"I would give my year's pay to capture her, Mr. Somers, if it were only for your sake."
Somers suggested an idea to the first lieutenant, who, after the approval of Captain Cascabel, adopted it.
"Clear away the first cutter," said Mr. Hackleford. "Lower away."
The first cutter was soon in the water, the ship having now stopped her engine.
"Mr. Pillgrim, you will stand by in the first cutter till that steamer comes up. Capture her if her papers are not all right, or if she is bound into Wilmington."
A smile of satisfaction lighted up the countenance of the second lieutenant, when he found he was to go in the boat. The first cutter pulled away.
"Clear away the second cutter!" said the first lieutenant; and while the men were eagerly performing this duty, the captain instructed Somers, who was to go in her, in regard to the duty he was expected to perform.
Somers took his place in the stern-sheets of the second cutter, which was armed with a twenty-four pounder howitzer, while the first cutter had nothing but small arms. As soon as this boat left the ship's side, the Chatauqua came about, as though she had abandoned the chase, and stood to the westward.
The Ben Nevis immediately discovered the change which had been made in the course of her pursuer. Apparently satisfied that she had outwitted the man-of-war, she put about and headed towards the coast again, without suspecting the fact that two boats lay in her track.