JENNY FELL INTO HER FATHER’s ARMS.
The shore-boat was immediately raised, and James Playfair sprang on to the poop.
“Is the steam up, Mr. Mathew?”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Have the moorings cut at once.”
A few minutes later the two screws carried the steamer towards the principal channel, away from Fort Sumter.
“Mr. Mathew,” said James, “we must not think of taking the Sullivan Island channel; we should run directly under the Confederate guns. Let us go as near as possible to the right side of the harbour out of range of the Federal batteries. Have you a safe man at the helm?”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Have the lanterns and the fires on deck extinguished; there is a great deal too much light, but we cannot help the reflection from the engine-rooms.”