“Have the Yankees any picket boats out?” demanded the man on shore.
“Haven’t seen any.”
“How far up have you been?”
“About two miles,” answered Somers, continually coughing to account for any change in his voice which might be apparent to his friend on shore.
“The fire-steamer is all ready,” added the voice; “and it is about time to go to work.”
“The fire-steamer!” exclaimed Somers in a low tone.
“They are going to burn the vessels in the river,” added De Banyan.
“What shall we do?”
“We must stop their fun at all hazards,” replied the valiant captain promptly.
“What are you stopping there for, Andy? Why don’t you pull up the creek?” continued the man on shore.