“They are building batteries up above, to knock the Yankees into pieces, aren’t they?”
“Perhaps they are.”
“Well, Captain Osborn, I don’t believe your plan would have succeeded if the steamer hadn’t caught afire.”
“Don’t you? Why not?”
“Suppose the Yankees had stopped us on our way up, and come on board the steamer. Don’t you think they would have known what she was for?”
“Of course they would. Why didn’t you fit out your steamer up the river?”
“We haven’t so many steamers that we can afford to burn them up. We took this one because she happened to be in the creek, where the Yankees could capture her at any time they pleased.”
“It wouldn’t need a steamer above the fleet; a raft would do just as well. I think I shall go up the river, and see what can be done. Well, boys,” added Somers to the men in the boat, “there will be no fun to-night, and you may as well go home.”
As this order was in conformity with previous instructions, the men pulled down the creek to its mouth, where they could remain concealed till their officers returned.