being discovered. The +wounded sailor could be attended to on the following day. + +"But one thing we lack," continued Coles, after he had removed all the +objections of his companion. + +"More than one, I fear," said the doubtful Langdon. + +"Well, one thing more than all others." + +"What is that?" + +"A naval officer to command her." + +"There are plenty of them." + +"No doubt of it; but they are not the kind I want. I need a man who will +play into my hand, as well as grind up the Yankees. I have no idea of +burning all the property captured by my vessel." + +"Why don't you take command yourself?" + +"I have other business to do." + +"There are scores of Confederate naval officers in Canada and New +Brunswick," suggested Langdon. + +"I know them all, and I wouldn't trust them to command a mud-scow. In a +word, Langdon, I want this Somers, and I must have him." + +"But he is a northern Yankee. He would sooner cut his own throat than +engage in such an enterprise." + +"Thank you for that," said Somers to himself. "If you had known me all +my lifetime, you couldn't have said a better or a truer thing of me." + +"I know he is actually reeking with what he calls loyalty. He will be a +hard subject, but I think he can be brought over." + +"Perhaps he can." + +"It must be done; that is the view we must take of the matter." + +"It will be easier to believe it than to do it." + +"This is to be your share of the enterprise." + +"Mine?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I think you have given me the biggest job in the work." + +"It can be done," said Coles, confidently. "Somers is a mere boy in +years, though he is smarter and knows more than any man in the navy in +the prime of life." + +"I'm afraid he is too smart, and knows too much to be caught in such a +scrape." + +"No; he is young and ambitious. Offer him a commission as a commander in +the Confederate navy, to begin with. I have the commission duly signed +by the president of the Confederacy, countersigned by the secretary of +the navy, with a blank for the name of the man who receives it, which I +am authorized to fill up as I think best. Somers must have this +commission." + +"If he will take it." + +"He will take it. In the old navy he is nothing but a paltry ensign. He +has been kept back. His merit has been ignored. He must stand out of the +way for numskulls and old fogies. Even if the war should last ten years +longer, he could not reach the rank, in that time, which I now tender +him. He will at once be offered the command of a fine steamer, and may +walk the quarter deck like a king. He is ambitious, and if you approach +him in the right way, you can win him over." + +Somers listened with interest to this precious scheme. He did not even +feel complimented by the exalted opinion which such a man as Coles +entertained of him. It would be a pleasant thing for a young man like +him to be a commander, and have a fine steamer; but as he could regard +only with horror the idea of firing a gun at a vessel bearing the stars +and stripes, he was not even tempted by the bait; and he turned his +thoughts from it without the necessity of a "Get thee behind me, Satan," +in dismissing it. + +"Where is this Somers?" asked Langdon. + +"He is at the Continental," replied Coles. "He has been appointed fourth +lieutenant of the Chatauqua; but what a position for a man of his +abilities! He is better qualified to command the ship than the numskull +to whom she has been given. Waldron, the first lieutenant, is smart: he +ought to be commander; though I think Somers did all the hard work in +Doboy Sound, for which Waldron got the credit, and for which he was +promoted. Pillgrim, the second lieutenant, is a renegade Virginian." + +"We had some hopes of him, at one time," said Langdon. + +"He is worse than a Vermont Yankee now--has been all along, for that +matter. I tried to do something with him, but he talked about the old +flag, and other bosh of that sort." + +"Let him go," added Langdon, with becoming resignation. + +"Let him go! He never went. He has always been a Yankee at heart. If the +navy department wouldn't trust him, it was their fault, not his, for the +South has not had a worse enemy than he since the first gun was fired at +Sumter. He is none the better, and all the more dangerous to us, because +he gives the South credit for skill and bravery." + +Somers was pleased to hear this good account of Lieutenant Pillgrim; not +because he had any doubt in regard to his loyalty, but because it +confirmed the good impression he had received of his travelling +companion. If the conspirators would only have graciously condescended +to resolve the doubts in his mind in regard to some indefinite previous +acquaintance he had had with the second lieutenant of the Chatauqua, he +would have been greatly obliged to them. They did not do this, and +Somers was still annoyed and puzzled by the belief, patent to his +consciousness, that he had somewhere been intimate with the "renegade +Virginian," before they met at the house of Commodore Portington. + +"Now, Langdon, you must contrive to meet Somers, sound him, and bring +him over. You must be cautious with him. He is a young man of good +morals--never drinks, gambles, or goes to bad places. He is a perfect +gentleman in his manners, never swears, and is the pet of the +chaplains." + +"I think I can manage him." + +"I know you can; I have picked you out of a hundred smart fellows for +this work." + +"How will it do for me to put on a white choker, and approach him as a +doctor of divinity." + +"You can't humbug him." + +"If I can't, why should I try?" + +"If you should pretend to be a clergyman, and he smelt the whiskey in +your breath, he would set you down as a hypocrite at once." + +"That's so," thought Somers. + +"He wouldn't listen to a preacher who drank whiskey. He is a fanatic on +these points." + +Somers could not imagine where Coles had obtained such an intimate +knowledge of his views and principles; though, if he wanted his services +in the Confederate navy, it was probable he had made diligent inquiries +in regard to his opinions and habits. + +"I think I could blind him as a D.D., but I am not strenuous." + +"You had better get acquainted with him in some other capacity." + +"As you please; I will think over the matter, and be ready to make a +strike to-morrow morning. What time is it?" + +"Quarter past ten." + +"So late! I must be off at once." + +Somers heard the clatter of glass-ware again, as the conspirators took +the parting libation. He listened to their retreating footsteps, heard +Langdon return the key, and then began to wonder what had become of Tom +Barron and his mother. He had waited more than two hours in the front +room, and no summons had come for him to see the wounded sailor. It was +very singular, to say the least; but while he was deliberating on the +point, a hand was placed on the door of the chamber. The key turned, and +a person entered. + +Now, Somers had a very strong objection to being seen after what had +occurred. If discovered in this room, Coles might see him, and finding +his plans discovered, might change them so as to defeat the ends of +justice. And the listener felt that, if detected in this apartment by +the conspirators, they would not scruple to take his life in order to +save themselves and their schemes. + +For these reasons Somers decided not to be seen. The person who entered +the room was a rough, seafaring man, and evidently intended to sleep +there, which Somers was entirely willing he should do, if it could be +done without imperilling his personal safety. He therefore crawled under +the bed again, as quietly as possible. Unfortunately it was not quietly +enough to escape the observation of the lodger, who, not being of the +timid sort, seized him by the leg, dragged him out, and with a volley of +marine oaths, began to kick him with his heavy boot. + +Somers sprang to his feet, and attempted to explain; but the indignant +seaman struck him a heavy blow on the head, which felled him senseless +on the floor. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +SOMERS COMES TO HIS SENSES. + + +When Somers opened his eyes, about half an hour after the striking event +just narrated, and became conscious that he was still in the land of the +living, he was lying on the bed in his chamber at the Continental. By +his side stood Lieutenant Pillgrim and a surgeon. + +"Where am I?" asked the young officer, using the original expression +made and provided for occasions of this kind. + +"You are here, my dear fellow," replied the lieutenant. + +This valuable information seemed to afford the injured party a great +deal of consolation, for he looked around the apartment, not wildly, as +he would have done if this book were a novel, but with a look of +perplexity and dissatisfaction. As Mr. Ensign Somers was eminently a +fighting man on all proper occasions, he probably felt displeased with +himself to think he had given the stalwart seaman so easy a victory; for +he distinctly remembered the affair in which he had been so rudely +treated, though there was a great gulf between the past and the present +in his recollection. + +"How do you feel, Mr. Somers?" asked the surgeon. + +"The fact that I feel at all is quite enough for me at the present time, +without going into the question as to how I feel," replied the patient, +with a sickly smile. "I don't exactly know how I do feel. My ideas are +rather confused." + +"I should think they might be," added the surgeon. "You have had a hard +rap on the head." + +"So I should judge, for my brain is rather muddled." + +"Does your head pain you?" asked the medical gentleman, placing his hand +on the injured part. + +"It does not exactly pain me, but it feels rather sore. I think I will +get up, and see how that affects me." + +Somers got up, and immediately came to the conclusion that he was not +very badly damaged; and the surgeon was happy to corroborate his +opinion. With the exception of a soreness over the left temple, he felt +pretty well. The blow from the iron fist of the burly seaman had stunned +him; and the kicks received from the big boots of the assailant had +produced sundry black and blue places on his body, which a man not +accustomed to hard knocks might have looked upon with suspicion, but to +which Somers paid no attention. + +The surgeon had carefully examined him before his consciousness +returned, and was fully satisfied that he had not been seriously +injured. Somers walked across the room two or three times, and bathed +his head with cold water, which in a great measure restored the +consistency of his ideas. He felt a little sore, but he soon became as +chipper and as cheerful as an early robin. His first thought was, that +he had escaped being murdered, and he was devoutly thankful to God for +the mercy which had again spared his life. + +The doctor, after giving him some directions in regard to his head, and +the black and blue spots on his body, left the room. He was a naval +surgeon, a guest in the hotel, and promised to see his patient again in +the morning. + +"How do you feel, Somers?" asked Lieutenant Pillgrim, who sat on the +bed, gazing with interest, not unmixed with anxiety, at his companion. + +"I feel pretty well, considering the hard rap I got on the head." + +"You have a hard head, Somers." + +"Why so?" + +"If you had not, you would have been a dead man. The fellow pounded you +with his fist, which is about as heavy as an anvil, and kicked you with +his boots, which are large enough and stout enough to make two very +respectable gunboats." + +"Things are rather mixed in my mind," added Somers, rubbing his head +again, as if to explain how a strong-minded young man like himself +should be troubled in his upper works. + +"I am not surprised at that. You have remained insensible more than half +an hour. I was afraid, before the surgeon saw you, that your pipe was +out, and you had become a D.D. without taking orders." + +"I think I had a narrow escape. What a tiger the fellow was that pitched +into me!" + +"It was all a mistake on his part." + +"Perhaps it was; but that don't make my head feel any better. Who is he, +and what is he?" + +"He is the captain of a coaster. He had considerable money in his +pocket, and he thought you had concealed yourself in his room for the +purpose of robbing him. When he saw that you were an officer in the +navy, he was overwhelmed with confusion, and really felt very bad about +it." + +"I don't know that I blame him for what he did, under the circumstances. +His conclusion was not a very unnatural one. I don't exactly comprehend +how I happen to be in the Continental House, after these stunning +events." + +"Don't you?" said Pillgrim, with a smile. + +"If I had been in condition to expect anything, I should naturally have +expected to find myself, on coming to my senses, in the low groggery +where I received the blows." + +"That is very easily accounted for. I happened to be at the house when +you were struck down. I was in the lower room, and heard the row. With +others I went up to see what the matter was. I had a carriage in the +street, and when I recognized you, the captain of the coaster, at my +request, took you up in his arms like a baby, carried you down into the +street, and put you into the vehicle, and you were brought here. I +presume this will fill up the entire gap in your recollection." + +"It is all as clear as mud now," laughed Somers. "Mr. Pillgrim, I am +very grateful to you for the kind offices you rendered me." + +"Don't mention it, my dear fellow. I should have been worse than a brute +if I had done any less than I did." + +"That may be; but my gratitude is none the less earnest on that account. +Those are villainous people in that house, and I might have been +butchered and cut up, if I had been left there." + +"I think not. The captain of the coaster is evidently an honest man; at +any rate he is very sorry for what he did. But, Somers, my dear +fellow,--you will pardon me if I seem impertinent,--how did you happen +to be in such a place?" continued Mr. Pillgrim, with a certain +affectation of slyness in his look, as though he had caught the +exemplary young man in a house where he would not have been willing to +be seen. + +"How did _you_ happen to be there?" demanded Somers. + +"I don't profess to be a very proper person. I take my whiskey when I +want it." + +"So do I; and the only difference between us is, that I never happen to +want it." + +"I did not go into that house for my whiskey, though. It is rather +strange that we should both happen into such a place at the same time." + +"Rather strange." + +"But I will tell you why I was there," added Pillgrim. "I received a +letter from a wounded sailor, asking me to call upon him, and assist him +in obtaining a pension." + +"Did you, indeed!" exclaimed Somers, amazed at this explanation. "You +have also told how I happened to be there." + +"How was that?" + +"I received just such a letter as that you describe," replied Somers, +taking the dirty epistle from his pocket, which he opened and exhibited +to his brother officer. + +"The handwriting is the same, and the substance of both letters is +essentially the same. That's odd--isn't it?" continued the lieutenant, +as he drew the epistle he had received from his pocket. "I got mine when +I came in, about ten o'clock; and thinking I might go to New York in the +morning for a couple of days, I thought I would attend to the matter at +once." + +Somers took the letters, and compared them. They were written by the +same person, on the same kind of paper, and were both mailed on the same +day. + +"This looks rather suspicious to me," added Pillgrim, reflecting on the +circumstances. + +"Why suspicious?" + +"Why should both of us have been called? Tom Barron claims to have +served with me, as he did with you. I don't remember any such person." + +"Neither do I." + +"Did you find out whether there was any such person at the house as Tom +Barron?" + +"The woman at the bar told me there was a wounded sailor there whose +description answered to that contained in the letter." + +"So she told me. Did you see him?" + +"No." + +"I did not; and between you and me, I don't believe there is any Tom +Barron there, or anywhere else. This business must be investigated," +said Pillgrim, very decidedly. + +Somers did not wish it to be investigated. He was utterly opposed to an +investigation, for he was fearful, if the matter should be "ventilated," +that more would be shown than he was willing to have exhibited at the +present time; in other words, Coles would find out that his enterprising +scheme had been exposed to a third person. + +"I don't care to be mixed up in any revelations of low life, Mr. +Pillgrim; and, as I have lost nothing, and the hard knocks I received +were given under a mistake, I think I would rather let the matter rest +just where it is." + +"Very natural for a young man of your style," laughed the lieutenant. +"You are afraid the people of Pinchbrook will read in the papers that +Mr. Somers has been in bad places." + +"They might put a wrong construction on the case," replied Somers, +willing to have his reasons for avoiding an investigation as strong as +possible. + +"I can hand these letters over to the police, and let the officers +inquire into the matter," added Pillgrim. "They need not call any +names." + +"I would rather not stir up the dirty pool. Besides, Tom Barron and his +mother may be in the house, after all. There is no evidence to the +contrary." + +"I shall satisfy myself on that point by another visit to the house. If +I find there is such a person there, I shall be satisfied." + +"That will be the better way." + +Just then it occurred to Somers that Coles might have seen him while he +was insensible, and was already aware that his scheme had miscarried. He +questioned Pillgrim, therefore, in regard to the persons in the bar-room +when he entered. From the answers received he satisfied himself that +the conspirators had departed before the "row" in the front room +occurred. + +"Now, Somers, I am going down to that house again before I sleep," said +the lieutenant. "This time, I shall take my revolver. Will you go with +me?" + +"I don't feel exactly able to go out again to-night. My head doesn't +feel just right," replied Somers, who, however, had other reasons for +keeping his room, the principal of which was the fear that he might meet +Coles there, and that, by some accident, his presence in the front room +during the conference might be disclosed. + +"I think you are right, Somers. You had better keep still to-night," +said Pillgrim. "Shall I send you up anything?" + +"Thank you; I don't need anything." + +"A glass of Bourbon whiskey would do you good. It would quiet your +nerves, and put you to sleep." + +"Perhaps it would, but I shall lie awake on those terms." + +"Don't be bigoted, my dear fellow. Of course I prescribe the whiskey as +a medicine." + +"You are no surgeon." + +"It would quiet your nerves." + +"Let them kick, if nothing but whiskey will quiet them," laughed Somers. +"Seriously, Mr. Pillgrim, I am very much obliged to you for your +kindness, and for your interest in me; but I think I shall be better +without the whiskey than with it." + +"As you please, Somers. If you are up when I return, I will tell you +what I find at the house." + +"Thank you; I will leave my door unfastened." + +Mr. Pillgrim left the room to make his perilous examination of the +locality of his friend's misfortunes. Somers walked the apartment, +nervous and excited, considering the events of the evening. He then +seated himself, and carefully wrote out the statement of Coles in regard +to the Ben Nevis, and the method by which he purposed to operate in +getting her to sea as a Confederate cruiser, with extended memoranda of +all the conversation to which he had listened. Before he had finished +this task, Lieutenant Pillgrim returned. + +"It is all right," said he, as he entered the room. + +"What's all right?" + +"There is such a person as Thomas Barron. The facts contained in the +letters are essentially true." + +"Then no investigation is necessary," replied Somers, with a feeling of +relief. + +"None whatever; to-morrow I will see that the poor fellow is sent to the +hospital, and his mother provided for." + +Mr. Pillgrim, after again recommending a glass of whiskey, took his +leave, and Somers finished his paper. He went to bed, and in spite of +the fact that he had drank no whiskey, his nerves were quiet, and he +dropped asleep like a good Christian, with a prayer in his heart for the +"loved ones at home" and elsewhere. + +The next morning, though he was still quite sore, and his head felt +heavier than usual, he was in much better condition, physically, than +could have been expected. After breakfast, as he sat in the parlor of +the hotel, he was accosted by a gentleman in blue clothes, with a very +small cap on his head. + +"An officer of the navy, I perceive," said the stranger, courteously. + +"How are you, Langdon?" was the thought, but not the reply, of Somers. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N. + + +The gentlemanly individual who addressed Somers wore the uniform of an +English naval officer. By easy and gentle approaches, he proceeded to +make himself very agreeable. He was lavish in his praise of the +achievements of the "American navy," and was sure that no nation on the +face of the globe had ever displayed such skill and energy in creating a +war marine. Somers listened patiently to this eloquent and just tribute +to the enterprise of his country; and if he had not suspected that the +enthusiastic speaker was playing an assumed character, he would have +ventured to suggest that the position of John Bull was rather equivocal; +that a little less admiration, and a little more genuine sympathy, would +be more acceptable. + +"We sailors belong to the same fraternity all over the world," said the +pretended Englishman. "There is something in sailors which draws them +together. I never meet one without desiring to know him better. Allow me +to present you my card, and beg the favor of yours in return." + +He handed his card to Somers, who read upon it the name of "Lieutenant +Wynkoop, R. N." It was elaborately engraved, and our officer began to +have some doubts in regard to his new-found acquaintance, for the card +could hardly have been got up since the interview of the preceding +evening. This gentleman might not be Langdon, after all; but whether he +was or not, it was proper to treat him with respect and consideration. +Somers wrote his name on a blank card, and gave it to him. + +"Thank you, Mr. Somers: here is my hand," said Lieutenant Wynkoop, when +he had read the name. "I am happy to make your acquaintance." + +Somers took the offered hand, and made a courteous reply, to the +salutations of the other. + +"May I beg the favor of your company to dinner with me in my private +parlor to-day?" continued Mr. Wynkoop. "I have a couple of bottles of +fine old sherry, which have twice made the voyage to India, sent to me +by an esteemed American friend residing in this city." + +"Thank you, Mr. Wynkoop. To the dinner I have not the slightest +objection; to the wine I have; and I'm afraid you must reserve it for +some one who will appreciate it more highly than I can. I never drink +wine." + +"Ah, indeed?" said the presumed representative of the royal navy, as he +adjusted an eye-glass to his left eye, keeping it in position by +contracting the muscles above and below the visual member, which gave a +peculiar squint to his expression, very trying to the risibles of his +auditor. + +"I should be happy to dine with you, but I don't drink wine," repeated +Somers, in good-natured but rather bluff tones, for he did not wish to +be understood as apologizing for his total abstinence principles. + +"I should be glad to meet you in my private parlor, say, at four +o'clock, whether you drink wine or not, Mr. Somers." + +"Four o'clock?" + +"It's rar-ther early, I know. If you prefer five, say the word," drawled +Mr. Wynkoop. + +"I should say that would be nearer supper time than four," replied +Somers, who had lately been in the habit of dining at twelve in +Pinchbrook. + +"Earlier if you please, then." + +"Any hour that is convenient for you will suit me." + +"Let it be four, then. But I must acknowledge, Mr. Somers, I am not +entirely unselfish in desiring to make your acquaintance. The operations +of the American navy have astonished me, and I wish to know more about +it. I landed in New York only a few days since, and I improve every +opportunity to make the acquaintance of American naval officers. I have +not yet visited one of your dock yards." + +"I am going over to look at my ship this forenoon, and I should be +delighted with your company." + +"Thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Mr. Wynkoop. "I shall be under great +obligations to you for the favor." + +They went to the navy yard, visited the Chatauqua, and other vessels of +war fitting out there. Mr. Wynkoop asked a thousand questions about +ships, engines, and armaments; and one could hardly help regarding him +as the most enthusiastic admirer of naval architecture. Though the +gentleman spoke in affected tones, Somers had recognized the voice of +Langdon. This was the person, without a doubt, who was to lure him into +the Confederate navy, who was to crown his aspirations with a +commander's commission, and reward his infidelity with the command of a +fine steamer. + +Somers was very impatient for the inquiring member of the royal navy to +make his proposition; for, strange as it may seem to the loyal reader, +he had fully resolved to accept the brilliant offers he expected to +receive; to permit Coles to place the name of "John Somers" in the blank +of the commander's commission which he had in his possession; and even +to take his place on the quarter deck of the Ben Nevis, if it became +necessary to carry proceedings to that extent. + +But Lieutenant Wynkoop did not even allude to the Confederate navy, or +to the Ben Nevis, and did not even attempt to sound the loyalty of his +companion. Somers concluded at last that this matter was reserved for +the after-dinner conversation; and as he could afford to wait, he +continued to give his friend every facility for prosecuting his +inquiries into the secret of the marvellous success of the "American +navy." + +After writing out his statement of Coles's plans, he had carefully and +prayerfully considered his duty in relation to the startling information +he had thus accidentally obtained. Of course he had no doubt as to what +he should do. He must be sure that the Ben Nevis was handed over to the +government; that Coles and Langdon were put in close quarters. He only +inquired how this should be done. Though the Snowden and the Theban had +been captured in the former instance, both Kennedy and Coles had escaped +punishment, and one of them was again engaged in the work of pulling +down the government. + +If he gave information at the present stage of the conspiracy, his plans +might be defeated. Though Coles had mentioned no names, it was more than +probable that he was aided and abetted in his treasonable projects by +other persons. There were traitors in Boston, New York, and +Philadelphia, men of wealth and influence, occupying high positions in +society, who were engaged in just such enterprises as that which had +been revealed to the young naval officer. + +Somers felt, therefore, that a premature exposure might ruin himself +without overthrowing the conspirators. A word from one of these +influential men might lay him on the shelf, to say the least, and remove +all suspicion from the guilty ones. He must proceed with the utmost +caution, both for his own safety and the success of his enterprise. + +Besides, he felt that, if he could get "inside of the ring," he should +find out who the great men were that were striking at the heart of the +nation in the dark. By obtaining the confidence of the conspirators, he +could the more easily baffle them, and do the country a greater service +than he could render on the quarter deck of the Chatauqua. + +After an earnest and careful consideration of the whole matter, he +concluded that his present duty was to pay out rope enough to permit +Coles and his guilty associates to hang themselves. For this purpose, he +was prepared to receive Langdon with open arms, to accept the commission +intended for him, and to enter into the secret councils of his country's +bitterest enemies. + +Somers, pure and patriotic in his motives, did not for a moment consider +that he exposed himself to any risk in thus entering the councils of the +wicked, or even in taking a commission in the service of the enemy. He +did not intend to aid or abet in the treason of the traitors, and he did +not think what might be the result if a rebel commission were found upon +his person. He might be killed in battle with this damning document in +his pocket. If any of the conspirators were caught, they might denounce +him as one of their number. He did not think of these things. He was +ambitious to serve his treason-ridden country, and he forgot all about +himself. + +It was half past three when Somers and Wynkoop returned to the hotel +from their visit to the navy yard. Langdon had evidently been in +England, for he insisted upon calling it a "dock yard." They separated +to dress for dinner, as the courtly John Bull expressed it. At four they +met again in the private parlor, where an elegant dinner was served, and +where Mr. Wynkoop sipped his sherry "which had twice made the voyage to +the East Indies," though it probably came from the cellar of the hotel. +When the coffee had been brought in, and the waiters had retired, the +representative of the royal navy lighted his cigar, and began, in a very +moderate way, to express some slight admiration for the skill and +prowess of the rebels. Somers helped him along until he became a +thorough rebel. + +"With all my admiration for the American navy, Mr. Somers, I find there +is a great deal of injustice towards the officers, especially the +younger ones," continued Mr. Wynkoop, after he had sufficiently +indicated his sympathy for the "noble and gallant people who were +struggling against such hodds in the South."--The lieutenant +occasionally pressed an _h_ into use where it was not needed--probably +to be entirely consistent with himself. + +"That's true; and I have suffered from it myself," replied Somers, +determined that his companion should want no inducement to make his +proposition as soon as he was ready. + +"I don't doubt it, Mr. Somers;" and Mr. Wynkoop stated some instances +which had come to his knowledge. + +Somers then gave a list of his own imaginary grievances, and professed +to be greatly dissatisfied with his present position and prospects. + +"I think you would do better in the Confederate navy," said the +lieutenant, warmly. + +"Perhaps I should." + +"Whichever side you fight for, you fight for your own country." + +"That's true." + +"When the South wins,--as win she will,--all who fought against her, +will be like prophets in their own country--without honor. In less than +two months the independence of the Confederate States will be +acknowledged by England and France. I happen to know this." + +"It would not surprise me." + +"My uncle, the Earl of--never mind; I won't mention his name--my uncle, +who is an intimate friend of Palmerston, told me so." + +Somers was rather glad to hear it, for it would bring the desolating war +to a close. Mr. Wynkoop hesitated no longer. He approached the real +business of the meeting rapidly, and in a few moments the commander's +commission was on the table. The offer was made, and Somers, with such +apparent qualms of conscience as a naval officer might be expected to +exhibit on deserting his flag, accepted the proposition. Mr. Wynkoop +went into his sleeping apartment, adjoining the parlor, with the +commission in his hand. + +He returned in a moment with the name of "John Somers," filled in the +blank space left for that purpose, and handed it to his guest. + +Somers shuddered when he saw his name written upon such an infernal +document; for though he was still true to God, his country, and himself, +the paper had an ugly look. But he regarded it only as evidence against +the conspirators, rather than against himself; as a necessary formality +to enable him to frustrate the designs of traitors, rather than as a +blot against his own name. + +"Mr. Somers, I congratulate you. If you could be induced to join me in a +glass of this old sherry, we would drink to the success of the +Louisiana--for that is to be the name of your craft when you get to +sea." + +"I thank you, Mr. Wynkoop; you must excuse me." + +"As you please. Mr. Somers, though I am an Englishman, and belong to the +royal navy, it is hardly necessary for me to say now, that I am in the +service of the South. I go with you in the Louisiana, as a passenger. +Your first work will be to capture one of the California steamers, which +I am to transform into a man-of-war, and call the Texas. She will be +under my command." + +"I am satisfied." + +"By the way, Captain Somers," added Wynkoop, as he took a paper from his +pocket, "here is the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States of +America, which it will be necessary for you to sign." + +This was more than Somers had bargained for, and he would have cut off +his right hand, or permitted his head to be severed from his body, +rather than put his signature to the detested paper. A cold chill crept +through his veins, as he glanced at the sheet on which it was printed, +and he was afraid all he had done would fail because he could not do +this thing. + +Lieutenant Wynkoop brought a pen and ink from his sleeping apartment, +and placed it by the side of his guest. + +"I would rather not sign this just now," said Somers. "It might get me +into trouble." + +"Very well; we will attend to that after you get on board of the Ben +Nevis," replied Wynkoop, as he took the oath and the commission, with +the pen and ink, and went into his chamber again. + +He was absent several minutes this time, and Somers had an opportunity +to review his position. + +"Here is your commission, Captain Somers," said the lieutenant, as he +placed the document on the table. "On the whole, I think you had better +sign the oath now." + +"I think it will do just as well when we get off." + +"Perhaps it will; here are your orders," said he, handing Somers +another paper, and placing that containing the oath on the table. + +At this moment, Somers heard a step in the direction of the bedroom. He +turned, with surprise, to see who it was, for he had heard no one enter. + +"Ah, Somers, I am glad to see you," said the new arrival, stepping up to +the table, and glancing at the papers which lay open there. + +It was Lieutenant Pillgrim. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +LANGDON'S LETTERS. + + +It had been no part of Somers's purpose to bear the whole responsibility +of the transactions in which he had so promptly engaged. Mr. Waldron +would return in a few days, and on his arrival, the overburdened young +officer intended to confide the momentous secret to him, receiving the +benefit of his advice and support in the great business he had +undertaken. + +After the kind treatment he had received at the hands of Lieutenant +Pillgrim, he was rather disposed to make him a confidant; but he knew so +little about his travelling companion, that though he had no question +about his fidelity and honor, he was not quite willing to stake +everything on his judgment and discretion, as he must do, if he opened +the subject to him. + +Somers was not a little surprised to see Mr. Pillgrim enter the parlor +in that unceremonious way. It indicated a degree of intimacy between the +two gentleman that gave him an unpleasant impression, which, however, he +had no time to follow out to its legitimate issue. + +"Excuse me, Mr. Wynkoop," said Lieutenant Pillgrim, as he paused at the +side of the table, "for entering in this abrupt manner. I have been +knocking at your door for some time, without obtaining a response." + +"You went to the wrong door. That's my bedroom." + +"So I perceive, now." + +"But there is no harm done; on the contrary, I am very glad to see you. +Sit down and take a glass of wine with me. Mr. Somers does not indulge." + +"Mr. Somers is a very proper young man," said the lieutenant, with a +pleasant smile, as he glanced again at the papers which lay open on the +table. "I have been looking for you, Somers, but it was only to ask you +what the prospect is on board the Chatauqua. I have not been on board +to-day." + +"I think we shall be wanted by to-morrow or next day," replied Somers, +who could not help seeing that the eye of his superior officer was fixed +on the commander's commission, which lay open before him. + +"Indeed! I am glad to know this, for I had made up my mind to go to New +York in the morning. Of course I shall not go." + +"Sit down, Mr.--Really, sir, you must excuse me, but I have forgotten +your name," said Mr. Wynkoop. + +"Lieutenant Pillgrim--at your service. It is not very surprising that +you should forget it, since we have met but once; not half so +surprising as that I should force myself into your rooms, on so short an +acquaintance." + +"Don't mention it, my dear fellow. We sailors are brothers all over the +world. Sit down, and take a glass of sherry with me. It's a capital +wine--made two voyages to India." + +"Excuse me, Mr. Wynkoop; I merely called to invite you to spend the +evening with me. I have a plan that will use up two or three hours very +pleasantly." + +"Thank you, Mr. Pillgrim. You are a friend in need, and a friend +indeed." + +"I see that you and Mr. Somers have business, and I will take my leave." + +"I should be happy to have you remain, but if you will not, I will join +you in half an hour in the reading-room. Better sit down, and wait +here." + +"I will not interrupt your business with Mr. Somers," replied Lieutenant +Pillgrim, again glancing curiously at the documents on the table. + +Greatly to the relief of Somers, his fellow-officer left the room. This +visit had been a most unfortunate one, for the lieutenant could not have +avoided seeing the nature of the papers on the table. But as Somers was +a true and loyal man, his conscience accused him of no wrong, and he had +no fears in regard to the result. This revelation simply imposed upon +him the necessity of making Mr. Pillgrim his confidant, which he +proposed to do at the first convenient opportunity. + +"You think you will not sign the oath to-night, Mr. Somers?" said his +companion. + +"It had better be deferred," replied Somers, as he folded up the +commission, and put it in his pocket, regarding it as the most important +evidence in his possession against Coles, and a sufficient confirmation +of the truth of the statement he had so carefully written out the night +before. + +"Suit yourself, Somers. We shall not differ about these small matters," +added Wynkoop, as he folded up the oath, and put it in his pocket. "By +the way, Somers, what do you think of our friend Pillgrim?" + +"He is a fine fellow, and I am told he is a good officer. I was not +aware that you knew him." + +"I have only met him once, just as I met you. How do you think he stands +affected towards our cause?" + +"Not well." + +"So I feared." + +"He is a loyal man, though a Virginian." + +"Do you think I could make anything of him?" + +"I am satisfied you could not." + +"I did not dare to try him. I gave him a chance to nibble at my bait, +but he wouldn't bite. Perhaps, when I know him better, he will come +round; for I don't think there are many of these Yankee officers that +have any real heart in their work." + +"You are utterly mistaken," said Somers; but remembering that he was +hardly in a position to defend his loyal comrades in the navy, he did +not seriously combat the proposition of the rebel emissary. + +As the business of the interview was now finished, Somers shook hands +with his agreeable host--though his heart repelled the act,--and took +leave of him. He hastened to his chamber, agitated and excited by the +strange and revolting scene through which he had just passed. It was +some time before he was calm enough to think coherently of what he had +done, and of the compact he had made. He wished very much to see Mr. +Waldron now; indeed, he felt the absolute necessity of confiding to some +trustworthy person the momentous secret he had obtained, which burned in +his soul like an evil deed. + +If Lieutenant Pillgrim had not actually read his commission when it lay +on the table, he must, at least, have suspected that all was not right +with his shipmate. He must, therefore, confide in him, and without the +loss of another moment, he hastened to his room for this purpose; but +the lieutenant was not there. He searched for him in all the public +rooms of the hotel, but without success. Remembering that his +fellow-officer was to meet Mr. Wynkoop in the reading-room half an hour +from the time they parted, he waited there over an hour, but the +appointment evidently was not kept by either party. + +Somers did not wish to sleep another night without sharing his great +secret with some one; for if anything should happen to him, he reasoned, +the commission and the orders might be found in his possession, and +subject him to very unpleasant suspicions, if they did not expose him to +the actual charge of complicity with the enemies of his country. He +waited in the vicinity of the office till midnight, hoping to see Mr. +Pillgrim; but he did not appear, and he reluctantly retired to his +chamber. + +When he carried his key to the office in the morning, there was a note +in his box, addressed to him. The ink of the direction was hardly dry, +and the lap of the envelope was still wet where it had been moistened to +seal it. Somers opened it. He was surprised and startled at its +contents; but the writer had evidently made a mistake in the +superscription. It was as follows:-- + + "MY DEAR PILLGRIM: I have just sent a note to Somers, saying + that the Ben Nevis has sailed,--which is a fact,--and that he + must join her at Mobile, where she will run in a cargo of arms + and provisions. Act accordingly. How is this? + + "LANGDON." + +Both the name and the import of the letter implied that the note was not +intended for Somers, though it was directed to him. The writer had +evidently written two notes, and in his haste had misdirected the +envelopes. + +"My dear Pillgrim!" The note was intended for his fellow-officer. Was +Pillgrim a confederate of Langdon? It looked so, incredible as it +seemed. + +Somers was bewildered for a moment, but he was too good a strategist to +be overwhelmed. Restoring the note to its envelope, he readjusted the +lap, which was still wet, and the letter looked as though it had not +been opened. He returned it to the box under his key, and perceived that +there was also a note in Mr. Pillgrim's box. As soon as the mistake was +discovered, the letters would be changed. He returned to his room to +await the result. + +Somers had made an astounding discovery by the merest accident in the +world. Things were not what they seemed. Mr. Pillgrim had relations of +some kind with Langdon, _alias_ Lieutenant Wynkoop. His entering the +parlor while they were at dinner was not so accidental a circumstance as +it had appeared. Who and what was Lieutenant Pillgrim? The belief that +he had met him somewhere before they came together at Newport, still +haunted Somers; but he was in no better condition now than then to solve +the mystery. + +In half an hour he went down to the office again. The note to Mr. +Pillgrim was gone; but there was one for himself in the box. He took it +out; the direction was not in the same handwriting as before. Mr. +Pillgrim had probably discovered the mistake, and changed the letters, +without a suspicion that the one addressed to himself had been read. +Somers opened the note, which contained the information he expected to +find there in regard to the Ben Nevis, and was signed by Wynkoop. + +Beyond the possibility of a doubt now, Lieutenant Pillgrim was a +confederate of Langdon. Of course, he knew Coles. He was a Virginian, +and it was now certain to Somers, if to no one else, that his loyalty +had been justly suspected. He had doubtless entered the navy again for a +purpose. What that purpose was, remained yet to be exposed. From the +depths of his heart, Somers thanked God that this discovery had been +made; and he determined to put it to good use. He was now more anxious +than before to meet his friend Mr. Waldron, and communicate the +startling information to him. + +From the morning papers he saw that the Ben Nevis, whose name had been +changed to that of a famous Union general, had actually sailed, as +Langdon's note informed him. In the forenoon, he went to the navy yard, +expecting to find the ship ready to go into commission; but he learned +that the bed-plates of her pivot guns had to be recast, and that she +would not be ready for another week. He also learned that his friend Mr. +Waldron had been taken down with typhoid fever at his home, and was then +in a critical condition. + +Somers was not only shocked, but disconcerted by this intelligence, for +it deprived him of the friend and counsellor whom he needed in this +emergency. After careful deliberation, he obtained a furlough of a week, +and went to the home of Mr. Waldron; but the sufferer could not even be +seen, much less consulted on a matter of business. Left to act for +himself, he hastened to New York, and then to Boston, to ascertain what +he could in regard to the Ben Nevis. So far as he could learn, +everything was all right in regard to her. After a short visit to +Pinchbrook, he hastened back to Philadelphia, and found the Chatauqua +hauled out into the stream, and ready to go into commission at once. +Lieutenant Pillgrim and the other officers had already gone on board. +Under these circumstances, Somers had not a moment to see Langdon. He +took possession of his state-room, and at once had all the work he could +do, in the discharge of his duty. + +At meridian the ensign was run up, and the ship went into commission +under the command of Captain Cascabel. Mr. Pillgrim was doing duty as +executive officer, though a substitute for Mr. Waldron was expected +before the ship sailed. Somers was uneasy, and dissatisfied with +himself. He began to feel that he had left a duty unperformed. He had +intended to expose the conspiracy before the Chatauqua sailed, and thus +relieve himself from the heavy responsibility that rested upon him. Yet +to whom could he speak? Mr. Waldron was still dangerously ill. Mr. +Pillgrim was evidently a traitor himself. + +He could give his information to the United States marshal at +Philadelphia; but how could he prove his allegations? Langdon and Coles +he had not seen since his return, and perhaps they were in another part +of the country by this time. He had the commander's commission and the +written orders, but in the absence of the principals, he feared these +would be better evidence against himself than against the conspirators. + +The Ben Nevis had sailed, and the worst she could do at present would be +to run the blockade. The Chatauqua was generally understood to be +ordered to Mobile, where the Ben Nevis was to run in, and fit out for +her piratical cruise. After a great deal of serious reflection, Somers +came to the unsatisfactory conclusion that he must keep his secret. He +could not denounce Mr. Pillgrim as a rebel, with his present +information, without exposing himself to greater peril than the real +criminal. Besides, he was to be with the lieutenant, and he was going to +Mobile. He could watch the traitor, and await the appearance of the Ben +Nevis, when she arrived at the station. + +Somers was not satisfied with this conclusion, but his judgment assured +him his intended course of action was the best the circumstances would +admit. Thus settling the question, he attended to his duty with his +usual zeal and energy. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA. + + +Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on +board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when +he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua. He was now a ward-room +officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in +command of the deck. But in addition to his professional duties, he had +in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make +a judicious use. + +The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties. +He knew the ship from stem to stern, and from keel to truck. He felt +entirely at home, therefore, and hoped soon to merit the approbation of +his superiors. He was formally presented to Captain Cascabel and the +other officers of the ship. He was kindly and cordially greeted by all. +Mr. Pillgrim, as acting first lieutenant, proceeded at once to make out +the watch, quarter, and station bill; and, whatever his political +principles, it must be confessed that he performed this difficult duty +with skill and judgment. + +Every day, until the ship sailed, the crew were exercised at the guns, +and in all the evolutions required for carrying on ship's duty, from +"fire stations" to piping down the hammocks. They made the usual +proficiency, and were soon in condition to work together--to handle the +ship in a tornado, or to meet an enemy. On the fourth day, when Mr. +Pillgrim was superseded by Mr. Hackleford, who was appointed in the +place of Mr. Waldron, everything was in an advanced stage of progress. + +The Chatauqua was a screw steam sloop of war, of the first class. She +carried ten guns, and was about fourteen hundred tons burden. Her +complement of officers and men was about two hundred and fifty, +including forty-two attached to the engineer's department. The ship was +a two-decker. On the upper or spar deck was placed her armament, +consisting of two immense pivot guns and eight broadside guns. + +Below this was the berth deck, on which all the officers and men ate and +slept. The after part was appropriated to the officers, and the forward +part to the men. The former were provided with cabins and state-rooms, +while the latter swung their hammocks to the deck beams over their +heads. + +[Illustration] + +As most of our readers have probably never seen the interior of a ship +of war, we present on the adjoining page a plan of that portion of the +vessel occupied by the officers. The round part is the stern of the +ship, and the diagram includes a little less than one third of the +whole length of the vessel. + + A. The Captain's cabin, to which are attached the six small + apartments on each side of it. + + 1. The Companion-way, or stairs, by which the cabin is reached from + the deck. + + 2, 3. Store-rooms. + + 4. Water-closet. + + 5. Pantry. + + 6, 7. State-rooms. + + B. The Ward-room, in which there is a table, long enough to + accommodate the eight officers who occupy this apartment. + + 8. First Lieutenant's state-room. + + 9. Second " " " + + 10. Third " " " + + 11. Fourth " " " + + 12. Chief Engineer's " " + + 13. Master's " " + + 14. Paymaster's " " + + 15. Surgeon's " " + + 16. First Assistant Engineers' state-room. + + 17. Second Assistant Engineers' room. + + C. The Steerage, occupied by Midshipmen and Masters' Mates. + + D. Third Assistant Engineer's room. + + 18. The Armory. + + 19. Ward-room pantry, through which passes the mizzen-mast. + + 20, 20. Berths. + + 21, 21. Mess store-rooms. + +In the floor of the ward-room, between the state-room, 8 and 12, there +are two scuttles leading down to the magazine, so that, during an +action, all the powder is passed up through this room. Woollen screens +are hung up on each side of these scuttles, when they are opened, to +prevent any spark from being carried down to the powder. + +There are four other scuttles leading down into the hold from the +ward-room to the various store-rooms located there, and several in the +floor abreast of the steerage. + +On the forward part of the berth deck, just abaft the foremast, there +are four state-rooms for the use of the carpenter, gunner, boatswain, +and sailmaker. All persons except those mentioned sleep in hammocks. + +The engine department of the Chatauqua consisted of one chief, two first +assistant, two second assistant, and one third assistant engineers, with +eighteen firemen and eighteen coal heavers. The chief engineer is a +ward-room officer. He has the sole charge of the engine, and all persons +connected with its management, but he keeps no watch. The other +engineers obey the orders of their chief, and are divided into watches. +They attend to the actual working of the engine. The firemen are also +classified, and receive different grades of pay, a portion of them +attending to the oiling of the machinery,--called "oilers,"--while +others superintend or feed the fires, and do other work connected with +the engine and boilers. The coal-heavers convey the fuel from the coal +bunkers to the furnaces. + +Mr. Ensign Somers was the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua, and +occupied the last state-room on the left, as you enter the ward-room. It +was a nice little apartment, and the young officer was as happy as a +lord when he was fully installed in his new quarters. And well might one +who had commenced his naval career as an ordinary seaman, sleeping in a +hammock, and who had never before known anything better than the +confined accommodations of the steerage, have been delighted with his +present comfortable and commodious quarters. + +His state-room was lighted by a bull's eye, or round glass window, which +could be opened in port, or in pleasant weather at sea. The room +contained but one berth, which was quite wide for a ship, supplied with +an excellent mattress; and one who could not sleep well in such a bed +must be troubled with a rebellious conscience. There was also a bureau, +the upper drawer of which, when the front was dropped down, became a +convenient writing desk, supplied with small drawers, shelves, and +pigeon-holes. The room was carpeted, and contained all that a reasonable +man could require to make him comfortable and happy. + +There was only one drawback upon the happiness of Somers; and that was +the absence of Mr. Waldron. There was not one among the officers whom he +could now call by the endearing name of friend, though all of them were +good officers and gentlemanly men, and he had no reason to anticipate +any difficulty with any of them, unless it was with Mr. Pillgrim. He +sighed for the friendly guidance and the genial companionship of the +late commander of the Rosalie, especially in view of the embarrassing +circumstances which surrounded him. + +But it was some compensation to know that his old shipmate, Tom +Longstone, had been promoted to the rank of boatswain, and ordered to +the Chatauqua. The old man's splendid behavior in Doboy Sound had +enabled Mr. Waldron to secure this favor for him, and to obtain his +appointment to his own ship. Mr. Longstone, as he must hereafter be +called, came on board in a uniform of bright blue, and his dress so +altered his appearance that Somers hardly recognized him. The old salt +had always been very careful about "putting on airs," when he was a +common sailor or a petty officer; but he knew how to be a gentleman, and +his new dignity sat as easily upon him as though he had been brought up +in the ward-room. Though he looked well, and carried himself like an +officer, he could not immediately adapt his language to his new +position. He was a representative sailor, and he could not help being +"salt." + +The boatswain was Somers's only real friend on board, and the distance +between a ward-room officer and a forward officer was so great that he +was not likely to realize any especial satisfaction from the friendship; +but it was pleasant to know that there was even one in the ship who was +devoted to him, heart and soul. + +"All hands, up anchor!" piped the boatswain; and it was a pleasant sound +to the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua, as doubtless it was to all +hands, for "lying in the stream" is stupid work to an expectant crew. + +The ship got under way with all the order and regularity which prevail +on board a man-of-war, and in a short time was standing down the +Delaware River. Her great guns pealed the customary salute, and as the +wind was fair, her top-sails and top-gallant-sails were shaken out as +soon as she had passed from the narrow river into the broad bay. Off the +capes the sealed orders were opened; and it proved, as the knowing ones +had anticipated, that the Chatauqua was bound to the blockading station +off Mobile Bay. + +At eight o'clock in the evening the ship was out of sight of land. +Everything on board was in regular sea trim. Mr. Garboard, the third +lieutenant, had the deck, and the other officers were in the ward-room, +or in their state-rooms. They were discussing the merits of the ship, or +the probable work before them at Mobile; for a great naval attack in +that quarter was confidently predicted. The "Old Salamander," "Brave +Old Salt," as Admiral Farragut was familiarly called, was understood to +be making preparations for one of his tremendous onslaughts. + +Somers was occupied in his state-room, putting his books, papers, and +clothing in order, which he had not had time to do before to his +satisfaction. He placed his Testament on the bureau, where it could be +taken up for a moment without delay, and where it would constantly +remind him of his duty, and of the loved ones at home, with whom the +precious volume seemed to be inseparably associated. + +Among his papers were the rebel commission, the written orders, and the +statement he had made of the interview between Coles and Langdon, which +had been extended so as to contain a full account of his conference with +"Mr. Wynkoop," and his inquiries into the character of the Ben Nevis, in +Boston and New York. These documents brought forcibly to his mind his +relations with Lieutenant Pillgrim, who was still a mystery to him. +Since Somers had come on board of the Chatauqua, not a syllable had been +breathed about the dinner with the "officer of the royal navy." As Mr. +Pillgrim doubtless believed he had changed the letters, and thus +corrected his confederate's mistake, before the letter intended for him +had fallen into Somers's hand, the lieutenant had no reason to suppose +his treasonable position was even suspected. + +Somers felt that he had a battle to fight with Mr. Pillgrim, and the +suspense was intolerable, not to mention the hypocrisy and deceit which +this double character required of him. Now, more than before, he +regretted the absence of Mr. Waldron, who would have been a rock of +safety and strength to him in the trials that beset him. While he was +moodily overhauling his papers, and thinking of his difficult situation, +Mr. Pillgrim knocked at the door of his room, and was invited to enter. + +"Ah, making stowage, are you, Somers?" said the lieutenant, pleasantly. + +"Yes, sir; putting things to rights a little." + +"It's a good plan to have everything in its place," added Pillgrim, as +he took up the little Testament which lay on the bureau. "You are a good +boy, I see, and read the book." + +"That was given me by my mother, and I value it very highly." + +"Then I shouldn't think you would want to wear it out." + +"She gave it to me to use, and I am afraid, if she saw it was not soiled +by handling, she would think it had not been well used." + +"I am glad you use it. I don't fail to read mine morning and evening." + +Somers could not believe him, and he could not see that a traitor to his +country should have any use for the New Testament. + +"By the way, Somers, did you see your friend Wynkoop again before we +sailed?" added Mr. Pillgrim. + +"I did not; I have not seen him since we dined together. I judge that +you were better acquainted with him than I was." + +"My acquaintance with him was very slight. By the papers I saw on the +table before you, when you were at dinner, I think you made good use of +the short time you knew each other." + +"To what do you allude?" asked Somers, now assured that Mr. Pillgrim +knew the nature of the papers. + +"To your commission as a commander in the Confederate navy. Mr. Somers, +I could not believe my eyes." + +"Were you very much astonished?" + +"If I had been told that President Lincoln had gone over to the rebels, +I should not have been more astonished. Your conduct has severely +embarrassed me. It was my duty to denounce you as a traitor, in the +service of the enemy, but--" + +At that instant the rattle of the drum, beating to quarters, caused both +of them to hurry on deck. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +IN THE STATE-ROOM. + + +Somers took his station on the quarter deck, near the mizzen-mast, while +Mr. Pillgrim went forward to the forecastle. The guns were cast loose, +and the crew exercised at quarters for a few moments, just as though +there were an enemy's ship near. This manoeuvre was executed for the +purpose of perfecting the officers and crew in discipline; and it is not +an uncommon thing to turn up all hands in the dead of the night for this +object, for it is easier to correct mistakes at such times than when in +the presence of the enemy. As there was no Confederate ship in sight, +all hands were presently piped below, and Somers returned to his +state-room, where he was soon joined by Mr. Pillgrim, who evidently +wished to prolong the conversation which had been commenced before the +ship beat to quarters. + +"Mr. Somers you and I have been friends for some little time," the +lieutenant began, "and I confess that I have been deeply interested in +you, not only on your own account, but for the sake of our friends at +Newport." + +"Thank you, Mr. Pillgrim," said Somers, as the gentleman paused. "I am +greatly obliged to you, and I hope I shall always merit your good +opinion." + +"I'm afraid not, my young friend; at least, you have not commenced this +cruise very well, having first sold yourself to the enemy." + +"Do you think I have done that, Mr. Pillgrim?" demanded Somers, not a +little excited by the charge, from such a source. + +"I know you have. I saw your commission on the table." + +"I took the commission, I grant, but I have no intention of using it." + +"Why did you take it then?" + +"For the purpose of gaining information." + +"Have you gained it?" demanded Mr. Pillgrim, with a hardly perceptible +sneer. + +"I have." + +"You received written orders, also." + +"I did; and if I had obtained a foothold on the deck of the vessel to +which I was ordered, you would have seen how quick I should have passed +her over to my government." + +"That is a very plausible explanation, Mr. Somers," added the +lieutenant. "But why did you sign the oath of allegiance to the Southern +Confederacy?" + +"I did not." + +"I beg your pardon, but I saw the document with your signature affixed +to it." + +"You are mistaken, Mr. Pillgrim." + +"Can I refuse to believe the evidence of my own eyes?" + +"Nevertheless, I must persist in saying that I did not sign the oath." + +"After what you have done, Mr. Somers, I could hardly expect you to +acknowledge it to a loyal officer. Are you aware that any court martial +would convict you, on the evidence against you, of treason, and sentence +you to death?" + +"I think not, when it was made to appear that all I did was in the +service of my country." + +Somers shuddered when he thought of a traitor's doom, and for the first +time realized that he had accumulated more evidence against himself than +against the conspirators. The commander's commission and the written +orders were almost, if not quite, enough to hang him. + +"You don't believe what you say, Mr. Somers, and of course you cannot +expect me to believe it," said Pillgrim, when he saw his brother officer +musing, and looking rather anxious. + +"I speak the truth, Mr. Pillgrim," replied Somers, unable to turn his +attention entirely away from the consequences which might follow some of +these appearances against him. + +"Somers, I have felt a deep interest in you. I have all along desired to +be your friend. This is the only reason why I did not prefer charges +against you before the ship sailed. Now, I advise you not to deny what +is as plain as truth can make it. I am your friend. Own up to me, and I +promise never to betray you." + +"Would your friend Langdon, _alias_ Lieutenant Wynkoop, R. N., be +equally considerate?" asked Somers, provoked into making this unguarded +remark by the hypocrisy of Pillgrim. + +If the second lieutenant of the Chatauqua had received the bolt from a +thunder cloud he could not have been more astonished. He started back, +turned pale, and quivered with emotion. + +"Who?" demanded he, with a tremendous effort to recover his +self-possession. + +"Do you think, Mr. Pillgrim, that I am a little lamb, that can be led +round with a silken string?" replied Somers, with energy. "You are my +superior officer, and as such I will respect and obey you +until--until--" + +"Until what?" + +"Until the day of reckoning comes. When you stand up in my presence and +charge me with being a traitor to my country, you had better remember +that such charges, like chickens, will go home to roost." + +"I was not brought up in a barn yard, Mr. Somers, and such comparisons +are beyond my comprehension." + +"Wherever you were brought up, I think my language is plain enough to be +understood by a person of your intelligence." + +Perhaps it was fortunate for both parties that a knock at the state-room +door disturbed the conference at this exciting moment. Somers opened the +door. + +"Mr. Hackleford desires to see Mr. Somers on deck," said a midshipman. + +"Excuse me for a few moments, Mr. Pillgrim," said Somers, as he closed +his desk and locked it. + +"Certainly, sir; but I should be happy to see you when you are +disengaged. I will remain here if you please." + +"I will join you as soon as I can." + +It was warm below, and both Pillgrim and Somers had thrown off their +coats, and laid them on the bed. Somers slipped on his own, as he +supposed, and hastened on deck to meet the first lieutenant. The garment +seemed rather large for him, and there were several papers in the breast +pocket which did not belong to him. Then he was aware that he had taken +the second lieutenant's coat instead of his own. + +Mr. Hackleford wished to obtain some information from him in regard to +one of the petty officers, and when Somers had answered the questions he +went below again. The papers in the pocket of Pillgrim's coat seemed to +burn his fingers when he touched them. The owner was a traitor, and +perhaps these documents might contain valuable intelligence. Under +ordinary circumstances it would have been the height of perfidy to look +at one of them; but, in the present instance, he felt justified in +glancing at them. The state-room of the second assistant engineers was +open and lighted, but neither of these officers was there. Stepping into +the room, he opened the papers and glanced at their contents. Only one +of them contained anything of importance. This was a note from a person +who signed himself simply "Irvine," but it was in the handwriting of +Langdon. The only clause in the epistle that was intelligible to Somers +was this: "Have just heard from B----. The Ben Nevis, he says, will make +Wilmington after leaving St. John. Plenty of guns there. She will sail +July 4." + +Whether "B----" meant Boston or some person's name, Somers could not +determine; but the fact in regard to the Ben Nevis was of the utmost +consequence. Hastily folding up the note, he returned the package of +papers to the pocket where he had found them. Taking off the coat as he +entered the ward-room, he went into the state-room, where Mr. Pillgrim +was still waiting for him, with the garment on his arm. He threw it upon +the bed as he entered, and his companion was not even aware of the +mistake which had been made. + +"Mr. Somers, you were making some grave charges against me when you were +called away," said the lieutenant. + +"Not half so grave as those you made against me," replied Somers. + +"Those can be proved." + +"I made no charges. I only mentioned the name of your friend Langdon." + +"I don't know him," added Pillgrim, doggedly. + +"I beg your pardon, as you did mine, just now." + +"Which means that you doubt my word." + +"As you did mine." + +"Somers, I am not to be trifled with," said Pillgrim, sternly. + +"Neither am I." + +"Be cautious, or I will denounce you to the captain at once," added the +lieutenant, in low and threatening tones. + +"Proceed, and then I shall be at liberty to take the next step." + +"What's that?" + +"Do you think I intend to show you my hand?" said Somers, with a meaning +smile. + +Pillgrim bit his lip with vexation. He seemed to be completely cornered. +He evidently believed that his companion knew more than "the law +allows." + +"Mr. Pillgrim, I am no traitor; you know this as well as I do. Whatever +papers I took from your friend Langdon, _alias_ Wynkoop, were taken with +a view to serve my country." + +"You signed the oath of allegiance he offered you." + +"It is false!" replied Somers, angrily. + +"Be calm, Mr. Somers. I am no hypocrite, as you are," added Pillgrim. "I +have heard that you have a talent for overhearing other people's +conversation." + +"In the service of my country I am willing to do even this," said +Somers, indignantly. + +"No matter about that. You have hinted that I am a traitor." + +"If the hint is not sufficient, I declare that such is the fact." + +Somers was roused to a high pitch of excitement, and he was not as +prudent as he was wont to be. He was not playing a part now; he was +talking and acting as he wanted to talk and act. He was calling treason +and treachery by their right names. + +"Explain, Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, who grew cooler as his companion +became hotter. + +"You are in league with the enemies of your country. You and others have +just started a steamer for St. John, which you intend to fit out as a +Confederate cruiser--the Ben Nevis, of which you and your +fellow-conspirators did me the honor to give me the command." + +Pillgrim smiled blandly. + +"And you accepted the command?" + +"For a purpose, I did." + +"You have not explained why you connect me with this affair. You spoke +of some one whom you call Langdon. I don't know him." + +"You--do!" + +"Prove it." + +"He addresses a note to you, calling you 'my dear Pillgrim,' and signs +himself, familiarly, 'Langdon.'" + +"Then you have been reading my letters--have you?" + +"It was addressed to me, and put in my box at the hotel." + +The second lieutenant turned pale, then red. He walked up and down the +state-room several times in silence. He could not deny the fact alleged. +While he walked, Somers explained how he had read the note, and then put +it back in the box. Pillgrim understood it. + +"Of course you know Coles," continued Somers, placing a heavy emphasis +on the name of this worthy. + +The lieutenant halted before his companion, and looked earnestly and +inquiringly into his face. Somers returned his gaze with unflinching +resolution. There was a smile upon his face, for he believed that he had +thrown a red-hot shot into the enemy. + +"Coles!" said Pillgrim. + +"Coles!" repeated Somers. + +"Mr. Somers, you are a fool!" + +"Pray, where were you when human wisdom was distributed?" + +"Do you know Coles?" asked Pillgrim. + +"I think I should know Coles if I saw him." + +"No, you wouldn't." + +"He is the greatest villain that ever went unhung." + +"Except yourself. Somers, this is child's play. You have made me your +enemy, but let us fight it out like men." + +"I will do so with pleasure when you take your place on the deck of a +rebel vessel, where you belong." + +"A truce to child's play, I say again. We must settle this matter here +and now." + +"It can't be done." + +"It must be done, or I will inform Captain Cascabel who and what you are +before the first watch is out. Probably he will wish to see your +Confederate commission and your letter of instructions." + +"When he does, I have something else to show him," replied Somers, whose +answer was sufficiently indefinite to make the traitor look very stormy +and anxious. + +"Can you show him a Confederate oath of allegiance signed by me?" + +"No." + +"Then he will be more likely to hear me than you," added the lieutenant, +whose countenance now looked as malignant as that of a demon. "You have +subscribed to that oath; I have not." + +"It is false!" + +"So you said before." + +"Prove it." + +"Here," continued Pillgrim, taking from his pocket the document which +had been offered to Somers by Wynkoop. + +The young officer glanced at it, and on the line for the signature, he +saw, with horror and indignation, the name of "John Somers," apparently +in his own handwriting. Undoubtedly it was a forgery, but it was so well +done that even the owner of the name could hardly distinguish it from +his usual signature. + +"It is a forgery," gasped Somers, appalled at the deadly peril which +seemed to be in his path. + +"Prove it," said the lieutenant, with a mocking smile. + +Somers groaned in spirit. It would be impossible for him to prove that +the signature was a forgery. Even his best friends would acknowledge it, +so well was it executed. + +"I have you, Somers," said Pillgrim, exultingly. "Let us understand each +other. You are mine, Somers, or you hang! Somers, I am Coles!" + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE CHIEF CONSPIRATOR. + + +Lieutenant Pillgrim rattled off the sentences in which he acknowledged +his complicity with treason with a smile of malignant triumph on his +face. He gloated over his victim as the evil one might be supposed to do +over a soul wrenched from truth and virtue. He believed that he had +Somers in a position where he could not betray him, or even resent his +tyranny. + +For the first time Somers realized that he had been imprudent in +exposing himself to the machinations of these evil men. Before he had +only felt a little uncomfortably, and harbored a vague suspicion that, +in attempting to overreach others, he had committed himself. He had +learned in his babyhood that it is dangerous to play with fire, but had +never believed it so fully as at this moment. He had touched the pitch, +and felt that he had been defiled by it. Though his conscience kept +assuring him he was innocent, and protesting against a harsh judgment, +he could not help regretting that he had not exposed the villains +before he left Philadelphia, and permitted the consequences to take care +of themselves. + +But stronger than any other impression, at this eventful moment, was the +feeling that he was no match for men so deeply versed in treason and +wickedness as Pillgrim and his confederates. He had played at the game +of strategy, and been beaten. While he thought he was leading them on to +confusion, they were actually entwining the meshes of the net around +him. + +Mr. Pillgrim had just declared that he was the mysterious Coles. Somers, +at first, found it very difficult to realize the fact. He had really +seen Coles but once; but they had spent some hours together. At that +time Coles wore long, black whiskers, which concealed two thirds of his +face; Pillgrim wore no beard, not even a mustache. Coles was dressed in +homely garments; Pillgrim, in an elegant uniform. Coles's hair was short +and straight; Pillgrim's, long and curly at the ends. + +In height, form, and proportions, they were the same; and the difference +between Coles and Pillgrim was really nothing which might not have been +produced with a razor, a pair of barber's shears, and the contrast of +dress. The familiarity of the lieutenant's expression, before +unexplained, was now accounted for; and before his tyrant spoke again, +Somers was satisfied that he actually stood in the presence of Coles. + +Pillgrim stood with folded arms, gazing at his victim, and enjoying the +confusion which Somers could not conceal. The persecutor was a confident +man, and fully believed that he was master of the situation, and that +Somers would do anything he asked of him, even to going over into the +rebel ranks. He was mistaken; for Somers, deep as he felt that he was in +hot water, would have chosen to hang at the fore yard-arm, rather than +betray his country, or be false to her interests. + +"You just now remarked that you should know Coles if you saw him," +sneered Pillgrim. + +"I know you now," replied Somers, bitterly. + +"I see you do; but you will know me better before we part." + +"I know you well enough now. You are a rebel and a traitor; and what I +said of Coles I say of you,--that you are the greatest villain that ever +went unhung." + +"I don't like that kind of language, Mr. Somers," replied Pillgrim, with +entire coolness and self-possession. "It isn't the kind of language +which one gentleman should apply to another." + +"Gentleman!" said Somers, with curling lip; "I applied it to a rebel and +a traitor." + +"In the present instance it is mutiny. I am your superior officer." + +"You are out of place; you don't belong here." + +"Your place is on the quarter deck of the Ben Nevis; and perhaps it will +be when she goes into commission as a Confederate cruiser." + +"Never!" exclaimed Somers, with energy. + +"My dear Mr. Somers, be prudent. Some of the officers might hear you." + +"I don't care if they all hear me." + +"You talk and act like a boy, Somers. I beg you to consider that your +neck and mine are in the same noose. If I hang, you hang with me." + +Somers groaned, for he could not see where his vindication was to come +from. + +"You seem to understand your situation, and at the same time you appear +to be quite willing to throw yourself into the fire. Let me call your +attention to the fact that fire will burn." + +"Better burn or hang, than be a traitor." + +"Be reasonable, Somers. I do not propose to ask anything of you which +will compromise your position in the navy; but I repeat, you are mine." + +"I don't understand you." + +"I have told you my secret. You know that I am in the Confederate +service; that I have fitted out a vessel to cruise for Yankee ships. I +am willing you should know this, for you dare not violate my +confidence." + +"Perhaps I dare." + +"If you do, you are a dead man." + +"Will you kill me?" + +"If necessary." + +"I have usually been able to defend myself," replied Somers, with +dignity. + +"I am not an assassin. A court martial will do all I wish done if you +are not prudent and devoted, as you should be. The Confederate oath of +allegiance signed by you is good testimony." + +"I didn't sign it. The signature is a forgery." + +"My dear fellow, what possible difference does that make? It is well +done--is it not?" + +"Perhaps it is. Where did you get it?" + +"Langdon gave it to me." + +"Did he sign my name to it?" + +"Possibly; but even grant that I did it myself--what then?" + +"You are a greater villain than I ever gave Coles the credit of being." + +"Thank you!" + +"Where is Langdon now?" + +"In New York--where he can be reached if you make it necessary to +convene a court martial." + +"Is he a naval officer?" + +"Yes; he has been a Confederate agent in London for the past two years. +Since the English have become a little particular about letting steamers +out for the Confederates, he buys them on this side." + +"What do you want of me, Mr.--Pillgrim? if that is your name?" + +"That is my name. I don't want much of you." + +"What?" + +"I am not ready to tell you until you are in a proper frame of mind. You +are rather childish to-night. After you have thought the matter over, +you will be a man, and be reasonable. Let me see: Garboard has the +forenoon watch to-morrow, and we shall both be off duty after general +quarters. If you please, I will meet you at that time." + +Somers considered a moment, and assented to the proposition. Pillgrim +bade him good night, and retired to his own state-room, apparently +without a fear that his victim would struggle in the trap into which he +had fallen. + +"And into the counsels of the ungodly enter thou not." This text rang in +the mind of Somers, as though some mighty prophet were thundering it +into his ears. He felt that he had already plunged deep enough into the +pit of treason, and he was anxious to get away from it before he was +scorched by the fire, and before the smell of fire clung to his +garments. + +For half an hour the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua sat at his desk, +in deep thought. Though in the matter of which he was thinking, he had +not sinned against his country, or the moral law, he was sorely +troubled. He could not conceal from himself the fact that he was afraid +of Pillgrim. The dread of having his name connected with any treasonable +transaction was hard to overcome. That oath of allegiance, with his +signature forged upon it, haunted him like an evil demon. He felt more +timid and fearful than ever before in his life. His faith in Him who +doeth all things well, seemed to be momentarily shaken, and he was +hardly willing to do justly, and leave the consequences to themselves. + +He felt weak, and being conscious of his weakness, he looked upward for +strength. Leaning on his desk, he prayed for wisdom to know the right, +and for the power to do it. He was in earnest; and though his prayer was +not spoken, it moved his soul down to the depths of his spiritual being. + +Three bells struck while he was thus engaged. He rose from the desk, and +walked up and down the state-room several times. Suddenly he stopped +short. A great thought struck him. In an instant it became a great +resolution. Before it had time to grow cold, he put on his coat and cap, +and went out into the ward-room. Mr. Transit, the master, Mr. Grynbock, +the paymaster, and Dr. De Plesion, the surgeon, were there, discussing +the anticipated attacks on Mobile and Wilmington. Somers felt no +interest in the conversation at this time. He went on deck, where he +found Captain Cascabel and the first lieutenant, smoking their cigars. +Waiting till the captain went below, he touched his cap to Mr. +Hackleford. + +"Mr. Somers?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Not turned in, Mr. Somers? You have the mid-watch." + +"If you will excuse me, sir, for coming to you at such a time, I wish to +have half an hour's conversation with you." + +"With me?" said Mr. Hackleford, apparently much surprised at such a +request at such an hour. + +"Yes, sir. It is a matter of the utmost consequence, or I would not have +mentioned it at this time." + +"Very well, Mr. Somers; I am ready to hear you." + +"Excuse me, sir; I would rather not introduce the matter on deck." + +"Well, come to my state-room." + +"To my state-room, if you please, Mr. Hackleford." + +"Why not mine?" + +"I am afraid the person most deeply concerned will overhear me. His room +is next to yours." + +"Mr. Pillgrim?" exclaimed the first lieutenant. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Mr. Somers, I have a high regard for you as an officer and a gentleman, +and I am not unacquainted with your past history. I hope you have +nothing to say which will reflect on a brother officer." + +"I have, sir." + +"Then I advise you to think well before you speak." + +"I am entirely prepared to speak, sir." + +"Complaints against superior officers, Mr. Somers, are rather +dangerous." + +"It is not personal, sir, though I may be the sufferer for making it." + +Mr. Hackleford led the way down to the ward-room. The officers had +retired to their apartments, and there was no one to see them enter the +state-room. As it was now nearly ten o'clock, when all officers' lights +must be extinguished, Somers formally asked and obtained permission to +burn his lamp till eleven o'clock. The first lieutenant entered the +room, and Somers closed the door. + +"Mr. Hackleford, may I trouble you to read this statement?" said Somers, +as he handed out the paper he had so carefully prepared. + +The first lieutenant adjusted his eye-glass, and read the statement +through, asking an explanation of two or three points as he proceeded. +He was deeply absorbed in the narrative, which was drawn up with the +utmost minuteness. + +"This is an infernal scheme, Mr. Somers. I hope you did not permit the +vessel to sail without giving information of her character." + +"The Ben Nevis sailed from New York before I could do anything or say a +word," said Somers, exhibiting Langdon's letter. + +"That was bad. You should have spoken before." + +"My paper explains my reasons for keeping still. Perhaps I was wrong, +sir, but I did the best I knew how." + +"And this vessel is bound to Mobile. We may pick her up." + +"The note says she is bound to Mobile; but it is not true. That is a +blind to deceive me." + +"Why should they wish to deceive you, after giving you their +confidence." + +"I don't know the reason." + +"But what has all this to do with Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Mr. Hackleford. + +"Mr. Pillgrim is the person spoken of in that paper as Coles." + +"Impossible!" ejaculated Mr. Hackleford, springing to his feet. + +"I shall be able to prove it by to-morrow, sir." + +Somers then gave him the substance of the conversation between himself +and Mr. Pillgrim. + +"Why, this Coles wants something of you." + +"Yes, sir; but I don't know what. He engaged to meet me here at four +bells in the forenoon watch to-morrow, when he will tell me what he +wants." + +"Very well, Mr. Somers; meet him as agreed. You have played your part +well. When you come together, you must yield the point; lead him along, +and you will bag him,--and the vessel, I hope." + +"The Ben Nevis will sail from St. John July 4, for Wilmington." + +"Ah, then she is about even with the Chatauqua. I would give a year's +pay for the privilege of catching her." + +Until eleven o'clock the two officers consulted charts, and figured up +the time of the Ben Nevis. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +AFTER GENERAL QUARTERS. + + +At eleven o'clock, when the master-at-arms knocked at the door of the +fourth lieutenant, to inform him that it was time to put out his light, +the calculations in regard to the position of the Ben Nevis had been +made and verified. Mr. Hackleford, after counselling prudence and +precaution, retired to his state-room. Somers threw himself on his cot, +and having eased his mind of the heavy burden which had rested upon it, +he went to sleep. But there was only an hour of rest for him, for at +twelve o'clock he was to take the deck. + +When eight bells struck, he turned out, much refreshed by his short nap, +to relieve Mr. Garboard. It was a beautiful night, with only a gentle +breeze from the westward, and the ship was doing her ten knots without +making any fuss about it. Somers took the trumpet, which the officer of +the deck always carries as the emblem of his office, and commenced his +walk on the weather side. + +Though he carefully watched the compasses, and saw that the sheets were +hauled close home, he could not help thinking of the startling events +which had transpired on the preceding evening. But he was satisfied with +himself now. He had purged himself of all appearance of complicity with +the enemies of his country, and he fully expected that Pillgrim would be +put under arrest within the next forty-eight hours. The consciousness of +duty done made him happy and contented. The first lieutenant had even +praised him for the manner in which he had conducted the delicate +business, and did not lay any stress on the oath of allegiance, or the +commander's commission. + +For his four hours he "planked the deck," thinking of the past and +hopeful of the future. At eight bells he sent a midshipman down to call +Mr. Pillgrim. While he was waiting to be relieved, he could not help +considering what a risk it was to leave that noble ship in the hands of +a traitor; but Somers had given all the information he had to Mr. +Hackleford, and the responsibility did not rest upon himself. The first +lieutenant was an able and discreet officer, and would not permit the +Chatauqua to be imperilled even for a moment. + +"Good morning, Mr. Somers," said Lieutenant Pillgrim, as he came on +deck. + +"Good morning, Mr. Pillgrim," replied Somers, with all the courtesy due +to the quarter deck. + +"A fine morning." + +"Beautiful weather." + +"You have had a good opportunity to think over our business. How do you +feel about it?" + +"Just right, I hope." + +"I am glad to hear it. Have you seen anything of the Ben Nevis?" + +"Of the Ben Nevis! No, sir; I don't expect to see her here." + +"We may," replied Pillgrim, as he took the trumpet. + +"Isn't she going to Mobile?" + +"We'll talk of her during the forenoon watch," added the second +lieutenant, as he turned on his heel and walked forward. + +Somers went below. As he entered the ward-room, Mr. Hackleford came out +of his state-room. This gentleman evidently intended to keep a sharp +lookout for the officer of the deck during his watch. He asked the +relieved officer if anything more had transpired, and the unimportant +conversation which had just taken place was fully reported to him. + +"Mr. Somers, I haven't slept an hour during the night. There are one or +two points in your statement which were a little dark to me," said Mr. +Hackleford. + +"More than that of it is dark to me. I do not profess to understand the +whole of it. I only state the facts from my own point of view." + +"You listened to this talk between Coles and Langdon at the sailors' +boarding-house in Front Street?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"If you saw Coles there, how could--" + +"I didn't see him, sir; I only heard him." + +"That accounts for it," said Mr. Hackleford, musing. "Didn't you +recognize Mr. Pillgrim's voice?" + +"No, sir; I think he changed it; though the two tones were so similar +that I might have recognized it, if I had suspected they were the same +person." + +Mr. Hackleford asked other questions, which Somers answered with strict +regard to the truth, rather than with the intention of removing the +first lieutenant's doubts. He wanted only facts himself, and he was +careful not to distort them, in order to confirm any theory of his own +or of his superior officer. + +Mr. Hackleford went on deck, and Somers turned in. He was in condition +to sleep now, and he improved his four hours below to the best +advantage. + +After general quarters, when the crew were dismissed, he went down to +his state-room, prepared to meet Mr. Pillgrim. He was surprised to know +how little curiosity he felt to learn what the traitor wanted and +expected of him. Punctual to the appointed time, which exhibited the +interest he felt in the expected interview, the treacherous second +lieutenant made his appearance. Somers received him as one officer +should receive another, though it was hard work for him to disguise the +contempt and detestation with which he regarded the traitor. + +"Well, Somers, now I am to tell you what I want of you. It isn't much, +as I warned you before; and I am very glad to see that you are in such a +happy frame of mind." + +"I am ready to hear you, and do the best I can," replied Somers, +carefully following the instructions of Mr. Hackleford with regard to +matter and manner. + +He had been cautioned to be ready enough in listening to the chief +conspirator, but not too ready, so as to betray his object. + +"Good! I think you understand me now." + +"I think I do, sir." + +"I am sorry to do it, but it is necessary for me to remind you again +that your fate is in my hands; that a word from me would subject you to +a trial by court martial for treason, and probably to more hemp rope +than would feel good about your neck." + +"Though I don't think I am in so much danger as you represent, I will +grant your position." + +"Don't grant it, if you think it is not correct;" and Mr. Pillgrim +minutely detailed the evidence which could be brought to bear against +him. + +Somers appeared to be overwhelmed by this array of testimony. He +groaned, looked hopeless, and finally granted the traitor's position in +full. + +"I am in your power. Do with me as you will. Of course the moment I put +my foot on a rebel deck I am ruined." + +"You can do as you please about going into the Confederate service. What +I want of you will not compromise you as a loyal man in the slightest +degree." + +"What do you want of me?" + +"Not quite so loud, if you please, Mr. Somers," said the lieutenant, +glancing at the door. "To me, Somers, you have been a thorn. You lost me +the Snowden, and the valuable cargo of the Theban." + +"I only did my duty," pleaded Somers. + +"Bah! don't use that word to me again. Through you a fortune slipped +through my fingers. I should have got the Snowden into Wilmington, if +you had not meddled with the matter. I have lost eighty thousand dollars +by you." + +"Of course I had no ill will against you personally." + +"Very true; if you had, you would have been a dead man before this time. +Phil Kennedy was a fool, but he was my best friend. I have his bond for +forty thousand dollars, which is waste paper just now. Phil fell by your +hand." + +"It was in fair fight." + +"Nonsense! What matter is it to me how he fell, whether it was in fair +fight or foul? He is dead; that is all." + +"What has all this to do with me?" asked Somers, with seeming +impatience. + +"Much, my dear fellow. Phil was to marry Kate Portington; was to pocket +her fortune. You have cut him out. You will marry her, and in due time +come into possession of a million. The commodore is apoplectic, and will +not live many years. Do you see my point?" + +"I do not," answered Somers, disgusted with this heartless statement. + +"As you cheated me out of the Snowden, as you killed Phil Kennedy, as +you will marry Kate Portington, I propose that you assume and pay Phil's +bond." + +"I?" + +"Certainly--you; Mr. Somers; Kate's prodigy," laughed Pillgrim. + +"Never!" exclaimed Somers, jumping to his feet. + +"You speak too loud, Mr. Somers." + +"Am I a dog, or a snake, or a toad, that I should do such an unclean +thing?" + +The traitor took from his pocket the oath of allegiance, opened it, and +in silence thrust it into his companion's face. + +"I have sold myself." + +"You have, Somers. Think of it. If I have to make out a case against +you, of course you will never see Kate again. Let me add, that the +commodore sets his life by me. We were old friends before the war. You +may marry his daughter with my consent, but not without it." + +"I never thought of such a thing." + +"Perhaps not. We waste time. Will you sign the bond?" + +"The bond is good for nothing. No court--" + +"That is my affair. If you agree to it, I will run all risks. I trouble +no courts. If you don't pay, I have only to speak, and hang you then." + +"I am lost," groaned Somers. + +"No, you are not. Sign, and you have found fortune and a friend." + +"I dare not sign." + +"You dare not refuse." + +Somers walked up and down the state-room, apparently in great mental +agony. + +"Shall I sign?" said he, in a loud tone, as though he were speaking to +the empty air. + +"Not so loud, man!" interposed Pillgrim, angrily. + +At that instant two light raps were distinctly heard. + +"What's that?" demanded the traitor, greatly alarmed. + +"I will sign it," promptly added Somers, to whom the two raps seemed to +be perfectly intelligible. + +"What was that noise?" asked Pillgrim, fearfully. "Is there any one in +Garboard's state-room?" + +"I think not." + +The second lieutenant was not satisfied. He opened the door and looked +into the adjoining state-room, but there was no person there, and the +ward-room was empty. There was no one within hearing, and the +conspirator recovered his wonted self-possession. + +"You will sign?" said he. + +"I will." + +"I knew you would, and therefore I prepared the document; read it," he +continued, taking a paper from his pocket. + +Somers read. It was simply an agreement to pay forty thousand dollars, +when he married Kate Portington, in consideration of certain assistance +rendered the signer, but without any allusion to the circumstances under +which it was given. As a legal document, of course it was good for +nothing, as both parties well understood. Somers signed it. + +"Now, Mr. Somers, we are friends," said Pillgrim, as he folded up the +paper, and restored it to his pocket. "You have done me a good turn, and +I have done you one." + +Somers, unwilling to regard Pillgrim as a fool, believed that this paper +was intended to ruin him in the estimation of the Portington family, and +that the villain intended to marry her himself when her apparent suitor +was disposed of. + +"Is this all you expect of me?" asked Somers. + +"This is the principal thing. I may have occasion to use you again; if +I do, I shall not hesitate to call upon you. You are in my confidence +now." + +"Will you tell me, then, where the Ben Nevis is bound? I may want to +find her, for I haven't much taste for the old navy now." + +"Ah, you make better progress than I anticipated. She is bound to St. +Marks." + +This was a lie, as Somers well knew. + +"Coles and Langdon said she was to make Mobile." + +"The plan was changed. You must not lay much stress on what you heard +that night. It was all a blind,--or most of it was." + +"Indeed?" + +"The conversation at the house in Front Street was carried on for your +especial benefit," added Pillgrim, laughing and rubbing his hands. +"Langdon wrote both letters about the wounded sailor; there was no such +person. The old woman that kept the house was in my pay. When I spoke so +warmly in your praise to Langdon, I knew that you were listening to all +I said; indeed, I said it to you rather than to Langdon." + +"Why did you tell me beforehand, if you intended to catch me with the +treasonable offer?" asked Somers, rather mortified to learn that he had +been duped from the beginning. + +"I knew you would pretend to accept it. All I wanted was to get you to +take the commission, orders, and oath. As you agreed to sign the +latter, Langdon did it for you, for I could not wait." + +"The Ben Nevis is no humbug?" + +"No; I bought her and two other steamers on the Clyde, in Scotland. The +Ben Nevis was captured, but my friends bought her after she was +condemned. As there had been a great deal said about her in the +newspapers, I used her because it was probable you had heard of her." + +"I had." + +"Everything works as I intended." + +"Not exactly," thought Somers. + +"The captain of the coaster that pounded you that night was Langdon," +laughed Pillgrim. + +"Why was that done?" + +"That I might take you back to the hotel, and be your friend. We did not +intend to hurt you much. It was important that you should think well of +me. You do--don't you?" + +"Of course." + +"All right now; remember you are mine, Somers," said Pillgrim, as he +left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE BEN NEVIS. + + +The Chatauqua rolled along easily on her course during the rest of the +day, until the dog watch, when Mr. Pillgrim had the deck again. Somers, +having discharged his whole duty in reference to the conspiracy, was +content to leave the matter in the hands of Mr. Hackleford, to whom he +had committed it. + +At eight bells, as soon as Somers had been relieved from the afternoon +watch, he was not a little surprised to receive a message from the +captain, inviting him to his cabin. He readily came to the conclusion +that the summons related to the conspiracy. When he entered the cabin, +he saw Captain Cascabel and Mr. Hackleford seated at the table, on which +was spread a general chart of the coast of the United States. + +"Say what you wish to Mr. Somers," said the captain to the first +lieutenant. + +"Mr. Somers, Captain Cascabel has sent for you in relation to the affair +of which we talked in your state-room last night," Mr. Hackleford began. +"All that you have written out in your statement, and all that you told +me, have been fully confirmed." + +"I intended to confine myself strictly to the facts," replied Somers, +modestly. + +"You have been very discreet and very prudent," added Mr. Hackleford. + +"I fully concur," said Captain Cascabel. "You have exposed yourself to +no little peril, in your zeal to serve your country." + +Somers bowed and blushed. + +"I confess that I had some doubts in regard to the result of your +operations, Mr. Somers," continued the first lieutenant; "but I am +entirely satisfied now that Mr. Pillgrim is just what you represent him +to be." + +"All that you affirmed has been fully verified," added the captain. + +He did not say that both himself and Mr. Hackleford had listened to the +entire conversation between Somers and the traitor in the forenoon, +occupying one of the captain's state-rooms, which adjoined the starboard +side of the ward-room, having bored a couple of holes through the +partition, behind the bureau; he did not say this, for it was hardly +dignified for a captain to play the eavesdropper, even in a good cause. +Somers knew that Mr. Hackleford was at hand at the time, and had +arranged a set of signals by which he could advise the young officer, if +he should be in doubt. One rap meant, "No;" two raps, "Yes;" and three +raps, "Give no direct answer." When Somers was in doubt respecting the +bond, he asked the question of the empty air, apparently, but really of +Mr. Hackleford, who had promptly replied in the affirmative by giving +the two knocks, which had startled the traitor. + +"Mr. Somers, what do you know of the Ben Nevis?" asked the captain. + +"She was to sail from St. John on the 4th of July, to run the blockade +at Wilmington. She is said to make sixteen knots, under favorable +circumstances." + +"She has had a head wind part of the time. If she has made twelve on the +average, she has done well," said Mr. Hackleford. + +"She will be due off Cape Fear some time after meridian to-morrow," +added the captain, consulting a paper, on which were several +arithmetical operations. + +The calculations were carefully reviewed, and Somers was questioned at +considerable length; but he had already given all the information he +possessed. It was evidently the intention of Captain Cascabel to capture +the Ben Nevis, though he did not announce his purpose. + +"After what has occurred, Mr. Somers, you may be surprised that Mr. +Pillgrim has not been relieved from duty and placed under arrest," +continued Captain Cascabel, after the position of the Ben Nevis had been +carefully estimated. + +"I leave the matter entirely in the hands of my superior officers," +replied Somers. "Having cast the responsibility upon them, I am willing +to obey orders without asking any questions." + +"That is a very proper view to take of the subject, and I commend your +moderation," said the captain, with a pleasant smile. "It has been +thought best not to disturb Mr. Pillgrim for a day or two, for other +events may transpire." + +Captain Cascabel bowed to Somers, and intimated that he had no further +need of him at present. + +"Ah, Mr. Somers, been visiting the captain," said the second lieutenant, +as his victim came on deck. + +"I was sent for." + +"What was the business?" + +Fortunately, Mr. Transit, who was planking the deck on the lee side, +approached near enough to enable Somers to avoid answering the question, +and he thus escaped the necessity of telling a falsehood. But as soon as +Mr. Garboard took the deck, Pillgrim repeated the inquiry, and the young +officer was obliged to narrate an imaginary conversation. + +"It's no matter, Somers. You understand that I have a rope round your +neck, and I am not at all afraid that you will make an improper use of +your tongue." + +"I certainly shall not," answered Somers, with emphasis. "You may depend +upon me for that." + +"The fact is, Somers, I have got a mortgage on you; and I want no better +security for your good conduct." + +"You needn't trouble yourself at all about me." + +"I shall not; because, if you wish to betray me, I should rather enjoy +it. I have been your best friend. Instead of blowing your brains out for +making an end of poor Phil Kennedy, I have taken you into my confidence. +You shall marry the prettiest and the richest girl north of the Potomac; +and when Union officers are proscribed and condemned after the war, you +will have a friend at court who will speak a good word for you." + +"Thank you; but do you really believe that the South will carry the +day?" + +"I'm sure of it. England is our best friend; and Louis Napoleon, in +order to complete his Mexican scheme, must recognize the Confederacy. +When France does the job, England will be only one day behind her." + +"If I go with you, I shall be on the winning side, then." + +"If you do? You have gone with me. Though I don't ask you to help the +South openly, I expect you to be a friend of the government which must +soon rule the country. Leave it all to me, Somers, and I will manage the +business for you and myself. You must confess, Somers, that I am a +little ahead of you in strategy," said the traitor, with a complacent +smile. + +"You beat me in the game we have been playing; but that only makes us +even, for I got the better of you in another affair." + +"Not of me; it was the stupidity of Phil Kennedy that ruined the Snowden +business. I pride myself on my strategy, Somers. I have never been +beaten in anything of this kind yet. The fact of it is, I know whom to +trust. I never give my confidence to a man who dares to betray it," +replied Pillgrim, rubbing his hands with delight at his own cleverness. + +Somers was of the opinion that he would think differently before many +days had elapsed; but he was as prudent as the circumstances required. + +At eight bells, the fourth lieutenant took the deck for the first watch; +and from that time until the following afternoon, he saw but little of +the conspirator. At this time, the ship was off Cape Fear, though too +far out to sight the land, or even the outer line of blockaders which +kept vigilant watch over the entrance to the river. Precisely at the +moment when one bell struck in the first dog-watch, the engine of the +Chatauqua, without any order from the officer of the deck, and without +any apparent reason, suddenly stopped. + +It had proved itself to be a very good and well-meaning engine, thus +far, and all hands began to wonder what had happened, or what was going +to happen. But Mr. Cranklin, the chief engineer, presently reported that +there was a "screw loose" somewhere, and that it would be necessary to +lay to, and make some repairs. Certainly it was a very opportune moment +for the ship to stop; and those who did not know what had passed between +the chief engineer and the first lieutenant might have supposed that the +zealous engine, heretofore so faithful in the discharge of its trying +duties, had overheard some of the conversation we have related, and was +waiting for the Ben Nevis to show herself to seaward. + +In further confirmation that the stoppage was not entirely owing to the +obstinacy of the engine, it was observed that extra lookout men had been +stationed on the fore yard, and on the cross-trees, since meridian of +that day. The captain and the first lieutenant were often seen in +confidential communication; and everybody on board seemed to be +impressed with the idea that something was about to "turn up." + +Something did "turn up," about three bells; for the man on the fore +cross-trees, reported a vessel on the beam. The dense mass of black +smoke in the wake of her smoke-stack indicated that she was an English +blockade runner, approaching the coast so as to run in after dark. As +soon as this agreeable information spread through the Chatauqua, it +created an intense excitement, not manifested in noisy demonstrations, +for that would have been in violation of the strict rule of naval +discipline, but in the expectant eyes and stimulated movements of the +officers and crew, to whose pockets, as well as to their national +pride, the prospect of a rich prize appealed with tremendous force. + +At this thrilling moment, when everything depended upon the sailing +qualities of the Chatauqua, either Mr. Cranklin had completed his +remedial efforts, or the engine had come to a realizing sense of the +proprieties of the occasion, and was sensible of the appalling +wickedness of disappointing the two hundred and fifty anxious souls on +board. The docile machine was reported to be in condition for active +service. The bells pealed forth the signal to "go ahead slowly," then +"at full speed," and the Chatauqua darted away. + +"Hard a starboard!" said Mr. Somers, now the officer of the deck, to the +quartermaster, who was conning the wheel. + +"Hard a starboard, sir!" + +"Steady!" + +"Steady, sir!" + +"What does this mean, Somers?" demanded Pillgrim, in a low, angry tone, +as he passed the officer of the deck. + +"I don't know, sir. I only obey orders," replied Somers, as he glanced +ahead at the chase. + +"Do you know what steamer that is?" asked Pillgrim. + +"How should I?" + +"It is the Ben Nevis." + +"How do you know?" + +"I know; that is sufficient. We must save her," said the second +lieutenant, in low, but excited tones. + +The chase continued for half an hour longer, when it was evident that +the Ben Nevis--for it was indeed she--had changed her course, and was +headed to the eastward. + +"This will never do, Mr. Somers," said Mr. Hackleford. "We can't sail +with her. We must change our tactics." + +"She gains upon us," replied Somers. + +"No doubt of it." + +"I am afraid we shall lose her, sir." + +"I would give my year's pay to capture her, Mr. Somers, if it were only +for your sake." + +Somers suggested an idea to the first lieutenant, who, after the +approval of Captain Cascabel, adopted it. + +"Clear away the first cutter," said Mr. Hackleford. "Lower away." + +The first cutter was soon in the water, the ship having now stopped her +engine. + +"Mr. Pillgrim, you will stand by in the first cutter till that steamer +comes up. Capture her if her papers are not all right, or if she is +bound into Wilmington." + +A smile of satisfaction lighted up the countenance of the second +lieutenant, when he found he was to go in the boat. The first cutter +pulled away. + +"Clear away the second cutter!" said the first lieutenant; and while +the men were eagerly performing this duty, the captain instructed +Somers, who was to go in her, in regard to the duty he was expected to +perform. + +Somers took his place in the stern-sheets of the second cutter, which +was armed with a twenty-four pounder howitzer, while the first cutter +had nothing but small arms. As soon as this boat left the ship's side, +the Chatauqua came about, as though she had abandoned the chase, and +stood to the westward. + +The Ben Nevis immediately discovered the change which had been made in +the course of her pursuer. Apparently satisfied that she had outwitted +the man-of-war, she put about and headed towards the coast again, +without suspecting the fact that two boats lay in her track. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY. + + +It was about sunset when the Ben Nevis put about and headed in shore. +The first cutter was at least half a mile in advance of the second, and +both, of them lying near the track of the blockade-runner. It was +useless to pull towards the expected prize; on the contrary, it was +better policy to keep still, so as not to attract the attention of her +people. + +The Ben Nevis, when she changed her course, might have been about five +miles distant from the Chatauqua, and the longer the meeting between the +steamer and the boats was deferred, the more would the darkness favor +the latter. It was thought that the blockade-runner would approach at +half speed, so as not to encounter the fleet off the river at too early +an hour; but her commander did not appear to regard this delay as +necessary, and came down at full speed. It was not dark, therefore, when +the first cutter was within hail of her. + +As soon as the Ben Nevis discovered the nearest boat, she sheered off, +though, as the first cutter had no howitzer, she could have everything +her own way. Somers kept the second cutter just out of hail of the other +boat; and carefully watched the operations of the second lieutenant. + +The steamer sheered off just enough to avoid the boat; but presently she +resumed her course, as if, making twelve knots, she had nothing to fear +from an enemy with oars only to urge her forward. It would be impossible +for the first cutter to board her at full speed, and she seemed disposed +to run the risk of a shot or two rather than expose herself to falling +into any other trap which the man-of-war might have set for her. + +The Ben Nevis dashed on, therefore, in a direction which placed the +first cutter on her starboard bow, when Mr. Pillgrim hailed her, and +ordered her to heave to, accompanying the command with a peculiar wave +of his cap in the air, which was thrice repeated, very much to the +astonishment, no doubt, of the loyal blue-jackets in the boat with him. + +"Topple my timber-heads! What does all that mean?" exclaimed Boatswain +Longstone, who, by the especial request of the fourth lieutenant, had a +place in the stern-sheets of the second cutter. + +"Wait, and you will see," replied Mr. Somers. + +The Ben Nevis at once stopped her wheels, and the first cutter pulled +towards her. + +"That beats me!" ejaculated the boatswain. "What did she stop for?" + +"Probably her captain thinks that is his best course," replied Somers, +who knew very well why she had stopped. + +The commander of the blockade-runner evidently recognized the voice and +the signal of Pillgrim, and, like an obedient servant, was willing to +shift the responsibility of the occasion on his owner and employer. +Honest Tom Longstone was sorely perplexed by the movement of the steamer +and the conduct of the second lieutenant of the Chatauqua, for a +suspicion of foul play on the part of one of his officers could not have +entered his loyal heart. + +The first cutter touched the side of the Ben Nevis, and Mr. Pillgrim +went up the accommodation ladder. + +"Clear away the howitzer!" said Somers. + +The boatswain looked at him as though he had been mad. + +"Man the howitzer!" + +The gun was loaded with a solid shot, and made ready for instant use. + +"Now give way, boatswain," continued Somers; and the second cutter +dashed swiftly over the long billows towards the Ben Nevis. + +"Are you going to use that gun?" asked Tom Longstone, in a low tone. + +"If necessary." + +"But Mr. Pillgrim has the steamer. He has boarded her." + +"We will wait and see," answered Somers, evasively; for it was expected +and intended that the second lieutenant should "hang himself," on this +interesting occasion. + +Before the second cutter could reach the steamer, Mr. Pillgrim had +completed his examination on board of her, and descended to his boat. As +he gave the order for the cutter to shove off, Somers's boat shot in +alongside of her. + +"She is all right, Mr. Somers," said the second lieutenant. + +"All right?" exclaimed Somers; and, in spite of himself, he actually +trembled with emotion, being conscious that a very trying scene was +before him--one which would require all his skill and all his energy. + +"I say she is all right, Mr. Somers," repeated Pillgrim, sharply, for he +did not appear to like the tone and manner of the fourth lieutenant. + +"What is she?" + +"She is an American steamer from Baltimore, bound to Havana." + +"What is she doing in here, then?" demanded Somers. + +"That's her affair. Don't you see the American flag at her peak?" + +"What is her name?" + +"The Ben Nevis," replied Pillgrim, with the most expressive emphasis. +"Sheer off, and return to the ship." + +"I think she is a blockade-runner." + +"Do you, indeed?" sneered the traitor. + +"I am satisfied she is." + +"I have boarded her, and my report will be final in this matter." + +"My orders were to board her," said Somers. + +"Your orders?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I am your superior officer." + +"You are, Mr. Pillgrim." + +"Of course your orders were intended to be carried out, in case you +happened to come up with the steamer before I did." + +"I was ordered to board her, Mr. Pillgrim, and I feel compelled to +obey," replied Somers, with firmness, though he still trembled with +emotion. + +"Steady, Mr. Somers; be careful," said Tom Longstone, bewildered by this +conflict of authority--a circumstance he had not before observed in his +long career in the navy. "He is your superior officer." + +"I know what I am about, Tom," whispered Somers, compassionating the +misery his apparently mutinous actions must cause his honest friend. + +"If you do, go ahead, my darling." + +"Mr. Somers, I order you to return to the ship," said Mr. Pillgrim, +sternly. + +"I must obey the captain's orders, and board this steamer." + +"You mistake your orders, and I insist that you obey me." + +"You will excuse me if I disregard your command; and I will be +answerable to the captain for my conduct." + +"The captain is not here; I am your superior officer. Disobey me at your +peril!" continued Pillgrim, in savage tones. + +"Is it all right?" shouted the captain of the Ben Nevis, who was +standing on the starboard paddle-box of the steamer. + +"Ay, ay; all right. Start your wheels!" replied Pillgrim. + +"Captain, if you move a wheel, I will fire into you!" added Somers; and +the captain of the howitzer stood, with the lock-string in his hand, +ready to execute the order when it should be given. + +The commander of the Ben Nevis looked down upon the second cutter's gun, +pointing into the hull of his vessel, so that the twenty-four pound shot +would pass through her engine-room. He did not give the order to start +the wheels. Pillgrim was disconcerted: he was foiled in his scheme. By +this time he realized that the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua was +not the willing, timid tool he had taken him to be. + +The men in both boats were astonished and confounded by the startling +clash of authority between their officers. Such a thing had never been +known before. They had been surprised when Mr. Pillgrim declared that +the steamer was all right, for there was not one of them who was not +perfectly satisfied that the vessel was running in to break the +blockade. They were still more surprised when Mr. Somers dared to +dispute the conclusions of his superior officer. Involuntarily they took +sides with the fourth lieutenant, because his opinion that the Ben Nevis +was not all right coincided with their own, and because the prize-money +went with his view of the matter. But they were well disciplined men, +and each crew, thus far, obeyed the orders of its own officer; and, so +far as they were concerned, there was no conflict of command, though +this was likely soon to be the case. + +"Mr. Somers, I warn you--beware!" said Pillgrim, with the most +expressive emphasis. + +"I intend to do my duty," replied Somers. + +"Bully for the fourth luff!" shouted a seaman in the second cutter, who +felt disposed to take a part in the dispute. + +"Silence!" interposed Somers, sternly, as he perceived that this bad +example was likely to be followed by others, and he felt that the +occasion was too serious and solemn to admit of anything like levity. + +"Mr. Somers, you know the consequences!" continued the second +lieutenant. + +"I do." + +"Remember!" + +"I know what I am about," answered Somers, understanding to what +Pillgrim alluded, though of course it was incomprehensible to others in +the boats. "I shall board the steamer." + +"Do it at your peril!" + +"I shall do it." + +"This is mutiny!" stormed Pillgrim, with an oath, as he took a revolver +from his belt. + +"I will abide the consequences," replied Somers, drawing his pistol. + +"For God's sake, Mr. Somers--" + +"Silence, boatswain!" + +"You will ruin yourself," whispered Tom, whose bronzed face was ghastly +pale, and whose lips quivered with the anxiety he felt for his +_protégé_. + +"I am perfectly cool, Tom; don't be alarmed about me," replied Somers, +tenderly, as he glanced at the expression of suffering on the face of +his faithful friend. "That man is a traitor!" he whispered. + +"Once more, Mr. Somers, will you obey me, or will you not?" shouted Mr. +Pillgrim, angrily. + +"If you will capture this steamer, as you should do, I will obey you in +all things," replied Somers. "I know she is about to run the blockade, +and so do you." + +"I have examined her, and I declare that her papers are all right. My +decision is final. Return to the ship, Mr. Somers, and there answer for +your mutinous conduct." + +"I shall board this vessel," replied Somers, as he ordered the bowman to +haul in towards the steamer. + +"This is mutiny, and I shall treat it as such. I _will_ be obeyed!" + +Mr. Pillgrim raised his pistol, and fired at the rebellious officer; but +he was too much excited to take good aim, if, indeed, he intended to do +anything more than intimidate his inferior officer. The ball whistled +within a few feet of Somers's head, and roused his belligerent spirit. +He raised his revolver on the instant, before the second lieutenant was +ready to repeat his experiment, and fired. + +The traitor sank down in the stern-sheets of the cutter. The men seemed +to be paralyzed by this sharp work, and sat like statues on the thwarts. + +[Illustration: A Conflict of Authority.] + +"Haul in, bowman!" said Somers, in sharp and earnest tones, breaking the +solemn silence of that awful moment. + +The man obeyed mechanically, and the others did the same when required +to boat their oars; but probably there was not one of the crew of either +cutter who did not believe that the fourth lieutenant would be hung +at the yard-arm for his mutinous, murderous conduct. + +Somers directed the coxswain of the first cutter to pull in to the +accommodation ladder of the steamer. He was obeyed, and Boatswain +Longstone was ordered to take charge of the boat. Eight men, armed with +cutlasses and revolvers, were sent on board the Ben Nevis, and Somers +followed them. The captain protested against the capture, but his papers +were not what they were represented to be by Pillgrim. The character of +the steamer was evident, and she was taken possession of by the fourth +lieutenant, and the crews of both cutters were ordered on board. + +"How is Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Somers of the boatswain. "Is he dead?" + +"No, sir; the ball only glanced along the side of his head. He bleeds +badly, but he is not severely wounded." + +The second lieutenant was soon able to sit up, and was assisted on board +the Ben Nevis, where he was conducted to a state-room, and two seamen +placed as guards at the door. + +"Somers, you have played me false!" said Pillgrim, with a savage +expression on his pale face, "but you are a doomed man." + +"As you please, Mr. Pillgrim. You will consider yourself under arrest," +replied Somers, as the traitor passed into his state-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE PRIZE STEAMER. + + +It was quite dark when the capture of the Ben Nevis was completed. +Rockets were thrown up to inform the Chatauqua of her present position, +and with guards of seamen in the engine and fire-rooms, the wheels of +the captured steamer were set in motion, and she was headed to the +north. Somers displayed his usual decision and energy, and perhaps the +men began to think, by this time, that the young officer knew his duty +and was competent to perform it. + +While the Ben Nevis was making her way towards the Chatauqua, Somers +paced the deck, thinking of the great event which had just transpired. +The captain of the Ben Nevis, sullen and discontented, stood by the +quartermaster at the wheel. He had attempted to enter the state-room of +the wounded officer, but the seamen in charge of the prisoner had been +instructed to exclude him, and they carefully obeyed their orders. + +The men of the first and second cutters were silent and troubled. +Perhaps they fully sympathized with Somers, and dreaded the consequence +of the decisive deed he had performed. However the petty officers and +seamen felt, it is quite certain that Boatswain Longstone could hardly +keep from weeping when he thought of the punishment which might be in +store for his young friend. He was in charge of the lookouts forward, +and when the Chatauqua was sighted, he went aft to report to Somers. + +"Very well; we shall soon see the end of this business," said the young +officer. + +"I would like to see you safe through it," added the boatswain, in tones +of unaffected sympathy. + +"What's the matter, Tom?" asked Somers. + +"I feel worse to-night than I have before for twenty odd years," groaned +Tom. + +"Why so?" + +"I'm afraid this is bad business. It's no little thing to fire a pistol +at your superior officer." + +"I told you what he was." + +"I know you said he was a traitor; but it don't do for an officer in the +navy to take the law into his own hands." + +"This steamer makes sixteen knots an hour, they say," said Somers, with +a smile. + +The boatswain looked at him, and wondered what this had to do with +shooting the second lieutenant. + +"She was going to run the blockade," continued Somers. + +"No doubt of that." + +"Then they intended to fit her out as a Confederate cruiser." + +"Perhaps they did, Mr. Somers; you know best." + +"Mr. Pillgrim did not intend to capture her." + +"He did not, sartinly." + +"Suppose I had permitted this vessel to go on her way, to run the +blockade, which she could have done as easily as a hundred others have +done the same thing, at the same place, and then come out as a +man-of-war." + +"But Mr. Pillgrim was your superior officer, and he was responsible, not +you." + +"I carried out my orders to the letter, Tom." + +"Did you?" + +"To the letter, I said." + +"Were you ordered to shoot Mr. Pillgrim?" + +"Yes, if necessary." + +"Thank'ee, Mr. Somers. You have taken a weight heavier than the best +bower off my stomach. I'd rather be where Jonah was--in the whale's +belly--than see any harm come to you. I feel better now." + +"You shall know all about it, Tom, in a few days, or perhaps a few +hours." + +"I'm satisfied, Mr. Somers. Shiver my kevel-heads, but I ought to have +been satisfied with anything you do." + +By this time the steamer came up with the Chatauqua, and both vessels +stopped their engines, as the Ben Nevis rounded to under the stern of +the man-of-war. + +"Chatauqua, ahoy!" shouted Somers. + +"On board the prize!" replied the officer of the deck. + +"Send the surgeon on board, if you please." + +"Ay, ay." + +In a few moments the third cutter, in charge of Mr. Transit, the master, +put off from the ship, with Dr. De Plesion on board. + +"Where is Mr. Pillgrim, sir?" asked the master of Somers. + +"Wounded, below." + +"Mr. Hackleford wishes your report forthwith on board the ship." + +"Mr. Transit, Mr. Pillgrim is under arrest. You will permit no one to +communicate with him except the surgeon." + +"Under arrest!" exclaimed Mr. Transit. + +"I have no time to explain," replied Somers, as he directed his coxswain +to pipe down his boat's crew. + +When the second cutter was hauled up to the accommodation ladder, Somers +stepped on board, and a few moments later, touched his hat to the first +lieutenant on the quarter deck of the Chatauqua. + +"I have to report that I have captured the Ben Nevis," said Somers. + +"Where is Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Mr. Hackleford, the captain standing by, +an interested and excited listener. + +"He is wounded, and under arrest, sir." + +"How wounded?" + +"He fired at me, and in self-defence I was obliged to shoot him. I think +he is not seriously wounded. He boarded the Ben Nevis, and had given the +captain of her permission to proceed, though the vessel was headed +towards Cape Fear." + +"You have done well, Mr. Somers," said Captain Cascabel. "Beat to +quarters, Mr. Hackleford." + +When the crew were at quarters, Mr. Hackleford explained to them what +had occurred, and fully justified the course of the fourth lieutenant; +whereupon an earnest and enthusiastic cheer rang through the ship. + +"Are you satisfied, Tom?" asked Somers of the boatswain. + +"Bless ye! I was satisfied before, Mr. Somers. There is only one dark +thing in the whole of it." + +"What's that, Tom?" + +"If Captain Cascabel and Mr. Hackleford both knew that Mr. Pillgrim was +a traitor, why did they send him out to capture that steamer? That's +what I can't see through." + +"Can't you? Well, if they had not sent him, we should not have captured +the Ben Nevis." + +"I don't see why." + +"Don't you? Well, you are not as sharp as you are sometimes." + +"I know I'm dull, Mr. Somers, but splinter my figger head if I can see +through it." + +"The Ben Nevis is good for fifteen knots at least." + +"I know that; she did it while we were coming up." + +"The Chatauqua can't make more than twelve." + +"That's true." + +"Then, of course, the Chatauqua could not catch the Ben Nevis." + +"That's clear enough. But we were out in the boats, and were close +aboard of her." + +"And just then she sheered off. Could the boats have overhauled her?" + +"Sartinly not; but you could have put a shot through her hull." + +"Which might, at that distance, have disabled her, and might not. The +chances were all against us. But the moment Mr. Pillgrim hailed her, and +swung his cap, she stopped her wheels. They knew very well he would not +detain her." + +"I see now." + +"Probably the captain of the Ben Nevis knew the Chatauqua, and knew that +Pillgrim was on board of her, and they were on the lookout for him. If +any other officer than myself had been in the second cutter, I am +satisfied Mr. Pillgrim would not have returned to his boat, but would +have staid on board the Ben Nevis." + +"He's a horrible villain--arn't he?" said the honest boatswain. + +This conversation took place while Captain Cascabel was preparing his +despatches to be sent by the prize steamer to the navy department. When +they were completed, Somers was sent for, and he repaired at once to the +captain's cabin. + +"Mr. Somers, though I can hardly spare you, I feel compelled to send you +home as prize master in the Ben Nevis. I have commended you to the +department," said Captain Cascabel, as he handed him the despatches. + +"Thank you, sir." + +A prize crew was at once detailed, with two master's mates to act as +first and second officers, and a corporal and three marines to guard the +prisoner who was to be sent back in the prize. Somers bade a hasty good +by to his brother officers, and with his crew was sent on board the Ben +Nevis, whose deck he was now to tread for a brief period as her +commander. His orders required him to take the Ben Nevis to Fortress +Monroe, and there communicate with the navy department. + +"Well, doctor, how is your patient?" asked Somers, when he reached the +deck of the prize. + +"He will do very well. If you had put the bullet half an inch nearer his +brain, you would have finished him. The skin is torn off the side of his +head, and I suppose the ball stunned him. He is sitting up now, and +appears to be as well as ever, though in no very amiable frame of mind." + +"I suppose not." + +"He says you are a rebel and a traitor, and he intends to prove it. I +told him I thought his wound had affected his brain." + +"It would require a long story to explain what he means. Mr. Hackleford +has the papers, and I doubt not he will tell you all about it, doctor," +replied Somers, as he proceeded to arrange for the return voyage. + +All who were not going home in the Ben Nevis were sent back to the +Chatauqua. The firemen and engineers of the prize steamer were willing +to discharge their duties as before, and under the direction of one of +the second assistants from the ship, they were set at work. The first +and third cutters pulled away towards the man-of-war, giving three +rousing cheers as they departed, and the Ben Nevis steamed away to the +northward. + +By this time it was ten o'clock at night. The watch was set on deck, and +Somers went below to obtain his supper, for he felt the need of some +rest and refreshment. The steward, anxious to be on good terms with the +new commander, had provided the best meal the larder of the Ben Nevis +afforded, and Somers was hungry enough to do it ample justice. + +A marine, with cutlass and revolver, stood at the door of Pillgrim's +state-room. When Somers had finished his supper, and was about to go on +deck, the sentinel informed him that the prisoner had knocked several +times on his door. + +"See what he wants." + +The marine opened the door. + +"Who is the prize master?" asked Pillgrim. + +The sentinel looked at Somers for permission before he replied. + +"Answer him." + +"Mr. Somers," answered the marine. + +"Will you present my compliments to Mr. Somers, and say that I beg the +favor of an interview with him?" + +Again the sentinel glanced at Somers. + +"With pleasure," replied the prize master, as politely as the request +was made. + +"Ah, Mr. Somers," said the traitor, as the new commander of the Ben +Nevis stepped forward and showed himself to the prisoner, "I am happy to +see you." + +"Are you, indeed?" added Somers, rather amused at the smooth tones of +the traitor. + +"I am, I assure you. Might I beg the favor of a few moments' private +conversation with you?" + +"Certainly; have you any weapons about you?" + +"None, whatever." + +Somers directed the marine to seat himself at the farther end of the +cabin. + +"Thank you, Mr. Somers; you are as kind and generous as ever." + +"Let me say, Mr. Pillgrim, that flattery and threats are all the same to +me." + +"Somers, you have me on the hip." + +"I know it." + +"You have won the game." + +"I know it." + +"I am in your power." + +"I know it." + +Pillgrim appeared to be hopeless and disconcerted. + +"Somers, I have, in a bank in Philadelphia, fifty thousand dollars." + +"What bank?" + +"Excuse me; the confiscation laws are dangerous to men in my situation." + +"No matter; I will inform the proper officers of the fact, and they can +find out what bank." + +Pillgrim bit his lip. + +"I will give you this money if you will--" + +"Silence, sir! There is not money enough in the whole world to bribe +me." + +"I still have the oath of allegiance--signed by you, and--" + +"No, you haven't. Mr. Hackleford has it. You left it in your +state-room." + +"Now listen to reason, Somers." + +"I shall. Reason counsels me to do my duty." + +"Somers, I will be revenged." + +"Good night, Mr. Pillgrim. I see you have nothing of importance to say +to me;" and Somers went on deck after calling the marine back to his +post. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE PRISONER IN THE CABIN. + + +Mr. Pillgrim's wound, as such injuries are regarded in the army and +navy, was a mere scratch; but it might have been very sore, and might +have ached severely. The traitor did not even mention it in his +interview with Somers, for the sore in his mind was much more serious. +His victim had now become his tyrant; not implacable or vindictive, but +firm and unyielding in the discharge of his duty. + +Somers went on deck, satisfied himself in regard to the course of the +steamer, then visited the engine-room, and other parts of the vessel, +until he had assured himself that everything was right. It was a fine, +clear night, and when the port watch came on deck, he went below, and +lay down on the broad sofa, which extended across the after part of the +cabin. He was tired enough to sleep, and he did sleep till the starboard +watch was called in the morning. + +He was a prudent and zealous commander, and he hastened on deck at once +to make sure that his charge was still safe. The weather continued fine, +and every man was at his post. He scrutinized the log slate, and +questioned the officer of the deck. Everything had been correctly done; +nothing had happened, and nothing was likely to happen. There was +nothing for him to do but sleep, and he returned to his couch in the +cabin, to complete his nap. + +The sentinel at the door of the prisoner's state-room was still in +position. The guard was relieved every two hours, and the door was +secured on the outside by a padlock, which had been put on by the +armorer after the vessel was captured. Of course there could be no doubt +in regard to the safety of the prisoner. + +Somers went to sleep again, satisfied that he had neglected no +precautions to insure the safety of the vessel and the prisoner. The +movements of the steward in the cabin awoke him at six o'clock. He had +slept away all his fatigue, and when he looked out through the stern +lights upon a smooth sea, brightened by the morning sun, all his anxiety +left him. It was hardly possible that any accident could interfere with +the safe arrival of the prize at her destined port. + +As he rose from the sofa, the corporal of marines relieved the sentry at +the prisoner's door. + +"Marine," said Somers, as the man passed him on his way out of the +cabin. + +The sentinel stopped and touched his cap. + +"How is the prisoner?" + +"I haven't heard anything of him, sir, during my beat," replied the +marine. + +"Isn't he up yet?" + +"I didn't hear him, sir. He's a heavy sleeper, I should say, for I don't +think he moved while I was on guard." + +As Somers had the key of the padlock in his pocket, he was satisfied it +was all right with the prisoner, and he went on deck. At seven bells, +when his breakfast was brought down, he directed the steward to give Mr. +Pillgrim his morning meal, handing the key of the state-room to the +corporal. + +The door was opened, and the marine entered the little room. Somers sat +down at the table to eat his breakfast. He was blessed with a good +appetite, and some "'am and heggs," which the steward particularly +recommended, looked very inviting. But he had hardly satisfied himself +that the steward had not overrated the quality of his viands, before his +attention was attracted by an exclamation from the corporal of marines. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Somers, rising from the table, and rushing +to the state-room. + +"Mr. Pillgrim is not here, sir," replied the man. + +"Not here!" + +"No, sir." + +"He can't be far off." + +Somers entered the state-room. Certainly the prisoner was not there; nor +was there any indication of the means by which he had departed. The +partitions between this and the adjoining state-rooms were undisturbed. +The door had been securely locked, and the key was in the pocket of the +commanding officer. The traitor could not have crawled through the +bull's eye which lighted the room, for it was not more than nine inches +in diameter. + +The marines who had been on guard during the night were summoned. They +all told the same story; not a sound had been heard in the room. Both +the master's mates who had kept the watches on deck were examined, but +they had no information to communicate. + +"This is very remarkable," said Somers to his first officer. + +"Very remarkable," replied Mr. Hudson, who seemed to be even more +bewildered than his commander. + +"Where is Captain Walmsley?" asked Somers of the steward. + +"I don't know, sir. I 'aven't seen him since 'e hate his supper last +night." + +"See if he is in his state-room, steward." + +He was not in his state-room. His bed had not been occupied; no one had +seen him since the Ben Nevis parted company with the Chatauqua. + +"Are there any boats missing, Mr. Hudson?" continued Somers. + +"No, sir; the steamer had two quarter-boats, and a life-boat forward. +They are all in their places." + +"Wasn't there a dingy, or a jolly-boat, at the stern?" + +"No, sir; I am sure that no boat is missing." + +"Then of course the prisoner must be on board." + +"No doubt of that, Mr. Somers. In my opinion he has concealed himself in +the hold, and intends to escape after we go into port." + +"But how could he get into the hold?" + +"That is more than I know, sir. He isn't in his state-room; he wouldn't +have jumped overboard forty miles from land." + +"He must be found before we make the capes," said Somers, who could not +help thinking how "cheap" he should feel if compelled to report the +escape of his prisoner to the department. + +He returned to the table and finished his breakfast, as a matter of +necessity now,--for man must eat,--rather than of inclination. The +Scotch ham seemed to have lost its fine flavor, and it was really a pity +that he had not completed his repast before the escape of Pillgrim was +discovered. But Somers was satisfied that the traitor was still on +board, and he was determined to find him, even if he had to throw the +valuable cargo of the Ben Nevis overboard, in order to effect his +purpose. + +When Somers had worried down his breakfast, he went on deck to detail +parties to engage in the search. The hatches were taken off, and Mr. +Hudson was directed to examine the hold, while Somers himself, with the +marines and a couple of seamen, went to the cabin for the purpose of +tracing the fugitive from his starting-point. This appeared to be no +easy matter, for as yet there was not the slightest clew to his means of +egress. + +Somers opened the door of the state-room, which had been occupied by the +prisoner, and there, to his utter astonishment and confusion, he saw +Pillgrim, sitting on a stool, and looking as composed as though nothing +had happened. Somers could hardly believe the evidence of his own eyes. + +"Good morning, Mr. Somers," said the traitor. "I am happy to see you. I +was just thinking it was about breakfast time." + +"Haven't you had your breakfast yet?" asked Somers, who deemed it best +to talk at random. + +"How should I? You lock the door, and confine me to a very limited +sphere of observation. I hope you don't intend to starve me." + +"O, no, by no means. I thought it likely you had breakfasted while on +your travels." + +"On my travels?" said the prisoner, inquiringly. + +"You have been out of your room." + +"I?" + +Pillgrim opened his eyes, and seemed to be astonished. + +"Certainly you have. When we opened the door half an hour since, you +were not here. Perhaps you will not object to telling me where you have +been." + +"I have not been out of my state-room, as you must be aware." + +"But you have," replied Somers, stoutly. + +"Am I to infer that you accuse me of lying, Mr. Somers?" demanded the +traitor, with an exhibition of dignity. + +"I accuse you of nothing; I only say you have been out of your +state-room." + +"But I say I have not. I am your prisoner: it is hardly magnanimous to +insult me in my present situation." + +"Are you ready for your breakfast?" asked Somers, unwilling to pursue +the conversation on that tack. + +"A hungry man is always ready for his breakfast. My misfortunes have not +impaired my appetite. I am ready for my breakfast." + +Somers directed the steward to bring the prisoner his morning meal. + +"Mr. Somers, may I beg the favor of half an hour's conversation with +you, when I have done my breakfast?" added Pillgrim. + +"It is hardly necessary." + +"Excuse me; it is absolutely necessary for your comfort and safety as +well as mine." + +"Under such a threat, I shall certainly decline," replied Somers, +coldly. + +"I intended no threat. Send these people away, and I will speak." + +"You may speak or be silent, as you please." + +Somers stationed a marine at the door, and sent the others away, +retiring himself to the farther end of the cabin. He was sorely puzzled +to know how the prisoner had got out of his state-room, and why he had +returned. He concluded that the opening of the hold had induced the +latter step, but the former was still enveloped in mystery. He +determined to give the prisoner another room, and make a more careful +search in the one he now occupied. + +When Pillgrim had done his breakfast, Somers called a couple of marines, +and ordered them to put the prisoner in the aftermost room. The hasp and +padlock were then transferred to the occupied room. + +"Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, as he was about to lock the door, "I should +like to speak with you." + +The tone was gentlemanly, and even supplicating, and Somers entered the +room, closing the door behind him; but he was careful to cock his +revolver as he did so, for the prisoner was a desperate man. + +"I am ready to hear you." + +"It is well you are." + +"If you have any threats to make, I will not remain." + +"Let me speak only the truth," said Pillgrim, as he looked at his watch. +"In twenty minutes from now, we shall all be in kingdom come." + +There was a malignant smile on the face of the traitor as he spoke, and +it was plain to Somers that the villain did not speak without a cause. + +"Somers, you have beaten me in the last game we played. I shall beat in +the next one." + +"I told you I did not come here to listen to threats." + +"You will be a dead man in seventeen minutes, Somers," continued +Pillgrim, glancing at his watch again. "I could not deny myself the +satisfaction of informing you of the fact. But, Somers, you will have +the pleasure of knowing that I shall share your fate." + +"What do you mean, you villain?" demanded Somers, horrified by the +thought suggested by the traitor's words. + +"Gently, my dear fellow. Don't use hard words. But I am glad to see you +are moved. Ah, Somers, I have you now," said the wretch, in mocking +tones. + +"Speak!" roared Somers, drawing his pistol. + +"Shoot me, Somers. I will thank you if you will. It is better to be shot +dead, than to be blown up, mangled, and then, after enduring a moment or +an hour of agony, to be drowned. Fire, Somers!" + +He restored the revolver to his belt, appalled by the terrible picture +which the villain painted. + +"Somers, I did leave my state-room. I was not willing to acknowledge it +before your crew." + +"How?" + +"I have not time to explain. There are but ten minutes of life left to +you and me. We will not waste them in what is of so little consequence +to either of us. You know of what the cargo of the Ben Nevis is +composed?" + +"I do--of arms, ammunition, and provisions." + +"Correct; the ammunition is stowed in the after part of the ship--under +us, in fact. Captain Walmsley and myself have laid a train by which the +vessel will be blown up when four bells strike. It wants five minutes of +the time. Captain Walmsley is in a position where he can hear the bell," +continued Pillgrim with perfect coolness. + +"Marine," said Somers, opening the door. + +"Here, sir," responded the man. + +"Pass the word for the quartermaster to strike four bells, instantly," +added the young commander. "I am ready, Mr. Pillgrim." + +The traitor looked aghast. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +CAPTAIN WALMSLEY. + + +"Mr. Pillgrim, I am not to be intimidated by any such stuff," said +Somers, when he had ordered the bells to be struck, which would produce +the explosion. + +"Perhaps Captain Walmsley will not think it best to fire the ammunition +at the moment agreed upon; some discretion on this point was left with +him; but I assure you, on my word and honor, that the train is laid +which will blow up the Ben Nevis," said Pillgrim, earnestly. + +"If you had not mentioned the name of Captain Walmsley, I might have +believed you. As it is, I do not. Your word and honor do not weigh much +with me." + +"Don't insult me." + +"I simply speak the truth. There! do you hear four bells?" + +"I do; and if you are not blown up in half a minute, you may thank +Captain Walmsley for his moderation." + +"He is not villain enough to destroy the lives of forty men, his own +people as well as mine, to gratify your malice and revenge. I give you +_my_ word and honor that he will do nothing of the kind." + +Pillgrim looked hard at him, and seemed to be slightly disconcerted by +the obstinacy of Somers. + +"If he will not, I will!" said he, fiercely. + +"I purpose to put you in irons, when you have said all you have to say." + +"In irons, Somers!" exclaimed the traitor, springing to his feet, his +face flushed with indignation. + +"Since you are open enough to announce your intentions, it is plainly my +duty to defeat them. Acknowledge that your plot to blow up the vessel is +a mere scare, and I may spare you this indignity." + +"You will find that it is a reality." + +"Why don't it blow up, then?" + +"It will, as soon as Captain Walmsley is ready. The Ben Nevis shall not +again go into a Yankee port as a prize. Mark my words." + +"Captain Somers," called Mr. Hudson. + +"What is wanted?" + +"The men in the hold report a smell of fire there." + +"I will be with you soon," replied Somers, convinced by this message +that there was some foundation for the threats of the traitor. "Go into +the hold, Mr. Hudson, and find the fire, if there is any." + +He was cool, and did not permit the wretch before him to see a muscle of +his face move. + +"There is fire there, Somers," said Pillgrim. "I know just where it is. +In a few minutes it will reach the ammunition boxes." + +"Corporal," said Somers, opening the door again. + +"Here, sir." + +"Put the prisoner in irons, hands and feet," continued Somers. + +"Do you mean that, Mr. Somers?" asked Pillgrim, quivering with emotion. + +"I do mean it, and I shall stand by till it is done." + +"Will you leave me in the midst of the fire, ironed hand and foot?" + +"I will. You kindled the fire; and if you perish by it, blame yourself." + +Pillgrim attempted to resist the execution of the order, but the marines +were resolute, and he was fully ironed in spite of his struggles. + +"Now lock him in," said Somers. + +"One word, Mr. Somers." + +"Not another word;" and the young commander hastened from the +state-room, and made his way to the scene of peril in the hold. + +He did not believe that even Pillgrim was stupid enough to blow up the +Ben Nevis for mere revenge; and Captain Walmsley certainly would do +nothing of the kind, for he could have no strong feeling on the +subject, at least not enough to sacrifice the lives of himself and his +crew. + +There was a smell of fire in the hold--the hold filled with powder, +shells, and other combustibles. This fact tended to confirm the +statement of the wretch; yet Somers was incredulous. When he reached the +scene of danger he found the officers and the men timid about proceeding +far into the hold, for if there was fire, there must soon be an +explosion. + +"Follow me, my men!" said he, as he walked aft on the cargo. + +"Ay, ay, sir!" cheerfully responded the men,--for the American seaman +will go anywhere an officer will lead him. + +In the after part of the hold there was a dense smoke and a strong smell +of fire. + +"Keep back! You are all dead men!" shouted Captain Walmsley, as Somers +advanced and discovered the speaker seated on a box. + +"What are you doing here?" demanded Somers. + +"I am going to blow up the steamer," replied the captain, who held in +his hand a tin pan filled with burning oakum, chips, and other +combustible material. + +"Well, why don't you do it, then?" said Somers. + +"For God's sake, Mr. Somers, don't stay here," pleaded Mr. Hudson. + +"You needn't, if you are afraid," replied he, coolly. + +"Mr. Somers, in one instant I can blow the Ben Nevis all to pieces," +said Captain Walmsley, with a proper exhibition of tragic adjuncts. + +"Why don't you do it, then?" + +"I am willing to give you one chance to save your lives." + +"You are very considerate. Mr. Pillgrim was going to blow her up for my +special benefit." + +"If you think I am not in earnest, you are greatly mistaken," continued +the captain, as he stirred up the burning substances in the pan. + +"I see you are in earnest, and I am waiting for you to blow her up." + +"I will give you ten minutes to save your lives; for I have sworn this +vessel shall never go into port as a prize. You and your people can take +to the boats and save yourselves." + +"Will you blow her up when we are gone?" + +"I will." + +"I have had quite enough of this, Captain Walmsley," said Somers, +advancing to the fire king, revolver in hand. "Now go on deck, or I will +blow your brains out, if you have any." + +The captain looked at the revolver, and he might as well have +acknowledged his defeat, for his face proclaimed it. + +"If I should drop this into the cargo, it would blow up the ship." + +"No, it wouldn't. There are nothing but solid shot and shell under you," +replied Somers; and perhaps his coolness and self-possession were in a +great measure due to his knowledge of this fact, for he had carefully +inspected the cargo immediately after the capture of the vessel. + +Captain Walmsley, with the blazing censer in his hand, made his way over +the boxes, bales, and barrels which lay above the heavy articles, to the +hatchway. The pan and its contents were thrown overboard, and the men +informed that there was no danger. The captain was ordered into the +cabin, where he was put in double irons, as his fellow-conspirator had +been. He protested, at first, against this indignity. Then he begged, +declaring that Mr. Pillgrim was the author of the plot by which it was +intended to recapture the steamer. It was fully believed that Somers and +his crew would abandon the vessel as soon as it was announced that there +was fire in the hold, knowing that her cargo would readily explode. + +Captain Walmsley declared that Pillgrim was a fool; if he had kept still +till the fire was discovered, instead of declaiming over it beforehand, +the plan would have succeeded. Somers doubted it; and when the +humiliated captain was ironed, he was sent into his state-room, and a +sentinel placed at his door. This business was hardly completed before +the marine in charge of Pillgrim informed Somers that his prisoner +wished to speak with him. The request was peremptorily refused. + +"There, Mr. Hudson, I think we have fixed those fellows so that we shall +know where to find them when we want them," said Somers, when the +conspirators had been disposed of. + +"Yes, sir; and if any other man had been in charge of this vessel, he +would have lost her, Captain Somers. I should have voted for abandoning +her as soon as I was satisfied that she was on fire." + +"Perhaps I should, if I had not known the powder and shells were in the +fore hold. But I did not believe the villains had pluck enough to blow +themselves up for the sake of blowing me up. If there had been any real +danger, they would have been the first to run away." + +"Well, sir, I think you have managed them exceedingly well." + +Somers was perfectly willing he should think so, and perhaps he thought +so himself. At any rate, he was heartily rejoiced to get out of the +scrape so easily, and fully resolved that the conspirators should have +no further opportunity to exercise their talents at plotting on board +the Ben Nevis. + +There was a mystery still unsolved to the young officer, and with Mr. +Hudson he repaired to the state-room in which Pillgrim had passed the +night,--or ought to have passed it,--and commenced a further +examination. There was nothing supernatural, or even very remarkable, in +the absence of the prisoner, when the carpet was pulled up, and a square +aperture, now closed by a pine board, was discovered in the corner of +the room. In the ceiling there was a similar aperture, which had been +filled up to correspond with the deck above. It was evident that a +ventilator, which had been used to convey fresh air to the after hold, +had been removed at some recent period. + +As Captain Walmsley had indicated this state-room for the use of +Pillgrim, it was probable that he had chosen it on account of this means +of egress. Some time in the night he must have visited the prisoner, +entering through this aperture, and conducted him to the hold below. + +In the fine weather and smooth sea the Ben Nevis nearly made good the +claim of the conspirators in regard to her speed, for all day she logged +fifteen knots, and at three bells in the first dog watch Cape Henry was +sighted, and at ten o'clock in the evening she anchored off Fortress +Monroe. + +By the first conveyance Mr. Hudson was sent to Washington with the +despatches of Captain Cascabel, and one from Somers. On the second day +the messenger returned, with orders from the department. The young +officer took the bundle of documents into the cabin, and proceeded to +examine those directed to himself. He was ordered to hand his prisoners +over to the commandant of the fort, to deliver his vessel into the +keeping of the senior naval officer on the station, and to rejoin his +ship forthwith, taking passage in a supply steamer to sail on the +following day. He was highly commended for the skill and energy with +which he had discharged his duty on board the Ben Nevis, full +particulars of which had been communicated by Mr. Hudson. + +Another document contained his commission as master, the next rank above +that of ensign, which had been solicited by Captain Cascabel. This paper +was full of interest to the recipient of it, and he was obliged to open +the long letters he had written to his mother and to Kate Portington, in +order to add, in a postscript, this important intelligence. He was proud +and happy, and more than ever satisfied that republics are not +ungrateful, notwithstanding the tradition to the contrary. + +At the proper time he proceeded to execute his orders in regard to the +vessel and the prisoners. Pillgrim and his fellow-conspirator were +brought on deck. The former looked easy and defiant, as usual, and +assured his captor that he should be at liberty in a few days. + +"Perhaps not," said Somers. + +"You shall yet be cheated of your victim, but I shall not be cheated of +mine," said he, with a malignant smile. + +"I bear you no malice, Mr. Pillgrim." + +"I do bear you malice; and the heaviest revenge that ever fell on man +shall fall on you before the end of this year." + +"Your threats are idle. I have heard too many of them. Pass into the +boat, if you please." + +Pillgrim and Walmsley went over the side, and the boat pulled away. The +chivalrous military officer removed the irons from their legs and arms +as soon as he received them. + +The Ben Nevis was to be sent to New York to be condemned, and Somers +handed her over to the naval officer, according to his orders. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +OFF MOBILE BAY. + + +Somers was now entirely relieved from duty. He had delivered up the +prize and handed the prisoners over to the proper officers. On the +following day he went on shore to spend a few hours before the supply +steamer sailed. On visiting the fortress, he received the astonishing +intelligence that Mr. Pillgrim had escaped from the officer having him +in charge, even before he had been placed in the casement appropriated +to his use. Somers had cautioned the lieutenant to whom he had delivered +him, of the danger of removing the irons, but his advice had not been +heeded. The careless officer was now under arrest for his neglect of +duty. + +By none was this unfortunate event more deeply regretted than by him who +had been the means of foiling the schemes of the traitor and handing him +over to the custody of the government. Pillgrim had boasted that he +would soon be at liberty. He was certainly a talented and a daring +fellow; and to handle him safely, it was necessary to understand him +thoroughly. Somers had a suspicion that the officer from whom the +wretch escaped was bribed by his prisoner; but of course there could be +no evidence on this interesting point. + +A careful search had been made by the garrison of the fort, but without +success. Pillgrim was dressed in the full uniform of a naval lieutenant, +and in this garb his ingenuity would enable him to pass the military +lines, if indeed he was not provided with the means of doing so by the +faithless officer in charge of him. The prisoner had escaped on the +preceding day, and there was now little hope of recapturing him; but +Somers gave such information as he possessed in regard to the fugitive. +Captain Walmsley had been less fortunate, and was still in durance. + +The story of the traitor's escape was a very simple one. When the boat +which had conveyed the prisoners from the steamer to the shore reached +the pier, and they had landed, Walmsley began to protest against his +confinement, being a British subject. He insisted upon seeing the +commandant of the fortress; and while everybody was listening to this +debate, Pillgrim slipped into the crowd and disappeared, passing the +sentinels, who had no suspicion that he was a prisoner, without a +challenge. Immediate search was made for him; but he must have taken to +the water, since there was no other place of concealment which was not +examined. A calker's stage was moored to the shore near the pier, and +it was afterwards surmised that he had crawled under this, securing a +position so that his head was out of water, and remained there till +evening. + +He was gone, and that was all it was necessary to know. The officer who +had permitted him to escape would be court-martialed and broken, and +that would be the end of it. At noon, as Somers was about to embark on +the supply steamer, a letter was handed to him, which had been brought +in by a contraband. The negro said it had been handed to him by "a +gemman wid de anchors on his shoulders," whom he had met on the road to +Williamsburg, nine miles from the fort. + +The epistle was from Pillgrim, as Somers would have known from the +writing, without the contraband's description of the person who had +given it to him. He put it in his pocket, and did not open it till he +had taken possession of his state-room on board the steamer. He was +confident that it contained nothing but threats and abuse, and he felt +but little interest in its contents. The writer, chagrined at the +failure of his plot, was running over with evil thoughts and malicious +purposes. Somers opened the letter and read as follows:-- + + OLD POINT COMFORT, July 14. + +SOMERS: You have been promoted. You remind me of the fable. The goat +went down into the well. The fox sprang upon his horns and leaped out. +You are the fox; you jumped over my head; you went up; you are a master +now. I congratulate you. You are the only man in the world I hate. + +The Tallahassee is doing a good business for the South. She has captured +fifty vessels. The Ben Nevis was her sister. You have her. There are +more of the same family. You believe I am used up. No. I write this +letter to inform you that I am not even singed yet, say nothing of being +burned out. I shall be afloat soon. The Ben Lomond, twin sister of the +Ben Nevis and the Tallahassee, will be at work in a fortnight. She will +then be called the Tallapoosa. Look out for her. + +The Ben Nevis was captured; my agents bought her again. The Ben Lomond +is now at--you wish you knew where! I shall command her. I could not +resist the temptation to inform you of my plan. I know you will enjoy my +prospects! + +You would like to make a little arrangement for the capture of the Ben +Lomond. I wish you might. You will hear of her on the broad ocean in a +few weeks,--capturing, burning, bonding Yankee ships. It will please you +to read the papers then! I shall strike for a California steamer. Her +treasure will make good my losses. + +I am so anxious to meet you again that I am tempted to tell you where my +ship is. I would like to meet you on her quarter deck. You are a +remarkably enterprising fellow; perhaps we shall meet. If we do, I +should feel justified in hanging you at the yard-arm. You belong to the +South. You accepted a commission in her navy. You betrayed your trust. I +shall _endeavor_ to see you again. + +Give my regards to the officers of the Chatauqua. Inform them of my +present brilliant prospects. Remember me kindly to Kate Portington. +Possibly she may be a little _chilly_ when you see her again. + +If you capture the Ben Lomond, otherwise the Tallapoosa, it would make +you a lieutenant. Do it by all means. + + PILLGRIM. + +Somers read this singular letter three times before he could form an +opinion whether or not its statements were mere idle boasts, and whether +or not they had a foundation of truth. Was there any such vessel in +existence as the Ben Lomond? This was the interesting and important +question to him. At this time the Tallahassee was making fearful ravages +among the shipping on the coast, and the success and impunity with which +she carried on her depredations offered plenty of encouragement for the +rebels to send forth similar vessels, if they could obtain them. + +The Ben Nevis had been named after a mountain in Scotland; Ben Lomond +was the name of another. The former was a Clyde-built vessel, and it +would have been natural to give these twin names to twin steamers. +Pillgrim, in the character of "Coles," had given him a certain amount +of correct information in respect to the Ben Nevis, though he had +deceived him in regard to her destination. He had obtained this +knowledge by accident, and the Ben Nevis had been captured. + +To Somers there appeared to be a strong probability that the statements +contained in the letter were wholly or partially true. There were only +two rebel ports into which it was possible for the Ben Lomond to have +run--Mobile and Wilmington. The conspirators had told him that the Ben +Nevis was bound to Mobile when she was actually going to Wilmington. +Pillgrim, in his letter, declared that he was to command the Tallapoosa. +If there was any plan at all, of course it had been laid before the +Chatauqua sailed from Philadelphia. + +Why did Pillgrim start for Mobile in the Chatauqua? Was it not possible +that he intended, as second lieutenant of a national ship, to obtain the +means of getting the Ben Lomond, or Tallapoosa, through the blockading +fleet? Did he not endeavor to involve the fourth lieutenant in the +meshes of the conspiracy for the purpose of obtaining his assistance in +this work? It was plausible. Perhaps the recreant wretch had left some +papers in his state-room on board the Chatauqua, which would be +intelligible in the light which he could bring to bear upon them. + +Bewildered and astonished by the prospect before him, as he read the +letter again and again, and considered its remarkable statements in +connection with his previous knowledge, Somers spent the whole afternoon +in his state-room, and was only aroused from his meditations by the +supper bell. In the evening he resumed his study of the case, and tried +to reconcile the theory he had framed with reason and common sense. +There was nothing to conflict with this theory but the fact that +Pillgrim himself had given him the information upon which it was based. +The traitor would not intentionally betray himself. Perhaps he did not +expect his statements would be credited; or if he did, he had twice +before been equally reckless. + +Then Somers attempted to analyze the mental constitution of Pillgrim. +The conspirator seemed to be able to endure all misfortunes. The loss of +the Ben Nevis had not affected him, and he had endangered, defeated his +plan to recapture her by indulging in idle threats before the match was +applied. He had been more desirous of mortifying, humiliating, and +overwhelming Somers, than of recovering his lost steamer. With great +talents for scheming and plotting, he had displayed the most amazing +stupidity. + +At this point the remark to the letter that Kate Portington would be +_chilly_ when he saw her again, came up for consideration. Pillgrim +certainly had some purpose in view which was equal to, or greater than, +his desire to serve the South, or even himself, in a pecuniary point of +view. He was the friend of the commodore--had known the family before +the war. Somers could not help believing that, in spite of his +thirty-five years, he was an aspirant for the hand of Kate, and that the +bond he had signed was for her use rather than his own. + +Miss Portington might well be _chilly_, if she discovered that Somers +had pledged a part of her fortune at the present stage of proceedings! + +Somers was nervous and uneasy until he had reasoned and coaxed himself +into a full belief in the theory which he had suggested. He could not +wait for evidence, if, indeed, any could be obtained. For the present he +was satisfied, and determined to proceed upon his hypothesis, just as +though every point in the argument had been fully substantiated. + +Our young officer was never idle when it was possible to work. If any of +our readers believe that Somers was very "smart," very skilful, and very +fortunate in his previous career, we beg to remind them, and to impress +it upon their minds in the most forcible manner, that he owed more to +his industry and perseverance than to the accidents of natural ability +and favorable circumstances combined. For example, when he captured the +Ben Nevis, instead of gaping idly about the deck, and thinking what a +great man he was, he went into the hold, and made a careful examination +of the steamer's cargo. The knowledge thus gained had prevented him from +abandoning the vessel when she was believed to be on fire, and thus +saved the prize and confounded the conspirators. + +Somers was not idle now. He procured "Blunt's Coast Pilot," and "A Chart +of the North Coast of the Gulf of Mexico, from St. Mark's to Galveston," +of the captain of the steamer, and diligently studied up, and even +committed to memory, the bearings, distances, and depths of water in +Mobile Bay and vicinity. He carefully trained his mind on these matters +so important to a seaman; and being blessed with a retentive memory, he +hoped and expected to have this knowledge at command when it should be +serviceable. It was hard study--the hardest and dryest kind of study; +but he stuck to it as though it had been a bewitching novel. + +To assist his design he drew maps and charts of the coast from memory, +and was not satisfied till he could make a perfect diagram of the coast, +shoals, islands, and bars, mark the prominent objects to be sighted from +a vessel, and lay down the depth of water. He had nothing else to do on +the passage; and as the steamer glided swiftly over the summer sea, he +found it a more agreeable occupation than smoking, playing cards, and +"spinning yarns," which were the employments of his fellow-passengers. + +On the eighth day from Fortress Monroe the supply steamer reached the +blockading fleet off Mobile Bay, and Somers was warmly welcomed by his +brother officers. Of course he had a long story to tell, which was +listened to with interest. The escape of the late second lieutenant was +received with becoming indignation. Somers was now the third lieutenant +of the Chatauqua, and he moved into the state-room formerly occupied by +Mr. Garboard, who had also advanced one grade in his relative rank. + +"Somers, you are just in time for a big thing," said Mr. Hackleford. +"Our Brave Old Salt is going to take us up Mobile Bay in a few days." + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, the Old Salamander has issued his orders." + +"God bless him!" ejaculated Somers, fervently, in much the same spirit +that a loyal subject speaks of a popular monarch. + +"Ay, God bless him!" replied the first lieutenant. "He is the ablest +naval commander the world has yet produced. In my opinion he is the +superior of Nelson, Collingwood, Decatur, Porter, Preble, and Hull. By +the way, Mr. Somers, you were with him on the Mississippi?" + +"Yes, sir; I was in the Harrisburg when the fleet passed Forts Jackson +and St. Philip. But I am rather sorry the attack is to take place so +soon." + +"Why so?" + +Then Somers showed him Pillgrim's letter; but as we intend to tell only +what was done, not what was said, we will not record the conversation. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +BRAVE OLD SALT. + + +The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the +events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the +splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans. The squadron off +the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in +sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging. Chain cables had +been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was +exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort. Chains and sand +bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the +engines. Boats were removed from the starboard to the port sides, for +the fleet was to go in with Fort Morgan on the right, and close aboard +of them. + +The preparations were advancing when Somers reported on board of the +Chatauqua, and of course he at once experienced the inspiration of +coming events. If there was any man in the navy whom he admired and +reverenced, that man was Admiral Farragut. It is true, he was not +singular in this respect, for every man in the fleet was equally devoted +to him. The "Old Salamander," who seemed never to be happier than when +in the midst of the hottest fire which the engines of modern warfare +could produce, was the idol of both officers and seamen. He was an +honest, just, and humane man, one who involuntarily won the respect of +every person with whom he came into contact. + +We were never more thoroughly impressed by the honesty, justice, and +humanity of a man, than when we took the hand of this "Brave Old Salt." +His expressive eye, and his gentle, but dignified bearing, spoke more +truly and forcibly of what he was, than the most elaborate biography +which the pen of genius could produce. It almost passes belief that men +can stand up and work and fight as officers and seamen worked and fought +between Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and at Mobile Bay; but we can +think of no better inspiration than the leadership of such a man as +Admiral Farragut. + +He was born in Tennessee--a southern state; his home was in Virginia--a +southern state--at the breaking out of the rebellion. With all the +motives which actuated Lee and Johnston, Tatnall and Hollins, to induce +him to abandon the old flag under which he had fought in early youth, +and served through all his manhood, he remained true to his country in +the hour of her severest trial. Neither bribes nor threats could move +him, and not for one instant did he falter in his devotion to the flag +he had sworn to sustain against all foes. Glory, honor, and immortality +in the hearts of his countrymen to the noble Admiral! + +As a naval commander, he has no rival in the past or the present, in +this or in any country. He has achieved, once, twice, thrice, what any +board of naval officers that could have been convened from the boldest +and most skilful naval heroes of the united nations, would have solemnly +pronounced impossible. Chance might have given him the Lower +Mississippi--it did not; but it could not have given him that and Mobile +Bay, and the brilliant exploits up the Great River. Chance is +capricious; it never metes out uniform success. + +Admiral Farragut is not simply a brave and skilful seaman, for the +stroke of genius shines out in all his battle plans, in all his +preparations, and in all his movements, whether on the silent river, as +his majestic ship leads in the van to the conflict, or under the most +deadly and destructive fire that ever was rained down on a wooden hull. +"Brave Old Salt" in the main rigging of the Hartford, as she breasted +the storm of shot and shell from Fort Morgan, is a spectacle more +sublime than can be presented in the annals of any other nation. The +position he chose for himself on that momentous occasion, more truly +indicates the key to his marvellous success than any other fact in +connection with the battle. He was not there to expose himself +needlessly to deadly peril; he was there to see and take advantage of +the issues of the battle. + +His position was a symbol of the intelligence and bravery which won the +great battle. He saw with his own eyes--not with others; while his +glorious personal devotion was a type for every other man, which was +imitated from commodores down to powder-boys. We read of a general who +could not remember where he was during one of the severest and most +destructive fights of the war. If he had been in a position +corresponding to that of the doughty old admiral, it would have been +difficult for him to forget it. But personal bravery alone does not win +the battle on the sea or the land. The admiral's victories are due even +more to his genius--to his persevering industry in the elaboration of +preparatory details. + +"Brave Old Salt," as Somers always called him, was our young officer's +beau-ideal of a naval commander. "Brave" he certainly was, and "Old +Salt," to a sailor, means something more than a long experience at sea. +It conveys to the nautical mind an idea of skill which no "lubber" can +possess. It was bravery, seamanship, and those peculiar qualities which +an "old salt" possesses, that made him great on the quarter deck, in +command of a squadron. + +Somers's admiration for the commander-in-chief of the fleet off Mobile +Bay was of no recent origin. Since he had first known him as "Flag +Officer Farragut" at Ship Island, before the grade of Rear and Vice +Admiral had been created in our navy, he had reverenced him as a +superior man, and looked up to him with an almost superstitious awe. He +could hardly realize that they were both of the same earthly mould, with +the like human hopes and aspirations. Though, for a young man of his +age, Somers regarded his rank of master as very high, it did not permit +him to abate one jot or tittle of the distance which lay between him and +the admiral. He did not feel any better entitled to tread the same deck +with the glorious old hero, as a master, than he did as an ordinary +seaman. + +Somers returned to active duty as soon as he had reported to the first +lieutenant of the Chatauqua, and he had the deck in the first dog watch +on the day of his arrival. During the afternoon watch he had had plenty +of time to report the incidents of his cruise in the Ben Nevis. Mr. +Hackleford had immediately communicated to the captain the facts +concerning Pillgrim's letter, and the recreant lieutenant's papers had +been carefully overhauled in search of anything which would shed a ray +of light upon the statements of the strange letter. + +The only document which looked at all hopeful was a note written in +cipher, to which there was no key among the papers. If the communication +had been in Chinese or Chaldaic, there might have been a chance of +unravelling it; as it was, the note was written in arbitrary characters, +which were as cabalistic and unintelligible as the Egyptian +hieroglyphics. Somers was annoyed and discomfited, for he had +confidently reckoned upon finding some letter which contained a hint to +guide him. There was nothing but this note in cipher. + +To add to his chagrin, Mr. Hackleford was utterly sceptical in regard to +Pillgrim's letter--did not believe the first word of it--called it +"gas," and declared that it would be stupid and childish to pay the +least attention to the document. Captain Cascabel fully concurred with +him in this opinion, and both of them laughed at Somers for bestowing a +second thought upon it. + +"Nonsense! Mr. Somers!" exclaimed the first lieutenant. "There isn't a +single scintillation of truth in the story. If there were even a +glimmering of reality in the thing, I would look into it." + +"But Mr. Pillgrim told me some truth in regard to the Ben Nevis," argued +Somers. + +"That is the best reason in the world for believing he has not done so +in this instance," said Mr. Hackleford. + +"I suppose I must give up the idea, then." + +"You must, indeed. If you don't, I am afraid your reputation for common +sense and good judgment will suffer." + +"Will you allow me to take this letter in cipher, and keep it till +to-morrow?" asked Somers. + +"Certainly." + +Somers took the letter, and put it into his pocket until he had an +opportunity to study its mystic characters. He was mortified by the +rebuff he had received, but his faith, though somewhat shaken, was not +destroyed. He was officer of the deck from four till six. Just before he +was relieved, he ordered the side to be manned to receive the captain, +who was just returning from a visit to the flag-ship. + +As he touched his cap to Captain Cascabel, he noticed a smile on his +commander's face, which seemed to relate to him, and he blushed beneath +the pleasant, but expressive glance bestowed upon him. + +"Mr. Somers," said the captain. + +The officer of the deck stepped forward, and saluted the commander +again. + +"You are invited to dine with Admiral Farragut to-morrow afternoon." + +"I, sir!" exclaimed Somers, completely overwhelmed by this remarkable +declaration. + +"Rear Admiral Farragut presents his compliments to Mr. Somers, and would +be happy to see him at dinner to-morrow, on board the Hartford." + +The captain passed on to the companion-way, leading to his cabin, +leaving Somers as bewildered as though he had been invited to dine with +Queen Victoria, Louis Napoleon, and the Emperor of Russia; indeed, he +regarded it as a much greater honor to dine with "Brave Old Salt," than +to put his feet under the mahogany of the mightiest crowned head of the +world. It was evident that somebody had been talking to the admiral +about him; the captain and the first lieutenant of the Chatauqua +certainly felt kindly enough towards him to do so. + +To dine with Admiral Farragut! That was glory enough for a lifetime; or +at least to be deemed worthy of such a distinction. Our friend Somers +was no snob; he "looked up" to great people, especially to those who +were really great. He pretended to no familiarity with his superiors, +though some of the officers were dying with envy at the notice taken of +him by the captain and first lieutenant of the ship. He did not assume +to be familiar with men who had won a deathless fame in defending their +country's cause. Perhaps there was not an officer in the fleet who would +so highly appreciate such a compliment as that of which he was now the +happy recipient. + +When he was relieved from the deck, and went down into the ward-room, +the news had gone before him, and the "idlers" there congratulated him +upon his rising fame. But Somers broke away from them as soon as he +could decently do so, and shut himself up in his state-room. He was +actually dizzy at the idea of sitting down at the table with "Brave Old +Salt" in the cabin of the Hartford; and though he took the cabalistic +note of Mr. Pillgrim from his pocket, at least half an hour was wasted +before he could apply his mind undividedly to the difficult problem +before him. Finally, the hope of making a grand revelation to the +admiral on the morrow fired his zeal to such a pitch that the work +looked like play to him. + +Somers opened the mysterious document and spread it out on the desk, at +which he seated himself. It looked dark and hopeless, with its dots and +dashes, its horizontals and perpendiculars, its curves and crosses. We +present the note in full, that our readers may be able to appreciate the +difficulty of the task he had undertaken. + +[Illustration] + +If Somers had been a student of the occult sciences, he might have been +more hopeful. An hour's hard study brought a gleam of light. He thought +the note must be signed by Langdon. There were seven letters in the +signature. This was his first ray of hope. He then placed all the +letters of the alphabet in a column, and against each made the character +that represented it in the cipher. Six letters were thus interpreted. + +The next step was to place each of the letters thus discovered over its +sign in the note. The second and third words of the epistle then stood, +the eights being for undiscovered letters, as follows: 88nxlo8ond. + +"Ben Lomond!" exclaimed Somers, as he gave a smart rap on the desk to +indicate his joy at the discovery. + +Three more letters were gained, and the oblique cross was only a mark to +divide the words. The three letters before Ben Lomond must be, t h e. +The solution began to be easy, though it required a long time to reach +it. At midnight, when he was called to take the mid watch, he had it +written out as follows:-- + + _Washington, Twentieth of June._ + +_The Ben Lomond is at Mobile, fitting out. Mallory gives you the +command. The forts will be attacked by the first of August. You must get +her out before that time._ + + _LANGDON._ + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE BOAT EXPEDITION. + + +At general quarters, on the following day, Somers looked somewhat +care-worn. It was midnight when he had worked out the solution of the +cipher, and at this hour he had been called to take the mid watch. But +there was no happier or more exultant man in the fleet. His conquest +over the cabalistic letter had confirmed his theory. The Ben Lomond was +not a myth, and she was at Mobile. Pillgrim had expressed a desire to +see Somers again, and there was a fair prospect that he might yet be +able to do so. + +The important event of this day was the dinner with "Brave Old Salt." +But the letter and the dinner seemed to be inseparably connected. Somers +had given the translation to the first lieutenant, who, to the chagrin +and mortification of the persevering student, did not appear to attach +much importance to the letter. + +"If the Tallapoosa, or Ben Lomond, is in the bay, we shall soon have +her," said Mr. Hackleford, "for we are going to make the attack on the +forts within a few days." + +"The attack may fail, and thus afford an opportunity for the cruiser to +come out," suggested Somers. + +"Fail?" + +The third lieutenant of the Chatauqua stood abashed before the look of +his superior. He did not believe that any attack made by Admiral +Farragut could fail, but it was possible for the Confederate steamer to +run the blockade, as hundreds had done before her, especially as she +could steam sixteen knots. + +"I don't think the attack will fail, sir; but even a victory might +afford the Ben Lomond a chance to run out." + +"I don't think there is much chance; but Captain Cascabel has your +solution of the letter under consideration. Perhaps the admiral may have +something to say about it." + +Somers was not satisfied with the reception given to his revelation. He +had already formed a plan for ascertaining where the Ben Lomond was, but +the cool manner in which his communication was received prevented him +from even mentioning it. + +In the afternoon, the captain's gig came up to the accommodation ladder, +and the commander, attended by Somers, seated himself in the +stern-sheets. Captain Cascabel was received with due honors on the +quarter deck of the Hartford, where the gallant admiral was walking at +the time. + +When his superior had been welcomed with dignified cordiality, Captain +Cascabel introduced Somers. The admiral bowed, smiled pleasantly, and +did not look patronizingly upon the young officer, as he might have been +pardoned for doing. As he stood there on the quarter deck of the +flag-ship, he was full of genuine dignity and true manliness--a noble +representative of the American naval commander. He was of medium +stature, well formed, and of elegant proportions. He seemed to be made +of nerves and muscles, and when he moved there was an elastic spring to +his frame, which impressed the observer with the idea of energy and +vigor. He did not appear to stand on the deck, but to be poised +independently in the air, resting on the planks beneath him more because +it was the fashion to do so, than because he had any need of such +support. + +Somers removed his cap, made his best bow, and blushed like a summer +rose. He was deeply impressed by the glance of the admiral, and the +atmosphere around him seemed to be full of the man at whom he gazed in +reverent admiration. + +"Mr. Somers, I am happy to see you," said the admiral, in a tone so +gentle and affable that it seemed to remove the "curse" of greatness far +from him. "I have heard of you before, and I doubt not we shall be able +to make you very useful to your country." + +"Thank you, sir," replied Somers, not daring to say any more, and with +the feeling of his childhood, that "boys ought to be seen, not heard." + +The admiral, with this judicious commendation, turned to Captain +Cascabel, and opened conversation with him, evidently determined not to +spoil the young man by taking too much notice of him. Somers was soon at +home with the officers of the Hartford, and behaved himself with +becoming modesty and discretion. He dined with the admiral, several +other officers of distinction being present. The conversation at the +table, singularly enough, it may appear to our readers, did not relate +to the war, or even to the navy. These topics appeared to be carefully +excluded, though the reserve on this occasion was probably accidental. + +Somers found sufficient pleasure in looking at and listening to the +admiral, and the other distinguished officers, though he was not +ignored, being kindly encouraged, by an occasional question, to use his +voice. But he was not forward, and his very nature prevented him from +indulging in any of that impudent familiarity which is so offensive to +elderly men, especially if they occupy high positions. + +After dinner, a matter of business came up, and it soon appeared that +Captain Cascabel had given the admiral all the particulars relating to +the Ben Lomond, including the letter in cipher, which Somers had +interpreted. The conversation took place in private, with only the three +persons present who were most intimately concerned. The letter was +exhibited, and its solution explained. + +"Mr. Somers, what is your plan? I am informed that you have one," said +the admiral. + +"I have one, sir, but I hardly hope it will merit your approbation," +replied the third lieutenant of the Chatauqua. + +"We will hear it, if you please. By the way, our picket boats report +that a steamer came down the bay this morning, and moored inside the +Middle Ground. It may be the one mentioned in your letter--the +Tallapoosa." + +"Probably it is, sir. She can now only be waiting the arrival of +Lieutenant Pillgrim, who is to command her." + +"We must capture that man. State your plan, Mr. Somers." + +The young officer, with no little trepidation, related the particulars +of the method he had considered for the capture of the Ben Lomond. + +"Very daring and impudent, Mr. Somers," said the admiral, as he glanced +with a meaning smile at Captain Cascabel. + +"Mr. Somers's _forte_ is daring and impudence. But his scheme, besides +being based on mere theory, is absolutely fool-hardy," added the +captain, throwing a whole bucket of cold water on the young officer's +prospects. + +"I do not wholly agree with you, captain. By the report of the picket +boats, there is certainly a sea-going steamer in the bay. That, in a +measure, confirms Mr. Somers's theory. Now, if the vessel is there, the +young man may bring her out if he has the ability to do so." + +"What force do you require, Mr. Somers?" + +"The first cutter of the Chatauqua, and twenty-four men." + +"You shall have them, Mr. Somers," said the admiral. "Instead of the +first cutter, I suggest a whale-boat, which will not be much more than +half as heavy." + +"That would be better, sir," replied Somers, hardly able to conceal the +joy and exultation he felt at the prospect of being permitted to carry +out his plan. + +"Captain, you will permit Mr. Somers to pick his men, and afford him +every facility for the execution of his purpose." + +"I will, with pleasure, sir." + +"When do you wish to begin, Mr. Somers?" asked the admiral. + +"To-night, sir." + +"Very well. The monitors haven't arrived, captain, and it may be a +fortnight before we make the attack on the forts. The steamer may run +out in a fog or storm before that time, and I think we do well to +prevent another Tuscaloosa from preying on the commerce of the country." + +"Undoubtedly, sir, if we can." + +"Mr. Somers's scheme may possibly succeed, though I do not think his +chances of cutting out the steamer are very encouraging." + +"I am afraid not, admiral," answered Captain Cascabel, incredulously. + +"Mr. Somers, your reputation would be seriously damaged by the failure +of your enterprise. Your officers would be more unwilling to trust you +than they are now if you should meet with a disaster." + +"I could not complain. I do not intend to meet with any disaster. If I +do nothing better, I shall bring my men back with me." + +The admiral laughed, and seemed to be pleased with this confidence, +while Captain Cascabel shook his head. + +"Mr. Somers, the risk is very great. You and your men may be prisoners +in Fort Morgan within twenty-four hours. A failure would damage, if not +ruin you. Are you still ready to undertake the work?" asked the admiral. + +"I am, sir." + +"Remember that everything depends upon yourself. My best wishes for your +success go with you." + +Somers needed no better inspiration, and his frame seemed to jerk and +spring like that of Brave Old Salt, when he realized that he was +actually to undertake his cherished purpose. + +The gig pulled back to the Chatauqua, and Somers immediately commenced +his preparations. The cordial indorsement of the admiral was enough to +silence all opposition, and to "put a stopper on the jaw-tackle of all +croakers." He was earnestly seconded by the captain and his officers. In +a short time a light whale-boat was towed up, and made fast to the boom. + +Somers's first duty was to select his crew. He was to engage in a +desperate enterprise, and everything must depend upon the skill and +bravery, as well as the silence and discretion, of his force. The first +person selected was the boatswain, Tom Longstone, who, being better +acquainted with the qualities of the seamen, was intrusted with the +selection of the boat's crew. Just as soon as it was discovered that +some daring enterprise was to be undertaken by the third lieutenant, he +was beset by eager applicants for a place in the boat. Acting ensigns, +masters' mates, midshipmen, indeed, all the officers below Somers in +rank, begged to be appointed. + +The young commander of the expedition was prudent and cautious, and he +accepted the services of none. Tom Longstone was the only officer to +accompany him. The boatswain would obey his orders without asking any +questions, or bothering him with any advice. + +"There, Mr. Somers, I have picked out the twenty-four best men in the +ship--men that will work, fight, and hold their tongues," said Boatswain +Longstone, when he had executed the important trust committed to him. + +"Thank you, boatswain. What do you think of the weather?" + +"It's going to be a nasty night." + +"So much the better. Let every man take his pea-jacket; apply to the +armorer for revolvers and cutlasses for each of them." + +"A howitzer, Mr. Somers?" + +"No; we must go as light as possible," replied Somers, as he proceeded +to instruct the boatswain in regard to certain "slings" and other +rigging that would be wanted. + +Boatswain Longstone did not ask a single question about the nature or +object of the enterprise; and with the exception of the admiral, and the +captain and first lieutenant of the Chatauqua, not a man in the fleet +besides Somers knew "what was up." It was necessary to conduct the +enterprise with the utmost caution and secrecy. + +The boatswain's predictions in regard to the weather proved to be +entirely correct, for at eight bells, when the first watch was set, it +was dark, foggy, and rainy. Somers had calculated upon this weather, +when he had so promptly chosen the time for his venture. It was just the +night for a difficult and dangerous enterprise, and the fog and the +darkness were its best friends. While the boatswain was carrying out the +orders given him, Somers had been engaged at the desk in his state-room, +preparing for use certain papers, including his commander's commission +in the Confederate navy, and his letter of instructions, intended for +the Ben Nevis, or Louisiana. With his knife he scratched, and with his +pen he wrote, until the documents suited his present purpose; and they +were placed in his pocket. + +At two bells--nine o'clock in the evening--while the rain poured down in +torrents, Somers embarked with his force, consisting of Tom Longstone +and twenty-four as athletic and resolute fellows as ever pulled an oar +or handled a cutlass. The whale-boat was crowded, though it was of the +largest size, being thirty feet in length. The oars were carefully +muffled, and the seamen were so disposed that the oarsmen could be +relieved without noise. + +Wrapping his overcoat closely around him, Somers seated himself in the +stern-sheets of the whale-boat, with the boatswain at his side. Though +profoundly impressed by the magnitude and danger of the work in which he +was engaged, he could not help thinking of the changes which had +checkered his lot, since, two years before, he had sat in the first +cutter of the Harrisburg, as an ordinary seaman. Now he was a master, +and in command of the expedition. Tom Longstone had been with him then; +he was with him now. In low tones, they talked of that eventful night, +and of the changes which had occurred since that time. + +Somers was grateful for his advancement, and thanked God that he had +been enabled to perform his duty so as to merit the favor of his +superiors. And in the depths of his heart he asked God to bless his +present exertions for the good of his country. He leaned on the Good +Father even in this exciting hour, and his religious faith was the +strength of his arm. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE PICKET BOAT. + + +Through the deep darkness and the dense fog the boat made its way. There +was not an object to be seen, on ship or shore, to guide its course; and +in front of Somers there was a patent binnacle, whose lights were +reflected on the compass, but did not even soften the gloom without, +into which he continued to gaze with the most anxious solicitude. He had +carefully estimated the currents the whale-boat would encounter, and +calculated the force of the wind, so as to determine her lee-way with +the nicest practicable accuracy. + +The young commander of the expedition hoped to strike a certain point of +the land to the eastward of the fort on Mobile Point, distant five and a +half miles from the ship. Half a mile east or west of the desired point +might involve him in serious if not fatal difficulties, and everything +depended upon the accuracy of his calculations. His early experience as +a boatman at Pinchbrook Harbor was of incalculable service to him, since +nothing can supply the place of actual observation in the making of +such nice estimates as were required for success in the present +instance. + +The rain poured down in torrents, and the sea was rough and uneasy; but +Somers, never for an instant turned aside from the grand object before +him by the discomforts of his situation, watched his compass and closely +observed every motion of the whale-boat. He was fired with zeal, but he +was not excited, for he knew how much depended upon cool judgment and +careful execution of the details of his work. + +"Breakers ahead!" said the bowman, in a low tone; and the words were +passed aft to the officer. + +Breakers were to be expected; and of course Somers was not appalled by +the announcement. The boat dashed on till she reached the broken water; +but the surf on the shore, thrown up by the storm, was absolutely +fearful. A stunning roar broke upon the ears of the young officer as the +frail craft approached the foaming billows that shattered themselves on +the beach. + +"That's a heavy surf, Mr. Somers," said Tom Longstone. + +"So much the better," replied the officer, cheerfully. + +"This whale-boat will not be much better than a cockle-shell in that +surf." + +"She will go through it, if she is well handled." + +"Ay, ay, sir; of course she will." + +"The rebels will not expect a boat to land in such a surf and on such a +night. We shall not be expected," replied Somers, in a loud tone, for +whispers and soft speech could not be heard above the roar of the +billows. + +The commander of the expedition stood up in the stern-sheets, and +attempted to penetrate the gloom and fog in the direction of the beach; +but neither sight nor sound of the shore could be obtained. To plunge +through that boiling surf upon a rebel battery or an artillery company, +would be a sad conclusion of the night's work; but even this must be +risked, for it was not possible to obtain a single item of information +in regard to the surroundings on shore. + +"Oars!" shouted Somers, when he had completed his unsatisfactory survey +shoreward, and there was not the slightest danger of his order being +heard by an enemy beyond the thundering roll of the sea. "Hold water!" + +The onward progress of the boat was stopped. + +"Back the starboard, pull the port oars!" added the officer, who had now +taken the management of the boat out of the hands of the coxswain. +"Oars!" he continued, when the boat was turned so as to head directly +from the shore. + +"Now, my lads, pull steady, and mind the orders promptly," said the +confident young officer. "There's a heavy surf; but if you pull strong, +and mind quick, we shall be through it in a moment." + +"Ay, ay, sir!" responded the blue-jackets. + +"Stern, all!" continued Somers, when he had carefully observed the sweep +of the last wave. + +The oarsmen backed water, and the boat moved towards the shore, stern +foremost. In a moment she was lifted up by a great billow and swept +furiously towards the beach. + +"Steady!" said Somers, gazing forward over the heads of the men, +watching the approach of the next foam-crested wave. + +The men were entirely cool, and their iron muscles held the boat under +perfect control. A huge roller was coming in, fiercely, rapidly, at +double or triple the speed of the whale-boat, and the first great peril +of the surf was at hand. + +The danger was, as our inexperienced readers may not understand, that +the stern of the boat, suddenly struck by the swift-flying wave, would +be lifted high in air, and the bow forced under; or that the boat would +broach to, and be rolled over in the sea. In either case the boat would +be swamped, and eventually be stove on the beach. Somers saw one of +these rushing billows coming down with frightful velocity upon the +whale-boat. + +"Oars!" cried he; and the men ceased backing her. + +"Give way!" he added, with an energy which was at once communicated to +the muscles of the men; and they pulled steadily, as a well-disciplined +crew always does, but with a firmness and strength which caused the boat +to dart forward towards the savage roller. + +She met the billow; her bow rose upon it; she passed over without being +ingulfed by it. + +"Oars! Hold water! Stern, all!" continued the young officer; and again +the whale-boat moved towards the shore. + +The manoeuvre described was repeated several times, until the boat had +passed through the surf, and struck heavily on the sandy beach. The men +in the bow were then ordered to jump into the water; and as the forward +part was thus lightened, the successive rollers bore the boat farther +and farther upon the beach, until the whole crew were landed. The first +step of the expedition had been safely accomplished. + +Somers ordered the men to haul up the boat high and dry upon the beach. +There was not a person to be seen, or a sound to be heard, which +indicated the presence of an enemy. The young officer had now to prove +the correctness of his calculations, for as yet he knew not upon what +portion of the point he had landed. A careful survey of the ground was +therefore immediately to be made. It was necessary to have assistance in +this; and Somers selected two first-class firemen, very intelligent men, +machinists and engineers, who were in training for situations in +government ships. They had been brought to work the engine of the Ben +Lomond, if, fortunately, she were captured. + +Tom Longstone was left in charge of the boat and crew, and the two +firemen followed the commander of the expedition, who moved towards the +north. When he had proceeded a short distance, he explained to his +companions his object. + +"About an eighth of a mile from the beach," said he, "there is a creek, +which widens into a little bay. I wish to find this creek; it will lead +us into Mobile Bay. Conant, you will go east, and, Wade, you will go +west. You must be very careful, or you will lose your way. You will not +go more than half a mile, as nearly as you can judge, in either +direction. If you find it, return to the beach, and take notice of the +best way to reach it." + +The firemen parted, and Somers moved forward himself. He did not find +the creek in the direction he had chosen, and returned to the beach, +after a search of about an hour. Wade was there before him; but Conant +had not yet made his appearance, though he did not long delay the +expedition. + +"I have found it, sir," said Conant, when he returned. "It lies in this +direction:" he pointed to the north-east. "It isn't a quarter of a mile +distant; but I had some difficulty in finding a good path." + +"Did you see anybody, or anything?" + +"Nothing, sir." + +The whale-boat was then turned over; each man took off his pea-jacket, +rolled it up, and put it on his shoulder. The boat was then lifted up, +and placed on the shoulders of the sailors, the garment acting as a +cushion to support the weight, without injury to the bearers. After a +great many trials and difficulties incident to the darkness of the night +and the character of the ground, the creek was reached, and the +whale-boat launched. Unfortunately, the water was very shallow, and even +the light draught of the boat was too great for rapid progress, though +by various expedients this obstacle was overcome, and the expedition +reached the mouth of the creek at about half past twelve o'clock in the +morning. + +Somers was entirely dependent upon his memory and the compass for +sailing directions; and the careful study he had made of the navigation +of the bay enabled him to move with considerable confidence. The creek +disembogued in a nearly landlocked bay, whose comparatively still waters +were passed, and the boat began to be tossed by the waves of the broad +bay. + +Heading his craft to the westward, he bade the men give way with a will. +Encouraged by the manner in which all obstacles had thus far been +overcome, they were ready and willing subjects. After pulling about +three miles, the rougher sea and the depth of water which the bowman had +continually reported, assured Somers that he must have reached the +Middle Ground, where vessels bound out usually came to anchor when +subjected to any delay. The Ben Lomond, if she was in the bay, could not +be far distant; but the fog and darkness prevented him from seeing a +ship's length ahead. + +"Can you see anything, Mr. Longstone?" asked the young commander, who +felt that he was now in the midst of the greatest obstacles to the +success of his mission. + +"I can't see anything," replied the boatswain; "but I think I hear +something. There, sir! Two bells just struck in a vessel dead ahead." + +"I see her," said the bowman. "It's a rebel iron-clad!" + +"She's an ugly customer. I don't want anything of her," said Somers, as +he ordered the boat to go about, and headed her to the north-east. + +"Boat ahead, sir!" reported the bowman. + +"Speak out, man!" said the commander. "I am not afraid of being seen +now. Where away is she?" + +"On the port quarter, sir." + +"Starboard, coxswain," continued Somers. + +In a few moments the dark outline of the boat was seen in the water, and +the coxswain was directed to steer towards her. Somers was fully +committed now, and intended to carry himself through by impudence and +audacity. He was in the midst of the rebel fleet to be used for the +defence of the bay. He knew that the waters around him were patrolled +by picket boats, and he doubted not the craft before him was one of +them. He could not find the Ben Lomond readily, and probably the officer +of this boat would know her position. + +"Boat ahoy!" he shouted. + +"In the boat!" was the reply. + +"Oars! Hold water!" + +"What boat is that?" demanded the officer of the rebel party. + +"My boat," replied Somers, rather irregularly. + +"Who are you?" + +"John Pillgrim, commander in the Confederate navy, appointed to the +steamer Tallapoosa." + +"Ah," responded the officer. "You were expected before." + +"Couldn't come before," replied Somers, with perfect assurance. "Where +is the Tallapoosa? I have been beating about here in the fog these two +hours, trying to find her." + +"She lies about half a mile to the northward and eastward." + +"Thank you; I shall find her. Please report me to Admiral Buchanan, and +say I shall run out immediately." + +"It's a good night for it. I beg your pardon, Captain Pillgrim; have you +a pass?" + +"A what?" demanded Somers, as if astonished at the request. + +"A pass." + +"No; where should I get a pass, or what should I want one for?" + +"Excuse me, but my orders are very strict. I cannot let a boat or vessel +pass me without the proper papers." + +"What papers do you want?" + +"Simply a pass." + +"I have no pass." + +"I shall be obliged to detain you, then." + +"No, you won't!" answered Somers, indignantly. "Here it is one o'clock +in the morning. I ought to have been over the bar by this time." + +"I can't help it, Captain Pillgrim; my orders are imperative," pleaded +the picket officer. + +"Well, if you can't help it, I can. I may not have such another night as +this for a month." + +"I shall not detain you half an hour. The Tallapoosa has steam up, and +is only waiting for her commander and the balance of her crew." + +"How many men has she on board?" asked Somers, somewhat startled. + +"About forty, besides the firemen." + +"I have the balance. It is all right." + +"Pardon me, if I persist. I must see your papers." + +"I have no pass; but I will show you my commission and my orders from +the secretary of the navy." + +"Those will answer." + +The boat was laid alongside, and by the light of a lantern the officer +glanced at Somers's commission and orders. He pronounced them all right, +and the expedition was permitted to proceed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE BEN LOMOND. + + +"That's a bold step, Mr. Somers," said Tom Longstone, as the whale-boat +dashed on towards the intended prize. + +"If it were less bold, it would be more dangerous," replied Somers, +easily; for he entered so fully into the spirit of the affair, that he +felt quite at home, and was hardly disturbed by a doubt of final +success. + +"Where is Mr. Pillgrim now?" asked the boatswain. + +"I haven't the least idea; but I think he cannot be far off." + +"You left him at Fortress Monroe?" + +"Yes; he had started for the South then, to take command, I suppose, of +this vessel. The traitor's plan was to come down on the Chatauqua, and +then bring out this vessel perhaps, on the pretence of capturing her. At +any rate, he was going to use his official position in the navy to help +him get the Tallapoosa out of the bay, and past the blockading squadron. +If not, he would not have gone in her, and thus wasted so much of his +valuable time. I wish I knew where he is now." + +"Perhaps it don't make much difference." + +"I am afraid it will make considerable difference. Suppose the traitor +has been on board the Ben Lomond?" + +"The what?" + +"The Tallapoosa; they have changed her name. Keep a sharp lookout +forward for the ship, bowman." + +"Ay, ay, sir! I can't see a thing yet." + +"Suppose he has been on board, Mr. Somers?" continued the boatswain. + +"If he has, we may have to fight for the vessel." + +"Well, we can do that," replied Tom, as he involuntarily grasped his +cutlass. + +"He has forty men aboard of her now, besides the firemen and +coal-heavers." + +"Our boys wouldn't mind forty of them." + +"I should not hesitate to attack her, but the noise would wake up the +rebel iron clads and gunboats. We must get the vessel without fighting. +I don't believe Pillgrim has been on board of her. If he had, that +picket officer would have known that I am not the man. I'm not going to +croak about the business, though. In my opinion it will be all right." + +"Of course the Tallapoosa is in charge of some one." + +"All her officers are on board, except the commander, we were told." + +"Some of them may know Mr. Pillgrim," suggested the boatswain, who had +more fears for his young commander than the latter had for himself. + +"Mr. Pillgrim has been in the North, and in England since the war began. +I am of the opinion that those on board do not know him." + +"Suppose they do?" + +"I shall put them under arrest if they refuse to obey my orders." + +"You are smart, Mr. Somers," said Tom, who chuckled over the adroitness +of his _protégé_, even while he trembled for his safety and success. + +"Steamer ahead, sir!" reported the bowman. + +"Where does she lie?" + +"On the starboard bow, sir!" + +"Port a little," said Somers. "Now, my men, you will obey orders and +keep silent. Answer no questions which may be put to you." + +"Ay, ay, sir," responded the crew, cheerfully; for though they seemed to +be knocking at the door of a rebel prison, they had full confidence in +their gallant young leader. + +Perhaps some of them "had their doubts," for four and twenty men are +hardly ever gathered together, among whom there are not more or less who +are disposed to grumble, and croak, and imagine possible disasters. +Within the rebel lines, surrounded by Confederate vessels, and on the +point of confronting superior numbers, it would not have been +surprising if these men had been rather uncertain of the future. +Whatever doubts or fears they had, they believed in Somers. + +"My lads," continued the commander of the expedition, in a low tone, +"you are rebel sailors for an hour or so. You will talk and act as such. +Do you understand me?" + +"Ay, ay, sir." + +"You will call me Captain Pillgrim." + +The men had listened to the conversation between their officer and the +pickets, and they comprehended enough of the plan to enable them to act +intelligently. + +"Tom," said Somers, "there is nothing to prevent me from acting just as +Mr. Pillgrim would do, if he were in my place." + +"That's so." + +"I could go to sea in this steamer, and plunder all the vessels I could +overhaul." + +"So you could," replied the boatswain, who seemed to be amazed even at +such a suggestion. + +"I'm not sure that I am not carrying out the very plan which the traitor +had in his mind. Perhaps he intended to do just what I have done, when +he reached the blockading station." + +"Very likely." + +"Then I shall be Mr. Pillgrim, and carry out his purpose to the letter; +only, when we get out of the bay I shall do rather differently from what +he intended." + +"Boat ahoy!" shouted a man at the gangway of the Ben Lomond. + +"On board the Tallapoosa!" replied Somers. + +"Keep off," said the man, who seemed to be the officer of the deck. "Who +are you?" + +"Commander John Pillgrim, Confederate States navy, and captain of this +ship." + +"Man the side, you lubbers!" added the boatswain, rather improving on +the suggestion of Somers, given him at this moment. + +"Captain Pillgrim?" said the officer of the deck. + +"I said so. Is the ship ready to sail?" + +"She is, sir; we have kept steam up all day, waiting for you." + +"Good! You are the right officers for me. I commend you," replied +Somers, as he mounted the accommodation ladder. + +The pretended commander went up the side, closely followed by Longstone +and a dozen of the sailors, and stepped down upon the deck. + +"I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance, I believe," added Somers, +confronting the officer. + +"Mr. Swayne, second lieutenant, sir," replied the officer. "Mr. Langdon +is below, sir. I will send for him." + +Langdon! It was all up with Somers! Langdon knew him, had dined with +him, had been intimate with him, and of course it would be useless to +attempt to pass himself off as Mr. Pillgrim. + +"Stop, sir!" said Somers, sternly, and with great presence of mind. +"When did Mr. Langdon come on board?" + +"Nearly a week ago, sir, when the rest of us did." + +"Indeed!" added Somers, savagely. "Mr. Langdon and myself have a little +account to settle. He has disobeyed my orders, and I never will go to +sea with such a man as executive officer. Mr. Swayne, for the present +you will act as first lieutenant. I shall put Mr. Langdon under arrest +at once." + +"Here he comes, sir." + +"Mr. Longstone, you will arrest the first lieutenant at once; put him in +irons if he resists," said Somers, as he saw Langdon come up the +companion-way. + +The stalwart boatswain confronted the astonished officer, as he +approached the spot where Somers stood with the second lieutenant. + +"By order of Captain Pillgrim, you are placed under arrest," said Tom, +as, with a couple of seamen, he placed himself in front of the executive +officer. + +"Under arrest?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"What for?" + +"For disobedience of orders." + +"By whose command?" demanded the bewildered Langdon. + +"Captain Pillgrim's, sir?" + +"Impossible!" + +"I beg your pardon, sir, but the captain told me to lose no time. He is +going to sea at once." + +"Is Captain Pillgrim on board?" + +"Of course he is. I just came off with him. He ordered me to arrest +you." + +"Who are you, sir?" + +"Blarney, sir!" exclaimed the boatswain, impatiently; "I can't stop--" + +"Mr. Blarney, will you do me the favor to ask Captain Pillgrim for a +moment's conversation with me. There must be some mistake, Mr. Blarney." + +"Can't stop, sir," answered Tom, who could not even pause long enough to +laugh at the rebel's blunder. "My orders are to put you in irons if you +resist. What do you say, Mr. Langdon?" + +"Of course I do not resist; but there is some mistake." + +"No mistake, upon my honor. You may take my word for it, the business is +all straight." + +"With what am I charged?" + +"With disobedience of orders; and, Mr. Langdon, you'll excuse me, but +there's a suspicion that you mean to go over to the Yankees." + +"I! To the Yankees!" + +"Beg pardon, sir; but I can't stop to blarney any longer. My duty is +plain; and I'll bet a month's pay you will see the captain sooner than +you want to. Down below if you please, sir, to your state-room." + +Langdon obeyed in dogged silence. No doubt he much wondered who the +rough fellow was that subjected him to this summary treatment. But the +salutary hint about irons seemed to satisfy him, and when he had gone +into his room, the door was closed, and a seaman placed before it. +Longstone returned to the deck, touched his cap politely to Somers, and +reported his orders executed. + +"Mr. Swayne, you will call all hands," said the new commander of the +Tallapoosa, when his dangerous first lieutenant had been secured. + +The boatswain of the steamer piped all hands, among whom the seamen from +the Chatauqua mingled, and made themselves entirely at home. + +"Mr. Swayne, will you do me the favor to read my commission to the +crew," said Somers, handing him the document which he had carefully +"tinkered" to suit the present occasion. + +Tom Longstone held the lantern, and the acting first lieutenant promptly +complied with the request of the assumed commander. The document +proclaimed that John Pillgrim was duly invested with authority as a +commander in the Confederate navy, and was duly signed by "S. R. +Mallory," though whether that distinguished rebel functionary had +actually issued the paper or not, Somers was himself as ignorant as the +others who listened to the reading. + +From his orders Somers then read enough to satisfy any who might be in +doubt of his appointment to the Tallapoosa, which name he had +substituted for that of Ben Nevis, as it read on the original document, +given him by Langdon, _alias_ Lieutenant Wynkoop. + +"Are you satisfied, Mr. Swayne?" asked the commander, when he had +finished the document. + +"Entirely so, Captain Pillgrim," replied the first lieutenant. + +If he had not been satisfied, probably he would have been put under +arrest as summarily as his superior had been a few moments before. With +such an energetic captain, it was lucky for him he was satisfied! +Perhaps Mr. Swayne was duly and properly impressed by the decided +character of his commander, and deemed it prudent to raise no +objections. + +"Are you satisfied, gentlemen?" asked Somers, turning to the little +group of officers. + +Fortunately for them, and perhaps for Somers too, they were also +satisfied. + +"My lads," continued the courteous but decisive captain, "you have +listened to my commission, and you have listened to my orders." + +Somers paused, and the two first-class firemen from the Chatauqua +started a demonstration of applause which was a complete success. + +"My lads, I am going out to take a look at the Yankee fleet, to-night," +he proceeded. + +Applause. + +"I am a fighting man." + +More applause. + +"That Yankee fleet will not stop me!" added Somers, with enthusiasm. + +"That's so!" shouted one of the first-class firemen, who had a high +appreciation of a good joke; and his remark was followed by a storm of +applause. + +"I repeat, my lads, the Yankee fleet will not stop me. I shall pay my +respects to the Yankee admiral down there before the sun rises." + +Tumultuous applause. + +"Now, my lads, I mean just what I say, and I say just what I mean. I +command this ship, and every man on board obeys me. I am going through +the Yankee fleet; will you go with me?" + +"Ay, ay, sir!" roared the crew; and the voices of the Chatauqua's people +were prominent in the reply. + +"Will you go where I lead you?" + +"Ay, ay, sir." + +"Very likely I shall send you upon the deck of the heaviest man-of-war +in the Yankee squadron; but I will go with you." + +"Bully for the captain!" shouted the enthusiastic first-class fireman, +which remark was indorsed and approved by the crew in general. + +"What an awful fellow he is!--a regular fire-eater," whispered Mr. +Swayne to Tom Longstone. + +"He will do all he says he will," replied the boatswain. + +"Will he board a Yankee frigate?" + +"It's like him; but he is as prudent as he is brave." + +"Now, my lads, to your duty. We shall get under way at once, and I want +every man to be true to God and his country," continued Somers. + +"Three cheers for the captain!" shouted the fireman; and they were given +with a will, as Somers walked aft. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. + + +"Mr. Swayne, you will get the ship under way at once," said Somers, as +he turned from the crew, and walked aft. + +The first lieutenant gave his orders, and the crew were soon walking +round the capstan. The officers of the Tallapoosa had certainly used +their time to advantage, for the crew was well disciplined, though the +twenty-four petty officers and seamen from the Chatauqua were the spice +of every movement. + +"Where is the pilot, Mr. Swayne?" asked Somers. + +"We have one on board, sir. He berths in the steerage. Shall I send for +him, Captain Pillgrim?" + +"If you please, do so." + +A master's mate was ordered to find the pilot. + +"Is he up to his business?" continued Somers, to whom the pilotage of +the vessel was of the last importance. + +"Yes, sir; he is the best pilot in these waters. He has taken out a +great many vessels on worse nights than this." + +"I could take the vessel out myself, so far as that is concerned," said +Somers, nervously. "Does he know how to get through the obstructions?" + +"O, yes, sir; he is perfectly familiar with everything about the bay." + +"And the channel is full of those infernal torpedoes." + +"It is, sir; but the pilot knows exactly where every one of them is +located. We are in no danger from them; but they will blow the Yankee +fleet sky high when they attempt to come up, as they probably will in a +short time." + +"So I understand." + +"There will be fun here in a few days," added Mr. Swayne, rubbing his +hands with delight, as he contemplated the destruction of the naval +force gathered on the other side of the bar for the demonstration. + +"The admiral down there is no joker," suggested Somers. "He won't feel +his way, and then back out." + +"It would be better for him if he did. Admiral Buchanan is his equal in +every respect. With his ram he will stave in every wooden ship in the +fleet. His monitors will be blown up on the torpedoes." + +"I hope the affair will come out right," said Somers, rather +indefinitely. + +"It will; you may depend upon it, captain. Whoever is here when the +thing is done will see the greatest smash-up that has happened since the +war began." + +"I hope so," replied Somers. "But suppose Admiral Farragut should run by +the forts." + +"He can't do it; the thing is utterly impossible. The torpedoes will +sink his monitors--they are like lead, and if you shake them up a +little, they will plump down on the bottom like a solid shot. His wooden +vessels, even if he gets by the fort,--which can't be done,--would be +all chawed up in half an hour by the ram Tennessee." + +"Anchor apeak, sir!" shouted Boatswain Longstone, who was doing duty as +second lieutenant. + +"Captain Column, the pilot, sir," said the first lieutenant, presenting +a person who had been waiting a moment at his side. + +"I am happy to see you, Captain Column;" and Somers took his hand. + +"Thank you, sir," replied the pilot, who was evidently astonished at the +degree of intimacy with which the commander condescended to treat him. + +Already the new captain had won a hard reputation abaft the mainmast. +His stern and decisive measures with Langdon had been privately +discussed among the officers, and it was the unanimous opinion that they +had "caught a Tartar." + +"Well, Captain Column, have you got your weather eye open? This is a +dark and foggy night." + +"Wide open, sir," replied the pilot, cheerfully; for Somers's cordial +greeting had already produced a good effect upon him. "The darker and +foggier the better, captain, for such a job as this. But there are so +many Yankee ships outside, you can hardly get clear of them without a +shot or two." + +"O, I don't mind that, if you can get us well over the torpedoes, and +through the obstructions." + +"The obstructions are not of much account, and as for the torpedoes, I +could put my hand on every one of them with my eyes shut." + +"Good; but I don't want you to put your hand or my ship on them." + +"Certainly not, captain," laughed the pilot. "I know how to keep clear +of them." + +"That will suit me better. The ship is in your hands, Captain Column." + +A quartermaster from the Chatauqua was placed at the wheel, and when the +anchor was heaved up, the Tallapoosa started on her course. Her wheels +began to turn very slowly at first, and before she had gathered any +headway, a boat touched at her side. + +"Boat alongside, Captain Pillgrim," reported Mr. Swayne. + +"What boat?" + +"I don't know, sir." + +"I have no more time to waste; keep the ship moving." + +As the Tallapoosa gathered headway, a gentleman, clothed in naval +uniform, stepped on the rail from the accommodation ladder. When he had +reached this point, he stopped and looked down at the boat. + +"Stop the steamer!" shouted he, in tones of authority; and to those who +had heard it before there was no mistaking that voice. + +It was Pillgrim, without a doubt! Somers was vexed and disappointed at +this accident, which threatened to overthrow all his plans; but he +promptly decided to treat him as he had Langdon. + +"See what he wants," said the commander to Swayne, "but don't let the +ship be delayed a single instant." + +"Stop the steamer!" shouted Pillgrim, with a volley of oaths, because +his first order had not been heeded. "Stop the steamer, or you will +swamp my gig!" + +"Your business, sir, if you please," said Swayne, stepping up to him. + +"Don't you hear what I say?" replied Pillgrim, angrily. "Stop the +steamer." + +"It can't be done, sir." + +"Can't be done!" gasped the traitor. "It can and shall be done." + +"Who are you, sir, that step upon this deck in that overbearing manner?" +demanded the first lieutenant, roused by the tones and the manner of the +new comer. + +"I'll let you know who I am. Where is Langdon?" + +"None of your business where he is," said Swayne, spunkily. "What do you +want here?" + +"You shall soon know what I want here!" + +Pillgrim was boiling over with passion at the rough reception given him +by his officers on board his own ship. He was disposed to be even more +stern and severe in his discipline than Somers had been. + +"Who are you?" demanded Swayne. + +"None of your business who I am, if you don't know; but I will soon +bring you to your senses," roared Pillgrim, as he leaped down upon the +deck, and with the step of a conqueror moved aft towards the wheel. + +"Halt, sir!" said Mr. Swayne, placing himself in front of the stranger; +for he was roused to a high pitch of anger and excitement by the +unwarrantable conduct of the interloper. "You can go no farther on this +deck, sir, till you explain who and what you are." + +Somers stood where he could see without being seen; for his presence on +the deck of the Ben Lomond would have explained to Pillgrim the reason +for his uncourteous reception. He quietly sent the two firemen and a +couple of seamen to the assistance of Mr. Swayne. + +"I am the captain of this ship," replied Pillgrim, who found it +necessary to make this statement. + +"The man is crazy," muttered Swayne. + +"You understand me now," growled Pillgrim. "Stop the ship!" + +"I think not, sir," replied Swayne, coolly; and he evidently regarded +the claim of the stranger in the light of a joke, or as the whim of a +maniac. + +"You think not!" gasped Pillgrim, roused almost to madness by this cool +disregard of his authority. "I'll have you in irons in three minutes, +you scoundrel." + +"There, sir, I have heard enough of this!" said Swayne. "No man uses +such language as that to me with impunity." + +"I tell you I am the commander of this steamer," added Pillgrim, who +doubtless felt that the epithet he had used was unbecoming an officer +and a gentleman. + +"I don't care what you are. If your boat is alongside, you will go into +it, in double quick time." + +Pillgrim began to storm again, shouted to the pilot to stop the steamer, +and behaved in the most violent manner. Mr. Swayne's patience was +totally exhausted, and he ordered the seamen who stood near him to +arrest the interloper. A sharp struggle ensued, in which Pillgrim was +overpowered, and was held fast by the stout tars of the Chatauqua. + +The first lieutenant then explained to the captain what had passed, and +what he had done. + +"Put him in irons!" said Somers, decidedly. + +"Who is he, captain?" + +"It matters not who he is. No man can behave in that manner on board of +this ship." + +Swayne executed his orders to the letter, and the traitor, in spite of +his struggles, in spite of his explanations and appeals, was put in +irons on the quarter deck of his own ship. He was carried below, and put +in a state-room, which was guarded by Conant, who had orders to shoot +him if he did not keep quiet. + +In the mean time, the Ben Lomond,--for Somers, in strict accordance with +the subsequent "ruling" of Mr. Seward, refused to recognize the vessel +by any other than her original name, calling her the Tallapoosa only in +the presence of the rebels,--the Ben Lomond, under the skilful guidance +of the pilot, was slowly making her way out of the bay. A quartermaster +had been stationed in the fore-chains when the steamer got under way, to +take the soundings, which seemed to be the pilot's principal reliance in +the difficult duty he had undertaken. Captain Column had placed himself +on the port rail, just abaft the foremast, and the steering directions +were sent aft through a line of officers to the helmsman. + +"By the deep four," sang the quartermaster in the chains. + +"Steady!" said the pilot. "Keep her sou'-west by west, half west." + +"Steady!" responded the quartermaster at the wheel. "Sou'-west by west, +half west." + +"By the mark five!" said the leadsman, a little later. + +"We are getting into deep water," said Somers. + +"Yes, sir; we shall deepen till we get seven fathoms." + +"And a half five!" came from the chains. "By the deep six." + +The pilot went on the bridge, and taking the cord attached to the +whistle of the engine, made a signal, consisting of several blasts, with +irregular intervals between them. A heavy bell on shore sounded several +times in answer to the signal. + +"All right," said the pilot. "I know exactly where I am." + +"By the deep six!" called the leadsman. + +The pilot repeated the signal with the whistle, which was answered from +the shore by the bell. + +"Quarter less seven!" + +"It is all going right, captain," said the pilot to Somers, who stood on +the bridge with him. + +"By the mark seven!" + +"Hard a port!" shouted the pilot, as he gazed into the binnacle on the +bridge. + +"Hard a port!" repeated the line of officers, till the order was +returned by the wheelman. + +"Steady!" said the pilot. + +"Mark under water seven!" cried the quartermaster in the chains. + +"Keep her south by west," added the pilot. + +"South by west!" returned the wheelman. + +"This course will bring us into the midst of the Yankee fleet in about +twenty minutes," said Captain Column. + +"I'm not at all afraid of the Yankee fleet," replied Somers. + +"I'm not afraid of anything else," laughed the pilot. + +"Where are the torpedoes?" + +"Between us and Fort Morgan, which is only about a third of a mile +distant, on our beam." + +"And the obstructions?" + +"We have passed them; they are of no account. Captain, I think all your +troubles are yet to come," said the pilot, as he glanced ahead. + +"Why so?" + +"If we should happen to plump into one of those monitors, a fifteen inch +shot would finish this craft in less time than it would take to read a +man's epitaph." + +"I have prepared for all such accidents. The Yankees will not fire on +me." + +"No?" exclaimed the pilot, wonderingly. + +"I think you don't know me." + +"I heard the first lieutenant say you were coming down here in one of +the Yankee ships." + +"I did." + +"Did you, though?" + +"We will come to anchor, pilot, when we get within hail of the Yankee +squadron." + +"Come to anchor, sir?" + +"Certainly; come to anchor, until the fog clears off, or we can get a +little daylight. I don't want much." + +"Well, that beats me!" ejaculated Captain Column. + +"I shall hoist The Yankee flag over the Confederate; then the Yankees +will think this ship is a prize, and will not fire into her." + +"That beats me!" repeated the pilot. + +"I came down here in a Yankee man-of-war, and I made the arrangements +for carrying this thing through before I left her." + +"O, yes, I see!" laughed Captain Column. "You are playing them a Yankee +trick." + +"Exactly so!" + +"Capital! capital!" exclaimed the pilot. + +Fifteen minutes later, the Ben Lomond came to anchor under the lee of +Sand Island, to wait for a favorable time to continue her voyage. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +A YANKEE TRICK. + + +The rebel officers and crew of the Ben Lomond were greatly astonished +when the order was given to let go the anchor. They were not in a +condition to appreciate the policy of stopping the wheels, and waiting +for daylight within hail of the blockading squadron, reënforced as it +had been for the attack on the forts; but as the captain had the +reputation of being a perfect tiger, a fire-eater of the most ravenous +sort, they did not venture to grumble or make any complaints. + +Captain Column, the pilot, chuckled, and declared it was all right; the +commander knew what he was about, and would get the steamer out of the +scrape without even a shot from the Yankee men-of-war. + +Somers had kept up his dignity and maintained his self-possession in the +exciting scenes through which he had just passed; but it must not be +thought that he was as easy in mind as he appeared to be. Every moment +had been burdened with its own peculiar anxiety. The least slip, the +slightest accident, would expose him and his brave followers to great +peril, if not to capture and death. He had won the day thus far by the +mere force of impudence and self-possession; but it was not without a +fear of failure, disgrace, and captivity. + +But everything, up to this time, had worked admirably. He had met and +successfully turned aside the obstacles which beset him; and when the +Ben Lomond came to anchor, the prospect looked more hopeful than at any +previous hour. It was now about two o'clock in the morning. As there was +nothing to do, he devoted an hour to an examination of the vessel, which +had been fitted up at Mobile as a rebel cruiser. She had a heavy rifled +pivot gun amidships, and four broadside guns, and was in every respect +well provided for the work in which she was to engage. + +She was a vessel of about four hundred tons measurement, long, narrow, +and very sharp. Her rig was that of a topsail schooner, and her +smoke-stack raked with her masts. She was a beautiful craft, and no +labor or expense had been spared to make her the fastest and most +elegant vessel afloat. + +Even in the darkness, Somers could see enough of her shape and fittings +to excite his admiration. He passed from the spar deck to the berth +deck, where everything was in keeping with her appearance above. The +ward-room was small, but it was comfortable and well arranged, and the +captain's cabin was fitted up like that of a royal yacht. Probably Mr. +Pillgrim had spent some of his own money on these arrangements before +she left the Clyde; but what contributed distinctly to make her a war +steamer had been done after her arrival at Mobile. + +Somers was delighted with the arrangements of the prize, and as he +examined the commander's cabin, he could not help envying the man who +was permitted to occupy this sumptuous and convenient apartment; that +is, if the stars and stripes floated at the peak above him, for he would +rather have been a coal-heaver in a loyal ship, than in command of the +Ben Lomond under the flag of the Confederacy. + +Mr. Swayne had conducted Somers over the vessel, and pointed out to him +those features which were most worthy of notice. + +"She is a splendid vessel," said the young commander, as they paused in +the ward-room. + +"Yes, sir; I am but too happy in being appointed to such a ship. If we +only get clear of the Yankee squadron, we shall give a good account of +her." + +"We shall have no quarrel with the Yankee ships," replied Somers, as he +led the way to the spar deck again, for he was not disposed, just yet, +to let Pillgrim and Langdon, who were confined there, hear his voice. + +"Captain Pillgrim, you seem to be more confident on this point than your +officers," replied Swayne, in a gentle tone, which more than insinuated +that he would like to know more of the commander's plans. + +Somers was very anxious that he should know more of them, so as to +prevent any suspicions which his subsequent course might excite. + +"From what point did you expect me to come, before my arrival?" asked +Somers. + +"I had no idea. Mr. Langdon seemed to be familiar with all your +movements, but he did not say much about them. He did remark, at one +time, that you were coming down as second lieutenant of one of the +Yankee men-of-war." + +"Did he, indeed? Well, he was a prudent man, and he will have his reward +within a few days. Did he really say that?" + +"He did." + +"I was deceived in him; he was not to be trusted. I placed every +confidence in him. What else did he tell you?" asked Somers, artfully. + +"Nothing else, sir. He said more to me than to any other officer, and +hardly anything to me." + +"He has betrayed me." + +"He told only me that you were to come in a Yankee man-of-war." + +"Yes, he did; the pilot knew it--spoke to me of it; and very likely +every man in the ship has the news. But, Mr. Swayne, the statement was +true." + +"Mr. Langdon afterwards contradicted it, and said you were in Richmond, +and were coming down by land." + +"Probably he thought he had made a blunder. I did come down in the +Yankee ship, the Chatauqua. I am third lieutenant of her, not second. I +was sent off by the captain, at my own suggestion, of course, to bring +out this vessel. I have done it--haven't I?" + +"You have," laughed Swayne. "Then you are expected by the Yankees?" + +"Of course I am." + +The first lieutenant of the Ben Lomond indulged in a laugh highly +complimentary to the skill and cleverness of his commander. Somers +laughed with him. It was an excellent joke to both parties, though, like +the Druid shield, it was seen from different points of view. + +"Capital!" exclaimed Mr. Swayne, when he had evaporated the foam of his +mirth. + +"If the fog clears off, I shall let up some rockets, which will prevent +the Yankees from firing at us. You understand?" + +"I see, sir: you have the Yankee signals?" chuckled Mr. Swayne. + +"Every one of them. No doubt they are on the lookout for me in every +ship in the squadron." + +"Excellent, Captain Pillgrim. This is, by all odds, the best joke of the +season." + +"Now, Mr. Swayne, you will hoist the Yankee flag over the Confederate." + +"I don't like to do that, captain," added Mr. Swayne, with a burst of +patriotic enthusiasm. + +"For a purpose, Mr. Swayne. Of course, when the men-of-war see that flag +over the other, they will not fire. We shall run through the squadron, +as though we belonged to it; and then--well, you will see what you will +see." + +"Exactly so!" exclaimed Mr. Swayne, who seemed to enjoy the prospect +exceedingly, even independent of his desire to flatter and "toady" to +his commander. + +The flags were hoisted as Somers directed, and the "captain" for a +couple of hours planked the deck in silence, impatiently waiting for the +fog to lift, or for the daylight to come. It was his policy to anchor, +because he was fearful that the steamer would run by the squadron, in +the fog and darkness, and it would excite suspicion to return to the +fleet, after safely passing through it. If Mr. Swayne had suspected any +treachery, or that everything was not as it appeared to be, it would +have gone hard with Somers and his men, for he could call in double the +loyal force to assist him, besides releasing Pillgrim and Langdon. + +At four o'clock in the morning, the fog lifted, and Somers directed the +rockets to be discharged, and the steamer to be got under way. Though +anxious to keep up appearances, he quietly directed Tom Longstone to +make as much delay as possible, and by some accident the messenger +parted when the anchor was apeak, and it was necessary to do the work +over again. + +"Captain Pillgrim, what shall be done with the men who came on board +with you?" asked Mr. Swayne, while the crew were walking round the +capstan. + +"What shall be done with them?" asked Somers, apparently not +comprehending the meaning of the question. + +"They are Yankees--are they not?" + +"They are true men, Mr. Swayne. I selected them for this very duty, and +I know them." + +"Excuse me, sir, I heard one of them singing a Yankee song, just now." + +"They have been in the habit of singing such songs lately; but they are +true men, and will stand by me to the last. If I had wanted them, I +might have brought off a hundred of the crew of the Chatauqua." + +Somers told a great many truths in the course of the night, for the +purpose of deceiving the enemies of his country, which is a very +anomalous duty for truth to perform. + +The anchor was at the hawse hole, was "catted and fished;" and the Ben +Lomond moved on again, with the pilot on the bridge. As the fog lifted, +and the daylight increased, the squadron of "Brave Old Salt" was seen by +Somers and his companions. As he had promised, not a ship fired on the +steamer, or offered to molest her. The first lieutenant, pilot, and +other officers were entirely satisfied that everything was working in +exact accordance with the plans of their "smart" commander, as they +already called him. + +The exciting moment when all the delusion would be swept away, and the +rebel officers and seamen find themselves prisoners, and their ship a +prize, was at hand. Somers had already arranged his final movements with +the boatswain, and certain of the men were instructed to perform +particular parts in the closing scene of the drama. + +"Now, Captain Column," said Somers to the pilot, "we must run down for +the Chatauqua. She is the last vessel in the squadron, and if we appear +to be moving towards her, nothing will be suspected." + +"Exactly so, captain," replied the pilot, shaking his fat sides with +laughter at the Yankee trick which they were playing off upon the +originators of this species of pleasantry. + +"It is quite smooth this morning. The wind has all gone down. Run right +under the quarter of the Chatauqua." + +"I can take her within six feet of the ship, if you like." + +"Not too close." + +"They will give us three cheers, won't they?" laughed the pilot. + +"Very likely." + +"Port!" shouted the pilot, as the Ben Lomond approached the Chatauqua. + +"Port!" yelled the quartermaster at the helm, at whose side stood Tom +Longstone. + +"Port!" repeated the pilot with greater energy, when he saw that the +head of the steamer was swinging off from the Chatauqua. + +"Port!" again responded the quartermaster. + +"Starboard a little more," said Tom, in a low tone. + +Captain Column began to storm because the helm did not go to port as he +ordered. + +"Can't help it, sir. The tiller chains are jammed, sir," replied the +quartermaster. + +"Now hard a port!" said Tom Longstone. + +"Starboard! Hard a starboard!" screamed the pilot, in tones of fury. + +"Helm is jammed, sir!" returned the boatswain. + +At this moment the bells were rung to stop, and then to back the engine. +To all but the half dozen loyal seamen who stood near the helm, +everything seemed to be in confusion. The Ben Lomond ran up on the lee +side of the Chatauqua, and stopped within a few feet of her. A stroke of +the wheels and a turn of the helm brought her alongside, before the +rebels could clearly apprehend the situation. The twenty-four men, with +their revolvers and cutlasses, stood ready to check any demonstration on +the part of officers or crew, but none was made. Their weapons were in +the armory, and they suspected nothing till an instant before the +steamer touched the ship's side. + +Conant, as instructed, leaped on board the Chatauqua, and reported +Somers's wish to the officer of the deck. In another moment, the watch +on deck of the man-of-war poured into the prize, and secured every +officer and seaman. Then came the three rousing cheers which the pilot +had expected, and the work was done. + +If ever a rebel was disappointed, disheartened, and disgusted, it was +Mr. Swayne. He had been bewildered by the sudden change in the course of +the steamer, and actually believed that it was caused by the wheel +chains being jammed, until the watch from the Chatauqua poured in upon +her decks. + +"Well, Mr. Swayne, I suppose you are satisfied that I spoke the truth. +The Yankees have not fired upon us; I came down in the Chatauqua; I was +sent off to bring out this vessel; I have done it," said Somers. + +"I had no suspicion you were a Yankee," replied the first lieutenant. +"Where did you get your commission?" + +"It was given me by Mr. Langdon and Mr. Pillgrim, both of whom are under +guard below." + +Swayne used some expletives more forcible than polite, and Somers went +on board the Chatauqua to report. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +PILLGRIM AND LANGDON. + + +"I have the honor to report the capture of the Ben Lomond, otherwise the +Tallapoosa," said Somers, as he advanced towards Mr. Hackleford, his +face red with blushes, and his heart bounding with emotion. + +The first lieutenant of the Chatauqua had regarded his enterprise with a +want of faith, to say the least; and when the young commander of the +expedition came forward to report its entire success, there was +something like pride and exultation in his manner, mingling not +ungracefully with the manifestations of his natural modesty. He had done +"a big thing;" he felt that he had done "a big thing;" and it would have +been a ridiculous affectation for him to pretend, by word or manner, +that he had not done "a big thing." + +"I congratulate you upon your success, Mr. Somers," replied Mr. +Hackleford, warmly. "I was sceptical, I confess; but no man in the fleet +is happier than I am at your good fortune." + +"Thank you, sir," said Somers, blushing more deeply than before, and +almost wishing that the first lieutenant had done the "big thing" +instead of himself, because he was so kind and generous in his +commendation. + +"You have managed the affair with skill and energy. For my own part, I +did not believe you would even get into the bay, let alone capturing the +vessel. I am astonished at your success, but none the less delighted +because I am surprised." + +"Thank you, sir," was all Somers could say in reply to this praise so +magnanimously bestowed. + +"Captain Cascabel will see you, in his cabin, and we will hear your +verbal report there." + +Mr. Garboard had already gone on board the prize, hauled her off from +the ship, where she was chafing her sides, and moored her a cable's +length distant. Somers went below, where he was as warmly and generously +greeted by the captain as he had been by the first lieutenant. He +related the story of his night's adventures to them with all necessary +minuteness. His auditors could not help laughing when he told them what +he had done with his old friends, the first lieutenant and the commander +of the rebel craft. He had acted on his theory of Pillgrim's intended +movements, and thus kept himself above suspicion. + +"How does Mr. Pillgrim appear?" asked the captain. + +"I haven't seen him, sir; I was very careful not to let him see me. Mr. +Swayne, the first lieutenant of the Ben Lomond, after I had disposed of +Langdon, managed him for me." + +"It's a very amusing as well as a very exciting affair. But we must see +these officers. Where are they?" + +"Under guard in the state-rooms of the prize, sir." + +"Bring them on board, if you please, Mr. Somers. Get your breakfast +first." + +Somers went to the ward-room, where he breakfasted with the officers off +duty. He was cordially congratulated upon his success, though perhaps +some of the mess regarded him as rather exclusive in permitting none of +them to share his laurels. + +After breakfast the first cutter was cleared away, and Somers pulled to +the prize in her. The Ben Lomond was temporarily in charge of the second +lieutenant of the Chatauqua, who had secured the prisoners, and put +everything in order on board. Somers went at once to the ward-room, +where the two most important prisoners were confined. There were now at +each door a couple of marines with loaded muskets, but no communication +had been had with the solitary occupant of either. + +Pillgrim had several times attempted to obtain some information in +regard to what was going on, but he was still in darkness. Even the +bull's eye in his room could not have enlightened him, for it was on the +starboard side of the steamer, while the Chatauqua lay on the port +side. + +Somers ordered the marines to open the door of Langdon's room first, and +the late first lieutenant of the Tallapoosa came forth. + +"Lieutenant Wynkoop, I believe," said Somers, facetiously. + +Langdon looked at him with astonishment. + +"Have you any more old sherry that has made two voyages to India?" + +"This is hardly magnanimous, Mr. Somers," said Langdon, coldly. + +"Perhaps not; but when officers stoop to such tricks as those you have +practised, there can be no great harm in mentioning them." + +"Mr. Somers, I find myself somewhat bewildered." + +"I dare say," laughed Somers. "Very likely your friend Pillgrim, or +Coles, is in the same situation." + +"Is he on board?" + +"He is." + +"I have not seen him since he left Philadelphia in the Chatauqua." + +"I have." + +"You were in the Chatauqua with him?" + +"For a short time." + +"I had a letter from him, dated at Richmond, saying that he had changed +his plans." + +"Changed them--did he?" said Somers, who had changed them for him. +"Perhaps you will inform me how you happened to be on board this +vessel." + +"I don't object; it makes little difference what I say now. After +obtaining the command of the Tallapoosa for Pillgrim, I went to +Wilmington, where I was to take command of the Coosa." + +"You mean the Ben Nevis." + +"I do." + +"I thought you were to call her the Louisiana." + +"We did not always give you correct information," added Langdon, with a +sickly smile. + +"Go on." + +"While at Wilmington I got a letter from Pillgrim, then in Richmond, +informing me that the Ben Nevis had been captured, and that I was +appointed first lieutenant of the Tallapoosa, if I chose to take the +place. I did choose to take it, hoping soon to be in command of one of +the California steamers. I went to Mobile at once, and attended to the +fitting out of the ship. Pillgrim wrote me that he should be on board by +the 22d, and I had steam up to run out the moment he arrived." + +"How happened you to tell your officers that Pillgrim was coming down in +a Yankee man-of-war?" asked Somers. + +"That was his original plan. Though he wrote me from Richmond, I did not +know but that he intended to return to the Chatauqua. He gave me no +particulars; did not tell me that his plans had failed, only that he +had changed them. When he wrote that he should be on board by the 22d, I +knew he was coming down by land, and I corrected my statement. Now, Mr. +Somers, will you tell me how you happen to be here?" + +"Marine, bring out the other prisoner," said Somers, who had been +instructed by Captain Cascabel to confer with the conspirators, if he +could obtain any information from them. + +The discomfited, crestfallen commander of the Tallapoosa was brought +from his room by a marine. He saw Somers, and started back with +astonishment. He was pale and haggard, as though he had been spending +his time in drinking bad whiskey, and in other debauchery. He had upon +his face a fortnight's growth of black beard, and looked more like +"Coles" than when Somers had last met him. His captor concluded that his +misfortunes on board the Chatauqua had depressed his spirits, in spite +of the cool look he had before carried, and that he had given way to +dissipation. He certainly appeared like a person who had just come out +of a hard "spree." + +In the Ben Lomond there was a door opening from the ward-room into the +captain's cabin. The vessel had evidently been built for a swift +passenger steamer. The ward-room was a portion of the main cabin, from +which the steerage and engineers' rooms had been parted off; while the +captain's cabin was the original "ladies' saloon." Langdon had been +conducted by the marines through this door to the captain's cabin, where +the conversation with him had taken place. Pillgrim was in the same +manner introduced to this apartment. + +"Mr. Somers!" exclaimed the traitor. + +"Yes, sir. In the letter you sent me from Old Point Comfort,--and I am +greatly obliged to you for the information contained in that +letter,--you expressed a hope that you should meet me on board of the +Ben Lomond. Your wish has been realized," replied Somers, taking the +original letter, with other papers, from his pocket. + +Pillgrim trembled in every fibre of his frame. It was not thus he had +hoped to meet his enemy. + +"'If you capture the Ben Lomond, it will make you a lieutenant. Do it, +by all means,'" continued Somers, reading the last paragraph of the +letter. "This was your advice. I have done it." + +Pillgrim made no reply. His pale, haggard face, darkened by his +half-grown beard, was contorted by emotion, and his bloodshot eyes had +lost their fire. + +"You don't seem to enjoy the situation so much as your letter intimated +that you would." + +"Mr. Somers, I am your prisoner," said he, with a desperate struggle. + +"You are; you will not have the pleasure of hanging me at the +yard-arm." + +"I am bewildered--overcome." + +"So was Langdon." + +"I see why you did not join your ship before," said Langdon, with a +sneer, as he glanced contemptuously at his principal. "You have been +dissipating." + +This remark brought forth an angry retort from Pillgrim, and for a few +moments each traitor reproached and vilified the other, much to the +amusement of the marines, and to the disgust of Somers, who was +compelled to interfere. Langdon's severest charge against his late +captain was, that he had betrayed their schemes by writing letters, and +in other stupid ways. Pillgrim denied it. + +"Mr. Somers has just thanked you for the information contained in your +letter," sneered Langdon. "He has good reason to do so." + +"I gave him no information that could be of any service to him." + +"You gave him the name of the vessel," retorted Langdon. + +"But I did not tell him where she was." + +"You gave me that information, Mr. Langdon," said Somers, quietly. + +"I?" + +Somers exhibited the letter in cipher. + +"You could not read that without the key," protested the writer of the +note. + +"The first word I made out was 'Langdon:' the next, 'Ben Lomond.' I am +indebted to both of you. The moral of the whole affair is, that treason +cannot prosper. I am indebted to both of you for the information which +enabled me to capture the steamer. Gentlemen, it becomes my duty to +conduct you on board of the Chatauqua." + +"No, Mr. Somers!" groaned Pillgrim, "spare me that." + +"I must obey my orders." + +The traitor objected strongly to being taken into the presence of the +officers of the ship in which he had so recently served. He protested +that he had but a few days to live, and begged to be saved from this +humiliation. But Somers, though he was not without pity for the degraded +and disgraced wretch, had no alternative but to obey the orders of +Captain Cascabel. + +Langdon accepted his misfortunes with more resignation. He was quite +cheerful, and volunteered to tell all he knew, though he was very bitter +against Pillgrim, who, he declared, had ruined all their hopes by his +dissipation, his silly pretensions, and his reckless exposure of their +plans. + +Somers was now satisfied that Pillgrim had been intoxicated when he came +over the side of the Ben Lomond the night before, which accounted for +his violent conduct, and which was one of the accidents which assisted +in the easy capture of the vessel. + +Both the prisoners were examined on board the Chatauqua; and, with the +explanations of Somers, their operations were clearly comprehended. They +were placed in confinement, to await the final decision in regard to +them. In the forenoon Somers was sent to make his report to the admiral. +He was warmly received, judiciously commended, and courteously +dismissed. The young officer's respect and admiration for the "Brave Old +Salt" were not diminished by his second interview. + +In the afternoon the Ben Lomond, in charge of an acting ensign, was sent +to Pensacola, where she was to remain until further orders. It was +surmised that the admiral, not wishing to spare any of the best officers +of the fleet, when on the eve of a mighty event, had decided to let the +prize remain in port with her prisoners until a more favorable season. +Be this as it may, the Old Salamander kept everybody busy for the next +ten days, when, the monitors having arrived, and all the ships intended +for the attack being in complete readiness, the order was given for the +battle, which now stands without a parallel in the annals of naval +warfare. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY. + + +In order to appreciate the importance of the tremendous action in Mobile +Bay, it is necessary to consider that Mobile and Wilmington were the +only available ports of the rebels east of the Mississippi. The +resources of the Confederacy were exhausted by three years of wasting +war, and it was dependent upon foreign supplies for the means of +continuing the strife. The earnest attention of the government at +Washington, therefore, was directed to the shutting up of these ports. + +To form a correct idea of the obstacles to the closing of Mobile Bay, +which had been intrusted to Admiral Farragut, it should be remembered +that its entrance was guarded by two strongly-built and heavily-armed +forts; that the only available channel for large vessels, but three +fourths of a mile in width, ran under the guns of Fort Morgan, the +stronger of the two forts; that this channel was filled with sunken +torpedoes, which, experience had demonstrated, were fatal to any vessels +subjected to the explosion; and that the rebels had a fleet of gunboats +and iron-clads, which could operate with every advantage against an +advancing fleet. + +"Brave Old Salt" had estimated all these obstacles, and believing that +"success was a duty," he had resolved to overcome them. All the +expedients which the ingenuity of a thorough seaman could devise were +adopted to strengthen and protect the ships. The plan of the battle was +entirely original, and displayed the genius of its author. The admiral +modestly declares that he only obeyed the orders of the navy department, +and disclaims the credit so lavishly awarded to him by his admiring +fellow-citizens; but the government did not tell him how to do it--and +in that consisted the doing of it--did not order him to "lash ships" and +take his elevated position in the main rigging; did not bid him "butt" +the rebel rams with his wooden prows; and for all these things does the +whole world sound his praise. + +At half past five in the morning the Chatauqua, with the Androscoggin +lashed to her port side, took her position in the line of battle. The +Brooklyn was to lead the van, with the "Old Hartford," the flag-ship, +next in the line, though the doughty old admiral had but tardily acceded +to the request of his officers in taking this place. The position of the +Chatauqua was in the centre of the line of battle. + +At the signal from the admiral, the fleet moved on. Every officer was +full of zeal and enthusiasm, though it was certain that some of them +would never behold the light of another day; that more or less of the +gallant vessels must soon be overwhelmed by the hidden engines of +destruction which had been planted in the channel. Somers regarded it as +the great day of his existence. He had read his Testament and said his +prayers that morning as though it were the last day he had to live, for +the most fearful and deadly strife of the whole war was anticipated. A +man is never so fully prepared to live well and do his duty faithfully +as when he is ready to die. + +While the young officer thought even more tenderly than usual of the +loved ones in his far-off home, and of that other loved one who was +never forgotten when home was remembered, he felt that his country was +theirs, and that every blow struck for the nation was struck for them. +To die for his country was to die for them--for his own home; and he +asked no higher duty than to sacrifice his life, if such was the will of +God. "Thy will be done," he repeated many times, though life was full of +hopes and joys to him. + +The fleet moved on, and the roar of the great guns in the monitors soon +announced that the action had commenced. The chase guns of the Chatauqua +opened first, and the ship trembled beneath the concussion. + +"The Tecumseh has gone down," passed from mouth to mouth, as a +tremendous explosion saluted the ears of the seamen. + +The monitor had struck upon a torpedo, and in a moment had disappeared +beneath the tide, carrying down with her nearly all her gallant crew. +But this incident, appalling as it was even to the battle-scarred +veterans on the decks of the fleet, was hardly heeded in the terrible +determination of purpose which animated every heart. The Brooklyn paused +to dodge some supposed torpedo buoys, and "Brave Old Salt" dashed ahead +in the Hartford to his proper place in the van of the battle. + +The ships in pairs came up abreast of the fort; and according to the +orders of the admiral, the broadside and other guns opened upon the +works, not with solid shot, in futile attempts to batter down their +dense walls, but with grape, which drove the gunners of the fort from +their stations. + +Never were guns fired more rapidly; and the roar was tremendous, shaking +all earth beneath, and enveloping the scene in dense volumes of smoke, +above which, as it occasionally rolled away, might be seen the admiral, +lashed to the main rigging of the Hartford. A glimpse at him never +failed to call forth the most unbounded enthusiasm, among officers and +seamen. + +With comparatively little injury the fleet passed the fort, and standing +to the north-west to clear the Middle Ground, was out of the reach of +its guns. Terrible stories of the torpedoes had been told by deserters +and refugees, but the admiral's hopes had been realized; they had been +so long in the water that they had become "innocuous." + +But a new and greater danger menaced the fleet. The rebel iron-clad +Tennessee started out from under the guns of Fort Morgan. She was a +formidable adversary; and though the monitors were depended upon to +"neutralize" or destroy her, they moved so slowly and steered so badly, +that the brunt of the battle was borne by the wooden ships. + +"Run her down," was the order from the admiral, which the signal officer +interpreted on the quarter deck of the Chatauqua. + +[Illustration: The Battle of Mobile Bay.] + +Captain Cascabel instantly ordered full head of steam to be put on, and +the ship, gathering headway, dashed down upon the Tennessee, striking +her at right angles, near the after part of the casemate. The shock of +the concussion was terrible. The men were thrown from their feet, and +the ship groaned in bitterness of spirit at the hard usage to which she +was subjected. Her stem was crushed in to the plank ends, and the water +began to pour into the forward store-rooms. Expecting such an event, the +carpenter and his gang were at the threatened point, and prevented any +disaster from the collision. + +The effect upon the iron-clad was hardly perceptible, giving her a +heavy list, but apparently inflicting no damage upon her. The Chatauqua +swung round as she struck. Captain Cascabel, who had leaped into the +mizzen rigging, gave his orders, which were promptly executed by Mr. +Hackleford. Solid shot and shell were poured into the ram with a fury +which would have been fatal to a less strongly built craft. As it was, +one of her port shutters was struck and shattered, the rest of the shot +bounding off like peas from an oak floor. + +"Hah, you bloody villains of Yankees!" shouted the rebels, at their +ports. + +"How are you, Johnny Reb?" replied a fore-top man, as he hurled a +spittoon in at the port. + +Another old salt dashed in a holy-stone, and then the marines opened +fire upon them with their muskets. + +"Ram her again!" shouted the admiral from the main rigging of the +Hartford, as the flag-ship dashed at the game. + +The Chatauqua swept round, and succeeded in striking the Tennessee +again, but with no better result than before. At the same time she +poured in shot and shell from every available gun. + +At this moment one of the ships struck the Hartford, by accident, in the +dense smoke, and knocked two of her ports into one. It was believed that +the flag-ship would go down, for her planking was stove in within two +feet of the water-line. + +"Save the admiral! save the admiral!" shouted the men; and there was +not one of them who would not have died by fire or water to rescue their +beloved leader. + +Somers sprang upon the rail, to observe the catastrophe, and to be in +readiness to save the admiral if an opportunity occurred. While he stood +there, a shot hit the rail diagonally, a splinter struck him in the +side, and he dropped helpless into the water. + +"Mr. Somers is wounded and fallen overboard!" shouted the captain of the +pivot gun amidships. + +The words were hardly out of his mouth, before another man dropped into +the water from one of the ports. It was Tom Longstone. He found his +young friend, and bearing him up with his strong arm, both were rescued +from their perilous position. + +"She shows the white flag! She surrenders!" was the cry, as the +boatswain and Somers reached the deck. + +The young officer was borne to the ward-room at the moment of victory, +while the cheers of the brave tars were ringing through the fleet. + +The Tennessee and the Selma had surrendered, the Gaines had been driven +ashore, and the Morgan was for the present safe under the guns of the +fort. The victory was complete and decisive. + +Somers was severely, if not dangerously, injured. He was borne tenderly +to his state-room by his brother officers, as the cheers for the great +victory were sounding through the fleet. There had been seven men killed +and thirty-five wounded on board the Chatauqua. The surgeon was in the +cockpit, busily engaged in attending to the wounds of the poor fellows, +and could not immediately examine the young officer, who, it was +evident, required no surgical operation. + +The ship, though considerably cut up by the shots from the fort and from +the rebel steamers, was still in condition for active service. The fleet +anchored in the bay, out of the reach of the guns of Fort Morgan. +Officers were busy in making the necessary surveys, and the men were +occupied in repairing damages and restoring order about the decks and +rigging. + +"How do you feel, Mr. Somers?" asked Mr. Hackleford, entering the +sufferer's room, as soon as he could leave the deck. + +"I do not suffer much pain, sir; but I am afraid I am badly damaged in +the hull," replied Somers, with a languid smile. + +He was very pale, and lay very still. He was numb from the effects of +the shock given him by the splinter, and some of the functions of his +frame seemed to be suspended. The first lieutenant was alarmed, and sent +a second messenger for the surgeon, who presently made his appearance, +having disposed of the severest cases in the cockpit. + +"What do you think of him, doctor?" asked Mr. Hackleford. + +"I fear he is badly injured," replied Dr. De Plesion, shaking his head. + +"Dangerously?" whispered the first lieutenant. + +The surgeon shook his head. + +"Speak out, doctor," said the patient, faintly. "I am not afraid to die +for my country. Please tell me the truth." + +"I cannot tell yet, Mr. Somers. Three of the ribs are fractured, but if +he is not injured internally, he will do very well," added the surgeon, +to Mr. Hackleford. + +"I have but little pain," said the patient. + +"You will have more, Mr. Somers, by night," continued Dr. De Plesion. "I +do not discover any internal injury." + +"I hope there is none," said the first lieutenant. "You are too good an +officer to be spared, Mr. Somers,--I mean for even a brief period, of +course." + +The report of the surgeon was anxiously awaited by the captain and all +the ward-room officers, for the third lieutenant had been a universal +favorite, and his capture of the Ben Lomond, and his gallant conduct +during the action with the forts and the Tennessee, had not diminished +his popularity. Of all who waited the doctor's decision, none took the +matter so much to heart as the boatswain, who had saved him from +drowning while he was helpless in the water. Mr. Hackleford noticed him +at his duty, still wet to the skin, and kindly gave him permission to +visit his young friend. + +"I shall not go by the board, Tom," said Somers. "You and I may yet make +another cruise together." + +"Thank God! I hope so," exclaimed the boatswain, encouraged by these +cheerful words. + +"Tom, I owe my life to you." + +"O, never mind that, my darling! What would I have done if you had +slipped your wind?" + +"You would have done your duty, as you always do, my good fellow." + +"I dare say I should, Mr. Somers, but I can only thank God that you are +alive now," replied the boatswain, as the tears flowed down his bronzed +cheek, and he turned to leave the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +IN THE HOSPITAL. + + +Under the arrangement made by Admiral Farragut with the commander of +Fort Morgan, the wounded of both sides were sent in the Metacomet to +Pensacola. Somers was of the number, and he was borne from his berth in +the Chatauqua to the steamer, though the removal caused him great pain. +The numbness of his side was beginning to pass away, and the parts to +become very sensitive. + +"Mr. Somers, I am sorry to see you in this condition," said "Brave Old +Salt," who was present with a kind word for the suffering heroes of the +battle. "You behaved nobly during the fight, as I am told you always +do." + +"Thank you, sir. You are very kind," moaned Somers, in his pain and +weakness. + +"I have not forgotten you, my brave fellow," continued the admiral. "The +capture of the Ben Lomond was a matter of more consequence than you can +appreciate, perhaps; and your faith and skill in doing this work entitle +you to the gratitude of your country." + +"I am happy in having merited your approbation." + +"You have behaved gallantly in the action; and, I repeat, you shall be +remembered. What can I do for you, Mr. Somers?" + +"Nothing more for me, admiral. You have done more for me now than I +deserve. Mr. Longstone, the boatswain of the Chatauqua, who saved my +life--" + +"I know all about him, Mr. Somers. He was your right-hand man in the +capture of the Ben Lomond." + +"He was, sir." + +"He shall not be forgotten." + +"I have already been rewarded more than I deserve--" + +"No, you haven't. Mr. Pillgrim promised you a lieutenant's commission, +if you brought out his steamer. I ratify that promise. As to the +boatswain, it is a pity he is not an educated man; but he shall be cared +for." + +"Thank you, sir." + +But Somers was too faint to talk any longer, and the admiral passed to +other of the noble fellows who had been wounded on that eventful day. +The sufferer's cot was placed on the ward-room floor, for the +state-rooms and berths were already full. In one of them lay Admiral +Buchanan, who had commanded the rebel fleet. He had been wounded in the +leg in the battle, and he had lost the battle itself, which, to a proud, +brave spirit, was worse than losing a leg. + +Somers was now suffering the most intense pain, which he bore like a +hero. Tom Longstone bent tenderly over him, his eyes filled with tears, +and uttered his adieus. With a hand as gentle as a woman's, he pillowed +his head on the couch, and smoothed back his hair from his eyes. He +would gladly have gone with his wounded friend, to lave his fevered brow +and speak words of comfort and encouragement to him; but neither of them +thought of such a thing, for the admiral's fleet was in the enemy's +waters, and every man was needed at his post. + +The Metacomet, having received her precious freight of mangled heroes, +cast off her moorings, and, passing the fort, turned her prow to the +eastward. On her arrival at Pensacola, the sufferers were transferred to +the hospital, where they received every attention which willing hands +and generous hearts could bestow. + +Fort Morgan surrendered to the combined forces of the army and navy +before the end of the month, and Mobile Bay was in undisputed possession +of the government. The work undertaken by the brave admiral had been +fully completed. Mobile was now a cipher, so far as the Confederacy was +concerned, though a great bluster was made of defending it to the last. + +Somers had been three weeks in the hospital, and doubtless owed his life +to the skill of the surgeon and the attentions of the nurses. He had +been injured internally, as Dr. De Plesion feared; but he had begun to +improve, though he was still unable to sit up. He had endured the +severest pain, and the doctor had not concealed from him his fears of a +fatal result, because the patience and firmness, but especially the +religious faith, of the sufferer warranted him in doing so. + +Day after day and night after night Somers struggled with his condition, +in faith, patience, and resignation. He felt that he was ready to leave +the world, full of joys and hopes as it was, for the purer hopes and +brighter joys of the eternal world beyond the grave. He thought of his +mother, and wished that she might be with him to smooth his dying +pillow, if he must die; but it was not the will of God, and he did not +murmur. He thought of Kate Portington. He would like to see her once +more before he passed away, but this was a vain wish; and from her and +the loved ones at home he turned to the glorious realities of the +immortal life--fitting theme for one who was trembling between life and +death. + +In the midst of his pain and earthly loneliness he was happy. He could +not but recall the scene of Phil Kennedy's death-bed; of the agony of +remorse which shook him, as he looked back upon his past life; of the +terrors with which his stricken conscience invested the grave. Then the +sufferer, in the deepest depths of his heart, thanked God that he had +been enabled to be true to himself and to duty. He was happy in the +past, happy in the hope of the future. There was much to regret and to +repent of; but as he did regret and repent, he felt that he was +forgiven. + +He was happy; and the joy of that hour, when an approving conscience +triumphs over bodily pain, and decks the waiting tomb with flowers, was +worth the struggle with the legions of temptations which all must +encounter. + +We are best fitted to live when best prepared to die. Somers waited with +hope and resignation for the angel of death, but he came not. The very +calmness with which he regarded the open tomb, assisted in closing its +portals to him. At the end of two weeks the doctor spoke more of life +than of death; at the end of three he spoke not at all of the grim +messenger--grim he was, even when he wore the chaplet of flowers with +which Faith and Hope ever crown him. + +Somers was out of danger. The internal inflammation passed away, and the +patient began to mend. He thought of life now, of meeting the loved ones +who, afar off, had sadly spoken farewells to him when he departed from +their presence, with all the fearful perils of storm and battle hanging +over him. + +On the day after the news of the surrender of Fort Morgan arrived, the +Chatauqua dropped her anchor off Pensacola. A boat immediately put off +from her, containing Boatswain Longstone, who landed, and hastened to +the hospital with all possible speed. Probably there had hardly been an +hour since the Metacomet left Mobile Bay with the wounded, in which Tom +had not thought of Somers. The old man was as eager and impatient as a +child, and could hardly submit to the formalities necessary to procure +admission to the hospital. + +"My darling!" exclaimed the veteran, as he crept up to the bed of his +young friend. + +He walked lightly, and spoke softly and tenderly, for he knew how sick +Somers had been. + +"Ah, Tom, I am glad to see you," replied the patient, as he extended his +thin hand, which the boatswain eagerly seized, though he handled it as +tenderly as a bashful youth does the hand of the maiden he loves. "It +does my eyes good to look upon you, Tom." + +"Jack, I've been dying to see you. They told me you were in a bad way, +and might slip your cable any moment." + +"I have not expected to live, until a week ago." + +"God bless you, Jack! I was never so happy in my life;" and the +boatswain actually wept,--great, strong, weather-stained veteran as he +was, who had breasted the storms of four and thirty years on the ocean. + +"I know how you feel, Tom." + +"So you may, Jack,--I beg pardon, Mr.--" + +"Call me Jack, now," interposed Somers, with a faint smile; "it sounds +like old times. You have been the making of me, Tom, and we won't stand +on ceremony, as long as we are not on board the ship." + +The boatswain still held the attenuated hand of his sick friend, and +they talked of the past and of the present; of the battle, and of the +subsequent events in the bay. But Tom Longstone seemed to be thinking +all the time of something else. + +"What have you got on, Tom?" asked Somers, as he noticed a "foul anchor" +on his shoulder, and a band of gold lace on his sleeve. + +"What have I got on? Why, I always wear my colors, of course," replied +Tom, with a smile of the deepest satisfaction. + +"But those are not the colors of a boatswain in the United States Navy." + +"That's a fact, Jack. I'm not a boatswain, just now." + +"Indeed!" + +"I'm an acting ensign." + +"Is it possible?" exclaimed Somers, not less pleased than the veteran. + +"It's a fact, my darling; but before we spin any more yarns, here's a +document for you. Shall I open it?" continued Tom, as he took from his +breast pocket a huge official envelope, whose appearance was entirely +familiar to Somers. + +"If you please." + +It was directed to "Lieutenant John Somers;" and the superscription +sufficiently indicated the nature of its contents. + +"God bless the admiral!" said Somers. + +"God bless the admiral!" repeated Tom, glancing reverently upward as he +spoke. + +The commission was dated before the news of the battle in Mobile Bay +could have reached Washington. It followed the reception of the +despatches concerning the capture of the Ben Lomond; and Tom Longstone +had been made an acting ensign, though he still retained his warrant as +a boatswain, for his conduct in the same affair. + +"I congratulate you, Tom, on this promotion," said Somers. + +"Thank you, Jack; and I congratulate you as Lieutenant Somers. You are a +'regular,' but I'm only an 'acting,'" replied the veteran. "When the +war's over, I shall be a boatswain again." + +"I am more rejoiced for you than for myself, Tom." + +"Just like you, Jack. If I made you, I'm sure you made me. I got my +rating as boatswain's mate in the Rosalie through you, and then I was +made a boatswain for what I did with you. Now I'm an ensign by your +doings. I suppose you think I'm not up to it, Jack." + +"Yes, I do. I know you are. There's nothing about a ship that you don't +know as well as the admiral himself, except--" + +"Except," laughed Tom, as Somers paused, "except what?" + +"Navigation." + +"I know something about that, Jack--I do, upon my honor." + +"I do not doubt it." + +"When I first went into the navy, I was a regular sea dandy. I used big +words, as long as the coach-whip; but I soon found a man must not talk +above his station. When I was a young man, I wasn't a bad scholar. I +went to the academy, and learned surveying; I meant to be a surveyor; +but I got a hitch, and went to sea." + +"A hitch?" + +"Well, I never mention it now. Squire Kent's daughter didn't treat me as +handsomely as she did another young fellow, and I drank more liquor than +was good for me. I got run down; and when I had payed out all the +respectability I had, I went to sea. That cured me of drinking; in fact, +I became a temperance man before the grog rations were stopped in the +navy. As I said, I was pretty well educated, and talked as well as the +officers on the quarter deck. But my shipmates laughed at me, and I soon +dropped down into using sea slang." + +"I have noticed that your speech has been wonderfully improved since you +were made a boatswain." + +"I've been trying to cure my bad habits. I've been lying round loose in +the navy for thirty years before the war began. I tried to be honest and +true, but the war has set me right up. I haven't told you the best of +the news yet, Jack." + +"What more?" + +"You are appointed to the Ben Lomond as prize master, and I'm going with +you as second officer. The admiral says you shall take the prize home, +if she has to wait two months for you. She is yours, and you shall have +the command of her." + +"He is very kind; but I do not think I shall be able to take command at +present." + +"We are to go as soon as the doctor will let you be carried on board of +her. Jack, the Ben Lomond is going into the navy; and if I mistake not, +she will be in command of Lieutenant Somers." + +"That would be the height of my ambition. Indeed, I never aspired to +anything so great as the command of a fine steamer." + +"You'll have her; the admiral is your friend. If you do, I shall be in +the ward-room. Splinter my timber-heads! Only think of that! Tom +Longstone a ward-room officer!" + +"You deserve it, Tom." + +In the course of the week, other officers of the Chatauqua visited the +patient, and at the end of that period the doctor permitted Somers to be +conveyed on board the Ben Lomond. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +MISS PORTINGTON NOT AT HOME. + + +Pillgrim and Langdon had been in close confinement at Pensacola since +their capture. They were now placed on board of the Ben Lomond to be +sent north. An apartment was specially fitted up for their use in the +steerage, for they were regarded as dangerous men, to whom bolts, bars, +and other obstacles, were but trifling impediments. A sufficient number +of marines to guard them were detailed for duty on the passage, and the +steamer sailed for Boston, where the prize was to be adjusted. + +Somers was now improving very rapidly, and before he left the hospital, +had sat up a small portion of each day. The pleasant intelligence +brought to him by Tom Longstone had not retarded his recovery; on the +contrary, the bright hopes of the future which it suggested, rather +stimulated his feeble frame, and assisted in his restoration to health. + +The steamer had fine weather on the passage, with the exception of a +gale of thirty hours' duration. She put into Hampton Roads, and landed +her prisoners at Fortress Monroe, in accordance with the orders of her +commander, and then proceeded to Boston. The Ben Lomond behaved +remarkably well in the heavy weather she experienced, proving herself to +be a strongly-built and substantial vessel. Somers sent his despatches +to Washington from Fortress Monroe. + +When the Ben Lomond sailed into Boston Harbor, Somers was able to go on +deck, for with each day of the voyage his health had continued to +improve. The steamer was duly handed over to the naval authorities, and +the young lieutenant was granted a furlough of sixty days. + +"Our cruise is up," said Tom Longstone, when the business had been +completed. + +"For the present, we have nothing to do; but I hope we shall soon +receive our orders," replied Somers. "Now, Tom, you will go down to +Pinchbrook with me, and spend a couple of months." + +"Thank you, Jack; I hardly think I should know how to behave in a house +on shore, it is so long since I have been in one." + +"You will soon learn." + +They went to Pinchbrook, and Tom received a welcome almost as cordial as +that extended to Somers. The veteran was soon made entirely at home by +his young friend's father, and such a "spinning of yarns" for thirty +days had never been known before. Tom told a story of the Cumberland; +then Captain Somers had a West India yarn; and gran'ther Greene was +indulgently permitted to relate his experience in the "last war," though +it was observed that the old man, whose memory was much impaired, always +told the same story. + +Never did a happier trio gather around a kitchen fire than that which +sat around the cook-stove at Pinchbrook on those autumn mornings. Very +likely Mrs. Somers thought the "men folks" were in the way at times; +but, she was too much interested in the stories told, and too good +natured to raise an objection, especially when John joined the party. + +In the mean time, Somers was rapidly regaining his health and strength. +As may be supposed, he was a lion in Pinchbrook, and was invited to +every party and every merry-making in the place. Captain Barney was with +him a great deal, and was as fond of him as though he had been his own +son. Of course the young ladies of Pinchbrook regarded the lieutenant as +a great man; and if it had not been known in town that he was "paying +attention" to a commodore's daughter, he might have been absolutely +persecuted by the fair ones of his native village. + +In strict observance of his promise, Somers had written several letters +to Kate Portington, but had received no answer. These epistles, with the +exception of an occasional playful remark, were confined to the details +of his naval operations. The events of his career were faithfully +recorded, and they were in no sense such productions as many silly young +men would have written under similar circumstances. No answer to any of +them had been received. + +Since his arrival at Pinchbrook, Somers had written two letters; but at +the end of the first month of his furlough, he had not heard a word from +Kate. He was troubled, and no doubt thought Kate was very cold and +cruel. He knew that Pillgrim had not seen her, and therefore could not +have prejudiced her against him. It was possible that his letters had +not reached their destination; Kate might be away from home; and he was +not willing to believe that anything had occurred to make her less +friendly to him than formerly. + +Somers, as we have so often had occasion to represent him, was always in +favor of "facing the music." If there was anything the matter, he wanted +to know it. If the lady wished to discontinue the acquaintance, he +wanted to know that; and when he could no longer content himself in +Pinchbrook, with the question unsettled, he started for Newport. On his +arrival he proceeded at once to the residence of Commodore Portington. +With a firm hand he rang the bell--in surprising contrast with his first +visit, for now he was firm and decided. + +The servant informed him that Miss Portington was at home, and he sent +up his card. Somers sat nervously waiting the issue. Presently the +servant returned and handed him a card, on which was written, "_Miss +Portington is not at home to Mr. John Somers_." + +He was confounded by this cool reply. Though her present conduct was in +accordance with the unanswered letters, he had not expected to be thus +rudely repelled. If she had any objection to him, why didn't she tell +him so? He had done his duty to his country, and kept his promises to +her. It was the severest blow he had ever received. + +He read the card, rose from his chair, and left the house, as dignified +as though he had been on the quarter deck of the Ben Lomond. He was too +proud to ask or to offer any explanations. We will not undertake to say +how bad he felt. Perhaps he wished he had died in the Pensacola +hospital, when he lay at death's door; perhaps he felt like rushing into +the hottest of a fight, and laying down his life for the cause he had +espoused, without thinking that this would be suicide, rather than a +generous sacrifice to a holy duty. + +Mr. Pillgrim had informed him that he would meet with a "chilly" +reception. It was even worse than that; but as it was evidently caused +by the traitor's machinations, he was content to suffer. If she chose to +let the words of the wretched conspirator against his country bias her +against him, he could not help it; and his only remaining duty was to +submit with the best possible grace. + +Of course he could not leave Newport without calling at the Naval +Academy. Mr. Revere, the commandant of midshipmen, was his firm friend, +and it would be treason to him to leave the city without seeing him. He +was cordially received, and his experience in Mobile Bay was listened to +with the most friendly interest. + +"I need not ask you if you have been to Commodore Portington's," said +Mr. Revere. + +"I have, sir." + +"Well, how is Miss Portington?" + +"I did not see her," replied Somers, who, conscious that he had done no +wrong, was not disposed to conceal his misfortune from so good a friend. + +"Did not see her!" exclaimed the commandant. + +Somers explained. + +The story of Pillgrim's treason had been circulated, but the particulars +by which it had been exposed were known to only a few. Mr. Revere saw at +once the cause of the rupture. + +"The villain has sent her the bond you signed," said he. + +"Perhaps he has." + +"Probably she knows nothing of the circumstances under which you signed +it." + +"I have had no opportunity to explain." + +"But, Somers, you musn't be too stiff. Any lady would be fully justified +in refusing to see a gentleman who signed a paper like that, which +contained her name in such a connection." + +"I think so myself; and therefore I will not blame her." + +"Pillgrim got you to sign that document for this very purpose." + +"I surmised as much." + +"But it is a wrong to the lady as well as to you, to permit this thing +to go on." + +"I have no remedy." + +"Write her a note, explaining your position." + +"My motives would be misconstrued." + +"Then I shall act for you." + +Somers went to his hotel, and Mr. Revere did act it for him. Kate was +not satisfied. A high-minded man would have died rather than sign such a +paper. So would Somers, if the bond had any real meaning. The commandant +was not successful in the negotiation, as mediators seldom are in such +cases. + +"I am satisfied, Mr. Revere," said Somers: but he was as far from +satisfied as a young man could be. + +"There is no help for it; but, Somers, I have invited a few friends to +my house this evening, and you must be with us." + +"Will Miss Portington be there?" + +"She has been invited, with her mother." + +"I will go," replied he, still carrying out his principle that it is +always best to "face the music." + +He did go. The few friends were about fifty--to celebrate the birthday +of the commandant's lady. There were music, and dancing, and revelry; +and Kate Portington was there, with her mother. He saw the fair girl; +saw her smile as pleasantly and unconcernedly as though nothing had +happened. He met her face to face; she bowed coldly, and passed on. Mrs. +Portington was not quite so "chilly," but not at all as she had been in +former times. + +"Mr. Somers, we shall always remember you with gratitude, for the +service you so kindly rendered us," said she. + +"It is hardly worth remembering, madam, much less mentioning," replied +Somers. + +"It shall always be gratefully remembered, and cordially mentioned. You +cannot yourself regret more than I do, that anything should have +occurred to disturb the pleasant relations which formerly existed." + +"I regret it very much, madam; but as I think I have done my duty to my +country and to my friends, I must regret it without reproaching myself +for my conduct in that which has proved so offensive." + +"Was it your duty to sign that vile paper?" asked the lady, in excited +tones. + +"I think it was." + +"I must take a different view of the matter; but, Mr. Somers, I shall +still be interested in your success." + +"Thank you, madam." + +And the lady passed on. Somers looked at Kate. She was dancing with a +young officer who had greatly distinguished himself in the waters of +North Carolina. She looked happy. Was she so? She certainly had a +wonderful command of herself if she was not. Somers retired at an early +hour. + +Did Kate think he was an adventurer? His superior officer had directed +him to sign the bond, as a "war measure." He had done so with regret and +disgust. The paper meant nothing to him. Why should it mean anything to +her and her mother? + +The next day, Somers returned to Pinchbrook, where he found certain +official documents in the post office, directed to him. He was appointed +to the command of the Firefly, which was the new name given by the +department to the Ben Lomond. The steamer had been duly condemned, and +purchased by the government, her great speed admirably adapting her as a +cruiser for rebel pirates. Somers was generously rewarded for his zeal +and success in the capture of the twin steamers, which had been intended +to prey on the commerce of the country. + +Acting Ensign Longstone was appointed second lieutenant of the Firefly. +The third and fourth lieutenants, and the sailing master, were acting +ensigns, like Tom Longstone. + +All was excitement now at the cottage in Pinchbrook, in anticipation of +Somers's departure. A lieutenant commanding was a higher position than +he had ever hoped to obtain; but even while he rejoiced over his bright +future, he could not help being "blue" over his affair at Newport. He +tried to forget the fair lady, but he found that was not an easy matter. +He devoted himself to the fitting up of the Firefly, spending part of +his time at Pinchbrook, till his orders came from Washington. A kind +word from Kate would have made him the happiest man in the world. As +that did not come, he went to sea without it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +THE BEN LEDI. + + +The Firefly had been strengthened and otherwise improved for the purpose +to which she was to be applied. Her armament had been changed, to adapt +it to the standard of the United States navy. She now carried a hundred +pounder rifle amidships, a rifled thirty on her forecastle, four +twenty-four pounders on the broadsides, and two howitzers on the quarter +deck. The cabin, ward-room, and steerage remained as before. + +It was a pleasant November day--in the full reign of the Indian +summer--when she went down the harbor. Somers stood on the quarter deck, +as dignified as the commander of a man-of-war should be, but he could +hardly repress the feeling of pride and exultation with which he +regarded his position. He was hardly twenty-one, though he was mature +enough in appearance and in judgment for twenty-five. He had realized +the warmest hope he had permitted himself to cherish. He was in command +of a beautiful vessel, with a hundred officers and men under his +charge. He was the supreme authority; every man on board touched his cap +to him. + +Below was a cabin, appropriated wholly to his use, where he could live +as luxuriously as a lord. He had no watch to keep, no work to perform. +As he contemplated his position, he was absolutely amazed. He had hoped, +but not expected, to reach this pinnacle of his ambition. But there was +another side to the question. A fearful responsibility was imposed upon +him. The lives of his hundred men depended upon him. This valuable +steamer, with her armament and stores, was intrusted to him, and he must +account for all loss or waste on board of her. More than this, the honor +of the flag under which he sailed had been committed to him. If he lost +his ship by bad management, it would be his ruin. If he permitted the +ensign which floated at his peak to be disgraced, it would be infamy to +him. + +In the public service he might have occasion to run into foreign ports, +or to visit neutral waters. His want of knowledge, or his want of +judgment, might entangle his country in perplexing broils with other +nations, or even involve her in another war. As he thought of his +delicate and difficult duties, he felt like shrinking from them, and +avoiding the immense responsibility. Being "captain," in this view, was +quite a different thing from what he had anticipated. + +With a smile he recalled his own reflections, when, as an ordinary +seaman, he had observed the captain of his ship walk the deck. Then he +had thought the commander had the easiest and jolliest time of all the +men on board, with his fine cabin all to himself, and no watch to keep, +and apparently no work to do. From his present stand-point, the captain +occupied the most difficult and trying place in the ship, and he almost +wished he had declined the command offered to him. + +Outside the bay, the sealed orders were opened. As he had anticipated, +he was ordered to cruise in search of rebel steamers, whose depredations +on the coast had severely tried the patience of the nation. He was +directed to proceed first to the eastward, and then to use his own +judgment. There were several rebel privateers, or naval vessels +belonging to the Confederacy. The Tallahassee, the Chickamauga, and the +Olustee had been the most mischievous; and it was believed that there +were others at Wilmington, and the _neutral_ ports of New Brunswick, +Nova Scotia, and the West Indies. + +Having learned where he was to go, and what he was to do, he went on +deck and gave his orders to Mr. Gamage, the first lieutenant. The +Firefly was headed to the north-east, and all sail set to help her +along. Before Somers went below, she logged fifteen knots, which was +splendid for a ship with her bunkers full of coal. + +In the evening the young commander invited Tom Longstone to visit his +cabin. The veteran was in his happiest frame of mind. All the +aspirations of his earlier years seemed to have been rekindled in his +soul; he had abandoned the use of slang, and conducted himself so much +like a gentleman, outwardly, that no one could have suspected he had +spent thirty odd years of his life before the mast; but as he had always +been a gentleman at heart, it was comparatively easy for him to assume +the externals of his new profession. + +The old man had donned a new uniform; and though his hair and beard were +iron gray, he looked as "spruce" as a dry goods clerk. No change of +dress, however, could make him any other than an "old salt." He walked +with a rolling gait, and had all the airs of a veteran seaman. It is +true that in the transposition from the forecastle to the ward-room he +had discarded "pigtail," and confined himself to "fine cut," taken from +a silver box; but he still used as much of the "weed" as an old +sheet-anchor man. + +"You sent for me, Captain Somers," said the second lieutenant, as he +touched his fore-top, from the force of habit. + +"Sit down, Mr. Longstone," said the captain. "It is one of the blessings +of my present position that I have a place to sit down and talk with old +friends. I suppose you know we are bound to the eastward in search of +rebel privateers." + +"So Mr. Gamage told me, sir. I hope we shall catch some of them." + +"So do I; but I'm afraid we are on a wild-goose chase." + +"Perhaps not--at least, I hope not. If there is a rebel ship in these +waters, we'll have her, if we have to dive after her." + +"The ocean is very broad. None of our ships have had much luck in +catching these rebel pirates. I would rather have gone down on the +blockade, where there is some show for us." + +"Don't give it up, Captain Somers." + +"I don't give it up; but I do not see any reason why I should be more +fortunate than others. A score of our ships have cruised for months +without catching a single one of them." + +"They didn't look where they were," laughed Tom. + +"If I knew where they were, I would look there." + +"You will certainly catch one of the pirates, Captain Somers." + +"Why do you say so?" + +"Because you are smart, and you are lucky. I know you will make a +capture on this cruise. I feel it in my bones." + +"I hope I shall. Wouldn't it be glorious, if I could send such a +despatch as Captain Winslow did, after he had sunk the Alabama?" + +Somers's eyes glistened as he thought of it, but it was only an +air-castle; and after he had contemplated it for a moment, his common +sense obliged him to come down from the clouds. + +The cruise of the Firefly would supply matter enough for a whole volume, +but we have only space for a mere outline of the voyage. The steamer lay +off and on for a week without meeting with anything that looked like a +rebel privateer, when her commander decided to run into Halifax, where +he hoped to obtain some information. The city was a nest of "secesh +sympathizers," and the captain of the Firefly was not received with much +enthusiasm outside of the American consulate. He had not been in the +habit of hearing his country and her rulers vilified, and as he sat in +the parlor of the hotel, and listened to hostile remarks, evidently +intended for his ear, nothing but prudence prevented him from indulging +in the luxury of pulling the noses of the speakers. He preserved his +dignity in spite of his inclination. + +"Upon my word, this is a very unexpected pleasure," said a familiar +voice. + +He looked up from the newspaper he was reading. Before him stood Mr. +Pillgrim! + +"Quite as unexpected to me as to you, Mr. Pillgrim!" replied Somers, +with abundant self-possession. + +"I dare say, Mr. Somers," laughed Pillgrim. "Of course you did not +expect to see me. Will you take a glass of wine with me, Mr. Somers?" + +"No, I thank you; I never indulge--as you are aware." + +"I didn't know but your rapid advancement had changed your tastes." + +"No, sir." + +"You command the Ben Lomond now, Mr. Somers, I learn from the papers." + +"The Firefly is her present name." + +"Bah! What an ugly name for a fine steamer like her. The Tallapoosa is +much better. Be that as it may, I congratulate you on your promotion and +your appointment; and you know how sincere I am! + +"I do know; and, therefore, cannot even thank you for your good wishes." + +"Don't be savage, Mr. Somers. You can afford to be very good-natured." + +"I am." + +"You don't seem to be very glad to see me." + +"On the contrary, I am. I hope, with your usual candor, that you will +tell me what you are going to do next, and give me an opportunity to cut +out your vessel. I am up here for that purpose." + +Pillgrim bit his lip. + +"At present, Mr. Somers, I must be silent; but we shall yet meet and +settle up old accounts. Let us not be ill-natured. If we meet as +enemies, we will fight it out." + +"We can never meet in any other way." + +"That isn't friendly. How is Miss Portington?" + +"She was well, last time I saw her;" and Somers blushed, and looked +disconcerted--as he really was. + +"I am glad to hear it, Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, significantly. + +Somers changed the topic at once, and finally contrived to ask the +traitor how he happened to be in Halifax, instead of Fortress Monroe. +Pillgrim laughed exultingly, and declared there were no irons, bolts, or +bars that could keep him a prisoner; and the facts seemed to justify the +assertion. + +"Mr. Somers, not more than one half of the people of the North are in +favor of this cruel war. I have friends in Washington and other cities +whom no one suspects of favoring the South. I am indebted to them for my +liberation. I shall yet carry out my original purpose. I have lost three +vessels. I was paid for two by the Confederacy; and I have your bond for +half the value of the third. I am a commander in the Confederate navy. +In one week I shall be at sea. I shall sink, burn, and destroy! You +can't help yourself." + +"Is your ship here?" + +"Yes--no." + +Pillgrim laughed, turned on his heel, and walked away. Somers was +excited. He wanted to know more. He went to the American consul. A +"blue-nose" sailor of the Firefly was sent on shore, who found Pillgrim, +and without much difficulty shipped in the "Sunny South" for a voyage on +the coast. This was all the information that could be obtained. There +was no such craft as the Sunny South in port. Somers examined all the +vessels in the harbor, and found a steamer called the Ben Ledi--another +Scottish mountain. She was Clyde-built, and similar to the Ben Nevis and +the Ben Lomond. The name alone satisfied the inquirer that she belonged +to the same family as the two vessels he had already captured. + +Things began to look a little more hopeful, and the young commander +carefully read his books on international law. He attempted to place the +Firefly where he could watch the suspected steamer; but the authorities, +on various pretences, prevented him from doing so. The next morning the +Ben Ledi was gone. Somers was exceedingly mortified, for he might as +well look for a needle in a haymow as try to find the vessel on the +ocean. He put to sea at once. A "blue-nose" official laughed at him as +his gig pulled off to the ship, and everybody on shore was in high glee +because the Confederate had eluded the Yankee. + +Somers kept cool in spite of his chagrin; and believing the Ben Ledi +would run for Wilmington, where she would probably be fitted out as a +cruiser, he headed the Firefly in that direction, and gave chase. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +A LONG CHASE. + + +Somers was somewhat bewildered by the events which had transpired during +his brief stay at Halifax. It was almost incredible that Pillgrim had +again escaped; but the traitor had powerful friends--men who appeared to +be loyal while they were in full sympathy with the leaders of the +rebellion. The three "Bens," the last of which was now fleeing before +him, were certainly an interesting family. Pillgrim, while abroad, and +operating for the Southern Confederacy, had apparently purchased a whole +line of Clyde-built steamers. Two of them were now in good hands, and +doing good service to the loyal cause; but Somers feared that the third +would escape him. + +Pillgrim had learned prudence from the experience of the past. Somers +hoped he would indulge in his customary reckless boasting; that his +thirst for revenge would again lead him to betray himself; but he had +not dropped even a hint that could be of any service. The decoy seaman +had only learned that he was to sail in the "Sunny South." The sudden +departure of the Ben Ledi was the only important fact in possession of +the commander of the Firefly. + +When the ship was well out of the bay, and her course laid down, Somers +went into his cabin to consult his charts, and consider a plan for +future operations. Unfortunately there was no information on which to +base a theory in regard to the pirate's course. He could only guess at +her destination. The Firefly was run at her best speed during the rest +of the day, but her course for a large portion of the time was through a +dense Nova Scotia fog, and nothing was seen or heard. + +On the following day, the sun shone through a clear air, and at noon +there was seen, dead ahead, some evidences of black smoke in the +horizon. This was a hopeful sign, for there was a steamer burning +English coal in the direction indicated. It might be the Ben Ledi, and +it might not; but the appearance created a tremendous excitement on +board the Firefly. + +"Captain Somers, you will have her," said Tom Longstone, placing himself +by the side of the young commander. "It is your luck." + +"That may not be the steamer we are after. We haven't seen her yet." + +"That's the Ben Ledi; you may depend upon it. I wouldn't give five cents +to any man to guarantee my share of prize money in her." + +"Don't be too confident, Mr. Longstone." + +"She is ours, Captain Somers." + +"I wish I could believe it." + +"You must believe it, and work for it." + +"I shall certainly work for it." + +And he did work for it. Everything that would add a fraction of a knot +to the speed of the Firefly was done. The black smoke was visible all +the rest of the day, but not a sight of the steamer from which it +proceeded could be obtained. Darkness settled down upon the ocean, and +nothing could be seen during the night. The next day was cloudy, and +there was not a sign of encouragement to those on board of the pursuing +vessel. Then came a gale of twenty hours' duration; but the Firefly held +her course, and proved herself to be a perfect sea boat. + +The fourth day out from Halifax was fine, and shortly after sunrise the +cloud of black smoke was again discovered, and a thrill of delight +coursed through the veins of Somers as he discovered it. The steamer was +on the port bow now, but it was evident that both steamers were bound to +the same point, though their courses had slightly varied during the +gale. + +"I told you so, Captain Somers!" exclaimed Lieutenant Longstone, as he +rubbed his hands briskly in view of the bright prospect. + +"We haven't caught her yet, Mr. Longstone." + +"But you will catch her, just as sure as the sun shines." + +"Mr. Pillgrim will not allow himself to be taken." + +"He cannot help himself." + +"Perhaps he can. That steamer sails as well as the Firefly, and we are +not a hundred and fifty miles from Cape Fear." + +"No matter; we have got ten hours' working time, and we shall use her +up. Shall we put the helm to starboard, Captain Somers?" + +"No; keep her as she is," replied the commander. "If she is going into +Wilmington we shall be making something on this tack. We have the +weather-gage of her." + +It was soon clearly demonstrated that the chase had "slowed down," so as +not to approach the coast before night should favor her operations, +though her great speed gave her every advantage over an ordinary +pursuer. The Firefly had run down so that the Ben Ledi was on her port +beam, about eight miles distant. Both steamers had hoisted English +colors, for Somers had no idea of being cheated out of the game by +"showing his hand." + +The most intense excitement prevailed on board of the Firefly, for it +was evident that a few hours more would settle the question one way or +the other. Somers was not disposed to wait until night, which would +favor the chase more than himself; and he was afraid, if he headed +towards her, that she would take the alarm and beat him on time. He kept +quiet for a couple of hours, just as though he were waiting for the +darkness to cover him in running the blockade. + +His plan seemed to be a success, for after a while the Ben Ledi began to +bear down upon him. It was an anxious hour for Somers. He ordered the +first lieutenant to beat to quarters, and the chief engineer to have on +a full head of steam. The guns were loaded with solid shot, and every +preparation made for an exciting time. Pillgrim did not seem to suspect +thus far that the steamer under English colors was the one he had left +in Halifax harbor. It was certain that he did not yet recognize her. + +The Firefly reciprocated the attention of the Ben Ledi, and moved slowly +towards her, for Somers was careful not to excite suspicion by being +precipitate. The two steamers approached within three miles, and the +respective captains were busy in examining each other's ship through +their glasses. The chase now hoisted her number. As Somers had the +Lloyd's signal book, he read it without difficulty. It was the Ben Ledi. +To the question, "What ship is that?" he had no answer to give, for it +was not prudent to hoist the old number of the Ben Lomond. + +Our younger readers may not understand how a conversation is carried on +between ships at sea, several miles distant from each other. There are +ten small signal flags representing the nine digits and the zero. Any +number can of course be formed of these figures. Every ship is provided +with a number, which if it consists of two figures is represented by two +flags, hoisted together; three figures, three flags; and so on. + +The signal book also contains a great number of questions and answers, +such as, "What ship is that?" "Where bound?" "All well." "Short of +water," &c. Each sentence has its invariable number, which may be +indicated by the signal flags. If one vessel shows the number 124, the +captain of the ship signalized would find this number in his signal +book; and against it would be printed the question or answer. + +Somers was not disposed to reply to the question of Pillgrim; and as he +did not do so, the traitor immediately took the alarm. The Ben Ledi went +about, and made off to the eastward under full steam. The Firefly was +all ready to follow, and then commenced a most exciting chase. It was +useless to waste shot at that distance, and Somers confined his +attention to the speed of his vessel. For three hours the pursuit was +continued, without any perceptible decrease of the distance between the +two steamers. + +But it was soon discovered that Pillgrim was gradually wearing round. +Somers perceived his intention, but it was not prudent to attempt to +cut him off all at once, by taking the arc of a smaller circle; but he +worked his ship slowly round; and when both vessels were headed to the +west, he had gained a mile. Pillgrim had evidently made up his mind to +go into Wilmington at any risk, though under ordinary circumstances the +more prudent course would have been for him to continue at sea, where a +dark night or a fog might have enabled him to elude his pursuer. Somers +concluded, therefore, that the Ben Ledi was short of coal, for his own +supply was nearly exhausted. + +The furnaces of the Firefly were now worked to their utmost capacity, +and every expedient to make steam was resorted to by the excited +engineers and firemen. There was a stiff breeze from the south-west, and +both vessels had crowded on every stitch of canvas that could be spread. +It had already been demonstrated that there was no appreciable +difference in the speed of the two steamers, and the result of the chase +was to depend entirely upon the management of each. + +When the two vessels had come about so as to make a fair wind, the +Firefly had been the first to spread her canvas, and the superior +discipline of her crew was thus made apparent. A slight advantage had +thus been gained, and it was certain that "the balance of power" lay in +the sails. At meridian an observation was obtained, and the position of +the ship was accurately laid down on the chart. The latitude was 33° +59' 7"; the longitude 76° 29' 23". To make the Swash Channel, which was +covered by the guns of Fort Fisher, the Ben Ledi would have laid a +course about half a point south of west; but her present course was +west-south-west. Somers, after examining his chart, had some doubts +whether she was going into Wilmington. + +Tom Longstone had the deck during the afternoon watch. He was a veteran +seaman, and his experience had made him more familiar with canvas than +with steam. With the most anxious solicitude he watched the sails during +the afternoon, and under his skilful directions they were kept perfectly +trimmed. On that momentous occasion everything was reduced down to the +finest point, as well in the handling of the engine as the tacks, +sheets, and halliards. + +The case was hopeful, though the gain could not be perceived in one, or +two, hours; but at eight bells hardly a mile lay between the contending +steamers. The first lieutenant wanted to open on the chase with the +rifled gun on the top-gallant forecastle; but Somers refused permission, +for while he was gaining on the Ben Ledi only in inches, he could not +afford to lose feet by the recoil of the gun, until there was a better +chance of hitting the mark. At two bells in the first dog watch, just as +the sun was setting, the Ben Ledi doubled Frying Pan Shoals, passing +close to the breakers. Then, as her people discovered a couple of +vessels belonging to the blockading squadron, she sheered off, and went +to the westward. + +These changes, with the doubt and uncertainty which prevailed on board +of the Ben Ledi, had been very favorable to the Firefly, now within half +a mile of her. Two vessels from the blockading fleet had started to +engage in the exciting work, but they were too late to help or hinder +the pursuit. Somers gave the order to fire upon the Ben Ledi, which was +now endeavoring to work round to the Beach Channel. + +Though the darkness had settled down upon the chase, the Firefly +continued the pursuit with unabated vigor. Her pilot was familiar with +the channels, bars, and shoals. Shot after shot was fired at the Ben +Ledi, and it was soon evident that one of them had in some way damaged +her wheels, for she was rapidly losing ground. But now a battery on Oak +Island suddenly opened on the Firefly. + +"We must end this thing," said Somers, as a shot from the fort whizzed +over his head. + +"Yes, sir," replied the first lieutenant. "We can hardly pass that +battery." + +"Try the hundred pounder." + +When the pivot gun was ready, the Firefly swung round, and the heavy +piece roared out its salutation to the blockade runner. It was aimed by +Tom Longstone, and the bolt struck the Ben Ledi square in the stern, +breaking in her counter, and leaving her helpless on the water. The +Firefly stopped her wheels. A shot from the fort crushed through her +smoke-stack. + +The chase, completely disabled, drifted on the beach and grounded, under +the guns of the battery. The Firefly now poured shell into her from +every gun that could be brought to bear. In a few moments a sheet of +flame rose from her, and lighted up the channel for miles around, +clearly revealing to the gunners in the fort the exact position of +Somers's vessel. + +The work had been accomplished, the Ben Ledi had been destroyed, and the +Firefly hastened to escape from her dangerous locality. In coming about +she poured a parting broadside into the burning steamer. As she swung +round, a hail from the water was heard, and a boat containing several +men was discovered. It had been carried by the tide away from the beach. +The occupants were taken on board, though one of them was wounded and +utterly helpless. They had no oars, and were in danger of being carried +out to sea. + +"Here's the cap'n; he was hit by a piece of a shell," said one of the +men. + +"Who is he?" asked Somers. + +"Cap'n Pillgrim." + +The sufferer was taken down into the ward-room, and the surgeon began to +examine him as the Firefly steamed down the channel under a shower of +shot and shell from the battery. + +"How is he?" asked the young commander, when the ship had passed out of +the reach of the guns of the fort. + +"He is dead!" replied the surgeon. + +"Dead! Good Heaven!" exclaimed Somers, impressed by the terrible +retribution which had at last overtaken the traitor. + +"Yes, sir; he died a few moments since. A fragment of a shell tore open +his breast and penetrated his lungs," added the surgeon. + +"That's the last of him," said Lieutenant Longstone. "He will lay no +more plots." + +"He has been a dangerous enemy to his country," continued Somers. "If he +had succeeded in running in with that vessel, he would have obtained her +armament, and made terrible havoc among the merchant ships on the coast. +He was a daring fellow; he was reckless at times. He told me on board of +the Chatauqua that he had purchased three steamers in Scotland; this is +the last one." + +"Three Bens," added Tom. "Captain Somers, you have had a hand in +capturing and destroying them all." + +"I have; and it is really marvellous, when I think of it." + +"I knew you would capture the Ben Ledi," continued the second +lieutenant, exultingly. + +"I did not capture her." + +"It is the same thing." + +"You will not find it so when your prize money is distributed." + +"A fig for the prize money," replied Tom, contemptuously. "We destroyed +her; and it's all the same thing. I would rather have had that villain +hanged than killed by an honest shell; but there is no help for it now." + +"Peace, Mr. Longstone; he is dead now. We have nothing more to do with +him." + +The body of Mr. Pillgrim was laid out in a proper place, and as the coal +bunkers of the Firefly were nearly empty, she was headed for Port Royal, +where she arrived on the afternoon of the following day. On the passage, +the men from the Ben Ledi, who had been picked up in the boat, were +examined in regard to their knowledge of her ultimate use. One of the +party was an intelligent English seaman, who acknowledged that he had +shipped, for the Confederate navy, in the Sunny South, which was to be +the new name of the Ben Ledi. She had waited a month at Halifax for +orders. Langdon was not on board of her, and the seaman had no knowledge +of any such person. + +The Firefly had not been seen on board the Sunny South until both +steamers were off Wilmington. After passing Frying Pan Shoals, a shot +from the Firefly had partially crippled her port wheel, which accident +had caused her to lose ground rapidly. The projectile from the hundred +pounder had completely shattered her stern, and disabled her rudder, and +knocked the engine "all in a heap." The port quarter boat was torn to +pieces by a shell, the same which had given Pillgrim his mortal wound. +The after tackle of the other quarter boat had been shot away, and when +it was dropped into the water the oars were gone. Most of the crew had +saved themselves by swimming ashore. The Ben Ledi had a valuable cargo, +which the informer declared was totally destroyed by fire or water. + +On her arrival at Port Royal, the Firefly coaled without delay; the body +of Pillgrim was buried, and after forwarding his despatches to the navy +department by a supply steamer, Somers sailed again on another cruise +after privateers, Confederate cruisers, and blockade runners. The +Tallahassee and the Chickamauga were supposed to be at Wilmington, but +the Olustee was believed to be still afloat. Of this cruise our limits +do not permit us to record details; but the Firefly captured a valuable +steamer in December, and sent her into port. This was the only prize she +obtained; and being short of coal, she ran into Boston, on New Year's +day, where her prize had arrived before her. + +Somers immediately forwarded his despatches, and awaited the orders of +the department. Of course he hastened down to Pinchbrook as soon as he +could leave the ship, where he was heartily welcomed and warmly +congratulated upon his successful cruise. + +"Here's something for you, John," said Mrs. Somers, taking a daintily +made up letter from the mantel-piece, when the welcome had been given, +kisses bestowed, and hands shaken. "It has been here a fortnight." + +Somers knew the handwriting, for it had often gladdened his heart +before, and a flush came to his cheeks as he tore open the envelope. It +was from Kate Portington, whom the young commander had not failed to +think of every day during his absence, though it was with pain and +sorrow at the rupture which had separated them. The letter healed his +only wound. + +"I shall never forgive myself," she wrote, "for my harsh treatment of +you; and I am afraid you can never forgive me. I have seen Mr. +Hackleford, who says that he _ordered_ you to sign that horrible paper. +Why didn't you tell me so, John?" He would have told her so, if she had +given him an opportunity. But she was repentant, and Somers was +rejoiced. + +The letter was four pages in length, and among all the pleasant things +it contained, the pleasantest was that she was spending a month in +Boston, at the residence of a friend, where she hoped to see him. + +She did see him there, on the very day he received the letter. What +passed between them we are not at liberty to say in a book of this kind, +except to inform the reader that Kate was herself again; that in the +joy of meeting him after this painful rupture, she actually forgot to be +proper, and in spite of her promise, and her mother's lecture, she +called him "prodigy." The past, the present, and the future, were +discussed, and Somers went on board the Firefly the happiest of +mortals. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +THE END OF THE REBELLION. + + +The Firefly, with her energetic young commander, was too serviceable to +be permitted long to remain in idleness, and she was ordered to join +Admiral Porter's squadron, which had failed to capture Fort Fisher in +December; or rather, the military portion of the expedition had failed +to do it, for the navy had done its part of the work to the satisfaction +of the nation. + +Somers sailed again, and in due time reported to the admiral, who was +then waiting for the army, in order to make the second attack. A +tremendous gale delayed the expedition; but on the 13th of January, the +bombardment of Fort Fisher was commenced, and the military force was +landed on Federal Point. A detachment of sailors from the Firefly, under +the command of Lieutenant Longstone, was sent on shore to join the naval +brigade, and the steamer was variously employed during the action, +rendering valuable aid with her hundred pounder, as well as performing +various duties, for which her great speed and light draught peculiarly +fitted her. The zeal and energy of Somers were warmly commended, though +he had no opportunity to render any signal service in the attack. + +Fort Fisher fell this time; every man and every ship was faithful; and +though some were distinguished by gallant exploits, the victory was the +result of the steadiness of the whole line, rather than of the brilliant +deeds of the few. The last maritime stronghold of the rebellion was +reduced, and the sinking Confederacy was shut in from all material +support from abroad. Its days were numbered, and many of its most rabid +supporters were now crying out for peace. + +The flag of the Union floated over Fort Fisher, and the great fleet +before its shattered ramparts celebrated the victory with clouds of gay +flags, with flights of rockets, and with salvos of artillery. It was a +glorious day for that expedition. Admiral Porter and General Terry won a +glorious fame and an unfading name upon the annals of their country. + +Gallant old Tom Longstone was wounded in the arm in an attempt to rally +the sailors when they broke under the most terrible fire that mortal men +ever breasted. Lieutenant Longstone did all that any officer could do, +but the whole garrison seemed to be gathered at the point where the +naval assault was made. The sailors were repulsed and driven back. They +had never been disciplined to this kind of work; yet they fought like +tigers, hand to hand oftentimes, with the foe; and though they were +forced back, even while the American flag was floating over the other +side of the works, it was no disgrace to them. Tom stood by to the last, +though he was severely wounded, and finally had the satisfaction of +beholding a complete triumph. The soldiers did wonders on that day--the +sailors hardly less. + +With other vessels of light draught the Firefly went up the river, +fishing up torpedoes, transporting soldiers, and hammering down rebel +batteries, and continued upon this duty until General Terry marched into +the deserted city of Wilmington, and raised the national flag where the +emblem of treason had insulted the free air for four long years. + +The Firefly was ordered to the James River, in the vicinity of which the +last groan of the expiring monster of Rebellion was soon to be heard; +and on the 20th of March she was on her winding way up the stream. In +the mean time Charleston had fallen; negro troops patrolled her streets, +and the people of this foul nest of secession were suffering the agonies +of actual subjugation. Sherman, with his grand army, was "marching on" +in his resistless course, with hardly a foe to impede his exultant +march. Columbia, the proud capital of arrogant South Carolina, yielded, +and the people repented their folly in the ashes of the burning city. +Johnston was retreating before his invincible conqueror, and the whole +military power of the rebellion east of Mississippi was concentrated +within an area of not more than a hundred and fifty miles. + +The movements of General Grant before Petersburg commenced; and his +great army, now animated by the sure prestige of victory, was hurled +against the rebel lines. The shock was tremendous; the whole world +seemed to be shaken by it, for it was the onslaught of freedom, striking +its last terrible blow at the legions of slavery. + +The fleet on the James was busily employed in fishing up torpedoes, in +guarding the pontoons across the river, and in "neutralizing" the +enemy's iron-clads which lay above the obstructions. The Firefly found +abundant occupation, though there was no opportunity for brilliant and +startling achievements; but she bore her full share in the hard work and +disagreeable drudgery of the occasion. + +Tom Longstone had entirely recovered from his wound; and being a +practical man himself, he was the life of every working party sent out +from the ship. The old man was an immense favorite with the sailors; +for, unlike many who have risen from a low position to a high, he was +kind and considerate, while he exacted the full measure of duty from +all. He was no tyrant, and had a heart for every man, whatever his +degree. + +"Well, Mr. Longstone, we have got almost to the end of the rebellion," +said Captain Somers, on one of those last days of March, when the roar +from beyond Petersburg was heavier than usual. + +"No doubt of that, captain," replied Tom. "I shall be a boatswain again +before long." + +"Do you dread the time?" + +"No, sir; far be it from me. I wouldn't prolong the war a single day, if +that day would make me an admiral." + +"Only one day, Tom?" said Somers, with a smile. + +"Not one, sir!" repeated the veteran, with emphasis. "For on that day a +husband or a father, a brother or a son, might be killed, and I should +be a murderer before God." + +"What do you think of those, then, that began this war?" + +"They are murderers! The blood of every man who has been killed in this +war on both sides rests on their heads. I'd rather be Cain than Jeff +Davis, or any other man of his crew." + +"I think you are right, Tom." + +"As for me, it don't make much difference whether I'm a boatswain or an +admiral. This old hulk won't stand many more storms; and I wouldn't do a +mean thing for the sake of living twenty years. Well, well," sighed the +veteran, as he glanced in the direction from which the roar of the +artillery came, "many a good fellow will lose the number of his mess +to-day." + +"Hundreds of them." + +And so the reports of the succeeding days assured them. The rebels had +stormed and temporarily possessed themselves of Fort Steadman. The +terrible conflict was opened in earnest; and from that time, swarms of +prisoners were sent forward to the river, which were guarded by +detachments of sailors and marines from the fleet. + +For three days the storm of war continued to howl in the distance, and +on the peaceful Sabbath more fiercely than before. Vague rumors were +flying through the fleet, and everybody felt that the end was at hand. +Somers retired as usual that night; but in the first watch, Tom +Longstone came down to him with report of great lights and heavy +explosions in the direction of Richmond. + +The rebels were evacuating the city, blowing up their iron-clads, and +firing the town. Richmond, which had defied the armies of the Union for +four years, had fallen. The heroic and persevering Grant had struck a +blow miles away, which tumbled down the last stronghold of treason. Jeff +Davis and his cabinet were fugitives now, fleeing from men, while the +wrath of God pursued where men could not reach them. + +The morning came, and with it the glad tidings of victory, which +foreshadowed peace. The Firefly was ordered to move up the river, and +she went up into waters where a loyal steamer had not floated for four +years. The negro troops were even then marching through the streets of +Richmond. The note of rejoicing, begun in the early morning, was +continued through the day. The brightest flags and the heaviest guns +proclaimed the joyful event. + +The Firefly went up to Varina, and then returned. This river was clear; +there was no sign of an enemy upon its waters. At City Point the sounds +of rejoicing thrilled upon the ear of soldier and sailor. Cheer upon +cheer rent the air, gun upon gun roared the pæan of triumph, and every +heart beat in unison with the glad acclaim. + +"Glory, hallelujah!" shouted Somers, on the quarter deck of the Firefly, +as she passed through the fleet. + +"Glory, hallelujah!" returned all who heard him. + +Three rousing cheers, such as Jack only can give, came from the +flag-ship, as the Firefly ran under her counter. + +"What's that?" asked Somers--for there seemed to be something unusual +going on. + +Calling his gig, he went on board the flag-ship to report the result of +his visit up the river. On the quarter deck he discovered a familiar +face, which thrilled his heart with delight. It was "Brave Old Salt." + +Somers approached the vice admiral, cap in hand, and was immediately +recognized. + +"Mr. Somers, I am delighted to see you!" said the admiral, extending his +hand. + +"Thank you, sir," replied the young commander. "This is an unexpected +happiness to me." + +"There is only one joy to-day, Mr. Somers," continued the admiral. +"Richmond has fallen, and the rebellion is ended!" + +"Glory, hallelujah!" said Somers, waving his cap. + +"I came down here to learn what Grant was doing. God bless him! He has +done everything," added the admiral. + +Rear Admiral Porter now ordered the Firefly to be placed at the disposal +of the Old Salamander, and Somers was happy in the duty assigned to him. +A twelve-oar barge received the vice admiral, and conveyed him to the +steamer in which his voyage was to be continued. When he was on board, +the barge was towed astern for his use farther up the river. + +The Firefly steamed up the river with her illustrious passenger, and at +the invitation of the admiral, Somers accompanied him to Richmond. + +A day later came President Lincoln in a barge, attended by Admiral +Porter, and Somers had the honor of being formally presented to the +chief magistrate of the nation, who had a pleasant word for him, as he +had for all who approached him. Somers assisted in the ovation to the +president, and listened with wonder and delight to the shouts of the +negroes, as they greeted the author of the Emancipation Proclamation as +the saviour and redeemer of their race. + +Ten days later, that simple, great man fell by the hand of the assassin, +though not till the news of the surrender of Lee's army had gladdened +his heart, and assured him that the great work of his lifetime was +finished. + +Somers was shocked, stunned by the fearful news, the more so that he had +so recently pressed the hand of the illustrious martyr; and though the +nation was full of mourners, there were none more sincere in their grief +than the young commander of the Firefly. He wept as he would have wept +for his own father; and shutting himself up in his cabin, in solemn +fast, he read his Bible and prayed for the land he loved. How many true +souls did the same, when they heard of the awful tragedy! + +The war was ended. A few days later came the news of Johnston's +surrender. One by one, the gunboats were ordered north, and in June the +Firefly dropped her anchor off the navy yard at Charlestown. A few hours +later Somers was in the arms of the loved ones at home, weeping tears of +joy that the sound of strife was no more heard in the land. + +The Firefly was no longer needed in the navy, and with a hundred others +she was sold. As soon as she went out of commission, Tom Longstone, +having been "honorably discharged with the thanks of the department" as +an ensign, returned to his former rank of boatswain. When he obtained a +furlough, he paid a visit to Pinchbrook, where he was kindly received by +all the friends of his _protégé_. The old man had money enough to buy +him a farm and retire from the navy; but he obstinately refused to do so +while Somers retained his commission. He confidently expected to be +appointed boatswain of the ship to which Lieutenant Somers might be +ordered. + +During his absence Somers had received occasional letters from Kate +Portington; and we will not undertake to say how many reams of fine note +paper he spoiled in saying what can be of interest to none but the +parties concerned. Of course there was any quantity of liquid moonshine +spread out on these dainty sheets, and the young man was all the happier +for writing it, as she was for reading it, for Kate and Somers had come +to an excellent understanding with each other on these matters. + +At the earliest day the public service would admit, he hastened to +Newport; but on his arrival he found the commodore's house filled with +grief and lamentation. The husband and the father--the kindest of +husbands and the tenderest of fathers--had been suddenly stricken down +in New Orleans, where his ship was stationed. The sad tidings had come +but a few hours before; and a few hours later it had flashed all over +the land that one of the nation's truest defenders had fallen at the +post of duty. + +In her grief Kate clung to Somers, who became the tenderest of +comforters. Then she learned, when earth was dark to her, what a wealth +of holy hope and pious faith there was in the soul of him she had chosen +from the whole world to lean upon in joy and in sorrow, in prosperity +and adversity, till life's fitful dream was over. Fondly she looked up +to him in her heavy affliction, and through him to the heaven of which +he spoke. He wept with her for him who was gone, and if she had loved +him before, she reverenced him now. + +Two weeks after the news came a steamer bearing the remains of the +deceased commodore. Then the tears broke out afresh, and Somers +continued to perform the holy office he had chosen. With the bereaved +child--the only one--he stood at the tomb, and helped her to see the +glory that streamed forth beyond its dark portals. Every day, for weeks +after, he visited her, never now to speak of his own selfish heart +yearnings, but to utter words of peace and hope. When he announced his +intention to return home, she could not restrain her tears, so needful +had he become to her in the depth of her sorrow. + +In the autumn her mother and herself came to Boston to spend the winter. +Kate was cheerful now, but the affliction through which she had passed +had given a shade of pensive sadness to her beautiful face, which time +alone could wear away. They attended the wedding of Major Somers, +John's brother, and rejoiced with him as he put the cup of bliss to his +lips. Lilian and Kate became fast friends; they were nearer alike now +than before the death of Commodore Portington. + +The winter passed away, and early in March Lieutenant Somers was +appointed to a ship bound to the Pacific Ocean. He must be absent two or +three years. He hastened to Kate with the intelligence; and sad as it +was to himself, he knew it would be infinitely more so to her. She +turned pale, and burst into tears. Her mother was hardly less affected. + +"You must not go, John! O, no! You will not leave me!" + +"I must obey orders." + +"You can resign," suggested Mrs. Portington. + +"Resign!" exclaimed Somers. "Resign when I am ordered to difficult or +disagreeable duty." + +"You need not make so much of it," added the matron, with a smile. +"There are twice as many officers in the navy as are required. It is +certainly no disgrace, in time of peace, to resign. You will only make a +place for another who wants to visit the Pacific." + +"You must resign, John," pleaded Kate, with an eloquence which he could +not resist. + +"On one condition I will do so," replied he, at last. "If there should +be war, I shall return to my post, if needed." + +And thus it was that Somers left the navy. His prize money, which had +been carefully invested from time to time by Captain Barney, now +amounted to more than twenty thousand dollars. He was able to retire, +and he did so. + +It is generally understood that they are to be married in the autumn, +when Mr. Somers will receive half a million with his wife, who is worth +a million times that sum herself. As the happy event has not yet +occurred, we have nothing to say about it, but we wish them every joy in +anticipation. Mrs. Portington speaks hopefully of the occasion, and has +already selected a location, in the vicinity of Boston, where the happy +young couple are to reside. + +This event has decided Tom Longstone. He has thrown up his warrant, and +bought a farm in Pinchbrook, on which he intends to "lay up" for the +rest of his life. A niece, who lost her husband in the war, is his +housekeeper, and at the time of Somers's last visit, the veteran was at +the high tide of felicity. + + * * * * * + +With many regrets we bid adieu to John Somers, to Thomas his brother, +and all of the family. We leave them prosperous and happy; but they have +purchased earth's joys and heaven's hopes by being faithful to +duty--true to God and themselves. + + + * * * * * + + + THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES. + + In Six Volumes. + + A Library for Young and Old. + + BY OLIVER OPTIC. + + + I. + THE SOLDIER BOY; + Or, Tom Somers in the Army. + + II. + THE SAILOR BOY; + Or, Jack Somers in the Navy. + + III. + THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT; + Or, The Adventures of an Army Officer. + A SEQUEL TO "THE SOLDIER BOY." + + IV. + THE YANKEE MIDDY; + Or, The Adventures of a Naval Officer. + A SEQUEL TO "THE SAILOR BOY." + + V. + FIGHTING JOE; + Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer. + A SEQUEL TO "THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT." + + VI. + BRAVE OLD SALT; + Or, Life on the Quarter Deck. + A SEQUEL TO "THE YANKEE MIDDY." + + + WOODVILLE STORIES. + + BY OLIVER OPTIC. + + * * * * * + + I. + RICH AND HUMBLE; + Or, The Mission of Bertha Grant. + + II. + IN SCHOOL AND OUT; + Or, The Conquest of Richard Grant. + + III. + WATCH AND WAIT; + Or, the Young Fugitives. + + IV. + WORK AND WIN. + + V. + HOPE AND HAVE. + (In preparation.) + + VI. + HASTE AND WASTE. + (In preparation.) + + * * * * * + + LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers. + + + LIBRARY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. + + BY OLIVER OPTIC. + + * * * * * + + I. + THE BOAT CLUB; + OR, THE BUNKERS OF RIPPLETON. + + II. + ALL ABOARD; + OR, LIFE ON THE LAKE. + + III. + LITTLE BY LITTLE; + OR, THE CRUISE OF THE FLYAWAY. + + IV. + TRY AGAIN; + OR, THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF HARRY WEST. + + V. + NOW OR NEVER; + OR, THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY BRIGHT. + + VI. + POOR AND PROUD; + OR, THE FORTUNES OF KATY REDBURN. + + Six volumes, put up in a neat box. + + * * * * * + + LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers. + + + RIVERDALE STORY BOOKS. + + BY OLIVER OPTIC. + + 12 vols., in neat box. + + I. + THE LITTLE MERCHANT. + + II. + THE YOUNG VOYAGERS. + + III. + THE CHRISTMAS GIFT. + + IV. + DOLLY AND I. + + V. + UNCLE BEN. + + VI. + BIRTH-DAY PARTY. + + VII. + PROUD AND LAZY. + + VIII. + CARELESS KATE. + + IX. + ROBINSON CRUSOE, JR. + + X. + THE PICNIC PARTY. + + XI. + THE GOLD THIMBLE. + + XII. + THE DO-SOMETHINGS. + + * * * * * + + LEE & SHEPARD,... Publishers. + + + Sophie May's Popular Series. + + LITTLE PRUDY STORIES. + + Six Volumes. + + ILLUSTRATED. + + COMPRISING: + + Little Prudy. + Little Prudy's Sister Susie. + Little Prudy's Capt. Horace. + Little Prudy's Cousin Grace. + Little Prudy's Story Book. + Little Prudy's Dotty Dimple. + + Price per Volume, 75 cents. + +Read the high commendation of the _North American Review_, which places +this series at the + + +Head of Juvenile Literature. + + "Genius comes in with 'Little Prudy.' Compared with her, all + other book-children are cold creations of Literature only; she + alone is the real thing. All the quaintness of childhood, its + originality, its tenderness and its teasing,--its infinite, + unconscious drollery, the serious earnestness of its fun, the + fun of its seriousness, the natural religion of its plays, and + the delicious oddity of its prayers,--all these waited for dear + Little Prudy to embody them. Sam Weller is not more piquant; + Hans Andersen's nutcrackers and knitting-needles are not more + thoroughly charged with life. Who is our benefactress in the + authorship of these books the world knows not. Sophie May must + doubtless be a fancy name, by reason of the spelling, and we + have only to be grateful that the author did not inflict on us + the customary alliteration in her pseudonyme. The rare gift of + delineating childhood is hers, and may the line of 'Little + Prudy' go out to the end of the earth.... To those + oversaturated with transatlantic traditions, we recommend a + course of 'Little Prudy.'" + +Copies of any of the above books sent by mail on receipt of price. + + LEE AND SHEPARD, + PUBLISHERS, + 149 Washington Street, Boston. + +MRS. LESLIE'S JUVENILE SERIES, + +FOR BOYS. + +Put up in a neat box. Price $6.00 a set, or $1.50 a vol. Comprising + + +THE MOTHERLESS CHILDREN. + +A thrilling story of orphanage, illustrating the trials and temptations +of the young, and the happy results of Christian nurture. + + +HOWARD AND HIS TEACHER; + +WITH THE SISTER'S INFLUENCE, AND OTHER STORIES. + +An illustration of the different modes of home-government with their +results. + + +PLAY AND STUDY. + +An interesting story of school-days, very suggestive of practical hints +to parents and teachers, and of the manner in which they may aid their +children and pupils in the invention of their own amusements, for their +relief and stimulus in study. + + +JACK THE CHIMNEY-SWEEPER, + +AND OTHER STORIES FOR YOUTH. + +This charming book is a most happy illustration of the duties enjoined +in the Commandments, and in other precepts of Scripture, but is entirely +free from all denominational bias. + +Each volume handsomely illustrated, bound in good style and distinct +from the others. + + * * * * * + +LEE & SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON. + + +MRS. LESLIE'S JUVENILE SERIES + +FOR GIRLS. + +Put up in a neat box. Price $6.00 a set, or $1.50 a vol. Comprising + + +LITTLE AGNES. + +This little book is an entertaining and instructive story of a girl +whose patience, industry, and fidelity raised her to eminence, honor, +and happiness. + + +TRYING TO BE USEFUL. + +A narrative showing the happy results of worthy resolution and endeavor. + + +I'LL TRY. + +An exhibition of the successful reward of perseverance to the +acquisition of fortune and fame. + + +ART AND ARTLESSNESS. + +In this admirable volume the virtues which adorn female loveliness +appear in bold and enviable contrast with the arts of coquetry and +deception. + + * * * * * + +The above elegant series have been recently issued, and are written in +an attractive style, and calculated to interest the young. A sound moral +tone pervades each volume, and in point of interest and instruction they +are unsurpassed by any series published. Each volume contains, on an +average, 260 pages, 16mo, is elegantly illustrated, bound in muslin, and +entirely distinct from the rest. + + +LEE & SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Brave Old Salt, by Oliver Optic + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRAVE OLD SALT *** + +***** This file should be named 37907-8.txt or 37907-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/0/37907/ + +Produced by David Garcia, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Brave Old Salt + or, Life on the Quarter Deck + +Author: Oliver Optic + +Release Date: November 2, 2011 [EBook #37907] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRAVE OLD SALT *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img class="border2" src="images/ill-001.jpg" width="400" height="585" +alt="Somers and the Admiral. Page 202." /> +</div> + +<p class="caption">Somers and the Admiral. <a href="#Page_202">Page 202</a>.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img class="border2" src="images/ill-003.jpg" width="400" height="627" alt="BRAVE OLD SALT." /> +</div> + +<p class="caption">BRAVE OLD SALT.<br /> +Oliver Optic.<br /> +LEE & SHEPARD.<br /> +BOSTON.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<h1 class="booktitle">BRAVE OLD SALT;</h1> + +<p class="h4">OR,</p> + +<p class="h3">LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h3">A Story of the Great Rebellion.</p> + +<p class="h4">BY</p> + +<p class="h3">OLIVER OPTIC,</p> + +<p class="h6">Author of "THE SOLDIER BOY," "THE SAILOR BOY," "THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT," +"THE YANKEE MIDDY," "FIGHTING JOE," "THE WOODVILLE STORIES," +"THE RIVERDALE STORY BOOKS," ETC., ETC.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h5">BOSTON:<br /> +LEE AND SHEPARD,</p> +<p class="h6">SUCCESSORS TO PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & CO.</p> +<p class="h5">1866.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h6">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by<br /> +WILLIAM T. ADAMS,<br /> +In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h6">ELECTROTYPED AT THE<br /> +<i>Boston Stereotype Foundry</i>,<br /> +No. 4 Spring Lane.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h4">TO</p> + +<p class="h3">SAMUEL C. PERKINS, ESQ.,</p> + +<p class="h4">This Book</p> + +<p class="h4">IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,</p> + +<p class="h3">BY HIS FRIEND</p> + +<p class="h4">WILLIAM T. ADAMS.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[5]</span></p> + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p>This volume, the sixth and last of "<span class="smcap">The Army and Navy +Stories</span>," is a record of "Life on the Quarter Deck," mostly in +the squadron of Vice Admiral Farragut, one of whose familiar +appellations, used in the ward-room and on the berth deck, has +furnished the leading title of the book. The terrible war which +devastated our country for four years has given to history two +generals, Grant and Sherman, and one admiral, Farragut, whose +achievements are unsurpassed, if they are equalled, in the annals +of military and naval warfare; but while the author, in this +work, has gratefully rendered his tribute of admiration to the +distinguished naval commander, he has not attempted to present +a complete biography of him.</p> + +<p>Those who have read the preceding volumes of this series need +hardly be told that this is a book of adventure—of personal +experience in the great struggle of the nineteenth century. Jack +Somers, "The Sailor Boy," Mr. Somers, "The Yankee Middy," +and Captain Somers, Lieutenant Commanding, are the same +person; though often as he changes his official position, he is still +the same honest, true, and Christian young man.</p> + +<p>In our completed sixth volume we take leave of the Somers<span class="pagenum">[6]</span> +family with many regrets. If our young friends in the army and +navy had been less true, noble, and Christian, we could have +parted with less sorrow. Yet the army and navy, as they +crushed the Rebellion, have given us many young men just as +true, just as noble and Christian. Let us gratefully cherish these +living heroes, and they will not pass away from us "like a tale +that is told."</p> + +<p>To the readers, young and old, who have perseveringly followed +my heroes through the two thousand pages of this series, +I am even more than grateful; for I feel that they have sympathized +with me in my desire to present a lofty ideal to the +young man of to-day—one who will be true to God, true to +himself, and true to his country, in whatever sphere his lot may +be cast, whether on the forecastle or the quarter deck; as a +private or an officer, in the great army which must ever battle +with life's trials and temptations till the crown immortal be won.</p> + +<p class="author">WILLIAM T. ADAMS.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harrison Square, Mass.</span>, March 13, 1866.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h3">CONTENTS.</p> + +<span class="pagenum">[7]</span> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> + <tr> + <td class="tdrfirst">CHAPTER</td> + <td class="tdr"> </td> + <td class="tdrfirst">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Lieutenant Pillgrim.</td> + <td class="tdr">11</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Waiting for the Ship.</td> + <td class="tdr">23</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Wounded Sailor.</td> + <td class="tdr">33</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Front Chamber.</td> + <td class="tdr">44</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Somers comes to his Senses.</td> + <td class="tdr">55</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Lieutenant Wynkoop, R. N.</td> + <td class="tdr">66</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Langdon's Letters.</td> + <td class="tdr">77</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The United States Steamer Chatauqua.</td> + <td class="tdr">87</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">In the State-Room.</td> + <td class="tdr">97</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Chief Conspirator.</td> + <td class="tdr">108</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">After General Quarters.</td> + <td class="tdr">119</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Ben Nevis.</td> + <td class="tdr">130</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">A Conflict of Authority.</td> + <td class="tdr">140</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Prize Steamer.</td> + <td class="tdr">150</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Prisoner in the Cabin.</td> + <td class="tdr">160</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Captain Walmsley.</td> + <td class="tdr">170</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Off Mobile Bay.</td> + <td class="tdr">180</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Brave Old Salt.</td> + <td class="tdr">190</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Boat Expedition.</td> + <td class="tdr">200</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Picket Boat.</td> + <td class="tdr">211</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">XXI</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Ben Lomond.</td> + <td class="tdr">222</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">XXII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Running the Blockade.<span class="pagenum">[8]</span></td> + <td class="tdr">233</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">XXIII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">A Yankee Trick.</td> + <td class="tdr">244</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">XXIV</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Pillgrim and Langdon.</td> + <td class="tdr">254</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">XXV</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Battle of Mobile Bay.</td> + <td class="tdr">264</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">XXVI</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">In the Hospital.</td> + <td class="tdr">274</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">XXVII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">Miss Portington not at Home.</td> + <td class="tdr">284</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">XXVIII</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The Ben Ledi.</td> + <td class="tdr">294</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">XXIX</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">A Long Chase.</td> + <td class="tdr">303</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">XXX</a>.</td> + <td class="tdlsc">The End of the Rebellion.</td> + <td class="tdr">318</td> + </tr> +</table></div> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[10]</span></p> + +<h2>BRAVE OLD SALT.</h2> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum">[11]</span></p> + +<h2>BRAVE OLD SALT;</h2> + +<p class="h4">OR,</p> + +<p class="h2">LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p class="h3">LIEUTENANT PILLGRIM.</p> + +<p>"Well, Prodigy, I congratulate you on your +promotion. I even agree with your enthusiastic +admirers, who say that no young +man better deserves his advancement than you," said +Miss Kate Portington, standing in the entry of her +father's house at Newport, holding Mr. Ensign John +Somers by the hand.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Miss Portington," replied the young officer, +with a blush caused as much by the excitement of +that happy moment, as by the handsome compliment paid +by the fair girl, who, we are compelled to acknowledge, +had formed no inconsiderable portion of the young man's +thoughts, hopes, and aspirations during the preceding +year.<span class="pagenum">[12]</span></p> + +<p>John Somers had been examined by the board of +naval officers appointed for the purpose, had been triumphantly +passed, and promoted to the rank he now +held. A short furlough had been granted to him, and +he had just come from Pinchbrook, where he had spent a +week. A visit to Newport was now almost as indispensable +as one to the home of his childhood, and on his +way to join the ship to which he had been ordered, he +paused to discharge this pleasing duty.</p> + +<p>Ensign Somers was dressed in a new uniform, and a +certain boyish look, for which he was partly indebted to +the short jacket he had worn as a midshipman, had vanished. +Perhaps Miss Portington felt that the pertness, +not to say impudence, with which she had formerly +treated him, though allowable, under a liberal toleration, +towards a boy, would hardly be justifiable in her intercourse +with a young man. Though, from the force of +habit, she called him "Prodigy," there was a certain +maidenly reserve in her manner, which rather puzzled +Somers, and he could not help asking himself what he +had done to cause this slight chill in her tones and +actions.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly it was the frock coat which produced this +refrigerating effect; but it was a very elegant and well-fashioned +garment, having the shoulder straps on which +glistened the "foul anchor," indicating his new rank, +and each sleeve being adorned with a single gold band on<span class="pagenum">[13]</span> +the cuff, also indicative of his new position. The cap, +which he now held in his hand, was decorated with a +band of gold lace, and bore on its front the appropriate +naval emblem. In strict accordance with the traditions +of the navy, he wore kid gloves, without which a naval +officer, on a ceremonial occasion, would be as incomplete +as a ship without a rudder.</p> + +<p>We have no means of knowing what Mr. Ensign +Somers thought of himself in his "new rig," which certainly +fitted with admirable nicety, and gave him an appearance +of maturity which he did not possess when we +last saw him on the quarter deck of the Rosalie. We +will venture to assert, however, that he felt like a man, +and fully believed that he was one—a commendable +sentiment in a person of his years, inasmuch as, if he +feels like a man, he is the more likely to act like one. +As we can hardly suppose he soared above all the vanities +of his impressible period of life, it is more than +probable that he regarded himself as a very good looking +young fellow; which brilliant suggestion was, no doubt, +wholly or in part due to the new uniform he wore.</p> + +<p>If not wholly above the weakness of a young man of +twenty, possibly he had a great deal of confidence in his +own knowledge and ability, regarded some of the veterans +of the navy as "old fogies," and looked upon his +own father as "a slow coach." But we must do Mr. +Somers the justice to say that he tried to be humble in<span class="pagenum">[14]</span> +his estimate of himself, and to bear the honors he had +won with meekness; that he endeavored to crush down +and mortify that overweening self-sufficiency which distorts +and disfigures the character of many estimable +young men. His native bashfulness had, in some measure, +been overcome by his intercourse with the world, +and the humility of his nature, though occasionally assaulted +by the accident of a new coat and an extra supply +of gold lace, or by the hearty commendations of his +superiors, was genuine, and, in the main, saved him from +the besetting sin of his years.</p> + +<p>Standing in the presence of Miss Kate Portington, +after an absence of several months, wearing a new coat +glittering with the laurels he had won on the bloodstained +decks of the nation's ships, he would have been +more than human if he had not felt proud of what he +was, and what he had done—proud, not vain. He was +happy, holding the hand of her who had occupied so +large a place in his thoughts, and whose image had +fringed with roseate hues his brightest hopes and strongest +aspirations.</p> + +<p>Kate was not so free with him as she had been, and +her reserve annoyed and perplexed him. He had anticipated +a much warmer welcome than that which greeted +him on his arrival. He was slightly disappointed, +though there was nothing in her manner for which he +could have reproached her, even if their relations had<span class="pagenum">[15]</span> +been more intimate than they were. She was less +stormy, but still gentle and kind; a little more distant +in manner, though her looks and words assured him +she regarded him with undiminished interest. Had he +known that the elegant frock coat he wore produced the +chill in the lady which so vexed and disconcerted him, +he would willingly have exchanged it for the short jacket +in which he had won his promotion.</p> + +<p>They were standing in the entry. When the servant +admitted Mr. Somers, Kate had heard his voice, and +perhaps from prudential motives—for there was a visitor +in the parlor—she had preferred to meet him in the hall.</p> + +<p>"You have been very fortunate, Mr. Somers," added +she, gently releasing her hand from that of the ensign.</p> + +<p>Mr. Somers, instead of "Prodigy"!</p> + +<p>"I have. I don't deserve my promotion, I know; +but I could not help taking it when it was within my +reach," replied Somers; and her words, though so +slightly chilled that the frigid tone could not have been +noticed by any one who did not expect an unreasonable +warmth, took half the conceit out of him, and let him +down a long reach from the high hopes and brilliant +expectations with which he had looked forward to this +meeting.</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, Mr. Somers, I think you deserve +even more than you have received."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Miss Portington; you were always more +lavish of kind words than I deserved."<span class="pagenum">[16]</span></p> + +<p>"Why, Prodigy—"</p> + +<p>She suddenly checked herself. It was evident to +Somers that she intended to say something pert or saucy. +Perhaps she choked down the impertinent words from +the fear that the honorable secretary of the navy, +if such wild and wayward young ladies as herself were +permitted to contaminate the plushy air of Newport society, +would remove the Naval Academy back to Annapolis, +where it is better to be "proper" than to be loyal.</p> + +<p>"You were about to say something, Miss Portington," +said Somers.</p> + +<p>"I was, but it was saucy."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you did not say it."</p> + +<p>"I am glad I did not, for you must know, Mr. Somers, +that mother has scolded me so much for being saucy, +that I have solemnly resolved to be proper in all things +henceforth and forevermore."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry for it," answered Somers, with unaffected +earnestness.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, you wretch?"</p> + +<p>Somers laughed.</p> + +<p>"There's another slip. I have done my best to reform +my life. I am afraid I shall never succeed. Now, +Prodigy—"</p> + +<p>Somers laughed again.</p> + +<p>"Again!" exclaimed Kate.</p> + +<p>"I wish to ask one favor of you, Miss Portington."<span class="pagenum">[17]</span></p> + +<p>"It would afford me more pleasure to grant it, than it +does you to ask it. Name it."</p> + +<p>"That you will never call me Prodigy again."</p> + +<p>"I had firmly resolved before you came never to do +it," laughed she.</p> + +<p>"Well, I only asked it in order to help along your +good resolutions."</p> + +<p>"Then you are making fun of me?"</p> + +<p>"Like yourself, I am very serious."</p> + +<p>"But I am in earnest, Mr. Somers; I mean to reform. +Now, father and mother will be very glad to see +you, Mr. Somers."</p> + +<p>"Your father?"</p> + +<p>"He was temporarily relieved to attend a court martial. +He is going away again to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"You have other visitors?"</p> + +<p>"Only Lieutenant Pillgrim."</p> + +<p>"I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"He is a Virginian, I believe; at any rate he is from +the South, and has just been restored to his rank in the +navy."</p> + +<p>Kate led the way into the parlor, where he was first +welcomed by her mother.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I am glad to see you, and to congratulate +you on your promotion," said the commodore, as he +grasped the hand of the young officer.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," replied Somers. "The only ungratified<span class="pagenum">[18]</span> +wish I had was that I might be appointed to your +ship."</p> + +<p>"My ship!"</p> + +<p>"I should have been glad to serve under so able and +distinguished a commander."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have you in my ship," promptly returned +the commodore, shaking his head energetically.</p> + +<p>Somers looked abashed, and Kate wore a troubled +expression.</p> + +<p>"I should endeavor to do my duty," he added.</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt of it, but I wouldn't have you in +my ship."</p> + +<p>"Your remark is not very complimentary," said Somers, +his face beginning to flush with indignation at what +seemed to be an assault upon his professional character.</p> + +<p>"It is the most complimentary thing I could say to +you. And I mean what I say: I wouldn't have you in +my ship."</p> + +<p>"Why not, father?" demanded Kate.</p> + +<p>"Because I like the young dog, and because I believe +in discipline. I never indulge in partiality on board my +ship, and it is better to keep out of temptation. I am +under obligations to you, Mr. Somers; I am happy to +acknowledge them, but they must not come between me +and duty. Mr. Somers, Lieutenant Pillgrim," continued +Commodore Portington, turning to the visitor.</p> + +<p>Somers looked at the officer thus indicated, and as his<span class="pagenum">[19]</span> +eyes rested upon him, he started back with a momentary +astonishment, for the face had a strange look of familiarity +to him.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I am happy to meet and to know you. +Your name and reputation are already familiar to me."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to know you, sir," replied Somers, with +some confusion. "Your face looks so familiar to me, +that I think we must have met before."</p> + +<p>"Never, to my knowledge," answered the lieutenant, +with easy self-possession.</p> + +<p>"I was quite sure I had seen you before."</p> + +<p>"Possibly; I do not remember it, however."</p> + +<p>"If I had met you without the favor of an introduction, +I should certainly have claimed the honor of your +acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"I should have been proud to be so claimed, but I +must confess you would have had the advantage of me."</p> + +<p>"Of course, I must be mistaken, as you suggest."</p> + +<p>"It is not unlikely that we have met in some ante-room +where we were dancing attendance on the powers +that be, in search of employment; but I am quite sure, +Mr. Somers, that I should have been proud and happy +to number you among my friends."</p> + +<p>"It is not too late now," said the commodore.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not. I should be but too happy to have +as my friend one who has served his country so faithfully," +added Mr. Pillgrim, as he bowed gracefully to<span class="pagenum">[20]</span> +Somers, "especially as I understand we are appointed +to the same ship."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!"</p> + +<p>"I am ordered to the Chatauqua."</p> + +<p>"So am I."</p> + +<p>"Then, Mr. Pillgrim, you will take care of our Prodigy; +you will be excellent friends, I trust," said Kate, +beginning very impulsively in her old way, and suddenly +checking herself when her resolution to be "proper" +interposed itself.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, Kate? Have you and Mr. +Somers had a falling out?" demanded the commodore.</p> + +<p>"O, no, father."</p> + +<p>"You talk as though you had had a quarrel, and for +a moment had forgotten to be savage."</p> + +<p>"We have had no quarrel, pa," replied Kate, blushing. +"I was going to be saucy, but ma says I must not +be saucy, and I shall not be saucy any more. I only +hoped the two gentlemen who are going to live together +in the same ship would be good friends."</p> + +<p>"Of course they will. Officers never quarrel."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they don't; but they are not always as good +friends as I hope these gentlemen will be," laughed Kate.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he will be my friend for your sake, if he is +not for mine," added Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"I do not wish that. I don't like to have anybody +do anything for my sake, unless it be to take paregoric +when I am sick."<span class="pagenum">[21]</span></p> + +<p>"I trust I shall not be paregoric to him," said Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"Then he will not take you for my sake."</p> + +<p>"As Lieutenant Pillgrim is my superior officer, I +should be likely to court his good will, and prize his +friendship very highly. If we are not friends, I am +sure it will not be my fault."</p> + +<p>At this moment the dinner bell rang; and although +Somers did not feel intimate enough with the family to +invite himself to dine, he was easily prevailed upon to +remain, and gallantly gave his arm to Mrs. Portington, +as Kate, for some wayward reason of her own, had +already seized upon that of Lieutenant Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>At the table Somers sat opposite the lieutenant, and +he found it impossible to avoid looking upon him with a +strange and undefinable interest. Since his first glance +at the commodore's visitor, who seemed to be on the best +of terms with the family, he had been perplexed by some +strange misgivings. He could not banish from his mind +an assurance that he had seen him before; that he had +talked with him, and even been, to some extent, intimate +with him.</p> + +<p>The thought that Kate was somewhat changed in her +demeanor towards him did not contribute to increase his +satisfaction. She had contrived to take the lieutenant's +arm instead of his own, and perhaps he had come as the +successor of Phil Kennedy, who had been reputed to<span class="pagenum">[22]</span> +be high in her good graces. But Mr. Pillgrim was a +gentleman of thirty-five, at least, and this was not probable, +in his view of the matter. Somers, being disinterested, +was more worried to know when, where, and +under what circumstances he had met the lieutenant.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[23]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<p class="h3">WAITING FOR THE SHIP.</p> + +<p>Somers was utterly unable to satisfy himself in +regard to Lieutenant Pillgrim. The face was +certainly familiar to him, not as a combination +of remembered features, but rather as an expression. To +him the eye seemed to be the whole of the man, and its +gaze would haunt him, though his memory refused to +identify it with any time, place, or circumstances. +Though his reason compelled him to believe that he was +mistaken, and that Mr. Pillgrim was actually a stranger, +his consciousness of having seen, and even of having been +intimate with, the gentleman, most obstinately refused to +be shaken.</p> + +<p>"Of course, gentlemen, you have no idea to what point +the Chatauqua has been ordered?" said the commodore.</p> + +<p>"I have not," replied Mr. Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"I have heard it said that she was going to the Gulf," +added Somers.</p> + +<p>"Very likely; there are two points where extensive +naval operations are likely to be undertaken—at Mobile<span class="pagenum">[24]</span> +and at Wilmington. The rebellion has had so many +hard knocks that the bottom must drop out before many +months."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid the end is farther off than most people at +the North are willing to believe," said Mr. Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"Every thing looks hopeful. If we can contrive to +batter down Fort Fisher, and open Mobile Bay, the +rebels may count the months of their Confederacy on +their fingers."</p> + +<p>"I think there is greater power of resistance left in +the South, than we give it the credit for."</p> + +<p>"The rebels have fought well; what of it?" continued +the commodore, who did not seem to be pleased with the +style of the lieutenant's remarks.</p> + +<p>"As fighting men, we can hardly fail to respect those +who have fought so bravely as the people of the South."</p> + +<p>"People of the South!" sneered the commodore. +"Why don't you call them rebels?"</p> + +<p>"Of course that is what I mean," answered Mr. Pillgrim, +a slight flush visible on his cheek.</p> + +<p>"If you mean it, why don't you say it? Call things +by their right names. The people of the South are not +all rebels. Why, confound it, Farragut is a Southerner; +so is General Anderson; so are a hundred men, who have +distinguished themselves in putting down treason. It's +an insult to these men to talk about the people of the +South as rebels."<span class="pagenum">[25]</span></p> + +<p>"I agree with you, Commodore Portington, and what +I said was only a form of expression."</p> + +<p>"It's a very bad form of expression. Why, man, you +are a Southerner yourself."</p> + +<p>"I am; and I suppose that is what makes me so +proud of the good fighting the people of the South—I +mean the rebels—have done. We can't help respecting +men who have behaved with so much gallantry."</p> + +<p>"Can't we?" exclaimed the commodore, with a sneer +so wholesome and honest, that Lieutenant Pillgrim withered +under it. "I can help it. I have no respect for +rebels and traitors under any circumstances."</p> + +<p>"Nor I, as rebels and traitors," replied Pillgrim, +mildly.</p> + +<p>"As rebels and traitors! I don't like these fine-spun +distinctions. If a man is a traitor, call him so, and +swing him up on the fore-yard arm, where he belongs."</p> + +<p>"You are willing to acknowledge that the rebels have +fought well in this war?" added the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"They have fought well: I don't deny it."</p> + +<p>"And you appreciate gallant conduct?"</p> + +<p>"That depends on the cause. No, sir! I don't appreciate +gallant conduct on the part of rebels and traitors. +It is not gallant conduct; and the better they fight, the +more wicked they are."</p> + +<p>"I can hardly take your view of the case."</p> + +<p>"Can't you? The best fighting I ever saw in my life<span class="pagenum">[26]</span> +was on the deck of a pirate ship. The black-hearted +villains fought like demons. Not a man of them would +yield the breadth of a hair. We had to cut them down +like dogs. Is piracy respectable because these men +fought well?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not; but the bravery of such men—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! I know what you are going to say; but +you can't separate the pirate from his piracy, nor the +traitor from his treason," replied the commodore, warmly. +"The other day I saw a little dirty urchin fighting +with his mother. The young cub had run away, I suppose, +and the woman was dragging him back to the +house. He was not more than six years old, but he +displayed a power of resistance which rather astonished +me. He kicked, bit, scratched, and yelled like a young +tiger. He called his mother everything but a lady. +The poor woman tugged at him with all her strength, +but the little rascal was almost a match for her. I +wanted to take him by the nape of the neck, and shake +the ugly out of him: nothing but my fixed principles of +neutrality prevented me from doing so. I suppose, Mr. +Pillgrim, you would have sympathized with the brat, +because he fought bravely."</p> + +<p>"Hardly," replied the lieutenant, laughing at the simile.</p> + +<p>"But he fought like a tiger, and displayed no mean +strategy in his rebellious warfare. Of course he was +worthy of your admiration," sneered the commodore.<span class="pagenum">[27]</span></p> + +<p>"That's hardly a fair comparison."</p> + +<p>"The fairest in the world. The rebels have insulted +their own mother—the parent that fostered, protected, +and loved them. They undertook to run away from her; +and when she attempts to bring them back to their duty, +they kick, and scratch, and bite; and you admire them +because they fight well."</p> + +<p>"I stand convicted, Commodore Portington. I never +took this view of the matter; I acknowledge that you +are right," said Mr. Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>Somers, who had been an attentive listener to the conversation, +thought the lieutenant yielded very gracefully, +and much more readily than could have been expected; +but then the logician was a commodore, and perhaps it +was prudence and politeness on his part to agree with +his powerful superior.</p> + +<p>After dinner the party took a ride to the beach and to +the Glen; and after an early tea, Somers and Pillgrim, +who were to be fellow-passengers to Philadelphia, where +the Chatauqua was fitting out, began to demonstrate in +the direction of their departure. Kate, though she had +been tolerably playful during the afternoon, had, in the +main, carried out her good resolution to be proper. She +had not been impudent—hardly pert; and deprived of +this convenient mask for whatever kindness she might +have entertained towards the young ensign, she seemed +to be very cold and indifferent to him. She was more<span class="pagenum">[28]</span> +thoughtful, serious, and earnest than when they had met +on former occasions. He could not help asking himself +what he had done to produce this marked change in her +conduct.</p> + +<p>"Good by, Miss Portington," said he, when he had +taken leave of her father and mother.</p> + +<p>"Good by, Mr. Somers. Shall I hear from you when +you reach your station?" she asked, presenting her hand.</p> + +<p>"If you desire it."</p> + +<p>"If I desire it! Why, Mr. Somers, you forget that I +am deeply interested in your success."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, if I do anything of which you would care to +learn, the newspapers may inform you of the fact," replied +Somers, with a kind of grim smile, which seemed +actually to alarm poor Kate.</p> + +<p>"I would rather hear it from you."</p> + +<p>"I judge that you are more interested in my success +than you are in me."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mr. Somers, you cannot separate the pirate +from his piracy, pa said; nor the hero from his heroism, +let me add."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Miss Portington."</p> + +<p>"I cannot forget how deeply indebted we are to you, +Mr. Somers."</p> + +<p>"I wish you could."</p> + +<p>"Why do you wish so?" demanded the astonished +maiden; more astonished at his manner than his words.<span class="pagenum">[29]</span></p> + +<p>"I am sorry to have you burdened with such a weight +of obligation."</p> + +<p>"I think you mean to quarrel with me, Mr. Somers. +I beg you will not be so savage just as you are going +away," laughed Kate, though there was a troubled expression +on her fair face. "I asked you if I should hear +from you, Mr. Somers."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, if you desire."</p> + +<p>"Why do you qualify your words? I should be just +as glad to hear from you as I ever was."</p> + +<p>"Then you shall, at every opportunity."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Somers. That sounds hearty and +honest, as father would say."</p> + +<p>"I do not wish you to feel an interest in me from a +sense of duty. I shall not write any letters from a sense +of duty, or even because I have promised to do so. I +shall write to you because—because I can't help it," +stammered Somers, almost overcome by the violence of +his exertions.</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Mr. Somers, and I am sure your letters +will be all the more welcome from my knowledge of the +fact."</p> + +<p>"Good by," said he, gently pressing the little hand he +held.</p> + +<p>"Good by," she replied; and to his great satisfaction +and delight, the pressure was returned—a kind of telegraphic<span class="pagenum">[30]</span> +signal, infinitely more expressive than all the +words in the spelling-book, strung into sentences, could +have been to a young man in his desperate condition.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ensign Somers was now entirely satisfied. That +gentle pressure of the hand had atoned for all her reserve +and coldness, real or imaginary, and made the future +bright and pleasant to look upon. Undoubtedly Mr. +Somers was a silly young fellow; but there is some consolation +in believing that he was just like all young men +under similar circumstances.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pillgrim followed him out of the house, and they +hastened down to the wharf to take the steamer for New +York. On the passage the two officers treated each +other with courtesy and consideration, but there appeared +to be no strong sympathy of thought or feeling between +them, and they were not drawn so closely together as +they might have been under similar circumstances, if +there had been more of opinion and sentiment common +between them.</p> + +<p>On their arrival at Philadelphia, they found the Chatauqua +was still in the hands of the workmen, and would +not go into commission for a week or ten days. They +reported to the commandant of the navy yard, and took +up their quarters at the "Continental," where Somers +found his old friend Mr. Waldron, who had been detached +from the Rosalie at his own request, and ordered to +the Chatauqua, in which he was to serve as executive<span class="pagenum">[31]</span> +officer. This was splendid news to Somers, for he regarded +Mr. Waldron as a true and trusty friend, in +whom he could with safety confide.</p> + +<p>"Do you know Lieutenant Pillgrim?" asked Somers, +after they had discussed their joint information in regard +to the new ship.</p> + +<p>"I am not personally acquainted with him, though I +have heard his name mentioned. He is a Virginian, I +think."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"If I mistake not, there were some doubts about his +loyalty, though he never tendered his resignation; he has +been kept in the background."</p> + +<p>"He seems to be a loyal and true man."</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it, or he would not have been appointed +to the Chatauqua."</p> + +<p>"He has some respect for the rebels, but no sympathy."</p> + +<p>"I think he has frequently applied for employment, +but has not obtained it until the present time. I have no +doubt he is a good fellow and a good officer. He ranks +next to me. But, Somers, I leave town in half an hour," +continued Mr. Waldron, consulting his watch. "I am +going to run home for a few days, till the ship goes into +commission. I will see you here on my return."</p> + +<p>Somers walked to the railroad station with his late +commander, and parted with him as the train started. +During the three succeeding days, he visited the museums,<span class="pagenum">[32]</span> +libraries, and other places of resort, interesting to +a young man of his tastes. He went to the navy yard +every day, and, with his usual zeal, learned what he +could of the build, rig, and armament of the Chatauqua, +and gathered such other information relating to his profession +as would be useful to him in the future.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Pillgrim passed his time in a different manner. +Though he was not what the world would call an +intemperate or an immoral man, he spent many of his +hours in bar-rooms, billiard-saloons, and places of public +amusement. He several times invited Somers to "join" +him at the bar, to play at billiards, and to visit the theatre, +and other places of more questionable morality. +The young officer was not a prude, but he never drank, +did not know how to play billiards, and never visited a +gambling resort. He went to the theatre two or three +times; but this was the limit of his indulgence.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pillgrim was courteous and gentlemanly; he did +not press his invitations. He treated his brother officer +with the utmost kindness and consideration; was always +ready, and even forward, to serve him; and their relations +were of the pleasantest character.</p> + +<p>One evening, when Somers called at the office for the +key of his room, after his return from the navy yard, a +letter was handed to him. The writing was an unfamiliar +hand, scrawling and hardly legible. It was evidently +the production of an illiterate person. On reaching his +room he opened it.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[33]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE WOUNDED SAILOR.</p> + +<p>The curiosity of Somers was not a little excited +before he opened the uncouth letter in his hand. +It was postmarked Philadelphia, which made its +reception all the more strange, for he had no friends or +acquaintances residing in the city. He tore open the +dirty epistle, which was not even enclosed in an envelope, +and read as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Phila.</span> June the 19. 1864.<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. John Somers Esq.</span> Sir. I been wounded in the +leg up the Missippi and can not do nothing more. I +been in your division aboard the Rosalie, and I know +you was a good man and I know you was a good officer, +I hope you be in good helth, as I am not at this present +writen. my Leg is very bad, and don't git no better. +This is to inform you that I am the only son of a poor +widdow, who has no other Son, and she can not do nothing +for me, nor I can't do nothing for her. I have Fout +for my countrey and have been woundded in the servis.<span class="pagenum">[34]</span> +If you could git a penshin for me. it would be a grate +help to me Sorrowin condition. I live No — Front Street. +If I might make bold to ask you to come and see a old +Sailor, thrown on the beam ends of missfortune, I would +be very thankful to you.</p> + +<p class="author1"> +Yours to command,</p> + +<p class="author"><span class="smcap">THOMAS BARRON.</span></p> + +<p>N. B. The doctor says he thinks my Leg will have +to come off.</p> + +<p>Tom Longstone knows me, and you ask him, he will +tell you all About me.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>"Thomas Barron," mused Somers, as he folded the +letter. "I don't remember him. There were two or +three Toms on board the Rosalie. At any rate, I have +nothing better to do than call upon him. He is an old +sailor, and that is enough for me."</p> + +<p>It was already after dark; but he decided to visit the +sufferer that night, and after tea he left the house for +this purpose. He was sufficiently acquainted with the +streets of this systematic city to make his way without +assistance. Of course he did not expect to find the home +of the old sailor in a wealthy and aristocratic portion of +the city; but if he had understood the character of the +section to which the direction led him, he would probably +have deferred his charitable mission till the following +day. On reaching the vicinity of the place indicated, he<span class="pagenum">[35]</span> +found himself in a vile locality, surrounded by the lowest +and most depraved of the population.</p> + +<p>With considerable difficulty he found the number mentioned +in the letter. The lower story of the building was +occupied as a liquor shop, and a further examination of +the premises assured him the place was a sailor's boarding-house. +As this fact was not inconsistent with the +character of Tom Barron, he entered the shop. Half a +dozen vagabonds had possession; and as Somers entered, +the attention of the whole group was directed to him.</p> + +<p>"Is there a sailor by the name of Thomas Barron in +this house?" asked Somers of the greasy, corpulent +woman, who stood behind about four feet of counter, +forming the bar, on which were displayed several bottles +and decanters.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and very bad he is too," replied the +woman, civilly enough, though the young officer could +hardly help shuddering in her presence.</p> + +<p>"Could I see him?"</p> + +<p>"I 'spect you can, if you be the officer Tom says is +comin' to see him."</p> + +<p>"I am the person."</p> + +<p>"Tom's very bad."</p> + +<p>"So he says in his letter."</p> + +<p>"He hain't had a minute's peace or comfort with that +leg sence he come home from the war. Be you any +relation of his?"<span class="pagenum">[36]</span></p> + +<p>"I am not."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe you're his friend."</p> + +<p>"He served under me in the Rosalie."</p> + +<p>"Tom hain't paid no board for two months, which +comes hard on a poor woman like me, takin' care of him, +and his mother too, that come here to nuss him."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps something can be done for him."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope so. I don't see how I can keep him +any longer. He owes me forty dollars. If any body'll +pay half on't, I'd keep on doin' for him."</p> + +<p>"I will see what can be done for him. Why was he +not sent to the hospital?"</p> + +<p>"He's too bad to be sent, and he don't want to go, +nuther. He says the doctors try speriments on poor +fellers like him, and he don't want to be cut up afore +he's dead."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will endeavor to have something done for +him. I am entirely willing to help him as much as I +can."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you'd be willin' to do sunthin' towards +payin' my bill, then."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I will; but I wish to see the man before I +do anything. Will you show me to his room?"</p> + +<p>"I don't go up and down stairs none now. Here, +Childs, you show this gentleman up to the front room," +said the landlady to one of the vagabonds before her. +"Then go and tell Tom his officer has come. I suppose<span class="pagenum">[37]</span> +they'll want to slick up a little, afore they let you in; +but Miss Barron will tell you when she is ready."</p> + +<p>Somers followed the man up a flight of rickety stairs, +and was ushered into the front room. It was a bedchamber, +supplied with the rudest and coarsest furniture. +The visitor sat down, after telling Childs that the sailor's +mother need not stop to "slick up" before he was +admitted. He did not like the surroundings, even independent +of the villainous odors that rose from the +groggery, and those that were engendered in the apartment +where he sat. Slush and tar were agreeable perfumes, +compared with those which assaulted his sense +in this chamber; and he hoped Mrs. Barron would +humiliate her pride to an extent which would permit him +to make a speedy exit from the house.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Barron, however, appeared not to be in a hurry, +and Somers waited ten minutes by his watch, which +seemed to expand into a full hour before he heard a +sound to disturb the monotony of the chamber's quiet. +But when it was disturbed, it was in such a manner that +he forgot all about the place and the odors, the hour and +the occasion, and even the poor sailor, who had so +piteously appealed to him for assistance.</p> + +<p>In the rear of the room in which Somers sat, there +was a door communicating with another apartment. +The house was old and out of repair; and this door, +never very nicely adjusted, was now warped and thrown<span class="pagenum">[38]</span> +out of place, so that great cracks yawned around the +edges, and whatever was said or done in one room, of +which any knowledge could be obtained by the sense of +hearing, was immediately patent to the occupants of the +other. Somers heard footsteps in the rear room, though +the parties appeared not to have come up the stairs by +which he had ascended. The rattling of chairs and of +glass ware next saluted his ears; but as yet Somers +had not the slightest interest in the business of the adjoining +apartment, and only wished that Mrs. Barron +would speedily complete the preparations for his reception.</p> + +<p>"It's dangerous business," said one of the men in the +rear room; which remark followed a smack of the lips, +and a rude depositing of the glass on the table, indicating +that the speaker had just swallowed his dram.</p> + +<p>The man uttered his remark in a loud tone, exhibiting +a strange carelessness, if the matter in hand was as dangerous +as the words implied.</p> + +<p>"I know it is dangerous, Langdon," said another person, +in a voice which instantly riveted the attention of +the listener.</p> + +<p>Somers heard the voice. It startled him, and he had +no eye, ear, or thought for anything but the individual +who had last spoken. If he had considered his position +at all, it would only have been to wish that Mrs. Barron +might be as proud as a Chestnut Street belle, in order to<span class="pagenum">[39]</span> +afford him time to inform himself in relation to the +business of the men who occupied the other room.</p> + +<p>"You have been shut up in Fort Lafayette once," +added the first speaker.</p> + +<p>"In a good cause I am willing to go again," replied +the voice so familiar to the ears of Somers. "I lost +eighty thousand dollars in a venture just like this. I +must get my money back."</p> + +<p>"If you can, Coles."</p> + +<p>Coles! But Somers did not need to have his identity +confirmed by the use of his name. He knew Coles's +voice. At Newport he had lain in the fore-sheets of the +academy boat, and heard Coles and Phil Kennedy mature +their plan to place the Snowden on the ocean, as a +Confederate cruiser. He had listened to the whole conversation +on that occasion, and the knowledge he had +thus obtained enabled the government to capture the +steamer, and defeat the intentions of the conspirators.</p> + +<p>The last Somers had known of Coles, he was a prisoner +in Fort Lafayette. Probably he had been released +by the same influence which set Phil Kennedy at liberty, +and permitted him to continue his career of treason and +plunder. Coles had lost eighty thousand dollars by his +speculation in the Snowden, for one half of which Kennedy +was holden to him; but the bond had been effectually +cancelled by the death of the principal. Coles +wanted his money back. It was a very natural desire;<span class="pagenum">[40]</span> +but Somers could not help considering it as a very extravagant +one, under present circumstances.</p> + +<p>The listener could not help regarding it as a most +remarkable thing, that he should again be within hearing +of Coles, engaged in plotting treason. Such an +event might happen once; but that it should occur a +second time was absolutely marvellous. If our readers +are of the opinion that the writer is too severely taxing +their credulity in imposing the situation just described +upon them, he begs they will suspend their judgment till +the sequel justifies him.</p> + +<p>It was so strange to Somers, that he could not help +thinking he had been brought there by some mysterious +power to listen to and defeat the intentions of the conspirators. +He was not so far wrong as he might have +been. It was Coles who spoke; it was Coles who had +been in Fort Lafayette; and it was Coles who had lost +eighty thousand dollars by the Snowden. All these things +were real, and Somers had no suspicion that he had inhaled +some of the vile compounds in the bar below, +which might have thrown him into a stupor wherein he +dreamed the astounding situation in which he was actually +placed.</p> + +<p>Somers listened, and when Coles had mixed and drank +his dram, he spoke again.</p> + +<p>"I can and will get my money back," said he, with +an oath which froze the blood of the listener.<span class="pagenum">[41]</span></p> + +<p>"Don't believe it, Coles."</p> + +<p>"You know me, Langdon," added the plotter, with a +peculiar emphasis.</p> + +<p>Langdon acknowledged that he did know him; and as +there was, therefore, no need of an introduction, Coles +proceeded.</p> + +<p>"You know me, Langdon; I don't make any mistakes +myself."</p> + +<p>Perhaps Langdon knew it; but Somers had some +doubts, which, however, he did not purpose to urge on +this occasion.</p> + +<p>"Phil Kennedy was a fool," added Coles, with another +oath. "He spoiled all my plans before, and I was glad +when I heard that he was killed, though I lost forty +thousand dollars when he slipped out. He spilt the milk +for me."</p> + +<p>Somers thought not.</p> + +<p>"Phil was smart about some things; but he couldn't +keep a hotel. Why, that young pup that finally gave +him his quietus, twirled him around his fingers, like he +had been a school girl."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Coles; but I shall have the pleasure +of serving you in the same way before many weeks," +thought Somers, flattered by this warm and disinterested +tribute to his strategetic ability.</p> + +<p>"You mean Somers?" said Langdon.</p> + +<p>"I mean Somers. The young pup isn't twenty-one<span class="pagenum">[42]</span> +yet, but he is the smartest man in the old navy, by all +odds, whether the others be admirals, commodores, lieutenants, +or what not."</p> + +<p>"That's high praise, Coles."</p> + +<p>"It's true. If he wasn't an imfernal Yankee, I would +drink his health in this old Bourbon. Good liquor—isn't +it, Langdon?"</p> + +<p>"Like the juice of a diamond."</p> + +<p>"I would give more for this Somers than I would for +any four rear admirals. He has just been appointed to +the Chatauqua; but he will be in command of some small +craft down South, before many months, doing more mischief +to us than any four first-class steamers in the service. +He is as brave as a young lion; knows a ship +from keel to truck, and is as familiar with every bolt and +pin of an engine as though he had been a machinist all +his life."</p> + +<p>"Big thing, eh, Coles?"</p> + +<p>"If I had this Somers, I could make his fortune and +mine in a year, and have a million surplus besides."</p> + +<p>"What would you do with him?"</p> + +<p>"I would give him the command of my steamer. I +would rather have him in that place than all the old +grannies in the Confederate navy."</p> + +<p>Somers thought Mr. Coles was rather extravagant. +He had no idea that Mr. Ensign Somers was one tenth +part of the man which the amiable and patronizing Mr.<span class="pagenum">[43]</span> +Coles declared he was; and he was impatient to have +the speaker announce his intentions, rather than waste +any more time in such unwarrantable commendation.</p> + +<p>But instead of telling what he intended to do, he confined +himself most provokingly to what he had failed to +do, giving Langdon minute details of the capture of the +Theban and the Snowden, dwelling with peculiar emphasis +on the agency of Somers in the work. This was not +interesting to the listener, but something better soon +followed.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[44]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE FRONT CHAMBER.</p> + +<p>"But I am going to get back the money I lost, and +make a pile besides," said Coles, when he had +fully detailed the events attending the loss of the +Snowden.</p> + +<p>"If you can," added the sceptical Langdon.</p> + +<p>"Of course there is some risk, but my plans are so +well laid that a failure is hardly possible," continued +Coles.</p> + +<p>"It was possible before."</p> + +<p>"Nothing but an accident could have defeated my +plan before. Everything worked to my satisfaction, +and I was sure of success."</p> + +<p>"But you failed."</p> + +<p>"I shall not fail again."</p> + +<p>"I hope not."</p> + +<p>"Then believe I shall not," retorted Coles, apparently +irritated by the doubts and fears of his companion.</p> + +<p>"It is not safe to believe too much," added Langdon, +with a kind of chuckle, whose force Somers could hardly +understand; "you believed too much before."<span class="pagenum">[45]</span></p> + +<p>"I have been more cautious this time, and I wouldn't +give anybody five per cent. to insure the venture."</p> + +<p>Somers was becoming very impatient to hear the particulars +of the plan, for he was in momentary fear of +being summoned to the bedside of the wounded sailor. +Coles was most provokingly deliberate in the discussion +of his treasonable project; but when the naval officer +considered that the conversation was not especially +intended for him, he did not very severely censure the +conspirators for their tardiness.</p> + +<p>"I don't understand what your plan is," said Langdon.</p> + +<p>"Nor I either," was Somers's facetious thought.</p> + +<p>"I will tell you all about it. Are there any ears +within hail of us?"</p> + +<p>"Not an ear."</p> + +<p>"Is there anybody in the front room?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?"</p> + +<p>"The old woman told me the front room was not +occupied. She sent in there an officer who wanted to +see a sick sailor upstairs; but he is gone before this +time."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not; make sure on this point before I open +my mouth. I have no idea of being tripped up this +time," said the cautious Coles.</p> + +<p>"I will look into the front room," added Langdon, +"though I know there is no one there."<span class="pagenum">[46]</span></p> + +<p>Somers was rather annoyed at this demonstration of +prudence; but it was quite natural, and he was all the +more interested to hear the rest of the conference. Dismissing +for a moment the dignity of the quarter deck, +he dropped hastily on the floor, and crawled under the +bed, concluding that Langdon, who was already fully +satisfied the front room was empty, would not push his +investigations to an unreasonable extent. But he had +already prepared himself for the worst, and if his presence +were detected, he resolved to take advantage of the +high estimation in which he was held, and, for his country's +good, proposed to offer his valuable services in +getting the piratical ship to sea. He could thus obtain +the secret, and defeat the purposes of the conspirators.</p> + +<p>He fortunately avoided the necessity of resorting to +this disagreeable course, for Langdon only opened the +door, and glanced into the chamber he occupied.</p> + +<p>"The room is empty," he reported to Coles, on his +return.</p> + +<p>"There are cracks around this door big enough to +crawl through. Somebody may go into that room without +being heard, and listen to all I say."</p> + +<p>"There is no danger."</p> + +<p>"But there is danger; and I will not leave the ghost +of a chance to be discovered. Langdon, lock that front +room, and put the key in your pocket. I must have +things perfectly secure before I open my mouth."<span class="pagenum">[47]</span></p> + +<p>Langdon complied with the request of his principal; +the door was locked, and Somers, without much doubt +or distrust, found his retreat cut off for the present. +But, at last, everything was fixed to the entire satisfaction +of Coles. The glasses clinked again, indicating +that the worthies had fortified themselves with another +dose from the bottle. Somers crawled out from under +the bed, and heedless of the dust which whitened his +new uniform, placed himself in a comfortable position, +where he could hear all that was said by the confederates.</p> + +<p>Coles now told his story in a straightforward, direct +manner, and Somers made memoranda on the back of a +letter of the principal facts in the statement. The arch +conspirator had just purchased a fine iron side-wheel +steamer, captured on the blockade, called the Ben Nevis. +She was about four hundred tons burden, and under +favorable circumstances had often made sixteen knots an +hour. It had already been announced in the newspapers +that the Ben Nevis would run regularly between New +York and St. John. Coles intended to clear her properly +for her destined port, where she could, by an arrangement +already made, be supplied with guns, ammunition, +and a crew. She was to clear regularly for New York, +but instead of proceeding there was to commence her +piratical course on the ocean.</p> + +<p>This was the plan of the worthy Mr. Coles, which +Langdon permitted him to develop without a single<span class="pagenum">[48]</span> +interruption. But the prudent, or rather critical, confederate +raised many objections, which were discussed +at great length—so great that Somers, possessed of the +principal facts, would have left the room, if the door had +not been locked, and escaped from the house, so as to +avoid the possibility of being discovered. The wounded +sailor could be attended to on the following day.</p> + +<p>"But one thing we lack," continued Coles, after he +had removed all the objections of his companion.</p> + +<p>"More than one, I fear," said the doubtful Langdon.</p> + +<p>"Well, one thing more than all others."</p> + +<p>"What is that?"</p> + +<p>"A naval officer to command her."</p> + +<p>"There are plenty of them."</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it; but they are not the kind I want. I +need a man who will play into my hand, as well as grind +up the Yankees. I have no idea of burning all the +property captured by my vessel."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you take command yourself?"</p> + +<p>"I have other business to do."</p> + +<p>"There are scores of Confederate naval officers in +Canada and New Brunswick," suggested Langdon.</p> + +<p>"I know them all, and I wouldn't trust them to command +a mud-scow. In a word, Langdon, I want this +Somers, and I must have him."</p> + +<p>"But he is a northern Yankee. He would sooner cut +his own throat than engage in such an enterprise."<span class="pagenum">[49]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you for that," said Somers to himself. "If +you had known me all my lifetime, you couldn't have +said a better or a truer thing of me."</p> + +<p>"I know he is actually reeking with what he calls +loyalty. He will be a hard subject, but I think he can +be brought over."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he can."</p> + +<p>"It must be done; that is the view we must take of +the matter."</p> + +<p>"It will be easier to believe it than to do it."</p> + +<p>"This is to be your share of the enterprise."</p> + +<p>"Mine?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think you have given me the biggest job in +the work."</p> + +<p>"It can be done," said Coles, confidently. "Somers +is a mere boy in years, though he is smarter and knows +more than any man in the navy in the prime of life."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid he is too smart, and knows too much to +be caught in such a scrape."</p> + +<p>"No; he is young and ambitious. Offer him a commission +as a commander in the Confederate navy, to +begin with. I have the commission duly signed by the +president of the Confederacy, countersigned by the secretary +of the navy, with a blank for the name of the man +who receives it, which I am authorized to fill up as I +think best. Somers must have this commission."<span class="pagenum">[50]</span></p> + +<p>"If he will take it."</p> + +<p>"He will take it. In the old navy he is nothing but +a paltry ensign. He has been kept back. His merit +has been ignored. He must stand out of the way for +numskulls and old fogies. Even if the war should last +ten years longer, he could not reach the rank, in that +time, which I now tender him. He will at once be offered +the command of a fine steamer, and may walk the quarter +deck like a king. He is ambitious, and if you approach +him in the right way, you can win him over."</p> + +<p>Somers listened with interest to this precious scheme. +He did not even feel complimented by the exalted opinion +which such a man as Coles entertained of him. It +would be a pleasant thing for a young man like him to +be a commander, and have a fine steamer; but as he +could regard only with horror the idea of firing a gun at +a vessel bearing the stars and stripes, he was not even +tempted by the bait; and he turned his thoughts from it +without the necessity of a "Get thee behind me, Satan," +in dismissing it.</p> + +<p>"Where is this Somers?" asked Langdon.</p> + +<p>"He is at the Continental," replied Coles. "He has +been appointed fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua; but +what a position for a man of his abilities! He is better +qualified to command the ship than the numskull to +whom she has been given. Waldron, the first lieutenant, +is smart: he ought to be commander; though I think<span class="pagenum">[51]</span> +Somers did all the hard work in Doboy Sound, for which +Waldron got the credit, and for which he was promoted. +Pillgrim, the second lieutenant, is a renegade Virginian."</p> + +<p>"We had some hopes of him, at one time," said +Langdon.</p> + +<p>"He is worse than a Vermont Yankee now—has been +all along, for that matter. I tried to do something with +him, but he talked about the old flag, and other bosh of +that sort."</p> + +<p>"Let him go," added Langdon, with becoming resignation.</p> + +<p>"Let him go! He never went. He has always been +a Yankee at heart. If the navy department wouldn't +trust him, it was their fault, not his, for the South has +not had a worse enemy than he since the first gun was +fired at Sumter. He is none the better, and all the +more dangerous to us, because he gives the South credit +for skill and bravery."</p> + +<p>Somers was pleased to hear this good account of Lieutenant +Pillgrim; not because he had any doubt in regard +to his loyalty, but because it confirmed the good impression +he had received of his travelling companion. If +the conspirators would only have graciously condescended +to resolve the doubts in his mind in regard to some +indefinite previous acquaintance he had had with the +second lieutenant of the Chatauqua, he would have been +greatly obliged to them. They did not do this, and Somers<span class="pagenum">[52]</span> +was still annoyed and puzzled by the belief, patent to +his consciousness, that he had somewhere been intimate +with the "renegade Virginian," before they met at the +house of Commodore Portington.</p> + +<p>"Now, Langdon, you must contrive to meet Somers, +sound him, and bring him over. You must be cautious +with him. He is a young man of good morals—never +drinks, gambles, or goes to bad places. He is a perfect +gentleman in his manners, never swears, and is the pet +of the chaplains."</p> + +<p>"I think I can manage him."</p> + +<p>"I know you can; I have picked you out of a hundred +smart fellows for this work."</p> + +<p>"How will it do for me to put on a white choker, and +approach him as a doctor of divinity."</p> + +<p>"You can't humbug him."</p> + +<p>"If I can't, why should I try?"</p> + +<p>"If you should pretend to be a clergyman, and he +smelt the whiskey in your breath, he would set you down +as a hypocrite at once."</p> + +<p>"That's so," thought Somers.</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't listen to a preacher who drank whiskey. +He is a fanatic on these points."</p> + +<p>Somers could not imagine where Coles had obtained +such an intimate knowledge of his views and principles; +though, if he wanted his services in the Confederate +navy, it was probable he had made diligent inquiries in +regard to his opinions and habits.<span class="pagenum">[53]</span></p> + +<p>"I think I could blind him as a D.D., but I am not +strenuous."</p> + +<p>"You had better get acquainted with him in some +other capacity."</p> + +<p>"As you please; I will think over the matter, and be +ready to make a strike to-morrow morning. What time +is it?"</p> + +<p>"Quarter past ten."</p> + +<p>"So late! I must be off at once."</p> + +<p>Somers heard the clatter of glass-ware again, as the +conspirators took the parting libation. He listened to +their retreating footsteps, heard Langdon return the key, +and then began to wonder what had become of Tom +Barron and his mother. He had waited more than two +hours in the front room, and no summons had come for +him to see the wounded sailor. It was very singular, to +say the least; but while he was deliberating on the point, +a hand was placed on the door of the chamber. The +key turned, and a person entered.</p> + +<p>Now, Somers had a very strong objection to being +seen after what had occurred. If discovered in this +room, Coles might see him, and finding his plans discovered, +might change them so as to defeat the ends of +justice. And the listener felt that, if detected in this +apartment by the conspirators, they would not scruple to +take his life in order to save themselves and their +schemes.<span class="pagenum">[54]</span></p> + +<p>For these reasons Somers decided not to be seen. +The person who entered the room was a rough, seafaring +man, and evidently intended to sleep there, which +Somers was entirely willing he should do, if it could be +done without imperilling his personal safety. He therefore +crawled under the bed again, as quietly as possible. +Unfortunately it was not quietly enough to escape the +observation of the lodger, who, not being of the timid sort, +seized him by the leg, dragged him out, and with a +volley of marine oaths, began to kick him with his heavy +boot.</p> + +<p>Somers sprang to his feet, and attempted to explain; +but the indignant seaman struck him a heavy blow on +the head, which felled him senseless on the floor.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[55]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p class="h3">SOMERS COMES TO HIS SENSES.</p> + +<p>When Somers opened his eyes, about half an +hour after the striking event just narrated, +and became conscious that he was still in +the land of the living, he was lying on the bed in his +chamber at the Continental. By his side stood Lieutenant +Pillgrim and a surgeon.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" asked the young officer, using the +original expression made and provided for occasions of +this kind.</p> + +<p>"You are here, my dear fellow," replied the lieutenant.</p> + +<p>This valuable information seemed to afford the injured +party a great deal of consolation, for he looked around +the apartment, not wildly, as he would have done if this +book were a novel, but with a look of perplexity and +dissatisfaction. As Mr. Ensign Somers was eminently +a fighting man on all proper occasions, he probably felt +displeased with himself to think he had given the stalwart +seaman so easy a victory; for he distinctly remembered +the affair in which he had been so rudely treated,<span class="pagenum">[56]</span> +though there was a great gulf between the past and the +present in his recollection.</p> + +<p>"How do you feel, Mr. Somers?" asked the surgeon.</p> + +<p>"The fact that I feel at all is quite enough for me at +the present time, without going into the question as to +how I feel," replied the patient, with a sickly smile. "I +don't exactly know how I do feel. My ideas are rather +confused."</p> + +<p>"I should think they might be," added the surgeon. +"You have had a hard rap on the head."</p> + +<p>"So I should judge, for my brain is rather muddled."</p> + +<p>"Does your head pain you?" asked the medical gentleman, +placing his hand on the injured part.</p> + +<p>"It does not exactly pain me, but it feels rather sore. +I think I will get up, and see how that affects me."</p> + +<p>Somers got up, and immediately came to the conclusion +that he was not very badly damaged; and the surgeon +was happy to corroborate his opinion. With the +exception of a soreness over the left temple, he felt pretty +well. The blow from the iron fist of the burly seaman +had stunned him; and the kicks received from the big +boots of the assailant had produced sundry black and +blue places on his body, which a man not accustomed to +hard knocks might have looked upon with suspicion, but +to which Somers paid no attention.</p> + +<p>The surgeon had carefully examined him before his +consciousness returned, and was fully satisfied that he<span class="pagenum">[57]</span> +had not been seriously injured. Somers walked across +the room two or three times, and bathed his head with +cold water, which in a great measure restored the consistency +of his ideas. He felt a little sore, but he soon +became as chipper and as cheerful as an early robin. +His first thought was, that he had escaped being murdered, +and he was devoutly thankful to God for the +mercy which had again spared his life.</p> + +<p>The doctor, after giving him some directions in regard +to his head, and the black and blue spots on his body, +left the room. He was a naval surgeon, a guest in the +hotel, and promised to see his patient again in the +morning.</p> + +<p>"How do you feel, Somers?" asked Lieutenant Pillgrim, +who sat on the bed, gazing with interest, not unmixed +with anxiety, at his companion.</p> + +<p>"I feel pretty well, considering the hard rap I got on +the head."</p> + +<p>"You have a hard head, Somers."</p> + +<p>"Why so?"</p> + +<p>"If you had not, you would have been a dead man. +The fellow pounded you with his fist, which is about as +heavy as an anvil, and kicked you with his boots, which +are large enough and stout enough to make two very +respectable gunboats."</p> + +<p>"Things are rather mixed in my mind," added Somers, +rubbing his head again, as if to explain how a<span class="pagenum">[58]</span> +strong-minded young man like himself should be troubled +in his upper works.</p> + +<p>"I am not surprised at that. You have remained insensible +more than half an hour. I was afraid, before +the surgeon saw you, that your pipe was out, and you had +become a D.D. without taking orders."</p> + +<p>"I think I had a narrow escape. What a tiger the +fellow was that pitched into me!"</p> + +<p>"It was all a mistake on his part."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was; but that don't make my head feel +any better. Who is he, and what is he?"</p> + +<p>"He is the captain of a coaster. He had considerable +money in his pocket, and he thought you had concealed +yourself in his room for the purpose of robbing +him. When he saw that you were an officer in the +navy, he was overwhelmed with confusion, and really +felt very bad about it."</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I blame him for what he did, +under the circumstances. His conclusion was not a very +unnatural one. I don't exactly comprehend how I happen +to be in the Continental House, after these stunning +events."</p> + +<p>"Don't you?" said Pillgrim, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"If I had been in condition to expect anything, I +should naturally have expected to find myself, on coming +to my senses, in the low groggery where I received the +blows."<span class="pagenum">[59]</span></p> + +<p>"That is very easily accounted for. I happened to be +at the house when you were struck down. I was in the +lower room, and heard the row. With others I went up +to see what the matter was. I had a carriage in the +street, and when I recognized you, the captain of the +coaster, at my request, took you up in his arms like a +baby, carried you down into the street, and put you into +the vehicle, and you were brought here. I presume this +will fill up the entire gap in your recollection."</p> + +<p>"It is all as clear as mud now," laughed Somers. +"Mr. Pillgrim, I am very grateful to you for the kind +offices you rendered me."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it, my dear fellow. I should have +been worse than a brute if I had done any less than I +did."</p> + +<p>"That may be; but my gratitude is none the less earnest +on that account. Those are villainous people in that +house, and I might have been butchered and cut up, if I +had been left there."</p> + +<p>"I think not. The captain of the coaster is evidently +an honest man; at any rate he is very sorry for what he +did. But, Somers, my dear fellow,—you will pardon +me if I seem impertinent,—how did you happen to be in +such a place?" continued Mr. Pillgrim, with a certain +affectation of slyness in his look, as though he had +caught the exemplary young man in a house where he +would not have been willing to be seen.<span class="pagenum">[60]</span></p> + +<p>"How did <i>you</i> happen to be there?" demanded +Somers.</p> + +<p>"I don't profess to be a very proper person. I take +my whiskey when I want it."</p> + +<p>"So do I; and the only difference between us is, that +I never happen to want it."</p> + +<p>"I did not go into that house for my whiskey, though. +It is rather strange that we should both happen into such +a place at the same time."</p> + +<p>"Rather strange."</p> + +<p>"But I will tell you why I was there," added Pillgrim. +"I received a letter from a wounded sailor, asking +me to call upon him, and assist him in obtaining a +pension."</p> + +<p>"Did you, indeed!" exclaimed Somers, amazed at this +explanation. "You have also told how I happened to +be there."</p> + +<p>"How was that?"</p> + +<p>"I received just such a letter as that you describe," +replied Somers, taking the dirty epistle from his pocket, +which he opened and exhibited to his brother officer.</p> + +<p>"The handwriting is the same, and the substance of +both letters is essentially the same. That's odd—isn't +it?" continued the lieutenant, as he drew the epistle he +had received from his pocket. "I got mine when I +came in, about ten o'clock; and thinking I might go to +New York in the morning for a couple of days, I thought +I would attend to the matter at once."<span class="pagenum">[61]</span></p> + +<p>Somers took the letters, and compared them. They +were written by the same person, on the same kind of +paper, and were both mailed on the same day.</p> + +<p>"This looks rather suspicious to me," added Pillgrim, +reflecting on the circumstances.</p> + +<p>"Why suspicious?"</p> + +<p>"Why should both of us have been called? Tom +Barron claims to have served with me, as he did with +you. I don't remember any such person."</p> + +<p>"Neither do I."</p> + +<p>"Did you find out whether there was any such person +at the house as Tom Barron?"</p> + +<p>"The woman at the bar told me there was a wounded +sailor there whose description answered to that contained +in the letter."</p> + +<p>"So she told me. Did you see him?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"I did not; and between you and me, I don't believe +there is any Tom Barron there, or anywhere else. This +business must be investigated," said Pillgrim, very decidedly.</p> + +<p>Somers did not wish it to be investigated. He was +utterly opposed to an investigation, for he was fearful, if +the matter should be "ventilated," that more would be +shown than he was willing to have exhibited at the present +time; in other words, Coles would find out that his enterprising +scheme had been exposed to a third person.<span class="pagenum">[62]</span></p> + +<p>"I don't care to be mixed up in any revelations of +low life, Mr. Pillgrim; and, as I have lost nothing, and +the hard knocks I received were given under a mistake, +I think I would rather let the matter rest just where +it is."</p> + +<p>"Very natural for a young man of your style," +laughed the lieutenant. "You are afraid the people of +Pinchbrook will read in the papers that Mr. Somers has +been in bad places."</p> + +<p>"They might put a wrong construction on the case," +replied Somers, willing to have his reasons for avoiding +an investigation as strong as possible.</p> + +<p>"I can hand these letters over to the police, and let +the officers inquire into the matter," added Pillgrim. +"They need not call any names."</p> + +<p>"I would rather not stir up the dirty pool. Besides, +Tom Barron and his mother may be in the house, after +all. There is no evidence to the contrary."</p> + +<p>"I shall satisfy myself on that point by another visit +to the house. If I find there is such a person there, I +shall be satisfied."</p> + +<p>"That will be the better way."</p> + +<p>Just then it occurred to Somers that Coles might have +seen him while he was insensible, and was already aware +that his scheme had miscarried. He questioned Pillgrim, +therefore, in regard to the persons in the bar-room +when he entered. From the answers received he satisfied<span class="pagenum">[63]</span> +himself that the conspirators had departed before +the "row" in the front room occurred.</p> + +<p>"Now, Somers, I am going down to that house again +before I sleep," said the lieutenant. "This time, I shall +take my revolver. Will you go with me?"</p> + +<p>"I don't feel exactly able to go out again to-night. +My head doesn't feel just right," replied Somers, who, +however, had other reasons for keeping his room, the +principal of which was the fear that he might meet Coles +there, and that, by some accident, his presence in the +front room during the conference might be disclosed.</p> + +<p>"I think you are right, Somers. You had better +keep still to-night," said Pillgrim. "Shall I send you +up anything?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I don't need anything."</p> + +<p>"A glass of Bourbon whiskey would do you good. +It would quiet your nerves, and put you to sleep."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it would, but I shall lie awake on those +terms."</p> + +<p>"Don't be bigoted, my dear fellow. Of course I prescribe +the whiskey as a medicine."</p> + +<p>"You are no surgeon."</p> + +<p>"It would quiet your nerves."</p> + +<p>"Let them kick, if nothing but whiskey will quiet +them," laughed Somers. "Seriously, Mr. Pillgrim, I +am very much obliged to you for your kindness, and for +your interest in me; but I think I shall be better without +the whiskey than with it."<span class="pagenum">[64]</span></p> + +<p>"As you please, Somers. If you are up when I return, +I will tell you what I find at the house."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I will leave my door unfastened."</p> + +<p>Mr. Pillgrim left the room to make his perilous examination +of the locality of his friend's misfortunes. Somers +walked the apartment, nervous and excited, considering +the events of the evening. He then seated himself, +and carefully wrote out the statement of Coles in regard +to the Ben Nevis, and the method by which he purposed +to operate in getting her to sea as a Confederate cruiser, +with extended memoranda of all the conversation to +which he had listened. Before he had finished this task, +Lieutenant Pillgrim returned.</p> + +<p>"It is all right," said he, as he entered the room.</p> + +<p>"What's all right?"</p> + +<p>"There is such a person as Thomas Barron. The +facts contained in the letters are essentially true."</p> + +<p>"Then no investigation is necessary," replied Somers, +with a feeling of relief.</p> + +<p>"None whatever; to-morrow I will see that the poor +fellow is sent to the hospital, and his mother provided for."</p> + +<p>Mr. Pillgrim, after again recommending a glass of +whiskey, took his leave, and Somers finished his paper. +He went to bed, and in spite of the fact that he had +drank no whiskey, his nerves were quiet, and he dropped +asleep like a good Christian, with a prayer in his heart +for the "loved ones at home" and elsewhere.<span class="pagenum">[65]</span></p> + +<p>The next morning, though he was still quite sore, and +his head felt heavier than usual, he was in much better +condition, physically, than could have been expected. +After breakfast, as he sat in the parlor of the hotel, he +was accosted by a gentleman in blue clothes, with a very +small cap on his head.</p> + +<p>"An officer of the navy, I perceive," said the stranger, +courteously.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Langdon?" was the thought, but not +the reply, of Somers.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[66]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p class="h3">LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N.</p> + +<p>The gentlemanly individual who addressed Somers +wore the uniform of an English naval officer. +By easy and gentle approaches, he proceeded to +make himself very agreeable. He was lavish in his +praise of the achievements of the "American navy," and +was sure that no nation on the face of the globe had ever +displayed such skill and energy in creating a war marine. +Somers listened patiently to this eloquent and just tribute +to the enterprise of his country; and if he had not suspected +that the enthusiastic speaker was playing an assumed +character, he would have ventured to suggest that +the position of John Bull was rather equivocal; that a +little less admiration, and a little more genuine sympathy, +would be more acceptable.</p> + +<p>"We sailors belong to the same fraternity all over the +world," said the pretended Englishman. "There is +something in sailors which draws them together. I +never meet one without desiring to know him better. +Allow me to present you my card, and beg the favor of +yours in return."<span class="pagenum">[67]</span></p> + +<p>He handed his card to Somers, who read upon it the +name of "Lieutenant Wynkoop, R. N." It was elaborately +engraved, and our officer began to have some doubts +in regard to his new-found acquaintance, for the card +could hardly have been got up since the interview of the +preceding evening. This gentleman might not be Langdon, +after all; but whether he was or not, it was proper +to treat him with respect and consideration. Somers +wrote his name on a blank card, and gave it to him.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Somers: here is my hand," said +Lieutenant Wynkoop, when he had read the name. "I +am happy to make your acquaintance."</p> + +<p>Somers took the offered hand, and made a courteous +reply, to the salutations of the other.</p> + +<p>"May I beg the favor of your company to dinner with +me in my private parlor to-day?" continued Mr. Wynkoop. +"I have a couple of bottles of fine old sherry, +which have twice made the voyage to India, sent to me +by an esteemed American friend residing in this city."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Wynkoop. To the dinner I have +not the slightest objection; to the wine I have; and I'm +afraid you must reserve it for some one who will appreciate +it more highly than I can. I never drink wine."</p> + +<p>"Ah, indeed?" said the presumed representative of +the royal navy, as he adjusted an eye-glass to his left eye, +keeping it in position by contracting the muscles above +and below the visual member, which gave a peculiar<span class="pagenum">[68]</span> +squint to his expression, very trying to the risibles of +his auditor.</p> + +<p>"I should be happy to dine with you, but I don't drink +wine," repeated Somers, in good-natured but rather bluff +tones, for he did not wish to be understood as apologizing +for his total abstinence principles.</p> + +<p>"I should be glad to meet you in my private parlor, +say, at four o'clock, whether you drink wine or not, Mr. +Somers."</p> + +<p>"Four o'clock?"</p> + +<p>"It's rar-ther early, I know. If you prefer five, say +the word," drawled Mr. Wynkoop.</p> + +<p>"I should say that would be nearer supper time than +four," replied Somers, who had lately been in the habit +of dining at twelve in Pinchbrook.</p> + +<p>"Earlier if you please, then."</p> + +<p>"Any hour that is convenient for you will suit me."</p> + +<p>"Let it be four, then. But I must acknowledge, Mr. +Somers, I am not entirely unselfish in desiring to make +your acquaintance. The operations of the American +navy have astonished me, and I wish to know more about +it. I landed in New York only a few days since, and I +improve every opportunity to make the acquaintance of +American naval officers. I have not yet visited one of +your dock yards."</p> + +<p>"I am going over to look at my ship this forenoon, +and I should be delighted with your company."<span class="pagenum">[69]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Mr. Wynkoop. +"I shall be under great obligations to you for the favor."</p> + +<p>They went to the navy yard, visited the Chatauqua, +and other vessels of war fitting out there. Mr. Wynkoop +asked a thousand questions about ships, engines, +and armaments; and one could hardly help regarding +him as the most enthusiastic admirer of naval architecture. +Though the gentleman spoke in affected tones, +Somers had recognized the voice of Langdon. This was +the person, without a doubt, who was to lure him into +the Confederate navy, who was to crown his aspirations +with a commander's commission, and reward his infidelity +with the command of a fine steamer.</p> + +<p>Somers was very impatient for the inquiring member +of the royal navy to make his proposition; for, strange as +it may seem to the loyal reader, he had fully resolved to +accept the brilliant offers he expected to receive; to permit +Coles to place the name of "John Somers" in the +blank of the commander's commission which he had in +his possession; and even to take his place on the quarter +deck of the Ben Nevis, if it became necessary to carry +proceedings to that extent.</p> + +<p>But Lieutenant Wynkoop did not even allude to the +Confederate navy, or to the Ben Nevis, and did not even +attempt to sound the loyalty of his companion. Somers +concluded at last that this matter was reserved for the +after-dinner conversation; and as he could afford to<span class="pagenum">[70]</span> +wait, he continued to give his friend every facility for +prosecuting his inquiries into the secret of the marvellous +success of the "American navy."</p> + +<p>After writing out his statement of Coles's plans, he had +carefully and prayerfully considered his duty in relation +to the startling information he had thus accidentally obtained. +Of course he had no doubt as to what he should +do. He must be sure that the Ben Nevis was handed +over to the government; that Coles and Langdon were put +in close quarters. He only inquired how this should be +done. Though the Snowden and the Theban had been +captured in the former instance, both Kennedy and Coles +had escaped punishment, and one of them was again engaged +in the work of pulling down the government.</p> + +<p>If he gave information at the present stage of the conspiracy, +his plans might be defeated. Though Coles had +mentioned no names, it was more than probable that he +was aided and abetted in his treasonable projects by other +persons. There were traitors in Boston, New York, and +Philadelphia, men of wealth and influence, occupying +high positions in society, who were engaged in just such +enterprises as that which had been revealed to the young +naval officer.</p> + +<p>Somers felt, therefore, that a premature exposure +might ruin himself without overthrowing the conspirators. +A word from one of these influential men might +lay him on the shelf, to say the least, and remove all<span class="pagenum">[71]</span> +suspicion from the guilty ones. He must proceed with the +utmost caution, both for his own safety and the success +of his enterprise.</p> + +<p>Besides, he felt that, if he could get "inside of the +ring," he should find out who the great men were that +were striking at the heart of the nation in the dark. By +obtaining the confidence of the conspirators, he could the +more easily baffle them, and do the country a greater +service than he could render on the quarter deck of the +Chatauqua.</p> + +<p>After an earnest and careful consideration of the whole +matter, he concluded that his present duty was to pay +out rope enough to permit Coles and his guilty associates +to hang themselves. For this purpose, he was prepared +to receive Langdon with open arms, to accept the commission +intended for him, and to enter into the secret +councils of his country's bitterest enemies.</p> + +<p>Somers, pure and patriotic in his motives, did not for +a moment consider that he exposed himself to any risk +in thus entering the councils of the wicked, or even in +taking a commission in the service of the enemy. He +did not intend to aid or abet in the treason of the traitors, +and he did not think what might be the result if a rebel +commission were found upon his person. He might be +killed in battle with this damning document in his pocket. +If any of the conspirators were caught, they might denounce +him as one of their number. He did not think<span class="pagenum">[72]</span> +of these things. He was ambitious to serve his treason-ridden +country, and he forgot all about himself.</p> + +<p>It was half past three when Somers and Wynkoop +returned to the hotel from their visit to the navy yard. +Langdon had evidently been in England, for he insisted +upon calling it a "dock yard." They separated to dress +for dinner, as the courtly John Bull expressed it. At +four they met again in the private parlor, where an +elegant dinner was served, and where Mr. Wynkoop +sipped his sherry "which had twice made the voyage to +the East Indies," though it probably came from the +cellar of the hotel. When the coffee had been brought +in, and the waiters had retired, the representative of the +royal navy lighted his cigar, and began, in a very moderate +way, to express some slight admiration for the skill +and prowess of the rebels. Somers helped him along +until he became a thorough rebel.</p> + +<p>"With all my admiration for the American navy, Mr. +Somers, I find there is a great deal of injustice towards +the officers, especially the younger ones," continued Mr. +Wynkoop, after he had sufficiently indicated his sympathy +for the "noble and gallant people who were struggling +against such hodds in the South."—The lieutenant occasionally +pressed an <i>h</i> into use where it was not needed—probably +to be entirely consistent with himself.</p> + +<p>"That's true; and I have suffered from it myself," +replied Somers, determined that his companion should<span class="pagenum">[73]</span> +want no inducement to make his proposition as soon as +he was ready.</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt it, Mr. Somers;" and Mr. Wynkoop +stated some instances which had come to his knowledge.</p> + +<p>Somers then gave a list of his own imaginary grievances, +and professed to be greatly dissatisfied with his +present position and prospects.</p> + +<p>"I think you would do better in the Confederate +navy," said the lieutenant, warmly.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I should."</p> + +<p>"Whichever side you fight for, you fight for your own +country."</p> + +<p>"That's true."</p> + +<p>"When the South wins,—as win she will,—all who +fought against her, will be like prophets in their own +country—without honor. In less than two months the +independence of the Confederate States will be acknowledged +by England and France. I happen to know this."</p> + +<p>"It would not surprise me."</p> + +<p>"My uncle, the Earl of—never mind; I won't mention +his name—my uncle, who is an intimate friend of +Palmerston, told me so."</p> + +<p>Somers was rather glad to hear it, for it would bring +the desolating war to a close. Mr. Wynkoop hesitated +no longer. He approached the real business of the meeting +rapidly, and in a few moments the commander's +commission was on the table. The offer was made, and<span class="pagenum">[74]</span> +Somers, with such apparent qualms of conscience as a +naval officer might be expected to exhibit on deserting +his flag, accepted the proposition. Mr. Wynkoop went +into his sleeping apartment, adjoining the parlor, with +the commission in his hand.</p> + +<p>He returned in a moment with the name of "John +Somers," filled in the blank space left for that purpose, +and handed it to his guest.</p> + +<p>Somers shuddered when he saw his name written upon +such an infernal document; for though he was still true +to God, his country, and himself, the paper had an ugly +look. But he regarded it only as evidence against the +conspirators, rather than against himself; as a necessary +formality to enable him to frustrate the designs of traitors, +rather than as a blot against his own name.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I congratulate you. If you could be +induced to join me in a glass of this old sherry, we +would drink to the success of the Louisiana—for that +is to be the name of your craft when you get to sea."</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Mr. Wynkoop; you must excuse me."</p> + +<p>"As you please. Mr. Somers, though I am an Englishman, +and belong to the royal navy, it is hardly necessary +for me to say now, that I am in the service of the +South. I go with you in the Louisiana, as a passenger. +Your first work will be to capture one of the California +steamers, which I am to transform into a man-of-war, +and call the Texas. She will be under my command."<span class="pagenum">[75]</span></p> + +<p>"I am satisfied."</p> + +<p>"By the way, Captain Somers," added Wynkoop, as +he took a paper from his pocket, "here is the oath of +allegiance to the Confederate States of America, which +it will be necessary for you to sign."</p> + +<p>This was more than Somers had bargained for, and he +would have cut off his right hand, or permitted his head +to be severed from his body, rather than put his signature +to the detested paper. A cold chill crept through +his veins, as he glanced at the sheet on which it was +printed, and he was afraid all he had done would fail +because he could not do this thing.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Wynkoop brought a pen and ink from his +sleeping apartment, and placed it by the side of his guest.</p> + +<p>"I would rather not sign this just now," said Somers. +"It might get me into trouble."</p> + +<p>"Very well; we will attend to that after you get on +board of the Ben Nevis," replied Wynkoop, as he took +the oath and the commission, with the pen and ink, and +went into his chamber again.</p> + +<p>He was absent several minutes this time, and Somers +had an opportunity to review his position.</p> + +<p>"Here is your commission, Captain Somers," said the +lieutenant, as he placed the document on the table. "On +the whole, I think you had better sign the oath now."</p> + +<p>"I think it will do just as well when we get off."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it will; here are your orders," said he,<span class="pagenum">[76]</span> +handing Somers another paper, and placing that containing +the oath on the table.</p> + +<p>At this moment, Somers heard a step in the direction +of the bedroom. He turned, with surprise, to see who it +was, for he had heard no one enter.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Somers, I am glad to see you," said the new +arrival, stepping up to the table, and glancing at the +papers which lay open there.</p> + +<p>It was Lieutenant Pillgrim.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[77]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<p class="h3">LANGDON'S LETTERS.</p> + +<p>It had been no part of Somers's purpose to bear +the whole responsibility of the transactions in +which he had so promptly engaged. Mr. Waldron +would return in a few days, and on his arrival, +the overburdened young officer intended to confide +the momentous secret to him, receiving the benefit of +his advice and support in the great business he had +undertaken.</p> + +<p>After the kind treatment he had received at the hands +of Lieutenant Pillgrim, he was rather disposed to make +him a confidant; but he knew so little about his travelling +companion, that though he had no question about +his fidelity and honor, he was not quite willing to stake +everything on his judgment and discretion, as he must +do, if he opened the subject to him.</p> + +<p>Somers was not a little surprised to see Mr. Pillgrim +enter the parlor in that unceremonious way. It indicated +a degree of intimacy between the two gentleman that +gave him an unpleasant impression, which, however, he +had no time to follow out to its legitimate issue.<span class="pagenum">[78]</span></p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Mr. Wynkoop," said Lieutenant Pillgrim, +as he paused at the side of the table, "for entering +in this abrupt manner. I have been knocking at your +door for some time, without obtaining a response."</p> + +<p>"You went to the wrong door. That's my bedroom."</p> + +<p>"So I perceive, now."</p> + +<p>"But there is no harm done; on the contrary, I am +very glad to see you. Sit down and take a glass of wine +with me. Mr. Somers does not indulge."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers is a very proper young man," said the +lieutenant, with a pleasant smile, as he glanced again at +the papers which lay open on the table. "I have been +looking for you, Somers, but it was only to ask you what +the prospect is on board the Chatauqua. I have not +been on board to-day."</p> + +<p>"I think we shall be wanted by to-morrow or next +day," replied Somers, who could not help seeing that the +eye of his superior officer was fixed on the commander's +commission, which lay open before him.</p> + +<p>"Indeed! I am glad to know this, for I had made +up my mind to go to New York in the morning. Of +course I shall not go."</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Mr.—Really, sir, you must excuse me, +but I have forgotten your name," said Mr. Wynkoop.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Pillgrim—at your service. It is not +very surprising that you should forget it, since we have<span class="pagenum">[79]</span> +met but once; not half so surprising as that I should +force myself into your rooms, on so short an acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it, my dear fellow. We sailors are +brothers all over the world. Sit down, and take a glass +of sherry with me. It's a capital wine—made two +voyages to India."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Mr. Wynkoop; I merely called to invite +you to spend the evening with me. I have a plan that +will use up two or three hours very pleasantly."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Pillgrim. You are a friend in need, +and a friend indeed."</p> + +<p>"I see that you and Mr. Somers have business, and +I will take my leave."</p> + +<p>"I should be happy to have you remain, but if you +will not, I will join you in half an hour in the reading-room. +Better sit down, and wait here."</p> + +<p>"I will not interrupt your business with Mr. Somers," +replied Lieutenant Pillgrim, again glancing curiously at +the documents on the table.</p> + +<p>Greatly to the relief of Somers, his fellow-officer left +the room. This visit had been a most unfortunate one, +for the lieutenant could not have avoided seeing the nature +of the papers on the table. But as Somers was a true +and loyal man, his conscience accused him of no wrong, +and he had no fears in regard to the result. This revelation +simply imposed upon him the necessity of making<span class="pagenum">[80]</span> +Mr. Pillgrim his confidant, which he proposed to do at +the first convenient opportunity.</p> + +<p>"You think you will not sign the oath to-night, Mr. +Somers?" said his companion.</p> + +<p>"It had better be deferred," replied Somers, as he +folded up the commission, and put it in his pocket, regarding +it as the most important evidence in his possession +against Coles, and a sufficient confirmation of the truth of +the statement he had so carefully written out the night +before.</p> + +<p>"Suit yourself, Somers. We shall not differ about +these small matters," added Wynkoop, as he folded up +the oath, and put it in his pocket. "By the way, +Somers, what do you think of our friend Pillgrim?"</p> + +<p>"He is a fine fellow, and I am told he is a good +officer. I was not aware that you knew him."</p> + +<p>"I have only met him once, just as I met you. How +do you think he stands affected towards our cause?"</p> + +<p>"Not well."</p> + +<p>"So I feared."</p> + +<p>"He is a loyal man, though a Virginian."</p> + +<p>"Do you think I could make anything of him?"</p> + +<p>"I am satisfied you could not."</p> + +<p>"I did not dare to try him. I gave him a chance to +nibble at my bait, but he wouldn't bite. Perhaps, when +I know him better, he will come round; for I don't think +there are many of these Yankee officers that have any +real heart in their work."<span class="pagenum">[81]</span></p> + +<p>"You are utterly mistaken," said Somers; but remembering +that he was hardly in a position to defend his +loyal comrades in the navy, he did not seriously combat +the proposition of the rebel emissary.</p> + +<p>As the business of the interview was now finished, +Somers shook hands with his agreeable host—though his +heart repelled the act,—and took leave of him. He +hastened to his chamber, agitated and excited by the +strange and revolting scene through which he had just +passed. It was some time before he was calm enough to +think coherently of what he had done, and of the compact +he had made. He wished very much to see Mr. +Waldron now; indeed, he felt the absolute necessity of +confiding to some trustworthy person the momentous +secret he had obtained, which burned in his soul like an +evil deed.</p> + +<p>If Lieutenant Pillgrim had not actually read his commission +when it lay on the table, he must, at least, have +suspected that all was not right with his shipmate. He +must, therefore, confide in him, and without the loss of +another moment, he hastened to his room for this purpose; +but the lieutenant was not there. He searched +for him in all the public rooms of the hotel, but without +success. Remembering that his fellow-officer was to +meet Mr. Wynkoop in the reading-room half an hour +from the time they parted, he waited there over an hour, +but the appointment evidently was not kept by either +party.<span class="pagenum">[82]</span></p> + +<p>Somers did not wish to sleep another night without +sharing his great secret with some one; for if anything +should happen to him, he reasoned, the commission and +the orders might be found in his possession, and subject +him to very unpleasant suspicions, if they did not expose +him to the actual charge of complicity with the enemies +of his country. He waited in the vicinity of the office +till midnight, hoping to see Mr. Pillgrim; but he did not +appear, and he reluctantly retired to his chamber.</p> + +<p>When he carried his key to the office in the morning, +there was a note in his box, addressed to him. The ink +of the direction was hardly dry, and the lap of the envelope +was still wet where it had been moistened to seal it. +Somers opened it. He was surprised and startled at its +contents; but the writer had evidently made a mistake in +the superscription. It was as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">My Dear Pillgrim</span>: I have just sent a note to +Somers, saying that the Ben Nevis has sailed,—which +is a fact,—and that he must join her at Mobile, where +she will run in a cargo of arms and provisions. Act +accordingly. How is this?</p> + +<p class="author"> +"<span class="smcap">Langdon.</span>"</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Both the name and the import of the letter implied +that the note was not intended for Somers, though it +was directed to him. The writer had evidently written<span class="pagenum">[83]</span> +two notes, and in his haste had misdirected the envelopes.</p> + +<p>"My dear Pillgrim!" The note was intended for his +fellow-officer. Was Pillgrim a confederate of Langdon? +It looked so, incredible as it seemed.</p> + +<p>Somers was bewildered for a moment, but he was too +good a strategist to be overwhelmed. Restoring the note +to its envelope, he readjusted the lap, which was still +wet, and the letter looked as though it had not been +opened. He returned it to the box under his key, and +perceived that there was also a note in Mr. Pillgrim's +box. As soon as the mistake was discovered, the letters +would be changed. He returned to his room to await +the result.</p> + +<p>Somers had made an astounding discovery by the +merest accident in the world. Things were not what +they seemed. Mr. Pillgrim had relations of some kind +with Langdon, <i>alias</i> Lieutenant Wynkoop. His entering +the parlor while they were at dinner was not so accidental +a circumstance as it had appeared. Who and what +was Lieutenant Pillgrim? The belief that he had met +him somewhere before they came together at Newport, +still haunted Somers; but he was in no better condition +now than then to solve the mystery.</p> + +<p>In half an hour he went down to the office again. +The note to Mr. Pillgrim was gone; but there was one +for himself in the box. He took it out; the direction<span class="pagenum">[84]</span> +was not in the same handwriting as before. Mr. Pillgrim +had probably discovered the mistake, and changed +the letters, without a suspicion that the one addressed to +himself had been read. Somers opened the note, which +contained the information he expected to find there in +regard to the Ben Nevis, and was signed by Wynkoop.</p> + +<p>Beyond the possibility of a doubt now, Lieutenant Pillgrim +was a confederate of Langdon. Of course, he +knew Coles. He was a Virginian, and it was now certain +to Somers, if to no one else, that his loyalty had +been justly suspected. He had doubtless entered the +navy again for a purpose. What that purpose was, +remained yet to be exposed. From the depths of his +heart, Somers thanked God that this discovery had been +made; and he determined to put it to good use. He +was now more anxious than before to meet his friend +Mr. Waldron, and communicate the startling information +to him.</p> + +<p>From the morning papers he saw that the Ben Nevis, +whose name had been changed to that of a famous Union +general, had actually sailed, as Langdon's note informed +him. In the forenoon, he went to the navy yard, expecting +to find the ship ready to go into commission; but +he learned that the bed-plates of her pivot guns had to be +recast, and that she would not be ready for another week. +He also learned that his friend Mr. Waldron had been +taken down with typhoid fever at his home, and was +then in a critical condition.<span class="pagenum">[85]</span></p> + +<p>Somers was not only shocked, but disconcerted by this +intelligence, for it deprived him of the friend and counsellor +whom he needed in this emergency. After careful +deliberation, he obtained a furlough of a week, and +went to the home of Mr. Waldron; but the sufferer +could not even be seen, much less consulted on a matter +of business. Left to act for himself, he hastened to New +York, and then to Boston, to ascertain what he could in +regard to the Ben Nevis. So far as he could learn, +everything was all right in regard to her. After a short +visit to Pinchbrook, he hastened back to Philadelphia, +and found the Chatauqua hauled out into the stream, and +ready to go into commission at once. Lieutenant Pillgrim +and the other officers had already gone on board. +Under these circumstances, Somers had not a moment to +see Langdon. He took possession of his state-room, and +at once had all the work he could do, in the discharge of +his duty.</p> + +<p>At meridian the ensign was run up, and the ship went +into commission under the command of Captain Cascabel. +Mr. Pillgrim was doing duty as executive officer, +though a substitute for Mr. Waldron was expected before +the ship sailed. Somers was uneasy, and dissatisfied +with himself. He began to feel that he had left a duty +unperformed. He had intended to expose the conspiracy +before the Chatauqua sailed, and thus relieve himself +from the heavy responsibility that rested upon him. Yet<span class="pagenum">[86]</span> +to whom could he speak? Mr. Waldron was still dangerously +ill. Mr. Pillgrim was evidently a traitor himself.</p> + +<p>He could give his information to the United States +marshal at Philadelphia; but how could he prove his +allegations? Langdon and Coles he had not seen since +his return, and perhaps they were in another part of the +country by this time. He had the commander's commission +and the written orders, but in the absence of the +principals, he feared these would be better evidence +against himself than against the conspirators.</p> + +<p>The Ben Nevis had sailed, and the worst she could do +at present would be to run the blockade. The Chatauqua +was generally understood to be ordered to Mobile, +where the Ben Nevis was to run in, and fit out for her +piratical cruise. After a great deal of serious reflection, +Somers came to the unsatisfactory conclusion that he must +keep his secret. He could not denounce Mr. Pillgrim +as a rebel, with his present information, without exposing +himself to greater peril than the real criminal. Besides, +he was to be with the lieutenant, and he was going to +Mobile. He could watch the traitor, and await the +appearance of the Ben Nevis, when she arrived at the +station.</p> + +<p>Somers was not satisfied with this conclusion, but his +judgment assured him his intended course of action was +the best the circumstances would admit. Thus settling +the question, he attended to his duty with his usual zeal +and energy.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[87]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA.</p> + +<p>Somers had served in several vessels, but never +before had he gone on board his ship with a +heavier responsibility resting upon him, than +when he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua. +He was now a ward-room officer, and as such he would +be required to keep a watch, and be in command of the +deck. But in addition to his professional duties, he had +in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of +which he must make a judicious use.</p> + +<p>The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine +of his duties. He knew the ship from stem to stern, +and from keel to truck. He felt entirely at home, therefore, +and hoped soon to merit the approbation of his +superiors. He was formally presented to Captain Cascabel +and the other officers of the ship. He was kindly +and cordially greeted by all. Mr. Pillgrim, as acting +first lieutenant, proceeded at once to make out the watch, +quarter, and station bill; and, whatever his political +principles, it must be confessed that he performed this +difficult duty with skill and judgment.<span class="pagenum">[88]</span></p> + +<p>Every day, until the ship sailed, the crew were exercised +at the guns, and in all the evolutions required for +carrying on ship's duty, from "fire stations" to piping +down the hammocks. They made the usual proficiency, +and were soon in condition to work together—to handle +the ship in a tornado, or to meet an enemy. On the +fourth day, when Mr. Pillgrim was superseded by Mr. +Hackleford, who was appointed in the place of Mr. Waldron, +everything was in an advanced stage of progress.</p> + +<p>The Chatauqua was a screw steam sloop of war, of +the first class. She carried ten guns, and was about +fourteen hundred tons burden. Her complement of officers +and men was about two hundred and fifty, including +forty-two attached to the engineer's department. The +ship was a two-decker. On the upper or spar deck was +placed her armament, consisting of two immense pivot +guns and eight broadside guns.</p> + +<p>Below this was the berth deck, on which all the officers +and men ate and slept. The after part was appropriated +to the officers, and the forward part to the men. +The former were provided with cabins and state-rooms, +while the latter swung their hammocks to the deck +beams over their heads.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img class="border2" src="images/ill-094.jpg" width="400" height="807" alt="" /> +</div> + +<p>As most of our readers have probably never seen the +interior of a ship of war, we present on the adjoining +page a plan of that portion of the vessel occupied by +the officers. The round part is the stern of the ship, +<span class="pagenum">[89]</span>and the diagram includes a little less than one third of +the whole length of the vessel.</p> + +<p> +A. The Captain's cabin, to which are attached the six +small apartments on each side of it.<br /> +<br /> +1. The Companion-way, or stairs, by which the cabin +is reached from the deck.<br /> +<br /> +2, 3. Store-rooms.<br /> +<br /> +4. Water-closet.<br /> +<br /> +5. Pantry.<br /> +<br /> +6, 7. State-rooms.<br /> +<br /> +B. The Ward-room, in which there is a table, long +enough to accommodate the eight officers who occupy +this apartment.<br /> +<br /> +8. First Lieutenant's state-room.<br /> +<br /> +9. Second Lieutenant's state-room<br /> +<br /> +10. Third Lieutenant's state-room<br /> +<br /> +11. Fourth Lieutenant's state-room<br /> +<br /> +12. Chief Engineer's state-room<br /> +<br /> +13. Master's state-room<br /> +<br /> +14. Paymaster's state-room<br /> +<br /> +15. Surgeon's state-room<br /> +<br /> +16. First Assistant Engineers' state-room.<br /> +<br /> +17. Second Assistant Engineers' room.<br /> +<br /> +C. The Steerage, occupied by Midshipmen and Masters' +Mates.<br /> +<br /> +D. Third Assistant Engineer's room.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="pagenum">[90]</span>18. The Armory.<br /> +<br /> +19. Ward-room pantry, through which passes the +mizzen-mast.<br /> +<br /> +20, 20. Berths.<br /> +<br /> +21, 21. Mess store-rooms.<br /> +</p> + +<p>In the floor of the ward-room, between the state-room, +8 and 12, there are two scuttles leading down to the +magazine, so that, during an action, all the powder is +passed up through this room. Woollen screens are hung +up on each side of these scuttles, when they are opened, +to prevent any spark from being carried down to the +powder.</p> + +<p>There are four other scuttles leading down into the +hold from the ward-room to the various store-rooms located +there, and several in the floor abreast of the steerage.</p> + +<p>On the forward part of the berth deck, just abaft the +foremast, there are four state-rooms for the use of the +carpenter, gunner, boatswain, and sailmaker. All persons +except those mentioned sleep in hammocks.</p> + +<p>The engine department of the Chatauqua consisted of +one chief, two first assistant, two second assistant, and +one third assistant engineers, with eighteen firemen and +eighteen coal heavers. The chief engineer is a ward-room +officer. He has the sole charge of the engine, and +all persons connected with its management, but he keeps +no watch. The other engineers obey the orders of their +chief, and are divided into watches. They attend to the +actual working of the engine. The firemen are also<span class="pagenum">[91]</span> +classified, and receive different grades of pay, a portion +of them attending to the oiling of the machinery,—called +"oilers,"—while others superintend or feed the +fires, and do other work connected with the engine and +boilers. The coal-heavers convey the fuel from the coal +bunkers to the furnaces.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ensign Somers was the fourth lieutenant of the +Chatauqua, and occupied the last state-room on the left, +as you enter the ward-room. It was a nice little apartment, +and the young officer was as happy as a lord when +he was fully installed in his new quarters. And well +might one who had commenced his naval career as an +ordinary seaman, sleeping in a hammock, and who had +never before known anything better than the confined +accommodations of the steerage, have been delighted +with his present comfortable and commodious quarters.</p> + +<p>His state-room was lighted by a bull's eye, or round +glass window, which could be opened in port, or in pleasant +weather at sea. The room contained but one berth, +which was quite wide for a ship, supplied with an excellent +mattress; and one who could not sleep well in such +a bed must be troubled with a rebellious conscience. +There was also a bureau, the upper drawer of which, +when the front was dropped down, became a convenient +writing desk, supplied with small drawers, shelves, and +pigeon-holes. The room was carpeted, and contained +all that a reasonable man could require to make him +comfortable and happy.<span class="pagenum">[92]</span></p> + +<p>There was only one drawback upon the happiness of +Somers; and that was the absence of Mr. Waldron. +There was not one among the officers whom he could +now call by the endearing name of friend, though all of +them were good officers and gentlemanly men, and he +had no reason to anticipate any difficulty with any of +them, unless it was with Mr. Pillgrim. He sighed for +the friendly guidance and the genial companionship of +the late commander of the Rosalie, especially in view of +the embarrassing circumstances which surrounded him.</p> + +<p>But it was some compensation to know that his old +shipmate, Tom Longstone, had been promoted to the +rank of boatswain, and ordered to the Chatauqua. The +old man's splendid behavior in Doboy Sound had enabled +Mr. Waldron to secure this favor for him, and to obtain +his appointment to his own ship. Mr. Longstone, as he +must hereafter be called, came on board in a uniform of +bright blue, and his dress so altered his appearance that +Somers hardly recognized him. The old salt had always +been very careful about "putting on airs," when he was +a common sailor or a petty officer; but he knew how to +be a gentleman, and his new dignity sat as easily upon +him as though he had been brought up in the ward-room. +Though he looked well, and carried himself like an officer, +he could not immediately adapt his language to his +new position. He was a representative sailor, and he +could not help being "salt."<span class="pagenum">[93]</span></p> + +<p>The boatswain was Somers's only real friend on board, +and the distance between a ward-room officer and a forward +officer was so great that he was not likely to realize +any especial satisfaction from the friendship; but it +was pleasant to know that there was even one in the ship +who was devoted to him, heart and soul.</p> + +<p>"All hands, up anchor!" piped the boatswain; and it +was a pleasant sound to the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua, +as doubtless it was to all hands, for "lying in +the stream" is stupid work to an expectant crew.</p> + +<p>The ship got under way with all the order and regularity +which prevail on board a man-of-war, and in a +short time was standing down the Delaware River. Her +great guns pealed the customary salute, and as the wind +was fair, her top-sails and top-gallant-sails were shaken +out as soon as she had passed from the narrow river into +the broad bay. Off the capes the sealed orders were +opened; and it proved, as the knowing ones had anticipated, +that the Chatauqua was bound to the blockading +station off Mobile Bay.</p> + +<p>At eight o'clock in the evening the ship was out of +sight of land. Everything on board was in regular sea +trim. Mr. Garboard, the third lieutenant, had the deck, +and the other officers were in the ward-room, or in their +state-rooms. They were discussing the merits of the +ship, or the probable work before them at Mobile; for +a great naval attack in that quarter was confidently<span class="pagenum">[94]</span> +predicted. The "Old Salamander," "Brave Old Salt," +as Admiral Farragut was familiarly called, was understood +to be making preparations for one of his tremendous +onslaughts.</p> + +<p>Somers was occupied in his state-room, putting his +books, papers, and clothing in order, which he had not +had time to do before to his satisfaction. He placed his +Testament on the bureau, where it could be taken up for +a moment without delay, and where it would constantly +remind him of his duty, and of the loved ones at home, +with whom the precious volume seemed to be inseparably +associated.</p> + +<p>Among his papers were the rebel commission, the +written orders, and the statement he had made of the +interview between Coles and Langdon, which had been +extended so as to contain a full account of his conference +with "Mr. Wynkoop," and his inquiries into the character +of the Ben Nevis, in Boston and New York. These +documents brought forcibly to his mind his relations with +Lieutenant Pillgrim, who was still a mystery to him. +Since Somers had come on board of the Chatauqua, not +a syllable had been breathed about the dinner with the +"officer of the royal navy." As Mr. Pillgrim doubtless +believed he had changed the letters, and thus corrected +his confederate's mistake, before the letter intended for +him had fallen into Somers's hand, the lieutenant had no +reason to suppose his treasonable position was even suspected.<span class="pagenum">[95]</span></p> + +<p>Somers felt that he had a battle to fight with Mr. Pillgrim, +and the suspense was intolerable, not to mention +the hypocrisy and deceit which this double character required +of him. Now, more than before, he regretted the +absence of Mr. Waldron, who would have been a rock +of safety and strength to him in the trials that beset him. +While he was moodily overhauling his papers, and thinking +of his difficult situation, Mr. Pillgrim knocked at the +door of his room, and was invited to enter.</p> + +<p>"Ah, making stowage, are you, Somers?" said the +lieutenant, pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; putting things to rights a little."</p> + +<p>"It's a good plan to have everything in its place," +added Pillgrim, as he took up the little Testament which +lay on the bureau. "You are a good boy, I see, and +read the book."</p> + +<p>"That was given me by my mother, and I value it +very highly."</p> + +<p>"Then I shouldn't think you would want to wear it +out."</p> + +<p>"She gave it to me to use, and I am afraid, if she +saw it was not soiled by handling, she would think it had +not been well used."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you use it. I don't fail to read mine +morning and evening."</p> + +<p>Somers could not believe him, and he could not see +that a traitor to his country should have any use for the +New Testament.<span class="pagenum">[96]</span></p> + +<p>"By the way, Somers, did you see your friend Wynkoop +again before we sailed?" added Mr. Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"I did not; I have not seen him since we dined together. +I judge that you were better acquainted with +him than I was."</p> + +<p>"My acquaintance with him was very slight. By the +papers I saw on the table before you, when you were at +dinner, I think you made good use of the short time you +knew each other."</p> + +<p>"To what do you allude?" asked Somers, now assured +that Mr. Pillgrim knew the nature of the papers.</p> + +<p>"To your commission as a commander in the Confederate +navy. Mr. Somers, I could not believe my eyes."</p> + +<p>"Were you very much astonished?"</p> + +<p>"If I had been told that President Lincoln had gone +over to the rebels, I should not have been more astonished. +Your conduct has severely embarrassed me. It +was my duty to denounce you as a traitor, in the service +of the enemy, but—"</p> + +<p>At that instant the rattle of the drum, beating to quarters, +caused both of them to hurry on deck.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[97]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<p class="h3">IN THE STATE-ROOM.</p> + +<p>Somers took his station on the quarter deck, +near the mizzen-mast, while Mr. Pillgrim went +forward to the forecastle. The guns were cast +loose, and the crew exercised at quarters for a few +moments, just as though there were an enemy's ship +near. This manœuvre was executed for the purpose of +perfecting the officers and crew in discipline; and it is +not an uncommon thing to turn up all hands in the dead +of the night for this object, for it is easier to correct mistakes +at such times than when in the presence of the +enemy. As there was no Confederate ship in sight, all +hands were presently piped below, and Somers returned +to his state-room, where he was soon joined by Mr. Pillgrim, +who evidently wished to prolong the conversation +which had been commenced before the ship beat to quarters.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers you and I have been friends for some +little time," the lieutenant began, "and I confess that I +have been deeply interested in you, not only on your own +account, but for the sake of our friends at Newport."<span class="pagenum">[98]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Pillgrim," said Somers, as the gentleman +paused. "I am greatly obliged to you, and I +hope I shall always merit your good opinion."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not, my young friend; at least, you have +not commenced this cruise very well, having first sold +yourself to the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Do you think I have done that, Mr. Pillgrim?" demanded +Somers, not a little excited by the charge, from +such a source.</p> + +<p>"I know you have. I saw your commission on the +table."</p> + +<p>"I took the commission, I grant, but I have no intention +of using it."</p> + +<p>"Why did you take it then?"</p> + +<p>"For the purpose of gaining information."</p> + +<p>"Have you gained it?" demanded Mr. Pillgrim, with +a hardly perceptible sneer.</p> + +<p>"I have."</p> + +<p>"You received written orders, also."</p> + +<p>"I did; and if I had obtained a foothold on the deck +of the vessel to which I was ordered, you would have +seen how quick I should have passed her over to my +government."</p> + +<p>"That is a very plausible explanation, Mr. Somers," +added the lieutenant. "But why did you sign the oath of +allegiance to the Southern Confederacy?"</p> + +<p>"I did not."<span class="pagenum">[99]</span></p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, but I saw the document with +your signature affixed to it."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken, Mr. Pillgrim."</p> + +<p>"Can I refuse to believe the evidence of my own +eyes?"</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, I must persist in saying that I did not +sign the oath."</p> + +<p>"After what you have done, Mr. Somers, I could +hardly expect you to acknowledge it to a loyal officer. +Are you aware that any court martial would convict you, +on the evidence against you, of treason, and sentence +you to death?"</p> + +<p>"I think not, when it was made to appear that all I +did was in the service of my country."</p> + +<p>Somers shuddered when he thought of a traitor's +doom, and for the first time realized that he had accumulated +more evidence against himself than against the +conspirators. The commander's commission and the +written orders were almost, if not quite, enough to hang +him.</p> + +<p>"You don't believe what you say, Mr. Somers, and of +course you cannot expect me to believe it," said Pillgrim, +when he saw his brother officer musing, and looking +rather anxious.</p> + +<p>"I speak the truth, Mr. Pillgrim," replied Somers, +unable to turn his attention entirely away from the consequences +which might follow some of these appearances +against him.<span class="pagenum">[100]</span></p> + +<p>"Somers, I have felt a deep interest in you. I have +all along desired to be your friend. This is the only +reason why I did not prefer charges against you before +the ship sailed. Now, I advise you not to deny what is +as plain as truth can make it. I am your friend. Own +up to me, and I promise never to betray you."</p> + +<p>"Would your friend Langdon, <i>alias</i> Lieutenant Wynkoop, +R. N., be equally considerate?" asked Somers, +provoked into making this unguarded remark by the +hypocrisy of Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>If the second lieutenant of the Chatauqua had received +the bolt from a thunder cloud he could not have been +more astonished. He started back, turned pale, and +quivered with emotion.</p> + +<p>"Who?" demanded he, with a tremendous effort to +recover his self-possession.</p> + +<p>"Do you think, Mr. Pillgrim, that I am a little lamb, +that can be led round with a silken string?" replied +Somers, with energy. "You are my superior officer, +and as such I will respect and obey you until—until—"</p> + +<p>"Until what?"</p> + +<p>"Until the day of reckoning comes. When you stand +up in my presence and charge me with being a traitor to +my country, you had better remember that such charges, +like chickens, will go home to roost."</p> + +<p>"I was not brought up in a barn yard, Mr. Somers, +and such comparisons are beyond my comprehension."<span class="pagenum">[101]</span></p> + +<p>"Wherever you were brought up, I think my language +is plain enough to be understood by a person of your +intelligence."</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was fortunate for both parties that a knock +at the state-room door disturbed the conference at this +exciting moment. Somers opened the door.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Hackleford desires to see Mr. Somers on deck," +said a midshipman.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me for a few moments, Mr. Pillgrim," said +Somers, as he closed his desk and locked it.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir; but I should be happy to see you +when you are disengaged. I will remain here if you +please."</p> + +<p>"I will join you as soon as I can."</p> + +<p>It was warm below, and both Pillgrim and Somers +had thrown off their coats, and laid them on the bed. +Somers slipped on his own, as he supposed, and hastened +on deck to meet the first lieutenant. The garment seemed +rather large for him, and there were several papers in +the breast pocket which did not belong to him. Then he +was aware that he had taken the second lieutenant's coat +instead of his own.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hackleford wished to obtain some information +from him in regard to one of the petty officers, and when +Somers had answered the questions he went below again. +The papers in the pocket of Pillgrim's coat seemed to +burn his fingers when he touched them. The owner was<span class="pagenum">[102]</span> +a traitor, and perhaps these documents might contain +valuable intelligence. Under ordinary circumstances it +would have been the height of perfidy to look at one of +them; but, in the present instance, he felt justified in +glancing at them. The state-room of the second assistant +engineers was open and lighted, but neither of these +officers was there. Stepping into the room, he opened +the papers and glanced at their contents. Only one of +them contained anything of importance. This was a +note from a person who signed himself simply "Irvine," +but it was in the handwriting of Langdon. The only +clause in the epistle that was intelligible to Somers was +this: "Have just heard from B——. The Ben Nevis, +he says, will make Wilmington after leaving St. John. +Plenty of guns there. She will sail July 4."</p> + +<p>Whether "B——" meant Boston or some person's name, +Somers could not determine; but the fact in regard to +the Ben Nevis was of the utmost consequence. Hastily +folding up the note, he returned the package of papers +to the pocket where he had found them. Taking off the +coat as he entered the ward-room, he went into the state-room, +where Mr. Pillgrim was still waiting for him, with +the garment on his arm. He threw it upon the bed as +he entered, and his companion was not even aware of +the mistake which had been made.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, you were making some grave charges +against me when you were called away," said the lieutenant.<span class="pagenum">[103]</span></p> + +<p>"Not half so grave as those you made against me," +replied Somers.</p> + +<p>"Those can be proved."</p> + +<p>"I made no charges. I only mentioned the name of +your friend Langdon."</p> + +<p>"I don't know him," added Pillgrim, doggedly.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, as you did mine, just now."</p> + +<p>"Which means that you doubt my word."</p> + +<p>"As you did mine."</p> + +<p>"Somers, I am not to be trifled with," said Pillgrim, +sternly.</p> + +<p>"Neither am I."</p> + +<p>"Be cautious, or I will denounce you to the captain at +once," added the lieutenant, in low and threatening tones.</p> + +<p>"Proceed, and then I shall be at liberty to take the +next step."</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think I intend to show you my hand?" said +Somers, with a meaning smile.</p> + +<p>Pillgrim bit his lip with vexation. He seemed to be +completely cornered. He evidently believed that his +companion knew more than "the law allows."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pillgrim, I am no traitor; you know this as well +as I do. Whatever papers I took from your friend Langdon, +<i>alias</i> Wynkoop, were taken with a view to serve my +country."</p> + +<p>"You signed the oath of allegiance he offered you."<span class="pagenum">[104]</span></p> + +<p>"It is false!" replied Somers, angrily.</p> + +<p>"Be calm, Mr. Somers. I am no hypocrite, as you +are," added Pillgrim. "I have heard that you have a +talent for overhearing other people's conversation."</p> + +<p>"In the service of my country I am willing to do even +this," said Somers, indignantly.</p> + +<p>"No matter about that. You have hinted that I am +a traitor."</p> + +<p>"If the hint is not sufficient, I declare that such is +the fact."</p> + +<p>Somers was roused to a high pitch of excitement, and +he was not as prudent as he was wont to be. He was +not playing a part now; he was talking and acting as he +wanted to talk and act. He was calling treason and +treachery by their right names.</p> + +<p>"Explain, Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, who grew +cooler as his companion became hotter.</p> + +<p>"You are in league with the enemies of your country. +You and others have just started a steamer for St. John, +which you intend to fit out as a Confederate cruiser—the +Ben Nevis, of which you and your fellow-conspirators +did me the honor to give me the command."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim smiled blandly.</p> + +<p>"And you accepted the command?"</p> + +<p>"For a purpose, I did."</p> + +<p>"You have not explained why you connect me with +this affair. You spoke of some one whom you call +Langdon. I don't know him."<span class="pagenum">[105]</span></p> + +<p>"You—do!"</p> + +<p>"Prove it."</p> + +<p>"He addresses a note to you, calling you 'my dear +Pillgrim,' and signs himself, familiarly, 'Langdon.'"</p> + +<p>"Then you have been reading my letters—have you?"</p> + +<p>"It was addressed to me, and put in my box at the +hotel."</p> + +<p>The second lieutenant turned pale, then red. He +walked up and down the state-room several times in +silence. He could not deny the fact alleged. While he +walked, Somers explained how he had read the note, and +then put it back in the box. Pillgrim understood it.</p> + +<p>"Of course you know Coles," continued Somers, +placing a heavy emphasis on the name of this worthy.</p> + +<p>The lieutenant halted before his companion, and looked +earnestly and inquiringly into his face. Somers returned +his gaze with unflinching resolution. There was a smile +upon his face, for he believed that he had thrown a red-hot +shot into the enemy.</p> + +<p>"Coles!" said Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"Coles!" repeated Somers.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, you are a fool!"</p> + +<p>"Pray, where were you when human wisdom was +distributed?"</p> + +<p>"Do you know Coles?" asked Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"I think I should know Coles if I saw him."</p> + +<p>"No, you wouldn't."<span class="pagenum">[106]</span></p> + +<p>"He is the greatest villain that ever went unhung."</p> + +<p>"Except yourself. Somers, this is child's play. You +have made me your enemy, but let us fight it out like +men."</p> + +<p>"I will do so with pleasure when you take your place +on the deck of a rebel vessel, where you belong."</p> + +<p>"A truce to child's play, I say again. We must settle +this matter here and now."</p> + +<p>"It can't be done."</p> + +<p>"It must be done, or I will inform Captain Cascabel +who and what you are before the first watch is out. +Probably he will wish to see your Confederate commission +and your letter of instructions."</p> + +<p>"When he does, I have something else to show him," +replied Somers, whose answer was sufficiently indefinite +to make the traitor look very stormy and anxious.</p> + +<p>"Can you show him a Confederate oath of allegiance +signed by me?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Then he will be more likely to hear me than you," +added the lieutenant, whose countenance now looked as +malignant as that of a demon. "You have subscribed +to that oath; I have not."</p> + +<p>"It is false!"</p> + +<p>"So you said before."</p> + +<p>"Prove it."</p> + +<p>"Here," continued Pillgrim, taking from his pocket<span class="pagenum">[107]</span> +the document which had been offered to Somers by Wynkoop.</p> + +<p>The young officer glanced at it, and on the line for the +signature, he saw, with horror and indignation, the name +of "John Somers," apparently in his own handwriting. +Undoubtedly it was a forgery, but it was so well done +that even the owner of the name could hardly distinguish +it from his usual signature.</p> + +<p>"It is a forgery," gasped Somers, appalled at the +deadly peril which seemed to be in his path.</p> + +<p>"Prove it," said the lieutenant, with a mocking smile.</p> + +<p>Somers groaned in spirit. It would be impossible for +him to prove that the signature was a forgery. Even +his best friends would acknowledge it, so well was it +executed.</p> + +<p>"I have you, Somers," said Pillgrim, exultingly. +"Let us understand each other. You are mine, Somers, +or you hang! Somers, I am Coles!"</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[108]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE CHIEF CONSPIRATOR.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Pillgrim rattled off the sentences +in which he acknowledged his complicity +with treason with a smile of malignant triumph +on his face. He gloated over his victim as the evil +one might be supposed to do over a soul wrenched +from truth and virtue. He believed that he had Somers +in a position where he could not betray him, or even +resent his tyranny.</p> + +<p>For the first time Somers realized that he had been +imprudent in exposing himself to the machinations of +these evil men. Before he had only felt a little uncomfortably, +and harbored a vague suspicion that, in attempting +to overreach others, he had committed himself. He +had learned in his babyhood that it is dangerous to play +with fire, but had never believed it so fully as at this +moment. He had touched the pitch, and felt that he +had been defiled by it. Though his conscience kept +assuring him he was innocent, and protesting against a +harsh judgment, he could not help regretting that he had<span class="pagenum">[109]</span> +not exposed the villains before he left Philadelphia, and +permitted the consequences to take care of themselves.</p> + +<p>But stronger than any other impression, at this eventful +moment, was the feeling that he was no match for +men so deeply versed in treason and wickedness as Pillgrim +and his confederates. He had played at the game +of strategy, and been beaten. While he thought he was +leading them on to confusion, they were actually entwining +the meshes of the net around him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pillgrim had just declared that he was the mysterious +Coles. Somers, at first, found it very difficult to +realize the fact. He had really seen Coles but once; but +they had spent some hours together. At that time Coles +wore long, black whiskers, which concealed two thirds of +his face; Pillgrim wore no beard, not even a mustache. +Coles was dressed in homely garments; Pillgrim, in an +elegant uniform. Coles's hair was short and straight; +Pillgrim's, long and curly at the ends.</p> + +<p>In height, form, and proportions, they were the same; +and the difference between Coles and Pillgrim was really +nothing which might not have been produced with a +razor, a pair of barber's shears, and the contrast of dress. +The familiarity of the lieutenant's expression, before unexplained, +was now accounted for; and before his tyrant +spoke again, Somers was satisfied that he actually stood +in the presence of Coles.</p> + +<p>Pillgrim stood with folded arms, gazing at his victim,<span class="pagenum">[110]</span> +and enjoying the confusion which Somers could not conceal. +The persecutor was a confident man, and fully +believed that he was master of the situation, and that +Somers would do anything he asked of him, even to +going over into the rebel ranks. He was mistaken; for +Somers, deep as he felt that he was in hot water, would +have chosen to hang at the fore yard-arm, rather than +betray his country, or be false to her interests.</p> + +<p>"You just now remarked that you should know Coles +if you saw him," sneered Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"I know you now," replied Somers, bitterly.</p> + +<p>"I see you do; but you will know me better before +we part."</p> + +<p>"I know you well enough now. You are a rebel and +a traitor; and what I said of Coles I say of you,—that +you are the greatest villain that ever went unhung."</p> + +<p>"I don't like that kind of language, Mr. Somers," +replied Pillgrim, with entire coolness and self-possession. +"It isn't the kind of language which one gentleman +should apply to another."</p> + +<p>"Gentleman!" said Somers, with curling lip; "I +applied it to a rebel and a traitor."</p> + +<p>"In the present instance it is mutiny. I am your +superior officer."</p> + +<p>"You are out of place; you don't belong here."</p> + +<p>"Your place is on the quarter deck of the Ben Nevis; +and perhaps it will be when she goes into commission as +a Confederate cruiser."<span class="pagenum">[111]</span></p> + +<p>"Never!" exclaimed Somers, with energy.</p> + +<p>"My dear Mr. Somers, be prudent. Some of the +officers might hear you."</p> + +<p>"I don't care if they all hear me."</p> + +<p>"You talk and act like a boy, Somers. I beg you to +consider that your neck and mine are in the same noose. +If I hang, you hang with me."</p> + +<p>Somers groaned, for he could not see where his vindication +was to come from.</p> + +<p>"You seem to understand your situation, and at the +same time you appear to be quite willing to throw yourself +into the fire. Let me call your attention to the fact +that fire will burn."</p> + +<p>"Better burn or hang, than be a traitor."</p> + +<p>"Be reasonable, Somers. I do not propose to ask +anything of you which will compromise your position in +the navy; but I repeat, you are mine."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand you."</p> + +<p>"I have told you my secret. You know that I am in +the Confederate service; that I have fitted out a vessel to +cruise for Yankee ships. I am willing you should know +this, for you dare not violate my confidence."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I dare."</p> + +<p>"If you do, you are a dead man."</p> + +<p>"Will you kill me?"</p> + +<p>"If necessary."</p> + +<p>"I have usually been able to defend myself," replied +Somers, with dignity.<span class="pagenum">[112]</span></p> + +<p>"I am not an assassin. A court martial will do all I +wish done if you are not prudent and devoted, as you +should be. The Confederate oath of allegiance signed by +you is good testimony."</p> + +<p>"I didn't sign it. The signature is a forgery."</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow, what possible difference does that +make? It is well done—is it not?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is. Where did you get it?"</p> + +<p>"Langdon gave it to me."</p> + +<p>"Did he sign my name to it?"</p> + +<p>"Possibly; but even grant that I did it myself—what +then?"</p> + +<p>"You are a greater villain than I ever gave Coles +the credit of being."</p> + +<p>"Thank you!"</p> + +<p>"Where is Langdon now?"</p> + +<p>"In New York—where he can be reached if you +make it necessary to convene a court martial."</p> + +<p>"Is he a naval officer?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he has been a Confederate agent in London for +the past two years. Since the English have become a +little particular about letting steamers out for the Confederates, +he buys them on this side."</p> + +<p>"What do you want of me, Mr.—Pillgrim? if that is +your name?"</p> + +<p>"That is my name. I don't want much of you."</p> + +<p>"What?"<span class="pagenum">[113]</span></p> + +<p>"I am not ready to tell you until you are in a proper +frame of mind. You are rather childish to-night. After +you have thought the matter over, you will be a man, +and be reasonable. Let me see: Garboard has the +forenoon watch to-morrow, and we shall both be off duty +after general quarters. If you please, I will meet you +at that time."</p> + +<p>Somers considered a moment, and assented to the +proposition. Pillgrim bade him good night, and retired +to his own state-room, apparently without a fear that his +victim would struggle in the trap into which he had +fallen.</p> + +<p>"And into the counsels of the ungodly enter thou not." +This text rang in the mind of Somers, as though some +mighty prophet were thundering it into his ears. He +felt that he had already plunged deep enough into the pit +of treason, and he was anxious to get away from it +before he was scorched by the fire, and before the smell +of fire clung to his garments.</p> + +<p>For half an hour the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua +sat at his desk, in deep thought. Though in the +matter of which he was thinking, he had not sinned +against his country, or the moral law, he was sorely +troubled. He could not conceal from himself the fact +that he was afraid of Pillgrim. The dread of having his +name connected with any treasonable transaction was +hard to overcome. That oath of allegiance, with his<span class="pagenum">[114]</span> +signature forged upon it, haunted him like an evil demon. +He felt more timid and fearful than ever before in +his life. His faith in Him who doeth all things well, +seemed to be momentarily shaken, and he was hardly +willing to do justly, and leave the consequences to +themselves.</p> + +<p>He felt weak, and being conscious of his weakness, he +looked upward for strength. Leaning on his desk, he +prayed for wisdom to know the right, and for the power +to do it. He was in earnest; and though his prayer was +not spoken, it moved his soul down to the depths of his +spiritual being.</p> + +<p>Three bells struck while he was thus engaged. He +rose from the desk, and walked up and down the state-room +several times. Suddenly he stopped short. A +great thought struck him. In an instant it became a +great resolution. Before it had time to grow cold, he +put on his coat and cap, and went out into the ward-room. +Mr. Transit, the master, Mr. Grynbock, the +paymaster, and Dr. De Plesion, the surgeon, were there, +discussing the anticipated attacks on Mobile and Wilmington. +Somers felt no interest in the conversation at +this time. He went on deck, where he found Captain +Cascabel and the first lieutenant, smoking their cigars. +Waiting till the captain went below, he touched his cap +to Mr. Hackleford.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers?"<span class="pagenum">[115]</span></p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Not turned in, Mr. Somers? You have the mid-watch."</p> + +<p>"If you will excuse me, sir, for coming to you at such +a time, I wish to have half an hour's conversation with +you."</p> + +<p>"With me?" said Mr. Hackleford, apparently much +surprised at such a request at such an hour.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. It is a matter of the utmost consequence, +or I would not have mentioned it at this time."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Mr. Somers; I am ready to hear you."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, sir; I would rather not introduce the +matter on deck."</p> + +<p>"Well, come to my state-room."</p> + +<p>"To my state-room, if you please, Mr. Hackleford."</p> + +<p>"Why not mine?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid the person most deeply concerned will +overhear me. His room is next to yours."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pillgrim?" exclaimed the first lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I have a high regard for you as an +officer and a gentleman, and I am not unacquainted +with your past history. I hope you have nothing to say +which will reflect on a brother officer."</p> + +<p>"I have, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then I advise you to think well before you speak."</p> + +<p>"I am entirely prepared to speak, sir."<span class="pagenum">[116]</span></p> + +<p>"Complaints against superior officers, Mr. Somers, +are rather dangerous."</p> + +<p>"It is not personal, sir, though I may be the sufferer +for making it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hackleford led the way down to the ward-room. +The officers had retired to their apartments, and there +was no one to see them enter the state-room. As +it was now nearly ten o'clock, when all officers' lights +must be extinguished, Somers formally asked and obtained +permission to burn his lamp till eleven o'clock. +The first lieutenant entered the room, and Somers closed +the door.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Hackleford, may I trouble you to read this +statement?" said Somers, as he handed out the paper he +had so carefully prepared.</p> + +<p>The first lieutenant adjusted his eye-glass, and read +the statement through, asking an explanation of two or +three points as he proceeded. He was deeply absorbed +in the narrative, which was drawn up with the utmost +minuteness.</p> + +<p>"This is an infernal scheme, Mr. Somers. I hope +you did not permit the vessel to sail without giving +information of her character."</p> + +<p>"The Ben Nevis sailed from New York before I could +do anything or say a word," said Somers, exhibiting +Langdon's letter.</p> + +<p>"That was bad. You should have spoken before."<span class="pagenum">[117]</span></p> + +<p>"My paper explains my reasons for keeping still. +Perhaps I was wrong, sir, but I did the best I knew +how."</p> + +<p>"And this vessel is bound to Mobile. We may pick +her up."</p> + +<p>"The note says she is bound to Mobile; but it is not +true. That is a blind to deceive me."</p> + +<p>"Why should they wish to deceive you, after giving +you their confidence."</p> + +<p>"I don't know the reason."</p> + +<p>"But what has all this to do with Mr. Pillgrim?" +asked Mr. Hackleford.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pillgrim is the person spoken of in that paper +as Coles."</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" ejaculated Mr. Hackleford, springing +to his feet.</p> + +<p>"I shall be able to prove it by to-morrow, sir."</p> + +<p>Somers then gave him the substance of the conversation +between himself and Mr. Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"Why, this Coles wants something of you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; but I don't know what. He engaged to +meet me here at four bells in the forenoon watch to-morrow, +when he will tell me what he wants."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Mr. Somers; meet him as agreed. You +have played your part well. When you come together, +you must yield the point; lead him along, and you will +bag him,—and the vessel, I hope."<span class="pagenum">[118]</span></p> + +<p>"The Ben Nevis will sail from St. John July 4, for +Wilmington."</p> + +<p>"Ah, then she is about even with the Chatauqua. I +would give a year's pay for the privilege of catching her."</p> + +<p>Until eleven o'clock the two officers consulted charts, +and figured up the time of the Ben Nevis.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[119]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<p class="h3">AFTER GENERAL QUARTERS.</p> + +<p>At eleven o'clock, when the master-at-arms +knocked at the door of the fourth lieutenant, +to inform him that it was time to put out his +light, the calculations in regard to the position +of the Ben Nevis had been made and verified. Mr. +Hackleford, after counselling prudence and precaution, +retired to his state-room. Somers threw himself on his +cot, and having eased his mind of the heavy burden +which had rested upon it, he went to sleep. But there +was only an hour of rest for him, for at twelve o'clock +he was to take the deck.</p> + +<p>When eight bells struck, he turned out, much refreshed +by his short nap, to relieve Mr. Garboard. It +was a beautiful night, with only a gentle breeze from the +westward, and the ship was doing her ten knots without +making any fuss about it. Somers took the trumpet, +which the officer of the deck always carries as the +emblem of his office, and commenced his walk on the +weather side.<span class="pagenum">[120]</span></p> + +<p>Though he carefully watched the compasses, and saw +that the sheets were hauled close home, he could not help +thinking of the startling events which had transpired on +the preceding evening. But he was satisfied with himself +now. He had purged himself of all appearance of +complicity with the enemies of his country, and he fully +expected that Pillgrim would be put under arrest within +the next forty-eight hours. The consciousness of duty +done made him happy and contented. The first lieutenant +had even praised him for the manner in which he +had conducted the delicate business, and did not lay +any stress on the oath of allegiance, or the commander's +commission.</p> + +<p>For his four hours he "planked the deck," thinking of +the past and hopeful of the future. At eight bells he +sent a midshipman down to call Mr. Pillgrim. While he +was waiting to be relieved, he could not help considering +what a risk it was to leave that noble ship in the hands +of a traitor; but Somers had given all the information he +had to Mr. Hackleford, and the responsibility did not +rest upon himself. The first lieutenant was an able and +discreet officer, and would not permit the Chatauqua to +be imperilled even for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Mr. Somers," said Lieutenant Pillgrim, +as he came on deck.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Mr. Pillgrim," replied Somers, with +all the courtesy due to the quarter deck.<span class="pagenum">[121]</span></p> + +<p>"A fine morning."</p> + +<p>"Beautiful weather."</p> + +<p>"You have had a good opportunity to think over our +business. How do you feel about it?"</p> + +<p>"Just right, I hope."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear it. Have you seen anything of +the Ben Nevis?"</p> + +<p>"Of the Ben Nevis! No, sir; I don't expect to see +her here."</p> + +<p>"We may," replied Pillgrim, as he took the trumpet.</p> + +<p>"Isn't she going to Mobile?"</p> + +<p>"We'll talk of her during the forenoon watch," added +the second lieutenant, as he turned on his heel and +walked forward.</p> + +<p>Somers went below. As he entered the ward-room, +Mr. Hackleford came out of his state-room. This gentleman +evidently intended to keep a sharp lookout for the +officer of the deck during his watch. He asked the +relieved officer if anything more had transpired, and the +unimportant conversation which had just taken place was +fully reported to him.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I haven't slept an hour during the night. +There are one or two points in your statement which +were a little dark to me," said Mr. Hackleford.</p> + +<p>"More than that of it is dark to me. I do not profess +to understand the whole of it. I only state the facts +from my own point of view."<span class="pagenum">[122]</span></p> + +<p>"You listened to this talk between Coles and Langdon +at the sailors' boarding-house in Front Street?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"If you saw Coles there, how could—"</p> + +<p>"I didn't see him, sir; I only heard him."</p> + +<p>"That accounts for it," said Mr. Hackleford, musing. +"Didn't you recognize Mr. Pillgrim's voice?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I think he changed it; though the two +tones were so similar that I might have recognized it, if +I had suspected they were the same person."</p> + +<p>Mr. Hackleford asked other questions, which Somers +answered with strict regard to the truth, rather than with +the intention of removing the first lieutenant's doubts. +He wanted only facts himself, and he was careful not to +distort them, in order to confirm any theory of his own +or of his superior officer.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hackleford went on deck, and Somers turned in. +He was in condition to sleep now, and he improved his +four hours below to the best advantage.</p> + +<p>After general quarters, when the crew were dismissed, +he went down to his state-room, prepared to meet Mr. +Pillgrim. He was surprised to know how little curiosity +he felt to learn what the traitor wanted and expected of +him. Punctual to the appointed time, which exhibited +the interest he felt in the expected interview, the treacherous +second lieutenant made his appearance. Somers +received him as one officer should receive another,<span class="pagenum">[123]</span> +though it was hard work for him to disguise the contempt +and detestation with which he regarded the traitor.</p> + +<p>"Well, Somers, now I am to tell you what I want of +you. It isn't much, as I warned you before; and I am +very glad to see that you are in such a happy frame of +mind."</p> + +<p>"I am ready to hear you, and do the best I can," replied +Somers, carefully following the instructions of Mr. +Hackleford with regard to matter and manner.</p> + +<p>He had been cautioned to be ready enough in listening +to the chief conspirator, but not too ready, so as to betray +his object.</p> + +<p>"Good! I think you understand me now."</p> + +<p>"I think I do, sir."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to do it, but it is necessary for me to +remind you again that your fate is in my hands; that a +word from me would subject you to a trial by court +martial for treason, and probably to more hemp rope +than would feel good about your neck."</p> + +<p>"Though I don't think I am in so much danger as +you represent, I will grant your position."</p> + +<p>"Don't grant it, if you think it is not correct;" and +Mr. Pillgrim minutely detailed the evidence which could +be brought to bear against him.</p> + +<p>Somers appeared to be overwhelmed by this array of +testimony. He groaned, looked hopeless, and finally +granted the traitor's position in full.<span class="pagenum">[124]</span></p> + +<p>"I am in your power. Do with me as you will. Of +course the moment I put my foot on a rebel deck I am +ruined."</p> + +<p>"You can do as you please about going into the Confederate +service. What I want of you will not compromise +you as a loyal man in the slightest degree."</p> + +<p>"What do you want of me?"</p> + +<p>"Not quite so loud, if you please, Mr. Somers," said +the lieutenant, glancing at the door. "To me, Somers, +you have been a thorn. You lost me the Snowden, and +the valuable cargo of the Theban."</p> + +<p>"I only did my duty," pleaded Somers.</p> + +<p>"Bah! don't use that word to me again. Through +you a fortune slipped through my fingers. I should have +got the Snowden into Wilmington, if you had not meddled +with the matter. I have lost eighty thousand dollars +by you."</p> + +<p>"Of course I had no ill will against you personally."</p> + +<p>"Very true; if you had, you would have been a dead +man before this time. Phil Kennedy was a fool, but he +was my best friend. I have his bond for forty thousand +dollars, which is waste paper just now. Phil fell by +your hand."</p> + +<p>"It was in fair fight."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! What matter is it to me how he fell, +whether it was in fair fight or foul? He is dead; that +is all."<span class="pagenum">[125]</span></p> + +<p>"What has all this to do with me?" asked Somers, +with seeming impatience.</p> + +<p>"Much, my dear fellow. Phil was to marry Kate +Portington; was to pocket her fortune. You have cut +him out. You will marry her, and in due time come +into possession of a million. The commodore is apoplectic, +and will not live many years. Do you see my +point?"</p> + +<p>"I do not," answered Somers, disgusted with this +heartless statement.</p> + +<p>"As you cheated me out of the Snowden, as you +killed Phil Kennedy, as you will marry Kate Portington, +I propose that you assume and pay Phil's bond."</p> + +<p>"I?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly—you; Mr. Somers; Kate's prodigy," +laughed Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"Never!" exclaimed Somers, jumping to his feet.</p> + +<p>"You speak too loud, Mr. Somers."</p> + +<p>"Am I a dog, or a snake, or a toad, that I should do +such an unclean thing?"</p> + +<p>The traitor took from his pocket the oath of allegiance, +opened it, and in silence thrust it into his companion's +face.</p> + +<p>"I have sold myself."</p> + +<p>"You have, Somers. Think of it. If I have to make +out a case against you, of course you will never see Kate +again. Let me add, that the commodore sets his life by<span class="pagenum">[126]</span> +me. We were old friends before the war. You may +marry his daughter with my consent, but not without it."</p> + +<p>"I never thought of such a thing."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not. We waste time. Will you sign the +bond?"</p> + +<p>"The bond is good for nothing. No court—"</p> + +<p>"That is my affair. If you agree to it, I will run all +risks. I trouble no courts. If you don't pay, I have +only to speak, and hang you then."</p> + +<p>"I am lost," groaned Somers.</p> + +<p>"No, you are not. Sign, and you have found fortune +and a friend."</p> + +<p>"I dare not sign."</p> + +<p>"You dare not refuse."</p> + +<p>Somers walked up and down the state-room, apparently +in great mental agony.</p> + +<p>"Shall I sign?" said he, in a loud tone, as though he +were speaking to the empty air.</p> + +<p>"Not so loud, man!" interposed Pillgrim, angrily.</p> + +<p>At that instant two light raps were distinctly heard.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" demanded the traitor, greatly alarmed.</p> + +<p>"I will sign it," promptly added Somers, to whom the +two raps seemed to be perfectly intelligible.</p> + +<p>"What was that noise?" asked Pillgrim, fearfully. +"Is there any one in Garboard's state-room?"</p> + +<p>"I think not."</p> + +<p>The second lieutenant was not satisfied. He opened<span class="pagenum">[127]</span> +the door and looked into the adjoining state-room, but +there was no person there, and the ward-room was +empty. There was no one within hearing, and the conspirator +recovered his wonted self-possession.</p> + +<p>"You will sign?" said he.</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>"I knew you would, and therefore I prepared the document; +read it," he continued, taking a paper from his +pocket.</p> + +<p>Somers read. It was simply an agreement to pay +forty thousand dollars, when he married Kate Portington, +in consideration of certain assistance rendered the +signer, but without any allusion to the circumstances +under which it was given. As a legal document, of +course it was good for nothing, as both parties well +understood. Somers signed it.</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Somers, we are friends," said Pillgrim, +as he folded up the paper, and restored it to his pocket. +"You have done me a good turn, and I have done you +one."</p> + +<p>Somers, unwilling to regard Pillgrim as a fool, believed +that this paper was intended to ruin him in the +estimation of the Portington family, and that the villain +intended to marry her himself when her apparent suitor +was disposed of.</p> + +<p>"Is this all you expect of me?" asked Somers.</p> + +<p>"This is the principal thing. I may have occasion to<span class="pagenum">[128]</span> +use you again; if I do, I shall not hesitate to call upon +you. You are in my confidence now."</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me, then, where the Ben Nevis is +bound? I may want to find her, for I haven't much +taste for the old navy now."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you make better progress than I anticipated. +She is bound to St. Marks."</p> + +<p>This was a lie, as Somers well knew.</p> + +<p>"Coles and Langdon said she was to make Mobile."</p> + +<p>"The plan was changed. You must not lay much +stress on what you heard that night. It was all a blind,—or +most of it was."</p> + +<p>"Indeed?"</p> + +<p>"The conversation at the house in Front Street was +carried on for your especial benefit," added Pillgrim, +laughing and rubbing his hands. "Langdon wrote both +letters about the wounded sailor; there was no such person. +The old woman that kept the house was in my +pay. When I spoke so warmly in your praise to Langdon, +I knew that you were listening to all I said; indeed, +I said it to you rather than to Langdon."</p> + +<p>"Why did you tell me beforehand, if you intended to +catch me with the treasonable offer?" asked Somers, +rather mortified to learn that he had been duped from +the beginning.</p> + +<p>"I knew you would pretend to accept it. All I +wanted was to get you to take the commission, orders,<span class="pagenum">[129]</span> +and oath. As you agreed to sign the latter, Langdon +did it for you, for I could not wait."</p> + +<p>"The Ben Nevis is no humbug?"</p> + +<p>"No; I bought her and two other steamers on the +Clyde, in Scotland. The Ben Nevis was captured, but +my friends bought her after she was condemned. As +there had been a great deal said about her in the newspapers, +I used her because it was probable you had +heard of her."</p> + +<p>"I had."</p> + +<p>"Everything works as I intended."</p> + +<p>"Not exactly," thought Somers.</p> + +<p>"The captain of the coaster that pounded you that +night was Langdon," laughed Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"Why was that done?"</p> + +<p>"That I might take you back to the hotel, and be +your friend. We did not intend to hurt you much. It +was important that you should think well of me. You +do—don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>"All right now; remember you are mine, Somers," +said Pillgrim, as he left the room.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[130]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE BEN NEVIS.</p> + +<p>The Chatauqua rolled along easily on her course +during the rest of the day, until the dog watch, +when Mr. Pillgrim had the deck again. Somers, +having discharged his whole duty in reference to the conspiracy, +was content to leave the matter in the hands of +Mr. Hackleford, to whom he had committed it.</p> + +<p>At eight bells, as soon as Somers had been relieved +from the afternoon watch, he was not a little surprised to +receive a message from the captain, inviting him to his +cabin. He readily came to the conclusion that the summons +related to the conspiracy. When he entered the +cabin, he saw Captain Cascabel and Mr. Hackleford +seated at the table, on which was spread a general chart +of the coast of the United States.</p> + +<p>"Say what you wish to Mr. Somers," said the captain +to the first lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, Captain Cascabel has sent for you in +relation to the affair of which we talked in your state-room +last night," Mr. Hackleford began. "All that you<span class="pagenum">[131]</span> +have written out in your statement, and all that you told +me, have been fully confirmed."</p> + +<p>"I intended to confine myself strictly to the facts," +replied Somers, modestly.</p> + +<p>"You have been very discreet and very prudent," +added Mr. Hackleford.</p> + +<p>"I fully concur," said Captain Cascabel. "You have +exposed yourself to no little peril, in your zeal to serve +your country."</p> + +<p>Somers bowed and blushed.</p> + +<p>"I confess that I had some doubts in regard to the +result of your operations, Mr. Somers," continued the +first lieutenant; "but I am entirely satisfied now that +Mr. Pillgrim is just what you represent him to be."</p> + +<p>"All that you affirmed has been fully verified," added +the captain.</p> + +<p>He did not say that both himself and Mr. Hackleford +had listened to the entire conversation between Somers +and the traitor in the forenoon, occupying one of the +captain's state-rooms, which adjoined the starboard side +of the ward-room, having bored a couple of holes through +the partition, behind the bureau; he did not say this, +for it was hardly dignified for a captain to play the eavesdropper, +even in a good cause. Somers knew that Mr. +Hackleford was at hand at the time, and had arranged a +set of signals by which he could advise the young officer, +if he should be in doubt. One rap meant, "No;" two<span class="pagenum">[132]</span> +raps, "Yes;" and three raps, "Give no direct answer." +When Somers was in doubt respecting the bond, he +asked the question of the empty air, apparently, but +really of Mr. Hackleford, who had promptly replied in +the affirmative by giving the two knocks, which had +startled the traitor.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, what do you know of the Ben Nevis?" +asked the captain.</p> + +<p>"She was to sail from St. John on the 4th of July, +to run the blockade at Wilmington. She is said to make +sixteen knots, under favorable circumstances."</p> + +<p>"She has had a head wind part of the time. If she +has made twelve on the average, she has done well," said +Mr. Hackleford.</p> + +<p>"She will be due off Cape Fear some time after +meridian to-morrow," added the captain, consulting a +paper, on which were several arithmetical operations.</p> + +<p>The calculations were carefully reviewed, and Somers +was questioned at considerable length; but he had +already given all the information he possessed. It was +evidently the intention of Captain Cascabel to capture +the Ben Nevis, though he did not announce his purpose.</p> + +<p>"After what has occurred, Mr. Somers, you may be +surprised that Mr. Pillgrim has not been relieved from +duty and placed under arrest," continued Captain Cascabel, +after the position of the Ben Nevis had been carefully +estimated.<span class="pagenum">[133]</span></p> + +<p>"I leave the matter entirely in the hands of my +superior officers," replied Somers. "Having cast the +responsibility upon them, I am willing to obey orders +without asking any questions."</p> + +<p>"That is a very proper view to take of the subject, +and I commend your moderation," said the captain, with +a pleasant smile. "It has been thought best not to disturb +Mr. Pillgrim for a day or two, for other events may +transpire."</p> + +<p>Captain Cascabel bowed to Somers, and intimated that +he had no further need of him at present.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mr. Somers, been visiting the captain," said +the second lieutenant, as his victim came on deck.</p> + +<p>"I was sent for."</p> + +<p>"What was the business?"</p> + +<p>Fortunately, Mr. Transit, who was planking the deck +on the lee side, approached near enough to enable Somers +to avoid answering the question, and he thus escaped the +necessity of telling a falsehood. But as soon as Mr. +Garboard took the deck, Pillgrim repeated the inquiry, +and the young officer was obliged to narrate an imaginary +conversation.</p> + +<p>"It's no matter, Somers. You understand that I +have a rope round your neck, and I am not at all afraid +that you will make an improper use of your tongue."</p> + +<p>"I certainly shall not," answered Somers, with emphasis. +"You may depend upon me for that."<span class="pagenum">[134]</span></p> + +<p>"The fact is, Somers, I have got a mortgage on you; +and I want no better security for your good conduct."</p> + +<p>"You needn't trouble yourself at all about me."</p> + +<p>"I shall not; because, if you wish to betray me, I +should rather enjoy it. I have been your best friend. +Instead of blowing your brains out for making an end +of poor Phil Kennedy, I have taken you into my confidence. +You shall marry the prettiest and the richest +girl north of the Potomac; and when Union officers are +proscribed and condemned after the war, you will have +a friend at court who will speak a good word for you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; but do you really believe that the South +will carry the day?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure of it. England is our best friend; and +Louis Napoleon, in order to complete his Mexican +scheme, must recognize the Confederacy. When France +does the job, England will be only one day behind her."</p> + +<p>"If I go with you, I shall be on the winning side, +then."</p> + +<p>"If you do? You have gone with me. Though I +don't ask you to help the South openly, I expect you to +be a friend of the government which must soon rule the +country. Leave it all to me, Somers, and I will manage +the business for you and myself. You must confess, +Somers, that I am a little ahead of you in strategy," said +the traitor, with a complacent smile.</p> + +<p>"You beat me in the game we have been playing; but<span class="pagenum">[135]</span> +that only makes us even, for I got the better of you in +another affair."</p> + +<p>"Not of me; it was the stupidity of Phil Kennedy +that ruined the Snowden business. I pride myself on +my strategy, Somers. I have never been beaten in anything +of this kind yet. The fact of it is, I know whom +to trust. I never give my confidence to a man who +dares to betray it," replied Pillgrim, rubbing his hands +with delight at his own cleverness.</p> + +<p>Somers was of the opinion that he would think differently +before many days had elapsed; but he was as +prudent as the circumstances required.</p> + +<p>At eight bells, the fourth lieutenant took the deck for +the first watch; and from that time until the following +afternoon, he saw but little of the conspirator. At this +time, the ship was off Cape Fear, though too far out to +sight the land, or even the outer line of blockaders which +kept vigilant watch over the entrance to the river. Precisely +at the moment when one bell struck in the first +dog-watch, the engine of the Chatauqua, without any +order from the officer of the deck, and without any apparent +reason, suddenly stopped.</p> + +<p>It had proved itself to be a very good and well-meaning +engine, thus far, and all hands began to wonder what +had happened, or what was going to happen. But Mr. +Cranklin, the chief engineer, presently reported that +there was a "screw loose" somewhere, and that it<span class="pagenum">[136]</span> +would be necessary to lay to, and make some repairs. +Certainly it was a very opportune moment for the ship +to stop; and those who did not know what had passed +between the chief engineer and the first lieutenant might +have supposed that the zealous engine, heretofore so faithful +in the discharge of its trying duties, had overheard +some of the conversation we have related, and was waiting +for the Ben Nevis to show herself to seaward.</p> + +<p>In further confirmation that the stoppage was not entirely +owing to the obstinacy of the engine, it was +observed that extra lookout men had been stationed on +the fore yard, and on the cross-trees, since meridian of +that day. The captain and the first lieutenant were often +seen in confidential communication; and everybody on +board seemed to be impressed with the idea that something +was about to "turn up."</p> + +<p>Something did "turn up," about three bells; for the +man on the fore cross-trees, reported a vessel on the +beam. The dense mass of black smoke in the wake of +her smoke-stack indicated that she was an English +blockade runner, approaching the coast so as to run in +after dark. As soon as this agreeable information +spread through the Chatauqua, it created an intense +excitement, not manifested in noisy demonstrations, for +that would have been in violation of the strict rule of +naval discipline, but in the expectant eyes and stimulated +movements of the officers and crew, to whose<span class="pagenum">[137]</span> +pockets, as well as to their national pride, the prospect +of a rich prize appealed with tremendous force.</p> + +<p>At this thrilling moment, when everything depended +upon the sailing qualities of the Chatauqua, either Mr. +Cranklin had completed his remedial efforts, or the +engine had come to a realizing sense of the proprieties of +the occasion, and was sensible of the appalling wickedness +of disappointing the two hundred and fifty anxious +souls on board. The docile machine was reported to be in +condition for active service. The bells pealed forth the +signal to "go ahead slowly," then "at full speed," and +the Chatauqua darted away.</p> + +<p>"Hard a starboard!" said Mr. Somers, now the +officer of the deck, to the quartermaster, who was conning +the wheel.</p> + +<p>"Hard a starboard, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Steady!"</p> + +<p>"Steady, sir!"</p> + +<p>"What does this mean, Somers?" demanded Pillgrim, +in a low, angry tone, as he passed the officer of the deck.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, sir. I only obey orders," replied +Somers, as he glanced ahead at the chase.</p> + +<p>"Do you know what steamer that is?" asked +Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"How should I?"</p> + +<p>"It is the Ben Nevis."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?"<span class="pagenum">[138]</span></p> + +<p>"I know; that is sufficient. We must save her," +said the second lieutenant, in low, but excited tones.</p> + +<p>The chase continued for half an hour longer, when it +was evident that the Ben Nevis—for it was indeed she—had +changed her course, and was headed to the eastward.</p> + +<p>"This will never do, Mr. Somers," said Mr. Hackleford. +"We can't sail with her. We must change our +tactics."</p> + +<p>"She gains upon us," replied Somers.</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid we shall lose her, sir."</p> + +<p>"I would give my year's pay to capture her, Mr. +Somers, if it were only for your sake."</p> + +<p>Somers suggested an idea to the first lieutenant, who, +after the approval of Captain Cascabel, adopted it.</p> + +<p>"Clear away the first cutter," said Mr. Hackleford. +"Lower away."</p> + +<p>The first cutter was soon in the water, the ship having +now stopped her engine.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pillgrim, you will stand by in the first cutter +till that steamer comes up. Capture her if her papers +are not all right, or if she is bound into Wilmington."</p> + +<p>A smile of satisfaction lighted up the countenance of +the second lieutenant, when he found he was to go in the +boat. The first cutter pulled away.</p> + +<p>"Clear away the second cutter!" said the first lieutenant;<span class="pagenum">[139]</span> +and while the men were eagerly performing this +duty, the captain instructed Somers, who was to go in +her, in regard to the duty he was expected to perform.</p> + +<p>Somers took his place in the stern-sheets of the second +cutter, which was armed with a twenty-four pounder +howitzer, while the first cutter had nothing but small +arms. As soon as this boat left the ship's side, the Chatauqua +came about, as though she had abandoned the +chase, and stood to the westward.</p> + +<p>The Ben Nevis immediately discovered the change +which had been made in the course of her pursuer. Apparently +satisfied that she had outwitted the man-of-war, +she put about and headed towards the coast again, without +suspecting the fact that two boats lay in her track.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[140]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<p class="h3">A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.</p> + +<p>It was about sunset when the Ben Nevis put +about and headed in shore. The first cutter +was at least half a mile in advance of the +second, and both, of them lying near the track +of the blockade-runner. It was useless to pull towards +the expected prize; on the contrary, it was better policy +to keep still, so as not to attract the attention of her +people.</p> + +<p>The Ben Nevis, when she changed her course, might +have been about five miles distant from the Chatauqua, +and the longer the meeting between the steamer and the +boats was deferred, the more would the darkness favor +the latter. It was thought that the blockade-runner +would approach at half speed, so as not to encounter the +fleet off the river at too early an hour; but her commander +did not appear to regard this delay as necessary, +and came down at full speed. It was not dark, therefore, +when the first cutter was within hail of her.</p> + +<p>As soon as the Ben Nevis discovered the nearest boat,<span class="pagenum">[141]</span> +she sheered off, though, as the first cutter had no howitzer, +she could have everything her own way. Somers +kept the second cutter just out of hail of the other boat; +and carefully watched the operations of the second lieutenant.</p> + +<p>The steamer sheered off just enough to avoid the boat; +but presently she resumed her course, as if, making +twelve knots, she had nothing to fear from an enemy +with oars only to urge her forward. It would be impossible +for the first cutter to board her at full speed, and +she seemed disposed to run the risk of a shot or two +rather than expose herself to falling into any other trap +which the man-of-war might have set for her.</p> + +<p>The Ben Nevis dashed on, therefore, in a direction +which placed the first cutter on her starboard bow, when +Mr. Pillgrim hailed her, and ordered her to heave to, +accompanying the command with a peculiar wave of his +cap in the air, which was thrice repeated, very much to +the astonishment, no doubt, of the loyal blue-jackets in +the boat with him.</p> + +<p>"Topple my timber-heads! What does all that +mean?" exclaimed Boatswain Longstone, who, by the +especial request of the fourth lieutenant, had a place +in the stern-sheets of the second cutter.</p> + +<p>"Wait, and you will see," replied Mr. Somers.</p> + +<p>The Ben Nevis at once stopped her wheels, and the +first cutter pulled towards her.<span class="pagenum">[142]</span></p> + +<p>"That beats me!" ejaculated the boatswain. "What +did she stop for?"</p> + +<p>"Probably her captain thinks that is his best course," +replied Somers, who knew very well why she had +stopped.</p> + +<p>The commander of the blockade-runner evidently recognized +the voice and the signal of Pillgrim, and, like an +obedient servant, was willing to shift the responsibility +of the occasion on his owner and employer. Honest +Tom Longstone was sorely perplexed by the movement +of the steamer and the conduct of the second lieutenant +of the Chatauqua, for a suspicion of foul play on the +part of one of his officers could not have entered his +loyal heart.</p> + +<p>The first cutter touched the side of the Ben Nevis, and +Mr. Pillgrim went up the accommodation ladder.</p> + +<p>"Clear away the howitzer!" said Somers.</p> + +<p>The boatswain looked at him as though he had been +mad.</p> + +<p>"Man the howitzer!"</p> + +<p>The gun was loaded with a solid shot, and made ready +for instant use.</p> + +<p>"Now give way, boatswain," continued Somers; and +the second cutter dashed swiftly over the long billows +towards the Ben Nevis.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to use that gun?" asked Tom Longstone, +in a low tone.<span class="pagenum">[143]</span></p> + +<p>"If necessary."</p> + +<p>"But Mr. Pillgrim has the steamer. He has boarded +her."</p> + +<p>"We will wait and see," answered Somers, evasively; +for it was expected and intended that the second lieutenant +should "hang himself," on this interesting occasion.</p> + +<p>Before the second cutter could reach the steamer, Mr. +Pillgrim had completed his examination on board of her, +and descended to his boat. As he gave the order for +the cutter to shove off, Somers's boat shot in alongside +of her.</p> + +<p>"She is all right, Mr. Somers," said the second lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"All right?" exclaimed Somers; and, in spite of himself, +he actually trembled with emotion, being conscious +that a very trying scene was before him—one which +would require all his skill and all his energy.</p> + +<p>"I say she is all right, Mr. Somers," repeated Pillgrim, +sharply, for he did not appear to like the tone and +manner of the fourth lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"What is she?"</p> + +<p>"She is an American steamer from Baltimore, bound +to Havana."</p> + +<p>"What is she doing in here, then?" demanded Somers.</p> + +<p>"That's her affair. Don't you see the American flag +at her peak?"</p> + +<p>"What is her name?"<span class="pagenum">[144]</span></p> + +<p>"The Ben Nevis," replied Pillgrim, with the most +expressive emphasis. "Sheer off, and return to the +ship."</p> + +<p>"I think she is a blockade-runner."</p> + +<p>"Do you, indeed?" sneered the traitor.</p> + +<p>"I am satisfied she is."</p> + +<p>"I have boarded her, and my report will be final in +this matter."</p> + +<p>"My orders were to board her," said Somers.</p> + +<p>"Your orders?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"I am your superior officer."</p> + +<p>"You are, Mr. Pillgrim."</p> + +<p>"Of course your orders were intended to be carried +out, in case you happened to come up with the steamer +before I did."</p> + +<p>"I was ordered to board her, Mr. Pillgrim, and I +feel compelled to obey," replied Somers, with firmness, +though he still trembled with emotion.</p> + +<p>"Steady, Mr. Somers; be careful," said Tom Longstone, +bewildered by this conflict of authority—a circumstance +he had not before observed in his long career +in the navy. "He is your superior officer."</p> + +<p>"I know what I am about, Tom," whispered Somers, +compassionating the misery his apparently mutinous actions +must cause his honest friend.</p> + +<p>"If you do, go ahead, my darling."<span class="pagenum">[145]</span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I order you to return to the ship," said +Mr. Pillgrim, sternly.</p> + +<p>"I must obey the captain's orders, and board this +steamer."</p> + +<p>"You mistake your orders, and I insist that you obey +me."</p> + +<p>"You will excuse me if I disregard your command; +and I will be answerable to the captain for my conduct."</p> + +<p>"The captain is not here; I am your superior officer. +Disobey me at your peril!" continued Pillgrim, in savage +tones.</p> + +<p>"Is it all right?" shouted the captain of the Ben +Nevis, who was standing on the starboard paddle-box of +the steamer.</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay; all right. Start your wheels!" replied +Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"Captain, if you move a wheel, I will fire into you!" +added Somers; and the captain of the howitzer stood, +with the lock-string in his hand, ready to execute the +order when it should be given.</p> + +<p>The commander of the Ben Nevis looked down upon +the second cutter's gun, pointing into the hull of his +vessel, so that the twenty-four pound shot would pass +through her engine-room. He did not give the order to +start the wheels. Pillgrim was disconcerted: he was +foiled in his scheme. By this time he realized that the<span class="pagenum">[146]</span> +fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua was not the willing, +timid tool he had taken him to be.</p> + +<p>The men in both boats were astonished and confounded +by the startling clash of authority between their +officers. Such a thing had never been known before. +They had been surprised when Mr. Pillgrim declared +that the steamer was all right, for there was not one of +them who was not perfectly satisfied that the vessel was +running in to break the blockade. They were still more +surprised when Mr. Somers dared to dispute the conclusions +of his superior officer. Involuntarily they took +sides with the fourth lieutenant, because his opinion that +the Ben Nevis was not all right coincided with their +own, and because the prize-money went with his view +of the matter. But they were well disciplined men, and +each crew, thus far, obeyed the orders of its own officer; +and, so far as they were concerned, there was no conflict +of command, though this was likely soon to be the +case.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I warn you—beware!" said Pillgrim, +with the most expressive emphasis.</p> + +<p>"I intend to do my duty," replied Somers.</p> + +<p>"Bully for the fourth luff!" shouted a seaman in the +second cutter, who felt disposed to take a part in the +dispute.</p> + +<p>"Silence!" interposed Somers, sternly, as he perceived +that this bad example was likely to be followed by others,<span class="pagenum">[147]</span> +and he felt that the occasion was too serious and solemn +to admit of anything like levity.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, you know the consequences!" continued +the second lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"Remember!"</p> + +<p>"I know what I am about," answered Somers, understanding +to what Pillgrim alluded, though of course it +was incomprehensible to others in the boats. "I shall +board the steamer."</p> + +<p>"Do it at your peril!"</p> + +<p>"I shall do it."</p> + +<p>"This is mutiny!" stormed Pillgrim, with an oath, +as he took a revolver from his belt.</p> + +<p>"I will abide the consequences," replied Somers, +drawing his pistol.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, Mr. Somers—"</p> + +<p>"Silence, boatswain!"</p> + +<p>"You will ruin yourself," whispered Tom, whose +bronzed face was ghastly pale, and whose lips quivered +with the anxiety he felt for his <i>protégé</i>.</p> + +<p>"I am perfectly cool, Tom; don't be alarmed about +me," replied Somers, tenderly, as he glanced at the expression +of suffering on the face of his faithful friend. +"That man is a traitor!" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"Once more, Mr. Somers, will you obey me, or will +you not?" shouted Mr. Pillgrim, angrily. +<a id="Page_148"></a><span class="pagenum">[148]</span></p> + +<p>"If you will capture this steamer, as you should do, +I will obey you in all things," replied Somers. "I +know she is about to run the blockade, and so do you."</p> + +<p>"I have examined her, and I declare that her papers +are all right. My decision is final. Return to the ship, +Mr. Somers, and there answer for your mutinous conduct."</p> + +<p>"I shall board this vessel," replied Somers, as he +ordered the bowman to haul in towards the steamer.</p> + +<p>"This is mutiny, and I shall treat it as such. I <i>will</i> +be obeyed!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Pillgrim raised his pistol, and fired at the rebellious +officer; but he was too much excited to take good +aim, if, indeed, he intended to do anything more than +intimidate his inferior officer. The ball whistled within +a few feet of Somers's head, and roused his belligerent +spirit. He raised his revolver on the instant, before the +second lieutenant was ready to repeat his experiment, +and fired.</p> + +<p>The traitor sank down in the stern-sheets of the cutter. +The men seemed to be paralyzed by this sharp work, +and sat like statues on the thwarts.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img class="border2" src="images/ill-155.jpg" width="600" height="404" alt="A Conflict of Authority. Page 148." /> +</div> + +<p class="caption">A Conflict of Authority. <a href="#Page_148">Page 148</a>.</p><p>"Haul in, bowman!" said Somers, in sharp and +earnest tones, breaking the solemn silence of that awful +moment.</p> + +<p>The man obeyed mechanically, and the others did the +same when required to boat their oars; but probably +there was not one of the crew of either cutter who did +<span class="pagenum">[149]</span>not believe that the fourth lieutenant would be hung at +the yard-arm for his mutinous, murderous conduct.</p> + +<p>Somers directed the coxswain of the first cutter to +pull in to the accommodation ladder of the steamer. +He was obeyed, and Boatswain Longstone was ordered +to take charge of the boat. Eight men, armed with +cutlasses and revolvers, were sent on board the Ben +Nevis, and Somers followed them. The captain protested +against the capture, but his papers were not what +they were represented to be by Pillgrim. The character +of the steamer was evident, and she was taken possession +of by the fourth lieutenant, and the crews of both +cutters were ordered on board.</p> + +<p>"How is Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Somers of the boatswain. +"Is he dead?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; the ball only glanced along the side of his +head. He bleeds badly, but he is not severely wounded."</p> + +<p>The second lieutenant was soon able to sit up, and was +assisted on board the Ben Nevis, where he was conducted +to a state-room, and two seamen placed as guards at the +door.</p> + +<p>"Somers, you have played me false!" said Pillgrim, +with a savage expression on his pale face, "but you are +a doomed man."</p> + +<p>"As you please, Mr. Pillgrim. You will consider +yourself under arrest," replied Somers, as the traitor +passed into his state-room.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[150]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE PRIZE STEAMER.</p> + +<p>It was quite dark when the capture of the Ben +Nevis was completed. Rockets were thrown up +to inform the Chatauqua of her present position, +and with guards of seamen in the engine and fire-rooms, +the wheels of the captured steamer were set in +motion, and she was headed to the north. Somers displayed +his usual decision and energy, and perhaps the +men began to think, by this time, that the young officer +knew his duty and was competent to perform it.</p> + +<p>While the Ben Nevis was making her way towards +the Chatauqua, Somers paced the deck, thinking of the +great event which had just transpired. The captain of +the Ben Nevis, sullen and discontented, stood by the +quartermaster at the wheel. He had attempted to enter +the state-room of the wounded officer, but the seamen in +charge of the prisoner had been instructed to exclude +him, and they carefully obeyed their orders.</p> + +<p>The men of the first and second cutters were silent and +troubled. Perhaps they fully sympathized with Somers,<span class="pagenum">[151]</span> +and dreaded the consequence of the decisive deed he had +performed. However the petty officers and seamen felt, +it is quite certain that Boatswain Longstone could hardly +keep from weeping when he thought of the punishment +which might be in store for his young friend. He was +in charge of the lookouts forward, and when the Chatauqua +was sighted, he went aft to report to Somers.</p> + +<p>"Very well; we shall soon see the end of this business," +said the young officer.</p> + +<p>"I would like to see you safe through it," added the +boatswain, in tones of unaffected sympathy.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Tom?" asked Somers.</p> + +<p>"I feel worse to-night than I have before for twenty +odd years," groaned Tom.</p> + +<p>"Why so?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid this is bad business. It's no little thing +to fire a pistol at your superior officer."</p> + +<p>"I told you what he was."</p> + +<p>"I know you said he was a traitor; but it don't do +for an officer in the navy to take the law into his own +hands."</p> + +<p>"This steamer makes sixteen knots an hour, they +say," said Somers, with a smile.</p> + +<p>The boatswain looked at him, and wondered what this +had to do with shooting the second lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"She was going to run the blockade," continued +Somers.<span class="pagenum">[152]</span></p> + +<p>"No doubt of that."</p> + +<p>"Then they intended to fit her out as a Confederate +cruiser."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they did, Mr. Somers; you know best."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pillgrim did not intend to capture her."</p> + +<p>"He did not, sartinly."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I had permitted this vessel to go on her +way, to run the blockade, which she could have done as +easily as a hundred others have done the same thing, at +the same place, and then come out as a man-of-war."</p> + +<p>"But Mr. Pillgrim was your superior officer, and he +was responsible, not you."</p> + +<p>"I carried out my orders to the letter, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Did you?"</p> + +<p>"To the letter, I said."</p> + +<p>"Were you ordered to shoot Mr. Pillgrim?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if necessary."</p> + +<p>"Thank'ee, Mr. Somers. You have taken a weight +heavier than the best bower off my stomach. I'd rather +be where Jonah was—in the whale's belly—than see any +harm come to you. I feel better now."</p> + +<p>"You shall know all about it, Tom, in a few days, or +perhaps a few hours."</p> + +<p>"I'm satisfied, Mr. Somers. Shiver my kevel-heads, +but I ought to have been satisfied with anything you do."</p> + +<p>By this time the steamer came up with the Chatauqua, +and both vessels stopped their engines, as the Ben Nevis +rounded to under the stern of the man-of-war.<span class="pagenum">[153]</span></p> + +<p>"Chatauqua, ahoy!" shouted Somers.</p> + +<p>"On board the prize!" replied the officer of the deck.</p> + +<p>"Send the surgeon on board, if you please."</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay."</p> + +<p>In a few moments the third cutter, in charge of Mr. +Transit, the master, put off from the ship, with Dr. De +Plesion on board.</p> + +<p>"Where is Mr. Pillgrim, sir?" asked the master of +Somers.</p> + +<p>"Wounded, below."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Hackleford wishes your report forthwith on +board the ship."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Transit, Mr. Pillgrim is under arrest. You +will permit no one to communicate with him except the +surgeon."</p> + +<p>"Under arrest!" exclaimed Mr. Transit.</p> + +<p>"I have no time to explain," replied Somers, as he +directed his coxswain to pipe down his boat's crew.</p> + +<p>When the second cutter was hauled up to the accommodation +ladder, Somers stepped on board, and a few +moments later, touched his hat to the first lieutenant on +the quarter deck of the Chatauqua.</p> + +<p>"I have to report that I have captured the Ben Nevis," +said Somers.</p> + +<p>"Where is Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Mr. Hackleford, the +captain standing by, an interested and excited listener.</p> + +<p>"He is wounded, and under arrest, sir."<span class="pagenum">[154]</span></p> + +<p>"How wounded?"</p> + +<p>"He fired at me, and in self-defence I was obliged to +shoot him. I think he is not seriously wounded. He +boarded the Ben Nevis, and had given the captain of her +permission to proceed, though the vessel was headed towards +Cape Fear."</p> + +<p>"You have done well, Mr. Somers," said Captain Cascabel. +"Beat to quarters, Mr. Hackleford."</p> + +<p>When the crew were at quarters, Mr. Hackleford explained +to them what had occurred, and fully justified +the course of the fourth lieutenant; whereupon an earnest +and enthusiastic cheer rang through the ship.</p> + +<p>"Are you satisfied, Tom?" asked Somers of the boatswain.</p> + +<p>"Bless ye! I was satisfied before, Mr. Somers. +There is only one dark thing in the whole of it."</p> + +<p>"What's that, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"If Captain Cascabel and Mr. Hackleford both knew +that Mr. Pillgrim was a traitor, why did they send him +out to capture that steamer? That's what I can't see +through."</p> + +<p>"Can't you? Well, if they had not sent him, we +should not have captured the Ben Nevis."</p> + +<p>"I don't see why."</p> + +<p>"Don't you? Well, you are not as sharp as you are +sometimes."</p> + +<p>"I know I'm dull, Mr. Somers, but splinter my figger +head if I can see through it."<span class="pagenum">[155]</span></p> + +<p>"The Ben Nevis is good for fifteen knots at least."</p> + +<p>"I know that; she did it while we were coming up."</p> + +<p>"The Chatauqua can't make more than twelve."</p> + +<p>"That's true."</p> + +<p>"Then, of course, the Chatauqua could not catch the +Ben Nevis."</p> + +<p>"That's clear enough. But we were out in the boats, +and were close aboard of her."</p> + +<p>"And just then she sheered off. Could the boats have +overhauled her?"</p> + +<p>"Sartinly not; but you could have put a shot through +her hull."</p> + +<p>"Which might, at that distance, have disabled her, +and might not. The chances were all against us. But +the moment Mr. Pillgrim hailed her, and swung his cap, +she stopped her wheels. They knew very well he would +not detain her."</p> + +<p>"I see now."</p> + +<p>"Probably the captain of the Ben Nevis knew the +Chatauqua, and knew that Pillgrim was on board of her, +and they were on the lookout for him. If any other officer +than myself had been in the second cutter, I am satisfied +Mr. Pillgrim would not have returned to his boat, +but would have staid on board the Ben Nevis."</p> + +<p>"He's a horrible villain—arn't he?" said the honest +boatswain.</p> + +<p>This conversation took place while Captain Cascabel<span class="pagenum">[156]</span> +was preparing his despatches to be sent by the prize +steamer to the navy department. When they were completed, +Somers was sent for, and he repaired at once to +the captain's cabin.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, though I can hardly spare you, I feel +compelled to send you home as prize master in the Ben +Nevis. I have commended you to the department," said +Captain Cascabel, as he handed him the despatches.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>A prize crew was at once detailed, with two master's +mates to act as first and second officers, and a corporal +and three marines to guard the prisoner who was to be +sent back in the prize. Somers bade a hasty good by to +his brother officers, and with his crew was sent on board +the Ben Nevis, whose deck he was now to tread for a +brief period as her commander. His orders required +him to take the Ben Nevis to Fortress Monroe, and there +communicate with the navy department.</p> + +<p>"Well, doctor, how is your patient?" asked Somers, +when he reached the deck of the prize.</p> + +<p>"He will do very well. If you had put the bullet +half an inch nearer his brain, you would have finished +him. The skin is torn off the side of his head, and I +suppose the ball stunned him. He is sitting up now, +and appears to be as well as ever, though in no very +amiable frame of mind."</p> + +<p>"I suppose not."<span class="pagenum">[157]</span></p> + +<p>"He says you are a rebel and a traitor, and he intends +to prove it. I told him I thought his wound had +affected his brain."</p> + +<p>"It would require a long story to explain what he +means. Mr. Hackleford has the papers, and I doubt not +he will tell you all about it, doctor," replied Somers, as +he proceeded to arrange for the return voyage.</p> + +<p>All who were not going home in the Ben Nevis were +sent back to the Chatauqua. The firemen and engineers +of the prize steamer were willing to discharge their +duties as before, and under the direction of one of the +second assistants from the ship, they were set at work. +The first and third cutters pulled away towards the man-of-war, +giving three rousing cheers as they departed, and +the Ben Nevis steamed away to the northward.</p> + +<p>By this time it was ten o'clock at night. The watch +was set on deck, and Somers went below to obtain his +supper, for he felt the need of some rest and refreshment. +The steward, anxious to be on good terms with the new +commander, had provided the best meal the larder of the +Ben Nevis afforded, and Somers was hungry enough to +do it ample justice.</p> + +<p>A marine, with cutlass and revolver, stood at the door +of Pillgrim's state-room. When Somers had finished his +supper, and was about to go on deck, the sentinel informed +him that the prisoner had knocked several times +on his door.<span class="pagenum">[158]</span></p> + +<p>"See what he wants."</p> + +<p>The marine opened the door.</p> + +<p>"Who is the prize master?" asked Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>The sentinel looked at Somers for permission before +he replied.</p> + +<p>"Answer him."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers," answered the marine.</p> + +<p>"Will you present my compliments to Mr. Somers, +and say that I beg the favor of an interview with him?"</p> + +<p>Again the sentinel glanced at Somers.</p> + +<p>"With pleasure," replied the prize master, as politely +as the request was made.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mr. Somers," said the traitor, as the new commander +of the Ben Nevis stepped forward and showed +himself to the prisoner, "I am happy to see you."</p> + +<p>"Are you, indeed?" added Somers, rather amused at +the smooth tones of the traitor.</p> + +<p>"I am, I assure you. Might I beg the favor of a few +moments' private conversation with you?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly; have you any weapons about you?"</p> + +<p>"None, whatever."</p> + +<p>Somers directed the marine to seat himself at the farther +end of the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Somers; you are as kind and generous +as ever."</p> + +<p>"Let me say, Mr. Pillgrim, that flattery and threats +are all the same to me."<span class="pagenum">[159]</span></p> + +<p>"Somers, you have me on the hip."</p> + +<p>"I know it."</p> + +<p>"You have won the game."</p> + +<p>"I know it."</p> + +<p>"I am in your power."</p> + +<p>"I know it."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim appeared to be hopeless and disconcerted.</p> + +<p>"Somers, I have, in a bank in Philadelphia, fifty thousand +dollars."</p> + +<p>"What bank?"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me; the confiscation laws are dangerous to +men in my situation."</p> + +<p>"No matter; I will inform the proper officers of the +fact, and they can find out what bank."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim bit his lip.</p> + +<p>"I will give you this money if you will—"</p> + +<p>"Silence, sir! There is not money enough in the +whole world to bribe me."</p> + +<p>"I still have the oath of allegiance—signed by you, +and—"</p> + +<p>"No, you haven't. Mr. Hackleford has it. You left +it in your state-room."</p> + +<p>"Now listen to reason, Somers."</p> + +<p>"I shall. Reason counsels me to do my duty."</p> + +<p>"Somers, I will be revenged."</p> + +<p>"Good night, Mr. Pillgrim. I see you have nothing +of importance to say to me;" and Somers went on deck +after calling the marine back to his post.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[160]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE PRISONER IN THE CABIN.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pillgrim's wound, as such injuries are +regarded in the army and navy, was a mere +scratch; but it might have been very sore, +and might have ached severely. The traitor +did not even mention it in his interview with Somers, for +the sore in his mind was much more serious. His victim +had now become his tyrant; not implacable or vindictive, +but firm and unyielding in the discharge of his +duty.</p> + +<p>Somers went on deck, satisfied himself in regard to the +course of the steamer, then visited the engine-room, and +other parts of the vessel, until he had assured himself +that everything was right. It was a fine, clear night, +and when the port watch came on deck, he went below, +and lay down on the broad sofa, which extended across +the after part of the cabin. He was tired enough to +sleep, and he did sleep till the starboard watch was called +in the morning.</p> + +<p>He was a prudent and zealous commander, and he<span class="pagenum">[161]</span> +hastened on deck at once to make sure that his charge +was still safe. The weather continued fine, and every +man was at his post. He scrutinized the log slate, and +questioned the officer of the deck. Everything had been +correctly done; nothing had happened, and nothing was +likely to happen. There was nothing for him to do but +sleep, and he returned to his couch in the cabin, to complete +his nap.</p> + +<p>The sentinel at the door of the prisoner's state-room +was still in position. The guard was relieved every two +hours, and the door was secured on the outside by a padlock, +which had been put on by the armorer after the vessel +was captured. Of course there could be no doubt in +regard to the safety of the prisoner.</p> + +<p>Somers went to sleep again, satisfied that he had neglected +no precautions to insure the safety of the vessel +and the prisoner. The movements of the steward in the +cabin awoke him at six o'clock. He had slept away all +his fatigue, and when he looked out through the stern +lights upon a smooth sea, brightened by the morning sun, +all his anxiety left him. It was hardly possible that any +accident could interfere with the safe arrival of the prize +at her destined port.</p> + +<p>As he rose from the sofa, the corporal of marines relieved +the sentry at the prisoner's door.</p> + +<p>"Marine," said Somers, as the man passed him on +his way out of the cabin.<span class="pagenum">[162]</span></p> + +<p>The sentinel stopped and touched his cap.</p> + +<p>"How is the prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't heard anything of him, sir, during my +beat," replied the marine.</p> + +<p>"Isn't he up yet?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear him, sir. He's a heavy sleeper, I +should say, for I don't think he moved while I was on +guard."</p> + +<p>As Somers had the key of the padlock in his pocket, +he was satisfied it was all right with the prisoner, and +he went on deck. At seven bells, when his breakfast +was brought down, he directed the steward to give Mr. +Pillgrim his morning meal, handing the key of the state-room +to the corporal.</p> + +<p>The door was opened, and the marine entered the little +room. Somers sat down at the table to eat his breakfast. +He was blessed with a good appetite, and some +"'am and heggs," which the steward particularly recommended, +looked very inviting. But he had hardly satisfied +himself that the steward had not overrated the +quality of his viands, before his attention was attracted +by an exclamation from the corporal of marines.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" demanded Somers, rising from +the table, and rushing to the state-room.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pillgrim is not here, sir," replied the man.</p> + +<p>"Not here!"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."<span class="pagenum">[163]</span></p> + +<p>"He can't be far off."</p> + +<p>Somers entered the state-room. Certainly the prisoner +was not there; nor was there any indication of the means +by which he had departed. The partitions between this +and the adjoining state-rooms were undisturbed. The +door had been securely locked, and the key was in the +pocket of the commanding officer. The traitor could not +have crawled through the bull's eye which lighted the +room, for it was not more than nine inches in diameter.</p> + +<p>The marines who had been on guard during the night +were summoned. They all told the same story; not a +sound had been heard in the room. Both the master's +mates who had kept the watches on deck were examined, +but they had no information to communicate.</p> + +<p>"This is very remarkable," said Somers to his first +officer.</p> + +<p>"Very remarkable," replied Mr. Hudson, who seemed +to be even more bewildered than his commander.</p> + +<p>"Where is Captain Walmsley?" asked Somers of the +steward.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, sir. I 'aven't seen him since 'e hate +his supper last night."</p> + +<p>"See if he is in his state-room, steward."</p> + +<p>He was not in his state-room. His bed had not been +occupied; no one had seen him since the Ben Nevis +parted company with the Chatauqua.</p> + +<p>"Are there any boats missing, Mr. Hudson?" continued +Somers.<span class="pagenum">[164]</span></p> + +<p>"No, sir; the steamer had two quarter-boats, and a +life-boat forward. They are all in their places."</p> + +<p>"Wasn't there a dingy, or a jolly-boat, at the stern?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I am sure that no boat is missing."</p> + +<p>"Then of course the prisoner must be on board."</p> + +<p>"No doubt of that, Mr. Somers. In my opinion he +has concealed himself in the hold, and intends to escape +after we go into port."</p> + +<p>"But how could he get into the hold?"</p> + +<p>"That is more than I know, sir. He isn't in his +state-room; he wouldn't have jumped overboard forty +miles from land."</p> + +<p>"He must be found before we make the capes," said +Somers, who could not help thinking how "cheap" he +should feel if compelled to report the escape of his prisoner +to the department.</p> + +<p>He returned to the table and finished his breakfast, as +a matter of necessity now,—for man must eat,—rather +than of inclination. The Scotch ham seemed to have +lost its fine flavor, and it was really a pity that he had not +completed his repast before the escape of Pillgrim was +discovered. But Somers was satisfied that the traitor +was still on board, and he was determined to find him, +even if he had to throw the valuable cargo of the Ben +Nevis overboard, in order to effect his purpose.</p> + +<p>When Somers had worried down his breakfast, he +went on deck to detail parties to engage in the search.<span class="pagenum">[165]</span> +The hatches were taken off, and Mr. Hudson was directed +to examine the hold, while Somers himself, with the marines +and a couple of seamen, went to the cabin for the +purpose of tracing the fugitive from his starting-point. +This appeared to be no easy matter, for as yet there was +not the slightest clew to his means of egress.</p> + +<p>Somers opened the door of the state-room, which had +been occupied by the prisoner, and there, to his utter +astonishment and confusion, he saw Pillgrim, sitting on +a stool, and looking as composed as though nothing had +happened. Somers could hardly believe the evidence of +his own eyes.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Mr. Somers," said the traitor. "I +am happy to see you. I was just thinking it was about +breakfast time."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you had your breakfast yet?" asked Somers, +who deemed it best to talk at random.</p> + +<p>"How should I? You lock the door, and confine me +to a very limited sphere of observation. I hope you +don't intend to starve me."</p> + +<p>"O, no, by no means. I thought it likely you had +breakfasted while on your travels."</p> + +<p>"On my travels?" said the prisoner, inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"You have been out of your room."</p> + +<p>"I?"</p> + +<p>Pillgrim opened his eyes, and seemed to be astonished.</p> + +<p>"Certainly you have. When we opened the door half<span class="pagenum">[166]</span> +an hour since, you were not here. Perhaps you will not +object to telling me where you have been."</p> + +<p>"I have not been out of my state-room, as you must +be aware."</p> + +<p>"But you have," replied Somers, stoutly.</p> + +<p>"Am I to infer that you accuse me of lying, Mr. +Somers?" demanded the traitor, with an exhibition of +dignity.</p> + +<p>"I accuse you of nothing; I only say you have been +out of your state-room."</p> + +<p>"But I say I have not. I am your prisoner: it is +hardly magnanimous to insult me in my present situation."</p> + +<p>"Are you ready for your breakfast?" asked Somers, +unwilling to pursue the conversation on that tack.</p> + +<p>"A hungry man is always ready for his breakfast. +My misfortunes have not impaired my appetite. I am +ready for my breakfast."</p> + +<p>Somers directed the steward to bring the prisoner his +morning meal.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, may I beg the favor of half an hour's +conversation with you, when I have done my breakfast?" +added Pillgrim.</p> + +<p>"It is hardly necessary."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me; it is absolutely necessary for your comfort +and safety as well as mine."</p> + +<p>"Under such a threat, I shall certainly decline," replied +Somers, coldly.<span class="pagenum">[167]</span></p> + +<p>"I intended no threat. Send these people away, and I +will speak."</p> + +<p>"You may speak or be silent, as you please."</p> + +<p>Somers stationed a marine at the door, and sent the +others away, retiring himself to the farther end of the +cabin. He was sorely puzzled to know how the prisoner +had got out of his state-room, and why he had returned. +He concluded that the opening of the hold had induced +the latter step, but the former was still enveloped in mystery. +He determined to give the prisoner another room, +and make a more careful search in the one he now +occupied.</p> + +<p>When Pillgrim had done his breakfast, Somers called +a couple of marines, and ordered them to put the prisoner +in the aftermost room. The hasp and padlock were then +transferred to the occupied room.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, as he was about to lock +the door, "I should like to speak with you."</p> + +<p>The tone was gentlemanly, and even supplicating, and +Somers entered the room, closing the door behind him; +but he was careful to cock his revolver as he did so, for +the prisoner was a desperate man.</p> + +<p>"I am ready to hear you."</p> + +<p>"It is well you are."</p> + +<p>"If you have any threats to make, I will not remain."</p> + +<p>"Let me speak only the truth," said Pillgrim, as he +looked at his watch. "In twenty minutes from now, we +shall all be in kingdom come."<span class="pagenum">[168]</span></p> + +<p>There was a malignant smile on the face of the traitor +as he spoke, and it was plain to Somers that the villain did +not speak without a cause.</p> + +<p>"Somers, you have beaten me in the last game we +played. I shall beat in the next one."</p> + +<p>"I told you I did not come here to listen to threats."</p> + +<p>"You will be a dead man in seventeen minutes, Somers," +continued Pillgrim, glancing at his watch again. +"I could not deny myself the satisfaction of informing +you of the fact. But, Somers, you will have the pleasure +of knowing that I shall share your fate."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, you villain?" demanded Somers, +horrified by the thought suggested by the traitor's +words.</p> + +<p>"Gently, my dear fellow. Don't use hard words. +But I am glad to see you are moved. Ah, Somers, I +have you now," said the wretch, in mocking tones.</p> + +<p>"Speak!" roared Somers, drawing his pistol.</p> + +<p>"Shoot me, Somers. I will thank you if you will. +It is better to be shot dead, than to be blown up, mangled, +and then, after enduring a moment or an hour of +agony, to be drowned. Fire, Somers!"</p> + +<p>He restored the revolver to his belt, appalled by the +terrible picture which the villain painted.</p> + +<p>"Somers, I did leave my state-room. I was not willing +to acknowledge it before your crew."</p> + +<p>"How?"<span class="pagenum">[169]</span></p> + +<p>"I have not time to explain. There are but ten +minutes of life left to you and me. We will not waste +them in what is of so little consequence to either of us. +You know of what the cargo of the Ben Nevis is composed?"</p> + +<p>"I do—of arms, ammunition, and provisions."</p> + +<p>"Correct; the ammunition is stowed in the after part +of the ship—under us, in fact. Captain Walmsley and +myself have laid a train by which the vessel will be +blown up when four bells strike. It wants five minutes +of the time. Captain Walmsley is in a position where +he can hear the bell," continued Pillgrim with perfect +coolness.</p> + +<p>"Marine," said Somers, opening the door.</p> + +<p>"Here, sir," responded the man.</p> + +<p>"Pass the word for the quartermaster to strike four +bells, instantly," added the young commander. "I am +ready, Mr. Pillgrim."</p> + +<p>The traitor looked aghast.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[170]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<p class="h3">CAPTAIN WALMSLEY.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pillgrim, I am not to be intimidated +by any such stuff," said Somers, when he +had ordered the bells to be struck, which +would produce the explosion.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Captain Walmsley will not think it best to +fire the ammunition at the moment agreed upon; some +discretion on this point was left with him; but I assure +you, on my word and honor, that the train is laid +which will blow up the Ben Nevis," said Pillgrim, +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"If you had not mentioned the name of Captain +Walmsley, I might have believed you. As it is, I do not. +Your word and honor do not weigh much with me."</p> + +<p>"Don't insult me."</p> + +<p>"I simply speak the truth. There! do you hear four +bells?"</p> + +<p>"I do; and if you are not blown up in half a minute, +you may thank Captain Walmsley for his moderation."<span class="pagenum">[171]</span></p> + +<p>"He is not villain enough to destroy the lives of forty +men, his own people as well as mine, to gratify your +malice and revenge. I give you <i>my</i> word and honor +that he will do nothing of the kind."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim looked hard at him, and seemed to be slightly +disconcerted by the obstinacy of Somers.</p> + +<p>"If he will not, I will!" said he, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"I purpose to put you in irons, when you have said +all you have to say."</p> + +<p>"In irons, Somers!" exclaimed the traitor, springing +to his feet, his face flushed with indignation.</p> + +<p>"Since you are open enough to announce your intentions, +it is plainly my duty to defeat them. Acknowledge +that your plot to blow up the vessel is a mere scare, and +I may spare you this indignity."</p> + +<p>"You will find that it is a reality."</p> + +<p>"Why don't it blow up, then?"</p> + +<p>"It will, as soon as Captain Walmsley is ready. The +Ben Nevis shall not again go into a Yankee port as a +prize. Mark my words."</p> + +<p>"Captain Somers," called Mr. Hudson.</p> + +<p>"What is wanted?"</p> + +<p>"The men in the hold report a smell of fire there."</p> + +<p>"I will be with you soon," replied Somers, convinced +by this message that there was some foundation for the +threats of the traitor. "Go into the hold, Mr. Hudson, +and find the fire, if there is any."<span class="pagenum">[172]</span></p> + +<p>He was cool, and did not permit the wretch before +him to see a muscle of his face move.</p> + +<p>"There is fire there, Somers," said Pillgrim. "I +know just where it is. In a few minutes it will reach +the ammunition boxes."</p> + +<p>"Corporal," said Somers, opening the door again.</p> + +<p>"Here, sir."</p> + +<p>"Put the prisoner in irons, hands and feet," continued +Somers.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that, Mr. Somers?" asked Pillgrim, +quivering with emotion.</p> + +<p>"I do mean it, and I shall stand by till it is done."</p> + +<p>"Will you leave me in the midst of the fire, ironed +hand and foot?"</p> + +<p>"I will. You kindled the fire; and if you perish by +it, blame yourself."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim attempted to resist the execution of the order, +but the marines were resolute, and he was fully ironed +in spite of his struggles.</p> + +<p>"Now lock him in," said Somers.</p> + +<p>"One word, Mr. Somers."</p> + +<p>"Not another word;" and the young commander hastened +from the state-room, and made his way to the scene +of peril in the hold.</p> + +<p>He did not believe that even Pillgrim was stupid +enough to blow up the Ben Nevis for mere revenge; and +Captain Walmsley certainly would do nothing of the<span class="pagenum">[173]</span> +kind, for he could have no strong feeling on the subject, +at least not enough to sacrifice the lives of himself and +his crew.</p> + +<p>There was a smell of fire in the hold—the hold filled +with powder, shells, and other combustibles. This fact +tended to confirm the statement of the wretch; yet Somers +was incredulous. When he reached the scene of +danger he found the officers and the men timid about +proceeding far into the hold, for if there was fire, there +must soon be an explosion.</p> + +<p>"Follow me, my men!" said he, as he walked aft on +the cargo.</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" cheerfully responded the men,—for +the American seaman will go anywhere an officer will +lead him.</p> + +<p>In the after part of the hold there was a dense smoke +and a strong smell of fire.</p> + +<p>"Keep back! You are all dead men!" shouted Captain +Walmsley, as Somers advanced and discovered the +speaker seated on a box.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here?" demanded Somers.</p> + +<p>"I am going to blow up the steamer," replied the captain, +who held in his hand a tin pan filled with burning +oakum, chips, and other combustible material.</p> + +<p>"Well, why don't you do it, then?" said Somers.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, Mr. Somers, don't stay here," +pleaded Mr. Hudson.<span class="pagenum">[174]</span></p> + +<p>"You needn't, if you are afraid," replied he, coolly.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, in one instant I can blow the Ben +Nevis all to pieces," said Captain Walmsley, with a +proper exhibition of tragic adjuncts.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you do it, then?"</p> + +<p>"I am willing to give you one chance to save your +lives."</p> + +<p>"You are very considerate. Mr. Pillgrim was going +to blow her up for my special benefit."</p> + +<p>"If you think I am not in earnest, you are greatly +mistaken," continued the captain, as he stirred up the +burning substances in the pan.</p> + +<p>"I see you are in earnest, and I am waiting for you +to blow her up."</p> + +<p>"I will give you ten minutes to save your lives; for I +have sworn this vessel shall never go into port as a +prize. You and your people can take to the boats and +save yourselves."</p> + +<p>"Will you blow her up when we are gone?"</p> + +<p>"I will."</p> + +<p>"I have had quite enough of this, Captain Walmsley," +said Somers, advancing to the fire king, revolver in +hand. "Now go on deck, or I will blow your brains +out, if you have any."</p> + +<p>The captain looked at the revolver, and he might as +well have acknowledged his defeat, for his face proclaimed +it.<span class="pagenum">[175]</span></p> + +<p>"If I should drop this into the cargo, it would blow +up the ship."</p> + +<p>"No, it wouldn't. There are nothing but solid shot +and shell under you," replied Somers; and perhaps his +coolness and self-possession were in a great measure due +to his knowledge of this fact, for he had carefully inspected +the cargo immediately after the capture of the +vessel.</p> + +<p>Captain Walmsley, with the blazing censer in his hand, +made his way over the boxes, bales, and barrels which +lay above the heavy articles, to the hatchway. The pan +and its contents were thrown overboard, and the men +informed that there was no danger. The captain was +ordered into the cabin, where he was put in double irons, +as his fellow-conspirator had been. He protested, at +first, against this indignity. Then he begged, declaring +that Mr. Pillgrim was the author of the plot by which +it was intended to recapture the steamer. It was fully +believed that Somers and his crew would abandon the +vessel as soon as it was announced that there was fire in +the hold, knowing that her cargo would readily explode.</p> + +<p>Captain Walmsley declared that Pillgrim was a fool; +if he had kept still till the fire was discovered, instead +of declaiming over it beforehand, the plan would have +succeeded. Somers doubted it; and when the humiliated +captain was ironed, he was sent into his state-room, and +a sentinel placed at his door. This business was hardly<span class="pagenum">[176]</span> +completed before the marine in charge of Pillgrim informed +Somers that his prisoner wished to speak with +him. The request was peremptorily refused.</p> + +<p>"There, Mr. Hudson, I think we have fixed those fellows +so that we shall know where to find them when we +want them," said Somers, when the conspirators had +been disposed of.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and if any other man had been in charge +of this vessel, he would have lost her, Captain Somers. +I should have voted for abandoning her as soon as I was +satisfied that she was on fire."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I should, if I had not known the powder +and shells were in the fore hold. But I did not believe +the villains had pluck enough to blow themselves up for +the sake of blowing me up. If there had been any real +danger, they would have been the first to run away."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I think you have managed them exceedingly +well."</p> + +<p>Somers was perfectly willing he should think so, and +perhaps he thought so himself. At any rate, he was +heartily rejoiced to get out of the scrape so easily, and +fully resolved that the conspirators should have no further +opportunity to exercise their talents at plotting on +board the Ben Nevis.</p> + +<p>There was a mystery still unsolved to the young officer, +and with Mr. Hudson he repaired to the state-room +in which Pillgrim had passed the night,—or ought to<span class="pagenum">[177]</span> +have passed it,—and commenced a further examination. +There was nothing supernatural, or even very remarkable, +in the absence of the prisoner, when the carpet was +pulled up, and a square aperture, now closed by a pine +board, was discovered in the corner of the room. In +the ceiling there was a similar aperture, which had been +filled up to correspond with the deck above. It was evident +that a ventilator, which had been used to convey +fresh air to the after hold, had been removed at some +recent period.</p> + +<p>As Captain Walmsley had indicated this state-room for +the use of Pillgrim, it was probable that he had chosen +it on account of this means of egress. Some time in the +night he must have visited the prisoner, entering through +this aperture, and conducted him to the hold below.</p> + +<p>In the fine weather and smooth sea the Ben Nevis +nearly made good the claim of the conspirators in regard +to her speed, for all day she logged fifteen knots, and at +three bells in the first dog watch Cape Henry was +sighted, and at ten o'clock in the evening she anchored +off Fortress Monroe.</p> + +<p>By the first conveyance Mr. Hudson was sent to Washington +with the despatches of Captain Cascabel, and one +from Somers. On the second day the messenger returned, +with orders from the department. The young +officer took the bundle of documents into the cabin, and +proceeded to examine those directed to himself. He was<span class="pagenum">[178]</span> +ordered to hand his prisoners over to the commandant of +the fort, to deliver his vessel into the keeping of the senior +naval officer on the station, and to rejoin his ship forthwith, +taking passage in a supply steamer to sail on the +following day. He was highly commended for the skill +and energy with which he had discharged his duty on +board the Ben Nevis, full particulars of which had been +communicated by Mr. Hudson.</p> + +<p>Another document contained his commission as master, +the next rank above that of ensign, which had been +solicited by Captain Cascabel. This paper was full of +interest to the recipient of it, and he was obliged to open +the long letters he had written to his mother and to Kate +Portington, in order to add, in a postscript, this important +intelligence. He was proud and happy, and more +than ever satisfied that republics are not ungrateful, notwithstanding +the tradition to the contrary.</p> + +<p>At the proper time he proceeded to execute his orders +in regard to the vessel and the prisoners. Pillgrim and +his fellow-conspirator were brought on deck. The former +looked easy and defiant, as usual, and assured his +captor that he should be at liberty in a few days.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not," said Somers.</p> + +<p>"You shall yet be cheated of your victim, but I shall +not be cheated of mine," said he, with a malignant smile.</p> + +<p>"I bear you no malice, Mr. Pillgrim."</p> + +<p>"I do bear you malice; and the heaviest revenge that<span class="pagenum">[179]</span> +ever fell on man shall fall on you before the end of this +year."</p> + +<p>"Your threats are idle. I have heard too many of +them. Pass into the boat, if you please."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim and Walmsley went over the side, and the +boat pulled away. The chivalrous military officer removed +the irons from their legs and arms as soon as he +received them.</p> + +<p>The Ben Nevis was to be sent to New York to be condemned, +and Somers handed her over to the naval officer, +according to his orders.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[180]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<p class="h3">OFF MOBILE BAY.</p> + +<p>Somers was now entirely relieved from duty. +He had delivered up the prize and handed the +prisoners over to the proper officers. On the +following day he went on shore to spend a few hours before +the supply steamer sailed. On visiting the fortress, +he received the astonishing intelligence that Mr. Pillgrim +had escaped from the officer having him in charge, even +before he had been placed in the casement appropriated +to his use. Somers had cautioned the lieutenant to whom +he had delivered him, of the danger of removing the +irons, but his advice had not been heeded. The careless +officer was now under arrest for his neglect of duty.</p> + +<p>By none was this unfortunate event more deeply regretted +than by him who had been the means of foiling +the schemes of the traitor and handing him over to the +custody of the government. Pillgrim had boasted that +he would soon be at liberty. He was certainly a talented +and a daring fellow; and to handle him safely, it +was necessary to understand him thoroughly. Somers<span class="pagenum">[181]</span> +had a suspicion that the officer from whom the wretch +escaped was bribed by his prisoner; but of course there +could be no evidence on this interesting point.</p> + +<p>A careful search had been made by the garrison of the +fort, but without success. Pillgrim was dressed in the +full uniform of a naval lieutenant, and in this garb his +ingenuity would enable him to pass the military lines, if +indeed he was not provided with the means of doing so +by the faithless officer in charge of him. The prisoner +had escaped on the preceding day, and there was now +little hope of recapturing him; but Somers gave such +information as he possessed in regard to the fugitive. +Captain Walmsley had been less fortunate, and was still +in durance.</p> + +<p>The story of the traitor's escape was a very simple +one. When the boat which had conveyed the prisoners +from the steamer to the shore reached the pier, and they +had landed, Walmsley began to protest against his confinement, +being a British subject. He insisted upon +seeing the commandant of the fortress; and while everybody +was listening to this debate, Pillgrim slipped into +the crowd and disappeared, passing the sentinels, who +had no suspicion that he was a prisoner, without a challenge. +Immediate search was made for him; but he +must have taken to the water, since there was no other +place of concealment which was not examined. A +calker's stage was moored to the shore near the pier, and<span class="pagenum">[182]</span> +it was afterwards surmised that he had crawled under +this, securing a position so that his head was out of +water, and remained there till evening.</p> + +<p>He was gone, and that was all it was necessary to +know. The officer who had permitted him to escape +would be court-martialed and broken, and that would be +the end of it. At noon, as Somers was about to embark +on the supply steamer, a letter was handed to him, which +had been brought in by a contraband. The negro said +it had been handed to him by "a gemman wid de anchors +on his shoulders," whom he had met on the road +to Williamsburg, nine miles from the fort.</p> + +<p>The epistle was from Pillgrim, as Somers would have +known from the writing, without the contraband's description +of the person who had given it to him. He +put it in his pocket, and did not open it till he had taken +possession of his state-room on board the steamer. He +was confident that it contained nothing but threats and +abuse, and he felt but little interest in its contents. The +writer, chagrined at the failure of his plot, was running +over with evil thoughts and malicious purposes. Somers +opened the letter and read as follows:—</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">Old Point Comfort</span>, July 14.<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Somers</span>: You have been promoted. You remind me +of the fable. The goat went down into the well. The +fox sprang upon his horns and leaped out. You are the +fox; you jumped over my head; you went up; you are<span class="pagenum">[183]</span> +a master now. I congratulate you. You are the only +man in the world I hate.</p> + +<p>The Tallahassee is doing a good business for the +South. She has captured fifty vessels. The Ben Nevis +was her sister. You have her. There are more of the +same family. You believe I am used up. No. I write +this letter to inform you that I am not even singed yet, +say nothing of being burned out. I shall be afloat soon. +The Ben Lomond, twin sister of the Ben Nevis and the +Tallahassee, will be at work in a fortnight. She will +then be called the Tallapoosa. Look out for her.</p> + +<p>The Ben Nevis was captured; my agents bought her +again. The Ben Lomond is now at—you wish you +knew where! I shall command her. I could not resist +the temptation to inform you of my plan. I know you +will enjoy my prospects!</p> + +<p>You would like to make a little arrangement for the +capture of the Ben Lomond. I wish you might. You +will hear of her on the broad ocean in a few weeks,—capturing, +burning, bonding Yankee ships. It will please +you to read the papers then! I shall strike for a California +steamer. Her treasure will make good my losses.</p> + +<p>I am so anxious to meet you again that I am tempted +to tell you where my ship is. I would like to meet you +on her quarter deck. You are a remarkably enterprising +fellow; perhaps we shall meet. If we do, I should feel +justified in hanging you at the yard-arm. You belong<span class="pagenum">[184]</span> +to the South. You accepted a commission in her navy. +You betrayed your trust. I shall <i>endeavor</i> to see you +again.</p> + +<p>Give my regards to the officers of the Chatauqua. +Inform them of my present brilliant prospects. Remember +me kindly to Kate Portington. Possibly she may be +a little <i>chilly</i> when you see her again.</p> + +<p>If you capture the Ben Lomond, otherwise the Tallapoosa, +it would make you a lieutenant. Do it by all +means.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">Pillgrim.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Somers read this singular letter three times before he +could form an opinion whether or not its statements were +mere idle boasts, and whether or not they had a foundation +of truth. Was there any such vessel in existence +as the Ben Lomond? This was the interesting and important +question to him. At this time the Tallahassee +was making fearful ravages among the shipping on the +coast, and the success and impunity with which she carried +on her depredations offered plenty of encouragement +for the rebels to send forth similar vessels, if they could +obtain them.</p> + +<p>The Ben Nevis had been named after a mountain in +Scotland; Ben Lomond was the name of another. The +former was a Clyde-built vessel, and it would have been +natural to give these twin names to twin steamers. Pillgrim, +in the character of "Coles," had given him a<span class="pagenum">[185]</span> +certain amount of correct information in respect to the +Ben Nevis, though he had deceived him in regard to her +destination. He had obtained this knowledge by accident, +and the Ben Nevis had been captured.</p> + +<p>To Somers there appeared to be a strong probability +that the statements contained in the letter were wholly or +partially true. There were only two rebel ports into +which it was possible for the Ben Lomond to have run—Mobile +and Wilmington. The conspirators had told +him that the Ben Nevis was bound to Mobile when she +was actually going to Wilmington. Pillgrim, in his letter, +declared that he was to command the Tallapoosa. +If there was any plan at all, of course it had been laid +before the Chatauqua sailed from Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>Why did Pillgrim start for Mobile in the Chatauqua? +Was it not possible that he intended, as second lieutenant +of a national ship, to obtain the means of getting the +Ben Lomond, or Tallapoosa, through the blockading fleet? +Did he not endeavor to involve the fourth lieutenant in +the meshes of the conspiracy for the purpose of obtaining +his assistance in this work? It was plausible. Perhaps +the recreant wretch had left some papers in his state-room +on board the Chatauqua, which would be intelligible +in the light which he could bring to bear upon +them.</p> + +<p>Bewildered and astonished by the prospect before him, +as he read the letter again and again, and considered its<span class="pagenum">[186]</span> +remarkable statements in connection with his previous +knowledge, Somers spent the whole afternoon in his +state-room, and was only aroused from his meditations +by the supper bell. In the evening he resumed his +study of the case, and tried to reconcile the theory he +had framed with reason and common sense. There was +nothing to conflict with this theory but the fact that Pillgrim +himself had given him the information upon which +it was based. The traitor would not intentionally betray +himself. Perhaps he did not expect his statements would +be credited; or if he did, he had twice before been +equally reckless.</p> + +<p>Then Somers attempted to analyze the mental constitution +of Pillgrim. The conspirator seemed to be able to +endure all misfortunes. The loss of the Ben Nevis had +not affected him, and he had endangered, defeated his plan +to recapture her by indulging in idle threats before the +match was applied. He had been more desirous of mortifying, +humiliating, and overwhelming Somers, than of +recovering his lost steamer. With great talents for +scheming and plotting, he had displayed the most amazing +stupidity.</p> + +<p>At this point the remark to the letter that Kate Portington +would be <i>chilly</i> when he saw her again, came up +for consideration. Pillgrim certainly had some purpose +in view which was equal to, or greater than, his desire to +serve the South, or even himself, in a pecuniary point of<span class="pagenum">[187]</span> +view. He was the friend of the commodore—had known +the family before the war. Somers could not help believing +that, in spite of his thirty-five years, he was an +aspirant for the hand of Kate, and that the bond he had +signed was for her use rather than his own.</p> + +<p>Miss Portington might well be <i>chilly</i>, if she discovered +that Somers had pledged a part of her fortune at the +present stage of proceedings!</p> + +<p>Somers was nervous and uneasy until he had reasoned +and coaxed himself into a full belief in the theory which +he had suggested. He could not wait for evidence, if, +indeed, any could be obtained. For the present he was +satisfied, and determined to proceed upon his hypothesis, +just as though every point in the argument had been +fully substantiated.</p> + +<p>Our young officer was never idle when it was possible +to work. If any of our readers believe that Somers was +very "smart," very skilful, and very fortunate in his +previous career, we beg to remind them, and to impress +it upon their minds in the most forcible manner, that he +owed more to his industry and perseverance than to the +accidents of natural ability and favorable circumstances +combined. For example, when he captured the Ben +Nevis, instead of gaping idly about the deck, and thinking +what a great man he was, he went into the hold, and +made a careful examination of the steamer's cargo. The +knowledge thus gained had prevented him from abandoning<span class="pagenum">[188]</span> +the vessel when she was believed to be on fire, and +thus saved the prize and confounded the conspirators.</p> + +<p>Somers was not idle now. He procured "Blunt's +Coast Pilot," and "A Chart of the North Coast of the +Gulf of Mexico, from St. Mark's to Galveston," of the +captain of the steamer, and diligently studied up, and +even committed to memory, the bearings, distances, and +depths of water in Mobile Bay and vicinity. He carefully +trained his mind on these matters so important to a +seaman; and being blessed with a retentive memory, he +hoped and expected to have this knowledge at command +when it should be serviceable. It was hard study—the +hardest and dryest kind of study; but he stuck to it as +though it had been a bewitching novel.</p> + +<p>To assist his design he drew maps and charts of the +coast from memory, and was not satisfied till he could +make a perfect diagram of the coast, shoals, islands, and +bars, mark the prominent objects to be sighted from a +vessel, and lay down the depth of water. He had nothing +else to do on the passage; and as the steamer glided +swiftly over the summer sea, he found it a more agreeable +occupation than smoking, playing cards, and "spinning +yarns," which were the employments of his fellow-passengers.</p> + +<p>On the eighth day from Fortress Monroe the supply +steamer reached the blockading fleet off Mobile Bay, and +Somers was warmly welcomed by his brother officers.<span class="pagenum">[189]</span> +Of course he had a long story to tell, which was listened +to with interest. The escape of the late second lieutenant +was received with becoming indignation. Somers +was now the third lieutenant of the Chatauqua, and he +moved into the state-room formerly occupied by Mr. +Garboard, who had also advanced one grade in his relative +rank.</p> + +<p>"Somers, you are just in time for a big thing," said +Mr. Hackleford. "Our Brave Old Salt is going to take +us up Mobile Bay in a few days."</p> + +<p>"Indeed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, the Old Salamander has issued his orders."</p> + +<p>"God bless him!" ejaculated Somers, fervently, in +much the same spirit that a loyal subject speaks of a +popular monarch.</p> + +<p>"Ay, God bless him!" replied the first lieutenant. +"He is the ablest naval commander the world has yet +produced. In my opinion he is the superior of Nelson, +Collingwood, Decatur, Porter, Preble, and Hull. By the +way, Mr. Somers, you were with him on the Mississippi?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I was in the Harrisburg when the fleet +passed Forts Jackson and St. Philip. But I am rather +sorry the attack is to take place so soon."</p> + +<p>"Why so?"</p> + +<p>Then Somers showed him Pillgrim's letter; but as we +intend to tell only what was done, not what was said, we +will not record the conversation.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[190]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<p class="h3">BRAVE OLD SALT.</p> + +<p>The most extensive and careful preparations were +in progress for the events which, a few days +later, astonished the world even more than the +splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans. +The squadron off the mouth of Mobile Bay had been +actively employed for several days in sending down top-masts, +superfluous spars, and rigging. Chain cables had +been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery +was exposed to injury from the shot and shell of +the fort. Chains and sand bags were placed on the +decks where plunging shot might disable the engines. +Boats were removed from the starboard to the port sides, +for the fleet was to go in with Fort Morgan on the right, +and close aboard of them.</p> + +<p>The preparations were advancing when Somers reported +on board of the Chatauqua, and of course he at +once experienced the inspiration of coming events. If +there was any man in the navy whom he admired and +reverenced, that man was Admiral Farragut. It is true,<span class="pagenum">[191]</span> +he was not singular in this respect, for every man in the +fleet was equally devoted to him. The "Old Salamander," +who seemed never to be happier than when in the +midst of the hottest fire which the engines of modern +warfare could produce, was the idol of both officers and +seamen. He was an honest, just, and humane man, one +who involuntarily won the respect of every person with +whom he came into contact.</p> + +<p>We were never more thoroughly impressed by the +honesty, justice, and humanity of a man, than when we +took the hand of this "Brave Old Salt." His expressive +eye, and his gentle, but dignified bearing, spoke more +truly and forcibly of what he was, than the most elaborate +biography which the pen of genius could produce. It +almost passes belief that men can stand up and work and +fight as officers and seamen worked and fought between +Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and at Mobile Bay; but +we can think of no better inspiration than the leadership +of such a man as Admiral Farragut.</p> + +<p>He was born in Tennessee—a southern state; his +home was in Virginia—a southern state—at the breaking +out of the rebellion. With all the motives which +actuated Lee and Johnston, Tatnall and Hollins, to induce +him to abandon the old flag under which he had +fought in early youth, and served through all his manhood, +he remained true to his country in the hour of her +severest trial. Neither bribes nor threats could move<span class="pagenum">[192]</span> +him, and not for one instant did he falter in his devotion +to the flag he had sworn to sustain against all foes. +Glory, honor, and immortality in the hearts of his countrymen +to the noble Admiral!</p> + +<p>As a naval commander, he has no rival in the past or +the present, in this or in any country. He has achieved, +once, twice, thrice, what any board of naval officers that +could have been convened from the boldest and most +skilful naval heroes of the united nations, would have +solemnly pronounced impossible. Chance might have +given him the Lower Mississippi—it did not; but it +could not have given him that and Mobile Bay, and the +brilliant exploits up the Great River. Chance is capricious; +it never metes out uniform success.</p> + +<p>Admiral Farragut is not simply a brave and skilful +seaman, for the stroke of genius shines out in all his battle +plans, in all his preparations, and in all his movements, +whether on the silent river, as his majestic ship +leads in the van to the conflict, or under the most deadly +and destructive fire that ever was rained down on a +wooden hull. "Brave Old Salt" in the main rigging of +the Hartford, as she breasted the storm of shot and shell +from Fort Morgan, is a spectacle more sublime than can +be presented in the annals of any other nation. The +position he chose for himself on that momentous occasion, +more truly indicates the key to his marvellous success +than any other fact in connection with the battle. He<span class="pagenum">[193]</span> +was not there to expose himself needlessly to deadly +peril; he was there to see and take advantage of the +issues of the battle.</p> + +<p>His position was a symbol of the intelligence and +bravery which won the great battle. He saw with his +own eyes—not with others; while his glorious personal +devotion was a type for every other man, which was +imitated from commodores down to powder-boys. We +read of a general who could not remember where he was +during one of the severest and most destructive fights of +the war. If he had been in a position corresponding to +that of the doughty old admiral, it would have been difficult +for him to forget it. But personal bravery alone +does not win the battle on the sea or the land. The +admiral's victories are due even more to his genius—to +his persevering industry in the elaboration of preparatory +details.</p> + +<p>"Brave Old Salt," as Somers always called him, was +our young officer's beau-ideal of a naval commander. +"Brave" he certainly was, and "Old Salt," to a sailor, +means something more than a long experience at sea. +It conveys to the nautical mind an idea of skill which no +"lubber" can possess. It was bravery, seamanship, +and those peculiar qualities which an "old salt" possesses, +that made him great on the quarter deck, in command +of a squadron.</p> + +<p>Somers's admiration for the commander-in-chief of the<span class="pagenum">[194]</span> +fleet off Mobile Bay was of no recent origin. Since he +had first known him as "Flag Officer Farragut" at +Ship Island, before the grade of Rear and Vice Admiral +had been created in our navy, he had reverenced him as +a superior man, and looked up to him with an almost +superstitious awe. He could hardly realize that they +were both of the same earthly mould, with the like human +hopes and aspirations. Though, for a young man +of his age, Somers regarded his rank of master as very +high, it did not permit him to abate one jot or tittle of +the distance which lay between him and the admiral. +He did not feel any better entitled to tread the same +deck with the glorious old hero, as a master, than he did +as an ordinary seaman.</p> + +<p>Somers returned to active duty as soon as he had +reported to the first lieutenant of the Chatauqua, and he +had the deck in the first dog watch on the day of his +arrival. During the afternoon watch he had had plenty +of time to report the incidents of his cruise in the Ben +Nevis. Mr. Hackleford had immediately communicated +to the captain the facts concerning Pillgrim's letter, and +the recreant lieutenant's papers had been carefully overhauled +in search of anything which would shed a ray of +light upon the statements of the strange letter.</p> + +<p>The only document which looked at all hopeful was a +note written in cipher, to which there was no key among +the papers. If the communication had been in Chinese<span class="pagenum">[195]</span> +or Chaldaic, there might have been a chance of unravelling +it; as it was, the note was written in arbitrary +characters, which were as cabalistic and unintelligible as +the Egyptian hieroglyphics. Somers was annoyed and +discomfited, for he had confidently reckoned upon finding +some letter which contained a hint to guide him. There +was nothing but this note in cipher.</p> + +<p>To add to his chagrin, Mr. Hackleford was utterly +sceptical in regard to Pillgrim's letter—did not believe +the first word of it—called it "gas," and declared that +it would be stupid and childish to pay the least attention +to the document. Captain Cascabel fully concurred with +him in this opinion, and both of them laughed at Somers +for bestowing a second thought upon it.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Mr. Somers!" exclaimed the first lieutenant. +"There isn't a single scintillation of truth in the +story. If there were even a glimmering of reality in the +thing, I would look into it."</p> + +<p>"But Mr. Pillgrim told me some truth in regard to the +Ben Nevis," argued Somers.</p> + +<p>"That is the best reason in the world for believing he +has not done so in this instance," said Mr. Hackleford.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must give up the idea, then."</p> + +<p>"You must, indeed. If you don't, I am afraid your reputation +for common sense and good judgment will suffer."</p> + +<p>"Will you allow me to take this letter in cipher, and +keep it till to-morrow?" asked Somers.</p> + +<p>"Certainly."<span class="pagenum">[196]</span></p> + +<p>Somers took the letter, and put it into his pocket until +he had an opportunity to study its mystic characters. +He was mortified by the rebuff he had received, but his +faith, though somewhat shaken, was not destroyed. He +was officer of the deck from four till six. Just before he +was relieved, he ordered the side to be manned to receive +the captain, who was just returning from a visit to the +flag-ship.</p> + +<p>As he touched his cap to Captain Cascabel, he noticed +a smile on his commander's face, which seemed to relate +to him, and he blushed beneath the pleasant, but expressive +glance bestowed upon him.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers," said the captain.</p> + +<p>The officer of the deck stepped forward, and saluted +the commander again.</p> + +<p>"You are invited to dine with Admiral Farragut to-morrow +afternoon."</p> + +<p>"I, sir!" exclaimed Somers, completely overwhelmed +by this remarkable declaration.</p> + +<p>"Rear Admiral Farragut presents his compliments to +Mr. Somers, and would be happy to see him at dinner +to-morrow, on board the Hartford."</p> + +<p>The captain passed on to the companion-way, leading +to his cabin, leaving Somers as bewildered as though he +had been invited to dine with Queen Victoria, Louis Napoleon, +and the Emperor of Russia; indeed, he regarded +it as a much greater honor to dine with "Brave Old<span class="pagenum">[197]</span> +Salt," than to put his feet under the mahogany of the +mightiest crowned head of the world. It was evident +that somebody had been talking to the admiral about +him; the captain and the first lieutenant of the Chatauqua +certainly felt kindly enough towards him to do so.</p> + +<p>To dine with Admiral Farragut! That was glory +enough for a lifetime; or at least to be deemed worthy +of such a distinction. Our friend Somers was no snob; +he "looked up" to great people, especially to those who +were really great. He pretended to no familiarity with +his superiors, though some of the officers were dying with +envy at the notice taken of him by the captain and first +lieutenant of the ship. He did not assume to be familiar +with men who had won a deathless fame in defending +their country's cause. Perhaps there was not an officer +in the fleet who would so highly appreciate such a compliment +as that of which he was now the happy recipient.</p> + +<p>When he was relieved from the deck, and went down +into the ward-room, the news had gone before him, +and the "idlers" there congratulated him upon his +rising fame. But Somers broke away from them as soon +as he could decently do so, and shut himself up in his +state-room. He was actually dizzy at the idea of sitting +down at the table with "Brave Old Salt" in the cabin +of the Hartford; and though he took the cabalistic note +of Mr. Pillgrim from his pocket, at least half an hour was +wasted before he could apply his mind undividedly to the<span class="pagenum">[198]</span> +difficult problem before him. Finally, the hope of making +a grand revelation to the admiral on the morrow fired his +zeal to such a pitch that the work looked like play to him.</p> + +<p>Somers opened the mysterious document and spread it +out on the desk, at which he seated himself. It looked +dark and hopeless, with its dots and dashes, its horizontals +and perpendiculars, its curves and crosses. We present +the note in full, that our readers may be able to +appreciate the difficulty of the task he had undertaken.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img class="border2" src="images/ill-206.jpg" width="400" height="407" alt="" /> +</div><span class="pagenum">[199]</span> + +<p>If Somers had been a student of the occult sciences, he +might have been more hopeful. An hour's hard study +brought a gleam of light. He thought the note must be +signed by Langdon. There were seven letters in the +signature. This was his first ray of hope. He then +placed all the letters of the alphabet in a column, and +against each made the character that represented it in +the cipher. Six letters were thus interpreted.</p> + +<p>The next step was to place each of the letters thus discovered +over its sign in the note. The second and third +words of the epistle then stood, the eights being for +undiscovered letters, as follows: 88nxlo8ond.</p> + +<p>"Ben Lomond!" exclaimed Somers, as he gave a +smart rap on the desk to indicate his joy at the +discovery.</p> + +<p>Three more letters were gained, and the oblique cross +was only a mark to divide the words. The three letters +before Ben Lomond must be, t h e. The solution began +to be easy, though it required a long time to reach it. +At midnight, when he was called to take the mid watch, +he had it written out as follows:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="author1"> +<i>Washington, Twentieth of June.</i><br /> +</p> + +<p><i>The Ben Lomond is at Mobile, fitting out. Mallory +gives you the command. The forts will be attacked by the +first of August. You must get her out before that time.</i></p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap"><i>Langdon.</i></span><br /> +</p> +</blockquote> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[200]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE BOAT EXPEDITION.</p> + +<p>At general quarters, on the following day, Somers +looked somewhat care-worn. It was midnight +when he had worked out the solution of the +cipher, and at this hour he had been called to +take the mid watch. But there was no happier or more +exultant man in the fleet. His conquest over the cabalistic +letter had confirmed his theory. The Ben Lomond +was not a myth, and she was at Mobile. Pillgrim had +expressed a desire to see Somers again, and there was a +fair prospect that he might yet be able to do so.</p> + +<p>The important event of this day was the dinner with +"Brave Old Salt." But the letter and the dinner seemed +to be inseparably connected. Somers had given the +translation to the first lieutenant, who, to the chagrin +and mortification of the persevering student, did not +appear to attach much importance to the letter.</p> + +<p>"If the Tallapoosa, or Ben Lomond, is in the bay, +we shall soon have her," said Mr. Hackleford, "for we +are going to make the attack on the forts within a few +days."<span class="pagenum">[201]</span></p> + +<p>"The attack may fail, and thus afford an opportunity +for the cruiser to come out," suggested Somers.</p> + +<p>"Fail?"</p> + +<p>The third lieutenant of the Chatauqua stood abashed +before the look of his superior. He did not believe that +any attack made by Admiral Farragut could fail, but it +was possible for the Confederate steamer to run the +blockade, as hundreds had done before her, especially as +she could steam sixteen knots.</p> + +<p>"I don't think the attack will fail, sir; but even a victory +might afford the Ben Lomond a chance to run out."</p> + +<p>"I don't think there is much chance; but Captain Cascabel +has your solution of the letter under consideration. +Perhaps the admiral may have something to say about it."</p> + +<p>Somers was not satisfied with the reception given to +his revelation. He had already formed a plan for ascertaining +where the Ben Lomond was, but the cool manner +in which his communication was received prevented him +from even mentioning it.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, the captain's gig came up to the +accommodation ladder, and the commander, attended by +Somers, seated himself in the stern-sheets. Captain +Cascabel was received with due honors on the quarter +deck of the Hartford, where the gallant admiral was +walking at the time.</p> + +<p>When his superior had been welcomed with dignified +cordiality, Captain Cascabel introduced Somers. The +<a id="Page_202"></a><span class="pagenum">[202]</span> +admiral bowed, smiled pleasantly, and did not look +patronizingly upon the young officer, as he might have +been pardoned for doing. As he stood there on the quarter +deck of the flag-ship, he was full of genuine dignity +and true manliness—a noble representative of the American +naval commander. He was of medium stature, +well formed, and of elegant proportions. He seemed to +be made of nerves and muscles, and when he moved +there was an elastic spring to his frame, which impressed +the observer with the idea of energy and vigor. He did +not appear to stand on the deck, but to be poised independently +in the air, resting on the planks beneath him +more because it was the fashion to do so, than because +he had any need of such support.</p> + +<p>Somers removed his cap, made his best bow, and +blushed like a summer rose. He was deeply impressed +by the glance of the admiral, and the atmosphere around +him seemed to be full of the man at whom he gazed in +reverent admiration.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I am happy to see you," said the admiral, +in a tone so gentle and affable that it seemed to +remove the "curse" of greatness far from him. "I +have heard of you before, and I doubt not we shall be +able to make you very useful to your country."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," replied Somers, not daring to say +any more, and with the feeling of his childhood, that +"boys ought to be seen, not heard."<span class="pagenum">[203]</span></p> + +<p>The admiral, with this judicious commendation, turned +to Captain Cascabel, and opened conversation with him, +evidently determined not to spoil the young man by +taking too much notice of him. Somers was soon at +home with the officers of the Hartford, and behaved himself +with becoming modesty and discretion. He dined +with the admiral, several other officers of distinction +being present. The conversation at the table, singularly +enough, it may appear to our readers, did not relate to +the war, or even to the navy. These topics appeared to +be carefully excluded, though the reserve on this occasion +was probably accidental.</p> + +<p>Somers found sufficient pleasure in looking at and +listening to the admiral, and the other distinguished officers, +though he was not ignored, being kindly encouraged, +by an occasional question, to use his voice. But he was +not forward, and his very nature prevented him from +indulging in any of that impudent familiarity which is so +offensive to elderly men, especially if they occupy high +positions.</p> + +<p>After dinner, a matter of business came up, and it +soon appeared that Captain Cascabel had given the admiral +all the particulars relating to the Ben Lomond, including +the letter in cipher, which Somers had interpreted. +The conversation took place in private, with only the +three persons present who were most intimately concerned. +The letter was exhibited, and its solution explained.<span class="pagenum">[204]</span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, what is your plan? I am informed +that you have one," said the admiral.</p> + +<p>"I have one, sir, but I hardly hope it will merit your +approbation," replied the third lieutenant of the Chatauqua.</p> + +<p>"We will hear it, if you please. By the way, our +picket boats report that a steamer came down the bay +this morning, and moored inside the Middle Ground. It +may be the one mentioned in your letter—the Tallapoosa."</p> + +<p>"Probably it is, sir. She can now only be waiting +the arrival of Lieutenant Pillgrim, who is to command +her."</p> + +<p>"We must capture that man. State your plan, Mr. +Somers."</p> + +<p>The young officer, with no little trepidation, related +the particulars of the method he had considered for the +capture of the Ben Lomond.</p> + +<p>"Very daring and impudent, Mr. Somers," said the +admiral, as he glanced with a meaning smile at Captain +Cascabel.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers's <i>forte</i> is daring and impudence. But +his scheme, besides being based on mere theory, is absolutely +fool-hardy," added the captain, throwing a whole +bucket of cold water on the young officer's prospects.</p> + +<p>"I do not wholly agree with you, captain. By the +report of the picket boats, there is certainly a sea-going<span class="pagenum">[205]</span> +steamer in the bay. That, in a measure, confirms Mr. +Somers's theory. Now, if the vessel is there, the young +man may bring her out if he has the ability to do so."</p> + +<p>"What force do you require, Mr. Somers?"</p> + +<p>"The first cutter of the Chatauqua, and twenty-four +men."</p> + +<p>"You shall have them, Mr. Somers," said the admiral. +"Instead of the first cutter, I suggest a whale-boat, +which will not be much more than half as heavy."</p> + +<p>"That would be better, sir," replied Somers, hardly +able to conceal the joy and exultation he felt at the prospect +of being permitted to carry out his plan.</p> + +<p>"Captain, you will permit Mr. Somers to pick his +men, and afford him every facility for the execution of +his purpose."</p> + +<p>"I will, with pleasure, sir."</p> + +<p>"When do you wish to begin, Mr. Somers?" asked +the admiral.</p> + +<p>"To-night, sir."</p> + +<p>"Very well. The monitors haven't arrived, captain, +and it may be a fortnight before we make the attack on +the forts. The steamer may run out in a fog or storm +before that time, and I think we do well to prevent +another Tuscaloosa from preying on the commerce of the +country."</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly, sir, if we can."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers's scheme may possibly succeed, though I<span class="pagenum">[206]</span> +do not think his chances of cutting out the steamer +are very encouraging."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid not, admiral," answered Captain Cascabel, +incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, your reputation would be seriously +damaged by the failure of your enterprise. Your officers +would be more unwilling to trust you than they are +now if you should meet with a disaster."</p> + +<p>"I could not complain. I do not intend to meet with +any disaster. If I do nothing better, I shall bring my +men back with me."</p> + +<p>The admiral laughed, and seemed to be pleased with +this confidence, while Captain Cascabel shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, the risk is very great. You and your +men may be prisoners in Fort Morgan within twenty-four +hours. A failure would damage, if not ruin you. +Are you still ready to undertake the work?" asked the +admiral.</p> + +<p>"I am, sir."</p> + +<p>"Remember that everything depends upon yourself. +My best wishes for your success go with you."</p> + +<p>Somers needed no better inspiration, and his frame +seemed to jerk and spring like that of Brave Old Salt, +when he realized that he was actually to undertake his +cherished purpose.</p> + +<p>The gig pulled back to the Chatauqua, and Somers +immediately commenced his preparations. The cordial<span class="pagenum">[207]</span> +indorsement of the admiral was enough to silence all +opposition, and to "put a stopper on the jaw-tackle of +all croakers." He was earnestly seconded by the captain +and his officers. In a short time a light whale-boat was +towed up, and made fast to the boom.</p> + +<p>Somers's first duty was to select his crew. He was to +engage in a desperate enterprise, and everything must +depend upon the skill and bravery, as well as the silence +and discretion, of his force. The first person selected +was the boatswain, Tom Longstone, who, being better +acquainted with the qualities of the seamen, was intrusted +with the selection of the boat's crew. Just as +soon as it was discovered that some daring enterprise +was to be undertaken by the third lieutenant, he was +beset by eager applicants for a place in the boat. Acting +ensigns, masters' mates, midshipmen, indeed, all the +officers below Somers in rank, begged to be appointed.</p> + +<p>The young commander of the expedition was prudent +and cautious, and he accepted the services of none. +Tom Longstone was the only officer to accompany him. +The boatswain would obey his orders without asking any +questions, or bothering him with any advice.</p> + +<p>"There, Mr. Somers, I have picked out the twenty-four +best men in the ship—men that will work, fight, +and hold their tongues," said Boatswain Longstone, +when he had executed the important trust committed +to him.<span class="pagenum">[208]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you, boatswain. What do you think of the +weather?"</p> + +<p>"It's going to be a nasty night."</p> + +<p>"So much the better. Let every man take his pea-jacket; +apply to the armorer for revolvers and cutlasses +for each of them."</p> + +<p>"A howitzer, Mr. Somers?"</p> + +<p>"No; we must go as light as possible," replied Somers, +as he proceeded to instruct the boatswain in regard +to certain "slings" and other rigging that would be +wanted.</p> + +<p>Boatswain Longstone did not ask a single question +about the nature or object of the enterprise; and with +the exception of the admiral, and the captain and first +lieutenant of the Chatauqua, not a man in the fleet besides +Somers knew "what was up." It was necessary to +conduct the enterprise with the utmost caution and secrecy.</p> + +<p>The boatswain's predictions in regard to the weather +proved to be entirely correct, for at eight bells, when the +first watch was set, it was dark, foggy, and rainy. Somers +had calculated upon this weather, when he had so +promptly chosen the time for his venture. It was just +the night for a difficult and dangerous enterprise, and the +fog and the darkness were its best friends. While the +boatswain was carrying out the orders given him, Somers +had been engaged at the desk in his state-room, preparing<span class="pagenum">[209]</span> +for use certain papers, including his commander's +commission in the Confederate navy, and his letter of +instructions, intended for the Ben Nevis, or Louisiana. +With his knife he scratched, and with his pen he wrote, +until the documents suited his present purpose; and they +were placed in his pocket.</p> + +<p>At two bells—nine o'clock in the evening—while the +rain poured down in torrents, Somers embarked with his +force, consisting of Tom Longstone and twenty-four as +athletic and resolute fellows as ever pulled an oar or +handled a cutlass. The whale-boat was crowded, though +it was of the largest size, being thirty feet in length. +The oars were carefully muffled, and the seamen were +so disposed that the oarsmen could be relieved without +noise.</p> + +<p>Wrapping his overcoat closely around him, Somers +seated himself in the stern-sheets of the whale-boat, with +the boatswain at his side. Though profoundly impressed +by the magnitude and danger of the work in which he +was engaged, he could not help thinking of the changes +which had checkered his lot, since, two years before, he +had sat in the first cutter of the Harrisburg, as an ordinary +seaman. Now he was a master, and in command of +the expedition. Tom Longstone had been with him +then; he was with him now. In low tones, they talked +of that eventful night, and of the changes which had +occurred since that time.<span class="pagenum">[210]</span></p> + +<p>Somers was grateful for his advancement, and thanked +God that he had been enabled to perform his duty so as +to merit the favor of his superiors. And in the depths +of his heart he asked God to bless his present exertions +for the good of his country. He leaned on the Good +Father even in this exciting hour, and his religious faith +was the strength of his arm.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[211]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE PICKET BOAT.</p> + +<p>Through the deep darkness and the dense fog +the boat made its way. There was not an object +to be seen, on ship or shore, to guide its +course; and in front of Somers there was a patent binnacle, +whose lights were reflected on the compass, but +did not even soften the gloom without, into which he continued +to gaze with the most anxious solicitude. He had +carefully estimated the currents the whale-boat would +encounter, and calculated the force of the wind, so as +to determine her lee-way with the nicest practicable +accuracy.</p> + +<p>The young commander of the expedition hoped to +strike a certain point of the land to the eastward of the +fort on Mobile Point, distant five and a half miles from +the ship. Half a mile east or west of the desired point +might involve him in serious if not fatal difficulties, and +everything depended upon the accuracy of his calculations. +His early experience as a boatman at Pinchbrook +Harbor was of incalculable service to him, since nothing<span class="pagenum">[212]</span> +can supply the place of actual observation in the making +of such nice estimates as were required for success in the +present instance.</p> + +<p>The rain poured down in torrents, and the sea was +rough and uneasy; but Somers, never for an instant +turned aside from the grand object before him by the +discomforts of his situation, watched his compass and +closely observed every motion of the whale-boat. He +was fired with zeal, but he was not excited, for he knew +how much depended upon cool judgment and careful execution +of the details of his work.</p> + +<p>"Breakers ahead!" said the bowman, in a low tone; +and the words were passed aft to the officer.</p> + +<p>Breakers were to be expected; and of course Somers +was not appalled by the announcement. The boat dashed +on till she reached the broken water; but the surf on the +shore, thrown up by the storm, was absolutely fearful. +A stunning roar broke upon the ears of the young officer +as the frail craft approached the foaming billows that +shattered themselves on the beach.</p> + +<p>"That's a heavy surf, Mr. Somers," said Tom Longstone.</p> + +<p>"So much the better," replied the officer, cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"This whale-boat will not be much better than a cockle-shell +in that surf."</p> + +<p>"She will go through it, if she is well handled."</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir; of course she will."<span class="pagenum">[213]</span></p> + +<p>"The rebels will not expect a boat to land in such a +surf and on such a night. We shall not be expected," +replied Somers, in a loud tone, for whispers and soft +speech could not be heard above the roar of the billows.</p> + +<p>The commander of the expedition stood up in the +stern-sheets, and attempted to penetrate the gloom and +fog in the direction of the beach; but neither sight nor +sound of the shore could be obtained. To plunge through +that boiling surf upon a rebel battery or an artillery company, +would be a sad conclusion of the night's work; but +even this must be risked, for it was not possible to obtain +a single item of information in regard to the surroundings +on shore.</p> + +<p>"Oars!" shouted Somers, when he had completed his +unsatisfactory survey shoreward, and there was not the +slightest danger of his order being heard by an enemy +beyond the thundering roll of the sea. "Hold water!"</p> + +<p>The onward progress of the boat was stopped.</p> + +<p>"Back the starboard, pull the port oars!" added the +officer, who had now taken the management of the boat +out of the hands of the coxswain. "Oars!" he continued, +when the boat was turned so as to head directly +from the shore.</p> + +<p>"Now, my lads, pull steady, and mind the orders +promptly," said the confident young officer. "There's a +heavy surf; but if you pull strong, and mind quick, we +shall be through it in a moment."<span class="pagenum">[214]</span></p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" responded the blue-jackets.</p> + +<p>"Stern, all!" continued Somers, when he had carefully +observed the sweep of the last wave.</p> + +<p>The oarsmen backed water, and the boat moved towards +the shore, stern foremost. In a moment she was +lifted up by a great billow and swept furiously towards +the beach.</p> + +<p>"Steady!" said Somers, gazing forward over the +heads of the men, watching the approach of the next +foam-crested wave.</p> + +<p>The men were entirely cool, and their iron muscles +held the boat under perfect control. A huge roller was +coming in, fiercely, rapidly, at double or triple the speed +of the whale-boat, and the first great peril of the surf +was at hand.</p> + +<p>The danger was, as our inexperienced readers may not +understand, that the stern of the boat, suddenly struck +by the swift-flying wave, would be lifted high in air, and +the bow forced under; or that the boat would broach to, +and be rolled over in the sea. In either case the boat +would be swamped, and eventually be stove on the beach. +Somers saw one of these rushing billows coming down +with frightful velocity upon the whale-boat.</p> + +<p>"Oars!" cried he; and the men ceased backing +her.</p> + +<p>"Give way!" he added, with an energy which was +at once communicated to the muscles of the men; and<span class="pagenum">[215]</span> +they pulled steadily, as a well-disciplined crew always +does, but with a firmness and strength which caused the +boat to dart forward towards the savage roller.</p> + +<p>She met the billow; her bow rose upon it; she passed +over without being ingulfed by it.</p> + +<p>"Oars! Hold water! Stern, all!" continued the +young officer; and again the whale-boat moved towards +the shore.</p> + +<p>The manœuvre described was repeated several times, +until the boat had passed through the surf, and struck +heavily on the sandy beach. The men in the bow +were then ordered to jump into the water; and as the +forward part was thus lightened, the successive rollers +bore the boat farther and farther upon the beach, until +the whole crew were landed. The first step of the expedition +had been safely accomplished.</p> + +<p>Somers ordered the men to haul up the boat high and +dry upon the beach. There was not a person to be seen, +or a sound to be heard, which indicated the presence of +an enemy. The young officer had now to prove the correctness +of his calculations, for as yet he knew not upon +what portion of the point he had landed. A careful survey +of the ground was therefore immediately to be made. +It was necessary to have assistance in this; and Somers +selected two first-class firemen, very intelligent men, machinists +and engineers, who were in training for situations +in government ships. They had been brought to<span class="pagenum">[216]</span> +work the engine of the Ben Lomond, if, fortunately, she +were captured.</p> + +<p>Tom Longstone was left in charge of the boat and +crew, and the two firemen followed the commander of +the expedition, who moved towards the north. When he +had proceeded a short distance, he explained to his companions +his object.</p> + +<p>"About an eighth of a mile from the beach," said he, +"there is a creek, which widens into a little bay. I +wish to find this creek; it will lead us into Mobile Bay. +Conant, you will go east, and, Wade, you will go west. +You must be very careful, or you will lose your way. +You will not go more than half a mile, as nearly as you +can judge, in either direction. If you find it, return to +the beach, and take notice of the best way to reach it."</p> + +<p>The firemen parted, and Somers moved forward himself. +He did not find the creek in the direction he had +chosen, and returned to the beach, after a search of about +an hour. Wade was there before him; but Conant had +not yet made his appearance, though he did not long +delay the expedition.</p> + +<p>"I have found it, sir," said Conant, when he returned. +"It lies in this direction:" he pointed to the north-east. +"It isn't a quarter of a mile distant; but I had some difficulty +in finding a good path."</p> + +<p>"Did you see anybody, or anything?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, sir."<span class="pagenum">[217]</span></p> + +<p>The whale-boat was then turned over; each man took +off his pea-jacket, rolled it up, and put it on his shoulder. +The boat was then lifted up, and placed on the shoulders +of the sailors, the garment acting as a cushion to support +the weight, without injury to the bearers. After a great +many trials and difficulties incident to the darkness of +the night and the character of the ground, the creek was +reached, and the whale-boat launched. Unfortunately, +the water was very shallow, and even the light draught +of the boat was too great for rapid progress, though by +various expedients this obstacle was overcome, and the +expedition reached the mouth of the creek at about half +past twelve o'clock in the morning.</p> + +<p>Somers was entirely dependent upon his memory and +the compass for sailing directions; and the careful study +he had made of the navigation of the bay enabled him +to move with considerable confidence. The creek disembogued +in a nearly landlocked bay, whose comparatively +still waters were passed, and the boat began to be +tossed by the waves of the broad bay.</p> + +<p>Heading his craft to the westward, he bade the men +give way with a will. Encouraged by the manner in +which all obstacles had thus far been overcome, they +were ready and willing subjects. After pulling about +three miles, the rougher sea and the depth of water +which the bowman had continually reported, assured +Somers that he must have reached the Middle Ground,<span class="pagenum">[218]</span> +where vessels bound out usually came to anchor when +subjected to any delay. The Ben Lomond, if she was in +the bay, could not be far distant; but the fog and darkness +prevented him from seeing a ship's length ahead.</p> + +<p>"Can you see anything, Mr. Longstone?" asked the +young commander, who felt that he was now in the +midst of the greatest obstacles to the success of his +mission.</p> + +<p>"I can't see anything," replied the boatswain; "but +I think I hear something. There, sir! Two bells just +struck in a vessel dead ahead."</p> + +<p>"I see her," said the bowman. "It's a rebel iron-clad!"</p> + +<p>"She's an ugly customer. I don't want anything of +her," said Somers, as he ordered the boat to go about, +and headed her to the north-east.</p> + +<p>"Boat ahead, sir!" reported the bowman.</p> + +<p>"Speak out, man!" said the commander. "I am +not afraid of being seen now. Where away is she?"</p> + +<p>"On the port quarter, sir."</p> + +<p>"Starboard, coxswain," continued Somers.</p> + +<p>In a few moments the dark outline of the boat was +seen in the water, and the coxswain was directed to +steer towards her. Somers was fully committed now, +and intended to carry himself through by impudence and +audacity. He was in the midst of the rebel fleet to be +used for the defence of the bay. He knew that the<span class="pagenum">[219]</span> +waters around him were patrolled by picket boats, and +he doubted not the craft before him was one of them. +He could not find the Ben Lomond readily, and probably +the officer of this boat would know her position.</p> + +<p>"Boat ahoy!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>"In the boat!" was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Oars! Hold water!"</p> + +<p>"What boat is that?" demanded the officer of the +rebel party.</p> + +<p>"My boat," replied Somers, rather irregularly.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?"</p> + +<p>"John Pillgrim, commander in the Confederate navy, +appointed to the steamer Tallapoosa."</p> + +<p>"Ah," responded the officer. "You were expected +before."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't come before," replied Somers, with perfect +assurance. "Where is the Tallapoosa? I have been +beating about here in the fog these two hours, trying to +find her."</p> + +<p>"She lies about half a mile to the northward and eastward."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; I shall find her. Please report me to +Admiral Buchanan, and say I shall run out immediately."</p> + +<p>"It's a good night for it. I beg your pardon, Captain +Pillgrim; have you a pass?"<span class="pagenum">[220]</span></p> + +<p>"A what?" demanded Somers, as if astonished at the +request.</p> + +<p>"A pass."</p> + +<p>"No; where should I get a pass, or what should I +want one for?"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, but my orders are very strict. I cannot +let a boat or vessel pass me without the proper papers."</p> + +<p>"What papers do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Simply a pass."</p> + +<p>"I have no pass."</p> + +<p>"I shall be obliged to detain you, then."</p> + +<p>"No, you won't!" answered Somers, indignantly. +"Here it is one o'clock in the morning. I ought to have +been over the bar by this time."</p> + +<p>"I can't help it, Captain Pillgrim; my orders are imperative," +pleaded the picket officer.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you can't help it, I can. I may not have +such another night as this for a month."</p> + +<p>"I shall not detain you half an hour. The Tallapoosa +has steam up, and is only waiting for her commander and +the balance of her crew."</p> + +<p>"How many men has she on board?" asked Somers, +somewhat startled.</p> + +<p>"About forty, besides the firemen."</p> + +<p>"I have the balance. It is all right."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, if I persist. I must see your papers."<span class="pagenum">[221]</span></p> + +<p>"I have no pass; but I will show you my commission +and my orders from the secretary of the navy."</p> + +<p>"Those will answer."</p> + +<p>The boat was laid alongside, and by the light of a +lantern the officer glanced at Somers's commission and +orders. He pronounced them all right, and the expedition +was permitted to proceed.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[222]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE BEN LOMOND.</p> + +<p>"That's a bold step, Mr. Somers," said Tom +Longstone, as the whale-boat dashed on towards +the intended prize.</p> + +<p>"If it were less bold, it would be more dangerous," +replied Somers, easily; for he entered so fully into the +spirit of the affair, that he felt quite at home, and was +hardly disturbed by a doubt of final success.</p> + +<p>"Where is Mr. Pillgrim now?" asked the boatswain.</p> + +<p>"I haven't the least idea; but I think he cannot be +far off."</p> + +<p>"You left him at Fortress Monroe?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he had started for the South then, to take command, +I suppose, of this vessel. The traitor's plan was to +come down on the Chatauqua, and then bring out this +vessel perhaps, on the pretence of capturing her. At any +rate, he was going to use his official position in the navy +to help him get the Tallapoosa out of the bay, and past +the blockading squadron. If not, he would not have gone +in her, and thus wasted so much of his valuable time. I +wish I knew where he is now."<span class="pagenum">[223]</span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps it don't make much difference."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid it will make considerable difference. +Suppose the traitor has been on board the Ben Lomond?"</p> + +<p>"The what?"</p> + +<p>"The Tallapoosa; they have changed her name. +Keep a sharp lookout forward for the ship, bowman."</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir! I can't see a thing yet."</p> + +<p>"Suppose he has been on board, Mr. Somers?" continued +the boatswain.</p> + +<p>"If he has, we may have to fight for the vessel."</p> + +<p>"Well, we can do that," replied Tom, as he involuntarily +grasped his cutlass.</p> + +<p>"He has forty men aboard of her now, besides the +firemen and coal-heavers."</p> + +<p>"Our boys wouldn't mind forty of them."</p> + +<p>"I should not hesitate to attack her, but the noise +would wake up the rebel iron clads and gunboats. We +must get the vessel without fighting. I don't believe Pillgrim +has been on board of her. If he had, that picket +officer would have known that I am not the man. I'm +not going to croak about the business, though. In my +opinion it will be all right."</p> + +<p>"Of course the Tallapoosa is in charge of some one."</p> + +<p>"All her officers are on board, except the commander, +we were told."</p> + +<p>"Some of them may know Mr. Pillgrim," suggested<span class="pagenum">[224]</span> +the boatswain, who had more fears for his young commander +than the latter had for himself.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pillgrim has been in the North, and in England +since the war began. I am of the opinion that those on +board do not know him."</p> + +<p>"Suppose they do?"</p> + +<p>"I shall put them under arrest if they refuse to obey +my orders."</p> + +<p>"You are smart, Mr. Somers," said Tom, who +chuckled over the adroitness of his <i>protégé</i>, even while +he trembled for his safety and success.</p> + +<p>"Steamer ahead, sir!" reported the bowman.</p> + +<p>"Where does she lie?"</p> + +<p>"On the starboard bow, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Port a little," said Somers. "Now, my men, you +will obey orders and keep silent. Answer no questions +which may be put to you."</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir," responded the crew, cheerfully; for +though they seemed to be knocking at the door of a +rebel prison, they had full confidence in their gallant +young leader.</p> + +<p>Perhaps some of them "had their doubts," for four +and twenty men are hardly ever gathered together, +among whom there are not more or less who are disposed +to grumble, and croak, and imagine possible disasters. +Within the rebel lines, surrounded by Confederate +vessels, and on the point of confronting superior numbers,<span class="pagenum">[225]</span> +it would not have been surprising if these men had been +rather uncertain of the future. Whatever doubts or +fears they had, they believed in Somers.</p> + +<p>"My lads," continued the commander of the expedition, +in a low tone, "you are rebel sailors for an hour +or so. You will talk and act as such. Do you understand +me?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir."</p> + +<p>"You will call me Captain Pillgrim."</p> + +<p>The men had listened to the conversation between their +officer and the pickets, and they comprehended enough +of the plan to enable them to act intelligently.</p> + +<p>"Tom," said Somers, "there is nothing to prevent me +from acting just as Mr. Pillgrim would do, if he were +in my place."</p> + +<p>"That's so."</p> + +<p>"I could go to sea in this steamer, and plunder all the +vessels I could overhaul."</p> + +<p>"So you could," replied the boatswain, who seemed +to be amazed even at such a suggestion.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure that I am not carrying out the very +plan which the traitor had in his mind. Perhaps he +intended to do just what I have done, when he reached +the blockading station."</p> + +<p>"Very likely."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall be Mr. Pillgrim, and carry out his purpose +to the letter; only, when we get out of the bay I +shall do rather differently from what he intended."<span class="pagenum">[226]</span></p> + +<p>"Boat ahoy!" shouted a man at the gangway of the +Ben Lomond.</p> + +<p>"On board the Tallapoosa!" replied Somers.</p> + +<p>"Keep off," said the man, who seemed to be the officer +of the deck. "Who are you?"</p> + +<p>"Commander John Pillgrim, Confederate States navy, +and captain of this ship."</p> + +<p>"Man the side, you lubbers!" added the boatswain, +rather improving on the suggestion of Somers, given him +at this moment.</p> + +<p>"Captain Pillgrim?" said the officer of the deck.</p> + +<p>"I said so. Is the ship ready to sail?"</p> + +<p>"She is, sir; we have kept steam up all day, waiting +for you."</p> + +<p>"Good! You are the right officers for me. I commend +you," replied Somers, as he mounted the accommodation +ladder.</p> + +<p>The pretended commander went up the side, closely +followed by Longstone and a dozen of the sailors, and +stepped down upon the deck.</p> + +<p>"I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance, I believe," +added Somers, confronting the officer.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Swayne, second lieutenant, sir," replied the officer. +"Mr. Langdon is below, sir. I will send for him."</p> + +<p>Langdon! It was all up with Somers! Langdon +knew him, had dined with him, had been intimate with +him, and of course it would be useless to attempt to pass +himself off as Mr. Pillgrim.<span class="pagenum">[227]</span></p> + +<p>"Stop, sir!" said Somers, sternly, and with great +presence of mind. "When did Mr. Langdon come on +board?"</p> + +<p>"Nearly a week ago, sir, when the rest of us did."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" added Somers, savagely. "Mr. Langdon +and myself have a little account to settle. He has disobeyed +my orders, and I never will go to sea with such a +man as executive officer. Mr. Swayne, for the present +you will act as first lieutenant. I shall put Mr. Langdon +under arrest at once."</p> + +<p>"Here he comes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Longstone, you will arrest the first lieutenant at +once; put him in irons if he resists," said Somers, as he +saw Langdon come up the companion-way.</p> + +<p>The stalwart boatswain confronted the astonished officer, +as he approached the spot where Somers stood with +the second lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"By order of Captain Pillgrim, you are placed under +arrest," said Tom, as, with a couple of seamen, he placed +himself in front of the executive officer.</p> + +<p>"Under arrest?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"For disobedience of orders."</p> + +<p>"By whose command?" demanded the bewildered +Langdon.</p> + +<p>"Captain Pillgrim's, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Impossible!"<span class="pagenum">[228]</span></p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, sir, but the captain told me to +lose no time. He is going to sea at once."</p> + +<p>"Is Captain Pillgrim on board?"</p> + +<p>"Of course he is. I just came off with him. He +ordered me to arrest you."</p> + +<p>"Who are you, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Blarney, sir!" exclaimed the boatswain, impatiently; +"I can't stop—"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Blarney, will you do me the favor to ask Captain +Pillgrim for a moment's conversation with me. +There must be some mistake, Mr. Blarney."</p> + +<p>"Can't stop, sir," answered Tom, who could not even +pause long enough to laugh at the rebel's blunder. "My +orders are to put you in irons if you resist. What do +you say, Mr. Langdon?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I do not resist; but there is some +mistake."</p> + +<p>"No mistake, upon my honor. You may take my +word for it, the business is all straight."</p> + +<p>"With what am I charged?"</p> + +<p>"With disobedience of orders; and, Mr. Langdon, +you'll excuse me, but there's a suspicion that you mean +to go over to the Yankees."</p> + +<p>"I! To the Yankees!"</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon, sir; but I can't stop to blarney any +longer. My duty is plain; and I'll bet a month's pay +you will see the captain sooner than you want to. Down +below if you please, sir, to your state-room."<span class="pagenum">[229]</span></p> + +<p>Langdon obeyed in dogged silence. No doubt he +much wondered who the rough fellow was that subjected +him to this summary treatment. But the salutary hint +about irons seemed to satisfy him, and when he had gone +into his room, the door was closed, and a seaman placed +before it. Longstone returned to the deck, touched his +cap politely to Somers, and reported his orders executed.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Swayne, you will call all hands," said the new +commander of the Tallapoosa, when his dangerous first +lieutenant had been secured.</p> + +<p>The boatswain of the steamer piped all hands, among +whom the seamen from the Chatauqua mingled, and +made themselves entirely at home.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Swayne, will you do me the favor to read my +commission to the crew," said Somers, handing him the +document which he had carefully "tinkered" to suit the +present occasion.</p> + +<p>Tom Longstone held the lantern, and the acting first +lieutenant promptly complied with the request of the +assumed commander. The document proclaimed that +John Pillgrim was duly invested with authority as a commander +in the Confederate navy, and was duly signed +by "S. R. Mallory," though whether that distinguished +rebel functionary had actually issued the paper or not, +Somers was himself as ignorant as the others who listened +to the reading.</p> + +<p>From his orders Somers then read enough to satisfy<span class="pagenum">[230]</span> +any who might be in doubt of his appointment to the +Tallapoosa, which name he had substituted for that of +Ben Nevis, as it read on the original document, given +him by Langdon, <i>alias</i> Lieutenant Wynkoop.</p> + +<p>"Are you satisfied, Mr. Swayne?" asked the commander, +when he had finished the document.</p> + +<p>"Entirely so, Captain Pillgrim," replied the first +lieutenant.</p> + +<p>If he had not been satisfied, probably he would have +been put under arrest as summarily as his superior had +been a few moments before. With such an energetic +captain, it was lucky for him he was satisfied! Perhaps +Mr. Swayne was duly and properly impressed by the +decided character of his commander, and deemed it prudent +to raise no objections.</p> + +<p>"Are you satisfied, gentlemen?" asked Somers, turning +to the little group of officers.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for them, and perhaps for Somers too, +they were also satisfied.</p> + +<p>"My lads," continued the courteous but decisive captain, +"you have listened to my commission, and you +have listened to my orders."</p> + +<p>Somers paused, and the two first-class firemen from +the Chatauqua started a demonstration of applause +which was a complete success.</p> + +<p>"My lads, I am going out to take a look at the Yankee +fleet, to-night," he proceeded.</p> + +<p>Applause.<span class="pagenum">[231]</span></p> + +<p>"I am a fighting man."</p> + +<p>More applause.</p> + +<p>"That Yankee fleet will not stop me!" added Somers, +with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"That's so!" shouted one of the first-class firemen, +who had a high appreciation of a good joke; and his +remark was followed by a storm of applause.</p> + +<p>"I repeat, my lads, the Yankee fleet will not stop me. +I shall pay my respects to the Yankee admiral down +there before the sun rises."</p> + +<p>Tumultuous applause.</p> + +<p>"Now, my lads, I mean just what I say, and I say +just what I mean. I command this ship, and every man +on board obeys me. I am going through the Yankee +fleet; will you go with me?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir!" roared the crew; and the voices of the +Chatauqua's people were prominent in the reply.</p> + +<p>"Will you go where I lead you?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir."</p> + +<p>"Very likely I shall send you upon the deck of the +heaviest man-of-war in the Yankee squadron; but I will +go with you."</p> + +<p>"Bully for the captain!" shouted the enthusiastic +first-class fireman, which remark was indorsed and approved +by the crew in general.</p> + +<p>"What an awful fellow he is!—a regular fire-eater," +whispered Mr. Swayne to Tom Longstone.<span class="pagenum">[232]</span></p> + +<p>"He will do all he says he will," replied the boatswain.</p> + +<p>"Will he board a Yankee frigate?"</p> + +<p>"It's like him; but he is as prudent as he is brave."</p> + +<p>"Now, my lads, to your duty. We shall get under +way at once, and I want every man to be true to God +and his country," continued Somers.</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for the captain!" shouted the fireman; +and they were given with a will, as Somers walked aft.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[233]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<p class="h3">RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Swayne, you will get the ship under +way at once," said Somers, as he turned +from the crew, and walked aft.</p> + +<p>The first lieutenant gave his orders, and +the crew were soon walking round the capstan. The +officers of the Tallapoosa had certainly used their time +to advantage, for the crew was well disciplined, though +the twenty-four petty officers and seamen from the Chatauqua +were the spice of every movement.</p> + +<p>"Where is the pilot, Mr. Swayne?" asked Somers.</p> + +<p>"We have one on board, sir. He berths in the steerage. +Shall I send for him, Captain Pillgrim?"</p> + +<p>"If you please, do so."</p> + +<p>A master's mate was ordered to find the pilot.</p> + +<p>"Is he up to his business?" continued Somers, to +whom the pilotage of the vessel was of the last importance.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; he is the best pilot in these waters. He has +taken out a great many vessels on worse nights than this."<span class="pagenum">[234]</span></p> + +<p>"I could take the vessel out myself, so far as that is +concerned," said Somers, nervously. "Does he know +how to get through the obstructions?"</p> + +<p>"O, yes, sir; he is perfectly familiar with everything +about the bay."</p> + +<p>"And the channel is full of those infernal torpedoes."</p> + +<p>"It is, sir; but the pilot knows exactly where every +one of them is located. We are in no danger from +them; but they will blow the Yankee fleet sky high when +they attempt to come up, as they probably will in a short +time."</p> + +<p>"So I understand."</p> + +<p>"There will be fun here in a few days," added Mr. +Swayne, rubbing his hands with delight, as he contemplated +the destruction of the naval force gathered on the +other side of the bar for the demonstration.</p> + +<p>"The admiral down there is no joker," suggested +Somers. "He won't feel his way, and then back out."</p> + +<p>"It would be better for him if he did. Admiral Buchanan +is his equal in every respect. With his ram he +will stave in every wooden ship in the fleet. His monitors +will be blown up on the torpedoes."</p> + +<p>"I hope the affair will come out right," said Somers, +rather indefinitely.</p> + +<p>"It will; you may depend upon it, captain. Whoever +is here when the thing is done will see the greatest +smash-up that has happened since the war began."<span class="pagenum">[235]</span></p> + +<p>"I hope so," replied Somers. "But suppose Admiral +Farragut should run by the forts."</p> + +<p>"He can't do it; the thing is utterly impossible. The +torpedoes will sink his monitors—they are like lead, +and if you shake them up a little, they will plump down +on the bottom like a solid shot. His wooden vessels, +even if he gets by the fort,—which can't be done,—would +be all chawed up in half an hour by the ram +Tennessee."</p> + +<p>"Anchor apeak, sir!" shouted Boatswain Longstone, +who was doing duty as second lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Captain Column, the pilot, sir," said the first lieutenant, +presenting a person who had been waiting a +moment at his side.</p> + +<p>"I am happy to see you, Captain Column;" and +Somers took his hand.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," replied the pilot, who was evidently +astonished at the degree of intimacy with which the +commander condescended to treat him.</p> + +<p>Already the new captain had won a hard reputation +abaft the mainmast. His stern and decisive measures +with Langdon had been privately discussed among the +officers, and it was the unanimous opinion that they had +"caught a Tartar."</p> + +<p>"Well, Captain Column, have you got your weather +eye open? This is a dark and foggy night."</p> + +<p>"Wide open, sir," replied the pilot, cheerfully; for<span class="pagenum">[236]</span> +Somers's cordial greeting had already produced a good +effect upon him. "The darker and foggier the better, +captain, for such a job as this. But there are so many +Yankee ships outside, you can hardly get clear of them +without a shot or two."</p> + +<p>"O, I don't mind that, if you can get us well over +the torpedoes, and through the obstructions."</p> + +<p>"The obstructions are not of much account, and as +for the torpedoes, I could put my hand on every one of +them with my eyes shut."</p> + +<p>"Good; but I don't want you to put your hand or my +ship on them."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, captain," laughed the pilot. "I know +how to keep clear of them."</p> + +<p>"That will suit me better. The ship is in your hands, +Captain Column."</p> + +<p>A quartermaster from the Chatauqua was placed at +the wheel, and when the anchor was heaved up, the Tallapoosa +started on her course. Her wheels began to turn +very slowly at first, and before she had gathered any +headway, a boat touched at her side.</p> + +<p>"Boat alongside, Captain Pillgrim," reported Mr. +Swayne.</p> + +<p>"What boat?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, sir."</p> + +<p>"I have no more time to waste; keep the ship +moving."<span class="pagenum">[237]</span></p> + +<p>As the Tallapoosa gathered headway, a gentleman, +clothed in naval uniform, stepped on the rail from the +accommodation ladder. When he had reached this +point, he stopped and looked down at the boat.</p> + +<p>"Stop the steamer!" shouted he, in tones of authority; +and to those who had heard it before there was no +mistaking that voice.</p> + +<p>It was Pillgrim, without a doubt! Somers was vexed +and disappointed at this accident, which threatened to +overthrow all his plans; but he promptly decided to treat +him as he had Langdon.</p> + +<p>"See what he wants," said the commander to Swayne, +"but don't let the ship be delayed a single instant."</p> + +<p>"Stop the steamer!" shouted Pillgrim, with a volley +of oaths, because his first order had not been heeded. +"Stop the steamer, or you will swamp my gig!"</p> + +<p>"Your business, sir, if you please," said Swayne, +stepping up to him.</p> + +<p>"Don't you hear what I say?" replied Pillgrim, angrily. +"Stop the steamer."</p> + +<p>"It can't be done, sir."</p> + +<p>"Can't be done!" gasped the traitor. "It can and +shall be done."</p> + +<p>"Who are you, sir, that step upon this deck in that +overbearing manner?" demanded the first lieutenant, +roused by the tones and the manner of the new comer.</p> + +<p>"I'll let you know who I am. Where is Langdon?"<span class="pagenum">[238]</span></p> + +<p>"None of your business where he is," said Swayne, +spunkily. "What do you want here?"</p> + +<p>"You shall soon know what I want here!"</p> + +<p>Pillgrim was boiling over with passion at the rough +reception given him by his officers on board his own ship. +He was disposed to be even more stern and severe in his +discipline than Somers had been.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" demanded Swayne.</p> + +<p>"None of your business who I am, if you don't know; +but I will soon bring you to your senses," roared Pillgrim, +as he leaped down upon the deck, and with the +step of a conqueror moved aft towards the wheel.</p> + +<p>"Halt, sir!" said Mr. Swayne, placing himself in +front of the stranger; for he was roused to a high pitch +of anger and excitement by the unwarrantable conduct +of the interloper. "You can go no farther on this deck, +sir, till you explain who and what you are."</p> + +<p>Somers stood where he could see without being seen; +for his presence on the deck of the Ben Lomond would +have explained to Pillgrim the reason for his uncourteous +reception. He quietly sent the two firemen and a couple +of seamen to the assistance of Mr. Swayne.</p> + +<p>"I am the captain of this ship," replied Pillgrim, who +found it necessary to make this statement.</p> + +<p>"The man is crazy," muttered Swayne.</p> + +<p>"You understand me now," growled Pillgrim. "Stop +the ship!"<span class="pagenum">[239]</span></p> + +<p>"I think not, sir," replied Swayne, coolly; and he +evidently regarded the claim of the stranger in the light +of a joke, or as the whim of a maniac.</p> + +<p>"You think not!" gasped Pillgrim, roused almost to +madness by this cool disregard of his authority. "I'll +have you in irons in three minutes, you scoundrel."</p> + +<p>"There, sir, I have heard enough of this!" said +Swayne. "No man uses such language as that to me +with impunity."</p> + +<p>"I tell you I am the commander of this steamer," +added Pillgrim, who doubtless felt that the epithet he had +used was unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.</p> + +<p>"I don't care what you are. If your boat is alongside, +you will go into it, in double quick time."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim began to storm again, shouted to the pilot to +stop the steamer, and behaved in the most violent manner. +Mr. Swayne's patience was totally exhausted, and +he ordered the seamen who stood near him to arrest the +interloper. A sharp struggle ensued, in which Pillgrim +was overpowered, and was held fast by the stout tars of +the Chatauqua.</p> + +<p>The first lieutenant then explained to the captain what +had passed, and what he had done.</p> + +<p>"Put him in irons!" said Somers, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Who is he, captain?"</p> + +<p>"It matters not who he is. No man can behave in +that manner on board of this ship."<span class="pagenum">[240]</span></p> + +<p>Swayne executed his orders to the letter, and the traitor, +in spite of his struggles, in spite of his explanations +and appeals, was put in irons on the quarter deck of his +own ship. He was carried below, and put in a state-room, +which was guarded by Conant, who had orders to +shoot him if he did not keep quiet.</p> + +<p>In the mean time, the Ben Lomond,—for Somers, in +strict accordance with the subsequent "ruling" of Mr. +Seward, refused to recognize the vessel by any other +than her original name, calling her the Tallapoosa only +in the presence of the rebels,—the Ben Lomond, under +the skilful guidance of the pilot, was slowly making her +way out of the bay. A quartermaster had been stationed +in the fore-chains when the steamer got under +way, to take the soundings, which seemed to be the +pilot's principal reliance in the difficult duty he had +undertaken. Captain Column had placed himself on the +port rail, just abaft the foremast, and the steering directions +were sent aft through a line of officers to the +helmsman.</p> + +<p>"By the deep four," sang the quartermaster in the +chains.</p> + +<p>"Steady!" said the pilot. "Keep her sou'-west by +west, half west."</p> + +<p>"Steady!" responded the quartermaster at the wheel. +"Sou'-west by west, half west."</p> + +<p>"By the mark five!" said the leadsman, a little later.<span class="pagenum">[241]</span></p> + +<p>"We are getting into deep water," said Somers.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; we shall deepen till we get seven fathoms."</p> + +<p>"And a half five!" came from the chains. "By the +deep six."</p> + +<p>The pilot went on the bridge, and taking the cord +attached to the whistle of the engine, made a signal, +consisting of several blasts, with irregular intervals between +them. A heavy bell on shore sounded several +times in answer to the signal.</p> + +<p>"All right," said the pilot. "I know exactly where +I am."</p> + +<p>"By the deep six!" called the leadsman.</p> + +<p>The pilot repeated the signal with the whistle, which +was answered from the shore by the bell.</p> + +<p>"Quarter less seven!"</p> + +<p>"It is all going right, captain," said the pilot to Somers, +who stood on the bridge with him.</p> + +<p>"By the mark seven!"</p> + +<p>"Hard a port!" shouted the pilot, as he gazed into +the binnacle on the bridge.</p> + +<p>"Hard a port!" repeated the line of officers, till the +order was returned by the wheelman.</p> + +<p>"Steady!" said the pilot.</p> + +<p>"Mark under water seven!" cried the quartermaster +in the chains.</p> + +<p>"Keep her south by west," added the pilot.</p> + +<p>"South by west!" returned the wheelman.<span class="pagenum">[242]</span></p> + +<p>"This course will bring us into the midst of the Yankee +fleet in about twenty minutes," said Captain Column.</p> + +<p>"I'm not at all afraid of the Yankee fleet," replied +Somers.</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid of anything else," laughed the pilot.</p> + +<p>"Where are the torpedoes?"</p> + +<p>"Between us and Fort Morgan, which is only about a +third of a mile distant, on our beam."</p> + +<p>"And the obstructions?"</p> + +<p>"We have passed them; they are of no account. +Captain, I think all your troubles are yet to come," said +the pilot, as he glanced ahead.</p> + +<p>"Why so?"</p> + +<p>"If we should happen to plump into one of those +monitors, a fifteen inch shot would finish this craft in less +time than it would take to read a man's epitaph."</p> + +<p>"I have prepared for all such accidents. The Yankees +will not fire on me."</p> + +<p>"No?" exclaimed the pilot, wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"I think you don't know me."</p> + +<p>"I heard the first lieutenant say you were coming +down here in one of the Yankee ships."</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"Did you, though?"</p> + +<p>"We will come to anchor, pilot, when we get within +hail of the Yankee squadron."</p> + +<p>"Come to anchor, sir?"<span class="pagenum">[243]</span></p> + +<p>"Certainly; come to anchor, until the fog clears off, +or we can get a little daylight. I don't want much."</p> + +<p>"Well, that beats me!" ejaculated Captain Column.</p> + +<p>"I shall hoist The Yankee flag over the Confederate; +then the Yankees will think this ship is a prize, and will +not fire into her."</p> + +<p>"That beats me!" repeated the pilot.</p> + +<p>"I came down here in a Yankee man-of-war, and I +made the arrangements for carrying this thing through +before I left her."</p> + +<p>"O, yes, I see!" laughed Captain Column. "You +are playing them a Yankee trick."</p> + +<p>"Exactly so!"</p> + +<p>"Capital! capital!" exclaimed the pilot.</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes later, the Ben Lomond came to anchor +under the lee of Sand Island, to wait for a favorable +time to continue her voyage.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[244]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<p class="h3">A YANKEE TRICK.</p> + +<p>The rebel officers and crew of the Ben Lomond +were greatly astonished when the order was +given to let go the anchor. They were not in a +condition to appreciate the policy of stopping the wheels, +and waiting for daylight within hail of the blockading +squadron, reënforced as it had been for the attack on the +forts; but as the captain had the reputation of being a +perfect tiger, a fire-eater of the most ravenous sort, they +did not venture to grumble or make any complaints.</p> + +<p>Captain Column, the pilot, chuckled, and declared it +was all right; the commander knew what he was about, +and would get the steamer out of the scrape without even +a shot from the Yankee men-of-war.</p> + +<p>Somers had kept up his dignity and maintained his +self-possession in the exciting scenes through which he +had just passed; but it must not be thought that he was +as easy in mind as he appeared to be. Every moment +had been burdened with its own peculiar anxiety. The +least slip, the slightest accident, would expose him and<span class="pagenum">[245]</span> +his brave followers to great peril, if not to capture and +death. He had won the day thus far by the mere force +of impudence and self-possession; but it was not without +a fear of failure, disgrace, and captivity.</p> + +<p>But everything, up to this time, had worked admirably. +He had met and successfully turned aside the obstacles +which beset him; and when the Ben Lomond came to +anchor, the prospect looked more hopeful than at any +previous hour. It was now about two o'clock in the +morning. As there was nothing to do, he devoted an +hour to an examination of the vessel, which had been +fitted up at Mobile as a rebel cruiser. She had a heavy +rifled pivot gun amidships, and four broadside guns, and +was in every respect well provided for the work in which +she was to engage.</p> + +<p>She was a vessel of about four hundred tons measurement, +long, narrow, and very sharp. Her rig was that +of a topsail schooner, and her smoke-stack raked with +her masts. She was a beautiful craft, and no labor or +expense had been spared to make her the fastest and +most elegant vessel afloat.</p> + +<p>Even in the darkness, Somers could see enough of her +shape and fittings to excite his admiration. He passed +from the spar deck to the berth deck, where everything +was in keeping with her appearance above. The ward-room +was small, but it was comfortable and well arranged, +and the captain's cabin was fitted up like that of<span class="pagenum">[246]</span> +a royal yacht. Probably Mr. Pillgrim had spent some +of his own money on these arrangements before she left +the Clyde; but what contributed distinctly to make her +a war steamer had been done after her arrival at Mobile.</p> + +<p>Somers was delighted with the arrangements of the +prize, and as he examined the commander's cabin, he +could not help envying the man who was permitted to +occupy this sumptuous and convenient apartment; that +is, if the stars and stripes floated at the peak above him, +for he would rather have been a coal-heaver in a loyal +ship, than in command of the Ben Lomond under the +flag of the Confederacy.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swayne had conducted Somers over the vessel, +and pointed out to him those features which were most +worthy of notice.</p> + +<p>"She is a splendid vessel," said the young commander, +as they paused in the ward-room.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I am but too happy in being appointed to +such a ship. If we only get clear of the Yankee squadron, +we shall give a good account of her."</p> + +<p>"We shall have no quarrel with the Yankee ships," +replied Somers, as he led the way to the spar deck again, +for he was not disposed, just yet, to let Pillgrim and +Langdon, who were confined there, hear his voice.</p> + +<p>"Captain Pillgrim, you seem to be more confident on +this point than your officers," replied Swayne, in a gentle +tone, which more than insinuated that he would like +to know more of the commander's plans.<span class="pagenum">[247]</span></p> + +<p>Somers was very anxious that he should know more +of them, so as to prevent any suspicions which his subsequent +course might excite.</p> + +<p>"From what point did you expect me to come, before +my arrival?" asked Somers.</p> + +<p>"I had no idea. Mr. Langdon seemed to be familiar +with all your movements, but he did not say much about +them. He did remark, at one time, that you were +coming down as second lieutenant of one of the Yankee +men-of-war."</p> + +<p>"Did he, indeed? Well, he was a prudent man, and +he will have his reward within a few days. Did he +really say that?"</p> + +<p>"He did."</p> + +<p>"I was deceived in him; he was not to be trusted. I +placed every confidence in him. What else did he tell +you?" asked Somers, artfully.</p> + +<p>"Nothing else, sir. He said more to me than to any +other officer, and hardly anything to me."</p> + +<p>"He has betrayed me."</p> + +<p>"He told only me that you were to come in a Yankee +man-of-war."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he did; the pilot knew it—spoke to me of it; +and very likely every man in the ship has the news. +But, Mr. Swayne, the statement was true."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Langdon afterwards contradicted it, and said +you were in Richmond, and were coming down by land."<span class="pagenum">[248]</span></p> + +<p>"Probably he thought he had made a blunder. I did +come down in the Yankee ship, the Chatauqua. I am +third lieutenant of her, not second. I was sent off by +the captain, at my own suggestion, of course, to bring +out this vessel. I have done it—haven't I?"</p> + +<p>"You have," laughed Swayne. "Then you are expected +by the Yankees?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I am."</p> + +<p>The first lieutenant of the Ben Lomond indulged in a +laugh highly complimentary to the skill and cleverness of +his commander. Somers laughed with him. It was an +excellent joke to both parties, though, like the Druid +shield, it was seen from different points of view.</p> + +<p>"Capital!" exclaimed Mr. Swayne, when he had +evaporated the foam of his mirth.</p> + +<p>"If the fog clears off, I shall let up some rockets, which +will prevent the Yankees from firing at us. You understand?"</p> + +<p>"I see, sir: you have the Yankee signals?" chuckled +Mr. Swayne.</p> + +<p>"Every one of them. No doubt they are on the lookout +for me in every ship in the squadron."</p> + +<p>"Excellent, Captain Pillgrim. This is, by all odds, +the best joke of the season."</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Swayne, you will hoist the Yankee flag +over the Confederate."</p> + +<p>"I don't like to do that, captain," added Mr. Swayne, +with a burst of patriotic enthusiasm.<span class="pagenum">[249]</span></p> + +<p>"For a purpose, Mr. Swayne. Of course, when the +men-of-war see that flag over the other, they will not +fire. We shall run through the squadron, as though we +belonged to it; and then—well, you will see what you +will see."</p> + +<p>"Exactly so!" exclaimed Mr. Swayne, who seemed +to enjoy the prospect exceedingly, even independent of +his desire to flatter and "toady" to his commander.</p> + +<p>The flags were hoisted as Somers directed, and the +"captain" for a couple of hours planked the deck in +silence, impatiently waiting for the fog to lift, or for the +daylight to come. It was his policy to anchor, because he +was fearful that the steamer would run by the squadron, +in the fog and darkness, and it would excite suspicion to +return to the fleet, after safely passing through it. If +Mr. Swayne had suspected any treachery, or that everything +was not as it appeared to be, it would have gone +hard with Somers and his men, for he could call in +double the loyal force to assist him, besides releasing +Pillgrim and Langdon.</p> + +<p>At four o'clock in the morning, the fog lifted, and +Somers directed the rockets to be discharged, and the +steamer to be got under way. Though anxious to keep +up appearances, he quietly directed Tom Longstone to +make as much delay as possible, and by some accident +the messenger parted when the anchor was apeak, and +it was necessary to do the work over again.<span class="pagenum">[250]</span></p> + +<p>"Captain Pillgrim, what shall be done with the men +who came on board with you?" asked Mr. Swayne, +while the crew were walking round the capstan.</p> + +<p>"What shall be done with them?" asked Somers, apparently +not comprehending the meaning of the question.</p> + +<p>"They are Yankees—are they not?"</p> + +<p>"They are true men, Mr. Swayne. I selected them +for this very duty, and I know them."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, sir, I heard one of them singing a Yankee +song, just now."</p> + +<p>"They have been in the habit of singing such songs +lately; but they are true men, and will stand by me to +the last. If I had wanted them, I might have brought +off a hundred of the crew of the Chatauqua."</p> + +<p>Somers told a great many truths in the course of the +night, for the purpose of deceiving the enemies of his +country, which is a very anomalous duty for truth to +perform.</p> + +<p>The anchor was at the hawse hole, was "catted and +fished;" and the Ben Lomond moved on again, with the +pilot on the bridge. As the fog lifted, and the daylight +increased, the squadron of "Brave Old Salt" was seen +by Somers and his companions. As he had promised, +not a ship fired on the steamer, or offered to molest her. +The first lieutenant, pilot, and other officers were entirely +satisfied that everything was working in exact +accordance with the plans of their "smart" commander, +as they already called him.<span class="pagenum">[251]</span></p> + +<p>The exciting moment when all the delusion would be +swept away, and the rebel officers and seamen find themselves +prisoners, and their ship a prize, was at hand. +Somers had already arranged his final movements with +the boatswain, and certain of the men were instructed to +perform particular parts in the closing scene of the drama.</p> + +<p>"Now, Captain Column," said Somers to the pilot, +"we must run down for the Chatauqua. She is the last +vessel in the squadron, and if we appear to be moving +towards her, nothing will be suspected."</p> + +<p>"Exactly so, captain," replied the pilot, shaking his +fat sides with laughter at the Yankee trick which they +were playing off upon the originators of this species of +pleasantry.</p> + +<p>"It is quite smooth this morning. The wind has all +gone down. Run right under the quarter of the Chatauqua."</p> + +<p>"I can take her within six feet of the ship, if you +like."</p> + +<p>"Not too close."</p> + +<p>"They will give us three cheers, won't they?" laughed +the pilot.</p> + +<p>"Very likely."</p> + +<p>"Port!" shouted the pilot, as the Ben Lomond approached +the Chatauqua.</p> + +<p>"Port!" yelled the quartermaster at the helm, at +whose side stood Tom Longstone.<span class="pagenum">[252]</span></p> + +<p>"Port!" repeated the pilot with greater energy, when +he saw that the head of the steamer was swinging off +from the Chatauqua.</p> + +<p>"Port!" again responded the quartermaster.</p> + +<p>"Starboard a little more," said Tom, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>Captain Column began to storm because the helm did +not go to port as he ordered.</p> + +<p>"Can't help it, sir. The tiller chains are jammed, +sir," replied the quartermaster.</p> + +<p>"Now hard a port!" said Tom Longstone.</p> + +<p>"Starboard! Hard a starboard!" screamed the pilot, +in tones of fury.</p> + +<p>"Helm is jammed, sir!" returned the boatswain.</p> + +<p>At this moment the bells were rung to stop, and then +to back the engine. To all but the half dozen loyal seamen +who stood near the helm, everything seemed to be +in confusion. The Ben Lomond ran up on the lee side +of the Chatauqua, and stopped within a few feet of her. +A stroke of the wheels and a turn of the helm brought +her alongside, before the rebels could clearly apprehend +the situation. The twenty-four men, with their revolvers +and cutlasses, stood ready to check any demonstration on +the part of officers or crew, but none was made. Their +weapons were in the armory, and they suspected nothing +till an instant before the steamer touched the ship's side.</p> + +<p>Conant, as instructed, leaped on board the Chatauqua, +and reported Somers's wish to the officer of the deck.<span class="pagenum">[253]</span> +In another moment, the watch on deck of the man-of-war +poured into the prize, and secured every officer and +seaman. Then came the three rousing cheers which the +pilot had expected, and the work was done.</p> + +<p>If ever a rebel was disappointed, disheartened, and +disgusted, it was Mr. Swayne. He had been bewildered +by the sudden change in the course of the steamer, and +actually believed that it was caused by the wheel chains +being jammed, until the watch from the Chatauqua +poured in upon her decks.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Swayne, I suppose you are satisfied that I +spoke the truth. The Yankees have not fired upon us; +I came down in the Chatauqua; I was sent off to bring +out this vessel; I have done it," said Somers.</p> + +<p>"I had no suspicion you were a Yankee," replied the +first lieutenant. "Where did you get your commission?"</p> + +<p>"It was given me by Mr. Langdon and Mr. Pillgrim, +both of whom are under guard below."</p> + +<p>Swayne used some expletives more forcible than polite, +and Somers went on board the Chatauqua to report.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[254]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<p class="h3">PILLGRIM AND LANGDON.</p> + +<p>"I have the honor to report the capture of the +Ben Lomond, otherwise the Tallapoosa," said +Somers, as he advanced towards Mr. Hackleford, +his face red with blushes, and his heart bounding +with emotion.</p> + +<p>The first lieutenant of the Chatauqua had regarded his +enterprise with a want of faith, to say the least; and +when the young commander of the expedition came forward +to report its entire success, there was something +like pride and exultation in his manner, mingling not ungracefully +with the manifestations of his natural modesty. +He had done "a big thing;" he felt that he had done +"a big thing;" and it would have been a ridiculous +affectation for him to pretend, by word or manner, that +he had not done "a big thing."</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you upon your success, Mr. Somers," +replied Mr. Hackleford, warmly. "I was sceptical, I +confess; but no man in the fleet is happier than I am at +your good fortune."<span class="pagenum">[255]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," said Somers, blushing more deeply +than before, and almost wishing that the first lieutenant +had done the "big thing" instead of himself, because he +was so kind and generous in his commendation.</p> + +<p>"You have managed the affair with skill and energy. +For my own part, I did not believe you would even get +into the bay, let alone capturing the vessel. I am astonished +at your success, but none the less delighted because +I am surprised."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," was all Somers could say in reply +to this praise so magnanimously bestowed.</p> + +<p>"Captain Cascabel will see you, in his cabin, and we +will hear your verbal report there."</p> + +<p>Mr. Garboard had already gone on board the prize, +hauled her off from the ship, where she was chafing her +sides, and moored her a cable's length distant. Somers +went below, where he was as warmly and generously +greeted by the captain as he had been by the first lieutenant. +He related the story of his night's adventures to +them with all necessary minuteness. His auditors could +not help laughing when he told them what he had done +with his old friends, the first lieutenant and the commander +of the rebel craft. He had acted on his theory +of Pillgrim's intended movements, and thus kept himself +above suspicion.</p> + +<p>"How does Mr. Pillgrim appear?" asked the captain.</p> + +<p>"I haven't seen him, sir; I was very careful not to<span class="pagenum">[256]</span> +let him see me. Mr. Swayne, the first lieutenant of the +Ben Lomond, after I had disposed of Langdon, managed +him for me."</p> + +<p>"It's a very amusing as well as a very exciting affair. +But we must see these officers. Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"Under guard in the state-rooms of the prize, sir."</p> + +<p>"Bring them on board, if you please, Mr. Somers. +Get your breakfast first."</p> + +<p>Somers went to the ward-room, where he breakfasted +with the officers off duty. He was cordially congratulated +upon his success, though perhaps some of the mess +regarded him as rather exclusive in permitting none of +them to share his laurels.</p> + +<p>After breakfast the first cutter was cleared away, and +Somers pulled to the prize in her. The Ben Lomond +was temporarily in charge of the second lieutenant of +the Chatauqua, who had secured the prisoners, and put +everything in order on board. Somers went at once to +the ward-room, where the two most important prisoners +were confined. There were now at each door a couple +of marines with loaded muskets, but no communication +had been had with the solitary occupant of either.</p> + +<p>Pillgrim had several times attempted to obtain some +information in regard to what was going on, but he was +still in darkness. Even the bull's eye in his room could +not have enlightened him, for it was on the starboard side +of the steamer, while the Chatauqua lay on the port side.<span class="pagenum">[257]</span></p> + +<p>Somers ordered the marines to open the door of Langdon's +room first, and the late first lieutenant of the Tallapoosa +came forth.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant Wynkoop, I believe," said Somers, facetiously.</p> + +<p>Langdon looked at him with astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Have you any more old sherry that has made two +voyages to India?"</p> + +<p>"This is hardly magnanimous, Mr. Somers," said +Langdon, coldly.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not; but when officers stoop to such tricks +as those you have practised, there can be no great harm +in mentioning them."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I find myself somewhat bewildered."</p> + +<p>"I dare say," laughed Somers. "Very likely your +friend Pillgrim, or Coles, is in the same situation."</p> + +<p>"Is he on board?"</p> + +<p>"He is."</p> + +<p>"I have not seen him since he left Philadelphia in the +Chatauqua."</p> + +<p>"I have."</p> + +<p>"You were in the Chatauqua with him?"</p> + +<p>"For a short time."</p> + +<p>"I had a letter from him, dated at Richmond, saying +that he had changed his plans."</p> + +<p>"Changed them—did he?" said Somers, who had<span class="pagenum">[258]</span> +changed them for him. "Perhaps you will inform me +how you happened to be on board this vessel."</p> + +<p>"I don't object; it makes little difference what I say +now. After obtaining the command of the Tallapoosa +for Pillgrim, I went to Wilmington, where I was to take +command of the Coosa."</p> + +<p>"You mean the Ben Nevis."</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were to call her the Louisiana."</p> + +<p>"We did not always give you correct information," +added Langdon, with a sickly smile.</p> + +<p>"Go on."</p> + +<p>"While at Wilmington I got a letter from Pillgrim, +then in Richmond, informing me that the Ben Nevis had +been captured, and that I was appointed first lieutenant +of the Tallapoosa, if I chose to take the place. I did +choose to take it, hoping soon to be in command of one +of the California steamers. I went to Mobile at once, +and attended to the fitting out of the ship. Pillgrim +wrote me that he should be on board by the 22d, and +I had steam up to run out the moment he arrived."</p> + +<p>"How happened you to tell your officers that Pillgrim +was coming down in a Yankee man-of-war?" asked +Somers.</p> + +<p>"That was his original plan. Though he wrote me +from Richmond, I did not know but that he intended to +return to the Chatauqua. He gave me no particulars;<span class="pagenum">[259]</span> +did not tell me that his plans had failed, only that he had +changed them. When he wrote that he should be on +board by the 22d, I knew he was coming down by land, +and I corrected my statement. Now, Mr. Somers, will +you tell me how you happen to be here?"</p> + +<p>"Marine, bring out the other prisoner," said Somers, +who had been instructed by Captain Cascabel to confer +with the conspirators, if he could obtain any information +from them.</p> + +<p>The discomfited, crestfallen commander of the Tallapoosa +was brought from his room by a marine. He saw +Somers, and started back with astonishment. He was +pale and haggard, as though he had been spending his +time in drinking bad whiskey, and in other debauchery. +He had upon his face a fortnight's growth of black beard, +and looked more like "Coles" than when Somers had +last met him. His captor concluded that his misfortunes +on board the Chatauqua had depressed his spirits, in spite +of the cool look he had before carried, and that he had +given way to dissipation. He certainly appeared like a +person who had just come out of a hard "spree."</p> + +<p>In the Ben Lomond there was a door opening from the +ward-room into the captain's cabin. The vessel had +evidently been built for a swift passenger steamer. The +ward-room was a portion of the main cabin, from which +the steerage and engineers' rooms had been parted off; +while the captain's cabin was the original "ladies'<span class="pagenum">[260]</span> +saloon." Langdon had been conducted by the marines +through this door to the captain's cabin, where the +conversation with him had taken place. Pillgrim was in +the same manner introduced to this apartment.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers!" exclaimed the traitor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. In the letter you sent me from Old Point +Comfort,—and I am greatly obliged to you for the +information contained in that letter,—you expressed a +hope that you should meet me on board of the Ben +Lomond. Your wish has been realized," replied Somers, +taking the original letter, with other papers, from his +pocket.</p> + +<p>Pillgrim trembled in every fibre of his frame. It was +not thus he had hoped to meet his enemy.</p> + +<p>"'If you capture the Ben Lomond, it will make you +a lieutenant. Do it, by all means,'" continued Somers, +reading the last paragraph of the letter. "This was +your advice. I have done it."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim made no reply. His pale, haggard face, +darkened by his half-grown beard, was contorted by +emotion, and his bloodshot eyes had lost their fire.</p> + +<p>"You don't seem to enjoy the situation so much as +your letter intimated that you would."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I am your prisoner," said he, with a +desperate struggle.</p> + +<p>"You are; you will not have the pleasure of hanging +me at the yard-arm."<span class="pagenum">[261]</span></p> + +<p>"I am bewildered—overcome."</p> + +<p>"So was Langdon."</p> + +<p>"I see why you did not join your ship before," said +Langdon, with a sneer, as he glanced contemptuously at +his principal. "You have been dissipating."</p> + +<p>This remark brought forth an angry retort from Pillgrim, +and for a few moments each traitor reproached and +vilified the other, much to the amusement of the marines, +and to the disgust of Somers, who was compelled to interfere. +Langdon's severest charge against his late captain +was, that he had betrayed their schemes by writing +letters, and in other stupid ways. Pillgrim denied it.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers has just thanked you for the information +contained in your letter," sneered Langdon. "He has +good reason to do so."</p> + +<p>"I gave him no information that could be of any service +to him."</p> + +<p>"You gave him the name of the vessel," retorted +Langdon.</p> + +<p>"But I did not tell him where she was."</p> + +<p>"You gave me that information, Mr. Langdon," said +Somers, quietly.</p> + +<p>"I?"</p> + +<p>Somers exhibited the letter in cipher.</p> + +<p>"You could not read that without the key," protested +the writer of the note.</p> + +<p>"The first word I made out was 'Langdon:' the<span class="pagenum">[262]</span> +next, 'Ben Lomond.' I am indebted to both of you. +The moral of the whole affair is, that treason cannot +prosper. I am indebted to both of you for the information +which enabled me to capture the steamer. Gentlemen, +it becomes my duty to conduct you on board of the +Chatauqua."</p> + +<p>"No, Mr. Somers!" groaned Pillgrim, "spare me +that."</p> + +<p>"I must obey my orders."</p> + +<p>The traitor objected strongly to being taken into the +presence of the officers of the ship in which he had so +recently served. He protested that he had but a few +days to live, and begged to be saved from this humiliation. +But Somers, though he was not without pity for +the degraded and disgraced wretch, had no alternative +but to obey the orders of Captain Cascabel.</p> + +<p>Langdon accepted his misfortunes with more resignation. +He was quite cheerful, and volunteered to tell all +he knew, though he was very bitter against Pillgrim, +who, he declared, had ruined all their hopes by his dissipation, +his silly pretensions, and his reckless exposure of +their plans.</p> + +<p>Somers was now satisfied that Pillgrim had been intoxicated +when he came over the side of the Ben Lomond +the night before, which accounted for his violent +conduct, and which was one of the accidents which +assisted in the easy capture of the vessel.<span class="pagenum">[263]</span></p> + +<p>Both the prisoners were examined on board the Chatauqua; +and, with the explanations of Somers, their +operations were clearly comprehended. They were placed +in confinement, to await the final decision in regard to +them. In the forenoon Somers was sent to make his +report to the admiral. He was warmly received, judiciously +commended, and courteously dismissed. The +young officer's respect and admiration for the "Brave Old +Salt" were not diminished by his second interview.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon the Ben Lomond, in charge of an acting +ensign, was sent to Pensacola, where she was to +remain until further orders. It was surmised that the +admiral, not wishing to spare any of the best officers of +the fleet, when on the eve of a mighty event, had decided +to let the prize remain in port with her prisoners until a +more favorable season. Be this as it may, the Old Salamander +kept everybody busy for the next ten days, when, +the monitors having arrived, and all the ships intended +for the attack being in complete readiness, the order was +given for the battle, which now stands without a parallel +in the annals of naval warfare.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[264]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY.</p> + +<p>In order to appreciate the importance of the tremendous +action in Mobile Bay, it is necessary to +consider that Mobile and Wilmington were the +only available ports of the rebels east of the +Mississippi. The resources of the Confederacy were +exhausted by three years of wasting war, and it was +dependent upon foreign supplies for the means of continuing +the strife. The earnest attention of the government +at Washington, therefore, was directed to the shutting +up of these ports.</p> + +<p>To form a correct idea of the obstacles to the closing +of Mobile Bay, which had been intrusted to Admiral +Farragut, it should be remembered that its entrance was +guarded by two strongly-built and heavily-armed forts; +that the only available channel for large vessels, but +three fourths of a mile in width, ran under the guns of +Fort Morgan, the stronger of the two forts; that this +channel was filled with sunken torpedoes, which, experience +had demonstrated, were fatal to any vessels subjected<span class="pagenum">[265]</span> +to the explosion; and that the rebels had a fleet of gunboats +and iron-clads, which could operate with every +advantage against an advancing fleet.</p> + +<p>"Brave Old Salt" had estimated all these obstacles, +and believing that "success was a duty," he had resolved +to overcome them. All the expedients which the ingenuity +of a thorough seaman could devise were adopted to +strengthen and protect the ships. The plan of the battle +was entirely original, and displayed the genius of its +author. The admiral modestly declares that he only +obeyed the orders of the navy department, and disclaims +the credit so lavishly awarded to him by his admiring +fellow-citizens; but the government did not tell him how +to do it—and in that consisted the doing of it—did not +order him to "lash ships" and take his elevated position +in the main rigging; did not bid him "butt" the rebel +rams with his wooden prows; and for all these things +does the whole world sound his praise.</p> + +<p>At half past five in the morning the Chatauqua, with +the Androscoggin lashed to her port side, took her position +in the line of battle. The Brooklyn was to lead the +van, with the "Old Hartford," the flag-ship, next in the +line, though the doughty old admiral had but tardily +acceded to the request of his officers in taking this place. +The position of the Chatauqua was in the centre of the +line of battle.</p> + +<p>At the signal from the admiral, the fleet moved on.<span class="pagenum">[266]</span> +Every officer was full of zeal and enthusiasm, though it +was certain that some of them would never behold the +light of another day; that more or less of the gallant +vessels must soon be overwhelmed by the hidden engines +of destruction which had been planted in the channel. +Somers regarded it as the great day of his existence. +He had read his Testament and said his prayers that +morning as though it were the last day he had to live, +for the most fearful and deadly strife of the whole war +was anticipated. A man is never so fully prepared to +live well and do his duty faithfully as when he is ready +to die.</p> + +<p>While the young officer thought even more tenderly +than usual of the loved ones in his far-off home, and of +that other loved one who was never forgotten when home +was remembered, he felt that his country was theirs, and +that every blow struck for the nation was struck for +them. To die for his country was to die for them—for +his own home; and he asked no higher duty than to sacrifice +his life, if such was the will of God. "Thy will +be done," he repeated many times, though life was full +of hopes and joys to him.</p> + +<p>The fleet moved on, and the roar of the great guns in +the monitors soon announced that the action had commenced. +The chase guns of the Chatauqua opened first, +and the ship trembled beneath the concussion.</p> + +<p>"The Tecumseh has gone down," passed from mouth<span class="pagenum">[267]</span> +to mouth, as a tremendous explosion saluted the ears of +the seamen.</p> + +<p>The monitor had struck upon a torpedo, and in a moment +had disappeared beneath the tide, carrying down +with her nearly all her gallant crew. But this incident, +appalling as it was even to the battle-scarred veterans on +the decks of the fleet, was hardly heeded in the terrible +determination of purpose which animated every heart. +The Brooklyn paused to dodge some supposed torpedo +buoys, and "Brave Old Salt" dashed ahead in the Hartford +to his proper place in the van of the battle.</p> + +<p>The ships in pairs came up abreast of the fort; and +according to the orders of the admiral, the broadside and +other guns opened upon the works, not with solid shot, in +futile attempts to batter down their dense walls, but with +grape, which drove the gunners of the fort from their +stations.</p> + +<p>Never were guns fired more rapidly; and the roar was +tremendous, shaking all earth beneath, and enveloping +the scene in dense volumes of smoke, above which, as it +occasionally rolled away, might be seen the admiral, +lashed to the main rigging of the Hartford. A glimpse +at him never failed to call forth the most unbounded enthusiasm, +among officers and seamen.</p> + +<p>With comparatively little injury the fleet passed the +fort, and standing to the north-west to clear the Middle +Ground, was out of the reach of its guns. Terrible +<a id="Page_268"></a><span class="pagenum">[268]</span> +stories of the torpedoes had been told by deserters and +refugees, but the admiral's hopes had been realized; they +had been so long in the water that they had become +"innocuous."</p> + +<p>But a new and greater danger menaced the fleet. The +rebel iron-clad Tennessee started out from under the guns +of Fort Morgan. She was a formidable adversary; and +though the monitors were depended upon to "neutralize" +or destroy her, they moved so slowly and steered so badly, +that the brunt of the battle was borne by the wooden +ships.</p> + +<p>"Run her down," was the order from the admiral, +which the signal officer interpreted on the quarter deck +of the Chatauqua.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img class="border2" src="images/ill-277.jpg" width="600" height="402" alt="The Battle of Mobile Bay. Page 268." /> +</div> + +<p class="caption">The Battle of Mobile Bay. <a href="#Page_268">Page 268</a>.</p><p>Captain Cascabel instantly ordered full head of steam +to be put on, and the ship, gathering headway, dashed +down upon the Tennessee, striking her at right angles, +near the after part of the casemate. The shock of the +concussion was terrible. The men were thrown from +their feet, and the ship groaned in bitterness of spirit at +the hard usage to which she was subjected. Her stem +was crushed in to the plank ends, and the water began to +pour into the forward store-rooms. Expecting such an +event, the carpenter and his gang were at the threatened +point, and prevented any disaster from the collision.</p> + +<p>The effect upon the iron-clad was hardly perceptible, +<span class="pagenum">[269]</span>giving her a heavy list, but apparently inflicting no damage +upon her. The Chatauqua swung round as she +struck. Captain Cascabel, who had leaped into the +mizzen rigging, gave his orders, which were promptly +executed by Mr. Hackleford. Solid shot and shell were +poured into the ram with a fury which would have been +fatal to a less strongly built craft. As it was, one of her +port shutters was struck and shattered, the rest of the +shot bounding off like peas from an oak floor.</p> + +<p>"Hah, you bloody villains of Yankees!" shouted the +rebels, at their ports.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Johnny Reb?" replied a fore-top man, +as he hurled a spittoon in at the port.</p> + +<p>Another old salt dashed in a holy-stone, and then the +marines opened fire upon them with their muskets.</p> + +<p>"Ram her again!" shouted the admiral from the main +rigging of the Hartford, as the flag-ship dashed at the +game.</p> + +<p>The Chatauqua swept round, and succeeded in striking +the Tennessee again, but with no better result than +before. At the same time she poured in shot and shell +from every available gun.</p> + +<p>At this moment one of the ships struck the Hartford, +by accident, in the dense smoke, and knocked two of her +ports into one. It was believed that the flag-ship would +go down, for her planking was stove in within two feet +of the water-line.</p> + +<p>"Save the admiral! save the admiral!" shouted the<span class="pagenum">[270]</span> +men; and there was not one of them who would not +have died by fire or water to rescue their beloved leader.</p> + +<p>Somers sprang upon the rail, to observe the catastrophe, +and to be in readiness to save the admiral if an +opportunity occurred. While he stood there, a shot hit +the rail diagonally, a splinter struck him in the side, and +he dropped helpless into the water.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers is wounded and fallen overboard!" +shouted the captain of the pivot gun amidships.</p> + +<p>The words were hardly out of his mouth, before +another man dropped into the water from one of the +ports. It was Tom Longstone. He found his young +friend, and bearing him up with his strong arm, both +were rescued from their perilous position.</p> + +<p>"She shows the white flag! She surrenders!" was +the cry, as the boatswain and Somers reached the deck.</p> + +<p>The young officer was borne to the ward-room at the +moment of victory, while the cheers of the brave tars +were ringing through the fleet.</p> + +<p>The Tennessee and the Selma had surrendered, the +Gaines had been driven ashore, and the Morgan was for +the present safe under the guns of the fort. The victory +was complete and decisive.</p> + +<p>Somers was severely, if not dangerously, injured. He +was borne tenderly to his state-room by his brother officers, +as the cheers for the great victory were sounding +through the fleet. There had been seven men killed and<span class="pagenum">[271]</span> +thirty-five wounded on board the Chatauqua. The surgeon +was in the cockpit, busily engaged in attending to +the wounds of the poor fellows, and could not immediately +examine the young officer, who, it was evident, required +no surgical operation.</p> + +<p>The ship, though considerably cut up by the shots from +the fort and from the rebel steamers, was still in condition +for active service. The fleet anchored in the bay, out of +the reach of the guns of Fort Morgan. Officers were +busy in making the necessary surveys, and the men were +occupied in repairing damages and restoring order about +the decks and rigging.</p> + +<p>"How do you feel, Mr. Somers?" asked Mr. Hackleford, +entering the sufferer's room, as soon as he could +leave the deck.</p> + +<p>"I do not suffer much pain, sir; but I am afraid I am +badly damaged in the hull," replied Somers, with a languid +smile.</p> + +<p>He was very pale, and lay very still. He was numb +from the effects of the shock given him by the splinter, +and some of the functions of his frame seemed to be suspended. +The first lieutenant was alarmed, and sent a +second messenger for the surgeon, who presently made +his appearance, having disposed of the severest cases in +the cockpit.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of him, doctor?" asked Mr. +Hackleford.<span class="pagenum">[272]</span></p> + +<p>"I fear he is badly injured," replied Dr. De Plesion, +shaking his head.</p> + +<p>"Dangerously?" whispered the first lieutenant.</p> + +<p>The surgeon shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Speak out, doctor," said the patient, faintly. "I am +not afraid to die for my country. Please tell me the +truth."</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell yet, Mr. Somers. Three of the ribs +are fractured, but if he is not injured internally, he will +do very well," added the surgeon, to Mr. Hackleford.</p> + +<p>"I have but little pain," said the patient.</p> + +<p>"You will have more, Mr. Somers, by night," continued +Dr. De Plesion. "I do not discover any internal +injury."</p> + +<p>"I hope there is none," said the first lieutenant. +"You are too good an officer to be spared, Mr. Somers,—I +mean for even a brief period, of course."</p> + +<p>The report of the surgeon was anxiously awaited by +the captain and all the ward-room officers, for the third +lieutenant had been a universal favorite, and his capture +of the Ben Lomond, and his gallant conduct during the +action with the forts and the Tennessee, had not diminished +his popularity. Of all who waited the doctor's +decision, none took the matter so much to heart as the +boatswain, who had saved him from drowning while he +was helpless in the water. Mr. Hackleford noticed him +at his duty, still wet to the skin, and kindly gave him +permission to visit his young friend.<span class="pagenum">[273]</span></p> + +<p>"I shall not go by the board, Tom," said Somers. +"You and I may yet make another cruise together."</p> + +<p>"Thank God! I hope so," exclaimed the boatswain, +encouraged by these cheerful words.</p> + +<p>"Tom, I owe my life to you."</p> + +<p>"O, never mind that, my darling! What would I +have done if you had slipped your wind?"</p> + +<p>"You would have done your duty, as you always do, +my good fellow."</p> + +<p>"I dare say I should, Mr. Somers, but I can only +thank God that you are alive now," replied the boatswain, +as the tears flowed down his bronzed cheek, and +he turned to leave the room.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[274]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<p class="h3">IN THE HOSPITAL.</p> + +<p>Under the arrangement made by Admiral Farragut +with the commander of Fort Morgan, the +wounded of both sides were sent in the Metacomet +to Pensacola. Somers was of the number, and he +was borne from his berth in the Chatauqua to the +steamer, though the removal caused him great pain. +The numbness of his side was beginning to pass away, +and the parts to become very sensitive.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I am sorry to see you in this condition," +said "Brave Old Salt," who was present with a +kind word for the suffering heroes of the battle. "You +behaved nobly during the fight, as I am told you always +do."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir. You are very kind," moaned Somers, +in his pain and weakness.</p> + +<p>"I have not forgotten you, my brave fellow," continued +the admiral. "The capture of the Ben Lomond +was a matter of more consequence than you can appreciate, +perhaps; and your faith and skill in doing this +work entitle you to the gratitude of your country."<span class="pagenum">[275]</span></p> + +<p>"I am happy in having merited your approbation."</p> + +<p>"You have behaved gallantly in the action; and, I +repeat, you shall be remembered. What can I do for +you, Mr. Somers?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing more for me, admiral. You have done more +for me now than I deserve. Mr. Longstone, the boatswain +of the Chatauqua, who saved my life—"</p> + +<p>"I know all about him, Mr. Somers. He was your +right-hand man in the capture of the Ben Lomond."</p> + +<p>"He was, sir."</p> + +<p>"He shall not be forgotten."</p> + +<p>"I have already been rewarded more than I deserve—"</p> + +<p>"No, you haven't. Mr. Pillgrim promised you a lieutenant's +commission, if you brought out his steamer. I +ratify that promise. As to the boatswain, it is a pity he +is not an educated man; but he shall be cared for."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>But Somers was too faint to talk any longer, and the +admiral passed to other of the noble fellows who had +been wounded on that eventful day. The sufferer's cot +was placed on the ward-room floor, for the state-rooms +and berths were already full. In one of them lay Admiral +Buchanan, who had commanded the rebel fleet. +He had been wounded in the leg in the battle, and he +had lost the battle itself, which, to a proud, brave spirit, +was worse than losing a leg.<span class="pagenum">[276]</span></p> + +<p>Somers was now suffering the most intense pain, which +he bore like a hero. Tom Longstone bent tenderly over +him, his eyes filled with tears, and uttered his adieus. +With a hand as gentle as a woman's, he pillowed his +head on the couch, and smoothed back his hair from his +eyes. He would gladly have gone with his wounded +friend, to lave his fevered brow and speak words of comfort +and encouragement to him; but neither of them +thought of such a thing, for the admiral's fleet was in the +enemy's waters, and every man was needed at his post.</p> + +<p>The Metacomet, having received her precious freight +of mangled heroes, cast off her moorings, and, passing +the fort, turned her prow to the eastward. On her +arrival at Pensacola, the sufferers were transferred to +the hospital, where they received every attention which +willing hands and generous hearts could bestow.</p> + +<p>Fort Morgan surrendered to the combined forces of +the army and navy before the end of the month, and +Mobile Bay was in undisputed possession of the government. +The work undertaken by the brave admiral had +been fully completed. Mobile was now a cipher, so far +as the Confederacy was concerned, though a great bluster +was made of defending it to the last.</p> + +<p>Somers had been three weeks in the hospital, and +doubtless owed his life to the skill of the surgeon and +the attentions of the nurses. He had been injured internally, +as Dr. De Plesion feared; but he had begun to<span class="pagenum">[277]</span> +improve, though he was still unable to sit up. He had endured +the severest pain, and the doctor had not concealed +from him his fears of a fatal result, because the patience +and firmness, but especially the religious faith, of the sufferer +warranted him in doing so.</p> + +<p>Day after day and night after night Somers struggled +with his condition, in faith, patience, and resignation. +He felt that he was ready to leave the world, full of joys +and hopes as it was, for the purer hopes and brighter +joys of the eternal world beyond the grave. He thought +of his mother, and wished that she might be with him to +smooth his dying pillow, if he must die; but it was not +the will of God, and he did not murmur. He thought +of Kate Portington. He would like to see her once +more before he passed away, but this was a vain wish; +and from her and the loved ones at home he turned to +the glorious realities of the immortal life—fitting theme +for one who was trembling between life and death.</p> + +<p>In the midst of his pain and earthly loneliness he was +happy. He could not but recall the scene of Phil Kennedy's +death-bed; of the agony of remorse which shook +him, as he looked back upon his past life; of the terrors +with which his stricken conscience invested the grave. +Then the sufferer, in the deepest depths of his heart, +thanked God that he had been enabled to be true to himself +and to duty. He was happy in the past, happy in +the hope of the future. There was much to regret and<span class="pagenum">[278]</span> +to repent of; but as he did regret and repent, he felt that +he was forgiven.</p> + +<p>He was happy; and the joy of that hour, when an +approving conscience triumphs over bodily pain, and +decks the waiting tomb with flowers, was worth the +struggle with the legions of temptations which all must +encounter.</p> + +<p>We are best fitted to live when best prepared to die. +Somers waited with hope and resignation for the angel +of death, but he came not. The very calmness with +which he regarded the open tomb, assisted in closing its +portals to him. At the end of two weeks the doctor +spoke more of life than of death; at the end of three he +spoke not at all of the grim messenger—grim he was, +even when he wore the chaplet of flowers with which +Faith and Hope ever crown him.</p> + +<p>Somers was out of danger. The internal inflammation +passed away, and the patient began to mend. He +thought of life now, of meeting the loved ones who, afar +off, had sadly spoken farewells to him when he departed +from their presence, with all the fearful perils of storm +and battle hanging over him.</p> + +<p>On the day after the news of the surrender of Fort +Morgan arrived, the Chatauqua dropped her anchor off +Pensacola. A boat immediately put off from her, containing +Boatswain Longstone, who landed, and hastened +to the hospital with all possible speed. Probably there<span class="pagenum">[279]</span> +had hardly been an hour since the Metacomet left Mobile +Bay with the wounded, in which Tom had not thought of +Somers. The old man was as eager and impatient as a +child, and could hardly submit to the formalities necessary +to procure admission to the hospital.</p> + +<p>"My darling!" exclaimed the veteran, as he crept up +to the bed of his young friend.</p> + +<p>He walked lightly, and spoke softly and tenderly, for +he knew how sick Somers had been.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Tom, I am glad to see you," replied the patient, +as he extended his thin hand, which the boatswain +eagerly seized, though he handled it as tenderly as a +bashful youth does the hand of the maiden he loves. +"It does my eyes good to look upon you, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Jack, I've been dying to see you. They told me +you were in a bad way, and might slip your cable any +moment."</p> + +<p>"I have not expected to live, until a week ago."</p> + +<p>"God bless you, Jack! I was never so happy in my +life;" and the boatswain actually wept,—great, strong, +weather-stained veteran as he was, who had breasted the +storms of four and thirty years on the ocean.</p> + +<p>"I know how you feel, Tom."</p> + +<p>"So you may, Jack,—I beg pardon, Mr.—"</p> + +<p>"Call me Jack, now," interposed Somers, with a faint +smile; "it sounds like old times. You have been the +making of me, Tom, and we won't stand on ceremony, +as long as we are not on board the ship."<span class="pagenum">[280]</span></p> + +<p>The boatswain still held the attenuated hand of his +sick friend, and they talked of the past and of the present; +of the battle, and of the subsequent events in the +bay. But Tom Longstone seemed to be thinking all the +time of something else.</p> + +<p>"What have you got on, Tom?" asked Somers, as he +noticed a "foul anchor" on his shoulder, and a band of +gold lace on his sleeve.</p> + +<p>"What have I got on? Why, I always wear my +colors, of course," replied Tom, with a smile of the deepest +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"But those are not the colors of a boatswain in the +United States Navy."</p> + +<p>"That's a fact, Jack. I'm not a boatswain, just now."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!"</p> + +<p>"I'm an acting ensign."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible?" exclaimed Somers, not less pleased +than the veteran.</p> + +<p>"It's a fact, my darling; but before we spin any more +yarns, here's a document for you. Shall I open it?" continued +Tom, as he took from his breast pocket a huge +official envelope, whose appearance was entirely familiar +to Somers.</p> + +<p>"If you please."</p> + +<p>It was directed to "Lieutenant John Somers;" and +the superscription sufficiently indicated the nature of its +contents.<span class="pagenum">[281]</span></p> + +<p>"God bless the admiral!" said Somers.</p> + +<p>"God bless the admiral!" repeated Tom, glancing +reverently upward as he spoke.</p> + +<p>The commission was dated before the news of the battle +in Mobile Bay could have reached Washington. It +followed the reception of the despatches concerning the +capture of the Ben Lomond; and Tom Longstone had +been made an acting ensign, though he still retained his +warrant as a boatswain, for his conduct in the same +affair.</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you, Tom, on this promotion," said +Somers.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Jack; and I congratulate you as Lieutenant +Somers. You are a 'regular,' but I'm only an +'acting,'" replied the veteran. "When the war's over, +I shall be a boatswain again."</p> + +<p>"I am more rejoiced for you than for myself, Tom."</p> + +<p>"Just like you, Jack. If I made you, I'm sure you +made me. I got my rating as boatswain's mate in the +Rosalie through you, and then I was made a boatswain +for what I did with you. Now I'm an ensign by your +doings. I suppose you think I'm not up to it, Jack."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do. I know you are. There's nothing about +a ship that you don't know as well as the admiral himself, +except—"</p> + +<p>"Except," laughed Tom, as Somers paused, "except +what?"<span class="pagenum">[282]</span></p> + +<p>"Navigation."</p> + +<p>"I know something about that, Jack—I do, upon my +honor."</p> + +<p>"I do not doubt it."</p> + +<p>"When I first went into the navy, I was a regular +sea dandy. I used big words, as long as the coach-whip; +but I soon found a man must not talk above his +station. When I was a young man, I wasn't a bad +scholar. I went to the academy, and learned surveying; +I meant to be a surveyor; but I got a hitch, and went +to sea."</p> + +<p>"A hitch?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I never mention it now. Squire Kent's daughter +didn't treat me as handsomely as she did another +young fellow, and I drank more liquor than was good for +me. I got run down; and when I had payed out all the +respectability I had, I went to sea. That cured me of +drinking; in fact, I became a temperance man before +the grog rations were stopped in the navy. As I said, I +was pretty well educated, and talked as well as the officers +on the quarter deck. But my shipmates laughed at +me, and I soon dropped down into using sea slang."</p> + +<p>"I have noticed that your speech has been wonderfully +improved since you were made a boatswain."</p> + +<p>"I've been trying to cure my bad habits. I've been +lying round loose in the navy for thirty years before the +war began. I tried to be honest and true, but the war<span class="pagenum">[283]</span> +has set me right up. I haven't told you the best of the +news yet, Jack."</p> + +<p>"What more?"</p> + +<p>"You are appointed to the Ben Lomond as prize +master, and I'm going with you as second officer. The +admiral says you shall take the prize home, if she has to +wait two months for you. She is yours, and you shall +have the command of her."</p> + +<p>"He is very kind; but I do not think I shall be able +to take command at present."</p> + +<p>"We are to go as soon as the doctor will let you be +carried on board of her. Jack, the Ben Lomond is +going into the navy; and if I mistake not, she will be in +command of Lieutenant Somers."</p> + +<p>"That would be the height of my ambition. Indeed, +I never aspired to anything so great as the command of +a fine steamer."</p> + +<p>"You'll have her; the admiral is your friend. If you +do, I shall be in the ward-room. Splinter my timber-heads! +Only think of that! Tom Longstone a ward-room +officer!"</p> + +<p>"You deserve it, Tom."</p> + +<p>In the course of the week, other officers of the Chatauqua +visited the patient, and at the end of that period +the doctor permitted Somers to be conveyed on board the +Ben Lomond.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[284]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<p class="h3">MISS PORTINGTON NOT AT HOME.</p> + +<p>Pillgrim and Langdon had been in close confinement +at Pensacola since their capture. They +were now placed on board of the Ben Lomond +to be sent north. An apartment was specially +fitted up for their use in the steerage, for they were +regarded as dangerous men, to whom bolts, bars, and +other obstacles, were but trifling impediments. A sufficient +number of marines to guard them were detailed for +duty on the passage, and the steamer sailed for Boston, +where the prize was to be adjusted.</p> + +<p>Somers was now improving very rapidly, and before +he left the hospital, had sat up a small portion of each +day. The pleasant intelligence brought to him by Tom +Longstone had not retarded his recovery; on the contrary, +the bright hopes of the future which it suggested, +rather stimulated his feeble frame, and assisted in his +restoration to health.</p> + +<p>The steamer had fine weather on the passage, with the +exception of a gale of thirty hours' duration. She put<span class="pagenum">[285]</span> +into Hampton Roads, and landed her prisoners at Fortress +Monroe, in accordance with the orders of her +commander, and then proceeded to Boston. The Ben +Lomond behaved remarkably well in the heavy weather +she experienced, proving herself to be a strongly-built +and substantial vessel. Somers sent his despatches to +Washington from Fortress Monroe.</p> + +<p>When the Ben Lomond sailed into Boston Harbor, +Somers was able to go on deck, for with each day of the +voyage his health had continued to improve. The +steamer was duly handed over to the naval authorities, +and the young lieutenant was granted a furlough of +sixty days.</p> + +<p>"Our cruise is up," said Tom Longstone, when the +business had been completed.</p> + +<p>"For the present, we have nothing to do; but I hope +we shall soon receive our orders," replied Somers. +"Now, Tom, you will go down to Pinchbrook with me, +and spend a couple of months."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Jack; I hardly think I should know how +to behave in a house on shore, it is so long since I have +been in one."</p> + +<p>"You will soon learn."</p> + +<p>They went to Pinchbrook, and Tom received a welcome +almost as cordial as that extended to Somers. The +veteran was soon made entirely at home by his young +friend's father, and such a "spinning of yarns" for<span class="pagenum">[286]</span> +thirty days had never been known before. Tom told a +story of the Cumberland; then Captain Somers had a +West India yarn; and gran'ther Greene was indulgently +permitted to relate his experience in the "last war," +though it was observed that the old man, whose memory +was much impaired, always told the same story.</p> + +<p>Never did a happier trio gather around a kitchen fire +than that which sat around the cook-stove at Pinchbrook +on those autumn mornings. Very likely Mrs. Somers +thought the "men folks" were in the way at times; but, +she was too much interested in the stories told, and too +good natured to raise an objection, especially when +John joined the party.</p> + +<p>In the mean time, Somers was rapidly regaining his +health and strength. As may be supposed, he was a +lion in Pinchbrook, and was invited to every party and +every merry-making in the place. Captain Barney was +with him a great deal, and was as fond of him as though +he had been his own son. Of course the young ladies of +Pinchbrook regarded the lieutenant as a great man; and +if it had not been known in town that he was "paying +attention" to a commodore's daughter, he might have +been absolutely persecuted by the fair ones of his native +village.</p> + +<p>In strict observance of his promise, Somers had written +several letters to Kate Portington, but had received no +answer. These epistles, with the exception of an occasional<span class="pagenum">[287]</span> +playful remark, were confined to the details of his +naval operations. The events of his career were faithfully +recorded, and they were in no sense such productions +as many silly young men would have written under +similar circumstances. No answer to any of them had +been received.</p> + +<p>Since his arrival at Pinchbrook, Somers had written +two letters; but at the end of the first month of his furlough, +he had not heard a word from Kate. He was +troubled, and no doubt thought Kate was very cold and +cruel. He knew that Pillgrim had not seen her, and +therefore could not have prejudiced her against him. It +was possible that his letters had not reached their destination; +Kate might be away from home; and he was +not willing to believe that anything had occurred to make +her less friendly to him than formerly.</p> + +<p>Somers, as we have so often had occasion to represent +him, was always in favor of "facing the music." If +there was anything the matter, he wanted to know it. +If the lady wished to discontinue the acquaintance, he +wanted to know that; and when he could no longer content +himself in Pinchbrook, with the question unsettled, +he started for Newport. On his arrival he proceeded at +once to the residence of Commodore Portington. With +a firm hand he rang the bell—in surprising contrast +with his first visit, for now he was firm and decided.</p> + +<p>The servant informed him that Miss Portington was at<span class="pagenum">[288]</span> +home, and he sent up his card. Somers sat nervously +waiting the issue. Presently the servant returned and +handed him a card, on which was written, "<i>Miss Portington +is not at home to Mr. John Somers</i>."</p> + +<p>He was confounded by this cool reply. Though her +present conduct was in accordance with the unanswered +letters, he had not expected to be thus rudely repelled. +If she had any objection to him, why didn't she tell him +so? He had done his duty to his country, and kept his +promises to her. It was the severest blow he had ever +received.</p> + +<p>He read the card, rose from his chair, and left the +house, as dignified as though he had been on the quarter +deck of the Ben Lomond. He was too proud to ask or +to offer any explanations. We will not undertake to say +how bad he felt. Perhaps he wished he had died in the +Pensacola hospital, when he lay at death's door; perhaps +he felt like rushing into the hottest of a fight, and laying +down his life for the cause he had espoused, without +thinking that this would be suicide, rather than a generous +sacrifice to a holy duty.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pillgrim had informed him that he would meet +with a "chilly" reception. It was even worse than +that; but as it was evidently caused by the traitor's +machinations, he was content to suffer. If she chose to +let the words of the wretched conspirator against his +country bias her against him, he could not help it; and<span class="pagenum">[289]</span> +his only remaining duty was to submit with the best possible +grace.</p> + +<p>Of course he could not leave Newport without calling +at the Naval Academy. Mr. Revere, the commandant +of midshipmen, was his firm friend, and it would be +treason to him to leave the city without seeing him. He +was cordially received, and his experience in Mobile Bay +was listened to with the most friendly interest.</p> + +<p>"I need not ask you if you have been to Commodore +Portington's," said Mr. Revere.</p> + +<p>"I have, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, how is Miss Portington?"</p> + +<p>"I did not see her," replied Somers, who, conscious +that he had done no wrong, was not disposed to conceal +his misfortune from so good a friend.</p> + +<p>"Did not see her!" exclaimed the commandant.</p> + +<p>Somers explained.</p> + +<p>The story of Pillgrim's treason had been circulated, +but the particulars by which it had been exposed were +known to only a few. Mr. Revere saw at once the cause +of the rupture.</p> + +<p>"The villain has sent her the bond you signed," +said he.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he has."</p> + +<p>"Probably she knows nothing of the circumstances +under which you signed it."</p> + +<p>"I have had no opportunity to explain."<span class="pagenum">[290]</span></p> + +<p>"But, Somers, you musn't be too stiff. Any lady +would be fully justified in refusing to see a gentleman +who signed a paper like that, which contained her name +in such a connection."</p> + +<p>"I think so myself; and therefore I will not blame +her."</p> + +<p>"Pillgrim got you to sign that document for this +very purpose."</p> + +<p>"I surmised as much."</p> + +<p>"But it is a wrong to the lady as well as to you, to +permit this thing to go on."</p> + +<p>"I have no remedy."</p> + +<p>"Write her a note, explaining your position."</p> + +<p>"My motives would be misconstrued."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall act for you."</p> + +<p>Somers went to his hotel, and Mr. Revere did act it for +him. Kate was not satisfied. A high-minded man +would have died rather than sign such a paper. So +would Somers, if the bond had any real meaning. The +commandant was not successful in the negotiation, as +mediators seldom are in such cases.</p> + +<p>"I am satisfied, Mr. Revere," said Somers: but he +was as far from satisfied as a young man could be.</p> + +<p>"There is no help for it; but, Somers, I have invited +a few friends to my house this evening, and you must be +with us."</p> + +<p>"Will Miss Portington be there?"<span class="pagenum">[291]</span></p> + +<p>"She has been invited, with her mother."</p> + +<p>"I will go," replied he, still carrying out his principle +that it is always best to "face the music."</p> + +<p>He did go. The few friends were about fifty—to +celebrate the birthday of the commandant's lady. There +were music, and dancing, and revelry; and Kate Portington +was there, with her mother. He saw the fair girl; +saw her smile as pleasantly and unconcernedly as though +nothing had happened. He met her face to face; she +bowed coldly, and passed on. Mrs. Portington was not +quite so "chilly," but not at all as she had been in +former times.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, we shall always remember you with +gratitude, for the service you so kindly rendered us," +said she.</p> + +<p>"It is hardly worth remembering, madam, much less +mentioning," replied Somers.</p> + +<p>"It shall always be gratefully remembered, and cordially +mentioned. You cannot yourself regret more than +I do, that anything should have occurred to disturb the +pleasant relations which formerly existed."</p> + +<p>"I regret it very much, madam; but as I think I +have done my duty to my country and to my friends, I +must regret it without reproaching myself for my conduct +in that which has proved so offensive."</p> + +<p>"Was it your duty to sign that vile paper?" asked the +lady, in excited tones.<span class="pagenum">[292]</span></p> + +<p>"I think it was."</p> + +<p>"I must take a different view of the matter; but, Mr. +Somers, I shall still be interested in your success."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, madam."</p> + +<p>And the lady passed on. Somers looked at Kate. +She was dancing with a young officer who had greatly +distinguished himself in the waters of North Carolina. +She looked happy. Was she so? She certainly had a +wonderful command of herself if she was not. Somers +retired at an early hour.</p> + +<p>Did Kate think he was an adventurer? His superior +officer had directed him to sign the bond, as a "war +measure." He had done so with regret and disgust. +The paper meant nothing to him. Why should it mean +anything to her and her mother?</p> + +<p>The next day, Somers returned to Pinchbrook, where +he found certain official documents in the post office, +directed to him. He was appointed to the command of +the Firefly, which was the new name given by the department +to the Ben Lomond. The steamer had been +duly condemned, and purchased by the government, her +great speed admirably adapting her as a cruiser for rebel +pirates. Somers was generously rewarded for his zeal +and success in the capture of the twin steamers, which +had been intended to prey on the commerce of the +country.</p> + +<p>Acting Ensign Longstone was appointed second lieutenant<span class="pagenum">[293]</span> +of the Firefly. The third and fourth lieutenants, +and the sailing master, were acting ensigns, like Tom +Longstone.</p> + +<p>All was excitement now at the cottage in Pinchbrook, +in anticipation of Somers's departure. A lieutenant commanding +was a higher position than he had ever hoped +to obtain; but even while he rejoiced over his bright +future, he could not help being "blue" over his affair at +Newport. He tried to forget the fair lady, but he found +that was not an easy matter. He devoted himself to the +fitting up of the Firefly, spending part of his time at +Pinchbrook, till his orders came from Washington. A +kind word from Kate would have made him the happiest +man in the world. As that did not come, he went to sea +without it.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[294]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE BEN LEDI.</p> + +<p>The Firefly had been strengthened and otherwise +improved for the purpose to which she was to be +applied. Her armament had been changed, to +adapt it to the standard of the United States navy. +She now carried a hundred pounder rifle amidships, a +rifled thirty on her forecastle, four twenty-four pounders +on the broadsides, and two howitzers on the quarter +deck. The cabin, ward-room, and steerage remained as +before.</p> + +<p>It was a pleasant November day—in the full reign +of the Indian summer—when she went down the harbor. +Somers stood on the quarter deck, as dignified as +the commander of a man-of-war should be, but he +could hardly repress the feeling of pride and exultation +with which he regarded his position. He was hardly +twenty-one, though he was mature enough in appearance +and in judgment for twenty-five. He had realized the +warmest hope he had permitted himself to cherish. He +was in command of a beautiful vessel, with a hundred<span class="pagenum">[295]</span> +officers and men under his charge. He was the supreme +authority; every man on board touched his cap to him.</p> + +<p>Below was a cabin, appropriated wholly to his use, +where he could live as luxuriously as a lord. He had no +watch to keep, no work to perform. As he contemplated +his position, he was absolutely amazed. He had hoped, +but not expected, to reach this pinnacle of his ambition. +But there was another side to the question. A fearful +responsibility was imposed upon him. The lives of his +hundred men depended upon him. This valuable steamer, +with her armament and stores, was intrusted to him, +and he must account for all loss or waste on board of +her. More than this, the honor of the flag under which +he sailed had been committed to him. If he lost his +ship by bad management, it would be his ruin. If he +permitted the ensign which floated at his peak to be disgraced, +it would be infamy to him.</p> + +<p>In the public service he might have occasion to run +into foreign ports, or to visit neutral waters. His want +of knowledge, or his want of judgment, might entangle +his country in perplexing broils with other nations, or +even involve her in another war. As he thought of his +delicate and difficult duties, he felt like shrinking from +them, and avoiding the immense responsibility. Being +"captain," in this view, was quite a different thing from +what he had anticipated.</p> + +<p>With a smile he recalled his own reflections, when, as<span class="pagenum">[296]</span> +an ordinary seaman, he had observed the captain of his +ship walk the deck. Then he had thought the commander +had the easiest and jolliest time of all the men on +board, with his fine cabin all to himself, and no watch to +keep, and apparently no work to do. From his present +stand-point, the captain occupied the most difficult and +trying place in the ship, and he almost wished he had +declined the command offered to him.</p> + +<p>Outside the bay, the sealed orders were opened. As +he had anticipated, he was ordered to cruise in search of +rebel steamers, whose depredations on the coast had +severely tried the patience of the nation. He was +directed to proceed first to the eastward, and then to use +his own judgment. There were several rebel privateers, +or naval vessels belonging to the Confederacy. The +Tallahassee, the Chickamauga, and the Olustee had been +the most mischievous; and it was believed that there +were others at Wilmington, and the <i>neutral</i> ports of New +Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the West Indies.</p> + +<p>Having learned where he was to go, and what he was +to do, he went on deck and gave his orders to Mr. Gamage, +the first lieutenant. The Firefly was headed to the +north-east, and all sail set to help her along. Before +Somers went below, she logged fifteen knots, which was +splendid for a ship with her bunkers full of coal.</p> + +<p>In the evening the young commander invited Tom +Longstone to visit his cabin. The veteran was in his<span class="pagenum">[297]</span> +happiest frame of mind. All the aspirations of his earlier +years seemed to have been rekindled in his soul; he +had abandoned the use of slang, and conducted himself +so much like a gentleman, outwardly, that no one could +have suspected he had spent thirty odd years of his life +before the mast; but as he had always been a gentleman +at heart, it was comparatively easy for him to assume +the externals of his new profession.</p> + +<p>The old man had donned a new uniform; and though +his hair and beard were iron gray, he looked as "spruce" +as a dry goods clerk. No change of dress, however, +could make him any other than an "old salt." He +walked with a rolling gait, and had all the airs of a +veteran seaman. It is true that in the transposition +from the forecastle to the ward-room he had discarded +"pigtail," and confined himself to "fine cut," taken +from a silver box; but he still used as much of the +"weed" as an old sheet-anchor man.</p> + +<p>"You sent for me, Captain Somers," said the second +lieutenant, as he touched his fore-top, from the force of +habit.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Mr. Longstone," said the captain. "It +is one of the blessings of my present position that I have +a place to sit down and talk with old friends. I suppose +you know we are bound to the eastward in search of +rebel privateers."</p> + +<p>"So Mr. Gamage told me, sir. I hope we shall catch +some of them."<span class="pagenum">[298]</span></p> + +<p>"So do I; but I'm afraid we are on a wild-goose +chase."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not—at least, I hope not. If there is a +rebel ship in these waters, we'll have her, if we have to +dive after her."</p> + +<p>"The ocean is very broad. None of our ships have +had much luck in catching these rebel pirates. I would +rather have gone down on the blockade, where there is +some show for us."</p> + +<p>"Don't give it up, Captain Somers."</p> + +<p>"I don't give it up; but I do not see any reason why +I should be more fortunate than others. A score of our +ships have cruised for months without catching a single +one of them."</p> + +<p>"They didn't look where they were," laughed Tom.</p> + +<p>"If I knew where they were, I would look there."</p> + +<p>"You will certainly catch one of the pirates, Captain +Somers."</p> + +<p>"Why do you say so?"</p> + +<p>"Because you are smart, and you are lucky. I know +you will make a capture on this cruise. I feel it in my +bones."</p> + +<p>"I hope I shall. Wouldn't it be glorious, if I could +send such a despatch as Captain Winslow did, after he +had sunk the Alabama?"</p> + +<p>Somers's eyes glistened as he thought of it, but it was +only an air-castle; and after he had contemplated it for<span class="pagenum">[299]</span> +a moment, his common sense obliged him to come down +from the clouds.</p> + +<p>The cruise of the Firefly would supply matter enough +for a whole volume, but we have only space for a mere +outline of the voyage. The steamer lay off and on for a +week without meeting with anything that looked like a +rebel privateer, when her commander decided to run into +Halifax, where he hoped to obtain some information. +The city was a nest of "secesh sympathizers," and the +captain of the Firefly was not received with much enthusiasm +outside of the American consulate. He had +not been in the habit of hearing his country and her +rulers vilified, and as he sat in the parlor of the hotel, +and listened to hostile remarks, evidently intended for +his ear, nothing but prudence prevented him from indulging +in the luxury of pulling the noses of the speakers. +He preserved his dignity in spite of his inclination.</p> + +<p>"Upon my word, this is a very unexpected pleasure," +said a familiar voice.</p> + +<p>He looked up from the newspaper he was reading. +Before him stood Mr. Pillgrim!</p> + +<p>"Quite as unexpected to me as to you, Mr. Pillgrim!" +replied Somers, with abundant self-possession.</p> + +<p>"I dare say, Mr. Somers," laughed Pillgrim. "Of +course you did not expect to see me. Will you take a +glass of wine with me, Mr. Somers?"</p> + +<p>"No, I thank you; I never indulge—as you are +aware."<span class="pagenum">[300]</span></p> + +<p>"I didn't know but your rapid advancement had +changed your tastes."</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>"You command the Ben Lomond now, Mr. Somers, I +learn from the papers."</p> + +<p>"The Firefly is her present name."</p> + +<p>"Bah! What an ugly name for a fine steamer like +her. The Tallapoosa is much better. Be that as it +may, I congratulate you on your promotion and your +appointment; and you know how sincere I am!</p> + +<p>"I do know; and, therefore, cannot even thank you +for your good wishes."</p> + +<p>"Don't be savage, Mr. Somers. You can afford to +be very good-natured."</p> + +<p>"I am."</p> + +<p>"You don't seem to be very glad to see me."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, I am. I hope, with your usual +candor, that you will tell me what you are going to do +next, and give me an opportunity to cut out your vessel. +I am up here for that purpose."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim bit his lip.</p> + +<p>"At present, Mr. Somers, I must be silent; but we +shall yet meet and settle up old accounts. Let us not be +ill-natured. If we meet as enemies, we will fight it out."</p> + +<p>"We can never meet in any other way."</p> + +<p>"That isn't friendly. How is Miss Portington?"</p> + +<p>"She was well, last time I saw her;" and Somers +blushed, and looked disconcerted—as he really was.<span class="pagenum">[301]</span></p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear it, Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, +significantly.</p> + +<p>Somers changed the topic at once, and finally contrived +to ask the traitor how he happened to be in Halifax, +instead of Fortress Monroe. Pillgrim laughed exultingly, +and declared there were no irons, bolts, or bars +that could keep him a prisoner; and the facts seemed to +justify the assertion.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, not more than one half of the people +of the North are in favor of this cruel war. I have +friends in Washington and other cities whom no one +suspects of favoring the South. I am indebted to them +for my liberation. I shall yet carry out my original purpose. +I have lost three vessels. I was paid for two by +the Confederacy; and I have your bond for half the +value of the third. I am a commander in the Confederate +navy. In one week I shall be at sea. I shall +sink, burn, and destroy! You can't help yourself."</p> + +<p>"Is your ship here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—no."</p> + +<p>Pillgrim laughed, turned on his heel, and walked +away. Somers was excited. He wanted to know more. +He went to the American consul. A "blue-nose" sailor +of the Firefly was sent on shore, who found Pillgrim, +and without much difficulty shipped in the "Sunny +South" for a voyage on the coast. This was all the +information that could be obtained. There was no such<span class="pagenum">[302]</span> +craft as the Sunny South in port. Somers examined all +the vessels in the harbor, and found a steamer called the +Ben Ledi—another Scottish mountain. She was Clyde-built, +and similar to the Ben Nevis and the Ben Lomond. +The name alone satisfied the inquirer that she belonged +to the same family as the two vessels he had already +captured.</p> + +<p>Things began to look a little more hopeful, and the +young commander carefully read his books on international +law. He attempted to place the Firefly where he +could watch the suspected steamer; but the authorities, +on various pretences, prevented him from doing so. The +next morning the Ben Ledi was gone. Somers was exceedingly +mortified, for he might as well look for a needle +in a haymow as try to find the vessel on the ocean. He +put to sea at once. A "blue-nose" official laughed at +him as his gig pulled off to the ship, and everybody on +shore was in high glee because the Confederate had +eluded the Yankee.</p> + +<p>Somers kept cool in spite of his chagrin; and believing +the Ben Ledi would run for Wilmington, where she +would probably be fitted out as a cruiser, he headed the +Firefly in that direction, and gave chase.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[303]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<p class="h3">A LONG CHASE.</p> + +<p>Somers was somewhat bewildered by the events +which had transpired during his brief stay at +Halifax. It was almost incredible that Pillgrim +had again escaped; but the traitor had powerful friends—men +who appeared to be loyal while they were in full +sympathy with the leaders of the rebellion. The three +"Bens," the last of which was now fleeing before him, +were certainly an interesting family. Pillgrim, while +abroad, and operating for the Southern Confederacy, had +apparently purchased a whole line of Clyde-built steamers. +Two of them were now in good hands, and doing +good service to the loyal cause; but Somers feared that +the third would escape him.</p> + +<p>Pillgrim had learned prudence from the experience of +the past. Somers hoped he would indulge in his customary +reckless boasting; that his thirst for revenge would +again lead him to betray himself; but he had not dropped +even a hint that could be of any service. The decoy +seaman had only learned that he was to sail in the<span class="pagenum">[304]</span> +"Sunny South." The sudden departure of the Ben +Ledi was the only important fact in possession of the +commander of the Firefly.</p> + +<p>When the ship was well out of the bay, and her course +laid down, Somers went into his cabin to consult his +charts, and consider a plan for future operations. Unfortunately +there was no information on which to base a +theory in regard to the pirate's course. He could only +guess at her destination. The Firefly was run at her +best speed during the rest of the day, but her course +for a large portion of the time was through a dense +Nova Scotia fog, and nothing was seen or heard.</p> + +<p>On the following day, the sun shone through a clear +air, and at noon there was seen, dead ahead, some evidences +of black smoke in the horizon. This was a hopeful +sign, for there was a steamer burning English coal in +the direction indicated. It might be the Ben Ledi, and +it might not; but the appearance created a tremendous +excitement on board the Firefly.</p> + +<p>"Captain Somers, you will have her," said Tom Longstone, +placing himself by the side of the young commander. +"It is your luck."</p> + +<p>"That may not be the steamer we are after. We +haven't seen her yet."</p> + +<p>"That's the Ben Ledi; you may depend upon it. I +wouldn't give five cents to any man to guarantee my +share of prize money in her."<span class="pagenum">[305]</span></p> + +<p>"Don't be too confident, Mr. Longstone."</p> + +<p>"She is ours, Captain Somers."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could believe it."</p> + +<p>"You must believe it, and work for it."</p> + +<p>"I shall certainly work for it."</p> + +<p>And he did work for it. Everything that would add a +fraction of a knot to the speed of the Firefly was done. +The black smoke was visible all the rest of the day, but +not a sight of the steamer from which it proceeded could +be obtained. Darkness settled down upon the ocean, +and nothing could be seen during the night. The next +day was cloudy, and there was not a sign of encouragement +to those on board of the pursuing vessel. Then +came a gale of twenty hours' duration; but the Firefly +held her course, and proved herself to be a perfect sea +boat.</p> + +<p>The fourth day out from Halifax was fine, and shortly +after sunrise the cloud of black smoke was again discovered, +and a thrill of delight coursed through the +veins of Somers as he discovered it. The steamer was +on the port bow now, but it was evident that both steamers +were bound to the same point, though their courses +had slightly varied during the gale.</p> + +<p>"I told you so, Captain Somers!" exclaimed Lieutenant +Longstone, as he rubbed his hands briskly in view of +the bright prospect.</p> + +<p>"We haven't caught her yet, Mr. Longstone."<span class="pagenum">[306]</span></p> + +<p>"But you will catch her, just as sure as the sun +shines."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Pillgrim will not allow himself to be taken."</p> + +<p>"He cannot help himself."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he can. That steamer sails as well as the +Firefly, and we are not a hundred and fifty miles from +Cape Fear."</p> + +<p>"No matter; we have got ten hours' working time, +and we shall use her up. Shall we put the helm to starboard, +Captain Somers?"</p> + +<p>"No; keep her as she is," replied the commander. +"If she is going into Wilmington we shall be making +something on this tack. We have the weather-gage of +her."</p> + +<p>It was soon clearly demonstrated that the chase had +"slowed down," so as not to approach the coast before +night should favor her operations, though her great speed +gave her every advantage over an ordinary pursuer. +The Firefly had run down so that the Ben Ledi was on +her port beam, about eight miles distant. Both steamers +had hoisted English colors, for Somers had no idea +of being cheated out of the game by "showing his +hand."</p> + +<p>The most intense excitement prevailed on board of the +Firefly, for it was evident that a few hours more would +settle the question one way or the other. Somers was +not disposed to wait until night, which would favor the<span class="pagenum">[307]</span> +chase more than himself; and he was afraid, if he headed +towards her, that she would take the alarm and beat him +on time. He kept quiet for a couple of hours, just as +though he were waiting for the darkness to cover him in +running the blockade.</p> + +<p>His plan seemed to be a success, for after a while the +Ben Ledi began to bear down upon him. It was an +anxious hour for Somers. He ordered the first lieutenant +to beat to quarters, and the chief engineer to have +on a full head of steam. The guns were loaded with +solid shot, and every preparation made for an exciting +time. Pillgrim did not seem to suspect thus far that the +steamer under English colors was the one he had left in +Halifax harbor. It was certain that he did not yet +recognize her.</p> + +<p>The Firefly reciprocated the attention of the Ben Ledi, +and moved slowly towards her, for Somers was careful +not to excite suspicion by being precipitate. The two +steamers approached within three miles, and the respective +captains were busy in examining each other's ship +through their glasses. The chase now hoisted her number. +As Somers had the Lloyd's signal book, he read it +without difficulty. It was the Ben Ledi. To the question, +"What ship is that?" he had no answer to give, +for it was not prudent to hoist the old number of the +Ben Lomond.</p> + +<p>Our younger readers may not understand how a conversation<span class="pagenum">[308]</span> +is carried on between ships at sea, several miles +distant from each other. There are ten small signal flags +representing the nine digits and the zero. Any number +can of course be formed of these figures. Every ship is +provided with a number, which if it consists of two +figures is represented by two flags, hoisted together; +three figures, three flags; and so on.</p> + +<p>The signal book also contains a great number of questions +and answers, such as, "What ship is that?" +"Where bound?" "All well." "Short of water," &c. +Each sentence has its invariable number, which may be +indicated by the signal flags. If one vessel shows the +number 124, the captain of the ship signalized would find +this number in his signal book; and against it would be +printed the question or answer.</p> + +<p>Somers was not disposed to reply to the question of +Pillgrim; and as he did not do so, the traitor immediately +took the alarm. The Ben Ledi went about, and made +off to the eastward under full steam. The Firefly was +all ready to follow, and then commenced a most exciting +chase. It was useless to waste shot at that distance, and +Somers confined his attention to the speed of his vessel. +For three hours the pursuit was continued, without any +perceptible decrease of the distance between the two +steamers.</p> + +<p>But it was soon discovered that Pillgrim was gradually +wearing round. Somers perceived his intention, but it<span class="pagenum">[309]</span> +was not prudent to attempt to cut him off all at once, by +taking the arc of a smaller circle; but he worked his +ship slowly round; and when both vessels were headed +to the west, he had gained a mile. Pillgrim had evidently +made up his mind to go into Wilmington at any +risk, though under ordinary circumstances the more prudent +course would have been for him to continue at sea, +where a dark night or a fog might have enabled him to +elude his pursuer. Somers concluded, therefore, that the +Ben Ledi was short of coal, for his own supply was +nearly exhausted.</p> + +<p>The furnaces of the Firefly were now worked to their +utmost capacity, and every expedient to make steam was +resorted to by the excited engineers and firemen. There +was a stiff breeze from the south-west, and both vessels +had crowded on every stitch of canvas that could be +spread. It had already been demonstrated that there +was no appreciable difference in the speed of the two +steamers, and the result of the chase was to depend entirely +upon the management of each.</p> + +<p>When the two vessels had come about so as to make a +fair wind, the Firefly had been the first to spread her +canvas, and the superior discipline of her crew was thus +made apparent. A slight advantage had thus been +gained, and it was certain that "the balance of power" lay +in the sails. At meridian an observation was obtained, +and the position of the ship was accurately laid down on<span class="pagenum">[310]</span> +the chart. The latitude was 33° 59' 7"; the longitude +76° 29' 23". To make the Swash Channel, which was +covered by the guns of Fort Fisher, the Ben Ledi would +have laid a course about half a point south of west; but +her present course was west-south-west. Somers, after +examining his chart, had some doubts whether she was +going into Wilmington.</p> + +<p>Tom Longstone had the deck during the afternoon +watch. He was a veteran seaman, and his experience +had made him more familiar with canvas than with +steam. With the most anxious solicitude he watched +the sails during the afternoon, and under his skilful +directions they were kept perfectly trimmed. On that +momentous occasion everything was reduced down to +the finest point, as well in the handling of the engine as +the tacks, sheets, and halliards.</p> + +<p>The case was hopeful, though the gain could not be +perceived in one, or two, hours; but at eight bells hardly +a mile lay between the contending steamers. The first +lieutenant wanted to open on the chase with the rifled +gun on the top-gallant forecastle; but Somers refused permission, +for while he was gaining on the Ben Ledi only +in inches, he could not afford to lose feet by the recoil of +the gun, until there was a better chance of hitting the +mark. At two bells in the first dog watch, just as the +sun was setting, the Ben Ledi doubled Frying Pan +Shoals, passing close to the breakers. Then, as her<span class="pagenum">[311]</span> +people discovered a couple of vessels belonging to +the blockading squadron, she sheered off, and went to +the westward.</p> + +<p>These changes, with the doubt and uncertainty which +prevailed on board of the Ben Ledi, had been very favorable +to the Firefly, now within half a mile of her. Two +vessels from the blockading fleet had started to engage in +the exciting work, but they were too late to help or +hinder the pursuit. Somers gave the order to fire upon +the Ben Ledi, which was now endeavoring to work round +to the Beach Channel.</p> + +<p>Though the darkness had settled down upon the chase, +the Firefly continued the pursuit with unabated vigor. +Her pilot was familiar with the channels, bars, and +shoals. Shot after shot was fired at the Ben Ledi, and +it was soon evident that one of them had in some way +damaged her wheels, for she was rapidly losing ground. +But now a battery on Oak Island suddenly opened on the +Firefly.</p> + +<p>"We must end this thing," said Somers, as a shot +from the fort whizzed over his head.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied the first lieutenant. "We can +hardly pass that battery."</p> + +<p>"Try the hundred pounder."</p> + +<p>When the pivot gun was ready, the Firefly swung +round, and the heavy piece roared out its salutation to +the blockade runner. It was aimed by Tom Longstone,<span class="pagenum">[312]</span> +and the bolt struck the Ben Ledi square in the stern, +breaking in her counter, and leaving her helpless on the +water. The Firefly stopped her wheels. A shot from +the fort crushed through her smoke-stack.</p> + +<p>The chase, completely disabled, drifted on the beach +and grounded, under the guns of the battery. The Firefly +now poured shell into her from every gun that could +be brought to bear. In a few moments a sheet of flame +rose from her, and lighted up the channel for miles +around, clearly revealing to the gunners in the fort the +exact position of Somers's vessel.</p> + +<p>The work had been accomplished, the Ben Ledi had +been destroyed, and the Firefly hastened to escape from +her dangerous locality. In coming about she poured a +parting broadside into the burning steamer. As she +swung round, a hail from the water was heard, and a +boat containing several men was discovered. It had +been carried by the tide away from the beach. The +occupants were taken on board, though one of them was +wounded and utterly helpless. They had no oars, and +were in danger of being carried out to sea.</p> + +<p>"Here's the cap'n; he was hit by a piece of a shell," +said one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" asked Somers.</p> + +<p>"Cap'n Pillgrim."</p> + +<p>The sufferer was taken down into the ward-room, and +the surgeon began to examine him as the Firefly steamed<span class="pagenum">[313]</span> +down the channel under a shower of shot and shell from +the battery.</p> + +<p>"How is he?" asked the young commander, when the +ship had passed out of the reach of the guns of the fort.</p> + +<p>"He is dead!" replied the surgeon.</p> + +<p>"Dead! Good Heaven!" exclaimed Somers, impressed +by the terrible retribution which had at last +overtaken the traitor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; he died a few moments since. A fragment +of a shell tore open his breast and penetrated his lungs," +added the surgeon.</p> + +<p>"That's the last of him," said Lieutenant Longstone. +"He will lay no more plots."</p> + +<p>"He has been a dangerous enemy to his country," +continued Somers. "If he had succeeded in running in +with that vessel, he would have obtained her armament, +and made terrible havoc among the merchant ships on +the coast. He was a daring fellow; he was reckless at +times. He told me on board of the Chatauqua that he +had purchased three steamers in Scotland; this is the +last one."</p> + +<p>"Three Bens," added Tom. "Captain Somers, you +have had a hand in capturing and destroying them all."</p> + +<p>"I have; and it is really marvellous, when I think +of it."</p> + +<p>"I knew you would capture the Ben Ledi," continued +the second lieutenant, exultingly.<span class="pagenum">[314]</span></p> + +<p>"I did not capture her."</p> + +<p>"It is the same thing."</p> + +<p>"You will not find it so when your prize money is +distributed."</p> + +<p>"A fig for the prize money," replied Tom, contemptuously. +"We destroyed her; and it's all the same thing. +I would rather have had that villain hanged than killed +by an honest shell; but there is no help for it now."</p> + +<p>"Peace, Mr. Longstone; he is dead now. We have +nothing more to do with him."</p> + +<p>The body of Mr. Pillgrim was laid out in a proper +place, and as the coal bunkers of the Firefly were nearly +empty, she was headed for Port Royal, where she arrived +on the afternoon of the following day. On the passage, +the men from the Ben Ledi, who had been picked up in +the boat, were examined in regard to their knowledge of +her ultimate use. One of the party was an intelligent +English seaman, who acknowledged that he had shipped, +for the Confederate navy, in the Sunny South, which +was to be the new name of the Ben Ledi. She had +waited a month at Halifax for orders. Langdon was not +on board of her, and the seaman had no knowledge of +any such person.</p> + +<p>The Firefly had not been seen on board the Sunny +South until both steamers were off Wilmington. After +passing Frying Pan Shoals, a shot from the Firefly had +partially crippled her port wheel, which accident had<span class="pagenum">[315]</span> +caused her to lose ground rapidly. The projectile from +the hundred pounder had completely shattered her stern, +and disabled her rudder, and knocked the engine "all in +a heap." The port quarter boat was torn to pieces by a +shell, the same which had given Pillgrim his mortal +wound. The after tackle of the other quarter boat had +been shot away, and when it was dropped into the water +the oars were gone. Most of the crew had saved themselves +by swimming ashore. The Ben Ledi had a valuable +cargo, which the informer declared was totally destroyed +by fire or water.</p> + +<p>On her arrival at Port Royal, the Firefly coaled without +delay; the body of Pillgrim was buried, and after +forwarding his despatches to the navy department by a +supply steamer, Somers sailed again on another cruise +after privateers, Confederate cruisers, and blockade runners. +The Tallahassee and the Chickamauga were supposed +to be at Wilmington, but the Olustee was believed +to be still afloat. Of this cruise our limits do not permit +us to record details; but the Firefly captured a valuable +steamer in December, and sent her into port. This was +the only prize she obtained; and being short of coal, she +ran into Boston, on New Year's day, where her prize +had arrived before her.</p> + +<p>Somers immediately forwarded his despatches, and +awaited the orders of the department. Of course he +hastened down to Pinchbrook as soon as he could leave<span class="pagenum">[316]</span> +the ship, where he was heartily welcomed and warmly +congratulated upon his successful cruise.</p> + +<p>"Here's something for you, John," said Mrs. Somers, +taking a daintily made up letter from the mantel-piece, +when the welcome had been given, kisses bestowed, and +hands shaken. "It has been here a fortnight."</p> + +<p>Somers knew the handwriting, for it had often gladdened +his heart before, and a flush came to his cheeks as +he tore open the envelope. It was from Kate Portington, +whom the young commander had not failed to think of +every day during his absence, though it was with pain +and sorrow at the rupture which had separated them. +The letter healed his only wound.</p> + +<p>"I shall never forgive myself," she wrote, "for my +harsh treatment of you; and I am afraid you can never +forgive me. I have seen Mr. Hackleford, who says that +he <i>ordered</i> you to sign that horrible paper. Why didn't +you tell me so, John?" He would have told her so, if +she had given him an opportunity. But she was repentant, +and Somers was rejoiced.</p> + +<p>The letter was four pages in length, and among all the +pleasant things it contained, the pleasantest was that she +was spending a month in Boston, at the residence of a +friend, where she hoped to see him.</p> + +<p>She did see him there, on the very day he received the +letter. What passed between them we are not at liberty +to say in a book of this kind, except to inform the reader<span class="pagenum">[317]</span> +that Kate was herself again; that in the joy of meeting +him after this painful rupture, she actually forgot to +be proper, and in spite of her promise, and her mother's +lecture, she called him "prodigy." The past, the +present, and the future, were discussed, and Somers went +on board the Firefly the happiest of mortals.</p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<span class="pagenum">[318]</span> + +<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<p class="h3">THE END OF THE REBELLION.</p> + +<p>The Firefly, with her energetic young commander, +was too serviceable to be permitted long to remain +in idleness, and she was ordered to join +Admiral Porter's squadron, which had failed to capture +Fort Fisher in December; or rather, the military portion +of the expedition had failed to do it, for the navy had +done its part of the work to the satisfaction of the nation.</p> + +<p>Somers sailed again, and in due time reported to the +admiral, who was then waiting for the army, in order to +make the second attack. A tremendous gale delayed the +expedition; but on the 13th of January, the bombardment +of Fort Fisher was commenced, and the military +force was landed on Federal Point. A detachment of +sailors from the Firefly, under the command of Lieutenant +Longstone, was sent on shore to join the naval +brigade, and the steamer was variously employed during +the action, rendering valuable aid with her hundred +pounder, as well as performing various duties, for which +her great speed and light draught peculiarly fitted her.<span class="pagenum">[319]</span> +The zeal and energy of Somers were warmly commended, +though he had no opportunity to render any signal service +in the attack.</p> + +<p>Fort Fisher fell this time; every man and every ship +was faithful; and though some were distinguished by +gallant exploits, the victory was the result of the steadiness +of the whole line, rather than of the brilliant deeds +of the few. The last maritime stronghold of the rebellion +was reduced, and the sinking Confederacy was shut +in from all material support from abroad. Its days were +numbered, and many of its most rabid supporters were +now crying out for peace.</p> + +<p>The flag of the Union floated over Fort Fisher, and +the great fleet before its shattered ramparts celebrated +the victory with clouds of gay flags, with flights of rockets, +and with salvos of artillery. It was a glorious day +for that expedition. Admiral Porter and General Terry +won a glorious fame and an unfading name upon the +annals of their country.</p> + +<p>Gallant old Tom Longstone was wounded in the arm +in an attempt to rally the sailors when they broke under +the most terrible fire that mortal men ever breasted. +Lieutenant Longstone did all that any officer could do, +but the whole garrison seemed to be gathered at the +point where the naval assault was made. The sailors +were repulsed and driven back. They had never been +disciplined to this kind of work; yet they fought like<span class="pagenum">[320]</span> +tigers, hand to hand oftentimes, with the foe; and +though they were forced back, even while the American +flag was floating over the other side of the works, it was +no disgrace to them. Tom stood by to the last, though +he was severely wounded, and finally had the satisfaction +of beholding a complete triumph. The soldiers did wonders +on that day—the sailors hardly less.</p> + +<p>With other vessels of light draught the Firefly went +up the river, fishing up torpedoes, transporting soldiers, +and hammering down rebel batteries, and continued upon +this duty until General Terry marched into the deserted +city of Wilmington, and raised the national flag where +the emblem of treason had insulted the free air for four +long years.</p> + +<p>The Firefly was ordered to the James River, in the +vicinity of which the last groan of the expiring monster +of Rebellion was soon to be heard; and on the 20th of +March she was on her winding way up the stream. In +the mean time Charleston had fallen; negro troops patrolled +her streets, and the people of this foul nest of +secession were suffering the agonies of actual subjugation. +Sherman, with his grand army, was "marching +on" in his resistless course, with hardly a foe to impede +his exultant march. Columbia, the proud capital of +arrogant South Carolina, yielded, and the people repented +their folly in the ashes of the burning city. +Johnston was retreating before his invincible conqueror,<span class="pagenum">[321]</span> +and the whole military power of the rebellion east of +Mississippi was concentrated within an area of not more +than a hundred and fifty miles.</p> + +<p>The movements of General Grant before Petersburg +commenced; and his great army, now animated by the +sure prestige of victory, was hurled against the rebel lines. +The shock was tremendous; the whole world seemed +to be shaken by it, for it was the onslaught of freedom, +striking its last terrible blow at the legions of slavery.</p> + +<p>The fleet on the James was busily employed in fishing +up torpedoes, in guarding the pontoons across the river, +and in "neutralizing" the enemy's iron-clads which lay +above the obstructions. The Firefly found abundant occupation, +though there was no opportunity for brilliant +and startling achievements; but she bore her full share +in the hard work and disagreeable drudgery of the +occasion.</p> + +<p>Tom Longstone had entirely recovered from his +wound; and being a practical man himself, he was the +life of every working party sent out from the ship. The +old man was an immense favorite with the sailors; for, +unlike many who have risen from a low position to a +high, he was kind and considerate, while he exacted the +full measure of duty from all. He was no tyrant, and +had a heart for every man, whatever his degree.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. Longstone, we have got almost to the end +of the rebellion," said Captain Somers, on one of those<span class="pagenum">[322]</span> +last days of March, when the roar from beyond Petersburg +was heavier than usual.</p> + +<p>"No doubt of that, captain," replied Tom. "I shall +be a boatswain again before long."</p> + +<p>"Do you dread the time?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; far be it from me. I wouldn't prolong the +war a single day, if that day would make me an admiral."</p> + +<p>"Only one day, Tom?" said Somers, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Not one, sir!" repeated the veteran, with emphasis. +"For on that day a husband or a father, a brother or +a son, might be killed, and I should be a murderer before +God."</p> + +<p>"What do you think of those, then, that began this +war?"</p> + +<p>"They are murderers! The blood of every man +who has been killed in this war on both sides rests on +their heads. I'd rather be Cain than Jeff Davis, or any +other man of his crew."</p> + +<p>"I think you are right, Tom."</p> + +<p>"As for me, it don't make much difference whether +I'm a boatswain or an admiral. This old hulk won't +stand many more storms; and I wouldn't do a mean +thing for the sake of living twenty years. Well, well," +sighed the veteran, as he glanced in the direction from +which the roar of the artillery came, "many a good fellow +will lose the number of his mess to-day."</p> + +<p>"Hundreds of them."<span class="pagenum">[323]</span></p> + +<p>And so the reports of the succeeding days assured +them. The rebels had stormed and temporarily possessed +themselves of Fort Steadman. The terrible conflict +was opened in earnest; and from that time, swarms +of prisoners were sent forward to the river, which were +guarded by detachments of sailors and marines from the +fleet.</p> + +<p>For three days the storm of war continued to howl in +the distance, and on the peaceful Sabbath more fiercely +than before. Vague rumors were flying through the +fleet, and everybody felt that the end was at hand. +Somers retired as usual that night; but in the first +watch, Tom Longstone came down to him with report +of great lights and heavy explosions in the direction of +Richmond.</p> + +<p>The rebels were evacuating the city, blowing up their +iron-clads, and firing the town. Richmond, which had +defied the armies of the Union for four years, had fallen. +The heroic and persevering Grant had struck a blow +miles away, which tumbled down the last stronghold of +treason. Jeff Davis and his cabinet were fugitives now, +fleeing from men, while the wrath of God pursued where +men could not reach them.</p> + +<p>The morning came, and with it the glad tidings of +victory, which foreshadowed peace. The Firefly was +ordered to move up the river, and she went up into +waters where a loyal steamer had not floated for four<span class="pagenum">[324]</span> +years. The negro troops were even then marching +through the streets of Richmond. The note of rejoicing, +begun in the early morning, was continued through the +day. The brightest flags and the heaviest guns proclaimed +the joyful event.</p> + +<p>The Firefly went up to Varina, and then returned. +This river was clear; there was no sign of an enemy +upon its waters. At City Point the sounds of rejoicing +thrilled upon the ear of soldier and sailor. Cheer upon +cheer rent the air, gun upon gun roared the pæan of +triumph, and every heart beat in unison with the glad +acclaim.</p> + +<p>"Glory, hallelujah!" shouted Somers, on the quarter +deck of the Firefly, as she passed through the fleet.</p> + +<p>"Glory, hallelujah!" returned all who heard him.</p> + +<p>Three rousing cheers, such as Jack only can give, +came from the flag-ship, as the Firefly ran under her +counter.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Somers—for there seemed to +be something unusual going on.</p> + +<p>Calling his gig, he went on board the flag-ship to +report the result of his visit up the river. On the +quarter deck he discovered a familiar face, which thrilled +his heart with delight. It was "Brave Old Salt."</p> + +<p>Somers approached the vice admiral, cap in hand, and +was immediately recognized.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Somers, I am delighted to see you!" said the +admiral, extending his hand.<span class="pagenum">[325]</span></p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir," replied the young commander. +"This is an unexpected happiness to me."</p> + +<p>"There is only one joy to-day, Mr. Somers," continued +the admiral. "Richmond has fallen, and the +rebellion is ended!"</p> + +<p>"Glory, hallelujah!" said Somers, waving his cap.</p> + +<p>"I came down here to learn what Grant was doing. +God bless him! He has done everything," added the +admiral.</p> + +<p>Rear Admiral Porter now ordered the Firefly to be +placed at the disposal of the Old Salamander, and +Somers was happy in the duty assigned to him. A +twelve-oar barge received the vice admiral, and conveyed +him to the steamer in which his voyage was to be +continued. When he was on board, the barge was +towed astern for his use farther up the river.</p> + +<p>The Firefly steamed up the river with her illustrious +passenger, and at the invitation of the admiral, Somers +accompanied him to Richmond.</p> + +<p>A day later came President Lincoln in a barge, attended +by Admiral Porter, and Somers had the honor of +being formally presented to the chief magistrate of the +nation, who had a pleasant word for him, as he had for +all who approached him. Somers assisted in the ovation +to the president, and listened with wonder and delight to +the shouts of the negroes, as they greeted the author of<span class="pagenum">[326]</span> +the Emancipation Proclamation as the saviour and +redeemer of their race.</p> + +<p>Ten days later, that simple, great man fell by the hand +of the assassin, though not till the news of the surrender +of Lee's army had gladdened his heart, and assured him +that the great work of his lifetime was finished.</p> + +<p>Somers was shocked, stunned by the fearful news, the +more so that he had so recently pressed the hand of the +illustrious martyr; and though the nation was full of +mourners, there were none more sincere in their grief than +the young commander of the Firefly. He wept as he +would have wept for his own father; and shutting himself +up in his cabin, in solemn fast, he read his Bible and +prayed for the land he loved. How many true souls did +the same, when they heard of the awful tragedy!</p> + +<p>The war was ended. A few days later came the news +of Johnston's surrender. One by one, the gunboats were +ordered north, and in June the Firefly dropped her +anchor off the navy yard at Charlestown. A few hours +later Somers was in the arms of the loved ones at home, +weeping tears of joy that the sound of strife was no more +heard in the land.</p> + +<p>The Firefly was no longer needed in the navy, and +with a hundred others she was sold. As soon as she +went out of commission, Tom Longstone, having been +"honorably discharged with the thanks of the department" +as an ensign, returned to his former rank of boatswain.<span class="pagenum">[327]</span> +When he obtained a furlough, he paid a visit to +Pinchbrook, where he was kindly received by all the +friends of his <i>protégé</i>. The old man had money enough +to buy him a farm and retire from the navy; but he +obstinately refused to do so while Somers retained his +commission. He confidently expected to be appointed +boatswain of the ship to which Lieutenant Somers might +be ordered.</p> + +<p>During his absence Somers had received occasional +letters from Kate Portington; and we will not undertake +to say how many reams of fine note paper he spoiled in +saying what can be of interest to none but the parties +concerned. Of course there was any quantity of liquid +moonshine spread out on these dainty sheets, and the +young man was all the happier for writing it, as she was +for reading it, for Kate and Somers had come to an excellent +understanding with each other on these matters.</p> + +<p>At the earliest day the public service would admit, he +hastened to Newport; but on his arrival he found the +commodore's house filled with grief and lamentation. +The husband and the father—the kindest of husbands and +the tenderest of fathers—had been suddenly stricken +down in New Orleans, where his ship was stationed. +The sad tidings had come but a few hours before; and a +few hours later it had flashed all over the land that one +of the nation's truest defenders had fallen at the post of +duty.<span class="pagenum">[328]</span></p> + +<p>In her grief Kate clung to Somers, who became the +tenderest of comforters. Then she learned, when earth +was dark to her, what a wealth of holy hope and pious +faith there was in the soul of him she had chosen from +the whole world to lean upon in joy and in sorrow, in +prosperity and adversity, till life's fitful dream was over. +Fondly she looked up to him in her heavy affliction, and +through him to the heaven of which he spoke. He wept +with her for him who was gone, and if she had loved +him before, she reverenced him now.</p> + +<p>Two weeks after the news came a steamer bearing the +remains of the deceased commodore. Then the tears +broke out afresh, and Somers continued to perform the +holy office he had chosen. With the bereaved child—the +only one—he stood at the tomb, and helped her to +see the glory that streamed forth beyond its dark portals. +Every day, for weeks after, he visited her, never now to +speak of his own selfish heart yearnings, but to utter +words of peace and hope. When he announced his +intention to return home, she could not restrain her tears, +so needful had he become to her in the depth of her +sorrow.</p> + +<p>In the autumn her mother and herself came to Boston +to spend the winter. Kate was cheerful now, but the +affliction through which she had passed had given a shade +of pensive sadness to her beautiful face, which time alone +could wear away. They attended the wedding of Major<span class="pagenum">[329]</span> +Somers, John's brother, and rejoiced with him as he put +the cup of bliss to his lips. Lilian and Kate became fast +friends; they were nearer alike now than before the +death of Commodore Portington.</p> + +<p>The winter passed away, and early in March Lieutenant +Somers was appointed to a ship bound to the +Pacific Ocean. He must be absent two or three years. +He hastened to Kate with the intelligence; and sad as it +was to himself, he knew it would be infinitely more so to +her. She turned pale, and burst into tears. Her mother +was hardly less affected.</p> + +<p>"You must not go, John! O, no! You will not +leave me!"</p> + +<p>"I must obey orders."</p> + +<p>"You can resign," suggested Mrs. Portington.</p> + +<p>"Resign!" exclaimed Somers. "Resign when I am +ordered to difficult or disagreeable duty."</p> + +<p>"You need not make so much of it," added the +matron, with a smile. "There are twice as many officers +in the navy as are required. It is certainly no disgrace, +in time of peace, to resign. You will only make +a place for another who wants to visit the Pacific."</p> + +<p>"You must resign, John," pleaded Kate, with an +eloquence which he could not resist.</p> + +<p>"On one condition I will do so," replied he, at last. +"If there should be war, I shall return to my post, if +needed."<span class="pagenum">[330]</span></p> + +<p>And thus it was that Somers left the navy. His prize +money, which had been carefully invested from time to +time by Captain Barney, now amounted to more than +twenty thousand dollars. He was able to retire, and he +did so.</p> + +<p>It is generally understood that they are to be married +in the autumn, when Mr. Somers will receive half a million +with his wife, who is worth a million times that sum +herself. As the happy event has not yet occurred, we +have nothing to say about it, but we wish them every joy +in anticipation. Mrs. Portington speaks hopefully of the +occasion, and has already selected a location, in the +vicinity of Boston, where the happy young couple are to +reside.</p> + +<p>This event has decided Tom Longstone. He has +thrown up his warrant, and bought a farm in Pinchbrook, +on which he intends to "lay up" for the rest of his life. +A niece, who lost her husband in the war, is his housekeeper, +and at the time of Somers's last visit, the veteran +was at the high tide of felicity.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>With many regrets we bid adieu to John Somers, to +Thomas his brother, and all of the family. We leave +them prosperous and happy; but they have purchased +earth's joys and heaven's hopes by being faithful to duty—true +to God and themselves.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p class="h2"> +THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES.</p> + +<p class="h4">In Six Volumes.<br /> +<br /> +A Library for Young and Old.<br /> +<br /> +BY OLIVER OPTIC.<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +I.<br /> +THE SOLDIER BOY;<br /> +Or, Tom Somers in the Army.<br /> +<br /> +II.<br /> +THE SAILOR BOY;<br /> +Or, Jack Somers in the Navy.<br /> +<br /> +III.<br /> +THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT;<br /> +Or, The Adventures of an Army Officer.<br /> +A SEQUEL TO "THE SOLDIER BOY."<br /> +<br /> +IV.<br /> +THE YANKEE MIDDY;<br /> +Or, The Adventures of a Naval Officer.<br /> +A SEQUEL TO "THE SAILOR BOY."<br /> +<br /> +V.<br /> +FIGHTING JOE;<br /> +Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer.<br /> +A SEQUEL TO "THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT."<br /> +<br /> +VI.<br /> +BRAVE OLD SALT;<br /> +Or, Life on the Quarter Deck.<br /> +A SEQUEL TO "THE YANKEE MIDDY."</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p class="h2">WOODVILLE STORIES.</p> + +<p class="h4">BY OLIVER OPTIC. + +<br /> +<br /> + +I.<br /> +RICH AND HUMBLE;<br /> +Or, The Mission of Bertha Grant.<br /> +<br /> +II.<br /> +IN SCHOOL AND OUT;<br /> +Or, The Conquest of Richard Grant.<br /> +<br /> +III.<br /> +WATCH AND WAIT;<br /> +Or, the Young Fugitives.<br /> +<br /> +IV.<br /> +WORK AND WIN.<br /> +<br /> +V.<br /> +HOPE AND HAVE.<br /> +(In preparation.)<br /> +<br /> +VI.<br /> +HASTE AND WASTE.<br /> +(In preparation.)</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h4">LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p class="h2">LIBRARY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.</p> + +<p class="h4">BY OLIVER OPTIC.<br /> +<br /> +I.<br /> +THE BOAT CLUB;<br /> +OR, THE BUNKERS OF RIPPLETON.<br /> +<br /> +II.<br /> +ALL ABOARD;<br /> +OR, LIFE ON THE LAKE.<br /> +<br /> +III.<br /> +LITTLE BY LITTLE;<br /> +OR, THE CRUISE OF THE FLYAWAY.<br /> +<br /> +IV.<br /> +TRY AGAIN;<br /> +OR, THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF HARRY WEST.<br /> +<br /> +V.<br /> +NOW OR NEVER;<br /> +OR, THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY BRIGHT.<br /> +<br /> +VI.<br /> +POOR AND PROUD;<br /> +OR, THE FORTUNES OF KATY REDBURN.<br /> +<br /> +Six volumes, put up in a neat box.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h4">LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers.<br /></p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p class="h2">RIVERDALE STORY BOOKS.</p> + +<p class="h4">BY OLIVER OPTIC.<br /> +<br /> +12 vols., in neat box.<br /> +<br /> +I.<br /> +THE LITTLE MERCHANT.<br /> +<br /> +II.<br /> +THE YOUNG VOYAGERS.<br /> +<br /> +III.<br /> +THE CHRISTMAS GIFT.<br /> +<br /> +IV.<br /> +DOLLY AND I.<br /> +<br /> +V.<br /> +UNCLE BEN.<br /> +<br /> +VI.<br /> +BIRTH-DAY PARTY.<br /> +<br /> +VII.<br /> +PROUD AND LAZY.<br /> +<br /> +VIII.<br /> +CARELESS KATE.<br /> +<br /> +IX.<br /> +ROBINSON CRUSOE, JR.<br /> +<br /> +X.<br /> +THE PICNIC PARTY.<br /> +<br /> +XI.<br /> +THE GOLD THIMBLE.<br /> +<br /> +XII.<br /> +THE DO-SOMETHINGS.<br /> +<br /></p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h4">LEE & SHEPARD,... Publishers.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p class="h4">Sophie May's Popular Series.</p> + +<p class="h2">LITTLE PRUDY STORIES.</p> + +<p class="h4">Six Volumes.<br /> +<br /> +ILLUSTRATED.<br /> +<br /> +COMPRISING:<br /> +<br /> +Little Prudy.<br /> +Little Prudy's Sister Susie.<br /> +Little Prudy's Capt. Horace.<br /> +Little Prudy's Cousin Grace.<br /> +Little Prudy's Story Book.<br /> +Little Prudy's Dotty Dimple.<br /> +<br /> +Price per Volume, 75 cents.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Read the high commendation of the <i>North American Review</i>, +which places this series at the</p> + +<p class="h4">Head of Juvenile Literature.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Genius comes in with 'Little Prudy.' Compared with her, all other +book-children are cold creations of Literature only; she alone is the real +thing. All the quaintness of childhood, its originality, its tenderness and +its teasing,—its infinite, unconscious drollery, the serious earnestness of +its fun, the fun of its seriousness, the natural religion of its plays, and the +delicious oddity of its prayers,—all these waited for dear Little Prudy to +embody them. Sam Weller is not more piquant; Hans Andersen's nutcrackers +and knitting-needles are not more thoroughly charged with life. +Who is our benefactress in the authorship of these books the world knows +not. Sophie May must doubtless be a fancy name, by reason of the spelling, +and we have only to be grateful that the author did not inflict on us +the customary alliteration in her pseudonyme. The rare gift of delineating +childhood is hers, and may the line of 'Little Prudy' go out to the end of +the earth.... To those oversaturated with transatlantic traditions, we +recommend a course of 'Little Prudy.'"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Copies of any of the above books sent by mail on receipt +of price.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h4"> +LEE AND SHEPARD,<br /> +PUBLISHERS,<br /> +149 Washington Street, Boston.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p class="h4">MRS. LESLIE'S JUVENILE SERIES,<br /> +FOR BOYS.</p> + +<p>Put up in a neat box. Price $6.00 a set, or $1.50 a vol. Comprising</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><b>The Motherless Children.</b></span></p> + +<p>A thrilling story of orphanage, illustrating the trials and +temptations of the young, and the happy results of Christian +nurture.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><b>Howard and His Teacher;</b><br /> + +<b>With the Sister's Influence, and other Stories.</b></span></p> + +<p>An illustration of the different modes of home-government +with their results.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><b>Play and Study.</b></span></p> + +<p>An interesting story of school-days, very suggestive of practical +hints to parents and teachers, and of the manner in which +they may aid their children and pupils in the invention of their +own amusements, for their relief and stimulus in study.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><b>Jack the Chimney-Sweeper,<br /> +And other Stories for Youth.</b></span></p> + +<p>This charming book is a most happy illustration of the duties +enjoined in the Commandments, and in other precepts of Scripture, +but is entirely free from all denominational bias.</p> + +<p>Each volume handsomely illustrated, bound in good style +and distinct from the others.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h5">LEE & SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<hr class="chapter" /> + +<p class="h4">MRS. LESLIE'S JUVENILE SERIES<br /> +FOR GIRLS.</p> + +<p>Put up in a neat box. Price $6.00 a set, or $1.50 a vol. Comprising</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><b>Little Agnes.</b></span></p> + +<p>This little book is an entertaining and instructive story of a +girl whose patience, industry, and fidelity raised her to eminence, +honor, and happiness.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><b>Trying to be Useful.</b></span></p> + +<p>A narrative showing the happy results of worthy resolution +and endeavor.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><b>I'll Try.</b></span></p> + +<p>An exhibition of the successful reward of perseverance to +the acquisition of fortune and fame.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap"><b>Art and Artlessness.</b></span></p> + +<p>In this admirable volume the virtues which adorn female +loveliness appear in bold and enviable contrast with the arts +of coquetry and deception.</p> + +<hr class="tb" /> + +<p>The above elegant series have been recently issued, and are +written in an attractive style, and calculated to interest the +young. A sound moral tone pervades each volume, and in +point of interest and instruction they are unsurpassed by any +series published. Each volume contains, on an average, 260 +pages, 16mo, is elegantly illustrated, bound in muslin, and +entirely distinct from the rest.</p> + +<p class="spacer"> </p> + +<p class="h5">LEE & SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON.</p> + +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Brave Old Salt, by Oliver Optic + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRAVE OLD SALT *** + +***** This file should be named 37907-h.htm or 37907-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/0/37907/ + +Produced by David Garcia, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Brave Old Salt + or, Life on the Quarter Deck + +Author: Oliver Optic + +Release Date: November 2, 2011 [EBook #37907] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRAVE OLD SALT *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + + + + [Illustration: Somers and the Admiral.] + + + [Illustration: BRAVE OLD SALT. + OLIVER OPTIC. + LEE & SHEPARD. BOSTON.] + + + + + BRAVE OLD SALT; + + OR, + + LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK. + + A Story of the Great Rebellion. + + BY + + OLIVER OPTIC, + + + Author of "THE SOLDIER BOY," "THE SAILOR BOY," "THE YOUNG + LIEUTENANT," "THE YANKEE MIDDY," "FIGHTING JOE," "THE WOODVILLE + STORIES," "THE RIVERDALE STORY BOOKS," ETC., ETC. + + BOSTON: + LEE AND SHEPARD, + SUCCESSORS TO PHILLIPS, SAMPSON & CO. + 1866. + + + Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by + WILLIAM T. ADAMS, + In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of + Massachusetts. + + ELECTROTYPED AT THE + _Boston Stereotype Foundry_, + No. 4 Spring Lane. + + + TO + + SAMUEL C. PERKINS, ESQ., + + This Book + + IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, + + BY HIS FRIEND + + WILLIAM T. ADAMS. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +This volume, the sixth and last of "THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES," is a +record of "Life on the Quarter Deck," mostly in the squadron of Vice +Admiral Farragut, one of whose familiar appellations, used in the +ward-room and on the berth deck, has furnished the leading title of the +book. The terrible war which devastated our country for four years has +given to history two generals, Grant and Sherman, and one admiral, +Farragut, whose achievements are unsurpassed, if they are equalled, in +the annals of military and naval warfare; but while the author, in this +work, has gratefully rendered his tribute of admiration to the +distinguished naval commander, he has not attempted to present a +complete biography of him. + +Those who have read the preceding volumes of this series need hardly be +told that this is a book of adventure--of personal experience in the +great struggle of the nineteenth century. Jack Somers, "The Sailor Boy," +Mr. Somers, "The Yankee Middy," and Captain Somers, Lieutenant +Commanding, are the same person; though often as he changes his official +position, he is still the same honest, true, and Christian young man. + +In our completed sixth volume we take leave of the Somers family with +many regrets. If our young friends in the army and navy had been less +true, noble, and Christian, we could have parted with less sorrow. Yet +the army and navy, as they crushed the Rebellion, have given us many +young men just as true, just as noble and Christian. Let us gratefully +cherish these living heroes, and they will not pass away from us "like a +tale that is told." + +To the readers, young and old, who have perseveringly followed my heroes +through the two thousand pages of this series, I am even more than +grateful; for I feel that they have sympathized with me in my desire to +present a lofty ideal to the young man of to-day--one who will be true +to God, true to himself, and true to his country, in whatever sphere his +lot may be cast, whether on the forecastle or the quarter deck; as a +private or an officer, in the great army which must ever battle with +life's trials and temptations till the crown immortal be won. + + WILLIAM T. ADAMS. + + HARRISON SQUARE, MASS., March 13, 1866. + + + + + CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER + + I. LIEUTENANT PILLGRIM. + II. WAITING FOR THE SHIP. + III. THE WOUNDED SAILOR. + IV. THE FRONT CHAMBER. + V. SOMERS COMES TO HIS SENSES. + VI. LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N. + VII. LANGDON'S LETTERS. + VIII. THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA. + IX. IN THE STATE-ROOM. + X. THE CHIEF CONSPIRATOR. + XI. AFTER GENERAL QUARTERS. + XII. THE BEN NEVIS. + XIII. A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY. + XIV. THE PRIZE STEAMER. + XV. THE PRISONER IN THE CABIN. + XVI. CAPTAIN WALMSLEY. + XVII. OFF MOBILE BAY. + XVIII. BRAVE OLD SALT. + XIX. THE BOAT EXPEDITION. + XX. THE PICKET BOAT. + XXI. THE BEN LOMOND. + XXII. RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. + XXIII. A YANKEE TRICK. + XXIV. PILLGRIM AND LANGDON. + XXV. THE BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY. + XXVI. IN THE HOSPITAL. + XXVII. MISS PORTINGTON NOT AT HOME. + XXVIII. THE BEN LEDI. + XXIX. A LONG CHASE. + XXX. THE END OF THE REBELLION. + + + + +BRAVE OLD SALT. + + + + +BRAVE OLD SALT; OR, LIFE ON THE QUARTER DECK. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +LIEUTENANT PILLGRIM. + + +"Well, Prodigy, I congratulate you on your promotion. I even agree with +your enthusiastic admirers, who say that no young man better deserves +his advancement than you," said Miss Kate Portington, standing in the +entry of her father's house at Newport, holding Mr. Ensign John Somers +by the hand. + +"Thank you, Miss Portington," replied the young officer, with a blush +caused as much by the excitement of that happy moment, as by the +handsome compliment paid by the fair girl, who, we are compelled to +acknowledge, had formed no inconsiderable portion of the young man's +thoughts, hopes, and aspirations during the preceding year. + +John Somers had been examined by the board of naval officers appointed +for the purpose, had been triumphantly passed, and promoted to the rank +he now held. A short furlough had been granted to him, and he had just +come from Pinchbrook, where he had spent a week. A visit to Newport was +now almost as indispensable as one to the home of his childhood, and on +his way to join the ship to which he had been ordered, he paused to +discharge this pleasing duty. + +Ensign Somers was dressed in a new uniform, and a certain boyish look, +for which he was partly indebted to the short jacket he had worn as a +midshipman, had vanished. Perhaps Miss Portington felt that the +pertness, not to say impudence, with which she had formerly treated him, +though allowable, under a liberal toleration, towards a boy, would +hardly be justifiable in her intercourse with a young man. Though, from +the force of habit, she called him "Prodigy," there was a certain +maidenly reserve in her manner, which rather puzzled Somers, and he +could not help asking himself what he had done to cause this slight +chill in her tones and actions. + +Undoubtedly it was the frock coat which produced this refrigerating +effect; but it was a very elegant and well-fashioned garment, having the +shoulder straps on which glistened the "foul anchor," indicating his new +rank, and each sleeve being adorned with a single gold band on the +cuff, also indicative of his new position. The cap, which he now held in +his hand, was decorated with a band of gold lace, and bore on its front +the appropriate naval emblem. In strict accordance with the traditions +of the navy, he wore kid gloves, without which a naval officer, on a +ceremonial occasion, would be as incomplete as a ship without a rudder. + +We have no means of knowing what Mr. Ensign Somers thought of himself in +his "new rig," which certainly fitted with admirable nicety, and gave +him an appearance of maturity which he did not possess when we last saw +him on the quarter deck of the Rosalie. We will venture to assert, +however, that he felt like a man, and fully believed that he was one--a +commendable sentiment in a person of his years, inasmuch as, if he feels +like a man, he is the more likely to act like one. As we can hardly +suppose he soared above all the vanities of his impressible period of +life, it is more than probable that he regarded himself as a very good +looking young fellow; which brilliant suggestion was, no doubt, wholly +or in part due to the new uniform he wore. + +If not wholly above the weakness of a young man of twenty, possibly he +had a great deal of confidence in his own knowledge and ability, +regarded some of the veterans of the navy as "old fogies," and looked +upon his own father as "a slow coach." But we must do Mr. Somers the +justice to say that he tried to be humble in his estimate of himself, +and to bear the honors he had won with meekness; that he endeavored to +crush down and mortify that overweening self-sufficiency which distorts +and disfigures the character of many estimable young men. His native +bashfulness had, in some measure, been overcome by his intercourse with +the world, and the humility of his nature, though occasionally assaulted +by the accident of a new coat and an extra supply of gold lace, or by +the hearty commendations of his superiors, was genuine, and, in the +main, saved him from the besetting sin of his years. + +Standing in the presence of Miss Kate Portington, after an absence of +several months, wearing a new coat glittering with the laurels he had +won on the bloodstained decks of the nation's ships, he would have been +more than human if he had not felt proud of what he was, and what he had +done--proud, not vain. He was happy, holding the hand of her who had +occupied so large a place in his thoughts, and whose image had fringed +with roseate hues his brightest hopes and strongest aspirations. + +Kate was not so free with him as she had been, and her reserve annoyed +and perplexed him. He had anticipated a much warmer welcome than that +which greeted him on his arrival. He was slightly disappointed, though +there was nothing in her manner for which he could have reproached her, +even if their relations had been more intimate than they were. She was +less stormy, but still gentle and kind; a little more distant in manner, +though her looks and words assured him she regarded him with +undiminished interest. Had he known that the elegant frock coat he wore +produced the chill in the lady which so vexed and disconcerted him, he +would willingly have exchanged it for the short jacket in which he had +won his promotion. + +They were standing in the entry. When the servant admitted Mr. Somers, +Kate had heard his voice, and perhaps from prudential motives--for there +was a visitor in the parlor--she had preferred to meet him in the hall. + +"You have been very fortunate, Mr. Somers," added she, gently releasing +her hand from that of the ensign. + +Mr. Somers, instead of "Prodigy"! + +"I have. I don't deserve my promotion, I know; but I could not help +taking it when it was within my reach," replied Somers; and her words, +though so slightly chilled that the frigid tone could not have been +noticed by any one who did not expect an unreasonable warmth, took half +the conceit out of him, and let him down a long reach from the high +hopes and brilliant expectations with which he had looked forward to +this meeting. + +"On the contrary, Mr. Somers, I think you deserve even more than you +have received." + +"Thank you, Miss Portington; you were always more lavish of kind words +than I deserved." + +"Why, Prodigy--" + +She suddenly checked herself. It was evident to Somers that she intended +to say something pert or saucy. Perhaps she choked down the impertinent +words from the fear that the honorable secretary of the navy, if such +wild and wayward young ladies as herself were permitted to contaminate +the plushy air of Newport society, would remove the Naval Academy back +to Annapolis, where it is better to be "proper" than to be loyal. + +"You were about to say something, Miss Portington," said Somers. + +"I was, but it was saucy." + +"I am sorry you did not say it." + +"I am glad I did not, for you must know, Mr. Somers, that mother has +scolded me so much for being saucy, that I have solemnly resolved to be +proper in all things henceforth and forevermore." + +"I am sorry for it," answered Somers, with unaffected earnestness. + +"Sorry, you wretch?" + +Somers laughed. + +"There's another slip. I have done my best to reform my life. I am +afraid I shall never succeed. Now, Prodigy--" + +Somers laughed again. + +"Again!" exclaimed Kate. + +"I wish to ask one favor of you, Miss Portington." + +"It would afford me more pleasure to grant it, than it does you to ask +it. Name it." + +"That you will never call me Prodigy again." + +"I had firmly resolved before you came never to do it," laughed she. + +"Well, I only asked it in order to help along your good resolutions." + +"Then you are making fun of me?" + +"Like yourself, I am very serious." + +"But I am in earnest, Mr. Somers; I mean to reform. Now, father and +mother will be very glad to see you, Mr. Somers." + +"Your father?" + +"He was temporarily relieved to attend a court martial. He is going away +again to-morrow." + +"You have other visitors?" + +"Only Lieutenant Pillgrim." + +"I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance." + +"He is a Virginian, I believe; at any rate he is from the South, and has +just been restored to his rank in the navy." + +Kate led the way into the parlor, where he was first welcomed by her +mother. + +"Mr. Somers, I am glad to see you, and to congratulate you on your +promotion," said the commodore, as he grasped the hand of the young +officer. + +"Thank you, sir," replied Somers. "The only ungratified wish I had was +that I might be appointed to your ship." + +"My ship!" + +"I should have been glad to serve under so able and distinguished a +commander." + +"I wouldn't have you in my ship," promptly returned the commodore, +shaking his head energetically. + +Somers looked abashed, and Kate wore a troubled expression. + +"I should endeavor to do my duty," he added. + +"I have no doubt of it, but I wouldn't have you in my ship." + +"Your remark is not very complimentary," said Somers, his face beginning +to flush with indignation at what seemed to be an assault upon his +professional character. + +"It is the most complimentary thing I could say to you. And I mean what +I say: I wouldn't have you in my ship." + +"Why not, father?" demanded Kate. + +"Because I like the young dog, and because I believe in discipline. I +never indulge in partiality on board my ship, and it is better to keep +out of temptation. I am under obligations to you, Mr. Somers; I am happy +to acknowledge them, but they must not come between me and duty. Mr. +Somers, Lieutenant Pillgrim," continued Commodore Portington, turning to +the visitor. + +Somers looked at the officer thus indicated, and as his eyes rested +upon him, he started back with a momentary astonishment, for the face +had a strange look of familiarity to him. + +"Mr. Somers, I am happy to meet and to know you. Your name and +reputation are already familiar to me." + +"I am glad to know you, sir," replied Somers, with some confusion. "Your +face looks so familiar to me, that I think we must have met before." + +"Never, to my knowledge," answered the lieutenant, with easy +self-possession. + +"I was quite sure I had seen you before." + +"Possibly; I do not remember it, however." + +"If I had met you without the favor of an introduction, I should +certainly have claimed the honor of your acquaintance." + +"I should have been proud to be so claimed, but I must confess you would +have had the advantage of me." + +"Of course, I must be mistaken, as you suggest." + +"It is not unlikely that we have met in some ante-room where we were +dancing attendance on the powers that be, in search of employment; but I +am quite sure, Mr. Somers, that I should have been proud and happy to +number you among my friends." + +"It is not too late now," said the commodore. + +"Certainly not. I should be but too happy to have as my friend one who +has served his country so faithfully," added Mr. Pillgrim, as he bowed +gracefully to Somers, "especially as I understand we are appointed to +the same ship." + +"Indeed!" + +"I am ordered to the Chatauqua." + +"So am I." + +"Then, Mr. Pillgrim, you will take care of our Prodigy; you will be +excellent friends, I trust," said Kate, beginning very impulsively in +her old way, and suddenly checking herself when her resolution to be +"proper" interposed itself. + +"What is the matter, Kate? Have you and Mr. Somers had a falling out?" +demanded the commodore. + +"O, no, father." + +"You talk as though you had had a quarrel, and for a moment had +forgotten to be savage." + +"We have had no quarrel, pa," replied Kate, blushing. "I was going to be +saucy, but ma says I must not be saucy, and I shall not be saucy any +more. I only hoped the two gentlemen who are going to live together in +the same ship would be good friends." + +"Of course they will. Officers never quarrel." + +"Perhaps they don't; but they are not always as good friends as I hope +these gentlemen will be," laughed Kate. + +"Perhaps he will be my friend for your sake, if he is not for mine," +added Pillgrim. + +"I do not wish that. I don't like to have anybody do anything for my +sake, unless it be to take paregoric when I am sick." + +"I trust I shall not be paregoric to him," said Pillgrim. + +"Then he will not take you for my sake." + +"As Lieutenant Pillgrim is my superior officer, I should be likely to +court his good will, and prize his friendship very highly. If we are not +friends, I am sure it will not be my fault." + +At this moment the dinner bell rang; and although Somers did not feel +intimate enough with the family to invite himself to dine, he was easily +prevailed upon to remain, and gallantly gave his arm to Mrs. Portington, +as Kate, for some wayward reason of her own, had already seized upon +that of Lieutenant Pillgrim. + +At the table Somers sat opposite the lieutenant, and he found it +impossible to avoid looking upon him with a strange and undefinable +interest. Since his first glance at the commodore's visitor, who seemed +to be on the best of terms with the family, he had been perplexed by +some strange misgivings. He could not banish from his mind an assurance +that he had seen him before; that he had talked with him, and even been, +to some extent, intimate with him. + +The thought that Kate was somewhat changed in her demeanor towards him +did not contribute to increase his satisfaction. She had contrived to +take the lieutenant's arm instead of his own, and perhaps he had come as +the successor of Phil Kennedy, who had been reputed to be high in her +good graces. But Mr. Pillgrim was a gentleman of thirty-five, at least, +and this was not probable, in his view of the matter. Somers, being +disinterested, was more worried to know when, where, and under what +circumstances he had met the lieutenant. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +WAITING FOR THE SHIP. + + +Somers was utterly unable to satisfy himself in regard to Lieutenant +Pillgrim. The face was certainly familiar to him, not as a combination +of remembered features, but rather as an expression. To him the eye +seemed to be the whole of the man, and its gaze would haunt him, though +his memory refused to identify it with any time, place, or +circumstances. Though his reason compelled him to believe that he was +mistaken, and that Mr. Pillgrim was actually a stranger, his +consciousness of having seen, and even of having been intimate with, the +gentleman, most obstinately refused to be shaken. + +"Of course, gentlemen, you have no idea to what point the Chatauqua has +been ordered?" said the commodore. + +"I have not," replied Mr. Pillgrim. + +"I have heard it said that she was going to the Gulf," added Somers. + +"Very likely; there are two points where extensive naval operations are +likely to be undertaken--at Mobile and at Wilmington. The rebellion has +had so many hard knocks that the bottom must drop out before many +months." + +"I am afraid the end is farther off than most people at the North are +willing to believe," said Mr. Pillgrim. + +"Every thing looks hopeful. If we can contrive to batter down Fort +Fisher, and open Mobile Bay, the rebels may count the months of their +Confederacy on their fingers." + +"I think there is greater power of resistance left in the South, than we +give it the credit for." + +"The rebels have fought well; what of it?" continued the commodore, who +did not seem to be pleased with the style of the lieutenant's remarks. + +"As fighting men, we can hardly fail to respect those who have fought so +bravely as the people of the South." + +"People of the South!" sneered the commodore. "Why don't you call them +rebels?" + +"Of course that is what I mean," answered Mr. Pillgrim, a slight flush +visible on his cheek. + +"If you mean it, why don't you say it? Call things by their right names. +The people of the South are not all rebels. Why, confound it, Farragut +is a Southerner; so is General Anderson; so are a hundred men, who have +distinguished themselves in putting down treason. It's an insult to +these men to talk about the people of the South as rebels." + +"I agree with you, Commodore Portington, and what I said was only a form +of expression." + +"It's a very bad form of expression. Why, man, you are a Southerner +yourself." + +"I am; and I suppose that is what makes me so proud of the good fighting +the people of the South--I mean the rebels--have done. We can't help +respecting men who have behaved with so much gallantry." + +"Can't we?" exclaimed the commodore, with a sneer so wholesome and +honest, that Lieutenant Pillgrim withered under it. "I can help it. I +have no respect for rebels and traitors under any circumstances." + +"Nor I, as rebels and traitors," replied Pillgrim, mildly. + +"As rebels and traitors! I don't like these fine-spun distinctions. If a +man is a traitor, call him so, and swing him up on the fore-yard arm, +where he belongs." + +"You are willing to acknowledge that the rebels have fought well in this +war?" added the lieutenant. + +"They have fought well: I don't deny it." + +"And you appreciate gallant conduct?" + +"That depends on the cause. No, sir! I don't appreciate gallant conduct +on the part of rebels and traitors. It is not gallant conduct; and the +better they fight, the more wicked they are." + +"I can hardly take your view of the case." + +"Can't you? The best fighting I ever saw in my life was on the deck of +a pirate ship. The black-hearted villains fought like demons. Not a man +of them would yield the breadth of a hair. We had to cut them down like +dogs. Is piracy respectable because these men fought well?" + +"Certainly not; but the bravery of such men--" + +"Nonsense! I know what you are going to say; but you can't separate the +pirate from his piracy, nor the traitor from his treason," replied the +commodore, warmly. "The other day I saw a little dirty urchin fighting +with his mother. The young cub had run away, I suppose, and the woman +was dragging him back to the house. He was not more than six years old, +but he displayed a power of resistance which rather astonished me. He +kicked, bit, scratched, and yelled like a young tiger. He called his +mother everything but a lady. The poor woman tugged at him with all her +strength, but the little rascal was almost a match for her. I wanted to +take him by the nape of the neck, and shake the ugly out of him: nothing +but my fixed principles of neutrality prevented me from doing so. I +suppose, Mr. Pillgrim, you would have sympathized with the brat, because +he fought bravely." + +"Hardly," replied the lieutenant, laughing at the simile. + +"But he fought like a tiger, and displayed no mean strategy in his +rebellious warfare. Of course he was worthy of your admiration," sneered +the commodore. + +"That's hardly a fair comparison." + +"The fairest in the world. The rebels have insulted their own +mother--the parent that fostered, protected, and loved them. They +undertook to run away from her; and when she attempts to bring them back +to their duty, they kick, and scratch, and bite; and you admire them +because they fight well." + +"I stand convicted, Commodore Portington. I never took this view of the +matter; I acknowledge that you are right," said Mr. Pillgrim. + +Somers, who had been an attentive listener to the conversation, thought +the lieutenant yielded very gracefully, and much more readily than could +have been expected; but then the logician was a commodore, and perhaps +it was prudence and politeness on his part to agree with his powerful +superior. + +After dinner the party took a ride to the beach and to the Glen; and +after an early tea, Somers and Pillgrim, who were to be +fellow-passengers to Philadelphia, where the Chatauqua was fitting out, +began to demonstrate in the direction of their departure. Kate, though +she had been tolerably playful during the afternoon, had, in the main, +carried out her good resolution to be proper. She had not been +impudent--hardly pert; and deprived of this convenient mask for whatever +kindness she might have entertained towards the young ensign, she seemed +to be very cold and indifferent to him. She was more thoughtful, +serious, and earnest than when they had met on former occasions. He +could not help asking himself what he had done to produce this marked +change in her conduct. + +"Good by, Miss Portington," said he, when he had taken leave of her +father and mother. + +"Good by, Mr. Somers. Shall I hear from you when you reach your +station?" she asked, presenting her hand. + +"If you desire it." + +"If I desire it! Why, Mr. Somers, you forget that I am deeply interested +in your success." + +"Perhaps, if I do anything of which you would care to learn, the +newspapers may inform you of the fact," replied Somers, with a kind of +grim smile, which seemed actually to alarm poor Kate. + +"I would rather hear it from you." + +"I judge that you are more interested in my success than you are in me." + +"Ah, Mr. Somers, you cannot separate the pirate from his piracy, pa +said; nor the hero from his heroism, let me add." + +"Thank you, Miss Portington." + +"I cannot forget how deeply indebted we are to you, Mr. Somers." + +"I wish you could." + +"Why do you wish so?" demanded the astonished maiden; more astonished at +his manner than his words. + +"I am sorry to have you burdened with such a weight of obligation." + +"I think you mean to quarrel with me, Mr. Somers. I beg you will not be +so savage just as you are going away," laughed Kate, though there was a +troubled expression on her fair face. "I asked you if I should hear from +you, Mr. Somers." + +"Certainly, if you desire." + +"Why do you qualify your words? I should be just as glad to hear from +you as I ever was." + +"Then you shall, at every opportunity." + +"Thank you, Mr. Somers. That sounds hearty and honest, as father would +say." + +"I do not wish you to feel an interest in me from a sense of duty. I +shall not write any letters from a sense of duty, or even because I have +promised to do so. I shall write to you because--because I can't help +it," stammered Somers, almost overcome by the violence of his exertions. + +"I thank you, Mr. Somers, and I am sure your letters will be all the +more welcome from my knowledge of the fact." + +"Good by," said he, gently pressing the little hand he held. + +"Good by," she replied; and to his great satisfaction and delight, the +pressure was returned--a kind of telegraphic signal, infinitely more +expressive than all the words in the spelling-book, strung into +sentences, could have been to a young man in his desperate condition. + +Mr. Ensign Somers was now entirely satisfied. That gentle pressure of +the hand had atoned for all her reserve and coldness, real or imaginary, +and made the future bright and pleasant to look upon. Undoubtedly Mr. +Somers was a silly young fellow; but there is some consolation in +believing that he was just like all young men under similar +circumstances. + +Mr. Pillgrim followed him out of the house, and they hastened down to +the wharf to take the steamer for New York. On the passage the two +officers treated each other with courtesy and consideration, but there +appeared to be no strong sympathy of thought or feeling between them, +and they were not drawn so closely together as they might have been +under similar circumstances, if there had been more of opinion and +sentiment common between them. + +On their arrival at Philadelphia, they found the Chatauqua was still in +the hands of the workmen, and would not go into commission for a week or +ten days. They reported to the commandant of the navy yard, and took up +their quarters at the "Continental," where Somers found his old friend +Mr. Waldron, who had been detached from the Rosalie at his own request, +and ordered to the Chatauqua, in which he was to serve as executive +officer. This was splendid news to Somers, for he regarded Mr. Waldron +as a true and trusty friend, in whom he could with safety confide. + +"Do you know Lieutenant Pillgrim?" asked Somers, after they had +discussed their joint information in regard to the new ship. + +"I am not personally acquainted with him, though I have heard his name +mentioned. He is a Virginian, I think." + +"Yes." + +"If I mistake not, there were some doubts about his loyalty, though he +never tendered his resignation; he has been kept in the background." + +"He seems to be a loyal and true man." + +"No doubt of it, or he would not have been appointed to the Chatauqua." + +"He has some respect for the rebels, but no sympathy." + +"I think he has frequently applied for employment, but has not obtained +it until the present time. I have no doubt he is a good fellow and a +good officer. He ranks next to me. But, Somers, I leave town in half an +hour," continued Mr. Waldron, consulting his watch. "I am going to run +home for a few days, till the ship goes into commission. I will see you +here on my return." + +Somers walked to the railroad station with his late commander, and +parted with him as the train started. During the three succeeding days, +he visited the museums, libraries, and other places of resort, +interesting to a young man of his tastes. He went to the navy yard every +day, and, with his usual zeal, learned what he could of the build, rig, +and armament of the Chatauqua, and gathered such other information +relating to his profession as would be useful to him in the future. + +Lieutenant Pillgrim passed his time in a different manner. Though he was +not what the world would call an intemperate or an immoral man, he spent +many of his hours in bar-rooms, billiard-saloons, and places of public +amusement. He several times invited Somers to "join" him at the bar, to +play at billiards, and to visit the theatre, and other places of more +questionable morality. The young officer was not a prude, but he never +drank, did not know how to play billiards, and never visited a gambling +resort. He went to the theatre two or three times; but this was the +limit of his indulgence. + +Mr. Pillgrim was courteous and gentlemanly; he did not press his +invitations. He treated his brother officer with the utmost kindness and +consideration; was always ready, and even forward, to serve him; and +their relations were of the pleasantest character. + +One evening, when Somers called at the office for the key of his room, +after his return from the navy yard, a letter was handed to him. The +writing was an unfamiliar hand, scrawling and hardly legible. It was +evidently the production of an illiterate person. On reaching his room +he opened it. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE WOUNDED SAILOR. + + +The curiosity of Somers was not a little excited before he opened the +uncouth letter in his hand. It was postmarked Philadelphia, which made +its reception all the more strange, for he had no friends or +acquaintances residing in the city. He tore open the dirty epistle, +which was not even enclosed in an envelope, and read as follows:-- + + PHILA. June the 19. 1864. + +MR. JOHN SOMERS ESQ. Sir. I been wounded in the leg up the Missippi and +can not do nothing more. I been in your division aboard the Rosalie, and +I know you was a good man and I know you was a good officer, I hope you +be in good helth, as I am not at this present writen. my Leg is very +bad, and don't git no better. This is to inform you that I am the only +son of a poor widdow, who has no other Son, and she can not do nothing +for me, nor I can't do nothing for her. I have Fout for my countrey and +have been woundded in the servis. If you could git a penshin for me. it +would be a grate help to me Sorrowin condition. I live No -- Front +Street. If I might make bold to ask you to come and see a old Sailor, +thrown on the beam ends of missfortune, I would be very thankful to you. + + Yours to command, + + THOMAS BARRON. + +N. B. The doctor says he thinks my Leg will have to come off. + +Tom Longstone knows me, and you ask him, he will tell you all About me. + +"Thomas Barron," mused Somers, as he folded the letter. "I don't +remember him. There were two or three Toms on board the Rosalie. At any +rate, I have nothing better to do than call upon him. He is an old +sailor, and that is enough for me." + +It was already after dark; but he decided to visit the sufferer that +night, and after tea he left the house for this purpose. He was +sufficiently acquainted with the streets of this systematic city to make +his way without assistance. Of course he did not expect to find the home +of the old sailor in a wealthy and aristocratic portion of the city; but +if he had understood the character of the section to which the direction +led him, he would probably have deferred his charitable mission till the +following day. On reaching the vicinity of the place indicated, he +found himself in a vile locality, surrounded by the lowest and most +depraved of the population. + +With considerable difficulty he found the number mentioned in the +letter. The lower story of the building was occupied as a liquor shop, +and a further examination of the premises assured him the place was a +sailor's boarding-house. As this fact was not inconsistent with the +character of Tom Barron, he entered the shop. Half a dozen vagabonds had +possession; and as Somers entered, the attention of the whole group was +directed to him. + +"Is there a sailor by the name of Thomas Barron in this house?" asked +Somers of the greasy, corpulent woman, who stood behind about four feet +of counter, forming the bar, on which were displayed several bottles and +decanters. + +"Yes, sir; and very bad he is too," replied the woman, civilly enough, +though the young officer could hardly help shuddering in her presence. + +"Could I see him?" + +"I 'spect you can, if you be the officer Tom says is comin' to see him." + +"I am the person." + +"Tom's very bad." + +"So he says in his letter." + +"He hain't had a minute's peace or comfort with that leg sence he come +home from the war. Be you any relation of his?" + +"I am not." + +"Mebbe you're his friend." + +"He served under me in the Rosalie." + +"Tom hain't paid no board for two months, which comes hard on a poor +woman like me, takin' care of him, and his mother too, that come here to +nuss him." + +"Perhaps something can be done for him." + +"Well, I hope so. I don't see how I can keep him any longer. He owes me +forty dollars. If any body'll pay half on't, I'd keep on doin' for him." + +"I will see what can be done for him. Why was he not sent to the +hospital?" + +"He's too bad to be sent, and he don't want to go, nuther. He says the +doctors try speriments on poor fellers like him, and he don't want to be +cut up afore he's dead." + +"Well, I will endeavor to have something done for him. I am entirely +willing to help him as much as I can." + +"Perhaps you'd be willin' to do sunthin' towards payin' my bill, then." + +"Perhaps I will; but I wish to see the man before I do anything. Will +you show me to his room?" + +"I don't go up and down stairs none now. Here, Childs, you show this +gentleman up to the front room," said the landlady to one of the +vagabonds before her. "Then go and tell Tom his officer has come. I +suppose they'll want to slick up a little, afore they let you in; but +Miss Barron will tell you when she is ready." + +Somers followed the man up a flight of rickety stairs, and was ushered +into the front room. It was a bedchamber, supplied with the rudest and +coarsest furniture. The visitor sat down, after telling Childs that the +sailor's mother need not stop to "slick up" before he was admitted. He +did not like the surroundings, even independent of the villainous odors +that rose from the groggery, and those that were engendered in the +apartment where he sat. Slush and tar were agreeable perfumes, compared +with those which assaulted his sense in this chamber; and he hoped Mrs. +Barron would humiliate her pride to an extent which would permit him to +make a speedy exit from the house. + +Mrs. Barron, however, appeared not to be in a hurry, and Somers waited +ten minutes by his watch, which seemed to expand into a full hour before +he heard a sound to disturb the monotony of the chamber's quiet. But +when it was disturbed, it was in such a manner that he forgot all about +the place and the odors, the hour and the occasion, and even the poor +sailor, who had so piteously appealed to him for assistance. + +In the rear of the room in which Somers sat, there was a door +communicating with another apartment. The house was old and out of +repair; and this door, never very nicely adjusted, was now warped and +thrown out of place, so that great cracks yawned around the edges, and +whatever was said or done in one room, of which any knowledge could be +obtained by the sense of hearing, was immediately patent to the +occupants of the other. Somers heard footsteps in the rear room, though +the parties appeared not to have come up the stairs by which he had +ascended. The rattling of chairs and of glass ware next saluted his +ears; but as yet Somers had not the slightest interest in the business +of the adjoining apartment, and only wished that Mrs. Barron would +speedily complete the preparations for his reception. + +"It's dangerous business," said one of the men in the rear room; which +remark followed a smack of the lips, and a rude depositing of the glass +on the table, indicating that the speaker had just swallowed his dram. + +The man uttered his remark in a loud tone, exhibiting a strange +carelessness, if the matter in hand was as dangerous as the words +implied. + +"I know it is dangerous, Langdon," said another person, in a voice which +instantly riveted the attention of the listener. + +Somers heard the voice. It startled him, and he had no eye, ear, or +thought for anything but the individual who had last spoken. If he had +considered his position at all, it would only have been to wish that +Mrs. Barron might be as proud as a Chestnut Street belle, in order to +afford him time to inform himself in relation to the business of the men +who occupied the other room. + +"You have been shut up in Fort Lafayette once," added the first speaker. + +"In a good cause I am willing to go again," replied the voice so +familiar to the ears of Somers. "I lost eighty thousand dollars in a +venture just like this. I must get my money back." + +"If you can, Coles." + +Coles! But Somers did not need to have his identity confirmed by the use +of his name. He knew Coles's voice. At Newport he had lain in the +fore-sheets of the academy boat, and heard Coles and Phil Kennedy mature +their plan to place the Snowden on the ocean, as a Confederate cruiser. +He had listened to the whole conversation on that occasion, and the +knowledge he had thus obtained enabled the government to capture the +steamer, and defeat the intentions of the conspirators. + +The last Somers had known of Coles, he was a prisoner in Fort Lafayette. +Probably he had been released by the same influence which set Phil +Kennedy at liberty, and permitted him to continue his career of treason +and plunder. Coles had lost eighty thousand dollars by his speculation +in the Snowden, for one half of which Kennedy was holden to him; but the +bond had been effectually cancelled by the death of the principal. Coles +wanted his money back. It was a very natural desire; but Somers could +not help considering it as a very extravagant one, under present +circumstances. + +The listener could not help regarding it as a most remarkable thing, +that he should again be within hearing of Coles, engaged in plotting +treason. Such an event might happen once; but that it should occur a +second time was absolutely marvellous. If our readers are of the opinion +that the writer is too severely taxing their credulity in imposing the +situation just described upon them, he begs they will suspend their +judgment till the sequel justifies him. + +It was so strange to Somers, that he could not help thinking he had been +brought there by some mysterious power to listen to and defeat the +intentions of the conspirators. He was not so far wrong as he might have +been. It was Coles who spoke; it was Coles who had been in Fort +Lafayette; and it was Coles who had lost eighty thousand dollars by the +Snowden. All these things were real, and Somers had no suspicion that he +had inhaled some of the vile compounds in the bar below, which might +have thrown him into a stupor wherein he dreamed the astounding +situation in which he was actually placed. + +Somers listened, and when Coles had mixed and drank his dram, he spoke +again. + +"I can and will get my money back," said he, with an oath which froze +the blood of the listener. + +"Don't believe it, Coles." + +"You know me, Langdon," added the plotter, with a peculiar emphasis. + +Langdon acknowledged that he did know him; and as there was, therefore, +no need of an introduction, Coles proceeded. + +"You know me, Langdon; I don't make any mistakes myself." + +Perhaps Langdon knew it; but Somers had some doubts, which, however, he +did not purpose to urge on this occasion. + +"Phil Kennedy was a fool," added Coles, with another oath. "He spoiled +all my plans before, and I was glad when I heard that he was killed, +though I lost forty thousand dollars when he slipped out. He spilt the +milk for me." + +Somers thought not. + +"Phil was smart about some things; but he couldn't keep a hotel. Why, +that young pup that finally gave him his quietus, twirled him around his +fingers, like he had been a school girl." + +"Thank you, Mr. Coles; but I shall have the pleasure of serving you in +the same way before many weeks," thought Somers, flattered by this warm +and disinterested tribute to his strategetic ability. + +"You mean Somers?" said Langdon. + +"I mean Somers. The young pup isn't twenty-one yet, but he is the +smartest man in the old navy, by all odds, whether the others be +admirals, commodores, lieutenants, or what not." + +"That's high praise, Coles." + +"It's true. If he wasn't an imfernal Yankee, I would drink his health in +this old Bourbon. Good liquor--isn't it, Langdon?" + +"Like the juice of a diamond." + +"I would give more for this Somers than I would for any four rear +admirals. He has just been appointed to the Chatauqua; but he will be in +command of some small craft down South, before many months, doing more +mischief to us than any four first-class steamers in the service. He is +as brave as a young lion; knows a ship from keel to truck, and is as +familiar with every bolt and pin of an engine as though he had been a +machinist all his life." + +"Big thing, eh, Coles?" + +"If I had this Somers, I could make his fortune and mine in a year, and +have a million surplus besides." + +"What would you do with him?" + +"I would give him the command of my steamer. I would rather have him in +that place than all the old grannies in the Confederate navy." + +Somers thought Mr. Coles was rather extravagant. He had no idea that Mr. +Ensign Somers was one tenth part of the man which the amiable and +patronizing Mr. Coles declared he was; and he was impatient to have the +speaker announce his intentions, rather than waste any more time in such +unwarrantable commendation. + +But instead of telling what he intended to do, he confined himself most +provokingly to what he had failed to do, giving Langdon minute details +of the capture of the Theban and the Snowden, dwelling with peculiar +emphasis on the agency of Somers in the work. This was not interesting +to the listener, but something better soon followed. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +THE FRONT CHAMBER. + + +"But I am going to get back the money I lost, and make a pile besides," +said Coles, when he had fully detailed the events attending the loss of +the Snowden. + +"If you can," added the sceptical Langdon. + +"Of course there is some risk, but my plans are so well laid that a +failure is hardly possible," continued Coles. + +"It was possible before." + +"Nothing but an accident could have defeated my plan before. Everything +worked to my satisfaction, and I was sure of success." + +"But you failed." + +"I shall not fail again." + +"I hope not." + +"Then believe I shall not," retorted Coles, apparently irritated by the +doubts and fears of his companion. + +"It is not safe to believe too much," added Langdon, with a kind of +chuckle, whose force Somers could hardly understand; "you believed too +much before." + +"I have been more cautious this time, and I wouldn't give anybody five +per cent. to insure the venture." + +Somers was becoming very impatient to hear the particulars of the plan, +for he was in momentary fear of being summoned to the bedside of the +wounded sailor. Coles was most provokingly deliberate in the discussion +of his treasonable project; but when the naval officer considered that +the conversation was not especially intended for him, he did not very +severely censure the conspirators for their tardiness. + +"I don't understand what your plan is," said Langdon. + +"Nor I either," was Somers's facetious thought. + +"I will tell you all about it. Are there any ears within hail of us?" + +"Not an ear." + +"Is there anybody in the front room?" + +"No." + +"Are you sure?" + +"The old woman told me the front room was not occupied. She sent in +there an officer who wanted to see a sick sailor upstairs; but he is +gone before this time." + +"Perhaps not; make sure on this point before I open my mouth. I have no +idea of being tripped up this time," said the cautious Coles. + +"I will look into the front room," added Langdon, "though I know there +is no one there." + +Somers was rather annoyed at this demonstration of prudence; but it was +quite natural, and he was all the more interested to hear the rest of +the conference. Dismissing for a moment the dignity of the quarter deck, +he dropped hastily on the floor, and crawled under the bed, concluding +that Langdon, who was already fully satisfied the front room was empty, +would not push his investigations to an unreasonable extent. But he had +already prepared himself for the worst, and if his presence were +detected, he resolved to take advantage of the high estimation in which +he was held, and, for his country's good, proposed to offer his valuable +services in getting the piratical ship to sea. He could thus obtain the +secret, and defeat the purposes of the conspirators. + +He fortunately avoided the necessity of resorting to this disagreeable +course, for Langdon only opened the door, and glanced into the chamber +he occupied. + +"The room is empty," he reported to Coles, on his return. + +"There are cracks around this door big enough to crawl through. Somebody +may go into that room without being heard, and listen to all I say." + +"There is no danger." + +"But there is danger; and I will not leave the ghost of a chance to be +discovered. Langdon, lock that front room, and put the key in your +pocket. I must have things perfectly secure before I open my mouth." + +Langdon complied with the request of his principal; the door was locked, +and Somers, without much doubt or distrust, found his retreat cut off +for the present. But, at last, everything was fixed to the entire +satisfaction of Coles. The glasses clinked again, indicating that the +worthies had fortified themselves with another dose from the bottle. +Somers crawled out from under the bed, and heedless of the dust which +whitened his new uniform, placed himself in a comfortable position, +where he could hear all that was said by the confederates. + +Coles now told his story in a straightforward, direct manner, and Somers +made memoranda on the back of a letter of the principal facts in the +statement. The arch conspirator had just purchased a fine iron +side-wheel steamer, captured on the blockade, called the Ben Nevis. She +was about four hundred tons burden, and under favorable circumstances +had often made sixteen knots an hour. It had already been announced in +the newspapers that the Ben Nevis would run regularly between New York +and St. John. Coles intended to clear her properly for her destined +port, where she could, by an arrangement already made, be supplied with +guns, ammunition, and a crew. She was to clear regularly for New York, +but instead of proceeding there was to commence her piratical course on +the ocean. + +This was the plan of the worthy Mr. Coles, which Langdon permitted him +to develop without a single interruption. But the prudent, or rather +critical, confederate raised many objections, which were discussed at +great length--so great that Somers, possessed of the principal facts, +would have left the room, if the door had not been locked, and escaped +from the house, so as to avoid the possibility of being discovered. The +wounded sailor could be attended to on the following day. + +"But one thing we lack," continued Coles, after he had removed all the +objections of his companion. + +"More than one, I fear," said the doubtful Langdon. + +"Well, one thing more than all others." + +"What is that?" + +"A naval officer to command her." + +"There are plenty of them." + +"No doubt of it; but they are not the kind I want. I need a man who will +play into my hand, as well as grind up the Yankees. I have no idea of +burning all the property captured by my vessel." + +"Why don't you take command yourself?" + +"I have other business to do." + +"There are scores of Confederate naval officers in Canada and New +Brunswick," suggested Langdon. + +"I know them all, and I wouldn't trust them to command a mud-scow. In a +word, Langdon, I want this Somers, and I must have him." + +"But he is a northern Yankee. He would sooner cut his own throat than +engage in such an enterprise." + +"Thank you for that," said Somers to himself. "If you had known me all +my lifetime, you couldn't have said a better or a truer thing of me." + +"I know he is actually reeking with what he calls loyalty. He will be a +hard subject, but I think he can be brought over." + +"Perhaps he can." + +"It must be done; that is the view we must take of the matter." + +"It will be easier to believe it than to do it." + +"This is to be your share of the enterprise." + +"Mine?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I think you have given me the biggest job in the work." + +"It can be done," said Coles, confidently. "Somers is a mere boy in +years, though he is smarter and knows more than any man in the navy in +the prime of life." + +"I'm afraid he is too smart, and knows too much to be caught in such a +scrape." + +"No; he is young and ambitious. Offer him a commission as a commander in +the Confederate navy, to begin with. I have the commission duly signed +by the president of the Confederacy, countersigned by the secretary of +the navy, with a blank for the name of the man who receives it, which I +am authorized to fill up as I think best. Somers must have this +commission." + +"If he will take it." + +"He will take it. In the old navy he is nothing but a paltry ensign. He +has been kept back. His merit has been ignored. He must stand out of the +way for numskulls and old fogies. Even if the war should last ten years +longer, he could not reach the rank, in that time, which I now tender +him. He will at once be offered the command of a fine steamer, and may +walk the quarter deck like a king. He is ambitious, and if you approach +him in the right way, you can win him over." + +Somers listened with interest to this precious scheme. He did not even +feel complimented by the exalted opinion which such a man as Coles +entertained of him. It would be a pleasant thing for a young man like +him to be a commander, and have a fine steamer; but as he could regard +only with horror the idea of firing a gun at a vessel bearing the stars +and stripes, he was not even tempted by the bait; and he turned his +thoughts from it without the necessity of a "Get thee behind me, Satan," +in dismissing it. + +"Where is this Somers?" asked Langdon. + +"He is at the Continental," replied Coles. "He has been appointed fourth +lieutenant of the Chatauqua; but what a position for a man of his +abilities! He is better qualified to command the ship than the numskull +to whom she has been given. Waldron, the first lieutenant, is smart: he +ought to be commander; though I think Somers did all the hard work in +Doboy Sound, for which Waldron got the credit, and for which he was +promoted. Pillgrim, the second lieutenant, is a renegade Virginian." + +"We had some hopes of him, at one time," said Langdon. + +"He is worse than a Vermont Yankee now--has been all along, for that +matter. I tried to do something with him, but he talked about the old +flag, and other bosh of that sort." + +"Let him go," added Langdon, with becoming resignation. + +"Let him go! He never went. He has always been a Yankee at heart. If the +navy department wouldn't trust him, it was their fault, not his, for the +South has not had a worse enemy than he since the first gun was fired at +Sumter. He is none the better, and all the more dangerous to us, because +he gives the South credit for skill and bravery." + +Somers was pleased to hear this good account of Lieutenant Pillgrim; not +because he had any doubt in regard to his loyalty, but because it +confirmed the good impression he had received of his travelling +companion. If the conspirators would only have graciously condescended +to resolve the doubts in his mind in regard to some indefinite previous +acquaintance he had had with the second lieutenant of the Chatauqua, he +would have been greatly obliged to them. They did not do this, and +Somers was still annoyed and puzzled by the belief, patent to his +consciousness, that he had somewhere been intimate with the "renegade +Virginian," before they met at the house of Commodore Portington. + +"Now, Langdon, you must contrive to meet Somers, sound him, and bring +him over. You must be cautious with him. He is a young man of good +morals--never drinks, gambles, or goes to bad places. He is a perfect +gentleman in his manners, never swears, and is the pet of the +chaplains." + +"I think I can manage him." + +"I know you can; I have picked you out of a hundred smart fellows for +this work." + +"How will it do for me to put on a white choker, and approach him as a +doctor of divinity." + +"You can't humbug him." + +"If I can't, why should I try?" + +"If you should pretend to be a clergyman, and he smelt the whiskey in +your breath, he would set you down as a hypocrite at once." + +"That's so," thought Somers. + +"He wouldn't listen to a preacher who drank whiskey. He is a fanatic on +these points." + +Somers could not imagine where Coles had obtained such an intimate +knowledge of his views and principles; though, if he wanted his services +in the Confederate navy, it was probable he had made diligent inquiries +in regard to his opinions and habits. + +"I think I could blind him as a D.D., but I am not strenuous." + +"You had better get acquainted with him in some other capacity." + +"As you please; I will think over the matter, and be ready to make a +strike to-morrow morning. What time is it?" + +"Quarter past ten." + +"So late! I must be off at once." + +Somers heard the clatter of glass-ware again, as the conspirators took +the parting libation. He listened to their retreating footsteps, heard +Langdon return the key, and then began to wonder what had become of Tom +Barron and his mother. He had waited more than two hours in the front +room, and no summons had come for him to see the wounded sailor. It was +very singular, to say the least; but while he was deliberating on the +point, a hand was placed on the door of the chamber. The key turned, and +a person entered. + +Now, Somers had a very strong objection to being seen after what had +occurred. If discovered in this room, Coles might see him, and finding +his plans discovered, might change them so as to defeat the ends of +justice. And the listener felt that, if detected in this apartment by +the conspirators, they would not scruple to take his life in order to +save themselves and their schemes. + +For these reasons Somers decided not to be seen. The person who entered +the room was a rough, seafaring man, and evidently intended to sleep +there, which Somers was entirely willing he should do, if it could be +done without imperilling his personal safety. He therefore crawled under +the bed again, as quietly as possible. Unfortunately it was not quietly +enough to escape the observation of the lodger, who, not being of the +timid sort, seized him by the leg, dragged him out, and with a volley of +marine oaths, began to kick him with his heavy boot. + +Somers sprang to his feet, and attempted to explain; but the indignant +seaman struck him a heavy blow on the head, which felled him senseless +on the floor. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +SOMERS COMES TO HIS SENSES. + + +When Somers opened his eyes, about half an hour after the striking event +just narrated, and became conscious that he was still in the land of the +living, he was lying on the bed in his chamber at the Continental. By +his side stood Lieutenant Pillgrim and a surgeon. + +"Where am I?" asked the young officer, using the original expression +made and provided for occasions of this kind. + +"You are here, my dear fellow," replied the lieutenant. + +This valuable information seemed to afford the injured party a great +deal of consolation, for he looked around the apartment, not wildly, as +he would have done if this book were a novel, but with a look of +perplexity and dissatisfaction. As Mr. Ensign Somers was eminently a +fighting man on all proper occasions, he probably felt displeased with +himself to think he had given the stalwart seaman so easy a victory; for +he distinctly remembered the affair in which he had been so rudely +treated, though there was a great gulf between the past and the present +in his recollection. + +"How do you feel, Mr. Somers?" asked the surgeon. + +"The fact that I feel at all is quite enough for me at the present time, +without going into the question as to how I feel," replied the patient, +with a sickly smile. "I don't exactly know how I do feel. My ideas are +rather confused." + +"I should think they might be," added the surgeon. "You have had a hard +rap on the head." + +"So I should judge, for my brain is rather muddled." + +"Does your head pain you?" asked the medical gentleman, placing his hand +on the injured part. + +"It does not exactly pain me, but it feels rather sore. I think I will +get up, and see how that affects me." + +Somers got up, and immediately came to the conclusion that he was not +very badly damaged; and the surgeon was happy to corroborate his +opinion. With the exception of a soreness over the left temple, he felt +pretty well. The blow from the iron fist of the burly seaman had stunned +him; and the kicks received from the big boots of the assailant had +produced sundry black and blue places on his body, which a man not +accustomed to hard knocks might have looked upon with suspicion, but to +which Somers paid no attention. + +The surgeon had carefully examined him before his consciousness +returned, and was fully satisfied that he had not been seriously +injured. Somers walked across the room two or three times, and bathed +his head with cold water, which in a great measure restored the +consistency of his ideas. He felt a little sore, but he soon became as +chipper and as cheerful as an early robin. His first thought was, that +he had escaped being murdered, and he was devoutly thankful to God for +the mercy which had again spared his life. + +The doctor, after giving him some directions in regard to his head, and +the black and blue spots on his body, left the room. He was a naval +surgeon, a guest in the hotel, and promised to see his patient again in +the morning. + +"How do you feel, Somers?" asked Lieutenant Pillgrim, who sat on the +bed, gazing with interest, not unmixed with anxiety, at his companion. + +"I feel pretty well, considering the hard rap I got on the head." + +"You have a hard head, Somers." + +"Why so?" + +"If you had not, you would have been a dead man. The fellow pounded you +with his fist, which is about as heavy as an anvil, and kicked you with +his boots, which are large enough and stout enough to make two very +respectable gunboats." + +"Things are rather mixed in my mind," added Somers, rubbing his head +again, as if to explain how a strong-minded young man like himself +should be troubled in his upper works. + +"I am not surprised at that. You have remained insensible more than half +an hour. I was afraid, before the surgeon saw you, that your pipe was +out, and you had become a D.D. without taking orders." + +"I think I had a narrow escape. What a tiger the fellow was that pitched +into me!" + +"It was all a mistake on his part." + +"Perhaps it was; but that don't make my head feel any better. Who is he, +and what is he?" + +"He is the captain of a coaster. He had considerable money in his +pocket, and he thought you had concealed yourself in his room for the +purpose of robbing him. When he saw that you were an officer in the +navy, he was overwhelmed with confusion, and really felt very bad about +it." + +"I don't know that I blame him for what he did, under the circumstances. +His conclusion was not a very unnatural one. I don't exactly comprehend +how I happen to be in the Continental House, after these stunning +events." + +"Don't you?" said Pillgrim, with a smile. + +"If I had been in condition to expect anything, I should naturally have +expected to find myself, on coming to my senses, in the low groggery +where I received the blows." + +"That is very easily accounted for. I happened to be at the house when +you were struck down. I was in the lower room, and heard the row. With +others I went up to see what the matter was. I had a carriage in the +street, and when I recognized you, the captain of the coaster, at my +request, took you up in his arms like a baby, carried you down into the +street, and put you into the vehicle, and you were brought here. I +presume this will fill up the entire gap in your recollection." + +"It is all as clear as mud now," laughed Somers. "Mr. Pillgrim, I am +very grateful to you for the kind offices you rendered me." + +"Don't mention it, my dear fellow. I should have been worse than a brute +if I had done any less than I did." + +"That may be; but my gratitude is none the less earnest on that account. +Those are villainous people in that house, and I might have been +butchered and cut up, if I had been left there." + +"I think not. The captain of the coaster is evidently an honest man; at +any rate he is very sorry for what he did. But, Somers, my dear +fellow,--you will pardon me if I seem impertinent,--how did you happen +to be in such a place?" continued Mr. Pillgrim, with a certain +affectation of slyness in his look, as though he had caught the +exemplary young man in a house where he would not have been willing to +be seen. + +"How did _you_ happen to be there?" demanded Somers. + +"I don't profess to be a very proper person. I take my whiskey when I +want it." + +"So do I; and the only difference between us is, that I never happen to +want it." + +"I did not go into that house for my whiskey, though. It is rather +strange that we should both happen into such a place at the same time." + +"Rather strange." + +"But I will tell you why I was there," added Pillgrim. "I received a +letter from a wounded sailor, asking me to call upon him, and assist him +in obtaining a pension." + +"Did you, indeed!" exclaimed Somers, amazed at this explanation. "You +have also told how I happened to be there." + +"How was that?" + +"I received just such a letter as that you describe," replied Somers, +taking the dirty epistle from his pocket, which he opened and exhibited +to his brother officer. + +"The handwriting is the same, and the substance of both letters is +essentially the same. That's odd--isn't it?" continued the lieutenant, +as he drew the epistle he had received from his pocket. "I got mine when +I came in, about ten o'clock; and thinking I might go to New York in the +morning for a couple of days, I thought I would attend to the matter at +once." + +Somers took the letters, and compared them. They were written by the +same person, on the same kind of paper, and were both mailed on the same +day. + +"This looks rather suspicious to me," added Pillgrim, reflecting on the +circumstances. + +"Why suspicious?" + +"Why should both of us have been called? Tom Barron claims to have +served with me, as he did with you. I don't remember any such person." + +"Neither do I." + +"Did you find out whether there was any such person at the house as Tom +Barron?" + +"The woman at the bar told me there was a wounded sailor there whose +description answered to that contained in the letter." + +"So she told me. Did you see him?" + +"No." + +"I did not; and between you and me, I don't believe there is any Tom +Barron there, or anywhere else. This business must be investigated," +said Pillgrim, very decidedly. + +Somers did not wish it to be investigated. He was utterly opposed to an +investigation, for he was fearful, if the matter should be "ventilated," +that more would be shown than he was willing to have exhibited at the +present time; in other words, Coles would find out that his enterprising +scheme had been exposed to a third person. + +"I don't care to be mixed up in any revelations of low life, Mr. +Pillgrim; and, as I have lost nothing, and the hard knocks I received +were given under a mistake, I think I would rather let the matter rest +just where it is." + +"Very natural for a young man of your style," laughed the lieutenant. +"You are afraid the people of Pinchbrook will read in the papers that +Mr. Somers has been in bad places." + +"They might put a wrong construction on the case," replied Somers, +willing to have his reasons for avoiding an investigation as strong as +possible. + +"I can hand these letters over to the police, and let the officers +inquire into the matter," added Pillgrim. "They need not call any +names." + +"I would rather not stir up the dirty pool. Besides, Tom Barron and his +mother may be in the house, after all. There is no evidence to the +contrary." + +"I shall satisfy myself on that point by another visit to the house. If +I find there is such a person there, I shall be satisfied." + +"That will be the better way." + +Just then it occurred to Somers that Coles might have seen him while he +was insensible, and was already aware that his scheme had miscarried. He +questioned Pillgrim, therefore, in regard to the persons in the bar-room +when he entered. From the answers received he satisfied himself that +the conspirators had departed before the "row" in the front room +occurred. + +"Now, Somers, I am going down to that house again before I sleep," said +the lieutenant. "This time, I shall take my revolver. Will you go with +me?" + +"I don't feel exactly able to go out again to-night. My head doesn't +feel just right," replied Somers, who, however, had other reasons for +keeping his room, the principal of which was the fear that he might meet +Coles there, and that, by some accident, his presence in the front room +during the conference might be disclosed. + +"I think you are right, Somers. You had better keep still to-night," +said Pillgrim. "Shall I send you up anything?" + +"Thank you; I don't need anything." + +"A glass of Bourbon whiskey would do you good. It would quiet your +nerves, and put you to sleep." + +"Perhaps it would, but I shall lie awake on those terms." + +"Don't be bigoted, my dear fellow. Of course I prescribe the whiskey as +a medicine." + +"You are no surgeon." + +"It would quiet your nerves." + +"Let them kick, if nothing but whiskey will quiet them," laughed Somers. +"Seriously, Mr. Pillgrim, I am very much obliged to you for your +kindness, and for your interest in me; but I think I shall be better +without the whiskey than with it." + +"As you please, Somers. If you are up when I return, I will tell you +what I find at the house." + +"Thank you; I will leave my door unfastened." + +Mr. Pillgrim left the room to make his perilous examination of the +locality of his friend's misfortunes. Somers walked the apartment, +nervous and excited, considering the events of the evening. He then +seated himself, and carefully wrote out the statement of Coles in regard +to the Ben Nevis, and the method by which he purposed to operate in +getting her to sea as a Confederate cruiser, with extended memoranda of +all the conversation to which he had listened. Before he had finished +this task, Lieutenant Pillgrim returned. + +"It is all right," said he, as he entered the room. + +"What's all right?" + +"There is such a person as Thomas Barron. The facts contained in the +letters are essentially true." + +"Then no investigation is necessary," replied Somers, with a feeling of +relief. + +"None whatever; to-morrow I will see that the poor fellow is sent to the +hospital, and his mother provided for." + +Mr. Pillgrim, after again recommending a glass of whiskey, took his +leave, and Somers finished his paper. He went to bed, and in spite of +the fact that he had drank no whiskey, his nerves were quiet, and he +dropped asleep like a good Christian, with a prayer in his heart for the +"loved ones at home" and elsewhere. + +The next morning, though he was still quite sore, and his head felt +heavier than usual, he was in much better condition, physically, than +could have been expected. After breakfast, as he sat in the parlor of +the hotel, he was accosted by a gentleman in blue clothes, with a very +small cap on his head. + +"An officer of the navy, I perceive," said the stranger, courteously. + +"How are you, Langdon?" was the thought, but not the reply, of Somers. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N. + + +The gentlemanly individual who addressed Somers wore the uniform of an +English naval officer. By easy and gentle approaches, he proceeded to +make himself very agreeable. He was lavish in his praise of the +achievements of the "American navy," and was sure that no nation on the +face of the globe had ever displayed such skill and energy in creating a +war marine. Somers listened patiently to this eloquent and just tribute +to the enterprise of his country; and if he had not suspected that the +enthusiastic speaker was playing an assumed character, he would have +ventured to suggest that the position of John Bull was rather equivocal; +that a little less admiration, and a little more genuine sympathy, would +be more acceptable. + +"We sailors belong to the same fraternity all over the world," said the +pretended Englishman. "There is something in sailors which draws them +together. I never meet one without desiring to know him better. Allow me +to present you my card, and beg the favor of yours in return." + +He handed his card to Somers, who read upon it the name of "Lieutenant +Wynkoop, R. N." It was elaborately engraved, and our officer began to +have some doubts in regard to his new-found acquaintance, for the card +could hardly have been got up since the interview of the preceding +evening. This gentleman might not be Langdon, after all; but whether he +was or not, it was proper to treat him with respect and consideration. +Somers wrote his name on a blank card, and gave it to him. + +"Thank you, Mr. Somers: here is my hand," said Lieutenant Wynkoop, when +he had read the name. "I am happy to make your acquaintance." + +Somers took the offered hand, and made a courteous reply, to the +salutations of the other. + +"May I beg the favor of your company to dinner with me in my private +parlor to-day?" continued Mr. Wynkoop. "I have a couple of bottles of +fine old sherry, which have twice made the voyage to India, sent to me +by an esteemed American friend residing in this city." + +"Thank you, Mr. Wynkoop. To the dinner I have not the slightest +objection; to the wine I have; and I'm afraid you must reserve it for +some one who will appreciate it more highly than I can. I never drink +wine." + +"Ah, indeed?" said the presumed representative of the royal navy, as he +adjusted an eye-glass to his left eye, keeping it in position by +contracting the muscles above and below the visual member, which gave a +peculiar squint to his expression, very trying to the risibles of his +auditor. + +"I should be happy to dine with you, but I don't drink wine," repeated +Somers, in good-natured but rather bluff tones, for he did not wish to +be understood as apologizing for his total abstinence principles. + +"I should be glad to meet you in my private parlor, say, at four +o'clock, whether you drink wine or not, Mr. Somers." + +"Four o'clock?" + +"It's rar-ther early, I know. If you prefer five, say the word," drawled +Mr. Wynkoop. + +"I should say that would be nearer supper time than four," replied +Somers, who had lately been in the habit of dining at twelve in +Pinchbrook. + +"Earlier if you please, then." + +"Any hour that is convenient for you will suit me." + +"Let it be four, then. But I must acknowledge, Mr. Somers, I am not +entirely unselfish in desiring to make your acquaintance. The operations +of the American navy have astonished me, and I wish to know more about +it. I landed in New York only a few days since, and I improve every +opportunity to make the acquaintance of American naval officers. I have +not yet visited one of your dock yards." + +"I am going over to look at my ship this forenoon, and I should be +delighted with your company." + +"Thank you! thank you!" exclaimed Mr. Wynkoop. "I shall be under great +obligations to you for the favor." + +They went to the navy yard, visited the Chatauqua, and other vessels of +war fitting out there. Mr. Wynkoop asked a thousand questions about +ships, engines, and armaments; and one could hardly help regarding him +as the most enthusiastic admirer of naval architecture. Though the +gentleman spoke in affected tones, Somers had recognized the voice of +Langdon. This was the person, without a doubt, who was to lure him into +the Confederate navy, who was to crown his aspirations with a +commander's commission, and reward his infidelity with the command of a +fine steamer. + +Somers was very impatient for the inquiring member of the royal navy to +make his proposition; for, strange as it may seem to the loyal reader, +he had fully resolved to accept the brilliant offers he expected to +receive; to permit Coles to place the name of "John Somers" in the blank +of the commander's commission which he had in his possession; and even +to take his place on the quarter deck of the Ben Nevis, if it became +necessary to carry proceedings to that extent. + +But Lieutenant Wynkoop did not even allude to the Confederate navy, or +to the Ben Nevis, and did not even attempt to sound the loyalty of his +companion. Somers concluded at last that this matter was reserved for +the after-dinner conversation; and as he could afford to wait, he +continued to give his friend every facility for prosecuting his +inquiries into the secret of the marvellous success of the "American +navy." + +After writing out his statement of Coles's plans, he had carefully and +prayerfully considered his duty in relation to the startling information +he had thus accidentally obtained. Of course he had no doubt as to what +he should do. He must be sure that the Ben Nevis was handed over to the +government; that Coles and Langdon were put in close quarters. He only +inquired how this should be done. Though the Snowden and the Theban had +been captured in the former instance, both Kennedy and Coles had escaped +punishment, and one of them was again engaged in the work of pulling +down the government. + +If he gave information at the present stage of the conspiracy, his plans +might be defeated. Though Coles had mentioned no names, it was more than +probable that he was aided and abetted in his treasonable projects by +other persons. There were traitors in Boston, New York, and +Philadelphia, men of wealth and influence, occupying high positions in +society, who were engaged in just such enterprises as that which had +been revealed to the young naval officer. + +Somers felt, therefore, that a premature exposure might ruin himself +without overthrowing the conspirators. A word from one of these +influential men might lay him on the shelf, to say the least, and remove +all suspicion from the guilty ones. He must proceed with the utmost +caution, both for his own safety and the success of his enterprise. + +Besides, he felt that, if he could get "inside of the ring," he should +find out who the great men were that were striking at the heart of the +nation in the dark. By obtaining the confidence of the conspirators, he +could the more easily baffle them, and do the country a greater service +than he could render on the quarter deck of the Chatauqua. + +After an earnest and careful consideration of the whole matter, he +concluded that his present duty was to pay out rope enough to permit +Coles and his guilty associates to hang themselves. For this purpose, he +was prepared to receive Langdon with open arms, to accept the commission +intended for him, and to enter into the secret councils of his country's +bitterest enemies. + +Somers, pure and patriotic in his motives, did not for a moment consider +that he exposed himself to any risk in thus entering the councils of the +wicked, or even in taking a commission in the service of the enemy. He +did not intend to aid or abet in the treason of the traitors, and he did +not think what might be the result if a rebel commission were found upon +his person. He might be killed in battle with this damning document in +his pocket. If any of the conspirators were caught, they might denounce +him as one of their number. He did not think of these things. He was +ambitious to serve his treason-ridden country, and he forgot all about +himself. + +It was half past three when Somers and Wynkoop returned to the hotel +from their visit to the navy yard. Langdon had evidently been in +England, for he insisted upon calling it a "dock yard." They separated +to dress for dinner, as the courtly John Bull expressed it. At four they +met again in the private parlor, where an elegant dinner was served, and +where Mr. Wynkoop sipped his sherry "which had twice made the voyage to +the East Indies," though it probably came from the cellar of the hotel. +When the coffee had been brought in, and the waiters had retired, the +representative of the royal navy lighted his cigar, and began, in a very +moderate way, to express some slight admiration for the skill and +prowess of the rebels. Somers helped him along until he became a +thorough rebel. + +"With all my admiration for the American navy, Mr. Somers, I find there +is a great deal of injustice towards the officers, especially the +younger ones," continued Mr. Wynkoop, after he had sufficiently +indicated his sympathy for the "noble and gallant people who were +struggling against such hodds in the South."--The lieutenant +occasionally pressed an _h_ into use where it was not needed--probably +to be entirely consistent with himself. + +"That's true; and I have suffered from it myself," replied Somers, +determined that his companion should want no inducement to make his +proposition as soon as he was ready. + +"I don't doubt it, Mr. Somers;" and Mr. Wynkoop stated some instances +which had come to his knowledge. + +Somers then gave a list of his own imaginary grievances, and professed +to be greatly dissatisfied with his present position and prospects. + +"I think you would do better in the Confederate navy," said the +lieutenant, warmly. + +"Perhaps I should." + +"Whichever side you fight for, you fight for your own country." + +"That's true." + +"When the South wins,--as win she will,--all who fought against her, +will be like prophets in their own country--without honor. In less than +two months the independence of the Confederate States will be +acknowledged by England and France. I happen to know this." + +"It would not surprise me." + +"My uncle, the Earl of--never mind; I won't mention his name--my uncle, +who is an intimate friend of Palmerston, told me so." + +Somers was rather glad to hear it, for it would bring the desolating war +to a close. Mr. Wynkoop hesitated no longer. He approached the real +business of the meeting rapidly, and in a few moments the commander's +commission was on the table. The offer was made, and Somers, with such +apparent qualms of conscience as a naval officer might be expected to +exhibit on deserting his flag, accepted the proposition. Mr. Wynkoop +went into his sleeping apartment, adjoining the parlor, with the +commission in his hand. + +He returned in a moment with the name of "John Somers," filled in the +blank space left for that purpose, and handed it to his guest. + +Somers shuddered when he saw his name written upon such an infernal +document; for though he was still true to God, his country, and himself, +the paper had an ugly look. But he regarded it only as evidence against +the conspirators, rather than against himself; as a necessary formality +to enable him to frustrate the designs of traitors, rather than as a +blot against his own name. + +"Mr. Somers, I congratulate you. If you could be induced to join me in a +glass of this old sherry, we would drink to the success of the +Louisiana--for that is to be the name of your craft when you get to +sea." + +"I thank you, Mr. Wynkoop; you must excuse me." + +"As you please. Mr. Somers, though I am an Englishman, and belong to the +royal navy, it is hardly necessary for me to say now, that I am in the +service of the South. I go with you in the Louisiana, as a passenger. +Your first work will be to capture one of the California steamers, which +I am to transform into a man-of-war, and call the Texas. She will be +under my command." + +"I am satisfied." + +"By the way, Captain Somers," added Wynkoop, as he took a paper from his +pocket, "here is the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States of +America, which it will be necessary for you to sign." + +This was more than Somers had bargained for, and he would have cut off +his right hand, or permitted his head to be severed from his body, +rather than put his signature to the detested paper. A cold chill crept +through his veins, as he glanced at the sheet on which it was printed, +and he was afraid all he had done would fail because he could not do +this thing. + +Lieutenant Wynkoop brought a pen and ink from his sleeping apartment, +and placed it by the side of his guest. + +"I would rather not sign this just now," said Somers. "It might get me +into trouble." + +"Very well; we will attend to that after you get on board of the Ben +Nevis," replied Wynkoop, as he took the oath and the commission, with +the pen and ink, and went into his chamber again. + +He was absent several minutes this time, and Somers had an opportunity +to review his position. + +"Here is your commission, Captain Somers," said the lieutenant, as he +placed the document on the table. "On the whole, I think you had better +sign the oath now." + +"I think it will do just as well when we get off." + +"Perhaps it will; here are your orders," said he, handing Somers +another paper, and placing that containing the oath on the table. + +At this moment, Somers heard a step in the direction of the bedroom. He +turned, with surprise, to see who it was, for he had heard no one enter. + +"Ah, Somers, I am glad to see you," said the new arrival, stepping up to +the table, and glancing at the papers which lay open there. + +It was Lieutenant Pillgrim. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +LANGDON'S LETTERS. + + +It had been no part of Somers's purpose to bear the whole responsibility +of the transactions in which he had so promptly engaged. Mr. Waldron +would return in a few days, and on his arrival, the overburdened young +officer intended to confide the momentous secret to him, receiving the +benefit of his advice and support in the great business he had +undertaken. + +After the kind treatment he had received at the hands of Lieutenant +Pillgrim, he was rather disposed to make him a confidant; but he knew so +little about his travelling companion, that though he had no question +about his fidelity and honor, he was not quite willing to stake +everything on his judgment and discretion, as he must do, if he opened +the subject to him. + +Somers was not a little surprised to see Mr. Pillgrim enter the parlor +in that unceremonious way. It indicated a degree of intimacy between the +two gentleman that gave him an unpleasant impression, which, however, he +had no time to follow out to its legitimate issue. + +"Excuse me, Mr. Wynkoop," said Lieutenant Pillgrim, as he paused at the +side of the table, "for entering in this abrupt manner. I have been +knocking at your door for some time, without obtaining a response." + +"You went to the wrong door. That's my bedroom." + +"So I perceive, now." + +"But there is no harm done; on the contrary, I am very glad to see you. +Sit down and take a glass of wine with me. Mr. Somers does not indulge." + +"Mr. Somers is a very proper young man," said the lieutenant, with a +pleasant smile, as he glanced again at the papers which lay open on the +table. "I have been looking for you, Somers, but it was only to ask you +what the prospect is on board the Chatauqua. I have not been on board +to-day." + +"I think we shall be wanted by to-morrow or next day," replied Somers, +who could not help seeing that the eye of his superior officer was fixed +on the commander's commission, which lay open before him. + +"Indeed! I am glad to know this, for I had made up my mind to go to New +York in the morning. Of course I shall not go." + +"Sit down, Mr.--Really, sir, you must excuse me, but I have forgotten +your name," said Mr. Wynkoop. + +"Lieutenant Pillgrim--at your service. It is not very surprising that +you should forget it, since we have met but once; not half so +surprising as that I should force myself into your rooms, on so short an +acquaintance." + +"Don't mention it, my dear fellow. We sailors are brothers all over the +world. Sit down, and take a glass of sherry with me. It's a capital +wine--made two voyages to India." + +"Excuse me, Mr. Wynkoop; I merely called to invite you to spend the +evening with me. I have a plan that will use up two or three hours very +pleasantly." + +"Thank you, Mr. Pillgrim. You are a friend in need, and a friend +indeed." + +"I see that you and Mr. Somers have business, and I will take my leave." + +"I should be happy to have you remain, but if you will not, I will join +you in half an hour in the reading-room. Better sit down, and wait +here." + +"I will not interrupt your business with Mr. Somers," replied Lieutenant +Pillgrim, again glancing curiously at the documents on the table. + +Greatly to the relief of Somers, his fellow-officer left the room. This +visit had been a most unfortunate one, for the lieutenant could not have +avoided seeing the nature of the papers on the table. But as Somers was +a true and loyal man, his conscience accused him of no wrong, and he had +no fears in regard to the result. This revelation simply imposed upon +him the necessity of making Mr. Pillgrim his confidant, which he +proposed to do at the first convenient opportunity. + +"You think you will not sign the oath to-night, Mr. Somers?" said his +companion. + +"It had better be deferred," replied Somers, as he folded up the +commission, and put it in his pocket, regarding it as the most important +evidence in his possession against Coles, and a sufficient confirmation +of the truth of the statement he had so carefully written out the night +before. + +"Suit yourself, Somers. We shall not differ about these small matters," +added Wynkoop, as he folded up the oath, and put it in his pocket. "By +the way, Somers, what do you think of our friend Pillgrim?" + +"He is a fine fellow, and I am told he is a good officer. I was not +aware that you knew him." + +"I have only met him once, just as I met you. How do you think he stands +affected towards our cause?" + +"Not well." + +"So I feared." + +"He is a loyal man, though a Virginian." + +"Do you think I could make anything of him?" + +"I am satisfied you could not." + +"I did not dare to try him. I gave him a chance to nibble at my bait, +but he wouldn't bite. Perhaps, when I know him better, he will come +round; for I don't think there are many of these Yankee officers that +have any real heart in their work." + +"You are utterly mistaken," said Somers; but remembering that he was +hardly in a position to defend his loyal comrades in the navy, he did +not seriously combat the proposition of the rebel emissary. + +As the business of the interview was now finished, Somers shook hands +with his agreeable host--though his heart repelled the act,--and took +leave of him. He hastened to his chamber, agitated and excited by the +strange and revolting scene through which he had just passed. It was +some time before he was calm enough to think coherently of what he had +done, and of the compact he had made. He wished very much to see Mr. +Waldron now; indeed, he felt the absolute necessity of confiding to some +trustworthy person the momentous secret he had obtained, which burned in +his soul like an evil deed. + +If Lieutenant Pillgrim had not actually read his commission when it lay +on the table, he must, at least, have suspected that all was not right +with his shipmate. He must, therefore, confide in him, and without the +loss of another moment, he hastened to his room for this purpose; but +the lieutenant was not there. He searched for him in all the public +rooms of the hotel, but without success. Remembering that his +fellow-officer was to meet Mr. Wynkoop in the reading-room half an hour +from the time they parted, he waited there over an hour, but the +appointment evidently was not kept by either party. + +Somers did not wish to sleep another night without sharing his great +secret with some one; for if anything should happen to him, he reasoned, +the commission and the orders might be found in his possession, and +subject him to very unpleasant suspicions, if they did not expose him to +the actual charge of complicity with the enemies of his country. He +waited in the vicinity of the office till midnight, hoping to see Mr. +Pillgrim; but he did not appear, and he reluctantly retired to his +chamber. + +When he carried his key to the office in the morning, there was a note +in his box, addressed to him. The ink of the direction was hardly dry, +and the lap of the envelope was still wet where it had been moistened to +seal it. Somers opened it. He was surprised and startled at its +contents; but the writer had evidently made a mistake in the +superscription. It was as follows:-- + + "MY DEAR PILLGRIM: I have just sent a note to Somers, saying + that the Ben Nevis has sailed,--which is a fact,--and that he + must join her at Mobile, where she will run in a cargo of arms + and provisions. Act accordingly. How is this? + + "LANGDON." + +Both the name and the import of the letter implied that the note was not +intended for Somers, though it was directed to him. The writer had +evidently written two notes, and in his haste had misdirected the +envelopes. + +"My dear Pillgrim!" The note was intended for his fellow-officer. Was +Pillgrim a confederate of Langdon? It looked so, incredible as it +seemed. + +Somers was bewildered for a moment, but he was too good a strategist to +be overwhelmed. Restoring the note to its envelope, he readjusted the +lap, which was still wet, and the letter looked as though it had not +been opened. He returned it to the box under his key, and perceived that +there was also a note in Mr. Pillgrim's box. As soon as the mistake was +discovered, the letters would be changed. He returned to his room to +await the result. + +Somers had made an astounding discovery by the merest accident in the +world. Things were not what they seemed. Mr. Pillgrim had relations of +some kind with Langdon, _alias_ Lieutenant Wynkoop. His entering the +parlor while they were at dinner was not so accidental a circumstance as +it had appeared. Who and what was Lieutenant Pillgrim? The belief that +he had met him somewhere before they came together at Newport, still +haunted Somers; but he was in no better condition now than then to solve +the mystery. + +In half an hour he went down to the office again. The note to Mr. +Pillgrim was gone; but there was one for himself in the box. He took it +out; the direction was not in the same handwriting as before. Mr. +Pillgrim had probably discovered the mistake, and changed the letters, +without a suspicion that the one addressed to himself had been read. +Somers opened the note, which contained the information he expected to +find there in regard to the Ben Nevis, and was signed by Wynkoop. + +Beyond the possibility of a doubt now, Lieutenant Pillgrim was a +confederate of Langdon. Of course, he knew Coles. He was a Virginian, +and it was now certain to Somers, if to no one else, that his loyalty +had been justly suspected. He had doubtless entered the navy again for a +purpose. What that purpose was, remained yet to be exposed. From the +depths of his heart, Somers thanked God that this discovery had been +made; and he determined to put it to good use. He was now more anxious +than before to meet his friend Mr. Waldron, and communicate the +startling information to him. + +From the morning papers he saw that the Ben Nevis, whose name had been +changed to that of a famous Union general, had actually sailed, as +Langdon's note informed him. In the forenoon, he went to the navy yard, +expecting to find the ship ready to go into commission; but he learned +that the bed-plates of her pivot guns had to be recast, and that she +would not be ready for another week. He also learned that his friend Mr. +Waldron had been taken down with typhoid fever at his home, and was then +in a critical condition. + +Somers was not only shocked, but disconcerted by this intelligence, for +it deprived him of the friend and counsellor whom he needed in this +emergency. After careful deliberation, he obtained a furlough of a week, +and went to the home of Mr. Waldron; but the sufferer could not even be +seen, much less consulted on a matter of business. Left to act for +himself, he hastened to New York, and then to Boston, to ascertain what +he could in regard to the Ben Nevis. So far as he could learn, +everything was all right in regard to her. After a short visit to +Pinchbrook, he hastened back to Philadelphia, and found the Chatauqua +hauled out into the stream, and ready to go into commission at once. +Lieutenant Pillgrim and the other officers had already gone on board. +Under these circumstances, Somers had not a moment to see Langdon. He +took possession of his state-room, and at once had all the work he could +do, in the discharge of his duty. + +At meridian the ensign was run up, and the ship went into commission +under the command of Captain Cascabel. Mr. Pillgrim was doing duty as +executive officer, though a substitute for Mr. Waldron was expected +before the ship sailed. Somers was uneasy, and dissatisfied with +himself. He began to feel that he had left a duty unperformed. He had +intended to expose the conspiracy before the Chatauqua sailed, and thus +relieve himself from the heavy responsibility that rested upon him. Yet +to whom could he speak? Mr. Waldron was still dangerously ill. Mr. +Pillgrim was evidently a traitor himself. + +He could give his information to the United States marshal at +Philadelphia; but how could he prove his allegations? Langdon and Coles +he had not seen since his return, and perhaps they were in another part +of the country by this time. He had the commander's commission and the +written orders, but in the absence of the principals, he feared these +would be better evidence against himself than against the conspirators. + +The Ben Nevis had sailed, and the worst she could do at present would be +to run the blockade. The Chatauqua was generally understood to be +ordered to Mobile, where the Ben Nevis was to run in, and fit out for +her piratical cruise. After a great deal of serious reflection, Somers +came to the unsatisfactory conclusion that he must keep his secret. He +could not denounce Mr. Pillgrim as a rebel, with his present +information, without exposing himself to greater peril than the real +criminal. Besides, he was to be with the lieutenant, and he was going to +Mobile. He could watch the traitor, and await the appearance of the Ben +Nevis, when she arrived at the station. + +Somers was not satisfied with this conclusion, but his judgment assured +him his intended course of action was the best the circumstances would +admit. Thus settling the question, he attended to his duty with his +usual zeal and energy. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE UNITED STATES STEAMER CHATAUQUA. + + +Somers had served in several vessels, but never before had he gone on +board his ship with a heavier responsibility resting upon him, than when +he took his station on the deck of the Chatauqua. He was now a ward-room +officer, and as such he would be required to keep a watch, and be in +command of the deck. But in addition to his professional duties, he had +in his keeping valuable but dangerous information, of which he must make +a judicious use. + +The young officer was perfectly familiar with the routine of his duties. +He knew the ship from stem to stern, and from keel to truck. He felt +entirely at home, therefore, and hoped soon to merit the approbation of +his superiors. He was formally presented to Captain Cascabel and the +other officers of the ship. He was kindly and cordially greeted by all. +Mr. Pillgrim, as acting first lieutenant, proceeded at once to make out +the watch, quarter, and station bill; and, whatever his political +principles, it must be confessed that he performed this difficult duty +with skill and judgment. + +Every day, until the ship sailed, the crew were exercised at the guns, +and in all the evolutions required for carrying on ship's duty, from +"fire stations" to piping down the hammocks. They made the usual +proficiency, and were soon in condition to work together--to handle the +ship in a tornado, or to meet an enemy. On the fourth day, when Mr. +Pillgrim was superseded by Mr. Hackleford, who was appointed in the +place of Mr. Waldron, everything was in an advanced stage of progress. + +The Chatauqua was a screw steam sloop of war, of the first class. She +carried ten guns, and was about fourteen hundred tons burden. Her +complement of officers and men was about two hundred and fifty, +including forty-two attached to the engineer's department. The ship was +a two-decker. On the upper or spar deck was placed her armament, +consisting of two immense pivot guns and eight broadside guns. + +Below this was the berth deck, on which all the officers and men ate and +slept. The after part was appropriated to the officers, and the forward +part to the men. The former were provided with cabins and state-rooms, +while the latter swung their hammocks to the deck beams over their +heads. + +[Illustration] + +As most of our readers have probably never seen the interior of a ship +of war, we present on the adjoining page a plan of that portion of the +vessel occupied by the officers. The round part is the stern of the +ship, and the diagram includes a little less than one third of the +whole length of the vessel. + + A. The Captain's cabin, to which are attached the six small + apartments on each side of it. + + 1. The Companion-way, or stairs, by which the cabin is reached from + the deck. + + 2, 3. Store-rooms. + + 4. Water-closet. + + 5. Pantry. + + 6, 7. State-rooms. + + B. The Ward-room, in which there is a table, long enough to + accommodate the eight officers who occupy this apartment. + + 8. First Lieutenant's state-room. + + 9. Second " " " + + 10. Third " " " + + 11. Fourth " " " + + 12. Chief Engineer's " " + + 13. Master's " " + + 14. Paymaster's " " + + 15. Surgeon's " " + + 16. First Assistant Engineers' state-room. + + 17. Second Assistant Engineers' room. + + C. The Steerage, occupied by Midshipmen and Masters' Mates. + + D. Third Assistant Engineer's room. + + 18. The Armory. + + 19. Ward-room pantry, through which passes the mizzen-mast. + + 20, 20. Berths. + + 21, 21. Mess store-rooms. + +In the floor of the ward-room, between the state-room, 8 and 12, there +are two scuttles leading down to the magazine, so that, during an +action, all the powder is passed up through this room. Woollen screens +are hung up on each side of these scuttles, when they are opened, to +prevent any spark from being carried down to the powder. + +There are four other scuttles leading down into the hold from the +ward-room to the various store-rooms located there, and several in the +floor abreast of the steerage. + +On the forward part of the berth deck, just abaft the foremast, there +are four state-rooms for the use of the carpenter, gunner, boatswain, +and sailmaker. All persons except those mentioned sleep in hammocks. + +The engine department of the Chatauqua consisted of one chief, two first +assistant, two second assistant, and one third assistant engineers, with +eighteen firemen and eighteen coal heavers. The chief engineer is a +ward-room officer. He has the sole charge of the engine, and all persons +connected with its management, but he keeps no watch. The other +engineers obey the orders of their chief, and are divided into watches. +They attend to the actual working of the engine. The firemen are also +classified, and receive different grades of pay, a portion of them +attending to the oiling of the machinery,--called "oilers,"--while +others superintend or feed the fires, and do other work connected with +the engine and boilers. The coal-heavers convey the fuel from the coal +bunkers to the furnaces. + +Mr. Ensign Somers was the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua, and +occupied the last state-room on the left, as you enter the ward-room. It +was a nice little apartment, and the young officer was as happy as a +lord when he was fully installed in his new quarters. And well might one +who had commenced his naval career as an ordinary seaman, sleeping in a +hammock, and who had never before known anything better than the +confined accommodations of the steerage, have been delighted with his +present comfortable and commodious quarters. + +His state-room was lighted by a bull's eye, or round glass window, which +could be opened in port, or in pleasant weather at sea. The room +contained but one berth, which was quite wide for a ship, supplied with +an excellent mattress; and one who could not sleep well in such a bed +must be troubled with a rebellious conscience. There was also a bureau, +the upper drawer of which, when the front was dropped down, became a +convenient writing desk, supplied with small drawers, shelves, and +pigeon-holes. The room was carpeted, and contained all that a reasonable +man could require to make him comfortable and happy. + +There was only one drawback upon the happiness of Somers; and that was +the absence of Mr. Waldron. There was not one among the officers whom he +could now call by the endearing name of friend, though all of them were +good officers and gentlemanly men, and he had no reason to anticipate +any difficulty with any of them, unless it was with Mr. Pillgrim. He +sighed for the friendly guidance and the genial companionship of the +late commander of the Rosalie, especially in view of the embarrassing +circumstances which surrounded him. + +But it was some compensation to know that his old shipmate, Tom +Longstone, had been promoted to the rank of boatswain, and ordered to +the Chatauqua. The old man's splendid behavior in Doboy Sound had +enabled Mr. Waldron to secure this favor for him, and to obtain his +appointment to his own ship. Mr. Longstone, as he must hereafter be +called, came on board in a uniform of bright blue, and his dress so +altered his appearance that Somers hardly recognized him. The old salt +had always been very careful about "putting on airs," when he was a +common sailor or a petty officer; but he knew how to be a gentleman, and +his new dignity sat as easily upon him as though he had been brought up +in the ward-room. Though he looked well, and carried himself like an +officer, he could not immediately adapt his language to his new +position. He was a representative sailor, and he could not help being +"salt." + +The boatswain was Somers's only real friend on board, and the distance +between a ward-room officer and a forward officer was so great that he +was not likely to realize any especial satisfaction from the friendship; +but it was pleasant to know that there was even one in the ship who was +devoted to him, heart and soul. + +"All hands, up anchor!" piped the boatswain; and it was a pleasant sound +to the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua, as doubtless it was to all +hands, for "lying in the stream" is stupid work to an expectant crew. + +The ship got under way with all the order and regularity which prevail +on board a man-of-war, and in a short time was standing down the +Delaware River. Her great guns pealed the customary salute, and as the +wind was fair, her top-sails and top-gallant-sails were shaken out as +soon as she had passed from the narrow river into the broad bay. Off the +capes the sealed orders were opened; and it proved, as the knowing ones +had anticipated, that the Chatauqua was bound to the blockading station +off Mobile Bay. + +At eight o'clock in the evening the ship was out of sight of land. +Everything on board was in regular sea trim. Mr. Garboard, the third +lieutenant, had the deck, and the other officers were in the ward-room, +or in their state-rooms. They were discussing the merits of the ship, or +the probable work before them at Mobile; for a great naval attack in +that quarter was confidently predicted. The "Old Salamander," "Brave +Old Salt," as Admiral Farragut was familiarly called, was understood to +be making preparations for one of his tremendous onslaughts. + +Somers was occupied in his state-room, putting his books, papers, and +clothing in order, which he had not had time to do before to his +satisfaction. He placed his Testament on the bureau, where it could be +taken up for a moment without delay, and where it would constantly +remind him of his duty, and of the loved ones at home, with whom the +precious volume seemed to be inseparably associated. + +Among his papers were the rebel commission, the written orders, and the +statement he had made of the interview between Coles and Langdon, which +had been extended so as to contain a full account of his conference with +"Mr. Wynkoop," and his inquiries into the character of the Ben Nevis, in +Boston and New York. These documents brought forcibly to his mind his +relations with Lieutenant Pillgrim, who was still a mystery to him. +Since Somers had come on board of the Chatauqua, not a syllable had been +breathed about the dinner with the "officer of the royal navy." As Mr. +Pillgrim doubtless believed he had changed the letters, and thus +corrected his confederate's mistake, before the letter intended for him +had fallen into Somers's hand, the lieutenant had no reason to suppose +his treasonable position was even suspected. + +Somers felt that he had a battle to fight with Mr. Pillgrim, and the +suspense was intolerable, not to mention the hypocrisy and deceit which +this double character required of him. Now, more than before, he +regretted the absence of Mr. Waldron, who would have been a rock of +safety and strength to him in the trials that beset him. While he was +moodily overhauling his papers, and thinking of his difficult situation, +Mr. Pillgrim knocked at the door of his room, and was invited to enter. + +"Ah, making stowage, are you, Somers?" said the lieutenant, pleasantly. + +"Yes, sir; putting things to rights a little." + +"It's a good plan to have everything in its place," added Pillgrim, as +he took up the little Testament which lay on the bureau. "You are a good +boy, I see, and read the book." + +"That was given me by my mother, and I value it very highly." + +"Then I shouldn't think you would want to wear it out." + +"She gave it to me to use, and I am afraid, if she saw it was not soiled +by handling, she would think it had not been well used." + +"I am glad you use it. I don't fail to read mine morning and evening." + +Somers could not believe him, and he could not see that a traitor to his +country should have any use for the New Testament. + +"By the way, Somers, did you see your friend Wynkoop again before we +sailed?" added Mr. Pillgrim. + +"I did not; I have not seen him since we dined together. I judge that +you were better acquainted with him than I was." + +"My acquaintance with him was very slight. By the papers I saw on the +table before you, when you were at dinner, I think you made good use of +the short time you knew each other." + +"To what do you allude?" asked Somers, now assured that Mr. Pillgrim +knew the nature of the papers. + +"To your commission as a commander in the Confederate navy. Mr. Somers, +I could not believe my eyes." + +"Were you very much astonished?" + +"If I had been told that President Lincoln had gone over to the rebels, +I should not have been more astonished. Your conduct has severely +embarrassed me. It was my duty to denounce you as a traitor, in the +service of the enemy, but--" + +At that instant the rattle of the drum, beating to quarters, caused both +of them to hurry on deck. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +IN THE STATE-ROOM. + + +Somers took his station on the quarter deck, near the mizzen-mast, while +Mr. Pillgrim went forward to the forecastle. The guns were cast loose, +and the crew exercised at quarters for a few moments, just as though +there were an enemy's ship near. This manoeuvre was executed for the +purpose of perfecting the officers and crew in discipline; and it is not +an uncommon thing to turn up all hands in the dead of the night for this +object, for it is easier to correct mistakes at such times than when in +the presence of the enemy. As there was no Confederate ship in sight, +all hands were presently piped below, and Somers returned to his +state-room, where he was soon joined by Mr. Pillgrim, who evidently +wished to prolong the conversation which had been commenced before the +ship beat to quarters. + +"Mr. Somers you and I have been friends for some little time," the +lieutenant began, "and I confess that I have been deeply interested in +you, not only on your own account, but for the sake of our friends at +Newport." + +"Thank you, Mr. Pillgrim," said Somers, as the gentleman paused. "I am +greatly obliged to you, and I hope I shall always merit your good +opinion." + +"I'm afraid not, my young friend; at least, you have not commenced this +cruise very well, having first sold yourself to the enemy." + +"Do you think I have done that, Mr. Pillgrim?" demanded Somers, not a +little excited by the charge, from such a source. + +"I know you have. I saw your commission on the table." + +"I took the commission, I grant, but I have no intention of using it." + +"Why did you take it then?" + +"For the purpose of gaining information." + +"Have you gained it?" demanded Mr. Pillgrim, with a hardly perceptible +sneer. + +"I have." + +"You received written orders, also." + +"I did; and if I had obtained a foothold on the deck of the vessel to +which I was ordered, you would have seen how quick I should have passed +her over to my government." + +"That is a very plausible explanation, Mr. Somers," added the +lieutenant. "But why did you sign the oath of allegiance to the Southern +Confederacy?" + +"I did not." + +"I beg your pardon, but I saw the document with your signature affixed +to it." + +"You are mistaken, Mr. Pillgrim." + +"Can I refuse to believe the evidence of my own eyes?" + +"Nevertheless, I must persist in saying that I did not sign the oath." + +"After what you have done, Mr. Somers, I could hardly expect you to +acknowledge it to a loyal officer. Are you aware that any court martial +would convict you, on the evidence against you, of treason, and sentence +you to death?" + +"I think not, when it was made to appear that all I did was in the +service of my country." + +Somers shuddered when he thought of a traitor's doom, and for the first +time realized that he had accumulated more evidence against himself than +against the conspirators. The commander's commission and the written +orders were almost, if not quite, enough to hang him. + +"You don't believe what you say, Mr. Somers, and of course you cannot +expect me to believe it," said Pillgrim, when he saw his brother officer +musing, and looking rather anxious. + +"I speak the truth, Mr. Pillgrim," replied Somers, unable to turn his +attention entirely away from the consequences which might follow some of +these appearances against him. + +"Somers, I have felt a deep interest in you. I have all along desired to +be your friend. This is the only reason why I did not prefer charges +against you before the ship sailed. Now, I advise you not to deny what +is as plain as truth can make it. I am your friend. Own up to me, and I +promise never to betray you." + +"Would your friend Langdon, _alias_ Lieutenant Wynkoop, R. N., be +equally considerate?" asked Somers, provoked into making this unguarded +remark by the hypocrisy of Pillgrim. + +If the second lieutenant of the Chatauqua had received the bolt from a +thunder cloud he could not have been more astonished. He started back, +turned pale, and quivered with emotion. + +"Who?" demanded he, with a tremendous effort to recover his +self-possession. + +"Do you think, Mr. Pillgrim, that I am a little lamb, that can be led +round with a silken string?" replied Somers, with energy. "You are my +superior officer, and as such I will respect and obey you +until--until--" + +"Until what?" + +"Until the day of reckoning comes. When you stand up in my presence and +charge me with being a traitor to my country, you had better remember +that such charges, like chickens, will go home to roost." + +"I was not brought up in a barn yard, Mr. Somers, and such comparisons +are beyond my comprehension." + +"Wherever you were brought up, I think my language is plain enough to be +understood by a person of your intelligence." + +Perhaps it was fortunate for both parties that a knock at the state-room +door disturbed the conference at this exciting moment. Somers opened the +door. + +"Mr. Hackleford desires to see Mr. Somers on deck," said a midshipman. + +"Excuse me for a few moments, Mr. Pillgrim," said Somers, as he closed +his desk and locked it. + +"Certainly, sir; but I should be happy to see you when you are +disengaged. I will remain here if you please." + +"I will join you as soon as I can." + +It was warm below, and both Pillgrim and Somers had thrown off their +coats, and laid them on the bed. Somers slipped on his own, as he +supposed, and hastened on deck to meet the first lieutenant. The garment +seemed rather large for him, and there were several papers in the breast +pocket which did not belong to him. Then he was aware that he had taken +the second lieutenant's coat instead of his own. + +Mr. Hackleford wished to obtain some information from him in regard to +one of the petty officers, and when Somers had answered the questions he +went below again. The papers in the pocket of Pillgrim's coat seemed to +burn his fingers when he touched them. The owner was a traitor, and +perhaps these documents might contain valuable intelligence. Under +ordinary circumstances it would have been the height of perfidy to look +at one of them; but, in the present instance, he felt justified in +glancing at them. The state-room of the second assistant engineers was +open and lighted, but neither of these officers was there. Stepping into +the room, he opened the papers and glanced at their contents. Only one +of them contained anything of importance. This was a note from a person +who signed himself simply "Irvine," but it was in the handwriting of +Langdon. The only clause in the epistle that was intelligible to Somers +was this: "Have just heard from B----. The Ben Nevis, he says, will make +Wilmington after leaving St. John. Plenty of guns there. She will sail +July 4." + +Whether "B----" meant Boston or some person's name, Somers could not +determine; but the fact in regard to the Ben Nevis was of the utmost +consequence. Hastily folding up the note, he returned the package of +papers to the pocket where he had found them. Taking off the coat as he +entered the ward-room, he went into the state-room, where Mr. Pillgrim +was still waiting for him, with the garment on his arm. He threw it upon +the bed as he entered, and his companion was not even aware of the +mistake which had been made. + +"Mr. Somers, you were making some grave charges against me when you were +called away," said the lieutenant. + +"Not half so grave as those you made against me," replied Somers. + +"Those can be proved." + +"I made no charges. I only mentioned the name of your friend Langdon." + +"I don't know him," added Pillgrim, doggedly. + +"I beg your pardon, as you did mine, just now." + +"Which means that you doubt my word." + +"As you did mine." + +"Somers, I am not to be trifled with," said Pillgrim, sternly. + +"Neither am I." + +"Be cautious, or I will denounce you to the captain at once," added the +lieutenant, in low and threatening tones. + +"Proceed, and then I shall be at liberty to take the next step." + +"What's that?" + +"Do you think I intend to show you my hand?" said Somers, with a meaning +smile. + +Pillgrim bit his lip with vexation. He seemed to be completely cornered. +He evidently believed that his companion knew more than "the law +allows." + +"Mr. Pillgrim, I am no traitor; you know this as well as I do. Whatever +papers I took from your friend Langdon, _alias_ Wynkoop, were taken with +a view to serve my country." + +"You signed the oath of allegiance he offered you." + +"It is false!" replied Somers, angrily. + +"Be calm, Mr. Somers. I am no hypocrite, as you are," added Pillgrim. "I +have heard that you have a talent for overhearing other people's +conversation." + +"In the service of my country I am willing to do even this," said +Somers, indignantly. + +"No matter about that. You have hinted that I am a traitor." + +"If the hint is not sufficient, I declare that such is the fact." + +Somers was roused to a high pitch of excitement, and he was not as +prudent as he was wont to be. He was not playing a part now; he was +talking and acting as he wanted to talk and act. He was calling treason +and treachery by their right names. + +"Explain, Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, who grew cooler as his companion +became hotter. + +"You are in league with the enemies of your country. You and others have +just started a steamer for St. John, which you intend to fit out as a +Confederate cruiser--the Ben Nevis, of which you and your +fellow-conspirators did me the honor to give me the command." + +Pillgrim smiled blandly. + +"And you accepted the command?" + +"For a purpose, I did." + +"You have not explained why you connect me with this affair. You spoke +of some one whom you call Langdon. I don't know him." + +"You--do!" + +"Prove it." + +"He addresses a note to you, calling you 'my dear Pillgrim,' and signs +himself, familiarly, 'Langdon.'" + +"Then you have been reading my letters--have you?" + +"It was addressed to me, and put in my box at the hotel." + +The second lieutenant turned pale, then red. He walked up and down the +state-room several times in silence. He could not deny the fact alleged. +While he walked, Somers explained how he had read the note, and then put +it back in the box. Pillgrim understood it. + +"Of course you know Coles," continued Somers, placing a heavy emphasis +on the name of this worthy. + +The lieutenant halted before his companion, and looked earnestly and +inquiringly into his face. Somers returned his gaze with unflinching +resolution. There was a smile upon his face, for he believed that he had +thrown a red-hot shot into the enemy. + +"Coles!" said Pillgrim. + +"Coles!" repeated Somers. + +"Mr. Somers, you are a fool!" + +"Pray, where were you when human wisdom was distributed?" + +"Do you know Coles?" asked Pillgrim. + +"I think I should know Coles if I saw him." + +"No, you wouldn't." + +"He is the greatest villain that ever went unhung." + +"Except yourself. Somers, this is child's play. You have made me your +enemy, but let us fight it out like men." + +"I will do so with pleasure when you take your place on the deck of a +rebel vessel, where you belong." + +"A truce to child's play, I say again. We must settle this matter here +and now." + +"It can't be done." + +"It must be done, or I will inform Captain Cascabel who and what you are +before the first watch is out. Probably he will wish to see your +Confederate commission and your letter of instructions." + +"When he does, I have something else to show him," replied Somers, whose +answer was sufficiently indefinite to make the traitor look very stormy +and anxious. + +"Can you show him a Confederate oath of allegiance signed by me?" + +"No." + +"Then he will be more likely to hear me than you," added the lieutenant, +whose countenance now looked as malignant as that of a demon. "You have +subscribed to that oath; I have not." + +"It is false!" + +"So you said before." + +"Prove it." + +"Here," continued Pillgrim, taking from his pocket the document which +had been offered to Somers by Wynkoop. + +The young officer glanced at it, and on the line for the signature, he +saw, with horror and indignation, the name of "John Somers," apparently +in his own handwriting. Undoubtedly it was a forgery, but it was so well +done that even the owner of the name could hardly distinguish it from +his usual signature. + +"It is a forgery," gasped Somers, appalled at the deadly peril which +seemed to be in his path. + +"Prove it," said the lieutenant, with a mocking smile. + +Somers groaned in spirit. It would be impossible for him to prove that +the signature was a forgery. Even his best friends would acknowledge it, +so well was it executed. + +"I have you, Somers," said Pillgrim, exultingly. "Let us understand each +other. You are mine, Somers, or you hang! Somers, I am Coles!" + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +THE CHIEF CONSPIRATOR. + + +Lieutenant Pillgrim rattled off the sentences in which he acknowledged +his complicity with treason with a smile of malignant triumph on his +face. He gloated over his victim as the evil one might be supposed to do +over a soul wrenched from truth and virtue. He believed that he had +Somers in a position where he could not betray him, or even resent his +tyranny. + +For the first time Somers realized that he had been imprudent in +exposing himself to the machinations of these evil men. Before he had +only felt a little uncomfortably, and harbored a vague suspicion that, +in attempting to overreach others, he had committed himself. He had +learned in his babyhood that it is dangerous to play with fire, but had +never believed it so fully as at this moment. He had touched the pitch, +and felt that he had been defiled by it. Though his conscience kept +assuring him he was innocent, and protesting against a harsh judgment, +he could not help regretting that he had not exposed the villains +before he left Philadelphia, and permitted the consequences to take care +of themselves. + +But stronger than any other impression, at this eventful moment, was the +feeling that he was no match for men so deeply versed in treason and +wickedness as Pillgrim and his confederates. He had played at the game +of strategy, and been beaten. While he thought he was leading them on to +confusion, they were actually entwining the meshes of the net around +him. + +Mr. Pillgrim had just declared that he was the mysterious Coles. Somers, +at first, found it very difficult to realize the fact. He had really +seen Coles but once; but they had spent some hours together. At that +time Coles wore long, black whiskers, which concealed two thirds of his +face; Pillgrim wore no beard, not even a mustache. Coles was dressed in +homely garments; Pillgrim, in an elegant uniform. Coles's hair was short +and straight; Pillgrim's, long and curly at the ends. + +In height, form, and proportions, they were the same; and the difference +between Coles and Pillgrim was really nothing which might not have been +produced with a razor, a pair of barber's shears, and the contrast of +dress. The familiarity of the lieutenant's expression, before +unexplained, was now accounted for; and before his tyrant spoke again, +Somers was satisfied that he actually stood in the presence of Coles. + +Pillgrim stood with folded arms, gazing at his victim, and enjoying the +confusion which Somers could not conceal. The persecutor was a confident +man, and fully believed that he was master of the situation, and that +Somers would do anything he asked of him, even to going over into the +rebel ranks. He was mistaken; for Somers, deep as he felt that he was in +hot water, would have chosen to hang at the fore yard-arm, rather than +betray his country, or be false to her interests. + +"You just now remarked that you should know Coles if you saw him," +sneered Pillgrim. + +"I know you now," replied Somers, bitterly. + +"I see you do; but you will know me better before we part." + +"I know you well enough now. You are a rebel and a traitor; and what I +said of Coles I say of you,--that you are the greatest villain that ever +went unhung." + +"I don't like that kind of language, Mr. Somers," replied Pillgrim, with +entire coolness and self-possession. "It isn't the kind of language +which one gentleman should apply to another." + +"Gentleman!" said Somers, with curling lip; "I applied it to a rebel and +a traitor." + +"In the present instance it is mutiny. I am your superior officer." + +"You are out of place; you don't belong here." + +"Your place is on the quarter deck of the Ben Nevis; and perhaps it will +be when she goes into commission as a Confederate cruiser." + +"Never!" exclaimed Somers, with energy. + +"My dear Mr. Somers, be prudent. Some of the officers might hear you." + +"I don't care if they all hear me." + +"You talk and act like a boy, Somers. I beg you to consider that your +neck and mine are in the same noose. If I hang, you hang with me." + +Somers groaned, for he could not see where his vindication was to come +from. + +"You seem to understand your situation, and at the same time you appear +to be quite willing to throw yourself into the fire. Let me call your +attention to the fact that fire will burn." + +"Better burn or hang, than be a traitor." + +"Be reasonable, Somers. I do not propose to ask anything of you which +will compromise your position in the navy; but I repeat, you are mine." + +"I don't understand you." + +"I have told you my secret. You know that I am in the Confederate +service; that I have fitted out a vessel to cruise for Yankee ships. I +am willing you should know this, for you dare not violate my +confidence." + +"Perhaps I dare." + +"If you do, you are a dead man." + +"Will you kill me?" + +"If necessary." + +"I have usually been able to defend myself," replied Somers, with +dignity. + +"I am not an assassin. A court martial will do all I wish done if you +are not prudent and devoted, as you should be. The Confederate oath of +allegiance signed by you is good testimony." + +"I didn't sign it. The signature is a forgery." + +"My dear fellow, what possible difference does that make? It is well +done--is it not?" + +"Perhaps it is. Where did you get it?" + +"Langdon gave it to me." + +"Did he sign my name to it?" + +"Possibly; but even grant that I did it myself--what then?" + +"You are a greater villain than I ever gave Coles the credit of being." + +"Thank you!" + +"Where is Langdon now?" + +"In New York--where he can be reached if you make it necessary to +convene a court martial." + +"Is he a naval officer?" + +"Yes; he has been a Confederate agent in London for the past two years. +Since the English have become a little particular about letting steamers +out for the Confederates, he buys them on this side." + +"What do you want of me, Mr.--Pillgrim? if that is your name?" + +"That is my name. I don't want much of you." + +"What?" + +"I am not ready to tell you until you are in a proper frame of mind. You +are rather childish to-night. After you have thought the matter over, +you will be a man, and be reasonable. Let me see: Garboard has the +forenoon watch to-morrow, and we shall both be off duty after general +quarters. If you please, I will meet you at that time." + +Somers considered a moment, and assented to the proposition. Pillgrim +bade him good night, and retired to his own state-room, apparently +without a fear that his victim would struggle in the trap into which he +had fallen. + +"And into the counsels of the ungodly enter thou not." This text rang in +the mind of Somers, as though some mighty prophet were thundering it +into his ears. He felt that he had already plunged deep enough into the +pit of treason, and he was anxious to get away from it before he was +scorched by the fire, and before the smell of fire clung to his +garments. + +For half an hour the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua sat at his desk, +in deep thought. Though in the matter of which he was thinking, he had +not sinned against his country, or the moral law, he was sorely +troubled. He could not conceal from himself the fact that he was afraid +of Pillgrim. The dread of having his name connected with any treasonable +transaction was hard to overcome. That oath of allegiance, with his +signature forged upon it, haunted him like an evil demon. He felt more +timid and fearful than ever before in his life. His faith in Him who +doeth all things well, seemed to be momentarily shaken, and he was +hardly willing to do justly, and leave the consequences to themselves. + +He felt weak, and being conscious of his weakness, he looked upward for +strength. Leaning on his desk, he prayed for wisdom to know the right, +and for the power to do it. He was in earnest; and though his prayer was +not spoken, it moved his soul down to the depths of his spiritual being. + +Three bells struck while he was thus engaged. He rose from the desk, and +walked up and down the state-room several times. Suddenly he stopped +short. A great thought struck him. In an instant it became a great +resolution. Before it had time to grow cold, he put on his coat and cap, +and went out into the ward-room. Mr. Transit, the master, Mr. Grynbock, +the paymaster, and Dr. De Plesion, the surgeon, were there, discussing +the anticipated attacks on Mobile and Wilmington. Somers felt no +interest in the conversation at this time. He went on deck, where he +found Captain Cascabel and the first lieutenant, smoking their cigars. +Waiting till the captain went below, he touched his cap to Mr. +Hackleford. + +"Mr. Somers?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Not turned in, Mr. Somers? You have the mid-watch." + +"If you will excuse me, sir, for coming to you at such a time, I wish to +have half an hour's conversation with you." + +"With me?" said Mr. Hackleford, apparently much surprised at such a +request at such an hour. + +"Yes, sir. It is a matter of the utmost consequence, or I would not have +mentioned it at this time." + +"Very well, Mr. Somers; I am ready to hear you." + +"Excuse me, sir; I would rather not introduce the matter on deck." + +"Well, come to my state-room." + +"To my state-room, if you please, Mr. Hackleford." + +"Why not mine?" + +"I am afraid the person most deeply concerned will overhear me. His room +is next to yours." + +"Mr. Pillgrim?" exclaimed the first lieutenant. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Mr. Somers, I have a high regard for you as an officer and a gentleman, +and I am not unacquainted with your past history. I hope you have +nothing to say which will reflect on a brother officer." + +"I have, sir." + +"Then I advise you to think well before you speak." + +"I am entirely prepared to speak, sir." + +"Complaints against superior officers, Mr. Somers, are rather +dangerous." + +"It is not personal, sir, though I may be the sufferer for making it." + +Mr. Hackleford led the way down to the ward-room. The officers had +retired to their apartments, and there was no one to see them enter the +state-room. As it was now nearly ten o'clock, when all officers' lights +must be extinguished, Somers formally asked and obtained permission to +burn his lamp till eleven o'clock. The first lieutenant entered the +room, and Somers closed the door. + +"Mr. Hackleford, may I trouble you to read this statement?" said Somers, +as he handed out the paper he had so carefully prepared. + +The first lieutenant adjusted his eye-glass, and read the statement +through, asking an explanation of two or three points as he proceeded. +He was deeply absorbed in the narrative, which was drawn up with the +utmost minuteness. + +"This is an infernal scheme, Mr. Somers. I hope you did not permit the +vessel to sail without giving information of her character." + +"The Ben Nevis sailed from New York before I could do anything or say a +word," said Somers, exhibiting Langdon's letter. + +"That was bad. You should have spoken before." + +"My paper explains my reasons for keeping still. Perhaps I was wrong, +sir, but I did the best I knew how." + +"And this vessel is bound to Mobile. We may pick her up." + +"The note says she is bound to Mobile; but it is not true. That is a +blind to deceive me." + +"Why should they wish to deceive you, after giving you their +confidence." + +"I don't know the reason." + +"But what has all this to do with Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Mr. Hackleford. + +"Mr. Pillgrim is the person spoken of in that paper as Coles." + +"Impossible!" ejaculated Mr. Hackleford, springing to his feet. + +"I shall be able to prove it by to-morrow, sir." + +Somers then gave him the substance of the conversation between himself +and Mr. Pillgrim. + +"Why, this Coles wants something of you." + +"Yes, sir; but I don't know what. He engaged to meet me here at four +bells in the forenoon watch to-morrow, when he will tell me what he +wants." + +"Very well, Mr. Somers; meet him as agreed. You have played your part +well. When you come together, you must yield the point; lead him along, +and you will bag him,--and the vessel, I hope." + +"The Ben Nevis will sail from St. John July 4, for Wilmington." + +"Ah, then she is about even with the Chatauqua. I would give a year's +pay for the privilege of catching her." + +Until eleven o'clock the two officers consulted charts, and figured up +the time of the Ben Nevis. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +AFTER GENERAL QUARTERS. + + +At eleven o'clock, when the master-at-arms knocked at the door of the +fourth lieutenant, to inform him that it was time to put out his light, +the calculations in regard to the position of the Ben Nevis had been +made and verified. Mr. Hackleford, after counselling prudence and +precaution, retired to his state-room. Somers threw himself on his cot, +and having eased his mind of the heavy burden which had rested upon it, +he went to sleep. But there was only an hour of rest for him, for at +twelve o'clock he was to take the deck. + +When eight bells struck, he turned out, much refreshed by his short nap, +to relieve Mr. Garboard. It was a beautiful night, with only a gentle +breeze from the westward, and the ship was doing her ten knots without +making any fuss about it. Somers took the trumpet, which the officer of +the deck always carries as the emblem of his office, and commenced his +walk on the weather side. + +Though he carefully watched the compasses, and saw that the sheets were +hauled close home, he could not help thinking of the startling events +which had transpired on the preceding evening. But he was satisfied with +himself now. He had purged himself of all appearance of complicity with +the enemies of his country, and he fully expected that Pillgrim would be +put under arrest within the next forty-eight hours. The consciousness of +duty done made him happy and contented. The first lieutenant had even +praised him for the manner in which he had conducted the delicate +business, and did not lay any stress on the oath of allegiance, or the +commander's commission. + +For his four hours he "planked the deck," thinking of the past and +hopeful of the future. At eight bells he sent a midshipman down to call +Mr. Pillgrim. While he was waiting to be relieved, he could not help +considering what a risk it was to leave that noble ship in the hands of +a traitor; but Somers had given all the information he had to Mr. +Hackleford, and the responsibility did not rest upon himself. The first +lieutenant was an able and discreet officer, and would not permit the +Chatauqua to be imperilled even for a moment. + +"Good morning, Mr. Somers," said Lieutenant Pillgrim, as he came on +deck. + +"Good morning, Mr. Pillgrim," replied Somers, with all the courtesy due +to the quarter deck. + +"A fine morning." + +"Beautiful weather." + +"You have had a good opportunity to think over our business. How do you +feel about it?" + +"Just right, I hope." + +"I am glad to hear it. Have you seen anything of the Ben Nevis?" + +"Of the Ben Nevis! No, sir; I don't expect to see her here." + +"We may," replied Pillgrim, as he took the trumpet. + +"Isn't she going to Mobile?" + +"We'll talk of her during the forenoon watch," added the second +lieutenant, as he turned on his heel and walked forward. + +Somers went below. As he entered the ward-room, Mr. Hackleford came out +of his state-room. This gentleman evidently intended to keep a sharp +lookout for the officer of the deck during his watch. He asked the +relieved officer if anything more had transpired, and the unimportant +conversation which had just taken place was fully reported to him. + +"Mr. Somers, I haven't slept an hour during the night. There are one or +two points in your statement which were a little dark to me," said Mr. +Hackleford. + +"More than that of it is dark to me. I do not profess to understand the +whole of it. I only state the facts from my own point of view." + +"You listened to this talk between Coles and Langdon at the sailors' +boarding-house in Front Street?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"If you saw Coles there, how could--" + +"I didn't see him, sir; I only heard him." + +"That accounts for it," said Mr. Hackleford, musing. "Didn't you +recognize Mr. Pillgrim's voice?" + +"No, sir; I think he changed it; though the two tones were so similar +that I might have recognized it, if I had suspected they were the same +person." + +Mr. Hackleford asked other questions, which Somers answered with strict +regard to the truth, rather than with the intention of removing the +first lieutenant's doubts. He wanted only facts himself, and he was +careful not to distort them, in order to confirm any theory of his own +or of his superior officer. + +Mr. Hackleford went on deck, and Somers turned in. He was in condition +to sleep now, and he improved his four hours below to the best +advantage. + +After general quarters, when the crew were dismissed, he went down to +his state-room, prepared to meet Mr. Pillgrim. He was surprised to know +how little curiosity he felt to learn what the traitor wanted and +expected of him. Punctual to the appointed time, which exhibited the +interest he felt in the expected interview, the treacherous second +lieutenant made his appearance. Somers received him as one officer +should receive another, though it was hard work for him to disguise the +contempt and detestation with which he regarded the traitor. + +"Well, Somers, now I am to tell you what I want of you. It isn't much, +as I warned you before; and I am very glad to see that you are in such a +happy frame of mind." + +"I am ready to hear you, and do the best I can," replied Somers, +carefully following the instructions of Mr. Hackleford with regard to +matter and manner. + +He had been cautioned to be ready enough in listening to the chief +conspirator, but not too ready, so as to betray his object. + +"Good! I think you understand me now." + +"I think I do, sir." + +"I am sorry to do it, but it is necessary for me to remind you again +that your fate is in my hands; that a word from me would subject you to +a trial by court martial for treason, and probably to more hemp rope +than would feel good about your neck." + +"Though I don't think I am in so much danger as you represent, I will +grant your position." + +"Don't grant it, if you think it is not correct;" and Mr. Pillgrim +minutely detailed the evidence which could be brought to bear against +him. + +Somers appeared to be overwhelmed by this array of testimony. He +groaned, looked hopeless, and finally granted the traitor's position in +full. + +"I am in your power. Do with me as you will. Of course the moment I put +my foot on a rebel deck I am ruined." + +"You can do as you please about going into the Confederate service. What +I want of you will not compromise you as a loyal man in the slightest +degree." + +"What do you want of me?" + +"Not quite so loud, if you please, Mr. Somers," said the lieutenant, +glancing at the door. "To me, Somers, you have been a thorn. You lost me +the Snowden, and the valuable cargo of the Theban." + +"I only did my duty," pleaded Somers. + +"Bah! don't use that word to me again. Through you a fortune slipped +through my fingers. I should have got the Snowden into Wilmington, if +you had not meddled with the matter. I have lost eighty thousand dollars +by you." + +"Of course I had no ill will against you personally." + +"Very true; if you had, you would have been a dead man before this time. +Phil Kennedy was a fool, but he was my best friend. I have his bond for +forty thousand dollars, which is waste paper just now. Phil fell by your +hand." + +"It was in fair fight." + +"Nonsense! What matter is it to me how he fell, whether it was in fair +fight or foul? He is dead; that is all." + +"What has all this to do with me?" asked Somers, with seeming +impatience. + +"Much, my dear fellow. Phil was to marry Kate Portington; was to pocket +her fortune. You have cut him out. You will marry her, and in due time +come into possession of a million. The commodore is apoplectic, and will +not live many years. Do you see my point?" + +"I do not," answered Somers, disgusted with this heartless statement. + +"As you cheated me out of the Snowden, as you killed Phil Kennedy, as +you will marry Kate Portington, I propose that you assume and pay Phil's +bond." + +"I?" + +"Certainly--you; Mr. Somers; Kate's prodigy," laughed Pillgrim. + +"Never!" exclaimed Somers, jumping to his feet. + +"You speak too loud, Mr. Somers." + +"Am I a dog, or a snake, or a toad, that I should do such an unclean +thing?" + +The traitor took from his pocket the oath of allegiance, opened it, and +in silence thrust it into his companion's face. + +"I have sold myself." + +"You have, Somers. Think of it. If I have to make out a case against +you, of course you will never see Kate again. Let me add, that the +commodore sets his life by me. We were old friends before the war. You +may marry his daughter with my consent, but not without it." + +"I never thought of such a thing." + +"Perhaps not. We waste time. Will you sign the bond?" + +"The bond is good for nothing. No court--" + +"That is my affair. If you agree to it, I will run all risks. I trouble +no courts. If you don't pay, I have only to speak, and hang you then." + +"I am lost," groaned Somers. + +"No, you are not. Sign, and you have found fortune and a friend." + +"I dare not sign." + +"You dare not refuse." + +Somers walked up and down the state-room, apparently in great mental +agony. + +"Shall I sign?" said he, in a loud tone, as though he were speaking to +the empty air. + +"Not so loud, man!" interposed Pillgrim, angrily. + +At that instant two light raps were distinctly heard. + +"What's that?" demanded the traitor, greatly alarmed. + +"I will sign it," promptly added Somers, to whom the two raps seemed to +be perfectly intelligible. + +"What was that noise?" asked Pillgrim, fearfully. "Is there any one in +Garboard's state-room?" + +"I think not." + +The second lieutenant was not satisfied. He opened the door and looked +into the adjoining state-room, but there was no person there, and the +ward-room was empty. There was no one within hearing, and the +conspirator recovered his wonted self-possession. + +"You will sign?" said he. + +"I will." + +"I knew you would, and therefore I prepared the document; read it," he +continued, taking a paper from his pocket. + +Somers read. It was simply an agreement to pay forty thousand dollars, +when he married Kate Portington, in consideration of certain assistance +rendered the signer, but without any allusion to the circumstances under +which it was given. As a legal document, of course it was good for +nothing, as both parties well understood. Somers signed it. + +"Now, Mr. Somers, we are friends," said Pillgrim, as he folded up the +paper, and restored it to his pocket. "You have done me a good turn, and +I have done you one." + +Somers, unwilling to regard Pillgrim as a fool, believed that this paper +was intended to ruin him in the estimation of the Portington family, and +that the villain intended to marry her himself when her apparent suitor +was disposed of. + +"Is this all you expect of me?" asked Somers. + +"This is the principal thing. I may have occasion to use you again; if +I do, I shall not hesitate to call upon you. You are in my confidence +now." + +"Will you tell me, then, where the Ben Nevis is bound? I may want to +find her, for I haven't much taste for the old navy now." + +"Ah, you make better progress than I anticipated. She is bound to St. +Marks." + +This was a lie, as Somers well knew. + +"Coles and Langdon said she was to make Mobile." + +"The plan was changed. You must not lay much stress on what you heard +that night. It was all a blind,--or most of it was." + +"Indeed?" + +"The conversation at the house in Front Street was carried on for your +especial benefit," added Pillgrim, laughing and rubbing his hands. +"Langdon wrote both letters about the wounded sailor; there was no such +person. The old woman that kept the house was in my pay. When I spoke so +warmly in your praise to Langdon, I knew that you were listening to all +I said; indeed, I said it to you rather than to Langdon." + +"Why did you tell me beforehand, if you intended to catch me with the +treasonable offer?" asked Somers, rather mortified to learn that he had +been duped from the beginning. + +"I knew you would pretend to accept it. All I wanted was to get you to +take the commission, orders, and oath. As you agreed to sign the +latter, Langdon did it for you, for I could not wait." + +"The Ben Nevis is no humbug?" + +"No; I bought her and two other steamers on the Clyde, in Scotland. The +Ben Nevis was captured, but my friends bought her after she was +condemned. As there had been a great deal said about her in the +newspapers, I used her because it was probable you had heard of her." + +"I had." + +"Everything works as I intended." + +"Not exactly," thought Somers. + +"The captain of the coaster that pounded you that night was Langdon," +laughed Pillgrim. + +"Why was that done?" + +"That I might take you back to the hotel, and be your friend. We did not +intend to hurt you much. It was important that you should think well of +me. You do--don't you?" + +"Of course." + +"All right now; remember you are mine, Somers," said Pillgrim, as he +left the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE BEN NEVIS. + + +The Chatauqua rolled along easily on her course during the rest of the +day, until the dog watch, when Mr. Pillgrim had the deck again. Somers, +having discharged his whole duty in reference to the conspiracy, was +content to leave the matter in the hands of Mr. Hackleford, to whom he +had committed it. + +At eight bells, as soon as Somers had been relieved from the afternoon +watch, he was not a little surprised to receive a message from the +captain, inviting him to his cabin. He readily came to the conclusion +that the summons related to the conspiracy. When he entered the cabin, +he saw Captain Cascabel and Mr. Hackleford seated at the table, on which +was spread a general chart of the coast of the United States. + +"Say what you wish to Mr. Somers," said the captain to the first +lieutenant. + +"Mr. Somers, Captain Cascabel has sent for you in relation to the affair +of which we talked in your state-room last night," Mr. Hackleford began. +"All that you have written out in your statement, and all that you told +me, have been fully confirmed." + +"I intended to confine myself strictly to the facts," replied Somers, +modestly. + +"You have been very discreet and very prudent," added Mr. Hackleford. + +"I fully concur," said Captain Cascabel. "You have exposed yourself to +no little peril, in your zeal to serve your country." + +Somers bowed and blushed. + +"I confess that I had some doubts in regard to the result of your +operations, Mr. Somers," continued the first lieutenant; "but I am +entirely satisfied now that Mr. Pillgrim is just what you represent him +to be." + +"All that you affirmed has been fully verified," added the captain. + +He did not say that both himself and Mr. Hackleford had listened to the +entire conversation between Somers and the traitor in the forenoon, +occupying one of the captain's state-rooms, which adjoined the starboard +side of the ward-room, having bored a couple of holes through the +partition, behind the bureau; he did not say this, for it was hardly +dignified for a captain to play the eavesdropper, even in a good cause. +Somers knew that Mr. Hackleford was at hand at the time, and had +arranged a set of signals by which he could advise the young officer, if +he should be in doubt. One rap meant, "No;" two raps, "Yes;" and three +raps, "Give no direct answer." When Somers was in doubt respecting the +bond, he asked the question of the empty air, apparently, but really of +Mr. Hackleford, who had promptly replied in the affirmative by giving +the two knocks, which had startled the traitor. + +"Mr. Somers, what do you know of the Ben Nevis?" asked the captain. + +"She was to sail from St. John on the 4th of July, to run the blockade +at Wilmington. She is said to make sixteen knots, under favorable +circumstances." + +"She has had a head wind part of the time. If she has made twelve on the +average, she has done well," said Mr. Hackleford. + +"She will be due off Cape Fear some time after meridian to-morrow," +added the captain, consulting a paper, on which were several +arithmetical operations. + +The calculations were carefully reviewed, and Somers was questioned at +considerable length; but he had already given all the information he +possessed. It was evidently the intention of Captain Cascabel to capture +the Ben Nevis, though he did not announce his purpose. + +"After what has occurred, Mr. Somers, you may be surprised that Mr. +Pillgrim has not been relieved from duty and placed under arrest," +continued Captain Cascabel, after the position of the Ben Nevis had been +carefully estimated. + +"I leave the matter entirely in the hands of my superior officers," +replied Somers. "Having cast the responsibility upon them, I am willing +to obey orders without asking any questions." + +"That is a very proper view to take of the subject, and I commend your +moderation," said the captain, with a pleasant smile. "It has been +thought best not to disturb Mr. Pillgrim for a day or two, for other +events may transpire." + +Captain Cascabel bowed to Somers, and intimated that he had no further +need of him at present. + +"Ah, Mr. Somers, been visiting the captain," said the second lieutenant, +as his victim came on deck. + +"I was sent for." + +"What was the business?" + +Fortunately, Mr. Transit, who was planking the deck on the lee side, +approached near enough to enable Somers to avoid answering the question, +and he thus escaped the necessity of telling a falsehood. But as soon as +Mr. Garboard took the deck, Pillgrim repeated the inquiry, and the young +officer was obliged to narrate an imaginary conversation. + +"It's no matter, Somers. You understand that I have a rope round your +neck, and I am not at all afraid that you will make an improper use of +your tongue." + +"I certainly shall not," answered Somers, with emphasis. "You may depend +upon me for that." + +"The fact is, Somers, I have got a mortgage on you; and I want no better +security for your good conduct." + +"You needn't trouble yourself at all about me." + +"I shall not; because, if you wish to betray me, I should rather enjoy +it. I have been your best friend. Instead of blowing your brains out for +making an end of poor Phil Kennedy, I have taken you into my confidence. +You shall marry the prettiest and the richest girl north of the Potomac; +and when Union officers are proscribed and condemned after the war, you +will have a friend at court who will speak a good word for you." + +"Thank you; but do you really believe that the South will carry the +day?" + +"I'm sure of it. England is our best friend; and Louis Napoleon, in +order to complete his Mexican scheme, must recognize the Confederacy. +When France does the job, England will be only one day behind her." + +"If I go with you, I shall be on the winning side, then." + +"If you do? You have gone with me. Though I don't ask you to help the +South openly, I expect you to be a friend of the government which must +soon rule the country. Leave it all to me, Somers, and I will manage the +business for you and myself. You must confess, Somers, that I am a +little ahead of you in strategy," said the traitor, with a complacent +smile. + +"You beat me in the game we have been playing; but that only makes us +even, for I got the better of you in another affair." + +"Not of me; it was the stupidity of Phil Kennedy that ruined the Snowden +business. I pride myself on my strategy, Somers. I have never been +beaten in anything of this kind yet. The fact of it is, I know whom to +trust. I never give my confidence to a man who dares to betray it," +replied Pillgrim, rubbing his hands with delight at his own cleverness. + +Somers was of the opinion that he would think differently before many +days had elapsed; but he was as prudent as the circumstances required. + +At eight bells, the fourth lieutenant took the deck for the first watch; +and from that time until the following afternoon, he saw but little of +the conspirator. At this time, the ship was off Cape Fear, though too +far out to sight the land, or even the outer line of blockaders which +kept vigilant watch over the entrance to the river. Precisely at the +moment when one bell struck in the first dog-watch, the engine of the +Chatauqua, without any order from the officer of the deck, and without +any apparent reason, suddenly stopped. + +It had proved itself to be a very good and well-meaning engine, thus +far, and all hands began to wonder what had happened, or what was going +to happen. But Mr. Cranklin, the chief engineer, presently reported that +there was a "screw loose" somewhere, and that it would be necessary to +lay to, and make some repairs. Certainly it was a very opportune moment +for the ship to stop; and those who did not know what had passed between +the chief engineer and the first lieutenant might have supposed that the +zealous engine, heretofore so faithful in the discharge of its trying +duties, had overheard some of the conversation we have related, and was +waiting for the Ben Nevis to show herself to seaward. + +In further confirmation that the stoppage was not entirely owing to the +obstinacy of the engine, it was observed that extra lookout men had been +stationed on the fore yard, and on the cross-trees, since meridian of +that day. The captain and the first lieutenant were often seen in +confidential communication; and everybody on board seemed to be +impressed with the idea that something was about to "turn up." + +Something did "turn up," about three bells; for the man on the fore +cross-trees, reported a vessel on the beam. The dense mass of black +smoke in the wake of her smoke-stack indicated that she was an English +blockade runner, approaching the coast so as to run in after dark. As +soon as this agreeable information spread through the Chatauqua, it +created an intense excitement, not manifested in noisy demonstrations, +for that would have been in violation of the strict rule of naval +discipline, but in the expectant eyes and stimulated movements of the +officers and crew, to whose pockets, as well as to their national +pride, the prospect of a rich prize appealed with tremendous force. + +At this thrilling moment, when everything depended upon the sailing +qualities of the Chatauqua, either Mr. Cranklin had completed his +remedial efforts, or the engine had come to a realizing sense of the +proprieties of the occasion, and was sensible of the appalling +wickedness of disappointing the two hundred and fifty anxious souls on +board. The docile machine was reported to be in condition for active +service. The bells pealed forth the signal to "go ahead slowly," then +"at full speed," and the Chatauqua darted away. + +"Hard a starboard!" said Mr. Somers, now the officer of the deck, to the +quartermaster, who was conning the wheel. + +"Hard a starboard, sir!" + +"Steady!" + +"Steady, sir!" + +"What does this mean, Somers?" demanded Pillgrim, in a low, angry tone, +as he passed the officer of the deck. + +"I don't know, sir. I only obey orders," replied Somers, as he glanced +ahead at the chase. + +"Do you know what steamer that is?" asked Pillgrim. + +"How should I?" + +"It is the Ben Nevis." + +"How do you know?" + +"I know; that is sufficient. We must save her," said the second +lieutenant, in low, but excited tones. + +The chase continued for half an hour longer, when it was evident that +the Ben Nevis--for it was indeed she--had changed her course, and was +headed to the eastward. + +"This will never do, Mr. Somers," said Mr. Hackleford. "We can't sail +with her. We must change our tactics." + +"She gains upon us," replied Somers. + +"No doubt of it." + +"I am afraid we shall lose her, sir." + +"I would give my year's pay to capture her, Mr. Somers, if it were only +for your sake." + +Somers suggested an idea to the first lieutenant, who, after the +approval of Captain Cascabel, adopted it. + +"Clear away the first cutter," said Mr. Hackleford. "Lower away." + +The first cutter was soon in the water, the ship having now stopped her +engine. + +"Mr. Pillgrim, you will stand by in the first cutter till that steamer +comes up. Capture her if her papers are not all right, or if she is +bound into Wilmington." + +A smile of satisfaction lighted up the countenance of the second +lieutenant, when he found he was to go in the boat. The first cutter +pulled away. + +"Clear away the second cutter!" said the first lieutenant; and while +the men were eagerly performing this duty, the captain instructed +Somers, who was to go in her, in regard to the duty he was expected to +perform. + +Somers took his place in the stern-sheets of the second cutter, which +was armed with a twenty-four pounder howitzer, while the first cutter +had nothing but small arms. As soon as this boat left the ship's side, +the Chatauqua came about, as though she had abandoned the chase, and +stood to the westward. + +The Ben Nevis immediately discovered the change which had been made in +the course of her pursuer. Apparently satisfied that she had outwitted +the man-of-war, she put about and headed towards the coast again, +without suspecting the fact that two boats lay in her track. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +A CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY. + + +It was about sunset when the Ben Nevis put about and headed in shore. +The first cutter was at least half a mile in advance of the second, and +both, of them lying near the track of the blockade-runner. It was +useless to pull towards the expected prize; on the contrary, it was +better policy to keep still, so as not to attract the attention of her +people. + +The Ben Nevis, when she changed her course, might have been about five +miles distant from the Chatauqua, and the longer the meeting between the +steamer and the boats was deferred, the more would the darkness favor +the latter. It was thought that the blockade-runner would approach at +half speed, so as not to encounter the fleet off the river at too early +an hour; but her commander did not appear to regard this delay as +necessary, and came down at full speed. It was not dark, therefore, when +the first cutter was within hail of her. + +As soon as the Ben Nevis discovered the nearest boat, she sheered off, +though, as the first cutter had no howitzer, she could have everything +her own way. Somers kept the second cutter just out of hail of the other +boat; and carefully watched the operations of the second lieutenant. + +The steamer sheered off just enough to avoid the boat; but presently she +resumed her course, as if, making twelve knots, she had nothing to fear +from an enemy with oars only to urge her forward. It would be impossible +for the first cutter to board her at full speed, and she seemed disposed +to run the risk of a shot or two rather than expose herself to falling +into any other trap which the man-of-war might have set for her. + +The Ben Nevis dashed on, therefore, in a direction which placed the +first cutter on her starboard bow, when Mr. Pillgrim hailed her, and +ordered her to heave to, accompanying the command with a peculiar wave +of his cap in the air, which was thrice repeated, very much to the +astonishment, no doubt, of the loyal blue-jackets in the boat with him. + +"Topple my timber-heads! What does all that mean?" exclaimed Boatswain +Longstone, who, by the especial request of the fourth lieutenant, had a +place in the stern-sheets of the second cutter. + +"Wait, and you will see," replied Mr. Somers. + +The Ben Nevis at once stopped her wheels, and the first cutter pulled +towards her. + +"That beats me!" ejaculated the boatswain. "What did she stop for?" + +"Probably her captain thinks that is his best course," replied Somers, +who knew very well why she had stopped. + +The commander of the blockade-runner evidently recognized the voice and +the signal of Pillgrim, and, like an obedient servant, was willing to +shift the responsibility of the occasion on his owner and employer. +Honest Tom Longstone was sorely perplexed by the movement of the steamer +and the conduct of the second lieutenant of the Chatauqua, for a +suspicion of foul play on the part of one of his officers could not have +entered his loyal heart. + +The first cutter touched the side of the Ben Nevis, and Mr. Pillgrim +went up the accommodation ladder. + +"Clear away the howitzer!" said Somers. + +The boatswain looked at him as though he had been mad. + +"Man the howitzer!" + +The gun was loaded with a solid shot, and made ready for instant use. + +"Now give way, boatswain," continued Somers; and the second cutter +dashed swiftly over the long billows towards the Ben Nevis. + +"Are you going to use that gun?" asked Tom Longstone, in a low tone. + +"If necessary." + +"But Mr. Pillgrim has the steamer. He has boarded her." + +"We will wait and see," answered Somers, evasively; for it was expected +and intended that the second lieutenant should "hang himself," on this +interesting occasion. + +Before the second cutter could reach the steamer, Mr. Pillgrim had +completed his examination on board of her, and descended to his boat. As +he gave the order for the cutter to shove off, Somers's boat shot in +alongside of her. + +"She is all right, Mr. Somers," said the second lieutenant. + +"All right?" exclaimed Somers; and, in spite of himself, he actually +trembled with emotion, being conscious that a very trying scene was +before him--one which would require all his skill and all his energy. + +"I say she is all right, Mr. Somers," repeated Pillgrim, sharply, for he +did not appear to like the tone and manner of the fourth lieutenant. + +"What is she?" + +"She is an American steamer from Baltimore, bound to Havana." + +"What is she doing in here, then?" demanded Somers. + +"That's her affair. Don't you see the American flag at her peak?" + +"What is her name?" + +"The Ben Nevis," replied Pillgrim, with the most expressive emphasis. +"Sheer off, and return to the ship." + +"I think she is a blockade-runner." + +"Do you, indeed?" sneered the traitor. + +"I am satisfied she is." + +"I have boarded her, and my report will be final in this matter." + +"My orders were to board her," said Somers. + +"Your orders?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"I am your superior officer." + +"You are, Mr. Pillgrim." + +"Of course your orders were intended to be carried out, in case you +happened to come up with the steamer before I did." + +"I was ordered to board her, Mr. Pillgrim, and I feel compelled to +obey," replied Somers, with firmness, though he still trembled with +emotion. + +"Steady, Mr. Somers; be careful," said Tom Longstone, bewildered by this +conflict of authority--a circumstance he had not before observed in his +long career in the navy. "He is your superior officer." + +"I know what I am about, Tom," whispered Somers, compassionating the +misery his apparently mutinous actions must cause his honest friend. + +"If you do, go ahead, my darling." + +"Mr. Somers, I order you to return to the ship," said Mr. Pillgrim, +sternly. + +"I must obey the captain's orders, and board this steamer." + +"You mistake your orders, and I insist that you obey me." + +"You will excuse me if I disregard your command; and I will be +answerable to the captain for my conduct." + +"The captain is not here; I am your superior officer. Disobey me at your +peril!" continued Pillgrim, in savage tones. + +"Is it all right?" shouted the captain of the Ben Nevis, who was +standing on the starboard paddle-box of the steamer. + +"Ay, ay; all right. Start your wheels!" replied Pillgrim. + +"Captain, if you move a wheel, I will fire into you!" added Somers; and +the captain of the howitzer stood, with the lock-string in his hand, +ready to execute the order when it should be given. + +The commander of the Ben Nevis looked down upon the second cutter's gun, +pointing into the hull of his vessel, so that the twenty-four pound shot +would pass through her engine-room. He did not give the order to start +the wheels. Pillgrim was disconcerted: he was foiled in his scheme. By +this time he realized that the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua was +not the willing, timid tool he had taken him to be. + +The men in both boats were astonished and confounded by the startling +clash of authority between their officers. Such a thing had never been +known before. They had been surprised when Mr. Pillgrim declared that +the steamer was all right, for there was not one of them who was not +perfectly satisfied that the vessel was running in to break the +blockade. They were still more surprised when Mr. Somers dared to +dispute the conclusions of his superior officer. Involuntarily they took +sides with the fourth lieutenant, because his opinion that the Ben Nevis +was not all right coincided with their own, and because the prize-money +went with his view of the matter. But they were well disciplined men, +and each crew, thus far, obeyed the orders of its own officer; and, so +far as they were concerned, there was no conflict of command, though +this was likely soon to be the case. + +"Mr. Somers, I warn you--beware!" said Pillgrim, with the most +expressive emphasis. + +"I intend to do my duty," replied Somers. + +"Bully for the fourth luff!" shouted a seaman in the second cutter, who +felt disposed to take a part in the dispute. + +"Silence!" interposed Somers, sternly, as he perceived that this bad +example was likely to be followed by others, and he felt that the +occasion was too serious and solemn to admit of anything like levity. + +"Mr. Somers, you know the consequences!" continued the second +lieutenant. + +"I do." + +"Remember!" + +"I know what I am about," answered Somers, understanding to what +Pillgrim alluded, though of course it was incomprehensible to others in +the boats. "I shall board the steamer." + +"Do it at your peril!" + +"I shall do it." + +"This is mutiny!" stormed Pillgrim, with an oath, as he took a revolver +from his belt. + +"I will abide the consequences," replied Somers, drawing his pistol. + +"For God's sake, Mr. Somers--" + +"Silence, boatswain!" + +"You will ruin yourself," whispered Tom, whose bronzed face was ghastly +pale, and whose lips quivered with the anxiety he felt for his +_protege_. + +"I am perfectly cool, Tom; don't be alarmed about me," replied Somers, +tenderly, as he glanced at the expression of suffering on the face of +his faithful friend. "That man is a traitor!" he whispered. + +"Once more, Mr. Somers, will you obey me, or will you not?" shouted Mr. +Pillgrim, angrily. + +"If you will capture this steamer, as you should do, I will obey you in +all things," replied Somers. "I know she is about to run the blockade, +and so do you." + +"I have examined her, and I declare that her papers are all right. My +decision is final. Return to the ship, Mr. Somers, and there answer for +your mutinous conduct." + +"I shall board this vessel," replied Somers, as he ordered the bowman to +haul in towards the steamer. + +"This is mutiny, and I shall treat it as such. I _will_ be obeyed!" + +Mr. Pillgrim raised his pistol, and fired at the rebellious officer; but +he was too much excited to take good aim, if, indeed, he intended to do +anything more than intimidate his inferior officer. The ball whistled +within a few feet of Somers's head, and roused his belligerent spirit. +He raised his revolver on the instant, before the second lieutenant was +ready to repeat his experiment, and fired. + +The traitor sank down in the stern-sheets of the cutter. The men seemed +to be paralyzed by this sharp work, and sat like statues on the thwarts. + +[Illustration: A Conflict of Authority.] + +"Haul in, bowman!" said Somers, in sharp and earnest tones, breaking the +solemn silence of that awful moment. + +The man obeyed mechanically, and the others did the same when required +to boat their oars; but probably there was not one of the crew of either +cutter who did not believe that the fourth lieutenant would be hung +at the yard-arm for his mutinous, murderous conduct. + +Somers directed the coxswain of the first cutter to pull in to the +accommodation ladder of the steamer. He was obeyed, and Boatswain +Longstone was ordered to take charge of the boat. Eight men, armed with +cutlasses and revolvers, were sent on board the Ben Nevis, and Somers +followed them. The captain protested against the capture, but his papers +were not what they were represented to be by Pillgrim. The character of +the steamer was evident, and she was taken possession of by the fourth +lieutenant, and the crews of both cutters were ordered on board. + +"How is Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Somers of the boatswain. "Is he dead?" + +"No, sir; the ball only glanced along the side of his head. He bleeds +badly, but he is not severely wounded." + +The second lieutenant was soon able to sit up, and was assisted on board +the Ben Nevis, where he was conducted to a state-room, and two seamen +placed as guards at the door. + +"Somers, you have played me false!" said Pillgrim, with a savage +expression on his pale face, "but you are a doomed man." + +"As you please, Mr. Pillgrim. You will consider yourself under arrest," +replied Somers, as the traitor passed into his state-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE PRIZE STEAMER. + + +It was quite dark when the capture of the Ben Nevis was completed. +Rockets were thrown up to inform the Chatauqua of her present position, +and with guards of seamen in the engine and fire-rooms, the wheels of +the captured steamer were set in motion, and she was headed to the +north. Somers displayed his usual decision and energy, and perhaps the +men began to think, by this time, that the young officer knew his duty +and was competent to perform it. + +While the Ben Nevis was making her way towards the Chatauqua, Somers +paced the deck, thinking of the great event which had just transpired. +The captain of the Ben Nevis, sullen and discontented, stood by the +quartermaster at the wheel. He had attempted to enter the state-room of +the wounded officer, but the seamen in charge of the prisoner had been +instructed to exclude him, and they carefully obeyed their orders. + +The men of the first and second cutters were silent and troubled. +Perhaps they fully sympathized with Somers, and dreaded the consequence +of the decisive deed he had performed. However the petty officers and +seamen felt, it is quite certain that Boatswain Longstone could hardly +keep from weeping when he thought of the punishment which might be in +store for his young friend. He was in charge of the lookouts forward, +and when the Chatauqua was sighted, he went aft to report to Somers. + +"Very well; we shall soon see the end of this business," said the young +officer. + +"I would like to see you safe through it," added the boatswain, in tones +of unaffected sympathy. + +"What's the matter, Tom?" asked Somers. + +"I feel worse to-night than I have before for twenty odd years," groaned +Tom. + +"Why so?" + +"I'm afraid this is bad business. It's no little thing to fire a pistol +at your superior officer." + +"I told you what he was." + +"I know you said he was a traitor; but it don't do for an officer in the +navy to take the law into his own hands." + +"This steamer makes sixteen knots an hour, they say," said Somers, with +a smile. + +The boatswain looked at him, and wondered what this had to do with +shooting the second lieutenant. + +"She was going to run the blockade," continued Somers. + +"No doubt of that." + +"Then they intended to fit her out as a Confederate cruiser." + +"Perhaps they did, Mr. Somers; you know best." + +"Mr. Pillgrim did not intend to capture her." + +"He did not, sartinly." + +"Suppose I had permitted this vessel to go on her way, to run the +blockade, which she could have done as easily as a hundred others have +done the same thing, at the same place, and then come out as a +man-of-war." + +"But Mr. Pillgrim was your superior officer, and he was responsible, not +you." + +"I carried out my orders to the letter, Tom." + +"Did you?" + +"To the letter, I said." + +"Were you ordered to shoot Mr. Pillgrim?" + +"Yes, if necessary." + +"Thank'ee, Mr. Somers. You have taken a weight heavier than the best +bower off my stomach. I'd rather be where Jonah was--in the whale's +belly--than see any harm come to you. I feel better now." + +"You shall know all about it, Tom, in a few days, or perhaps a few +hours." + +"I'm satisfied, Mr. Somers. Shiver my kevel-heads, but I ought to have +been satisfied with anything you do." + +By this time the steamer came up with the Chatauqua, and both vessels +stopped their engines, as the Ben Nevis rounded to under the stern of +the man-of-war. + +"Chatauqua, ahoy!" shouted Somers. + +"On board the prize!" replied the officer of the deck. + +"Send the surgeon on board, if you please." + +"Ay, ay." + +In a few moments the third cutter, in charge of Mr. Transit, the master, +put off from the ship, with Dr. De Plesion on board. + +"Where is Mr. Pillgrim, sir?" asked the master of Somers. + +"Wounded, below." + +"Mr. Hackleford wishes your report forthwith on board the ship." + +"Mr. Transit, Mr. Pillgrim is under arrest. You will permit no one to +communicate with him except the surgeon." + +"Under arrest!" exclaimed Mr. Transit. + +"I have no time to explain," replied Somers, as he directed his coxswain +to pipe down his boat's crew. + +When the second cutter was hauled up to the accommodation ladder, Somers +stepped on board, and a few moments later, touched his hat to the first +lieutenant on the quarter deck of the Chatauqua. + +"I have to report that I have captured the Ben Nevis," said Somers. + +"Where is Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Mr. Hackleford, the captain standing by, +an interested and excited listener. + +"He is wounded, and under arrest, sir." + +"How wounded?" + +"He fired at me, and in self-defence I was obliged to shoot him. I think +he is not seriously wounded. He boarded the Ben Nevis, and had given the +captain of her permission to proceed, though the vessel was headed +towards Cape Fear." + +"You have done well, Mr. Somers," said Captain Cascabel. "Beat to +quarters, Mr. Hackleford." + +When the crew were at quarters, Mr. Hackleford explained to them what +had occurred, and fully justified the course of the fourth lieutenant; +whereupon an earnest and enthusiastic cheer rang through the ship. + +"Are you satisfied, Tom?" asked Somers of the boatswain. + +"Bless ye! I was satisfied before, Mr. Somers. There is only one dark +thing in the whole of it." + +"What's that, Tom?" + +"If Captain Cascabel and Mr. Hackleford both knew that Mr. Pillgrim was +a traitor, why did they send him out to capture that steamer? That's +what I can't see through." + +"Can't you? Well, if they had not sent him, we should not have captured +the Ben Nevis." + +"I don't see why." + +"Don't you? Well, you are not as sharp as you are sometimes." + +"I know I'm dull, Mr. Somers, but splinter my figger head if I can see +through it." + +"The Ben Nevis is good for fifteen knots at least." + +"I know that; she did it while we were coming up." + +"The Chatauqua can't make more than twelve." + +"That's true." + +"Then, of course, the Chatauqua could not catch the Ben Nevis." + +"That's clear enough. But we were out in the boats, and were close +aboard of her." + +"And just then she sheered off. Could the boats have overhauled her?" + +"Sartinly not; but you could have put a shot through her hull." + +"Which might, at that distance, have disabled her, and might not. The +chances were all against us. But the moment Mr. Pillgrim hailed her, and +swung his cap, she stopped her wheels. They knew very well he would not +detain her." + +"I see now." + +"Probably the captain of the Ben Nevis knew the Chatauqua, and knew that +Pillgrim was on board of her, and they were on the lookout for him. If +any other officer than myself had been in the second cutter, I am +satisfied Mr. Pillgrim would not have returned to his boat, but would +have staid on board the Ben Nevis." + +"He's a horrible villain--arn't he?" said the honest boatswain. + +This conversation took place while Captain Cascabel was preparing his +despatches to be sent by the prize steamer to the navy department. When +they were completed, Somers was sent for, and he repaired at once to the +captain's cabin. + +"Mr. Somers, though I can hardly spare you, I feel compelled to send you +home as prize master in the Ben Nevis. I have commended you to the +department," said Captain Cascabel, as he handed him the despatches. + +"Thank you, sir." + +A prize crew was at once detailed, with two master's mates to act as +first and second officers, and a corporal and three marines to guard the +prisoner who was to be sent back in the prize. Somers bade a hasty good +by to his brother officers, and with his crew was sent on board the Ben +Nevis, whose deck he was now to tread for a brief period as her +commander. His orders required him to take the Ben Nevis to Fortress +Monroe, and there communicate with the navy department. + +"Well, doctor, how is your patient?" asked Somers, when he reached the +deck of the prize. + +"He will do very well. If you had put the bullet half an inch nearer his +brain, you would have finished him. The skin is torn off the side of his +head, and I suppose the ball stunned him. He is sitting up now, and +appears to be as well as ever, though in no very amiable frame of mind." + +"I suppose not." + +"He says you are a rebel and a traitor, and he intends to prove it. I +told him I thought his wound had affected his brain." + +"It would require a long story to explain what he means. Mr. Hackleford +has the papers, and I doubt not he will tell you all about it, doctor," +replied Somers, as he proceeded to arrange for the return voyage. + +All who were not going home in the Ben Nevis were sent back to the +Chatauqua. The firemen and engineers of the prize steamer were willing +to discharge their duties as before, and under the direction of one of +the second assistants from the ship, they were set at work. The first +and third cutters pulled away towards the man-of-war, giving three +rousing cheers as they departed, and the Ben Nevis steamed away to the +northward. + +By this time it was ten o'clock at night. The watch was set on deck, and +Somers went below to obtain his supper, for he felt the need of some +rest and refreshment. The steward, anxious to be on good terms with the +new commander, had provided the best meal the larder of the Ben Nevis +afforded, and Somers was hungry enough to do it ample justice. + +A marine, with cutlass and revolver, stood at the door of Pillgrim's +state-room. When Somers had finished his supper, and was about to go on +deck, the sentinel informed him that the prisoner had knocked several +times on his door. + +"See what he wants." + +The marine opened the door. + +"Who is the prize master?" asked Pillgrim. + +The sentinel looked at Somers for permission before he replied. + +"Answer him." + +"Mr. Somers," answered the marine. + +"Will you present my compliments to Mr. Somers, and say that I beg the +favor of an interview with him?" + +Again the sentinel glanced at Somers. + +"With pleasure," replied the prize master, as politely as the request +was made. + +"Ah, Mr. Somers," said the traitor, as the new commander of the Ben +Nevis stepped forward and showed himself to the prisoner, "I am happy to +see you." + +"Are you, indeed?" added Somers, rather amused at the smooth tones of +the traitor. + +"I am, I assure you. Might I beg the favor of a few moments' private +conversation with you?" + +"Certainly; have you any weapons about you?" + +"None, whatever." + +Somers directed the marine to seat himself at the farther end of the +cabin. + +"Thank you, Mr. Somers; you are as kind and generous as ever." + +"Let me say, Mr. Pillgrim, that flattery and threats are all the same to +me." + +"Somers, you have me on the hip." + +"I know it." + +"You have won the game." + +"I know it." + +"I am in your power." + +"I know it." + +Pillgrim appeared to be hopeless and disconcerted. + +"Somers, I have, in a bank in Philadelphia, fifty thousand dollars." + +"What bank?" + +"Excuse me; the confiscation laws are dangerous to men in my situation." + +"No matter; I will inform the proper officers of the fact, and they can +find out what bank." + +Pillgrim bit his lip. + +"I will give you this money if you will--" + +"Silence, sir! There is not money enough in the whole world to bribe +me." + +"I still have the oath of allegiance--signed by you, and--" + +"No, you haven't. Mr. Hackleford has it. You left it in your +state-room." + +"Now listen to reason, Somers." + +"I shall. Reason counsels me to do my duty." + +"Somers, I will be revenged." + +"Good night, Mr. Pillgrim. I see you have nothing of importance to say +to me;" and Somers went on deck after calling the marine back to his +post. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE PRISONER IN THE CABIN. + + +Mr. Pillgrim's wound, as such injuries are regarded in the army and +navy, was a mere scratch; but it might have been very sore, and might +have ached severely. The traitor did not even mention it in his +interview with Somers, for the sore in his mind was much more serious. +His victim had now become his tyrant; not implacable or vindictive, but +firm and unyielding in the discharge of his duty. + +Somers went on deck, satisfied himself in regard to the course of the +steamer, then visited the engine-room, and other parts of the vessel, +until he had assured himself that everything was right. It was a fine, +clear night, and when the port watch came on deck, he went below, and +lay down on the broad sofa, which extended across the after part of the +cabin. He was tired enough to sleep, and he did sleep till the starboard +watch was called in the morning. + +He was a prudent and zealous commander, and he hastened on deck at once +to make sure that his charge was still safe. The weather continued fine, +and every man was at his post. He scrutinized the log slate, and +questioned the officer of the deck. Everything had been correctly done; +nothing had happened, and nothing was likely to happen. There was +nothing for him to do but sleep, and he returned to his couch in the +cabin, to complete his nap. + +The sentinel at the door of the prisoner's state-room was still in +position. The guard was relieved every two hours, and the door was +secured on the outside by a padlock, which had been put on by the +armorer after the vessel was captured. Of course there could be no doubt +in regard to the safety of the prisoner. + +Somers went to sleep again, satisfied that he had neglected no +precautions to insure the safety of the vessel and the prisoner. The +movements of the steward in the cabin awoke him at six o'clock. He had +slept away all his fatigue, and when he looked out through the stern +lights upon a smooth sea, brightened by the morning sun, all his anxiety +left him. It was hardly possible that any accident could interfere with +the safe arrival of the prize at her destined port. + +As he rose from the sofa, the corporal of marines relieved the sentry at +the prisoner's door. + +"Marine," said Somers, as the man passed him on his way out of the +cabin. + +The sentinel stopped and touched his cap. + +"How is the prisoner?" + +"I haven't heard anything of him, sir, during my beat," replied the +marine. + +"Isn't he up yet?" + +"I didn't hear him, sir. He's a heavy sleeper, I should say, for I don't +think he moved while I was on guard." + +As Somers had the key of the padlock in his pocket, he was satisfied it +was all right with the prisoner, and he went on deck. At seven bells, +when his breakfast was brought down, he directed the steward to give Mr. +Pillgrim his morning meal, handing the key of the state-room to the +corporal. + +The door was opened, and the marine entered the little room. Somers sat +down at the table to eat his breakfast. He was blessed with a good +appetite, and some "'am and heggs," which the steward particularly +recommended, looked very inviting. But he had hardly satisfied himself +that the steward had not overrated the quality of his viands, before his +attention was attracted by an exclamation from the corporal of marines. + +"What's the matter?" demanded Somers, rising from the table, and rushing +to the state-room. + +"Mr. Pillgrim is not here, sir," replied the man. + +"Not here!" + +"No, sir." + +"He can't be far off." + +Somers entered the state-room. Certainly the prisoner was not there; nor +was there any indication of the means by which he had departed. The +partitions between this and the adjoining state-rooms were undisturbed. +The door had been securely locked, and the key was in the pocket of the +commanding officer. The traitor could not have crawled through the +bull's eye which lighted the room, for it was not more than nine inches +in diameter. + +The marines who had been on guard during the night were summoned. They +all told the same story; not a sound had been heard in the room. Both +the master's mates who had kept the watches on deck were examined, but +they had no information to communicate. + +"This is very remarkable," said Somers to his first officer. + +"Very remarkable," replied Mr. Hudson, who seemed to be even more +bewildered than his commander. + +"Where is Captain Walmsley?" asked Somers of the steward. + +"I don't know, sir. I 'aven't seen him since 'e hate his supper last +night." + +"See if he is in his state-room, steward." + +He was not in his state-room. His bed had not been occupied; no one had +seen him since the Ben Nevis parted company with the Chatauqua. + +"Are there any boats missing, Mr. Hudson?" continued Somers. + +"No, sir; the steamer had two quarter-boats, and a life-boat forward. +They are all in their places." + +"Wasn't there a dingy, or a jolly-boat, at the stern?" + +"No, sir; I am sure that no boat is missing." + +"Then of course the prisoner must be on board." + +"No doubt of that, Mr. Somers. In my opinion he has concealed himself in +the hold, and intends to escape after we go into port." + +"But how could he get into the hold?" + +"That is more than I know, sir. He isn't in his state-room; he wouldn't +have jumped overboard forty miles from land." + +"He must be found before we make the capes," said Somers, who could not +help thinking how "cheap" he should feel if compelled to report the +escape of his prisoner to the department. + +He returned to the table and finished his breakfast, as a matter of +necessity now,--for man must eat,--rather than of inclination. The +Scotch ham seemed to have lost its fine flavor, and it was really a pity +that he had not completed his repast before the escape of Pillgrim was +discovered. But Somers was satisfied that the traitor was still on +board, and he was determined to find him, even if he had to throw the +valuable cargo of the Ben Nevis overboard, in order to effect his +purpose. + +When Somers had worried down his breakfast, he went on deck to detail +parties to engage in the search. The hatches were taken off, and Mr. +Hudson was directed to examine the hold, while Somers himself, with the +marines and a couple of seamen, went to the cabin for the purpose of +tracing the fugitive from his starting-point. This appeared to be no +easy matter, for as yet there was not the slightest clew to his means of +egress. + +Somers opened the door of the state-room, which had been occupied by the +prisoner, and there, to his utter astonishment and confusion, he saw +Pillgrim, sitting on a stool, and looking as composed as though nothing +had happened. Somers could hardly believe the evidence of his own eyes. + +"Good morning, Mr. Somers," said the traitor. "I am happy to see you. I +was just thinking it was about breakfast time." + +"Haven't you had your breakfast yet?" asked Somers, who deemed it best +to talk at random. + +"How should I? You lock the door, and confine me to a very limited +sphere of observation. I hope you don't intend to starve me." + +"O, no, by no means. I thought it likely you had breakfasted while on +your travels." + +"On my travels?" said the prisoner, inquiringly. + +"You have been out of your room." + +"I?" + +Pillgrim opened his eyes, and seemed to be astonished. + +"Certainly you have. When we opened the door half an hour since, you +were not here. Perhaps you will not object to telling me where you have +been." + +"I have not been out of my state-room, as you must be aware." + +"But you have," replied Somers, stoutly. + +"Am I to infer that you accuse me of lying, Mr. Somers?" demanded the +traitor, with an exhibition of dignity. + +"I accuse you of nothing; I only say you have been out of your +state-room." + +"But I say I have not. I am your prisoner: it is hardly magnanimous to +insult me in my present situation." + +"Are you ready for your breakfast?" asked Somers, unwilling to pursue +the conversation on that tack. + +"A hungry man is always ready for his breakfast. My misfortunes have not +impaired my appetite. I am ready for my breakfast." + +Somers directed the steward to bring the prisoner his morning meal. + +"Mr. Somers, may I beg the favor of half an hour's conversation with +you, when I have done my breakfast?" added Pillgrim. + +"It is hardly necessary." + +"Excuse me; it is absolutely necessary for your comfort and safety as +well as mine." + +"Under such a threat, I shall certainly decline," replied Somers, +coldly. + +"I intended no threat. Send these people away, and I will speak." + +"You may speak or be silent, as you please." + +Somers stationed a marine at the door, and sent the others away, +retiring himself to the farther end of the cabin. He was sorely puzzled +to know how the prisoner had got out of his state-room, and why he had +returned. He concluded that the opening of the hold had induced the +latter step, but the former was still enveloped in mystery. He +determined to give the prisoner another room, and make a more careful +search in the one he now occupied. + +When Pillgrim had done his breakfast, Somers called a couple of marines, +and ordered them to put the prisoner in the aftermost room. The hasp and +padlock were then transferred to the occupied room. + +"Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, as he was about to lock the door, "I should +like to speak with you." + +The tone was gentlemanly, and even supplicating, and Somers entered the +room, closing the door behind him; but he was careful to cock his +revolver as he did so, for the prisoner was a desperate man. + +"I am ready to hear you." + +"It is well you are." + +"If you have any threats to make, I will not remain." + +"Let me speak only the truth," said Pillgrim, as he looked at his watch. +"In twenty minutes from now, we shall all be in kingdom come." + +There was a malignant smile on the face of the traitor as he spoke, and +it was plain to Somers that the villain did not speak without a cause. + +"Somers, you have beaten me in the last game we played. I shall beat in +the next one." + +"I told you I did not come here to listen to threats." + +"You will be a dead man in seventeen minutes, Somers," continued +Pillgrim, glancing at his watch again. "I could not deny myself the +satisfaction of informing you of the fact. But, Somers, you will have +the pleasure of knowing that I shall share your fate." + +"What do you mean, you villain?" demanded Somers, horrified by the +thought suggested by the traitor's words. + +"Gently, my dear fellow. Don't use hard words. But I am glad to see you +are moved. Ah, Somers, I have you now," said the wretch, in mocking +tones. + +"Speak!" roared Somers, drawing his pistol. + +"Shoot me, Somers. I will thank you if you will. It is better to be shot +dead, than to be blown up, mangled, and then, after enduring a moment or +an hour of agony, to be drowned. Fire, Somers!" + +He restored the revolver to his belt, appalled by the terrible picture +which the villain painted. + +"Somers, I did leave my state-room. I was not willing to acknowledge it +before your crew." + +"How?" + +"I have not time to explain. There are but ten minutes of life left to +you and me. We will not waste them in what is of so little consequence +to either of us. You know of what the cargo of the Ben Nevis is +composed?" + +"I do--of arms, ammunition, and provisions." + +"Correct; the ammunition is stowed in the after part of the ship--under +us, in fact. Captain Walmsley and myself have laid a train by which the +vessel will be blown up when four bells strike. It wants five minutes of +the time. Captain Walmsley is in a position where he can hear the bell," +continued Pillgrim with perfect coolness. + +"Marine," said Somers, opening the door. + +"Here, sir," responded the man. + +"Pass the word for the quartermaster to strike four bells, instantly," +added the young commander. "I am ready, Mr. Pillgrim." + +The traitor looked aghast. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +CAPTAIN WALMSLEY. + + +"Mr. Pillgrim, I am not to be intimidated by any such stuff," said +Somers, when he had ordered the bells to be struck, which would produce +the explosion. + +"Perhaps Captain Walmsley will not think it best to fire the ammunition +at the moment agreed upon; some discretion on this point was left with +him; but I assure you, on my word and honor, that the train is laid +which will blow up the Ben Nevis," said Pillgrim, earnestly. + +"If you had not mentioned the name of Captain Walmsley, I might have +believed you. As it is, I do not. Your word and honor do not weigh much +with me." + +"Don't insult me." + +"I simply speak the truth. There! do you hear four bells?" + +"I do; and if you are not blown up in half a minute, you may thank +Captain Walmsley for his moderation." + +"He is not villain enough to destroy the lives of forty men, his own +people as well as mine, to gratify your malice and revenge. I give you +_my_ word and honor that he will do nothing of the kind." + +Pillgrim looked hard at him, and seemed to be slightly disconcerted by +the obstinacy of Somers. + +"If he will not, I will!" said he, fiercely. + +"I purpose to put you in irons, when you have said all you have to say." + +"In irons, Somers!" exclaimed the traitor, springing to his feet, his +face flushed with indignation. + +"Since you are open enough to announce your intentions, it is plainly my +duty to defeat them. Acknowledge that your plot to blow up the vessel is +a mere scare, and I may spare you this indignity." + +"You will find that it is a reality." + +"Why don't it blow up, then?" + +"It will, as soon as Captain Walmsley is ready. The Ben Nevis shall not +again go into a Yankee port as a prize. Mark my words." + +"Captain Somers," called Mr. Hudson. + +"What is wanted?" + +"The men in the hold report a smell of fire there." + +"I will be with you soon," replied Somers, convinced by this message +that there was some foundation for the threats of the traitor. "Go into +the hold, Mr. Hudson, and find the fire, if there is any." + +He was cool, and did not permit the wretch before him to see a muscle of +his face move. + +"There is fire there, Somers," said Pillgrim. "I know just where it is. +In a few minutes it will reach the ammunition boxes." + +"Corporal," said Somers, opening the door again. + +"Here, sir." + +"Put the prisoner in irons, hands and feet," continued Somers. + +"Do you mean that, Mr. Somers?" asked Pillgrim, quivering with emotion. + +"I do mean it, and I shall stand by till it is done." + +"Will you leave me in the midst of the fire, ironed hand and foot?" + +"I will. You kindled the fire; and if you perish by it, blame yourself." + +Pillgrim attempted to resist the execution of the order, but the marines +were resolute, and he was fully ironed in spite of his struggles. + +"Now lock him in," said Somers. + +"One word, Mr. Somers." + +"Not another word;" and the young commander hastened from the +state-room, and made his way to the scene of peril in the hold. + +He did not believe that even Pillgrim was stupid enough to blow up the +Ben Nevis for mere revenge; and Captain Walmsley certainly would do +nothing of the kind, for he could have no strong feeling on the +subject, at least not enough to sacrifice the lives of himself and his +crew. + +There was a smell of fire in the hold--the hold filled with powder, +shells, and other combustibles. This fact tended to confirm the +statement of the wretch; yet Somers was incredulous. When he reached the +scene of danger he found the officers and the men timid about proceeding +far into the hold, for if there was fire, there must soon be an +explosion. + +"Follow me, my men!" said he, as he walked aft on the cargo. + +"Ay, ay, sir!" cheerfully responded the men,--for the American seaman +will go anywhere an officer will lead him. + +In the after part of the hold there was a dense smoke and a strong smell +of fire. + +"Keep back! You are all dead men!" shouted Captain Walmsley, as Somers +advanced and discovered the speaker seated on a box. + +"What are you doing here?" demanded Somers. + +"I am going to blow up the steamer," replied the captain, who held in +his hand a tin pan filled with burning oakum, chips, and other +combustible material. + +"Well, why don't you do it, then?" said Somers. + +"For God's sake, Mr. Somers, don't stay here," pleaded Mr. Hudson. + +"You needn't, if you are afraid," replied he, coolly. + +"Mr. Somers, in one instant I can blow the Ben Nevis all to pieces," +said Captain Walmsley, with a proper exhibition of tragic adjuncts. + +"Why don't you do it, then?" + +"I am willing to give you one chance to save your lives." + +"You are very considerate. Mr. Pillgrim was going to blow her up for my +special benefit." + +"If you think I am not in earnest, you are greatly mistaken," continued +the captain, as he stirred up the burning substances in the pan. + +"I see you are in earnest, and I am waiting for you to blow her up." + +"I will give you ten minutes to save your lives; for I have sworn this +vessel shall never go into port as a prize. You and your people can take +to the boats and save yourselves." + +"Will you blow her up when we are gone?" + +"I will." + +"I have had quite enough of this, Captain Walmsley," said Somers, +advancing to the fire king, revolver in hand. "Now go on deck, or I will +blow your brains out, if you have any." + +The captain looked at the revolver, and he might as well have +acknowledged his defeat, for his face proclaimed it. + +"If I should drop this into the cargo, it would blow up the ship." + +"No, it wouldn't. There are nothing but solid shot and shell under you," +replied Somers; and perhaps his coolness and self-possession were in a +great measure due to his knowledge of this fact, for he had carefully +inspected the cargo immediately after the capture of the vessel. + +Captain Walmsley, with the blazing censer in his hand, made his way over +the boxes, bales, and barrels which lay above the heavy articles, to the +hatchway. The pan and its contents were thrown overboard, and the men +informed that there was no danger. The captain was ordered into the +cabin, where he was put in double irons, as his fellow-conspirator had +been. He protested, at first, against this indignity. Then he begged, +declaring that Mr. Pillgrim was the author of the plot by which it was +intended to recapture the steamer. It was fully believed that Somers and +his crew would abandon the vessel as soon as it was announced that there +was fire in the hold, knowing that her cargo would readily explode. + +Captain Walmsley declared that Pillgrim was a fool; if he had kept still +till the fire was discovered, instead of declaiming over it beforehand, +the plan would have succeeded. Somers doubted it; and when the +humiliated captain was ironed, he was sent into his state-room, and a +sentinel placed at his door. This business was hardly completed before +the marine in charge of Pillgrim informed Somers that his prisoner +wished to speak with him. The request was peremptorily refused. + +"There, Mr. Hudson, I think we have fixed those fellows so that we shall +know where to find them when we want them," said Somers, when the +conspirators had been disposed of. + +"Yes, sir; and if any other man had been in charge of this vessel, he +would have lost her, Captain Somers. I should have voted for abandoning +her as soon as I was satisfied that she was on fire." + +"Perhaps I should, if I had not known the powder and shells were in the +fore hold. But I did not believe the villains had pluck enough to blow +themselves up for the sake of blowing me up. If there had been any real +danger, they would have been the first to run away." + +"Well, sir, I think you have managed them exceedingly well." + +Somers was perfectly willing he should think so, and perhaps he thought +so himself. At any rate, he was heartily rejoiced to get out of the +scrape so easily, and fully resolved that the conspirators should have +no further opportunity to exercise their talents at plotting on board +the Ben Nevis. + +There was a mystery still unsolved to the young officer, and with Mr. +Hudson he repaired to the state-room in which Pillgrim had passed the +night,--or ought to have passed it,--and commenced a further +examination. There was nothing supernatural, or even very remarkable, in +the absence of the prisoner, when the carpet was pulled up, and a square +aperture, now closed by a pine board, was discovered in the corner of +the room. In the ceiling there was a similar aperture, which had been +filled up to correspond with the deck above. It was evident that a +ventilator, which had been used to convey fresh air to the after hold, +had been removed at some recent period. + +As Captain Walmsley had indicated this state-room for the use of +Pillgrim, it was probable that he had chosen it on account of this means +of egress. Some time in the night he must have visited the prisoner, +entering through this aperture, and conducted him to the hold below. + +In the fine weather and smooth sea the Ben Nevis nearly made good the +claim of the conspirators in regard to her speed, for all day she logged +fifteen knots, and at three bells in the first dog watch Cape Henry was +sighted, and at ten o'clock in the evening she anchored off Fortress +Monroe. + +By the first conveyance Mr. Hudson was sent to Washington with the +despatches of Captain Cascabel, and one from Somers. On the second day +the messenger returned, with orders from the department. The young +officer took the bundle of documents into the cabin, and proceeded to +examine those directed to himself. He was ordered to hand his prisoners +over to the commandant of the fort, to deliver his vessel into the +keeping of the senior naval officer on the station, and to rejoin his +ship forthwith, taking passage in a supply steamer to sail on the +following day. He was highly commended for the skill and energy with +which he had discharged his duty on board the Ben Nevis, full +particulars of which had been communicated by Mr. Hudson. + +Another document contained his commission as master, the next rank above +that of ensign, which had been solicited by Captain Cascabel. This paper +was full of interest to the recipient of it, and he was obliged to open +the long letters he had written to his mother and to Kate Portington, in +order to add, in a postscript, this important intelligence. He was proud +and happy, and more than ever satisfied that republics are not +ungrateful, notwithstanding the tradition to the contrary. + +At the proper time he proceeded to execute his orders in regard to the +vessel and the prisoners. Pillgrim and his fellow-conspirator were +brought on deck. The former looked easy and defiant, as usual, and +assured his captor that he should be at liberty in a few days. + +"Perhaps not," said Somers. + +"You shall yet be cheated of your victim, but I shall not be cheated of +mine," said he, with a malignant smile. + +"I bear you no malice, Mr. Pillgrim." + +"I do bear you malice; and the heaviest revenge that ever fell on man +shall fall on you before the end of this year." + +"Your threats are idle. I have heard too many of them. Pass into the +boat, if you please." + +Pillgrim and Walmsley went over the side, and the boat pulled away. The +chivalrous military officer removed the irons from their legs and arms +as soon as he received them. + +The Ben Nevis was to be sent to New York to be condemned, and Somers +handed her over to the naval officer, according to his orders. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +OFF MOBILE BAY. + + +Somers was now entirely relieved from duty. He had delivered up the +prize and handed the prisoners over to the proper officers. On the +following day he went on shore to spend a few hours before the supply +steamer sailed. On visiting the fortress, he received the astonishing +intelligence that Mr. Pillgrim had escaped from the officer having him +in charge, even before he had been placed in the casement appropriated +to his use. Somers had cautioned the lieutenant to whom he had delivered +him, of the danger of removing the irons, but his advice had not been +heeded. The careless officer was now under arrest for his neglect of +duty. + +By none was this unfortunate event more deeply regretted than by him who +had been the means of foiling the schemes of the traitor and handing him +over to the custody of the government. Pillgrim had boasted that he +would soon be at liberty. He was certainly a talented and a daring +fellow; and to handle him safely, it was necessary to understand him +thoroughly. Somers had a suspicion that the officer from whom the +wretch escaped was bribed by his prisoner; but of course there could be +no evidence on this interesting point. + +A careful search had been made by the garrison of the fort, but without +success. Pillgrim was dressed in the full uniform of a naval lieutenant, +and in this garb his ingenuity would enable him to pass the military +lines, if indeed he was not provided with the means of doing so by the +faithless officer in charge of him. The prisoner had escaped on the +preceding day, and there was now little hope of recapturing him; but +Somers gave such information as he possessed in regard to the fugitive. +Captain Walmsley had been less fortunate, and was still in durance. + +The story of the traitor's escape was a very simple one. When the boat +which had conveyed the prisoners from the steamer to the shore reached +the pier, and they had landed, Walmsley began to protest against his +confinement, being a British subject. He insisted upon seeing the +commandant of the fortress; and while everybody was listening to this +debate, Pillgrim slipped into the crowd and disappeared, passing the +sentinels, who had no suspicion that he was a prisoner, without a +challenge. Immediate search was made for him; but he must have taken to +the water, since there was no other place of concealment which was not +examined. A calker's stage was moored to the shore near the pier, and +it was afterwards surmised that he had crawled under this, securing a +position so that his head was out of water, and remained there till +evening. + +He was gone, and that was all it was necessary to know. The officer who +had permitted him to escape would be court-martialed and broken, and +that would be the end of it. At noon, as Somers was about to embark on +the supply steamer, a letter was handed to him, which had been brought +in by a contraband. The negro said it had been handed to him by "a +gemman wid de anchors on his shoulders," whom he had met on the road to +Williamsburg, nine miles from the fort. + +The epistle was from Pillgrim, as Somers would have known from the +writing, without the contraband's description of the person who had +given it to him. He put it in his pocket, and did not open it till he +had taken possession of his state-room on board the steamer. He was +confident that it contained nothing but threats and abuse, and he felt +but little interest in its contents. The writer, chagrined at the +failure of his plot, was running over with evil thoughts and malicious +purposes. Somers opened the letter and read as follows:-- + + OLD POINT COMFORT, July 14. + +SOMERS: You have been promoted. You remind me of the fable. The goat +went down into the well. The fox sprang upon his horns and leaped out. +You are the fox; you jumped over my head; you went up; you are a master +now. I congratulate you. You are the only man in the world I hate. + +The Tallahassee is doing a good business for the South. She has captured +fifty vessels. The Ben Nevis was her sister. You have her. There are +more of the same family. You believe I am used up. No. I write this +letter to inform you that I am not even singed yet, say nothing of being +burned out. I shall be afloat soon. The Ben Lomond, twin sister of the +Ben Nevis and the Tallahassee, will be at work in a fortnight. She will +then be called the Tallapoosa. Look out for her. + +The Ben Nevis was captured; my agents bought her again. The Ben Lomond +is now at--you wish you knew where! I shall command her. I could not +resist the temptation to inform you of my plan. I know you will enjoy my +prospects! + +You would like to make a little arrangement for the capture of the Ben +Lomond. I wish you might. You will hear of her on the broad ocean in a +few weeks,--capturing, burning, bonding Yankee ships. It will please you +to read the papers then! I shall strike for a California steamer. Her +treasure will make good my losses. + +I am so anxious to meet you again that I am tempted to tell you where my +ship is. I would like to meet you on her quarter deck. You are a +remarkably enterprising fellow; perhaps we shall meet. If we do, I +should feel justified in hanging you at the yard-arm. You belong to the +South. You accepted a commission in her navy. You betrayed your trust. I +shall _endeavor_ to see you again. + +Give my regards to the officers of the Chatauqua. Inform them of my +present brilliant prospects. Remember me kindly to Kate Portington. +Possibly she may be a little _chilly_ when you see her again. + +If you capture the Ben Lomond, otherwise the Tallapoosa, it would make +you a lieutenant. Do it by all means. + + PILLGRIM. + +Somers read this singular letter three times before he could form an +opinion whether or not its statements were mere idle boasts, and whether +or not they had a foundation of truth. Was there any such vessel in +existence as the Ben Lomond? This was the interesting and important +question to him. At this time the Tallahassee was making fearful ravages +among the shipping on the coast, and the success and impunity with which +she carried on her depredations offered plenty of encouragement for the +rebels to send forth similar vessels, if they could obtain them. + +The Ben Nevis had been named after a mountain in Scotland; Ben Lomond +was the name of another. The former was a Clyde-built vessel, and it +would have been natural to give these twin names to twin steamers. +Pillgrim, in the character of "Coles," had given him a certain amount +of correct information in respect to the Ben Nevis, though he had +deceived him in regard to her destination. He had obtained this +knowledge by accident, and the Ben Nevis had been captured. + +To Somers there appeared to be a strong probability that the statements +contained in the letter were wholly or partially true. There were only +two rebel ports into which it was possible for the Ben Lomond to have +run--Mobile and Wilmington. The conspirators had told him that the Ben +Nevis was bound to Mobile when she was actually going to Wilmington. +Pillgrim, in his letter, declared that he was to command the Tallapoosa. +If there was any plan at all, of course it had been laid before the +Chatauqua sailed from Philadelphia. + +Why did Pillgrim start for Mobile in the Chatauqua? Was it not possible +that he intended, as second lieutenant of a national ship, to obtain the +means of getting the Ben Lomond, or Tallapoosa, through the blockading +fleet? Did he not endeavor to involve the fourth lieutenant in the +meshes of the conspiracy for the purpose of obtaining his assistance in +this work? It was plausible. Perhaps the recreant wretch had left some +papers in his state-room on board the Chatauqua, which would be +intelligible in the light which he could bring to bear upon them. + +Bewildered and astonished by the prospect before him, as he read the +letter again and again, and considered its remarkable statements in +connection with his previous knowledge, Somers spent the whole afternoon +in his state-room, and was only aroused from his meditations by the +supper bell. In the evening he resumed his study of the case, and tried +to reconcile the theory he had framed with reason and common sense. +There was nothing to conflict with this theory but the fact that +Pillgrim himself had given him the information upon which it was based. +The traitor would not intentionally betray himself. Perhaps he did not +expect his statements would be credited; or if he did, he had twice +before been equally reckless. + +Then Somers attempted to analyze the mental constitution of Pillgrim. +The conspirator seemed to be able to endure all misfortunes. The loss of +the Ben Nevis had not affected him, and he had endangered, defeated his +plan to recapture her by indulging in idle threats before the match was +applied. He had been more desirous of mortifying, humiliating, and +overwhelming Somers, than of recovering his lost steamer. With great +talents for scheming and plotting, he had displayed the most amazing +stupidity. + +At this point the remark to the letter that Kate Portington would be +_chilly_ when he saw her again, came up for consideration. Pillgrim +certainly had some purpose in view which was equal to, or greater than, +his desire to serve the South, or even himself, in a pecuniary point of +view. He was the friend of the commodore--had known the family before +the war. Somers could not help believing that, in spite of his +thirty-five years, he was an aspirant for the hand of Kate, and that the +bond he had signed was for her use rather than his own. + +Miss Portington might well be _chilly_, if she discovered that Somers +had pledged a part of her fortune at the present stage of proceedings! + +Somers was nervous and uneasy until he had reasoned and coaxed himself +into a full belief in the theory which he had suggested. He could not +wait for evidence, if, indeed, any could be obtained. For the present he +was satisfied, and determined to proceed upon his hypothesis, just as +though every point in the argument had been fully substantiated. + +Our young officer was never idle when it was possible to work. If any of +our readers believe that Somers was very "smart," very skilful, and very +fortunate in his previous career, we beg to remind them, and to impress +it upon their minds in the most forcible manner, that he owed more to +his industry and perseverance than to the accidents of natural ability +and favorable circumstances combined. For example, when he captured the +Ben Nevis, instead of gaping idly about the deck, and thinking what a +great man he was, he went into the hold, and made a careful examination +of the steamer's cargo. The knowledge thus gained had prevented him from +abandoning the vessel when she was believed to be on fire, and thus +saved the prize and confounded the conspirators. + +Somers was not idle now. He procured "Blunt's Coast Pilot," and "A Chart +of the North Coast of the Gulf of Mexico, from St. Mark's to Galveston," +of the captain of the steamer, and diligently studied up, and even +committed to memory, the bearings, distances, and depths of water in +Mobile Bay and vicinity. He carefully trained his mind on these matters +so important to a seaman; and being blessed with a retentive memory, he +hoped and expected to have this knowledge at command when it should be +serviceable. It was hard study--the hardest and dryest kind of study; +but he stuck to it as though it had been a bewitching novel. + +To assist his design he drew maps and charts of the coast from memory, +and was not satisfied till he could make a perfect diagram of the coast, +shoals, islands, and bars, mark the prominent objects to be sighted from +a vessel, and lay down the depth of water. He had nothing else to do on +the passage; and as the steamer glided swiftly over the summer sea, he +found it a more agreeable occupation than smoking, playing cards, and +"spinning yarns," which were the employments of his fellow-passengers. + +On the eighth day from Fortress Monroe the supply steamer reached the +blockading fleet off Mobile Bay, and Somers was warmly welcomed by his +brother officers. Of course he had a long story to tell, which was +listened to with interest. The escape of the late second lieutenant was +received with becoming indignation. Somers was now the third lieutenant +of the Chatauqua, and he moved into the state-room formerly occupied by +Mr. Garboard, who had also advanced one grade in his relative rank. + +"Somers, you are just in time for a big thing," said Mr. Hackleford. +"Our Brave Old Salt is going to take us up Mobile Bay in a few days." + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, the Old Salamander has issued his orders." + +"God bless him!" ejaculated Somers, fervently, in much the same spirit +that a loyal subject speaks of a popular monarch. + +"Ay, God bless him!" replied the first lieutenant. "He is the ablest +naval commander the world has yet produced. In my opinion he is the +superior of Nelson, Collingwood, Decatur, Porter, Preble, and Hull. By +the way, Mr. Somers, you were with him on the Mississippi?" + +"Yes, sir; I was in the Harrisburg when the fleet passed Forts Jackson +and St. Philip. But I am rather sorry the attack is to take place so +soon." + +"Why so?" + +Then Somers showed him Pillgrim's letter; but as we intend to tell only +what was done, not what was said, we will not record the conversation. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +BRAVE OLD SALT. + + +The most extensive and careful preparations were in progress for the +events which, a few days later, astonished the world even more than the +splendid achievements of the fleet below New Orleans. The squadron off +the mouth of Mobile Bay had been actively employed for several days in +sending down top-masts, superfluous spars, and rigging. Chain cables had +been extended over the sides of the ships where the machinery was +exposed to injury from the shot and shell of the fort. Chains and sand +bags were placed on the decks where plunging shot might disable the +engines. Boats were removed from the starboard to the port sides, for +the fleet was to go in with Fort Morgan on the right, and close aboard +of them. + +The preparations were advancing when Somers reported on board of the +Chatauqua, and of course he at once experienced the inspiration of +coming events. If there was any man in the navy whom he admired and +reverenced, that man was Admiral Farragut. It is true, he was not +singular in this respect, for every man in the fleet was equally devoted +to him. The "Old Salamander," who seemed never to be happier than when +in the midst of the hottest fire which the engines of modern warfare +could produce, was the idol of both officers and seamen. He was an +honest, just, and humane man, one who involuntarily won the respect of +every person with whom he came into contact. + +We were never more thoroughly impressed by the honesty, justice, and +humanity of a man, than when we took the hand of this "Brave Old Salt." +His expressive eye, and his gentle, but dignified bearing, spoke more +truly and forcibly of what he was, than the most elaborate biography +which the pen of genius could produce. It almost passes belief that men +can stand up and work and fight as officers and seamen worked and fought +between Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and at Mobile Bay; but we can +think of no better inspiration than the leadership of such a man as +Admiral Farragut. + +He was born in Tennessee--a southern state; his home was in Virginia--a +southern state--at the breaking out of the rebellion. With all the +motives which actuated Lee and Johnston, Tatnall and Hollins, to induce +him to abandon the old flag under which he had fought in early youth, +and served through all his manhood, he remained true to his country in +the hour of her severest trial. Neither bribes nor threats could move +him, and not for one instant did he falter in his devotion to the flag +he had sworn to sustain against all foes. Glory, honor, and immortality +in the hearts of his countrymen to the noble Admiral! + +As a naval commander, he has no rival in the past or the present, in +this or in any country. He has achieved, once, twice, thrice, what any +board of naval officers that could have been convened from the boldest +and most skilful naval heroes of the united nations, would have solemnly +pronounced impossible. Chance might have given him the Lower +Mississippi--it did not; but it could not have given him that and Mobile +Bay, and the brilliant exploits up the Great River. Chance is +capricious; it never metes out uniform success. + +Admiral Farragut is not simply a brave and skilful seaman, for the +stroke of genius shines out in all his battle plans, in all his +preparations, and in all his movements, whether on the silent river, as +his majestic ship leads in the van to the conflict, or under the most +deadly and destructive fire that ever was rained down on a wooden hull. +"Brave Old Salt" in the main rigging of the Hartford, as she breasted +the storm of shot and shell from Fort Morgan, is a spectacle more +sublime than can be presented in the annals of any other nation. The +position he chose for himself on that momentous occasion, more truly +indicates the key to his marvellous success than any other fact in +connection with the battle. He was not there to expose himself +needlessly to deadly peril; he was there to see and take advantage of +the issues of the battle. + +His position was a symbol of the intelligence and bravery which won the +great battle. He saw with his own eyes--not with others; while his +glorious personal devotion was a type for every other man, which was +imitated from commodores down to powder-boys. We read of a general who +could not remember where he was during one of the severest and most +destructive fights of the war. If he had been in a position +corresponding to that of the doughty old admiral, it would have been +difficult for him to forget it. But personal bravery alone does not win +the battle on the sea or the land. The admiral's victories are due even +more to his genius--to his persevering industry in the elaboration of +preparatory details. + +"Brave Old Salt," as Somers always called him, was our young officer's +beau-ideal of a naval commander. "Brave" he certainly was, and "Old +Salt," to a sailor, means something more than a long experience at sea. +It conveys to the nautical mind an idea of skill which no "lubber" can +possess. It was bravery, seamanship, and those peculiar qualities which +an "old salt" possesses, that made him great on the quarter deck, in +command of a squadron. + +Somers's admiration for the commander-in-chief of the fleet off Mobile +Bay was of no recent origin. Since he had first known him as "Flag +Officer Farragut" at Ship Island, before the grade of Rear and Vice +Admiral had been created in our navy, he had reverenced him as a +superior man, and looked up to him with an almost superstitious awe. He +could hardly realize that they were both of the same earthly mould, with +the like human hopes and aspirations. Though, for a young man of his +age, Somers regarded his rank of master as very high, it did not permit +him to abate one jot or tittle of the distance which lay between him and +the admiral. He did not feel any better entitled to tread the same deck +with the glorious old hero, as a master, than he did as an ordinary +seaman. + +Somers returned to active duty as soon as he had reported to the first +lieutenant of the Chatauqua, and he had the deck in the first dog watch +on the day of his arrival. During the afternoon watch he had had plenty +of time to report the incidents of his cruise in the Ben Nevis. Mr. +Hackleford had immediately communicated to the captain the facts +concerning Pillgrim's letter, and the recreant lieutenant's papers had +been carefully overhauled in search of anything which would shed a ray +of light upon the statements of the strange letter. + +The only document which looked at all hopeful was a note written in +cipher, to which there was no key among the papers. If the communication +had been in Chinese or Chaldaic, there might have been a chance of +unravelling it; as it was, the note was written in arbitrary characters, +which were as cabalistic and unintelligible as the Egyptian +hieroglyphics. Somers was annoyed and discomfited, for he had +confidently reckoned upon finding some letter which contained a hint to +guide him. There was nothing but this note in cipher. + +To add to his chagrin, Mr. Hackleford was utterly sceptical in regard to +Pillgrim's letter--did not believe the first word of it--called it +"gas," and declared that it would be stupid and childish to pay the +least attention to the document. Captain Cascabel fully concurred with +him in this opinion, and both of them laughed at Somers for bestowing a +second thought upon it. + +"Nonsense! Mr. Somers!" exclaimed the first lieutenant. "There isn't a +single scintillation of truth in the story. If there were even a +glimmering of reality in the thing, I would look into it." + +"But Mr. Pillgrim told me some truth in regard to the Ben Nevis," argued +Somers. + +"That is the best reason in the world for believing he has not done so +in this instance," said Mr. Hackleford. + +"I suppose I must give up the idea, then." + +"You must, indeed. If you don't, I am afraid your reputation for common +sense and good judgment will suffer." + +"Will you allow me to take this letter in cipher, and keep it till +to-morrow?" asked Somers. + +"Certainly." + +Somers took the letter, and put it into his pocket until he had an +opportunity to study its mystic characters. He was mortified by the +rebuff he had received, but his faith, though somewhat shaken, was not +destroyed. He was officer of the deck from four till six. Just before he +was relieved, he ordered the side to be manned to receive the captain, +who was just returning from a visit to the flag-ship. + +As he touched his cap to Captain Cascabel, he noticed a smile on his +commander's face, which seemed to relate to him, and he blushed beneath +the pleasant, but expressive glance bestowed upon him. + +"Mr. Somers," said the captain. + +The officer of the deck stepped forward, and saluted the commander +again. + +"You are invited to dine with Admiral Farragut to-morrow afternoon." + +"I, sir!" exclaimed Somers, completely overwhelmed by this remarkable +declaration. + +"Rear Admiral Farragut presents his compliments to Mr. Somers, and would +be happy to see him at dinner to-morrow, on board the Hartford." + +The captain passed on to the companion-way, leading to his cabin, +leaving Somers as bewildered as though he had been invited to dine with +Queen Victoria, Louis Napoleon, and the Emperor of Russia; indeed, he +regarded it as a much greater honor to dine with "Brave Old Salt," than +to put his feet under the mahogany of the mightiest crowned head of the +world. It was evident that somebody had been talking to the admiral +about him; the captain and the first lieutenant of the Chatauqua +certainly felt kindly enough towards him to do so. + +To dine with Admiral Farragut! That was glory enough for a lifetime; or +at least to be deemed worthy of such a distinction. Our friend Somers +was no snob; he "looked up" to great people, especially to those who +were really great. He pretended to no familiarity with his superiors, +though some of the officers were dying with envy at the notice taken of +him by the captain and first lieutenant of the ship. He did not assume +to be familiar with men who had won a deathless fame in defending their +country's cause. Perhaps there was not an officer in the fleet who would +so highly appreciate such a compliment as that of which he was now the +happy recipient. + +When he was relieved from the deck, and went down into the ward-room, +the news had gone before him, and the "idlers" there congratulated him +upon his rising fame. But Somers broke away from them as soon as he +could decently do so, and shut himself up in his state-room. He was +actually dizzy at the idea of sitting down at the table with "Brave Old +Salt" in the cabin of the Hartford; and though he took the cabalistic +note of Mr. Pillgrim from his pocket, at least half an hour was wasted +before he could apply his mind undividedly to the difficult problem +before him. Finally, the hope of making a grand revelation to the +admiral on the morrow fired his zeal to such a pitch that the work +looked like play to him. + +Somers opened the mysterious document and spread it out on the desk, at +which he seated himself. It looked dark and hopeless, with its dots and +dashes, its horizontals and perpendiculars, its curves and crosses. We +present the note in full, that our readers may be able to appreciate the +difficulty of the task he had undertaken. + +[Illustration] + +If Somers had been a student of the occult sciences, he might have been +more hopeful. An hour's hard study brought a gleam of light. He thought +the note must be signed by Langdon. There were seven letters in the +signature. This was his first ray of hope. He then placed all the +letters of the alphabet in a column, and against each made the character +that represented it in the cipher. Six letters were thus interpreted. + +The next step was to place each of the letters thus discovered over its +sign in the note. The second and third words of the epistle then stood, +the eights being for undiscovered letters, as follows: 88nxlo8ond. + +"Ben Lomond!" exclaimed Somers, as he gave a smart rap on the desk to +indicate his joy at the discovery. + +Three more letters were gained, and the oblique cross was only a mark to +divide the words. The three letters before Ben Lomond must be, t h e. +The solution began to be easy, though it required a long time to reach +it. At midnight, when he was called to take the mid watch, he had it +written out as follows:-- + + _Washington, Twentieth of June._ + +_The Ben Lomond is at Mobile, fitting out. Mallory gives you the +command. The forts will be attacked by the first of August. You must get +her out before that time._ + + _LANGDON._ + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE BOAT EXPEDITION. + + +At general quarters, on the following day, Somers looked somewhat +care-worn. It was midnight when he had worked out the solution of the +cipher, and at this hour he had been called to take the mid watch. But +there was no happier or more exultant man in the fleet. His conquest +over the cabalistic letter had confirmed his theory. The Ben Lomond was +not a myth, and she was at Mobile. Pillgrim had expressed a desire to +see Somers again, and there was a fair prospect that he might yet be +able to do so. + +The important event of this day was the dinner with "Brave Old Salt." +But the letter and the dinner seemed to be inseparably connected. Somers +had given the translation to the first lieutenant, who, to the chagrin +and mortification of the persevering student, did not appear to attach +much importance to the letter. + +"If the Tallapoosa, or Ben Lomond, is in the bay, we shall soon have +her," said Mr. Hackleford, "for we are going to make the attack on the +forts within a few days." + +"The attack may fail, and thus afford an opportunity for the cruiser to +come out," suggested Somers. + +"Fail?" + +The third lieutenant of the Chatauqua stood abashed before the look of +his superior. He did not believe that any attack made by Admiral +Farragut could fail, but it was possible for the Confederate steamer to +run the blockade, as hundreds had done before her, especially as she +could steam sixteen knots. + +"I don't think the attack will fail, sir; but even a victory might +afford the Ben Lomond a chance to run out." + +"I don't think there is much chance; but Captain Cascabel has your +solution of the letter under consideration. Perhaps the admiral may have +something to say about it." + +Somers was not satisfied with the reception given to his revelation. He +had already formed a plan for ascertaining where the Ben Lomond was, but +the cool manner in which his communication was received prevented him +from even mentioning it. + +In the afternoon, the captain's gig came up to the accommodation ladder, +and the commander, attended by Somers, seated himself in the +stern-sheets. Captain Cascabel was received with due honors on the +quarter deck of the Hartford, where the gallant admiral was walking at +the time. + +When his superior had been welcomed with dignified cordiality, Captain +Cascabel introduced Somers. The admiral bowed, smiled pleasantly, and +did not look patronizingly upon the young officer, as he might have been +pardoned for doing. As he stood there on the quarter deck of the +flag-ship, he was full of genuine dignity and true manliness--a noble +representative of the American naval commander. He was of medium +stature, well formed, and of elegant proportions. He seemed to be made +of nerves and muscles, and when he moved there was an elastic spring to +his frame, which impressed the observer with the idea of energy and +vigor. He did not appear to stand on the deck, but to be poised +independently in the air, resting on the planks beneath him more because +it was the fashion to do so, than because he had any need of such +support. + +Somers removed his cap, made his best bow, and blushed like a summer +rose. He was deeply impressed by the glance of the admiral, and the +atmosphere around him seemed to be full of the man at whom he gazed in +reverent admiration. + +"Mr. Somers, I am happy to see you," said the admiral, in a tone so +gentle and affable that it seemed to remove the "curse" of greatness far +from him. "I have heard of you before, and I doubt not we shall be able +to make you very useful to your country." + +"Thank you, sir," replied Somers, not daring to say any more, and with +the feeling of his childhood, that "boys ought to be seen, not heard." + +The admiral, with this judicious commendation, turned to Captain +Cascabel, and opened conversation with him, evidently determined not to +spoil the young man by taking too much notice of him. Somers was soon at +home with the officers of the Hartford, and behaved himself with +becoming modesty and discretion. He dined with the admiral, several +other officers of distinction being present. The conversation at the +table, singularly enough, it may appear to our readers, did not relate +to the war, or even to the navy. These topics appeared to be carefully +excluded, though the reserve on this occasion was probably accidental. + +Somers found sufficient pleasure in looking at and listening to the +admiral, and the other distinguished officers, though he was not +ignored, being kindly encouraged, by an occasional question, to use his +voice. But he was not forward, and his very nature prevented him from +indulging in any of that impudent familiarity which is so offensive to +elderly men, especially if they occupy high positions. + +After dinner, a matter of business came up, and it soon appeared that +Captain Cascabel had given the admiral all the particulars relating to +the Ben Lomond, including the letter in cipher, which Somers had +interpreted. The conversation took place in private, with only the three +persons present who were most intimately concerned. The letter was +exhibited, and its solution explained. + +"Mr. Somers, what is your plan? I am informed that you have one," said +the admiral. + +"I have one, sir, but I hardly hope it will merit your approbation," +replied the third lieutenant of the Chatauqua. + +"We will hear it, if you please. By the way, our picket boats report +that a steamer came down the bay this morning, and moored inside the +Middle Ground. It may be the one mentioned in your letter--the +Tallapoosa." + +"Probably it is, sir. She can now only be waiting the arrival of +Lieutenant Pillgrim, who is to command her." + +"We must capture that man. State your plan, Mr. Somers." + +The young officer, with no little trepidation, related the particulars +of the method he had considered for the capture of the Ben Lomond. + +"Very daring and impudent, Mr. Somers," said the admiral, as he glanced +with a meaning smile at Captain Cascabel. + +"Mr. Somers's _forte_ is daring and impudence. But his scheme, besides +being based on mere theory, is absolutely fool-hardy," added the +captain, throwing a whole bucket of cold water on the young officer's +prospects. + +"I do not wholly agree with you, captain. By the report of the picket +boats, there is certainly a sea-going steamer in the bay. That, in a +measure, confirms Mr. Somers's theory. Now, if the vessel is there, the +young man may bring her out if he has the ability to do so." + +"What force do you require, Mr. Somers?" + +"The first cutter of the Chatauqua, and twenty-four men." + +"You shall have them, Mr. Somers," said the admiral. "Instead of the +first cutter, I suggest a whale-boat, which will not be much more than +half as heavy." + +"That would be better, sir," replied Somers, hardly able to conceal the +joy and exultation he felt at the prospect of being permitted to carry +out his plan. + +"Captain, you will permit Mr. Somers to pick his men, and afford him +every facility for the execution of his purpose." + +"I will, with pleasure, sir." + +"When do you wish to begin, Mr. Somers?" asked the admiral. + +"To-night, sir." + +"Very well. The monitors haven't arrived, captain, and it may be a +fortnight before we make the attack on the forts. The steamer may run +out in a fog or storm before that time, and I think we do well to +prevent another Tuscaloosa from preying on the commerce of the country." + +"Undoubtedly, sir, if we can." + +"Mr. Somers's scheme may possibly succeed, though I do not think his +chances of cutting out the steamer are very encouraging." + +"I am afraid not, admiral," answered Captain Cascabel, incredulously. + +"Mr. Somers, your reputation would be seriously damaged by the failure +of your enterprise. Your officers would be more unwilling to trust you +than they are now if you should meet with a disaster." + +"I could not complain. I do not intend to meet with any disaster. If I +do nothing better, I shall bring my men back with me." + +The admiral laughed, and seemed to be pleased with this confidence, +while Captain Cascabel shook his head. + +"Mr. Somers, the risk is very great. You and your men may be prisoners +in Fort Morgan within twenty-four hours. A failure would damage, if not +ruin you. Are you still ready to undertake the work?" asked the admiral. + +"I am, sir." + +"Remember that everything depends upon yourself. My best wishes for your +success go with you." + +Somers needed no better inspiration, and his frame seemed to jerk and +spring like that of Brave Old Salt, when he realized that he was +actually to undertake his cherished purpose. + +The gig pulled back to the Chatauqua, and Somers immediately commenced +his preparations. The cordial indorsement of the admiral was enough to +silence all opposition, and to "put a stopper on the jaw-tackle of all +croakers." He was earnestly seconded by the captain and his officers. In +a short time a light whale-boat was towed up, and made fast to the boom. + +Somers's first duty was to select his crew. He was to engage in a +desperate enterprise, and everything must depend upon the skill and +bravery, as well as the silence and discretion, of his force. The first +person selected was the boatswain, Tom Longstone, who, being better +acquainted with the qualities of the seamen, was intrusted with the +selection of the boat's crew. Just as soon as it was discovered that +some daring enterprise was to be undertaken by the third lieutenant, he +was beset by eager applicants for a place in the boat. Acting ensigns, +masters' mates, midshipmen, indeed, all the officers below Somers in +rank, begged to be appointed. + +The young commander of the expedition was prudent and cautious, and he +accepted the services of none. Tom Longstone was the only officer to +accompany him. The boatswain would obey his orders without asking any +questions, or bothering him with any advice. + +"There, Mr. Somers, I have picked out the twenty-four best men in the +ship--men that will work, fight, and hold their tongues," said Boatswain +Longstone, when he had executed the important trust committed to him. + +"Thank you, boatswain. What do you think of the weather?" + +"It's going to be a nasty night." + +"So much the better. Let every man take his pea-jacket; apply to the +armorer for revolvers and cutlasses for each of them." + +"A howitzer, Mr. Somers?" + +"No; we must go as light as possible," replied Somers, as he proceeded +to instruct the boatswain in regard to certain "slings" and other +rigging that would be wanted. + +Boatswain Longstone did not ask a single question about the nature or +object of the enterprise; and with the exception of the admiral, and the +captain and first lieutenant of the Chatauqua, not a man in the fleet +besides Somers knew "what was up." It was necessary to conduct the +enterprise with the utmost caution and secrecy. + +The boatswain's predictions in regard to the weather proved to be +entirely correct, for at eight bells, when the first watch was set, it +was dark, foggy, and rainy. Somers had calculated upon this weather, +when he had so promptly chosen the time for his venture. It was just the +night for a difficult and dangerous enterprise, and the fog and the +darkness were its best friends. While the boatswain was carrying out the +orders given him, Somers had been engaged at the desk in his state-room, +preparing for use certain papers, including his commander's commission +in the Confederate navy, and his letter of instructions, intended for +the Ben Nevis, or Louisiana. With his knife he scratched, and with his +pen he wrote, until the documents suited his present purpose; and they +were placed in his pocket. + +At two bells--nine o'clock in the evening--while the rain poured down in +torrents, Somers embarked with his force, consisting of Tom Longstone +and twenty-four as athletic and resolute fellows as ever pulled an oar +or handled a cutlass. The whale-boat was crowded, though it was of the +largest size, being thirty feet in length. The oars were carefully +muffled, and the seamen were so disposed that the oarsmen could be +relieved without noise. + +Wrapping his overcoat closely around him, Somers seated himself in the +stern-sheets of the whale-boat, with the boatswain at his side. Though +profoundly impressed by the magnitude and danger of the work in which he +was engaged, he could not help thinking of the changes which had +checkered his lot, since, two years before, he had sat in the first +cutter of the Harrisburg, as an ordinary seaman. Now he was a master, +and in command of the expedition. Tom Longstone had been with him then; +he was with him now. In low tones, they talked of that eventful night, +and of the changes which had occurred since that time. + +Somers was grateful for his advancement, and thanked God that he had +been enabled to perform his duty so as to merit the favor of his +superiors. And in the depths of his heart he asked God to bless his +present exertions for the good of his country. He leaned on the Good +Father even in this exciting hour, and his religious faith was the +strength of his arm. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE PICKET BOAT. + + +Through the deep darkness and the dense fog the boat made its way. There +was not an object to be seen, on ship or shore, to guide its course; and +in front of Somers there was a patent binnacle, whose lights were +reflected on the compass, but did not even soften the gloom without, +into which he continued to gaze with the most anxious solicitude. He had +carefully estimated the currents the whale-boat would encounter, and +calculated the force of the wind, so as to determine her lee-way with +the nicest practicable accuracy. + +The young commander of the expedition hoped to strike a certain point of +the land to the eastward of the fort on Mobile Point, distant five and a +half miles from the ship. Half a mile east or west of the desired point +might involve him in serious if not fatal difficulties, and everything +depended upon the accuracy of his calculations. His early experience as +a boatman at Pinchbrook Harbor was of incalculable service to him, since +nothing can supply the place of actual observation in the making of +such nice estimates as were required for success in the present +instance. + +The rain poured down in torrents, and the sea was rough and uneasy; but +Somers, never for an instant turned aside from the grand object before +him by the discomforts of his situation, watched his compass and closely +observed every motion of the whale-boat. He was fired with zeal, but he +was not excited, for he knew how much depended upon cool judgment and +careful execution of the details of his work. + +"Breakers ahead!" said the bowman, in a low tone; and the words were +passed aft to the officer. + +Breakers were to be expected; and of course Somers was not appalled by +the announcement. The boat dashed on till she reached the broken water; +but the surf on the shore, thrown up by the storm, was absolutely +fearful. A stunning roar broke upon the ears of the young officer as the +frail craft approached the foaming billows that shattered themselves on +the beach. + +"That's a heavy surf, Mr. Somers," said Tom Longstone. + +"So much the better," replied the officer, cheerfully. + +"This whale-boat will not be much better than a cockle-shell in that +surf." + +"She will go through it, if she is well handled." + +"Ay, ay, sir; of course she will." + +"The rebels will not expect a boat to land in such a surf and on such a +night. We shall not be expected," replied Somers, in a loud tone, for +whispers and soft speech could not be heard above the roar of the +billows. + +The commander of the expedition stood up in the stern-sheets, and +attempted to penetrate the gloom and fog in the direction of the beach; +but neither sight nor sound of the shore could be obtained. To plunge +through that boiling surf upon a rebel battery or an artillery company, +would be a sad conclusion of the night's work; but even this must be +risked, for it was not possible to obtain a single item of information +in regard to the surroundings on shore. + +"Oars!" shouted Somers, when he had completed his unsatisfactory survey +shoreward, and there was not the slightest danger of his order being +heard by an enemy beyond the thundering roll of the sea. "Hold water!" + +The onward progress of the boat was stopped. + +"Back the starboard, pull the port oars!" added the officer, who had now +taken the management of the boat out of the hands of the coxswain. +"Oars!" he continued, when the boat was turned so as to head directly +from the shore. + +"Now, my lads, pull steady, and mind the orders promptly," said the +confident young officer. "There's a heavy surf; but if you pull strong, +and mind quick, we shall be through it in a moment." + +"Ay, ay, sir!" responded the blue-jackets. + +"Stern, all!" continued Somers, when he had carefully observed the sweep +of the last wave. + +The oarsmen backed water, and the boat moved towards the shore, stern +foremost. In a moment she was lifted up by a great billow and swept +furiously towards the beach. + +"Steady!" said Somers, gazing forward over the heads of the men, +watching the approach of the next foam-crested wave. + +The men were entirely cool, and their iron muscles held the boat under +perfect control. A huge roller was coming in, fiercely, rapidly, at +double or triple the speed of the whale-boat, and the first great peril +of the surf was at hand. + +The danger was, as our inexperienced readers may not understand, that +the stern of the boat, suddenly struck by the swift-flying wave, would +be lifted high in air, and the bow forced under; or that the boat would +broach to, and be rolled over in the sea. In either case the boat would +be swamped, and eventually be stove on the beach. Somers saw one of +these rushing billows coming down with frightful velocity upon the +whale-boat. + +"Oars!" cried he; and the men ceased backing her. + +"Give way!" he added, with an energy which was at once communicated to +the muscles of the men; and they pulled steadily, as a well-disciplined +crew always does, but with a firmness and strength which caused the boat +to dart forward towards the savage roller. + +She met the billow; her bow rose upon it; she passed over without being +ingulfed by it. + +"Oars! Hold water! Stern, all!" continued the young officer; and again +the whale-boat moved towards the shore. + +The manoeuvre described was repeated several times, until the boat had +passed through the surf, and struck heavily on the sandy beach. The men +in the bow were then ordered to jump into the water; and as the forward +part was thus lightened, the successive rollers bore the boat farther +and farther upon the beach, until the whole crew were landed. The first +step of the expedition had been safely accomplished. + +Somers ordered the men to haul up the boat high and dry upon the beach. +There was not a person to be seen, or a sound to be heard, which +indicated the presence of an enemy. The young officer had now to prove +the correctness of his calculations, for as yet he knew not upon what +portion of the point he had landed. A careful survey of the ground was +therefore immediately to be made. It was necessary to have assistance in +this; and Somers selected two first-class firemen, very intelligent men, +machinists and engineers, who were in training for situations in +government ships. They had been brought to work the engine of the Ben +Lomond, if, fortunately, she were captured. + +Tom Longstone was left in charge of the boat and crew, and the two +firemen followed the commander of the expedition, who moved towards the +north. When he had proceeded a short distance, he explained to his +companions his object. + +"About an eighth of a mile from the beach," said he, "there is a creek, +which widens into a little bay. I wish to find this creek; it will lead +us into Mobile Bay. Conant, you will go east, and, Wade, you will go +west. You must be very careful, or you will lose your way. You will not +go more than half a mile, as nearly as you can judge, in either +direction. If you find it, return to the beach, and take notice of the +best way to reach it." + +The firemen parted, and Somers moved forward himself. He did not find +the creek in the direction he had chosen, and returned to the beach, +after a search of about an hour. Wade was there before him; but Conant +had not yet made his appearance, though he did not long delay the +expedition. + +"I have found it, sir," said Conant, when he returned. "It lies in this +direction:" he pointed to the north-east. "It isn't a quarter of a mile +distant; but I had some difficulty in finding a good path." + +"Did you see anybody, or anything?" + +"Nothing, sir." + +The whale-boat was then turned over; each man took off his pea-jacket, +rolled it up, and put it on his shoulder. The boat was then lifted up, +and placed on the shoulders of the sailors, the garment acting as a +cushion to support the weight, without injury to the bearers. After a +great many trials and difficulties incident to the darkness of the night +and the character of the ground, the creek was reached, and the +whale-boat launched. Unfortunately, the water was very shallow, and even +the light draught of the boat was too great for rapid progress, though +by various expedients this obstacle was overcome, and the expedition +reached the mouth of the creek at about half past twelve o'clock in the +morning. + +Somers was entirely dependent upon his memory and the compass for +sailing directions; and the careful study he had made of the navigation +of the bay enabled him to move with considerable confidence. The creek +disembogued in a nearly landlocked bay, whose comparatively still waters +were passed, and the boat began to be tossed by the waves of the broad +bay. + +Heading his craft to the westward, he bade the men give way with a will. +Encouraged by the manner in which all obstacles had thus far been +overcome, they were ready and willing subjects. After pulling about +three miles, the rougher sea and the depth of water which the bowman had +continually reported, assured Somers that he must have reached the +Middle Ground, where vessels bound out usually came to anchor when +subjected to any delay. The Ben Lomond, if she was in the bay, could not +be far distant; but the fog and darkness prevented him from seeing a +ship's length ahead. + +"Can you see anything, Mr. Longstone?" asked the young commander, who +felt that he was now in the midst of the greatest obstacles to the +success of his mission. + +"I can't see anything," replied the boatswain; "but I think I hear +something. There, sir! Two bells just struck in a vessel dead ahead." + +"I see her," said the bowman. "It's a rebel iron-clad!" + +"She's an ugly customer. I don't want anything of her," said Somers, as +he ordered the boat to go about, and headed her to the north-east. + +"Boat ahead, sir!" reported the bowman. + +"Speak out, man!" said the commander. "I am not afraid of being seen +now. Where away is she?" + +"On the port quarter, sir." + +"Starboard, coxswain," continued Somers. + +In a few moments the dark outline of the boat was seen in the water, and +the coxswain was directed to steer towards her. Somers was fully +committed now, and intended to carry himself through by impudence and +audacity. He was in the midst of the rebel fleet to be used for the +defence of the bay. He knew that the waters around him were patrolled +by picket boats, and he doubted not the craft before him was one of +them. He could not find the Ben Lomond readily, and probably the officer +of this boat would know her position. + +"Boat ahoy!" he shouted. + +"In the boat!" was the reply. + +"Oars! Hold water!" + +"What boat is that?" demanded the officer of the rebel party. + +"My boat," replied Somers, rather irregularly. + +"Who are you?" + +"John Pillgrim, commander in the Confederate navy, appointed to the +steamer Tallapoosa." + +"Ah," responded the officer. "You were expected before." + +"Couldn't come before," replied Somers, with perfect assurance. "Where +is the Tallapoosa? I have been beating about here in the fog these two +hours, trying to find her." + +"She lies about half a mile to the northward and eastward." + +"Thank you; I shall find her. Please report me to Admiral Buchanan, and +say I shall run out immediately." + +"It's a good night for it. I beg your pardon, Captain Pillgrim; have you +a pass?" + +"A what?" demanded Somers, as if astonished at the request. + +"A pass." + +"No; where should I get a pass, or what should I want one for?" + +"Excuse me, but my orders are very strict. I cannot let a boat or vessel +pass me without the proper papers." + +"What papers do you want?" + +"Simply a pass." + +"I have no pass." + +"I shall be obliged to detain you, then." + +"No, you won't!" answered Somers, indignantly. "Here it is one o'clock +in the morning. I ought to have been over the bar by this time." + +"I can't help it, Captain Pillgrim; my orders are imperative," pleaded +the picket officer. + +"Well, if you can't help it, I can. I may not have such another night as +this for a month." + +"I shall not detain you half an hour. The Tallapoosa has steam up, and +is only waiting for her commander and the balance of her crew." + +"How many men has she on board?" asked Somers, somewhat startled. + +"About forty, besides the firemen." + +"I have the balance. It is all right." + +"Pardon me, if I persist. I must see your papers." + +"I have no pass; but I will show you my commission and my orders from +the secretary of the navy." + +"Those will answer." + +The boat was laid alongside, and by the light of a lantern the officer +glanced at Somers's commission and orders. He pronounced them all right, +and the expedition was permitted to proceed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE BEN LOMOND. + + +"That's a bold step, Mr. Somers," said Tom Longstone, as the whale-boat +dashed on towards the intended prize. + +"If it were less bold, it would be more dangerous," replied Somers, +easily; for he entered so fully into the spirit of the affair, that he +felt quite at home, and was hardly disturbed by a doubt of final +success. + +"Where is Mr. Pillgrim now?" asked the boatswain. + +"I haven't the least idea; but I think he cannot be far off." + +"You left him at Fortress Monroe?" + +"Yes; he had started for the South then, to take command, I suppose, of +this vessel. The traitor's plan was to come down on the Chatauqua, and +then bring out this vessel perhaps, on the pretence of capturing her. At +any rate, he was going to use his official position in the navy to help +him get the Tallapoosa out of the bay, and past the blockading squadron. +If not, he would not have gone in her, and thus wasted so much of his +valuable time. I wish I knew where he is now." + +"Perhaps it don't make much difference." + +"I am afraid it will make considerable difference. Suppose the traitor +has been on board the Ben Lomond?" + +"The what?" + +"The Tallapoosa; they have changed her name. Keep a sharp lookout +forward for the ship, bowman." + +"Ay, ay, sir! I can't see a thing yet." + +"Suppose he has been on board, Mr. Somers?" continued the boatswain. + +"If he has, we may have to fight for the vessel." + +"Well, we can do that," replied Tom, as he involuntarily grasped his +cutlass. + +"He has forty men aboard of her now, besides the firemen and +coal-heavers." + +"Our boys wouldn't mind forty of them." + +"I should not hesitate to attack her, but the noise would wake up the +rebel iron clads and gunboats. We must get the vessel without fighting. +I don't believe Pillgrim has been on board of her. If he had, that +picket officer would have known that I am not the man. I'm not going to +croak about the business, though. In my opinion it will be all right." + +"Of course the Tallapoosa is in charge of some one." + +"All her officers are on board, except the commander, we were told." + +"Some of them may know Mr. Pillgrim," suggested the boatswain, who had +more fears for his young commander than the latter had for himself. + +"Mr. Pillgrim has been in the North, and in England since the war began. +I am of the opinion that those on board do not know him." + +"Suppose they do?" + +"I shall put them under arrest if they refuse to obey my orders." + +"You are smart, Mr. Somers," said Tom, who chuckled over the adroitness +of his _protege_, even while he trembled for his safety and success. + +"Steamer ahead, sir!" reported the bowman. + +"Where does she lie?" + +"On the starboard bow, sir!" + +"Port a little," said Somers. "Now, my men, you will obey orders and +keep silent. Answer no questions which may be put to you." + +"Ay, ay, sir," responded the crew, cheerfully; for though they seemed to +be knocking at the door of a rebel prison, they had full confidence in +their gallant young leader. + +Perhaps some of them "had their doubts," for four and twenty men are +hardly ever gathered together, among whom there are not more or less who +are disposed to grumble, and croak, and imagine possible disasters. +Within the rebel lines, surrounded by Confederate vessels, and on the +point of confronting superior numbers, it would not have been +surprising if these men had been rather uncertain of the future. +Whatever doubts or fears they had, they believed in Somers. + +"My lads," continued the commander of the expedition, in a low tone, +"you are rebel sailors for an hour or so. You will talk and act as such. +Do you understand me?" + +"Ay, ay, sir." + +"You will call me Captain Pillgrim." + +The men had listened to the conversation between their officer and the +pickets, and they comprehended enough of the plan to enable them to act +intelligently. + +"Tom," said Somers, "there is nothing to prevent me from acting just as +Mr. Pillgrim would do, if he were in my place." + +"That's so." + +"I could go to sea in this steamer, and plunder all the vessels I could +overhaul." + +"So you could," replied the boatswain, who seemed to be amazed even at +such a suggestion. + +"I'm not sure that I am not carrying out the very plan which the traitor +had in his mind. Perhaps he intended to do just what I have done, when +he reached the blockading station." + +"Very likely." + +"Then I shall be Mr. Pillgrim, and carry out his purpose to the letter; +only, when we get out of the bay I shall do rather differently from what +he intended." + +"Boat ahoy!" shouted a man at the gangway of the Ben Lomond. + +"On board the Tallapoosa!" replied Somers. + +"Keep off," said the man, who seemed to be the officer of the deck. "Who +are you?" + +"Commander John Pillgrim, Confederate States navy, and captain of this +ship." + +"Man the side, you lubbers!" added the boatswain, rather improving on +the suggestion of Somers, given him at this moment. + +"Captain Pillgrim?" said the officer of the deck. + +"I said so. Is the ship ready to sail?" + +"She is, sir; we have kept steam up all day, waiting for you." + +"Good! You are the right officers for me. I commend you," replied +Somers, as he mounted the accommodation ladder. + +The pretended commander went up the side, closely followed by Longstone +and a dozen of the sailors, and stepped down upon the deck. + +"I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance, I believe," added Somers, +confronting the officer. + +"Mr. Swayne, second lieutenant, sir," replied the officer. "Mr. Langdon +is below, sir. I will send for him." + +Langdon! It was all up with Somers! Langdon knew him, had dined with +him, had been intimate with him, and of course it would be useless to +attempt to pass himself off as Mr. Pillgrim. + +"Stop, sir!" said Somers, sternly, and with great presence of mind. +"When did Mr. Langdon come on board?" + +"Nearly a week ago, sir, when the rest of us did." + +"Indeed!" added Somers, savagely. "Mr. Langdon and myself have a little +account to settle. He has disobeyed my orders, and I never will go to +sea with such a man as executive officer. Mr. Swayne, for the present +you will act as first lieutenant. I shall put Mr. Langdon under arrest +at once." + +"Here he comes, sir." + +"Mr. Longstone, you will arrest the first lieutenant at once; put him in +irons if he resists," said Somers, as he saw Langdon come up the +companion-way. + +The stalwart boatswain confronted the astonished officer, as he +approached the spot where Somers stood with the second lieutenant. + +"By order of Captain Pillgrim, you are placed under arrest," said Tom, +as, with a couple of seamen, he placed himself in front of the executive +officer. + +"Under arrest?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"What for?" + +"For disobedience of orders." + +"By whose command?" demanded the bewildered Langdon. + +"Captain Pillgrim's, sir?" + +"Impossible!" + +"I beg your pardon, sir, but the captain told me to lose no time. He is +going to sea at once." + +"Is Captain Pillgrim on board?" + +"Of course he is. I just came off with him. He ordered me to arrest +you." + +"Who are you, sir?" + +"Blarney, sir!" exclaimed the boatswain, impatiently; "I can't stop--" + +"Mr. Blarney, will you do me the favor to ask Captain Pillgrim for a +moment's conversation with me. There must be some mistake, Mr. Blarney." + +"Can't stop, sir," answered Tom, who could not even pause long enough to +laugh at the rebel's blunder. "My orders are to put you in irons if you +resist. What do you say, Mr. Langdon?" + +"Of course I do not resist; but there is some mistake." + +"No mistake, upon my honor. You may take my word for it, the business is +all straight." + +"With what am I charged?" + +"With disobedience of orders; and, Mr. Langdon, you'll excuse me, but +there's a suspicion that you mean to go over to the Yankees." + +"I! To the Yankees!" + +"Beg pardon, sir; but I can't stop to blarney any longer. My duty is +plain; and I'll bet a month's pay you will see the captain sooner than +you want to. Down below if you please, sir, to your state-room." + +Langdon obeyed in dogged silence. No doubt he much wondered who the +rough fellow was that subjected him to this summary treatment. But the +salutary hint about irons seemed to satisfy him, and when he had gone +into his room, the door was closed, and a seaman placed before it. +Longstone returned to the deck, touched his cap politely to Somers, and +reported his orders executed. + +"Mr. Swayne, you will call all hands," said the new commander of the +Tallapoosa, when his dangerous first lieutenant had been secured. + +The boatswain of the steamer piped all hands, among whom the seamen from +the Chatauqua mingled, and made themselves entirely at home. + +"Mr. Swayne, will you do me the favor to read my commission to the +crew," said Somers, handing him the document which he had carefully +"tinkered" to suit the present occasion. + +Tom Longstone held the lantern, and the acting first lieutenant promptly +complied with the request of the assumed commander. The document +proclaimed that John Pillgrim was duly invested with authority as a +commander in the Confederate navy, and was duly signed by "S. R. +Mallory," though whether that distinguished rebel functionary had +actually issued the paper or not, Somers was himself as ignorant as the +others who listened to the reading. + +From his orders Somers then read enough to satisfy any who might be in +doubt of his appointment to the Tallapoosa, which name he had +substituted for that of Ben Nevis, as it read on the original document, +given him by Langdon, _alias_ Lieutenant Wynkoop. + +"Are you satisfied, Mr. Swayne?" asked the commander, when he had +finished the document. + +"Entirely so, Captain Pillgrim," replied the first lieutenant. + +If he had not been satisfied, probably he would have been put under +arrest as summarily as his superior had been a few moments before. With +such an energetic captain, it was lucky for him he was satisfied! +Perhaps Mr. Swayne was duly and properly impressed by the decided +character of his commander, and deemed it prudent to raise no +objections. + +"Are you satisfied, gentlemen?" asked Somers, turning to the little +group of officers. + +Fortunately for them, and perhaps for Somers too, they were also +satisfied. + +"My lads," continued the courteous but decisive captain, "you have +listened to my commission, and you have listened to my orders." + +Somers paused, and the two first-class firemen from the Chatauqua +started a demonstration of applause which was a complete success. + +"My lads, I am going out to take a look at the Yankee fleet, to-night," +he proceeded. + +Applause. + +"I am a fighting man." + +More applause. + +"That Yankee fleet will not stop me!" added Somers, with enthusiasm. + +"That's so!" shouted one of the first-class firemen, who had a high +appreciation of a good joke; and his remark was followed by a storm of +applause. + +"I repeat, my lads, the Yankee fleet will not stop me. I shall pay my +respects to the Yankee admiral down there before the sun rises." + +Tumultuous applause. + +"Now, my lads, I mean just what I say, and I say just what I mean. I +command this ship, and every man on board obeys me. I am going through +the Yankee fleet; will you go with me?" + +"Ay, ay, sir!" roared the crew; and the voices of the Chatauqua's people +were prominent in the reply. + +"Will you go where I lead you?" + +"Ay, ay, sir." + +"Very likely I shall send you upon the deck of the heaviest man-of-war +in the Yankee squadron; but I will go with you." + +"Bully for the captain!" shouted the enthusiastic first-class fireman, +which remark was indorsed and approved by the crew in general. + +"What an awful fellow he is!--a regular fire-eater," whispered Mr. +Swayne to Tom Longstone. + +"He will do all he says he will," replied the boatswain. + +"Will he board a Yankee frigate?" + +"It's like him; but he is as prudent as he is brave." + +"Now, my lads, to your duty. We shall get under way at once, and I want +every man to be true to God and his country," continued Somers. + +"Three cheers for the captain!" shouted the fireman; and they were given +with a will, as Somers walked aft. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +RUNNING THE BLOCKADE. + + +"Mr. Swayne, you will get the ship under way at once," said Somers, as +he turned from the crew, and walked aft. + +The first lieutenant gave his orders, and the crew were soon walking +round the capstan. The officers of the Tallapoosa had certainly used +their time to advantage, for the crew was well disciplined, though the +twenty-four petty officers and seamen from the Chatauqua were the spice +of every movement. + +"Where is the pilot, Mr. Swayne?" asked Somers. + +"We have one on board, sir. He berths in the steerage. Shall I send for +him, Captain Pillgrim?" + +"If you please, do so." + +A master's mate was ordered to find the pilot. + +"Is he up to his business?" continued Somers, to whom the pilotage of +the vessel was of the last importance. + +"Yes, sir; he is the best pilot in these waters. He has taken out a +great many vessels on worse nights than this." + +"I could take the vessel out myself, so far as that is concerned," said +Somers, nervously. "Does he know how to get through the obstructions?" + +"O, yes, sir; he is perfectly familiar with everything about the bay." + +"And the channel is full of those infernal torpedoes." + +"It is, sir; but the pilot knows exactly where every one of them is +located. We are in no danger from them; but they will blow the Yankee +fleet sky high when they attempt to come up, as they probably will in a +short time." + +"So I understand." + +"There will be fun here in a few days," added Mr. Swayne, rubbing his +hands with delight, as he contemplated the destruction of the naval +force gathered on the other side of the bar for the demonstration. + +"The admiral down there is no joker," suggested Somers. "He won't feel +his way, and then back out." + +"It would be better for him if he did. Admiral Buchanan is his equal in +every respect. With his ram he will stave in every wooden ship in the +fleet. His monitors will be blown up on the torpedoes." + +"I hope the affair will come out right," said Somers, rather +indefinitely. + +"It will; you may depend upon it, captain. Whoever is here when the +thing is done will see the greatest smash-up that has happened since the +war began." + +"I hope so," replied Somers. "But suppose Admiral Farragut should run by +the forts." + +"He can't do it; the thing is utterly impossible. The torpedoes will +sink his monitors--they are like lead, and if you shake them up a +little, they will plump down on the bottom like a solid shot. His wooden +vessels, even if he gets by the fort,--which can't be done,--would be +all chawed up in half an hour by the ram Tennessee." + +"Anchor apeak, sir!" shouted Boatswain Longstone, who was doing duty as +second lieutenant. + +"Captain Column, the pilot, sir," said the first lieutenant, presenting +a person who had been waiting a moment at his side. + +"I am happy to see you, Captain Column;" and Somers took his hand. + +"Thank you, sir," replied the pilot, who was evidently astonished at the +degree of intimacy with which the commander condescended to treat him. + +Already the new captain had won a hard reputation abaft the mainmast. +His stern and decisive measures with Langdon had been privately +discussed among the officers, and it was the unanimous opinion that they +had "caught a Tartar." + +"Well, Captain Column, have you got your weather eye open? This is a +dark and foggy night." + +"Wide open, sir," replied the pilot, cheerfully; for Somers's cordial +greeting had already produced a good effect upon him. "The darker and +foggier the better, captain, for such a job as this. But there are so +many Yankee ships outside, you can hardly get clear of them without a +shot or two." + +"O, I don't mind that, if you can get us well over the torpedoes, and +through the obstructions." + +"The obstructions are not of much account, and as for the torpedoes, I +could put my hand on every one of them with my eyes shut." + +"Good; but I don't want you to put your hand or my ship on them." + +"Certainly not, captain," laughed the pilot. "I know how to keep clear +of them." + +"That will suit me better. The ship is in your hands, Captain Column." + +A quartermaster from the Chatauqua was placed at the wheel, and when the +anchor was heaved up, the Tallapoosa started on her course. Her wheels +began to turn very slowly at first, and before she had gathered any +headway, a boat touched at her side. + +"Boat alongside, Captain Pillgrim," reported Mr. Swayne. + +"What boat?" + +"I don't know, sir." + +"I have no more time to waste; keep the ship moving." + +As the Tallapoosa gathered headway, a gentleman, clothed in naval +uniform, stepped on the rail from the accommodation ladder. When he had +reached this point, he stopped and looked down at the boat. + +"Stop the steamer!" shouted he, in tones of authority; and to those who +had heard it before there was no mistaking that voice. + +It was Pillgrim, without a doubt! Somers was vexed and disappointed at +this accident, which threatened to overthrow all his plans; but he +promptly decided to treat him as he had Langdon. + +"See what he wants," said the commander to Swayne, "but don't let the +ship be delayed a single instant." + +"Stop the steamer!" shouted Pillgrim, with a volley of oaths, because +his first order had not been heeded. "Stop the steamer, or you will +swamp my gig!" + +"Your business, sir, if you please," said Swayne, stepping up to him. + +"Don't you hear what I say?" replied Pillgrim, angrily. "Stop the +steamer." + +"It can't be done, sir." + +"Can't be done!" gasped the traitor. "It can and shall be done." + +"Who are you, sir, that step upon this deck in that overbearing manner?" +demanded the first lieutenant, roused by the tones and the manner of the +new comer. + +"I'll let you know who I am. Where is Langdon?" + +"None of your business where he is," said Swayne, spunkily. "What do you +want here?" + +"You shall soon know what I want here!" + +Pillgrim was boiling over with passion at the rough reception given him +by his officers on board his own ship. He was disposed to be even more +stern and severe in his discipline than Somers had been. + +"Who are you?" demanded Swayne. + +"None of your business who I am, if you don't know; but I will soon +bring you to your senses," roared Pillgrim, as he leaped down upon the +deck, and with the step of a conqueror moved aft towards the wheel. + +"Halt, sir!" said Mr. Swayne, placing himself in front of the stranger; +for he was roused to a high pitch of anger and excitement by the +unwarrantable conduct of the interloper. "You can go no farther on this +deck, sir, till you explain who and what you are." + +Somers stood where he could see without being seen; for his presence on +the deck of the Ben Lomond would have explained to Pillgrim the reason +for his uncourteous reception. He quietly sent the two firemen and a +couple of seamen to the assistance of Mr. Swayne. + +"I am the captain of this ship," replied Pillgrim, who found it +necessary to make this statement. + +"The man is crazy," muttered Swayne. + +"You understand me now," growled Pillgrim. "Stop the ship!" + +"I think not, sir," replied Swayne, coolly; and he evidently regarded +the claim of the stranger in the light of a joke, or as the whim of a +maniac. + +"You think not!" gasped Pillgrim, roused almost to madness by this cool +disregard of his authority. "I'll have you in irons in three minutes, +you scoundrel." + +"There, sir, I have heard enough of this!" said Swayne. "No man uses +such language as that to me with impunity." + +"I tell you I am the commander of this steamer," added Pillgrim, who +doubtless felt that the epithet he had used was unbecoming an officer +and a gentleman. + +"I don't care what you are. If your boat is alongside, you will go into +it, in double quick time." + +Pillgrim began to storm again, shouted to the pilot to stop the steamer, +and behaved in the most violent manner. Mr. Swayne's patience was +totally exhausted, and he ordered the seamen who stood near him to +arrest the interloper. A sharp struggle ensued, in which Pillgrim was +overpowered, and was held fast by the stout tars of the Chatauqua. + +The first lieutenant then explained to the captain what had passed, and +what he had done. + +"Put him in irons!" said Somers, decidedly. + +"Who is he, captain?" + +"It matters not who he is. No man can behave in that manner on board of +this ship." + +Swayne executed his orders to the letter, and the traitor, in spite of +his struggles, in spite of his explanations and appeals, was put in +irons on the quarter deck of his own ship. He was carried below, and put +in a state-room, which was guarded by Conant, who had orders to shoot +him if he did not keep quiet. + +In the mean time, the Ben Lomond,--for Somers, in strict accordance with +the subsequent "ruling" of Mr. Seward, refused to recognize the vessel +by any other than her original name, calling her the Tallapoosa only in +the presence of the rebels,--the Ben Lomond, under the skilful guidance +of the pilot, was slowly making her way out of the bay. A quartermaster +had been stationed in the fore-chains when the steamer got under way, to +take the soundings, which seemed to be the pilot's principal reliance in +the difficult duty he had undertaken. Captain Column had placed himself +on the port rail, just abaft the foremast, and the steering directions +were sent aft through a line of officers to the helmsman. + +"By the deep four," sang the quartermaster in the chains. + +"Steady!" said the pilot. "Keep her sou'-west by west, half west." + +"Steady!" responded the quartermaster at the wheel. "Sou'-west by west, +half west." + +"By the mark five!" said the leadsman, a little later. + +"We are getting into deep water," said Somers. + +"Yes, sir; we shall deepen till we get seven fathoms." + +"And a half five!" came from the chains. "By the deep six." + +The pilot went on the bridge, and taking the cord attached to the +whistle of the engine, made a signal, consisting of several blasts, with +irregular intervals between them. A heavy bell on shore sounded several +times in answer to the signal. + +"All right," said the pilot. "I know exactly where I am." + +"By the deep six!" called the leadsman. + +The pilot repeated the signal with the whistle, which was answered from +the shore by the bell. + +"Quarter less seven!" + +"It is all going right, captain," said the pilot to Somers, who stood on +the bridge with him. + +"By the mark seven!" + +"Hard a port!" shouted the pilot, as he gazed into the binnacle on the +bridge. + +"Hard a port!" repeated the line of officers, till the order was +returned by the wheelman. + +"Steady!" said the pilot. + +"Mark under water seven!" cried the quartermaster in the chains. + +"Keep her south by west," added the pilot. + +"South by west!" returned the wheelman. + +"This course will bring us into the midst of the Yankee fleet in about +twenty minutes," said Captain Column. + +"I'm not at all afraid of the Yankee fleet," replied Somers. + +"I'm not afraid of anything else," laughed the pilot. + +"Where are the torpedoes?" + +"Between us and Fort Morgan, which is only about a third of a mile +distant, on our beam." + +"And the obstructions?" + +"We have passed them; they are of no account. Captain, I think all your +troubles are yet to come," said the pilot, as he glanced ahead. + +"Why so?" + +"If we should happen to plump into one of those monitors, a fifteen inch +shot would finish this craft in less time than it would take to read a +man's epitaph." + +"I have prepared for all such accidents. The Yankees will not fire on +me." + +"No?" exclaimed the pilot, wonderingly. + +"I think you don't know me." + +"I heard the first lieutenant say you were coming down here in one of +the Yankee ships." + +"I did." + +"Did you, though?" + +"We will come to anchor, pilot, when we get within hail of the Yankee +squadron." + +"Come to anchor, sir?" + +"Certainly; come to anchor, until the fog clears off, or we can get a +little daylight. I don't want much." + +"Well, that beats me!" ejaculated Captain Column. + +"I shall hoist The Yankee flag over the Confederate; then the Yankees +will think this ship is a prize, and will not fire into her." + +"That beats me!" repeated the pilot. + +"I came down here in a Yankee man-of-war, and I made the arrangements +for carrying this thing through before I left her." + +"O, yes, I see!" laughed Captain Column. "You are playing them a Yankee +trick." + +"Exactly so!" + +"Capital! capital!" exclaimed the pilot. + +Fifteen minutes later, the Ben Lomond came to anchor under the lee of +Sand Island, to wait for a favorable time to continue her voyage. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +A YANKEE TRICK. + + +The rebel officers and crew of the Ben Lomond were greatly astonished +when the order was given to let go the anchor. They were not in a +condition to appreciate the policy of stopping the wheels, and waiting +for daylight within hail of the blockading squadron, reenforced as it +had been for the attack on the forts; but as the captain had the +reputation of being a perfect tiger, a fire-eater of the most ravenous +sort, they did not venture to grumble or make any complaints. + +Captain Column, the pilot, chuckled, and declared it was all right; the +commander knew what he was about, and would get the steamer out of the +scrape without even a shot from the Yankee men-of-war. + +Somers had kept up his dignity and maintained his self-possession in the +exciting scenes through which he had just passed; but it must not be +thought that he was as easy in mind as he appeared to be. Every moment +had been burdened with its own peculiar anxiety. The least slip, the +slightest accident, would expose him and his brave followers to great +peril, if not to capture and death. He had won the day thus far by the +mere force of impudence and self-possession; but it was not without a +fear of failure, disgrace, and captivity. + +But everything, up to this time, had worked admirably. He had met and +successfully turned aside the obstacles which beset him; and when the +Ben Lomond came to anchor, the prospect looked more hopeful than at any +previous hour. It was now about two o'clock in the morning. As there was +nothing to do, he devoted an hour to an examination of the vessel, which +had been fitted up at Mobile as a rebel cruiser. She had a heavy rifled +pivot gun amidships, and four broadside guns, and was in every respect +well provided for the work in which she was to engage. + +She was a vessel of about four hundred tons measurement, long, narrow, +and very sharp. Her rig was that of a topsail schooner, and her +smoke-stack raked with her masts. She was a beautiful craft, and no +labor or expense had been spared to make her the fastest and most +elegant vessel afloat. + +Even in the darkness, Somers could see enough of her shape and fittings +to excite his admiration. He passed from the spar deck to the berth +deck, where everything was in keeping with her appearance above. The +ward-room was small, but it was comfortable and well arranged, and the +captain's cabin was fitted up like that of a royal yacht. Probably Mr. +Pillgrim had spent some of his own money on these arrangements before +she left the Clyde; but what contributed distinctly to make her a war +steamer had been done after her arrival at Mobile. + +Somers was delighted with the arrangements of the prize, and as he +examined the commander's cabin, he could not help envying the man who +was permitted to occupy this sumptuous and convenient apartment; that +is, if the stars and stripes floated at the peak above him, for he would +rather have been a coal-heaver in a loyal ship, than in command of the +Ben Lomond under the flag of the Confederacy. + +Mr. Swayne had conducted Somers over the vessel, and pointed out to him +those features which were most worthy of notice. + +"She is a splendid vessel," said the young commander, as they paused in +the ward-room. + +"Yes, sir; I am but too happy in being appointed to such a ship. If we +only get clear of the Yankee squadron, we shall give a good account of +her." + +"We shall have no quarrel with the Yankee ships," replied Somers, as he +led the way to the spar deck again, for he was not disposed, just yet, +to let Pillgrim and Langdon, who were confined there, hear his voice. + +"Captain Pillgrim, you seem to be more confident on this point than your +officers," replied Swayne, in a gentle tone, which more than insinuated +that he would like to know more of the commander's plans. + +Somers was very anxious that he should know more of them, so as to +prevent any suspicions which his subsequent course might excite. + +"From what point did you expect me to come, before my arrival?" asked +Somers. + +"I had no idea. Mr. Langdon seemed to be familiar with all your +movements, but he did not say much about them. He did remark, at one +time, that you were coming down as second lieutenant of one of the +Yankee men-of-war." + +"Did he, indeed? Well, he was a prudent man, and he will have his reward +within a few days. Did he really say that?" + +"He did." + +"I was deceived in him; he was not to be trusted. I placed every +confidence in him. What else did he tell you?" asked Somers, artfully. + +"Nothing else, sir. He said more to me than to any other officer, and +hardly anything to me." + +"He has betrayed me." + +"He told only me that you were to come in a Yankee man-of-war." + +"Yes, he did; the pilot knew it--spoke to me of it; and very likely +every man in the ship has the news. But, Mr. Swayne, the statement was +true." + +"Mr. Langdon afterwards contradicted it, and said you were in Richmond, +and were coming down by land." + +"Probably he thought he had made a blunder. I did come down in the +Yankee ship, the Chatauqua. I am third lieutenant of her, not second. I +was sent off by the captain, at my own suggestion, of course, to bring +out this vessel. I have done it--haven't I?" + +"You have," laughed Swayne. "Then you are expected by the Yankees?" + +"Of course I am." + +The first lieutenant of the Ben Lomond indulged in a laugh highly +complimentary to the skill and cleverness of his commander. Somers +laughed with him. It was an excellent joke to both parties, though, like +the Druid shield, it was seen from different points of view. + +"Capital!" exclaimed Mr. Swayne, when he had evaporated the foam of his +mirth. + +"If the fog clears off, I shall let up some rockets, which will prevent +the Yankees from firing at us. You understand?" + +"I see, sir: you have the Yankee signals?" chuckled Mr. Swayne. + +"Every one of them. No doubt they are on the lookout for me in every +ship in the squadron." + +"Excellent, Captain Pillgrim. This is, by all odds, the best joke of the +season." + +"Now, Mr. Swayne, you will hoist the Yankee flag over the Confederate." + +"I don't like to do that, captain," added Mr. Swayne, with a burst of +patriotic enthusiasm. + +"For a purpose, Mr. Swayne. Of course, when the men-of-war see that flag +over the other, they will not fire. We shall run through the squadron, +as though we belonged to it; and then--well, you will see what you will +see." + +"Exactly so!" exclaimed Mr. Swayne, who seemed to enjoy the prospect +exceedingly, even independent of his desire to flatter and "toady" to +his commander. + +The flags were hoisted as Somers directed, and the "captain" for a +couple of hours planked the deck in silence, impatiently waiting for the +fog to lift, or for the daylight to come. It was his policy to anchor, +because he was fearful that the steamer would run by the squadron, in +the fog and darkness, and it would excite suspicion to return to the +fleet, after safely passing through it. If Mr. Swayne had suspected any +treachery, or that everything was not as it appeared to be, it would +have gone hard with Somers and his men, for he could call in double the +loyal force to assist him, besides releasing Pillgrim and Langdon. + +At four o'clock in the morning, the fog lifted, and Somers directed the +rockets to be discharged, and the steamer to be got under way. Though +anxious to keep up appearances, he quietly directed Tom Longstone to +make as much delay as possible, and by some accident the messenger +parted when the anchor was apeak, and it was necessary to do the work +over again. + +"Captain Pillgrim, what shall be done with the men who came on board +with you?" asked Mr. Swayne, while the crew were walking round the +capstan. + +"What shall be done with them?" asked Somers, apparently not +comprehending the meaning of the question. + +"They are Yankees--are they not?" + +"They are true men, Mr. Swayne. I selected them for this very duty, and +I know them." + +"Excuse me, sir, I heard one of them singing a Yankee song, just now." + +"They have been in the habit of singing such songs lately; but they are +true men, and will stand by me to the last. If I had wanted them, I +might have brought off a hundred of the crew of the Chatauqua." + +Somers told a great many truths in the course of the night, for the +purpose of deceiving the enemies of his country, which is a very +anomalous duty for truth to perform. + +The anchor was at the hawse hole, was "catted and fished;" and the Ben +Lomond moved on again, with the pilot on the bridge. As the fog lifted, +and the daylight increased, the squadron of "Brave Old Salt" was seen by +Somers and his companions. As he had promised, not a ship fired on the +steamer, or offered to molest her. The first lieutenant, pilot, and +other officers were entirely satisfied that everything was working in +exact accordance with the plans of their "smart" commander, as they +already called him. + +The exciting moment when all the delusion would be swept away, and the +rebel officers and seamen find themselves prisoners, and their ship a +prize, was at hand. Somers had already arranged his final movements with +the boatswain, and certain of the men were instructed to perform +particular parts in the closing scene of the drama. + +"Now, Captain Column," said Somers to the pilot, "we must run down for +the Chatauqua. She is the last vessel in the squadron, and if we appear +to be moving towards her, nothing will be suspected." + +"Exactly so, captain," replied the pilot, shaking his fat sides with +laughter at the Yankee trick which they were playing off upon the +originators of this species of pleasantry. + +"It is quite smooth this morning. The wind has all gone down. Run right +under the quarter of the Chatauqua." + +"I can take her within six feet of the ship, if you like." + +"Not too close." + +"They will give us three cheers, won't they?" laughed the pilot. + +"Very likely." + +"Port!" shouted the pilot, as the Ben Lomond approached the Chatauqua. + +"Port!" yelled the quartermaster at the helm, at whose side stood Tom +Longstone. + +"Port!" repeated the pilot with greater energy, when he saw that the +head of the steamer was swinging off from the Chatauqua. + +"Port!" again responded the quartermaster. + +"Starboard a little more," said Tom, in a low tone. + +Captain Column began to storm because the helm did not go to port as he +ordered. + +"Can't help it, sir. The tiller chains are jammed, sir," replied the +quartermaster. + +"Now hard a port!" said Tom Longstone. + +"Starboard! Hard a starboard!" screamed the pilot, in tones of fury. + +"Helm is jammed, sir!" returned the boatswain. + +At this moment the bells were rung to stop, and then to back the engine. +To all but the half dozen loyal seamen who stood near the helm, +everything seemed to be in confusion. The Ben Lomond ran up on the lee +side of the Chatauqua, and stopped within a few feet of her. A stroke of +the wheels and a turn of the helm brought her alongside, before the +rebels could clearly apprehend the situation. The twenty-four men, with +their revolvers and cutlasses, stood ready to check any demonstration on +the part of officers or crew, but none was made. Their weapons were in +the armory, and they suspected nothing till an instant before the +steamer touched the ship's side. + +Conant, as instructed, leaped on board the Chatauqua, and reported +Somers's wish to the officer of the deck. In another moment, the watch +on deck of the man-of-war poured into the prize, and secured every +officer and seaman. Then came the three rousing cheers which the pilot +had expected, and the work was done. + +If ever a rebel was disappointed, disheartened, and disgusted, it was +Mr. Swayne. He had been bewildered by the sudden change in the course of +the steamer, and actually believed that it was caused by the wheel +chains being jammed, until the watch from the Chatauqua poured in upon +her decks. + +"Well, Mr. Swayne, I suppose you are satisfied that I spoke the truth. +The Yankees have not fired upon us; I came down in the Chatauqua; I was +sent off to bring out this vessel; I have done it," said Somers. + +"I had no suspicion you were a Yankee," replied the first lieutenant. +"Where did you get your commission?" + +"It was given me by Mr. Langdon and Mr. Pillgrim, both of whom are under +guard below." + +Swayne used some expletives more forcible than polite, and Somers went +on board the Chatauqua to report. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +PILLGRIM AND LANGDON. + + +"I have the honor to report the capture of the Ben Lomond, otherwise the +Tallapoosa," said Somers, as he advanced towards Mr. Hackleford, his +face red with blushes, and his heart bounding with emotion. + +The first lieutenant of the Chatauqua had regarded his enterprise with a +want of faith, to say the least; and when the young commander of the +expedition came forward to report its entire success, there was +something like pride and exultation in his manner, mingling not +ungracefully with the manifestations of his natural modesty. He had done +"a big thing;" he felt that he had done "a big thing;" and it would have +been a ridiculous affectation for him to pretend, by word or manner, +that he had not done "a big thing." + +"I congratulate you upon your success, Mr. Somers," replied Mr. +Hackleford, warmly. "I was sceptical, I confess; but no man in the fleet +is happier than I am at your good fortune." + +"Thank you, sir," said Somers, blushing more deeply than before, and +almost wishing that the first lieutenant had done the "big thing" +instead of himself, because he was so kind and generous in his +commendation. + +"You have managed the affair with skill and energy. For my own part, I +did not believe you would even get into the bay, let alone capturing the +vessel. I am astonished at your success, but none the less delighted +because I am surprised." + +"Thank you, sir," was all Somers could say in reply to this praise so +magnanimously bestowed. + +"Captain Cascabel will see you, in his cabin, and we will hear your +verbal report there." + +Mr. Garboard had already gone on board the prize, hauled her off from +the ship, where she was chafing her sides, and moored her a cable's +length distant. Somers went below, where he was as warmly and generously +greeted by the captain as he had been by the first lieutenant. He +related the story of his night's adventures to them with all necessary +minuteness. His auditors could not help laughing when he told them what +he had done with his old friends, the first lieutenant and the commander +of the rebel craft. He had acted on his theory of Pillgrim's intended +movements, and thus kept himself above suspicion. + +"How does Mr. Pillgrim appear?" asked the captain. + +"I haven't seen him, sir; I was very careful not to let him see me. Mr. +Swayne, the first lieutenant of the Ben Lomond, after I had disposed of +Langdon, managed him for me." + +"It's a very amusing as well as a very exciting affair. But we must see +these officers. Where are they?" + +"Under guard in the state-rooms of the prize, sir." + +"Bring them on board, if you please, Mr. Somers. Get your breakfast +first." + +Somers went to the ward-room, where he breakfasted with the officers off +duty. He was cordially congratulated upon his success, though perhaps +some of the mess regarded him as rather exclusive in permitting none of +them to share his laurels. + +After breakfast the first cutter was cleared away, and Somers pulled to +the prize in her. The Ben Lomond was temporarily in charge of the second +lieutenant of the Chatauqua, who had secured the prisoners, and put +everything in order on board. Somers went at once to the ward-room, +where the two most important prisoners were confined. There were now at +each door a couple of marines with loaded muskets, but no communication +had been had with the solitary occupant of either. + +Pillgrim had several times attempted to obtain some information in +regard to what was going on, but he was still in darkness. Even the +bull's eye in his room could not have enlightened him, for it was on the +starboard side of the steamer, while the Chatauqua lay on the port +side. + +Somers ordered the marines to open the door of Langdon's room first, and +the late first lieutenant of the Tallapoosa came forth. + +"Lieutenant Wynkoop, I believe," said Somers, facetiously. + +Langdon looked at him with astonishment. + +"Have you any more old sherry that has made two voyages to India?" + +"This is hardly magnanimous, Mr. Somers," said Langdon, coldly. + +"Perhaps not; but when officers stoop to such tricks as those you have +practised, there can be no great harm in mentioning them." + +"Mr. Somers, I find myself somewhat bewildered." + +"I dare say," laughed Somers. "Very likely your friend Pillgrim, or +Coles, is in the same situation." + +"Is he on board?" + +"He is." + +"I have not seen him since he left Philadelphia in the Chatauqua." + +"I have." + +"You were in the Chatauqua with him?" + +"For a short time." + +"I had a letter from him, dated at Richmond, saying that he had changed +his plans." + +"Changed them--did he?" said Somers, who had changed them for him. +"Perhaps you will inform me how you happened to be on board this +vessel." + +"I don't object; it makes little difference what I say now. After +obtaining the command of the Tallapoosa for Pillgrim, I went to +Wilmington, where I was to take command of the Coosa." + +"You mean the Ben Nevis." + +"I do." + +"I thought you were to call her the Louisiana." + +"We did not always give you correct information," added Langdon, with a +sickly smile. + +"Go on." + +"While at Wilmington I got a letter from Pillgrim, then in Richmond, +informing me that the Ben Nevis had been captured, and that I was +appointed first lieutenant of the Tallapoosa, if I chose to take the +place. I did choose to take it, hoping soon to be in command of one of +the California steamers. I went to Mobile at once, and attended to the +fitting out of the ship. Pillgrim wrote me that he should be on board by +the 22d, and I had steam up to run out the moment he arrived." + +"How happened you to tell your officers that Pillgrim was coming down in +a Yankee man-of-war?" asked Somers. + +"That was his original plan. Though he wrote me from Richmond, I did not +know but that he intended to return to the Chatauqua. He gave me no +particulars; did not tell me that his plans had failed, only that he +had changed them. When he wrote that he should be on board by the 22d, I +knew he was coming down by land, and I corrected my statement. Now, Mr. +Somers, will you tell me how you happen to be here?" + +"Marine, bring out the other prisoner," said Somers, who had been +instructed by Captain Cascabel to confer with the conspirators, if he +could obtain any information from them. + +The discomfited, crestfallen commander of the Tallapoosa was brought +from his room by a marine. He saw Somers, and started back with +astonishment. He was pale and haggard, as though he had been spending +his time in drinking bad whiskey, and in other debauchery. He had upon +his face a fortnight's growth of black beard, and looked more like +"Coles" than when Somers had last met him. His captor concluded that his +misfortunes on board the Chatauqua had depressed his spirits, in spite +of the cool look he had before carried, and that he had given way to +dissipation. He certainly appeared like a person who had just come out +of a hard "spree." + +In the Ben Lomond there was a door opening from the ward-room into the +captain's cabin. The vessel had evidently been built for a swift +passenger steamer. The ward-room was a portion of the main cabin, from +which the steerage and engineers' rooms had been parted off; while the +captain's cabin was the original "ladies' saloon." Langdon had been +conducted by the marines through this door to the captain's cabin, where +the conversation with him had taken place. Pillgrim was in the same +manner introduced to this apartment. + +"Mr. Somers!" exclaimed the traitor. + +"Yes, sir. In the letter you sent me from Old Point Comfort,--and I am +greatly obliged to you for the information contained in that +letter,--you expressed a hope that you should meet me on board of the +Ben Lomond. Your wish has been realized," replied Somers, taking the +original letter, with other papers, from his pocket. + +Pillgrim trembled in every fibre of his frame. It was not thus he had +hoped to meet his enemy. + +"'If you capture the Ben Lomond, it will make you a lieutenant. Do it, +by all means,'" continued Somers, reading the last paragraph of the +letter. "This was your advice. I have done it." + +Pillgrim made no reply. His pale, haggard face, darkened by his +half-grown beard, was contorted by emotion, and his bloodshot eyes had +lost their fire. + +"You don't seem to enjoy the situation so much as your letter intimated +that you would." + +"Mr. Somers, I am your prisoner," said he, with a desperate struggle. + +"You are; you will not have the pleasure of hanging me at the +yard-arm." + +"I am bewildered--overcome." + +"So was Langdon." + +"I see why you did not join your ship before," said Langdon, with a +sneer, as he glanced contemptuously at his principal. "You have been +dissipating." + +This remark brought forth an angry retort from Pillgrim, and for a few +moments each traitor reproached and vilified the other, much to the +amusement of the marines, and to the disgust of Somers, who was +compelled to interfere. Langdon's severest charge against his late +captain was, that he had betrayed their schemes by writing letters, and +in other stupid ways. Pillgrim denied it. + +"Mr. Somers has just thanked you for the information contained in your +letter," sneered Langdon. "He has good reason to do so." + +"I gave him no information that could be of any service to him." + +"You gave him the name of the vessel," retorted Langdon. + +"But I did not tell him where she was." + +"You gave me that information, Mr. Langdon," said Somers, quietly. + +"I?" + +Somers exhibited the letter in cipher. + +"You could not read that without the key," protested the writer of the +note. + +"The first word I made out was 'Langdon:' the next, 'Ben Lomond.' I am +indebted to both of you. The moral of the whole affair is, that treason +cannot prosper. I am indebted to both of you for the information which +enabled me to capture the steamer. Gentlemen, it becomes my duty to +conduct you on board of the Chatauqua." + +"No, Mr. Somers!" groaned Pillgrim, "spare me that." + +"I must obey my orders." + +The traitor objected strongly to being taken into the presence of the +officers of the ship in which he had so recently served. He protested +that he had but a few days to live, and begged to be saved from this +humiliation. But Somers, though he was not without pity for the degraded +and disgraced wretch, had no alternative but to obey the orders of +Captain Cascabel. + +Langdon accepted his misfortunes with more resignation. He was quite +cheerful, and volunteered to tell all he knew, though he was very bitter +against Pillgrim, who, he declared, had ruined all their hopes by his +dissipation, his silly pretensions, and his reckless exposure of their +plans. + +Somers was now satisfied that Pillgrim had been intoxicated when he came +over the side of the Ben Lomond the night before, which accounted for +his violent conduct, and which was one of the accidents which assisted +in the easy capture of the vessel. + +Both the prisoners were examined on board the Chatauqua; and, with the +explanations of Somers, their operations were clearly comprehended. They +were placed in confinement, to await the final decision in regard to +them. In the forenoon Somers was sent to make his report to the admiral. +He was warmly received, judiciously commended, and courteously +dismissed. The young officer's respect and admiration for the "Brave Old +Salt" were not diminished by his second interview. + +In the afternoon the Ben Lomond, in charge of an acting ensign, was sent +to Pensacola, where she was to remain until further orders. It was +surmised that the admiral, not wishing to spare any of the best officers +of the fleet, when on the eve of a mighty event, had decided to let the +prize remain in port with her prisoners until a more favorable season. +Be this as it may, the Old Salamander kept everybody busy for the next +ten days, when, the monitors having arrived, and all the ships intended +for the attack being in complete readiness, the order was given for the +battle, which now stands without a parallel in the annals of naval +warfare. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE BATTLE OF MOBILE BAY. + + +In order to appreciate the importance of the tremendous action in Mobile +Bay, it is necessary to consider that Mobile and Wilmington were the +only available ports of the rebels east of the Mississippi. The +resources of the Confederacy were exhausted by three years of wasting +war, and it was dependent upon foreign supplies for the means of +continuing the strife. The earnest attention of the government at +Washington, therefore, was directed to the shutting up of these ports. + +To form a correct idea of the obstacles to the closing of Mobile Bay, +which had been intrusted to Admiral Farragut, it should be remembered +that its entrance was guarded by two strongly-built and heavily-armed +forts; that the only available channel for large vessels, but three +fourths of a mile in width, ran under the guns of Fort Morgan, the +stronger of the two forts; that this channel was filled with sunken +torpedoes, which, experience had demonstrated, were fatal to any vessels +subjected to the explosion; and that the rebels had a fleet of gunboats +and iron-clads, which could operate with every advantage against an +advancing fleet. + +"Brave Old Salt" had estimated all these obstacles, and believing that +"success was a duty," he had resolved to overcome them. All the +expedients which the ingenuity of a thorough seaman could devise were +adopted to strengthen and protect the ships. The plan of the battle was +entirely original, and displayed the genius of its author. The admiral +modestly declares that he only obeyed the orders of the navy department, +and disclaims the credit so lavishly awarded to him by his admiring +fellow-citizens; but the government did not tell him how to do it--and +in that consisted the doing of it--did not order him to "lash ships" and +take his elevated position in the main rigging; did not bid him "butt" +the rebel rams with his wooden prows; and for all these things does the +whole world sound his praise. + +At half past five in the morning the Chatauqua, with the Androscoggin +lashed to her port side, took her position in the line of battle. The +Brooklyn was to lead the van, with the "Old Hartford," the flag-ship, +next in the line, though the doughty old admiral had but tardily acceded +to the request of his officers in taking this place. The position of the +Chatauqua was in the centre of the line of battle. + +At the signal from the admiral, the fleet moved on. Every officer was +full of zeal and enthusiasm, though it was certain that some of them +would never behold the light of another day; that more or less of the +gallant vessels must soon be overwhelmed by the hidden engines of +destruction which had been planted in the channel. Somers regarded it as +the great day of his existence. He had read his Testament and said his +prayers that morning as though it were the last day he had to live, for +the most fearful and deadly strife of the whole war was anticipated. A +man is never so fully prepared to live well and do his duty faithfully +as when he is ready to die. + +While the young officer thought even more tenderly than usual of the +loved ones in his far-off home, and of that other loved one who was +never forgotten when home was remembered, he felt that his country was +theirs, and that every blow struck for the nation was struck for them. +To die for his country was to die for them--for his own home; and he +asked no higher duty than to sacrifice his life, if such was the will of +God. "Thy will be done," he repeated many times, though life was full of +hopes and joys to him. + +The fleet moved on, and the roar of the great guns in the monitors soon +announced that the action had commenced. The chase guns of the Chatauqua +opened first, and the ship trembled beneath the concussion. + +"The Tecumseh has gone down," passed from mouth to mouth, as a +tremendous explosion saluted the ears of the seamen. + +The monitor had struck upon a torpedo, and in a moment had disappeared +beneath the tide, carrying down with her nearly all her gallant crew. +But this incident, appalling as it was even to the battle-scarred +veterans on the decks of the fleet, was hardly heeded in the terrible +determination of purpose which animated every heart. The Brooklyn paused +to dodge some supposed torpedo buoys, and "Brave Old Salt" dashed ahead +in the Hartford to his proper place in the van of the battle. + +The ships in pairs came up abreast of the fort; and according to the +orders of the admiral, the broadside and other guns opened upon the +works, not with solid shot, in futile attempts to batter down their +dense walls, but with grape, which drove the gunners of the fort from +their stations. + +Never were guns fired more rapidly; and the roar was tremendous, shaking +all earth beneath, and enveloping the scene in dense volumes of smoke, +above which, as it occasionally rolled away, might be seen the admiral, +lashed to the main rigging of the Hartford. A glimpse at him never +failed to call forth the most unbounded enthusiasm, among officers and +seamen. + +With comparatively little injury the fleet passed the fort, and standing +to the north-west to clear the Middle Ground, was out of the reach of +its guns. Terrible stories of the torpedoes had been told by deserters +and refugees, but the admiral's hopes had been realized; they had been +so long in the water that they had become "innocuous." + +But a new and greater danger menaced the fleet. The rebel iron-clad +Tennessee started out from under the guns of Fort Morgan. She was a +formidable adversary; and though the monitors were depended upon to +"neutralize" or destroy her, they moved so slowly and steered so badly, +that the brunt of the battle was borne by the wooden ships. + +"Run her down," was the order from the admiral, which the signal officer +interpreted on the quarter deck of the Chatauqua. + +[Illustration: The Battle of Mobile Bay.] + +Captain Cascabel instantly ordered full head of steam to be put on, and +the ship, gathering headway, dashed down upon the Tennessee, striking +her at right angles, near the after part of the casemate. The shock of +the concussion was terrible. The men were thrown from their feet, and +the ship groaned in bitterness of spirit at the hard usage to which she +was subjected. Her stem was crushed in to the plank ends, and the water +began to pour into the forward store-rooms. Expecting such an event, the +carpenter and his gang were at the threatened point, and prevented any +disaster from the collision. + +The effect upon the iron-clad was hardly perceptible, giving her a +heavy list, but apparently inflicting no damage upon her. The Chatauqua +swung round as she struck. Captain Cascabel, who had leaped into the +mizzen rigging, gave his orders, which were promptly executed by Mr. +Hackleford. Solid shot and shell were poured into the ram with a fury +which would have been fatal to a less strongly built craft. As it was, +one of her port shutters was struck and shattered, the rest of the shot +bounding off like peas from an oak floor. + +"Hah, you bloody villains of Yankees!" shouted the rebels, at their +ports. + +"How are you, Johnny Reb?" replied a fore-top man, as he hurled a +spittoon in at the port. + +Another old salt dashed in a holy-stone, and then the marines opened +fire upon them with their muskets. + +"Ram her again!" shouted the admiral from the main rigging of the +Hartford, as the flag-ship dashed at the game. + +The Chatauqua swept round, and succeeded in striking the Tennessee +again, but with no better result than before. At the same time she +poured in shot and shell from every available gun. + +At this moment one of the ships struck the Hartford, by accident, in the +dense smoke, and knocked two of her ports into one. It was believed that +the flag-ship would go down, for her planking was stove in within two +feet of the water-line. + +"Save the admiral! save the admiral!" shouted the men; and there was +not one of them who would not have died by fire or water to rescue their +beloved leader. + +Somers sprang upon the rail, to observe the catastrophe, and to be in +readiness to save the admiral if an opportunity occurred. While he stood +there, a shot hit the rail diagonally, a splinter struck him in the +side, and he dropped helpless into the water. + +"Mr. Somers is wounded and fallen overboard!" shouted the captain of the +pivot gun amidships. + +The words were hardly out of his mouth, before another man dropped into +the water from one of the ports. It was Tom Longstone. He found his +young friend, and bearing him up with his strong arm, both were rescued +from their perilous position. + +"She shows the white flag! She surrenders!" was the cry, as the +boatswain and Somers reached the deck. + +The young officer was borne to the ward-room at the moment of victory, +while the cheers of the brave tars were ringing through the fleet. + +The Tennessee and the Selma had surrendered, the Gaines had been driven +ashore, and the Morgan was for the present safe under the guns of the +fort. The victory was complete and decisive. + +Somers was severely, if not dangerously, injured. He was borne tenderly +to his state-room by his brother officers, as the cheers for the great +victory were sounding through the fleet. There had been seven men killed +and thirty-five wounded on board the Chatauqua. The surgeon was in the +cockpit, busily engaged in attending to the wounds of the poor fellows, +and could not immediately examine the young officer, who, it was +evident, required no surgical operation. + +The ship, though considerably cut up by the shots from the fort and from +the rebel steamers, was still in condition for active service. The fleet +anchored in the bay, out of the reach of the guns of Fort Morgan. +Officers were busy in making the necessary surveys, and the men were +occupied in repairing damages and restoring order about the decks and +rigging. + +"How do you feel, Mr. Somers?" asked Mr. Hackleford, entering the +sufferer's room, as soon as he could leave the deck. + +"I do not suffer much pain, sir; but I am afraid I am badly damaged in +the hull," replied Somers, with a languid smile. + +He was very pale, and lay very still. He was numb from the effects of +the shock given him by the splinter, and some of the functions of his +frame seemed to be suspended. The first lieutenant was alarmed, and sent +a second messenger for the surgeon, who presently made his appearance, +having disposed of the severest cases in the cockpit. + +"What do you think of him, doctor?" asked Mr. Hackleford. + +"I fear he is badly injured," replied Dr. De Plesion, shaking his head. + +"Dangerously?" whispered the first lieutenant. + +The surgeon shook his head. + +"Speak out, doctor," said the patient, faintly. "I am not afraid to die +for my country. Please tell me the truth." + +"I cannot tell yet, Mr. Somers. Three of the ribs are fractured, but if +he is not injured internally, he will do very well," added the surgeon, +to Mr. Hackleford. + +"I have but little pain," said the patient. + +"You will have more, Mr. Somers, by night," continued Dr. De Plesion. "I +do not discover any internal injury." + +"I hope there is none," said the first lieutenant. "You are too good an +officer to be spared, Mr. Somers,--I mean for even a brief period, of +course." + +The report of the surgeon was anxiously awaited by the captain and all +the ward-room officers, for the third lieutenant had been a universal +favorite, and his capture of the Ben Lomond, and his gallant conduct +during the action with the forts and the Tennessee, had not diminished +his popularity. Of all who waited the doctor's decision, none took the +matter so much to heart as the boatswain, who had saved him from +drowning while he was helpless in the water. Mr. Hackleford noticed him +at his duty, still wet to the skin, and kindly gave him permission to +visit his young friend. + +"I shall not go by the board, Tom," said Somers. "You and I may yet make +another cruise together." + +"Thank God! I hope so," exclaimed the boatswain, encouraged by these +cheerful words. + +"Tom, I owe my life to you." + +"O, never mind that, my darling! What would I have done if you had +slipped your wind?" + +"You would have done your duty, as you always do, my good fellow." + +"I dare say I should, Mr. Somers, but I can only thank God that you are +alive now," replied the boatswain, as the tears flowed down his bronzed +cheek, and he turned to leave the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +IN THE HOSPITAL. + + +Under the arrangement made by Admiral Farragut with the commander of +Fort Morgan, the wounded of both sides were sent in the Metacomet to +Pensacola. Somers was of the number, and he was borne from his berth in +the Chatauqua to the steamer, though the removal caused him great pain. +The numbness of his side was beginning to pass away, and the parts to +become very sensitive. + +"Mr. Somers, I am sorry to see you in this condition," said "Brave Old +Salt," who was present with a kind word for the suffering heroes of the +battle. "You behaved nobly during the fight, as I am told you always +do." + +"Thank you, sir. You are very kind," moaned Somers, in his pain and +weakness. + +"I have not forgotten you, my brave fellow," continued the admiral. "The +capture of the Ben Lomond was a matter of more consequence than you can +appreciate, perhaps; and your faith and skill in doing this work entitle +you to the gratitude of your country." + +"I am happy in having merited your approbation." + +"You have behaved gallantly in the action; and, I repeat, you shall be +remembered. What can I do for you, Mr. Somers?" + +"Nothing more for me, admiral. You have done more for me now than I +deserve. Mr. Longstone, the boatswain of the Chatauqua, who saved my +life--" + +"I know all about him, Mr. Somers. He was your right-hand man in the +capture of the Ben Lomond." + +"He was, sir." + +"He shall not be forgotten." + +"I have already been rewarded more than I deserve--" + +"No, you haven't. Mr. Pillgrim promised you a lieutenant's commission, +if you brought out his steamer. I ratify that promise. As to the +boatswain, it is a pity he is not an educated man; but he shall be cared +for." + +"Thank you, sir." + +But Somers was too faint to talk any longer, and the admiral passed to +other of the noble fellows who had been wounded on that eventful day. +The sufferer's cot was placed on the ward-room floor, for the +state-rooms and berths were already full. In one of them lay Admiral +Buchanan, who had commanded the rebel fleet. He had been wounded in the +leg in the battle, and he had lost the battle itself, which, to a proud, +brave spirit, was worse than losing a leg. + +Somers was now suffering the most intense pain, which he bore like a +hero. Tom Longstone bent tenderly over him, his eyes filled with tears, +and uttered his adieus. With a hand as gentle as a woman's, he pillowed +his head on the couch, and smoothed back his hair from his eyes. He +would gladly have gone with his wounded friend, to lave his fevered brow +and speak words of comfort and encouragement to him; but neither of them +thought of such a thing, for the admiral's fleet was in the enemy's +waters, and every man was needed at his post. + +The Metacomet, having received her precious freight of mangled heroes, +cast off her moorings, and, passing the fort, turned her prow to the +eastward. On her arrival at Pensacola, the sufferers were transferred to +the hospital, where they received every attention which willing hands +and generous hearts could bestow. + +Fort Morgan surrendered to the combined forces of the army and navy +before the end of the month, and Mobile Bay was in undisputed possession +of the government. The work undertaken by the brave admiral had been +fully completed. Mobile was now a cipher, so far as the Confederacy was +concerned, though a great bluster was made of defending it to the last. + +Somers had been three weeks in the hospital, and doubtless owed his life +to the skill of the surgeon and the attentions of the nurses. He had +been injured internally, as Dr. De Plesion feared; but he had begun to +improve, though he was still unable to sit up. He had endured the +severest pain, and the doctor had not concealed from him his fears of a +fatal result, because the patience and firmness, but especially the +religious faith, of the sufferer warranted him in doing so. + +Day after day and night after night Somers struggled with his condition, +in faith, patience, and resignation. He felt that he was ready to leave +the world, full of joys and hopes as it was, for the purer hopes and +brighter joys of the eternal world beyond the grave. He thought of his +mother, and wished that she might be with him to smooth his dying +pillow, if he must die; but it was not the will of God, and he did not +murmur. He thought of Kate Portington. He would like to see her once +more before he passed away, but this was a vain wish; and from her and +the loved ones at home he turned to the glorious realities of the +immortal life--fitting theme for one who was trembling between life and +death. + +In the midst of his pain and earthly loneliness he was happy. He could +not but recall the scene of Phil Kennedy's death-bed; of the agony of +remorse which shook him, as he looked back upon his past life; of the +terrors with which his stricken conscience invested the grave. Then the +sufferer, in the deepest depths of his heart, thanked God that he had +been enabled to be true to himself and to duty. He was happy in the +past, happy in the hope of the future. There was much to regret and to +repent of; but as he did regret and repent, he felt that he was +forgiven. + +He was happy; and the joy of that hour, when an approving conscience +triumphs over bodily pain, and decks the waiting tomb with flowers, was +worth the struggle with the legions of temptations which all must +encounter. + +We are best fitted to live when best prepared to die. Somers waited with +hope and resignation for the angel of death, but he came not. The very +calmness with which he regarded the open tomb, assisted in closing its +portals to him. At the end of two weeks the doctor spoke more of life +than of death; at the end of three he spoke not at all of the grim +messenger--grim he was, even when he wore the chaplet of flowers with +which Faith and Hope ever crown him. + +Somers was out of danger. The internal inflammation passed away, and the +patient began to mend. He thought of life now, of meeting the loved ones +who, afar off, had sadly spoken farewells to him when he departed from +their presence, with all the fearful perils of storm and battle hanging +over him. + +On the day after the news of the surrender of Fort Morgan arrived, the +Chatauqua dropped her anchor off Pensacola. A boat immediately put off +from her, containing Boatswain Longstone, who landed, and hastened to +the hospital with all possible speed. Probably there had hardly been an +hour since the Metacomet left Mobile Bay with the wounded, in which Tom +had not thought of Somers. The old man was as eager and impatient as a +child, and could hardly submit to the formalities necessary to procure +admission to the hospital. + +"My darling!" exclaimed the veteran, as he crept up to the bed of his +young friend. + +He walked lightly, and spoke softly and tenderly, for he knew how sick +Somers had been. + +"Ah, Tom, I am glad to see you," replied the patient, as he extended his +thin hand, which the boatswain eagerly seized, though he handled it as +tenderly as a bashful youth does the hand of the maiden he loves. "It +does my eyes good to look upon you, Tom." + +"Jack, I've been dying to see you. They told me you were in a bad way, +and might slip your cable any moment." + +"I have not expected to live, until a week ago." + +"God bless you, Jack! I was never so happy in my life;" and the +boatswain actually wept,--great, strong, weather-stained veteran as he +was, who had breasted the storms of four and thirty years on the ocean. + +"I know how you feel, Tom." + +"So you may, Jack,--I beg pardon, Mr.--" + +"Call me Jack, now," interposed Somers, with a faint smile; "it sounds +like old times. You have been the making of me, Tom, and we won't stand +on ceremony, as long as we are not on board the ship." + +The boatswain still held the attenuated hand of his sick friend, and +they talked of the past and of the present; of the battle, and of the +subsequent events in the bay. But Tom Longstone seemed to be thinking +all the time of something else. + +"What have you got on, Tom?" asked Somers, as he noticed a "foul anchor" +on his shoulder, and a band of gold lace on his sleeve. + +"What have I got on? Why, I always wear my colors, of course," replied +Tom, with a smile of the deepest satisfaction. + +"But those are not the colors of a boatswain in the United States Navy." + +"That's a fact, Jack. I'm not a boatswain, just now." + +"Indeed!" + +"I'm an acting ensign." + +"Is it possible?" exclaimed Somers, not less pleased than the veteran. + +"It's a fact, my darling; but before we spin any more yarns, here's a +document for you. Shall I open it?" continued Tom, as he took from his +breast pocket a huge official envelope, whose appearance was entirely +familiar to Somers. + +"If you please." + +It was directed to "Lieutenant John Somers;" and the superscription +sufficiently indicated the nature of its contents. + +"God bless the admiral!" said Somers. + +"God bless the admiral!" repeated Tom, glancing reverently upward as he +spoke. + +The commission was dated before the news of the battle in Mobile Bay +could have reached Washington. It followed the reception of the +despatches concerning the capture of the Ben Lomond; and Tom Longstone +had been made an acting ensign, though he still retained his warrant as +a boatswain, for his conduct in the same affair. + +"I congratulate you, Tom, on this promotion," said Somers. + +"Thank you, Jack; and I congratulate you as Lieutenant Somers. You are a +'regular,' but I'm only an 'acting,'" replied the veteran. "When the +war's over, I shall be a boatswain again." + +"I am more rejoiced for you than for myself, Tom." + +"Just like you, Jack. If I made you, I'm sure you made me. I got my +rating as boatswain's mate in the Rosalie through you, and then I was +made a boatswain for what I did with you. Now I'm an ensign by your +doings. I suppose you think I'm not up to it, Jack." + +"Yes, I do. I know you are. There's nothing about a ship that you don't +know as well as the admiral himself, except--" + +"Except," laughed Tom, as Somers paused, "except what?" + +"Navigation." + +"I know something about that, Jack--I do, upon my honor." + +"I do not doubt it." + +"When I first went into the navy, I was a regular sea dandy. I used big +words, as long as the coach-whip; but I soon found a man must not talk +above his station. When I was a young man, I wasn't a bad scholar. I +went to the academy, and learned surveying; I meant to be a surveyor; +but I got a hitch, and went to sea." + +"A hitch?" + +"Well, I never mention it now. Squire Kent's daughter didn't treat me as +handsomely as she did another young fellow, and I drank more liquor than +was good for me. I got run down; and when I had payed out all the +respectability I had, I went to sea. That cured me of drinking; in fact, +I became a temperance man before the grog rations were stopped in the +navy. As I said, I was pretty well educated, and talked as well as the +officers on the quarter deck. But my shipmates laughed at me, and I soon +dropped down into using sea slang." + +"I have noticed that your speech has been wonderfully improved since you +were made a boatswain." + +"I've been trying to cure my bad habits. I've been lying round loose in +the navy for thirty years before the war began. I tried to be honest and +true, but the war has set me right up. I haven't told you the best of +the news yet, Jack." + +"What more?" + +"You are appointed to the Ben Lomond as prize master, and I'm going with +you as second officer. The admiral says you shall take the prize home, +if she has to wait two months for you. She is yours, and you shall have +the command of her." + +"He is very kind; but I do not think I shall be able to take command at +present." + +"We are to go as soon as the doctor will let you be carried on board of +her. Jack, the Ben Lomond is going into the navy; and if I mistake not, +she will be in command of Lieutenant Somers." + +"That would be the height of my ambition. Indeed, I never aspired to +anything so great as the command of a fine steamer." + +"You'll have her; the admiral is your friend. If you do, I shall be in +the ward-room. Splinter my timber-heads! Only think of that! Tom +Longstone a ward-room officer!" + +"You deserve it, Tom." + +In the course of the week, other officers of the Chatauqua visited the +patient, and at the end of that period the doctor permitted Somers to be +conveyed on board the Ben Lomond. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +MISS PORTINGTON NOT AT HOME. + + +Pillgrim and Langdon had been in close confinement at Pensacola since +their capture. They were now placed on board of the Ben Lomond to be +sent north. An apartment was specially fitted up for their use in the +steerage, for they were regarded as dangerous men, to whom bolts, bars, +and other obstacles, were but trifling impediments. A sufficient number +of marines to guard them were detailed for duty on the passage, and the +steamer sailed for Boston, where the prize was to be adjusted. + +Somers was now improving very rapidly, and before he left the hospital, +had sat up a small portion of each day. The pleasant intelligence +brought to him by Tom Longstone had not retarded his recovery; on the +contrary, the bright hopes of the future which it suggested, rather +stimulated his feeble frame, and assisted in his restoration to health. + +The steamer had fine weather on the passage, with the exception of a +gale of thirty hours' duration. She put into Hampton Roads, and landed +her prisoners at Fortress Monroe, in accordance with the orders of her +commander, and then proceeded to Boston. The Ben Lomond behaved +remarkably well in the heavy weather she experienced, proving herself to +be a strongly-built and substantial vessel. Somers sent his despatches +to Washington from Fortress Monroe. + +When the Ben Lomond sailed into Boston Harbor, Somers was able to go on +deck, for with each day of the voyage his health had continued to +improve. The steamer was duly handed over to the naval authorities, and +the young lieutenant was granted a furlough of sixty days. + +"Our cruise is up," said Tom Longstone, when the business had been +completed. + +"For the present, we have nothing to do; but I hope we shall soon +receive our orders," replied Somers. "Now, Tom, you will go down to +Pinchbrook with me, and spend a couple of months." + +"Thank you, Jack; I hardly think I should know how to behave in a house +on shore, it is so long since I have been in one." + +"You will soon learn." + +They went to Pinchbrook, and Tom received a welcome almost as cordial as +that extended to Somers. The veteran was soon made entirely at home by +his young friend's father, and such a "spinning of yarns" for thirty +days had never been known before. Tom told a story of the Cumberland; +then Captain Somers had a West India yarn; and gran'ther Greene was +indulgently permitted to relate his experience in the "last war," though +it was observed that the old man, whose memory was much impaired, always +told the same story. + +Never did a happier trio gather around a kitchen fire than that which +sat around the cook-stove at Pinchbrook on those autumn mornings. Very +likely Mrs. Somers thought the "men folks" were in the way at times; +but, she was too much interested in the stories told, and too good +natured to raise an objection, especially when John joined the party. + +In the mean time, Somers was rapidly regaining his health and strength. +As may be supposed, he was a lion in Pinchbrook, and was invited to +every party and every merry-making in the place. Captain Barney was with +him a great deal, and was as fond of him as though he had been his own +son. Of course the young ladies of Pinchbrook regarded the lieutenant as +a great man; and if it had not been known in town that he was "paying +attention" to a commodore's daughter, he might have been absolutely +persecuted by the fair ones of his native village. + +In strict observance of his promise, Somers had written several letters +to Kate Portington, but had received no answer. These epistles, with the +exception of an occasional playful remark, were confined to the details +of his naval operations. The events of his career were faithfully +recorded, and they were in no sense such productions as many silly young +men would have written under similar circumstances. No answer to any of +them had been received. + +Since his arrival at Pinchbrook, Somers had written two letters; but at +the end of the first month of his furlough, he had not heard a word from +Kate. He was troubled, and no doubt thought Kate was very cold and +cruel. He knew that Pillgrim had not seen her, and therefore could not +have prejudiced her against him. It was possible that his letters had +not reached their destination; Kate might be away from home; and he was +not willing to believe that anything had occurred to make her less +friendly to him than formerly. + +Somers, as we have so often had occasion to represent him, was always in +favor of "facing the music." If there was anything the matter, he wanted +to know it. If the lady wished to discontinue the acquaintance, he +wanted to know that; and when he could no longer content himself in +Pinchbrook, with the question unsettled, he started for Newport. On his +arrival he proceeded at once to the residence of Commodore Portington. +With a firm hand he rang the bell--in surprising contrast with his first +visit, for now he was firm and decided. + +The servant informed him that Miss Portington was at home, and he sent +up his card. Somers sat nervously waiting the issue. Presently the +servant returned and handed him a card, on which was written, "_Miss +Portington is not at home to Mr. John Somers_." + +He was confounded by this cool reply. Though her present conduct was in +accordance with the unanswered letters, he had not expected to be thus +rudely repelled. If she had any objection to him, why didn't she tell +him so? He had done his duty to his country, and kept his promises to +her. It was the severest blow he had ever received. + +He read the card, rose from his chair, and left the house, as dignified +as though he had been on the quarter deck of the Ben Lomond. He was too +proud to ask or to offer any explanations. We will not undertake to say +how bad he felt. Perhaps he wished he had died in the Pensacola +hospital, when he lay at death's door; perhaps he felt like rushing into +the hottest of a fight, and laying down his life for the cause he had +espoused, without thinking that this would be suicide, rather than a +generous sacrifice to a holy duty. + +Mr. Pillgrim had informed him that he would meet with a "chilly" +reception. It was even worse than that; but as it was evidently caused +by the traitor's machinations, he was content to suffer. If she chose to +let the words of the wretched conspirator against his country bias her +against him, he could not help it; and his only remaining duty was to +submit with the best possible grace. + +Of course he could not leave Newport without calling at the Naval +Academy. Mr. Revere, the commandant of midshipmen, was his firm friend, +and it would be treason to him to leave the city without seeing him. He +was cordially received, and his experience in Mobile Bay was listened to +with the most friendly interest. + +"I need not ask you if you have been to Commodore Portington's," said +Mr. Revere. + +"I have, sir." + +"Well, how is Miss Portington?" + +"I did not see her," replied Somers, who, conscious that he had done no +wrong, was not disposed to conceal his misfortune from so good a friend. + +"Did not see her!" exclaimed the commandant. + +Somers explained. + +The story of Pillgrim's treason had been circulated, but the particulars +by which it had been exposed were known to only a few. Mr. Revere saw at +once the cause of the rupture. + +"The villain has sent her the bond you signed," said he. + +"Perhaps he has." + +"Probably she knows nothing of the circumstances under which you signed +it." + +"I have had no opportunity to explain." + +"But, Somers, you musn't be too stiff. Any lady would be fully justified +in refusing to see a gentleman who signed a paper like that, which +contained her name in such a connection." + +"I think so myself; and therefore I will not blame her." + +"Pillgrim got you to sign that document for this very purpose." + +"I surmised as much." + +"But it is a wrong to the lady as well as to you, to permit this thing +to go on." + +"I have no remedy." + +"Write her a note, explaining your position." + +"My motives would be misconstrued." + +"Then I shall act for you." + +Somers went to his hotel, and Mr. Revere did act it for him. Kate was +not satisfied. A high-minded man would have died rather than sign such a +paper. So would Somers, if the bond had any real meaning. The commandant +was not successful in the negotiation, as mediators seldom are in such +cases. + +"I am satisfied, Mr. Revere," said Somers: but he was as far from +satisfied as a young man could be. + +"There is no help for it; but, Somers, I have invited a few friends to +my house this evening, and you must be with us." + +"Will Miss Portington be there?" + +"She has been invited, with her mother." + +"I will go," replied he, still carrying out his principle that it is +always best to "face the music." + +He did go. The few friends were about fifty--to celebrate the birthday +of the commandant's lady. There were music, and dancing, and revelry; +and Kate Portington was there, with her mother. He saw the fair girl; +saw her smile as pleasantly and unconcernedly as though nothing had +happened. He met her face to face; she bowed coldly, and passed on. Mrs. +Portington was not quite so "chilly," but not at all as she had been in +former times. + +"Mr. Somers, we shall always remember you with gratitude, for the +service you so kindly rendered us," said she. + +"It is hardly worth remembering, madam, much less mentioning," replied +Somers. + +"It shall always be gratefully remembered, and cordially mentioned. You +cannot yourself regret more than I do, that anything should have +occurred to disturb the pleasant relations which formerly existed." + +"I regret it very much, madam; but as I think I have done my duty to my +country and to my friends, I must regret it without reproaching myself +for my conduct in that which has proved so offensive." + +"Was it your duty to sign that vile paper?" asked the lady, in excited +tones. + +"I think it was." + +"I must take a different view of the matter; but, Mr. Somers, I shall +still be interested in your success." + +"Thank you, madam." + +And the lady passed on. Somers looked at Kate. She was dancing with a +young officer who had greatly distinguished himself in the waters of +North Carolina. She looked happy. Was she so? She certainly had a +wonderful command of herself if she was not. Somers retired at an early +hour. + +Did Kate think he was an adventurer? His superior officer had directed +him to sign the bond, as a "war measure." He had done so with regret and +disgust. The paper meant nothing to him. Why should it mean anything to +her and her mother? + +The next day, Somers returned to Pinchbrook, where he found certain +official documents in the post office, directed to him. He was appointed +to the command of the Firefly, which was the new name given by the +department to the Ben Lomond. The steamer had been duly condemned, and +purchased by the government, her great speed admirably adapting her as a +cruiser for rebel pirates. Somers was generously rewarded for his zeal +and success in the capture of the twin steamers, which had been intended +to prey on the commerce of the country. + +Acting Ensign Longstone was appointed second lieutenant of the Firefly. +The third and fourth lieutenants, and the sailing master, were acting +ensigns, like Tom Longstone. + +All was excitement now at the cottage in Pinchbrook, in anticipation of +Somers's departure. A lieutenant commanding was a higher position than +he had ever hoped to obtain; but even while he rejoiced over his bright +future, he could not help being "blue" over his affair at Newport. He +tried to forget the fair lady, but he found that was not an easy matter. +He devoted himself to the fitting up of the Firefly, spending part of +his time at Pinchbrook, till his orders came from Washington. A kind +word from Kate would have made him the happiest man in the world. As +that did not come, he went to sea without it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +THE BEN LEDI. + + +The Firefly had been strengthened and otherwise improved for the purpose +to which she was to be applied. Her armament had been changed, to adapt +it to the standard of the United States navy. She now carried a hundred +pounder rifle amidships, a rifled thirty on her forecastle, four +twenty-four pounders on the broadsides, and two howitzers on the quarter +deck. The cabin, ward-room, and steerage remained as before. + +It was a pleasant November day--in the full reign of the Indian +summer--when she went down the harbor. Somers stood on the quarter deck, +as dignified as the commander of a man-of-war should be, but he could +hardly repress the feeling of pride and exultation with which he +regarded his position. He was hardly twenty-one, though he was mature +enough in appearance and in judgment for twenty-five. He had realized +the warmest hope he had permitted himself to cherish. He was in command +of a beautiful vessel, with a hundred officers and men under his +charge. He was the supreme authority; every man on board touched his cap +to him. + +Below was a cabin, appropriated wholly to his use, where he could live +as luxuriously as a lord. He had no watch to keep, no work to perform. +As he contemplated his position, he was absolutely amazed. He had hoped, +but not expected, to reach this pinnacle of his ambition. But there was +another side to the question. A fearful responsibility was imposed upon +him. The lives of his hundred men depended upon him. This valuable +steamer, with her armament and stores, was intrusted to him, and he must +account for all loss or waste on board of her. More than this, the honor +of the flag under which he sailed had been committed to him. If he lost +his ship by bad management, it would be his ruin. If he permitted the +ensign which floated at his peak to be disgraced, it would be infamy to +him. + +In the public service he might have occasion to run into foreign ports, +or to visit neutral waters. His want of knowledge, or his want of +judgment, might entangle his country in perplexing broils with other +nations, or even involve her in another war. As he thought of his +delicate and difficult duties, he felt like shrinking from them, and +avoiding the immense responsibility. Being "captain," in this view, was +quite a different thing from what he had anticipated. + +With a smile he recalled his own reflections, when, as an ordinary +seaman, he had observed the captain of his ship walk the deck. Then he +had thought the commander had the easiest and jolliest time of all the +men on board, with his fine cabin all to himself, and no watch to keep, +and apparently no work to do. From his present stand-point, the captain +occupied the most difficult and trying place in the ship, and he almost +wished he had declined the command offered to him. + +Outside the bay, the sealed orders were opened. As he had anticipated, +he was ordered to cruise in search of rebel steamers, whose depredations +on the coast had severely tried the patience of the nation. He was +directed to proceed first to the eastward, and then to use his own +judgment. There were several rebel privateers, or naval vessels +belonging to the Confederacy. The Tallahassee, the Chickamauga, and the +Olustee had been the most mischievous; and it was believed that there +were others at Wilmington, and the _neutral_ ports of New Brunswick, +Nova Scotia, and the West Indies. + +Having learned where he was to go, and what he was to do, he went on +deck and gave his orders to Mr. Gamage, the first lieutenant. The +Firefly was headed to the north-east, and all sail set to help her +along. Before Somers went below, she logged fifteen knots, which was +splendid for a ship with her bunkers full of coal. + +In the evening the young commander invited Tom Longstone to visit his +cabin. The veteran was in his happiest frame of mind. All the +aspirations of his earlier years seemed to have been rekindled in his +soul; he had abandoned the use of slang, and conducted himself so much +like a gentleman, outwardly, that no one could have suspected he had +spent thirty odd years of his life before the mast; but as he had always +been a gentleman at heart, it was comparatively easy for him to assume +the externals of his new profession. + +The old man had donned a new uniform; and though his hair and beard were +iron gray, he looked as "spruce" as a dry goods clerk. No change of +dress, however, could make him any other than an "old salt." He walked +with a rolling gait, and had all the airs of a veteran seaman. It is +true that in the transposition from the forecastle to the ward-room he +had discarded "pigtail," and confined himself to "fine cut," taken from +a silver box; but he still used as much of the "weed" as an old +sheet-anchor man. + +"You sent for me, Captain Somers," said the second lieutenant, as he +touched his fore-top, from the force of habit. + +"Sit down, Mr. Longstone," said the captain. "It is one of the blessings +of my present position that I have a place to sit down and talk with old +friends. I suppose you know we are bound to the eastward in search of +rebel privateers." + +"So Mr. Gamage told me, sir. I hope we shall catch some of them." + +"So do I; but I'm afraid we are on a wild-goose chase." + +"Perhaps not--at least, I hope not. If there is a rebel ship in these +waters, we'll have her, if we have to dive after her." + +"The ocean is very broad. None of our ships have had much luck in +catching these rebel pirates. I would rather have gone down on the +blockade, where there is some show for us." + +"Don't give it up, Captain Somers." + +"I don't give it up; but I do not see any reason why I should be more +fortunate than others. A score of our ships have cruised for months +without catching a single one of them." + +"They didn't look where they were," laughed Tom. + +"If I knew where they were, I would look there." + +"You will certainly catch one of the pirates, Captain Somers." + +"Why do you say so?" + +"Because you are smart, and you are lucky. I know you will make a +capture on this cruise. I feel it in my bones." + +"I hope I shall. Wouldn't it be glorious, if I could send such a +despatch as Captain Winslow did, after he had sunk the Alabama?" + +Somers's eyes glistened as he thought of it, but it was only an +air-castle; and after he had contemplated it for a moment, his common +sense obliged him to come down from the clouds. + +The cruise of the Firefly would supply matter enough for a whole volume, +but we have only space for a mere outline of the voyage. The steamer lay +off and on for a week without meeting with anything that looked like a +rebel privateer, when her commander decided to run into Halifax, where +he hoped to obtain some information. The city was a nest of "secesh +sympathizers," and the captain of the Firefly was not received with much +enthusiasm outside of the American consulate. He had not been in the +habit of hearing his country and her rulers vilified, and as he sat in +the parlor of the hotel, and listened to hostile remarks, evidently +intended for his ear, nothing but prudence prevented him from indulging +in the luxury of pulling the noses of the speakers. He preserved his +dignity in spite of his inclination. + +"Upon my word, this is a very unexpected pleasure," said a familiar +voice. + +He looked up from the newspaper he was reading. Before him stood Mr. +Pillgrim! + +"Quite as unexpected to me as to you, Mr. Pillgrim!" replied Somers, +with abundant self-possession. + +"I dare say, Mr. Somers," laughed Pillgrim. "Of course you did not +expect to see me. Will you take a glass of wine with me, Mr. Somers?" + +"No, I thank you; I never indulge--as you are aware." + +"I didn't know but your rapid advancement had changed your tastes." + +"No, sir." + +"You command the Ben Lomond now, Mr. Somers, I learn from the papers." + +"The Firefly is her present name." + +"Bah! What an ugly name for a fine steamer like her. The Tallapoosa is +much better. Be that as it may, I congratulate you on your promotion and +your appointment; and you know how sincere I am! + +"I do know; and, therefore, cannot even thank you for your good wishes." + +"Don't be savage, Mr. Somers. You can afford to be very good-natured." + +"I am." + +"You don't seem to be very glad to see me." + +"On the contrary, I am. I hope, with your usual candor, that you will +tell me what you are going to do next, and give me an opportunity to cut +out your vessel. I am up here for that purpose." + +Pillgrim bit his lip. + +"At present, Mr. Somers, I must be silent; but we shall yet meet and +settle up old accounts. Let us not be ill-natured. If we meet as +enemies, we will fight it out." + +"We can never meet in any other way." + +"That isn't friendly. How is Miss Portington?" + +"She was well, last time I saw her;" and Somers blushed, and looked +disconcerted--as he really was. + +"I am glad to hear it, Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, significantly. + +Somers changed the topic at once, and finally contrived to ask the +traitor how he happened to be in Halifax, instead of Fortress Monroe. +Pillgrim laughed exultingly, and declared there were no irons, bolts, or +bars that could keep him a prisoner; and the facts seemed to justify the +assertion. + +"Mr. Somers, not more than one half of the people of the North are in +favor of this cruel war. I have friends in Washington and other cities +whom no one suspects of favoring the South. I am indebted to them for my +liberation. I shall yet carry out my original purpose. I have lost three +vessels. I was paid for two by the Confederacy; and I have your bond for +half the value of the third. I am a commander in the Confederate navy. +In one week I shall be at sea. I shall sink, burn, and destroy! You +can't help yourself." + +"Is your ship here?" + +"Yes--no." + +Pillgrim laughed, turned on his heel, and walked away. Somers was +excited. He wanted to know more. He went to the American consul. A +"blue-nose" sailor of the Firefly was sent on shore, who found Pillgrim, +and without much difficulty shipped in the "Sunny South" for a voyage on +the coast. This was all the information that could be obtained. There +was no such craft as the Sunny South in port. Somers examined all the +vessels in the harbor, and found a steamer called the Ben Ledi--another +Scottish mountain. She was Clyde-built, and similar to the Ben Nevis and +the Ben Lomond. The name alone satisfied the inquirer that she belonged +to the same family as the two vessels he had already captured. + +Things began to look a little more hopeful, and the young commander +carefully read his books on international law. He attempted to place the +Firefly where he could watch the suspected steamer; but the authorities, +on various pretences, prevented him from doing so. The next morning the +Ben Ledi was gone. Somers was exceedingly mortified, for he might as +well look for a needle in a haymow as try to find the vessel on the +ocean. He put to sea at once. A "blue-nose" official laughed at him as +his gig pulled off to the ship, and everybody on shore was in high glee +because the Confederate had eluded the Yankee. + +Somers kept cool in spite of his chagrin; and believing the Ben Ledi +would run for Wilmington, where she would probably be fitted out as a +cruiser, he headed the Firefly in that direction, and gave chase. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +A LONG CHASE. + + +Somers was somewhat bewildered by the events which had transpired during +his brief stay at Halifax. It was almost incredible that Pillgrim had +again escaped; but the traitor had powerful friends--men who appeared to +be loyal while they were in full sympathy with the leaders of the +rebellion. The three "Bens," the last of which was now fleeing before +him, were certainly an interesting family. Pillgrim, while abroad, and +operating for the Southern Confederacy, had apparently purchased a whole +line of Clyde-built steamers. Two of them were now in good hands, and +doing good service to the loyal cause; but Somers feared that the third +would escape him. + +Pillgrim had learned prudence from the experience of the past. Somers +hoped he would indulge in his customary reckless boasting; that his +thirst for revenge would again lead him to betray himself; but he had +not dropped even a hint that could be of any service. The decoy seaman +had only learned that he was to sail in the "Sunny South." The sudden +departure of the Ben Ledi was the only important fact in possession of +the commander of the Firefly. + +When the ship was well out of the bay, and her course laid down, Somers +went into his cabin to consult his charts, and consider a plan for +future operations. Unfortunately there was no information on which to +base a theory in regard to the pirate's course. He could only guess at +her destination. The Firefly was run at her best speed during the rest +of the day, but her course for a large portion of the time was through a +dense Nova Scotia fog, and nothing was seen or heard. + +On the following day, the sun shone through a clear air, and at noon +there was seen, dead ahead, some evidences of black smoke in the +horizon. This was a hopeful sign, for there was a steamer burning +English coal in the direction indicated. It might be the Ben Ledi, and +it might not; but the appearance created a tremendous excitement on +board the Firefly. + +"Captain Somers, you will have her," said Tom Longstone, placing himself +by the side of the young commander. "It is your luck." + +"That may not be the steamer we are after. We haven't seen her yet." + +"That's the Ben Ledi; you may depend upon it. I wouldn't give five cents +to any man to guarantee my share of prize money in her." + +"Don't be too confident, Mr. Longstone." + +"She is ours, Captain Somers." + +"I wish I could believe it." + +"You must believe it, and work for it." + +"I shall certainly work for it." + +And he did work for it. Everything that would add a fraction of a knot +to the speed of the Firefly was done. The black smoke was visible all +the rest of the day, but not a sight of the steamer from which it +proceeded could be obtained. Darkness settled down upon the ocean, and +nothing could be seen during the night. The next day was cloudy, and +there was not a sign of encouragement to those on board of the pursuing +vessel. Then came a gale of twenty hours' duration; but the Firefly held +her course, and proved herself to be a perfect sea boat. + +The fourth day out from Halifax was fine, and shortly after sunrise the +cloud of black smoke was again discovered, and a thrill of delight +coursed through the veins of Somers as he discovered it. The steamer was +on the port bow now, but it was evident that both steamers were bound to +the same point, though their courses had slightly varied during the +gale. + +"I told you so, Captain Somers!" exclaimed Lieutenant Longstone, as he +rubbed his hands briskly in view of the bright prospect. + +"We haven't caught her yet, Mr. Longstone." + +"But you will catch her, just as sure as the sun shines." + +"Mr. Pillgrim will not allow himself to be taken." + +"He cannot help himself." + +"Perhaps he can. That steamer sails as well as the Firefly, and we are +not a hundred and fifty miles from Cape Fear." + +"No matter; we have got ten hours' working time, and we shall use her +up. Shall we put the helm to starboard, Captain Somers?" + +"No; keep her as she is," replied the commander. "If she is going into +Wilmington we shall be making something on this tack. We have the +weather-gage of her." + +It was soon clearly demonstrated that the chase had "slowed down," so as +not to approach the coast before night should favor her operations, +though her great speed gave her every advantage over an ordinary +pursuer. The Firefly had run down so that the Ben Ledi was on her port +beam, about eight miles distant. Both steamers had hoisted English +colors, for Somers had no idea of being cheated out of the game by +"showing his hand." + +The most intense excitement prevailed on board of the Firefly, for it +was evident that a few hours more would settle the question one way or +the other. Somers was not disposed to wait until night, which would +favor the chase more than himself; and he was afraid, if he headed +towards her, that she would take the alarm and beat him on time. He kept +quiet for a couple of hours, just as though he were waiting for the +darkness to cover him in running the blockade. + +His plan seemed to be a success, for after a while the Ben Ledi began to +bear down upon him. It was an anxious hour for Somers. He ordered the +first lieutenant to beat to quarters, and the chief engineer to have on +a full head of steam. The guns were loaded with solid shot, and every +preparation made for an exciting time. Pillgrim did not seem to suspect +thus far that the steamer under English colors was the one he had left +in Halifax harbor. It was certain that he did not yet recognize her. + +The Firefly reciprocated the attention of the Ben Ledi, and moved slowly +towards her, for Somers was careful not to excite suspicion by being +precipitate. The two steamers approached within three miles, and the +respective captains were busy in examining each other's ship through +their glasses. The chase now hoisted her number. As Somers had the +Lloyd's signal book, he read it without difficulty. It was the Ben Ledi. +To the question, "What ship is that?" he had no answer to give, for it +was not prudent to hoist the old number of the Ben Lomond. + +Our younger readers may not understand how a conversation is carried on +between ships at sea, several miles distant from each other. There are +ten small signal flags representing the nine digits and the zero. Any +number can of course be formed of these figures. Every ship is provided +with a number, which if it consists of two figures is represented by two +flags, hoisted together; three figures, three flags; and so on. + +The signal book also contains a great number of questions and answers, +such as, "What ship is that?" "Where bound?" "All well." "Short of +water," &c. Each sentence has its invariable number, which may be +indicated by the signal flags. If one vessel shows the number 124, the +captain of the ship signalized would find this number in his signal +book; and against it would be printed the question or answer. + +Somers was not disposed to reply to the question of Pillgrim; and as he +did not do so, the traitor immediately took the alarm. The Ben Ledi went +about, and made off to the eastward under full steam. The Firefly was +all ready to follow, and then commenced a most exciting chase. It was +useless to waste shot at that distance, and Somers confined his +attention to the speed of his vessel. For three hours the pursuit was +continued, without any perceptible decrease of the distance between the +two steamers. + +But it was soon discovered that Pillgrim was gradually wearing round. +Somers perceived his intention, but it was not prudent to attempt to +cut him off all at once, by taking the arc of a smaller circle; but he +worked his ship slowly round; and when both vessels were headed to the +west, he had gained a mile. Pillgrim had evidently made up his mind to +go into Wilmington at any risk, though under ordinary circumstances the +more prudent course would have been for him to continue at sea, where a +dark night or a fog might have enabled him to elude his pursuer. Somers +concluded, therefore, that the Ben Ledi was short of coal, for his own +supply was nearly exhausted. + +The furnaces of the Firefly were now worked to their utmost capacity, +and every expedient to make steam was resorted to by the excited +engineers and firemen. There was a stiff breeze from the south-west, and +both vessels had crowded on every stitch of canvas that could be spread. +It had already been demonstrated that there was no appreciable +difference in the speed of the two steamers, and the result of the chase +was to depend entirely upon the management of each. + +When the two vessels had come about so as to make a fair wind, the +Firefly had been the first to spread her canvas, and the superior +discipline of her crew was thus made apparent. A slight advantage had +thus been gained, and it was certain that "the balance of power" lay in +the sails. At meridian an observation was obtained, and the position of +the ship was accurately laid down on the chart. The latitude was 33 deg. +59' 7"; the longitude 76 deg. 29' 23". To make the Swash Channel, which was +covered by the guns of Fort Fisher, the Ben Ledi would have laid a +course about half a point south of west; but her present course was +west-south-west. Somers, after examining his chart, had some doubts +whether she was going into Wilmington. + +Tom Longstone had the deck during the afternoon watch. He was a veteran +seaman, and his experience had made him more familiar with canvas than +with steam. With the most anxious solicitude he watched the sails during +the afternoon, and under his skilful directions they were kept perfectly +trimmed. On that momentous occasion everything was reduced down to the +finest point, as well in the handling of the engine as the tacks, +sheets, and halliards. + +The case was hopeful, though the gain could not be perceived in one, or +two, hours; but at eight bells hardly a mile lay between the contending +steamers. The first lieutenant wanted to open on the chase with the +rifled gun on the top-gallant forecastle; but Somers refused permission, +for while he was gaining on the Ben Ledi only in inches, he could not +afford to lose feet by the recoil of the gun, until there was a better +chance of hitting the mark. At two bells in the first dog watch, just as +the sun was setting, the Ben Ledi doubled Frying Pan Shoals, passing +close to the breakers. Then, as her people discovered a couple of +vessels belonging to the blockading squadron, she sheered off, and went +to the westward. + +These changes, with the doubt and uncertainty which prevailed on board +of the Ben Ledi, had been very favorable to the Firefly, now within half +a mile of her. Two vessels from the blockading fleet had started to +engage in the exciting work, but they were too late to help or hinder +the pursuit. Somers gave the order to fire upon the Ben Ledi, which was +now endeavoring to work round to the Beach Channel. + +Though the darkness had settled down upon the chase, the Firefly +continued the pursuit with unabated vigor. Her pilot was familiar with +the channels, bars, and shoals. Shot after shot was fired at the Ben +Ledi, and it was soon evident that one of them had in some way damaged +her wheels, for she was rapidly losing ground. But now a battery on Oak +Island suddenly opened on the Firefly. + +"We must end this thing," said Somers, as a shot from the fort whizzed +over his head. + +"Yes, sir," replied the first lieutenant. "We can hardly pass that +battery." + +"Try the hundred pounder." + +When the pivot gun was ready, the Firefly swung round, and the heavy +piece roared out its salutation to the blockade runner. It was aimed by +Tom Longstone, and the bolt struck the Ben Ledi square in the stern, +breaking in her counter, and leaving her helpless on the water. The +Firefly stopped her wheels. A shot from the fort crushed through her +smoke-stack. + +The chase, completely disabled, drifted on the beach and grounded, under +the guns of the battery. The Firefly now poured shell into her from +every gun that could be brought to bear. In a few moments a sheet of +flame rose from her, and lighted up the channel for miles around, +clearly revealing to the gunners in the fort the exact position of +Somers's vessel. + +The work had been accomplished, the Ben Ledi had been destroyed, and the +Firefly hastened to escape from her dangerous locality. In coming about +she poured a parting broadside into the burning steamer. As she swung +round, a hail from the water was heard, and a boat containing several +men was discovered. It had been carried by the tide away from the beach. +The occupants were taken on board, though one of them was wounded and +utterly helpless. They had no oars, and were in danger of being carried +out to sea. + +"Here's the cap'n; he was hit by a piece of a shell," said one of the +men. + +"Who is he?" asked Somers. + +"Cap'n Pillgrim." + +The sufferer was taken down into the ward-room, and the surgeon began to +examine him as the Firefly steamed down the channel under a shower of +shot and shell from the battery. + +"How is he?" asked the young commander, when the ship had passed out of +the reach of the guns of the fort. + +"He is dead!" replied the surgeon. + +"Dead! Good Heaven!" exclaimed Somers, impressed by the terrible +retribution which had at last overtaken the traitor. + +"Yes, sir; he died a few moments since. A fragment of a shell tore open +his breast and penetrated his lungs," added the surgeon. + +"That's the last of him," said Lieutenant Longstone. "He will lay no +more plots." + +"He has been a dangerous enemy to his country," continued Somers. "If he +had succeeded in running in with that vessel, he would have obtained her +armament, and made terrible havoc among the merchant ships on the coast. +He was a daring fellow; he was reckless at times. He told me on board of +the Chatauqua that he had purchased three steamers in Scotland; this is +the last one." + +"Three Bens," added Tom. "Captain Somers, you have had a hand in +capturing and destroying them all." + +"I have; and it is really marvellous, when I think of it." + +"I knew you would capture the Ben Ledi," continued the second +lieutenant, exultingly. + +"I did not capture her." + +"It is the same thing." + +"You will not find it so when your prize money is distributed." + +"A fig for the prize money," replied Tom, contemptuously. "We destroyed +her; and it's all the same thing. I would rather have had that villain +hanged than killed by an honest shell; but there is no help for it now." + +"Peace, Mr. Longstone; he is dead now. We have nothing more to do with +him." + +The body of Mr. Pillgrim was laid out in a proper place, and as the coal +bunkers of the Firefly were nearly empty, she was headed for Port Royal, +where she arrived on the afternoon of the following day. On the passage, +the men from the Ben Ledi, who had been picked up in the boat, were +examined in regard to their knowledge of her ultimate use. One of the +party was an intelligent English seaman, who acknowledged that he had +shipped, for the Confederate navy, in the Sunny South, which was to be +the new name of the Ben Ledi. She had waited a month at Halifax for +orders. Langdon was not on board of her, and the seaman had no knowledge +of any such person. + +The Firefly had not been seen on board the Sunny South until both +steamers were off Wilmington. After passing Frying Pan Shoals, a shot +from the Firefly had partially crippled her port wheel, which accident +had caused her to lose ground rapidly. The projectile from the hundred +pounder had completely shattered her stern, and disabled her rudder, and +knocked the engine "all in a heap." The port quarter boat was torn to +pieces by a shell, the same which had given Pillgrim his mortal wound. +The after tackle of the other quarter boat had been shot away, and when +it was dropped into the water the oars were gone. Most of the crew had +saved themselves by swimming ashore. The Ben Ledi had a valuable cargo, +which the informer declared was totally destroyed by fire or water. + +On her arrival at Port Royal, the Firefly coaled without delay; the body +of Pillgrim was buried, and after forwarding his despatches to the navy +department by a supply steamer, Somers sailed again on another cruise +after privateers, Confederate cruisers, and blockade runners. The +Tallahassee and the Chickamauga were supposed to be at Wilmington, but +the Olustee was believed to be still afloat. Of this cruise our limits +do not permit us to record details; but the Firefly captured a valuable +steamer in December, and sent her into port. This was the only prize she +obtained; and being short of coal, she ran into Boston, on New Year's +day, where her prize had arrived before her. + +Somers immediately forwarded his despatches, and awaited the orders of +the department. Of course he hastened down to Pinchbrook as soon as he +could leave the ship, where he was heartily welcomed and warmly +congratulated upon his successful cruise. + +"Here's something for you, John," said Mrs. Somers, taking a daintily +made up letter from the mantel-piece, when the welcome had been given, +kisses bestowed, and hands shaken. "It has been here a fortnight." + +Somers knew the handwriting, for it had often gladdened his heart +before, and a flush came to his cheeks as he tore open the envelope. It +was from Kate Portington, whom the young commander had not failed to +think of every day during his absence, though it was with pain and +sorrow at the rupture which had separated them. The letter healed his +only wound. + +"I shall never forgive myself," she wrote, "for my harsh treatment of +you; and I am afraid you can never forgive me. I have seen Mr. +Hackleford, who says that he _ordered_ you to sign that horrible paper. +Why didn't you tell me so, John?" He would have told her so, if she had +given him an opportunity. But she was repentant, and Somers was +rejoiced. + +The letter was four pages in length, and among all the pleasant things +it contained, the pleasantest was that she was spending a month in +Boston, at the residence of a friend, where she hoped to see him. + +She did see him there, on the very day he received the letter. What +passed between them we are not at liberty to say in a book of this kind, +except to inform the reader that Kate was herself again; that in the +joy of meeting him after this painful rupture, she actually forgot to be +proper, and in spite of her promise, and her mother's lecture, she +called him "prodigy." The past, the present, and the future, were +discussed, and Somers went on board the Firefly the happiest of +mortals. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +THE END OF THE REBELLION. + + +The Firefly, with her energetic young commander, was too serviceable to +be permitted long to remain in idleness, and she was ordered to join +Admiral Porter's squadron, which had failed to capture Fort Fisher in +December; or rather, the military portion of the expedition had failed +to do it, for the navy had done its part of the work to the satisfaction +of the nation. + +Somers sailed again, and in due time reported to the admiral, who was +then waiting for the army, in order to make the second attack. A +tremendous gale delayed the expedition; but on the 13th of January, the +bombardment of Fort Fisher was commenced, and the military force was +landed on Federal Point. A detachment of sailors from the Firefly, under +the command of Lieutenant Longstone, was sent on shore to join the naval +brigade, and the steamer was variously employed during the action, +rendering valuable aid with her hundred pounder, as well as performing +various duties, for which her great speed and light draught peculiarly +fitted her. The zeal and energy of Somers were warmly commended, though +he had no opportunity to render any signal service in the attack. + +Fort Fisher fell this time; every man and every ship was faithful; and +though some were distinguished by gallant exploits, the victory was the +result of the steadiness of the whole line, rather than of the brilliant +deeds of the few. The last maritime stronghold of the rebellion was +reduced, and the sinking Confederacy was shut in from all material +support from abroad. Its days were numbered, and many of its most rabid +supporters were now crying out for peace. + +The flag of the Union floated over Fort Fisher, and the great fleet +before its shattered ramparts celebrated the victory with clouds of gay +flags, with flights of rockets, and with salvos of artillery. It was a +glorious day for that expedition. Admiral Porter and General Terry won a +glorious fame and an unfading name upon the annals of their country. + +Gallant old Tom Longstone was wounded in the arm in an attempt to rally +the sailors when they broke under the most terrible fire that mortal men +ever breasted. Lieutenant Longstone did all that any officer could do, +but the whole garrison seemed to be gathered at the point where the +naval assault was made. The sailors were repulsed and driven back. They +had never been disciplined to this kind of work; yet they fought like +tigers, hand to hand oftentimes, with the foe; and though they were +forced back, even while the American flag was floating over the other +side of the works, it was no disgrace to them. Tom stood by to the last, +though he was severely wounded, and finally had the satisfaction of +beholding a complete triumph. The soldiers did wonders on that day--the +sailors hardly less. + +With other vessels of light draught the Firefly went up the river, +fishing up torpedoes, transporting soldiers, and hammering down rebel +batteries, and continued upon this duty until General Terry marched into +the deserted city of Wilmington, and raised the national flag where the +emblem of treason had insulted the free air for four long years. + +The Firefly was ordered to the James River, in the vicinity of which the +last groan of the expiring monster of Rebellion was soon to be heard; +and on the 20th of March she was on her winding way up the stream. In +the mean time Charleston had fallen; negro troops patrolled her streets, +and the people of this foul nest of secession were suffering the agonies +of actual subjugation. Sherman, with his grand army, was "marching on" +in his resistless course, with hardly a foe to impede his exultant +march. Columbia, the proud capital of arrogant South Carolina, yielded, +and the people repented their folly in the ashes of the burning city. +Johnston was retreating before his invincible conqueror, and the whole +military power of the rebellion east of Mississippi was concentrated +within an area of not more than a hundred and fifty miles. + +The movements of General Grant before Petersburg commenced; and his +great army, now animated by the sure prestige of victory, was hurled +against the rebel lines. The shock was tremendous; the whole world +seemed to be shaken by it, for it was the onslaught of freedom, striking +its last terrible blow at the legions of slavery. + +The fleet on the James was busily employed in fishing up torpedoes, in +guarding the pontoons across the river, and in "neutralizing" the +enemy's iron-clads which lay above the obstructions. The Firefly found +abundant occupation, though there was no opportunity for brilliant and +startling achievements; but she bore her full share in the hard work and +disagreeable drudgery of the occasion. + +Tom Longstone had entirely recovered from his wound; and being a +practical man himself, he was the life of every working party sent out +from the ship. The old man was an immense favorite with the sailors; +for, unlike many who have risen from a low position to a high, he was +kind and considerate, while he exacted the full measure of duty from +all. He was no tyrant, and had a heart for every man, whatever his +degree. + +"Well, Mr. Longstone, we have got almost to the end of the rebellion," +said Captain Somers, on one of those last days of March, when the roar +from beyond Petersburg was heavier than usual. + +"No doubt of that, captain," replied Tom. "I shall be a boatswain again +before long." + +"Do you dread the time?" + +"No, sir; far be it from me. I wouldn't prolong the war a single day, if +that day would make me an admiral." + +"Only one day, Tom?" said Somers, with a smile. + +"Not one, sir!" repeated the veteran, with emphasis. "For on that day a +husband or a father, a brother or a son, might be killed, and I should +be a murderer before God." + +"What do you think of those, then, that began this war?" + +"They are murderers! The blood of every man who has been killed in this +war on both sides rests on their heads. I'd rather be Cain than Jeff +Davis, or any other man of his crew." + +"I think you are right, Tom." + +"As for me, it don't make much difference whether I'm a boatswain or an +admiral. This old hulk won't stand many more storms; and I wouldn't do a +mean thing for the sake of living twenty years. Well, well," sighed the +veteran, as he glanced in the direction from which the roar of the +artillery came, "many a good fellow will lose the number of his mess +to-day." + +"Hundreds of them." + +And so the reports of the succeeding days assured them. The rebels had +stormed and temporarily possessed themselves of Fort Steadman. The +terrible conflict was opened in earnest; and from that time, swarms of +prisoners were sent forward to the river, which were guarded by +detachments of sailors and marines from the fleet. + +For three days the storm of war continued to howl in the distance, and +on the peaceful Sabbath more fiercely than before. Vague rumors were +flying through the fleet, and everybody felt that the end was at hand. +Somers retired as usual that night; but in the first watch, Tom +Longstone came down to him with report of great lights and heavy +explosions in the direction of Richmond. + +The rebels were evacuating the city, blowing up their iron-clads, and +firing the town. Richmond, which had defied the armies of the Union for +four years, had fallen. The heroic and persevering Grant had struck a +blow miles away, which tumbled down the last stronghold of treason. Jeff +Davis and his cabinet were fugitives now, fleeing from men, while the +wrath of God pursued where men could not reach them. + +The morning came, and with it the glad tidings of victory, which +foreshadowed peace. The Firefly was ordered to move up the river, and +she went up into waters where a loyal steamer had not floated for four +years. The negro troops were even then marching through the streets of +Richmond. The note of rejoicing, begun in the early morning, was +continued through the day. The brightest flags and the heaviest guns +proclaimed the joyful event. + +The Firefly went up to Varina, and then returned. This river was clear; +there was no sign of an enemy upon its waters. At City Point the sounds +of rejoicing thrilled upon the ear of soldier and sailor. Cheer upon +cheer rent the air, gun upon gun roared the paean of triumph, and every +heart beat in unison with the glad acclaim. + +"Glory, hallelujah!" shouted Somers, on the quarter deck of the Firefly, +as she passed through the fleet. + +"Glory, hallelujah!" returned all who heard him. + +Three rousing cheers, such as Jack only can give, came from the +flag-ship, as the Firefly ran under her counter. + +"What's that?" asked Somers--for there seemed to be something unusual +going on. + +Calling his gig, he went on board the flag-ship to report the result of +his visit up the river. On the quarter deck he discovered a familiar +face, which thrilled his heart with delight. It was "Brave Old Salt." + +Somers approached the vice admiral, cap in hand, and was immediately +recognized. + +"Mr. Somers, I am delighted to see you!" said the admiral, extending his +hand. + +"Thank you, sir," replied the young commander. "This is an unexpected +happiness to me." + +"There is only one joy to-day, Mr. Somers," continued the admiral. +"Richmond has fallen, and the rebellion is ended!" + +"Glory, hallelujah!" said Somers, waving his cap. + +"I came down here to learn what Grant was doing. God bless him! He has +done everything," added the admiral. + +Rear Admiral Porter now ordered the Firefly to be placed at the disposal +of the Old Salamander, and Somers was happy in the duty assigned to him. +A twelve-oar barge received the vice admiral, and conveyed him to the +steamer in which his voyage was to be continued. When he was on board, +the barge was towed astern for his use farther up the river. + +The Firefly steamed up the river with her illustrious passenger, and at +the invitation of the admiral, Somers accompanied him to Richmond. + +A day later came President Lincoln in a barge, attended by Admiral +Porter, and Somers had the honor of being formally presented to the +chief magistrate of the nation, who had a pleasant word for him, as he +had for all who approached him. Somers assisted in the ovation to the +president, and listened with wonder and delight to the shouts of the +negroes, as they greeted the author of the Emancipation Proclamation as +the saviour and redeemer of their race. + +Ten days later, that simple, great man fell by the hand of the assassin, +though not till the news of the surrender of Lee's army had gladdened +his heart, and assured him that the great work of his lifetime was +finished. + +Somers was shocked, stunned by the fearful news, the more so that he had +so recently pressed the hand of the illustrious martyr; and though the +nation was full of mourners, there were none more sincere in their grief +than the young commander of the Firefly. He wept as he would have wept +for his own father; and shutting himself up in his cabin, in solemn +fast, he read his Bible and prayed for the land he loved. How many true +souls did the same, when they heard of the awful tragedy! + +The war was ended. A few days later came the news of Johnston's +surrender. One by one, the gunboats were ordered north, and in June the +Firefly dropped her anchor off the navy yard at Charlestown. A few hours +later Somers was in the arms of the loved ones at home, weeping tears of +joy that the sound of strife was no more heard in the land. + +The Firefly was no longer needed in the navy, and with a hundred others +she was sold. As soon as she went out of commission, Tom Longstone, +having been "honorably discharged with the thanks of the department" as +an ensign, returned to his former rank of boatswain. When he obtained a +furlough, he paid a visit to Pinchbrook, where he was kindly received by +all the friends of his _protege_. The old man had money enough to buy +him a farm and retire from the navy; but he obstinately refused to do so +while Somers retained his commission. He confidently expected to be +appointed boatswain of the ship to which Lieutenant Somers might be +ordered. + +During his absence Somers had received occasional letters from Kate +Portington; and we will not undertake to say how many reams of fine note +paper he spoiled in saying what can be of interest to none but the +parties concerned. Of course there was any quantity of liquid moonshine +spread out on these dainty sheets, and the young man was all the happier +for writing it, as she was for reading it, for Kate and Somers had come +to an excellent understanding with each other on these matters. + +At the earliest day the public service would admit, he hastened to +Newport; but on his arrival he found the commodore's house filled with +grief and lamentation. The husband and the father--the kindest of +husbands and the tenderest of fathers--had been suddenly stricken down +in New Orleans, where his ship was stationed. The sad tidings had come +but a few hours before; and a few hours later it had flashed all over +the land that one of the nation's truest defenders had fallen at the +post of duty. + +In her grief Kate clung to Somers, who became the tenderest of +comforters. Then she learned, when earth was dark to her, what a wealth +of holy hope and pious faith there was in the soul of him she had chosen +from the whole world to lean upon in joy and in sorrow, in prosperity +and adversity, till life's fitful dream was over. Fondly she looked up +to him in her heavy affliction, and through him to the heaven of which +he spoke. He wept with her for him who was gone, and if she had loved +him before, she reverenced him now. + +Two weeks after the news came a steamer bearing the remains of the +deceased commodore. Then the tears broke out afresh, and Somers +continued to perform the holy office he had chosen. With the bereaved +child--the only one--he stood at the tomb, and helped her to see the +glory that streamed forth beyond its dark portals. Every day, for weeks +after, he visited her, never now to speak of his own selfish heart +yearnings, but to utter words of peace and hope. When he announced his +intention to return home, she could not restrain her tears, so needful +had he become to her in the depth of her sorrow. + +In the autumn her mother and herself came to Boston to spend the winter. +Kate was cheerful now, but the affliction through which she had passed +had given a shade of pensive sadness to her beautiful face, which time +alone could wear away. They attended the wedding of Major Somers, +John's brother, and rejoiced with him as he put the cup of bliss to his +lips. Lilian and Kate became fast friends; they were nearer alike now +than before the death of Commodore Portington. + +The winter passed away, and early in March Lieutenant Somers was +appointed to a ship bound to the Pacific Ocean. He must be absent two or +three years. He hastened to Kate with the intelligence; and sad as it +was to himself, he knew it would be infinitely more so to her. She +turned pale, and burst into tears. Her mother was hardly less affected. + +"You must not go, John! O, no! You will not leave me!" + +"I must obey orders." + +"You can resign," suggested Mrs. Portington. + +"Resign!" exclaimed Somers. "Resign when I am ordered to difficult or +disagreeable duty." + +"You need not make so much of it," added the matron, with a smile. +"There are twice as many officers in the navy as are required. It is +certainly no disgrace, in time of peace, to resign. You will only make a +place for another who wants to visit the Pacific." + +"You must resign, John," pleaded Kate, with an eloquence which he could +not resist. + +"On one condition I will do so," replied he, at last. "If there should +be war, I shall return to my post, if needed." + +And thus it was that Somers left the navy. His prize money, which had +been carefully invested from time to time by Captain Barney, now +amounted to more than twenty thousand dollars. He was able to retire, +and he did so. + +It is generally understood that they are to be married in the autumn, +when Mr. Somers will receive half a million with his wife, who is worth +a million times that sum herself. As the happy event has not yet +occurred, we have nothing to say about it, but we wish them every joy in +anticipation. Mrs. Portington speaks hopefully of the occasion, and has +already selected a location, in the vicinity of Boston, where the happy +young couple are to reside. + +This event has decided Tom Longstone. He has thrown up his warrant, and +bought a farm in Pinchbrook, on which he intends to "lay up" for the +rest of his life. A niece, who lost her husband in the war, is his +housekeeper, and at the time of Somers's last visit, the veteran was at +the high tide of felicity. + + * * * * * + +With many regrets we bid adieu to John Somers, to Thomas his brother, +and all of the family. We leave them prosperous and happy; but they have +purchased earth's joys and heaven's hopes by being faithful to +duty--true to God and themselves. + + + * * * * * + + + THE ARMY AND NAVY STORIES. + + In Six Volumes. + + A Library for Young and Old. + + BY OLIVER OPTIC. + + + I. + THE SOLDIER BOY; + Or, Tom Somers in the Army. + + II. + THE SAILOR BOY; + Or, Jack Somers in the Navy. + + III. + THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT; + Or, The Adventures of an Army Officer. + A SEQUEL TO "THE SOLDIER BOY." + + IV. + THE YANKEE MIDDY; + Or, The Adventures of a Naval Officer. + A SEQUEL TO "THE SAILOR BOY." + + V. + FIGHTING JOE; + Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer. + A SEQUEL TO "THE YOUNG LIEUTENANT." + + VI. + BRAVE OLD SALT; + Or, Life on the Quarter Deck. + A SEQUEL TO "THE YANKEE MIDDY." + + + WOODVILLE STORIES. + + BY OLIVER OPTIC. + + * * * * * + + I. + RICH AND HUMBLE; + Or, The Mission of Bertha Grant. + + II. + IN SCHOOL AND OUT; + Or, The Conquest of Richard Grant. + + III. + WATCH AND WAIT; + Or, the Young Fugitives. + + IV. + WORK AND WIN. + + V. + HOPE AND HAVE. + (In preparation.) + + VI. + HASTE AND WASTE. + (In preparation.) + + * * * * * + + LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers. + + + LIBRARY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. + + BY OLIVER OPTIC. + + * * * * * + + I. + THE BOAT CLUB; + OR, THE BUNKERS OF RIPPLETON. + + II. + ALL ABOARD; + OR, LIFE ON THE LAKE. + + III. + LITTLE BY LITTLE; + OR, THE CRUISE OF THE FLYAWAY. + + IV. + TRY AGAIN; + OR, THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF HARRY WEST. + + V. + NOW OR NEVER; + OR, THE ADVENTURES OF BOBBY BRIGHT. + + VI. + POOR AND PROUD; + OR, THE FORTUNES OF KATY REDBURN. + + Six volumes, put up in a neat box. + + * * * * * + + LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers. + + + RIVERDALE STORY BOOKS. + + BY OLIVER OPTIC. + + 12 vols., in neat box. + + I. + THE LITTLE MERCHANT. + + II. + THE YOUNG VOYAGERS. + + III. + THE CHRISTMAS GIFT. + + IV. + DOLLY AND I. + + V. + UNCLE BEN. + + VI. + BIRTH-DAY PARTY. + + VII. + PROUD AND LAZY. + + VIII. + CARELESS KATE. + + IX. + ROBINSON CRUSOE, JR. + + X. + THE PICNIC PARTY. + + XI. + THE GOLD THIMBLE. + + XII. + THE DO-SOMETHINGS. + + * * * * * + + LEE & SHEPARD,... Publishers. + + + Sophie May's Popular Series. + + LITTLE PRUDY STORIES. + + Six Volumes. + + ILLUSTRATED. + + COMPRISING: + + Little Prudy. + Little Prudy's Sister Susie. + Little Prudy's Capt. Horace. + Little Prudy's Cousin Grace. + Little Prudy's Story Book. + Little Prudy's Dotty Dimple. + + Price per Volume, 75 cents. + +Read the high commendation of the _North American Review_, which places +this series at the + + +Head of Juvenile Literature. + + "Genius comes in with 'Little Prudy.' Compared with her, all + other book-children are cold creations of Literature only; she + alone is the real thing. All the quaintness of childhood, its + originality, its tenderness and its teasing,--its infinite, + unconscious drollery, the serious earnestness of its fun, the + fun of its seriousness, the natural religion of its plays, and + the delicious oddity of its prayers,--all these waited for dear + Little Prudy to embody them. Sam Weller is not more piquant; + Hans Andersen's nutcrackers and knitting-needles are not more + thoroughly charged with life. Who is our benefactress in the + authorship of these books the world knows not. Sophie May must + doubtless be a fancy name, by reason of the spelling, and we + have only to be grateful that the author did not inflict on us + the customary alliteration in her pseudonyme. The rare gift of + delineating childhood is hers, and may the line of 'Little + Prudy' go out to the end of the earth.... To those + oversaturated with transatlantic traditions, we recommend a + course of 'Little Prudy.'" + +Copies of any of the above books sent by mail on receipt of price. + + LEE AND SHEPARD, + PUBLISHERS, + 149 Washington Street, Boston. + +MRS. LESLIE'S JUVENILE SERIES, + +FOR BOYS. + +Put up in a neat box. Price $6.00 a set, or $1.50 a vol. Comprising + + +THE MOTHERLESS CHILDREN. + +A thrilling story of orphanage, illustrating the trials and temptations +of the young, and the happy results of Christian nurture. + + +HOWARD AND HIS TEACHER; + +WITH THE SISTER'S INFLUENCE, AND OTHER STORIES. + +An illustration of the different modes of home-government with their +results. + + +PLAY AND STUDY. + +An interesting story of school-days, very suggestive of practical hints +to parents and teachers, and of the manner in which they may aid their +children and pupils in the invention of their own amusements, for their +relief and stimulus in study. + + +JACK THE CHIMNEY-SWEEPER, + +AND OTHER STORIES FOR YOUTH. + +This charming book is a most happy illustration of the duties enjoined +in the Commandments, and in other precepts of Scripture, but is entirely +free from all denominational bias. + +Each volume handsomely illustrated, bound in good style and distinct +from the others. + + * * * * * + +LEE & SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON. + + +MRS. LESLIE'S JUVENILE SERIES + +FOR GIRLS. + +Put up in a neat box. Price $6.00 a set, or $1.50 a vol. Comprising + + +LITTLE AGNES. + +This little book is an entertaining and instructive story of a girl +whose patience, industry, and fidelity raised her to eminence, honor, +and happiness. + + +TRYING TO BE USEFUL. + +A narrative showing the happy results of worthy resolution and endeavor. + + +I'LL TRY. + +An exhibition of the successful reward of perseverance to the +acquisition of fortune and fame. + + +ART AND ARTLESSNESS. + +In this admirable volume the virtues which adorn female loveliness +appear in bold and enviable contrast with the arts of coquetry and +deception. + + * * * * * + +The above elegant series have been recently issued, and are written in +an attractive style, and calculated to interest the young. A sound moral +tone pervades each volume, and in point of interest and instruction they +are unsurpassed by any series published. Each volume contains, on an +average, 260 pages, 16mo, is elegantly illustrated, bound in muslin, and +entirely distinct from the rest. + + +LEE & SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Brave Old Salt, by Oliver Optic + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRAVE OLD SALT *** + +***** This file should be named 37907.txt or 37907.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/0/37907/ + +Produced by David Garcia, Matthew Wheaton and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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