for him; and he has gone to Richmond. I reckon the
iron-clad's coming down soon."

"Can you take care of the steamer?"

"Certainly I can."

"Are you a pilot?"

"Pilot enough for this business."

"I understand it all. Andy was afraid to do this job, and has backed
out."

"I only know what he said to me," replied Somers innocently.

"Well, pull up the creek, and don't waste any more time in talking about
it."

"I haven't wasted any time. You have done all the talking yourself,"
replied Somers, who thought he should not be a consistent Southerner if
he did not growl.

Somers directed the men to pull again, and the boat advanced up the creek
till the steamer appeared. She was a small, worn-out old craft, which had
probably dodged into the creek when the Union fleet came up the river.
The man who had spoken from the shore reached the place almost as soon as
the boat. He was dressed in the gray of the Confederate army, and was
evidently an officer detailed to perform the duty of fitting out the
fire-ship.

"This is a most remarkable proceeding on the part of the pilot," said the
officer.

"I can't help it. You needn't growl at me about it. If you don't want me,
I don't want the job," replied Somers sourly.

"Don't be impudent to me," added the officer.

"And don't you be impudent to me," said Somers. "I'm not one of your
men."

"Silence! or I shall put you under arrest."

"No, you won't."

"Do you know the channel of the river?"

"Of course I do. What do you suppose Andy sent me here for?" snarled
Somers.

"Keep a civil tongue in your head, man."

"You had better show me how to do it first. Come, Graves," he added,
turning to De Banyan, "we are not wanted here, and we will go home
again."

"Who is that man with you?"

"Graves."

"Where did you get all these men?"

"They came with me to see the fun, and help the thing along."

The officer stepped on board of the steamer, and Somers and De Banyan
joined him on the deck.

"I think I've seen you somewhere."

"I think very likely; I was there once."

"You are a crusty young cub; but it may be you know your duty."

"Of course I do; and as for being crusty, I treated you like a gentleman
till you began to snarl at me."

"Well, well, my friend, we will rub out the past and begin again," said
the officer pleasantly.

"With all my heart, if you say so," replied Somers with equal suavity.

"This is a very important enterprise, and we want to