"Can't help it, sir. The tiller chains are jammed, sir," replied the quartermaster.
"Now hard a port!" said Tom Longstone.
"Starboard! Hard a starboard!" screamed the pilot, in tones of fury.
"Helm is jammed, sir!" returned the boatswain.
At this moment the bells were rung to stop, and then to back the engine. To all but the half dozen loyal seamen who stood near the helm, everything seemed to be in confusion. The Ben Lomond ran up on the lee side of the Chatauqua, and stopped within a few feet of her. A stroke of the wheels and a turn of the helm brought her alongside, before the rebels could clearly apprehend the situation. The twenty-four men, with their revolvers and cutlasses, stood ready to check any demonstration on the part of officers or crew, but none was made. Their weapons were in the armory, and they suspected nothing till an instant before the steamer touched the ship's side.
Conant, as instructed, leaped on board the Chatauqua, and reported Somers's wish to the officer of the deck. In another moment, the watch on deck of the man-of-war poured into the prize, and secured every officer and seaman. Then came the three rousing cheers which the pilot had expected, and the work was done.
If ever a rebel was disappointed, disheartened, and disgusted, it was Mr. Swayne. He had been bewildered by the sudden change in the course of the steamer, and actually believed that it was caused by the wheel chains being jammed, until the watch from the Chatauqua poured in upon her decks.
"Well, Mr. Swayne, I suppose you are satisfied that I spoke the truth. The Yankees have not fired upon us; I came down in the Chatauqua; I was sent off to bring out this vessel; I have done it," said Somers.
"I had no suspicion you were a Yankee," replied the first lieutenant. "Where did you get your commission?"
"It was given me by Mr. Langdon and Mr. Pillgrim, both of whom are under guard below."