"He told only me that you were to come in a Yankee man-of-war."
"Yes, he did; the pilot knew it—spoke to me of it; and very likely every man in the ship has the news. But, Mr. Swayne, the statement was true."
"Mr. Langdon afterwards contradicted it, and said you were in Richmond, and were coming down by land."
"Probably he thought he had made a blunder. I did come down in the Yankee ship, the Chatauqua. I am third lieutenant of her, not second. I was sent off by the captain, at my own suggestion, of course, to bring out this vessel. I have done it—haven't I?"
"You have," laughed Swayne. "Then you are expected by the Yankees?"
"Of course I am."
The first lieutenant of the Ben Lomond indulged in a laugh highly complimentary to the skill and cleverness of his commander. Somers laughed with him. It was an excellent joke to both parties, though, like the Druid shield, it was seen from different points of view.
"Capital!" exclaimed Mr. Swayne, when he had evaporated the foam of his mirth.
"If the fog clears off, I shall let up some rockets, which will prevent the Yankees from firing at us. You understand?"
"I see, sir: you have the Yankee signals?" chuckled Mr. Swayne.