the Scorpion:

"Private service for the commodore."

We ran alongside the schooner, made the hawser fast ourselves, since
the single militiaman standing guard at the top of the cabin
companion-way did not see fit to aid us, and while this was being done
Darius leaped on board the vessel, saying in a loud tone:

"We're come on board to report to the commander."

"You can't see him now," the soldier said stiffly, presenting his
musket as if intending to use it in case the old man persisted in
advancing.

"Now look here, you lop-sided lobster," Darius cried at the full
strength of his lungs, "you report to the commodore that the Avenger
is alongside, or there'll be trouble 'twixt you an' me."

It is not probable the old man expected that he could bully the
sentinel, who had had his orders as a matter of course; but by bawling
so loudly that he could have been heard on every craft of the fleet,
he awakened Joshua Barney, which was exactly what he aimed at doing.

"Who's kickin' up this row?" the commodore asked sternly as he poked
his head above the hatchway.

"The crew of the Avenger, sir, come to report."

"Get below here at once," and the commander spoke as if impatient to
hear that report.

I had counted that Darius should go alone to the interview; but he
insisted on being accompanied by Jerry and me, therefore we followed
him into the cabin.

The old sailor did not spend much time in saluting; but in the fewest
words possible told what he had learned, and the commodore did not
appear surprised by the information.

"It tallies with what I have already heard," he said grimly. "How long
will it take the enemy to run up to the mouth of the river?"

"They should be there to-morrow night, for there are some fast sailers
in the fleet, sir."

"Find the swiftest canoe in the fleet; put on board rations for
twenty-four hours, getting them from this schooner, and run down the
river without delay. If your own crew is not huge enough to insure
quick work, call on for what men you need. Can you leave in thirty
minutes?"

"In five, sir, if we knew where to find the canoe. We're ready, an'
I'll keep the same crew."

The commodore ran on deck, hailed the guard-boat, spoke a few words in
a low tone, and returned to us, saying as he did so:

"Rout out my cook, and tell him what you want. Say that I give him
five minutes in which to have your provisions on deck. If necessary,
in order to learn all which should be