The pilot was hastily and excitedly recounting some adventure to a group of men gathered around him to listen. Among these was the old skipper Grandiere, who seemed eagerly interested.
The pilot spoke hurriedly, for he had presently to take command of the ship to carry her into port.
Mr. Force dropped his paper and joined the group.
“What is it?” he inquired of Gideon Grandiere.
But the old man was too intent upon the words of the pilot to hear any others.
“What is it?” inquired Mr. Force again.
Then the pilot stopped to answer him.
“The blockade runner Argente, Capt. Silver, sir! Taken off the coast of South Carolina, by the United States ship Eagle, Capt. Warfield. Silver and his first officer, and all his crew who were not killed in the fight, taken prisoners and put in irons. The Eagle put a part of its own crew on board the Argente, under command of Lieut. Force, who brought the prize safely into port this morning, with Silver and his first officer in irons.”
“Thank Heaven!” exclaimed Capt. Grandiere. “But do you call her a blockade runner only? She’s an infernal pirate! She took my Kitty! And Silver shall hang for it!”
“And the Argente is now in New York harbor?” inquired Mr. Force.