"Bring that tug in."
"Very good, sir."
Hal gave the order to Captain Boggs, who sulkily obeyed. The mate was permitted to go aft and to bring two swarthy deckhands out where he could use them.
The boat was soon berthed, and hawsers made fast. Without waiting for the gang-plank to be placed Captain Foster sprang aboard, grasping his "youngster's" hand.
"Fine work, Mr. Overton!" commended the captain heartily.
"It came near being very bad work, sir."
"So I've gained from what Simms has told me on the way down here. But you showed the real commander, Mr. Overton, in your ability to extricate yourself from a bad mess and turn it into victory."
Captain Foster had brought with him a sergeant and ten men. There were now enough soldiers to post so that there need be no fear of any of the prisoners being able to escape.
"Sergeant, have two of the cases brought ashore," directed Captain Foster. "And open them."
Some of the cases were on the deck forward. Others had been dropped into a small hold forward.