teach the Yankees
that it will be better for them to stay at home next time they want to
come down South. What is your name?"

"Tom Leathers. What's yours? Andy told me; but I've forgotten."

"Captain Osborn."

The rebel officer proceeded to give the supposed pilot very full
instructions in regard to the steamer, which was to be run up the river
to City Point, set on fire, and then abandoned to float with the current
through the thickest of the Federal fleet, blowing up gunboats, and
consuming transports by the hundred. The fire-steamer had been loaded
with pitch-wood, tar, pitch and turpentine; and Captain Osborn was
satisfied that the plan, if thoroughly carried out, would cause
tremendous havoc among the Yankee vessels. He rubbed his hands with
delight as he contemplated the prospect of driving the "Hessian" fleet
from the river, and starving the Union army out of its position.

An engineer and two firemen, whom they found on board the steamer, were
all the crew she had, and all she needed besides the pilot. They had got
up steam, and the vessel was all ready to move on her errand of
destruction when the word should be given.

"Now you are all ready," said Captain Osborn when he had completed his
instructions. "You will hoist the American flag, and pretend you are a
Yankee, if they attempt to stop you on your way up the river."

"I can do that to a charm," replied Somers. "I am all ready. Where is
Graves? Hallo, Graves!" he shouted, when he found that his companion had
left his side to take a look at the other parts of the steamer.

"Here I am, Tom," answered Graves, emerging from the engine-room, where
he had been talking with the presiding genius of that department.

"Run up the colors."

"Ay, ay, sir!" replied De Banyan.

The colors went up, and other preparations were made for the great
enterprise.

"Cast off that stern line!" said Somers. "Make fast your painter on the
port quarter," he added to the man in the boat; and no doubt by this time
Captain Osborn was fully satisfied that he was perfectly familiar with
the management of a steamer.

Now, Somers was very well satisfied that he should run the steamer
aground before he rounded the first point in the river, and he had wisely
concluded not to undertake so rash an enterprise. Besides, he did not
come over there to be the skipper of a steamer; he had other and even
more important duties to perform. He was much more interested in certain
rebel ba