From his orders Somers then read enough to satisfy any who might be in doubt of his appointment to the Tallapoosa, which name he had substituted for that of Ben Nevis, as it read on the original document, given him by Langdon, alias Lieutenant Wynkoop.
"Are you satisfied, Mr. Swayne?" asked the commander, when he had finished the document.
"Entirely so, Captain Pillgrim," replied the first lieutenant.
If he had not been satisfied, probably he would have been put under arrest as summarily as his superior had been a few moments before. With such an energetic captain, it was lucky for him he was satisfied! Perhaps Mr. Swayne was duly and properly impressed by the decided character of his commander, and deemed it prudent to raise no objections.
"Are you satisfied, gentlemen?" asked Somers, turning to the little group of officers.
Fortunately for them, and perhaps for Somers too, they were also satisfied.
"My lads," continued the courteous but decisive captain, "you have listened to my commission, and you have listened to my orders."
Somers paused, and the two first-class firemen from the Chatauqua started a demonstration of applause which was a complete success.
"My lads, I am going out to take a look at the Yankee fleet, to-night," he proceeded.
Applause.