Part 30 (2/2)
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 sh.o.r.e 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-s.h.i.+p.
”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 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.”
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