CHAPTER XXVI. THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE ON THE CAISSON.
Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party. He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes. Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy. He walked forward to the pilot-house and reported to Dory the state of things, for the first pilot had not yet looked astern.
"Will Orwell's party can stave their boats all to pieces in less than two minutes," added Oscar, somewhat excited still.
"I hope he will not have occasion to do that," added Dory. "The Chesterfields can see for themselves that the iron points will go through the cedar planking as if it were nothing but paper."
"I don't think they know that the poles are armed with spikes."
"They can see what they are in season to back out," added Dory, as Oscar returned to the stern of the steamer to watch the proceedings, and take a part in them, if required.
"Keep off! keep off!" shouted Will Orwell, as the Dasher approached the caisson.