"Very likely I shall send you upon the deck of the heaviest man-of-war in the Yankee squadron; but I will go with you."
"Bully for the captain!" shouted the enthusiastic first-class fireman, which remark was indorsed and approved by the crew in general.
"What an awful fellow he is!—a regular fire-eater," whispered Mr. Swayne to Tom Longstone.
"He will do all he says he will," replied the boatswain.
"Will he board a Yankee frigate?"
"It's like him; but he is as prudent as he is brave."
"Now, my lads, to your duty. We shall get under way at once, and I want every man to be true to God and his country," continued Somers.
"Three cheers for the captain!" shouted the fireman; and they were given with a will, as Somers walked aft.