CHAPTER XIV.
THE PRIZE STEAMER.
It was quite dark when the capture of the Ben Nevis was completed. Rockets were thrown up to inform the Chatauqua of her present position, and with guards of seamen in the engine and fire-rooms, the wheels of the captured steamer were set in motion, and she was headed to the north. Somers displayed his usual decision and energy, and perhaps the men began to think, by this time, that the young officer knew his duty and was competent to perform it.
While the Ben Nevis was making her way towards the Chatauqua, Somers paced the deck, thinking of the great event which had just transpired. The captain of the Ben Nevis, sullen and discontented, stood by the quartermaster at the wheel. He had attempted to enter the state-room of the wounded officer, but the seamen in charge of the prisoner had been instructed to exclude him, and they carefully obeyed their orders.
The men of the first and second cutters were silent and troubled. Perhaps they fully sympathized with Somers, and dreaded the consequence of the decisive deed he had performed. However the petty officers and seamen felt, it is quite certain that Boatswain Longstone could hardly keep from weeping when he thought of the punishment which might be in store for his young friend. He was in charge of the lookouts forward, and when the Chatauqua was sighted, he went aft to report to Somers.
"Very well; we shall soon see the end of this business," said the young officer.
"I would like to see you safe through it," added the boatswain, in tones of unaffected sympathy.
"What's the matter, Tom?" asked Somers.
"I feel worse to-night than I have before for twenty odd years," groaned Tom.
"Why so?"
"I'm afraid this is bad business. It's no little thing to fire a pistol at your superior officer."
"I told you what he was."
"I know you said he was a traitor; but it don't do for an officer in the navy to take the law into his own hands."
"This steamer makes sixteen knots an hour, they say," said Somers, with a smile.
The boatswain looked at him, and wondered what this had to do with shooting the second lieutenant.
"She was going to run the blockade," continued Somers.
"No doubt of that."
"Then they intended to fit her out as a Confederate cruiser."
"Perhaps they did, Mr. Somers; you know best."
"Mr. Pillgrim did not intend to capture her."
"He did not, sartinly."
"Suppose I had permitted this vessel to go on her way, to run the blockade, which she could have done as easily as a hundred others have done the same thing, at the same place, and then come out as a man-of-war."
"But Mr. Pillgrim was your superior officer, and he was responsible, not you."
"I carried out my orders to the letter, Tom."
"Did you?"
"To the letter, I said."
"Were you ordered to shoot Mr. Pillgrim?"
"Yes, if necessary."
"Thank'ee, Mr. Somers. You have taken a weight heavier than the best bower off my stomach. I'd rather be where Jonah was—in the whale's belly—than see any harm come to you. I feel better now."
"You shall know all about it, Tom, in a few days, or perhaps a few hours."
"I'm satisfied, Mr. Somers. Shiver my kevel-heads, but I ought to have been satisfied with anything you do."
By this time the steamer came up with the Chatauqua, and both vessels stopped their engines, as the Ben Nevis rounded to under the stern of the man-of-war.
"Chatauqua, ahoy!" shouted Somers.
"On board the prize!" replied the officer of the deck.
"Send the surgeon on board, if you please."
"Ay, ay."
In a few moments the third cutter, in charge of Mr. Transit, the master, put off from the ship, with Dr. De Plesion on board.
"Where is Mr. Pillgrim, sir?" asked the master of Somers.
"Wounded, below."
"Mr. Hackleford wishes your report forthwith on board the ship."
"Mr. Transit, Mr. Pillgrim is under arrest. You will permit no one to communicate with him except the surgeon."
"Under arrest!" exclaimed Mr. Transit.
"I have no time to explain," replied Somers, as he directed his coxswain to pipe down his boat's crew.
When the second cutter was hauled up to the accommodation ladder, Somers stepped on board, and a few moments later, touched his hat to the first lieutenant on the quarter deck of the Chatauqua.
"I have to report that I have captured the Ben Nevis," said Somers.
"Where is Mr. Pillgrim?" asked Mr. Hackleford, the captain standing by, an interested and excited listener.
"He is wounded, and under arrest, sir."
"How wounded?"
"He fired at me, and in self-defence I was obliged to shoot him. I think he is not seriously wounded. He boarded the Ben Nevis, and had given the captain of her permission to proceed, though the vessel was headed towards Cape Fear."
"You have done well, Mr. Somers," said Captain Cascabel. "Beat to quarters, Mr. Hackleford."
When the crew were at quarters, Mr. Hackleford explained to them what had occurred, and fully justified the course of the fourth lieutenant; whereupon an earnest and enthusiastic cheer rang through the ship.
"Are you satisfied, Tom?" asked Somers of the boatswain.
"Bless ye! I was satisfied before, Mr. Somers. There is only one dark thing in the whole of it."
"What's that, Tom?"
"If Captain Cascabel and Mr. Hackleford both knew that Mr. Pillgrim was a traitor, why did they send him out to capture that steamer? That's what I can't see through."
"Can't you? Well, if they had not sent him, we should not have captured the Ben Nevis."
"I don't see why."
"Don't you? Well, you are not as sharp as you are sometimes."
"I know I'm dull, Mr. Somers, but splinter my figger head if I can see through it."
"The Ben Nevis is good for fifteen knots at least."
"I know that; she did it while we were coming up."
"The Chatauqua can't make more than twelve."
"That's true."
"Then, of course, the Chatauqua could not catch the Ben Nevis."
"That's clear enough. But we were out in the boats, and were close aboard of her."
"And just then she sheered off. Could the boats have overhauled her?"
"Sartinly not; but you could have put a shot through her hull."
"Which might, at that distance, have disabled her, and might not. The chances were all against us. But the moment Mr. Pillgrim hailed her, and swung his cap, she stopped her wheels. They knew very well he would not detain her."
"I see now."
"Probably the captain of the Ben Nevis knew the Chatauqua, and knew that Pillgrim was on board of her, and they were on the lookout for him. If any other officer than myself had been in the second cutter, I am satisfied Mr. Pillgrim would not have returned to his boat, but would have staid on board the Ben Nevis."
"He's a horrible villain—arn't he?" said the honest boatswain.
This conversation took place while Captain Cascabel was preparing his despatches to be sent by the prize steamer to the navy department. When they were completed, Somers was sent for, and he repaired at once to the captain's cabin.
"Mr. Somers, though I can hardly spare you, I feel compelled to send you home as prize master in the Ben Nevis. I have commended you to the department," said Captain Cascabel, as he handed him the despatches.
"Thank you, sir."
A prize crew was at once detailed, with two master's mates to act as first and second officers, and a corporal and three marines to guard the prisoner who was to be sent back in the prize. Somers bade a hasty good by to his brother officers, and with his crew was sent on board the Ben Nevis, whose deck he was now to tread for a brief period as her commander. His orders required him to take the Ben Nevis to Fortress Monroe, and there communicate with the navy department.
"Well, doctor, how is your patient?" asked Somers, when he reached the deck of the prize.
"He will do very well. If you had put the bullet half an inch nearer his brain, you would have finished him. The skin is torn off the side of his head, and I suppose the ball stunned him. He is sitting up now, and appears to be as well as ever, though in no very amiable frame of mind."
"I suppose not."
"He says you are a rebel and a traitor, and he intends to prove it. I told him I thought his wound had affected his brain."
"It would require a long story to explain what he means. Mr. Hackleford has the papers, and I doubt not he will tell you all about it, doctor," replied Somers, as he proceeded to arrange for the return voyage.
All who were not going home in the Ben Nevis were sent back to the Chatauqua. The firemen and engineers of the prize steamer were willing to discharge their duties as before, and under the direction of one of the second assistants from the ship, they were set at work. The first and third cutters pulled away towards the man-of-war, giving three rousing cheers as they departed, and the Ben Nevis steamed away to the northward.
By this time it was ten o'clock at night. The watch was set on deck, and Somers went below to obtain his supper, for he felt the need of some rest and refreshment. The steward, anxious to be on good terms with the new commander, had provided the best meal the larder of the Ben Nevis afforded, and Somers was hungry enough to do it ample justice.
A marine, with cutlass and revolver, stood at the door of Pillgrim's state-room. When Somers had finished his supper, and was about to go on deck, the sentinel informed him that the prisoner had knocked several times on his door.
"See what he wants."
The marine opened the door.
"Who is the prize master?" asked Pillgrim.
The sentinel looked at Somers for permission before he replied.
"Answer him."
"Mr. Somers," answered the marine.
"Will you present my compliments to Mr. Somers, and say that I beg the favor of an interview with him?"
Again the sentinel glanced at Somers.
"With pleasure," replied the prize master, as politely as the request was made.
"Ah, Mr. Somers," said the traitor, as the new commander of the Ben Nevis stepped forward and showed himself to the prisoner, "I am happy to see you."
"Are you, indeed?" added Somers, rather amused at the smooth tones of the traitor.
"I am, I assure you. Might I beg the favor of a few moments' private conversation with you?"
"Certainly; have you any weapons about you?"
"None, whatever."
Somers directed the marine to seat himself at the farther end of the cabin.
"Thank you, Mr. Somers; you are as kind and generous as ever."
"Let me say, Mr. Pillgrim, that flattery and threats are all the same to me."
"Somers, you have me on the hip."
"I know it."
"You have won the game."
"I know it."
"I am in your power."
"I know it."
Pillgrim appeared to be hopeless and disconcerted.
"Somers, I have, in a bank in Philadelphia, fifty thousand dollars."
"What bank?"
"Excuse me; the confiscation laws are dangerous to men in my situation."
"No matter; I will inform the proper officers of the fact, and they can find out what bank."
Pillgrim bit his lip.
"I will give you this money if you will—"
"Silence, sir! There is not money enough in the whole world to bribe me."
"I still have the oath of allegiance—signed by you, and—"
"No, you haven't. Mr. Hackleford has it. You left it in your state-room."
"Now listen to reason, Somers."
"I shall. Reason counsels me to do my duty."
"Somers, I will be revenged."
"Good night, Mr. Pillgrim. I see you have nothing of importance to say to me;" and Somers went on deck after calling the marine back to his post.