Lieutenant Woodward and Professor Arnold left the house in which the Lieutenant was quartered, where he had invited Arnold to spend the night. Already an orderly had brought around two horses. They mounted for an early morning ride through the country.
Off they clattered, naturally bending their course toward the shore. They came soon to a point in the road where it emerged from the hills and gave them a panoramic view of the harbor and sound.
"Wait a minute," called the professor.
Woodward reined up and they gazed off over the water.
"What's that—an oyster boat?" asked Woodward, looking in the direction
Arnold indicated.
"I don't think so, so early," replied Arnold, pulling out his pocket glass and looking carefully.
Through it he could see that something like a hook was being cast over the steamer's side and drawn back again.
"They're dragging for something," he remarked as they brought up an object dark and covered with seagrowth, then threw it overboard as though it was not what they wanted. "By George—the Atlantic cable lands here—they're going to cut it!"
Woodward took the glasses himself and looked in in surprise. "That's right," he cried, his surprise changed to alarm in an instant. "Here, take the glass again and watch. I must get back to the Fort."
He swung his horse about and galloped off, leaving Arnold sitting in the saddle gazing at the strange boat through his glass.