Part 30 (1/2)
”Haven't seen any.”
”How far up have you been?”
”About two miles,” answered Somers, continually coughing to account for any change in his voice which might be apparent to his friend on sh.o.r.e.
”The fire-steamer is all ready,” added the voice; ”and it is about time to go to work.”
”The fire-steamer!” exclaimed Somers in a low tone.
”They are going to burn the vessels in the river,” added De Banyan.
”What shall we do?”
”We must stop their fun at all hazards,” replied the valiant captain promptly.
”What are you stopping there for, Andy? Why don't you pull up the creek?”
continued the man on sh.o.r.e.
”My name isn't Andy,” said Somers; ”and I don't fully understand this business.”
”Who are you, then?” replied the rebel. ”What has become of Andy?”
”He has got another job, and sent me to do this one,” answered Somers, whose ready wit had adopted a plan to defeat the purpose of the enemy.
”Who are you?”
”Tom Leathers. Andy sent me up to attend to this matter. Where is the fire-steamer?”
”About half a mile farther up the creek. But where is Andy?”
”Some general sent 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.