CHAPTER VIII.–Tom's Defiance.
"Hallo! there's some one swimming in the river!" cried the spy.
"So it is," growled Jeb. "Hello there!"
"Put about," muttered Fletch. "It's the rebel. He can float. We must get after him."
Dick swam on, the boat putting about, and now the light of a lantern was shining over the waters.
"Ha! there he is!"
"Shoot the rebel, no one will hear!"
"Yes, we've got to get him!"
Crack! There was a report, but Dick had just sunk under water and was unhurt. On came the boat, Dick rising just astern of it. In a moment he seized the gunwale and swung the boat around with all his might, at the same time tipping it at one side. There was a cry of alarm, and then some one cried from the ship Dick had seen: