Part 31 (1/2)
”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 batteries which were believed to be in process of construction farther up the river. But Captain Osborn was an unreasonable man, and demanded the execution of his plan. He was determined to see a conflagration, and Somers was equally determined to gratify him.
Our pilot discovered the value of his limited nautical experience in Pinchbrook Harbor; for it enabled him to convince the rebel officer that he was a full-fledged ”salt,” and was entirely at home on the deck of any vessel that could float in the waters of the James. The stern-line and the bow-line were cast off; and Somers stood in the little wheel-house, ready to ring the bells. Captain Osborn had just stepped on sh.o.r.e, intending to mount his horse and ride up the river, where he could see the conflagration when it came off.
Just then, there was a tremendous commotion among the firemen and engineer; and, a moment later, a broad, bright sheet of flame rose from the heap of combustibles in the after-part of the steamer.
CHAPTER XX
CAPTAIN DE BANYAN FINDS AN OLD FRIEND
Both Somers and De Banyan flew to the rescue, and made a most enthusiastic attempt to check the fire; but the raging element was now past control. The flames spread through the combustible material which had been stored on the deck; and they were compelled to abandon the ill-starred steamer with the utmost precipitation, in order to save their own lives.
De Banyan had rolled up an old newspaper, making of it a kind of torch, some three feet in length, which he had inserted in a ma.s.s of pitch-wood shavings, and set the end on fire. It had burned long enough to remove suspicion from him; and, when the pilot and crew went on sh.o.r.e, Captain Osborn had no idea of the trick of which he had been made the victim. Our scouts kept up appearances in the most remarkable manner, and Somers was only afraid that his zealous companion would overdo the matter.
”What do you mean by that, Captain Osborn?” demanded Somers, as he shook the cinders from his clothes in the presence of the rebel officer. ”Did you intend to sacrifice our lives?”
”Yes; burn us up before we had time to leave the old hulk!” added De Banyan furiously. ”I thought we were to light the fire ourselves.”
”I didn't do it,” replied Captain Osborn.
”You didn't? Who did do it, then?” persisted Somers.
”I don't know.”
”Well, I don't know; but, in my opinion, you did it yourself.”
”You are an idiot! Do you think I would destroy 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.”