The schooner was put about, and after running with the wind amidships for ten or fifteen minutes, Tom discovered the outline of Mrs. Budd’s house, which was directly under the guns of the Union battery.
“Stand by the fore halliards, Hapgood,” said Tom, as the boat came about again. “Let go!”
The foresail came down, and Tom sprang upon the pier, as the schooner came up under its lee. In a moment the boat was made fast. By this time the pickets appeared.
“Who comes there?” demanded the soldier.
“Friends!” replied Tom.
“Advance, friend, and give the countersign.”
“Little Mac,” whispered the soldier boy in the ear of the sentinel.
“Who are you?”
“Co. K.” answered Tom.
“What’s the row? The long roll was beat just now, and the whole regiment is in line. What was that firing?”