"I am your superior officer."
"You are, Mr. Pillgrim."
"Of course your orders were intended to be carried out, in case you happened to come up with the steamer before I did."
"I was ordered to board her, Mr. Pillgrim, and I feel compelled to obey," replied Somers, with firmness, though he still trembled with emotion.
"Steady, Mr. Somers; be careful," said Tom Longstone, bewildered by this conflict of authority—a circumstance he had not before observed in his long career in the navy. "He is your superior officer."
"I know what I am about, Tom," whispered Somers, compassionating the misery his apparently mutinous actions must cause his honest friend.
"If you do, go ahead, my darling."
"Mr. Somers, I order you to return to the ship," said Mr. Pillgrim, sternly.
"I must obey the captain's orders, and board this steamer."
"You mistake your orders, and I insist that you obey me."