"On the starboard bow, sir!"
"Port a little," said Somers. "Now, my men, you will obey orders and keep silent. Answer no questions which may be put to you."
"Ay, ay, sir," responded the crew, cheerfully; for though they seemed to be knocking at the door of a rebel prison, they had full confidence in their gallant young leader.
Perhaps some of them "had their doubts," for four and twenty men are hardly ever gathered together, among whom there are not more or less who are disposed to grumble, and croak, and imagine possible disasters. Within the rebel lines, surrounded by Confederate vessels, and on the point of confronting superior numbers, it would not have been surprising if these men had been rather uncertain of the future. Whatever doubts or fears they had, they believed in Somers.
"My lads," continued the commander of the expedition, in a low tone, "you are rebel sailors for an hour or so. You will talk and act as such. Do you understand me?"
"Ay, ay, sir."
"You will call me Captain Pillgrim."
The men had listened to the conversation between their officer and the pickets, and they comprehended enough of the plan to enable them to act intelligently.
"Tom," said Somers, "there is nothing to prevent me from acting just as Mr. Pillgrim would do, if he were in my place."
"That's so."