“You didn’t? Who did do it, then?” persisted Somers.
“I don’t know.”
“Well, I don’t know; but, in my opinion, you did it yourself.”
“You are an idiot! Do you think I would destroy the work of my own hands?” added the rebel warmly.
“Well, I supposed you fired the train so as to be sure the thing was done right.”
“You are a fool, or else you didn’t suppose any such thing.”
“I didn’t know but what you had one of those clock machines, that touch a thing off at a certain time. Well, how did it happen, then?”
“I don’t know; perhaps from a spark from the fire. No matter how it was done now. It is done, and can’t be helped. I have lost the satisfaction of seeing half the Yankee fleet burnt up. I would rather have given a year’s pay than have had this accident happen.”
“Haven’t they got most ready for the Yankee fleet above here?” asked Somers as carelessly as he could.
“What do you mean?”