If the second lieutenant of the Chatauqua had received the bolt from a thunder cloud he could not have been more astonished. He started back, turned pale, and quivered with emotion.
"Who?" demanded he, with a tremendous effort to recover his self-possession.
"Do you think, Mr. Pillgrim, that I am a little lamb, that can be led round with a silken string?" replied Somers, with energy. "You are my superior officer, and as such I will respect and obey you until—until—"
"Until what?"
"Until the day of reckoning comes. When you stand up in my presence and charge me with being a traitor to my country, you had better remember that such charges, like chickens, will go home to roost."
"I was not brought up in a barn yard, Mr. Somers, and such comparisons are beyond my comprehension."
"Wherever you were brought up, I think my language is plain enough to be understood by a person of your intelligence."
Perhaps it was fortunate for both parties that a knock at the state-room door disturbed the conference at this exciting moment. Somers opened the door.
"Mr. Hackleford desires to see Mr. Somers on deck," said a midshipman.
"Excuse me for a few moments, Mr. Pillgrim," said Somers, as he closed his desk and locked it.