stroy the work of my own
hands?" added the rebel warmly.

"Well, I supposed you fired the train so as to be sure the thing was done
right."

"You are a fool, or else you didn't suppose any such thing."

"I didn't know but what you had one of those clock machines, that touch a
thing off at a certain time. Well, how did it happen, then?"

"I don't know; perhaps from a spark from the fire. No matter how it was
done now. It is done, and can't be helped. I have lost the satisfaction
of seeing half the Yankee fleet burnt up. I would rather have given a
year's pay than have had this accident happen."

"Haven't they got most ready for the Yankee fleet above here?" asked
Somers as carelessly as he could.

"What do you mean?"

"They are building batteries up above, to knock the Yankees into pieces,
aren't they?"

"Perhaps they are."

"Well, Captain Osborn, I don't believe your plan would have succeeded if
the steamer hadn't caught afire."

"Don't you? Why not?"

"Suppose the Yankees had stopped us on our way up, and come on board the
steamer. Don't you think they would have known what she was for?"

"Perhaps they would."

"Of course they would. Why didn't you fit out your steamer up the river?"

"We haven't so many steamers that we can afford to burn them up. We took
this one because she happened to be in the creek, where the Yankees could
capture her at any time they pleased."

"It wouldn't need a steamer above the fleet; a raft would do just as
well. I think I shall go up the river, and see what can be done. Well,
boys," added Somers to the men in the boat, "there will be no fun
to-night, and you may as well go home."

As this order was in conformity with previous instructions, the men
pulled down the creek to its mouth, where they could remain concealed
till their officers returned.

By the light of the burning steamer, Captain Osborn had attentively
scanned the features of the pilot and his companion, apparently for the
purpose of determining where he had seen the former. As they had both
dressed themselves for the occasion, they submitted to his scrutiny
without fear. When he had finished his survey, he mounted his horse,
which was fastened to a tree near the creek, and had become very restive
as the glaring fire scattered burning cinders near him. As the rider had
no further use for our enterprising operatives, he bestowed no further
notice upon them, and rode off to report to his commanding officer th