"Three cheers for the captain!" shouted the fireman; and they were given with a will, as Somers walked aft.
"Mr. Swayne, you will get the ship under way at once," said Somers, as he turned from the crew, and walked aft.
The first lieutenant gave his orders, and the crew were soon walking round the capstan. The officers of the Tallapoosa had certainly used their time to advantage, for the crew was well disciplined, though the twenty-four petty officers and seamen from the Chatauqua were the spice of every movement.
"Where is the pilot, Mr. Swayne?" asked Somers.
"We have one on board, sir. He berths in the steerage. Shall I send for him, Captain Pillgrim?"
A master's mate was ordered to find the pilot.
"Is he up to his business?" continued Somers, to whom the pilotage of the vessel was of the last importance.
"Yes, sir; he is the best pilot in these waters. He has taken out a great many vessels on worse nights than this."
"I could take the vessel out myself, so far as that is concerned," said Somers, nervously. "Does he know how to get through the obstructions?"
"O, yes, sir; he is perfectly familiar with everything about the bay."
"And the channel is full of those infernal torpedoes."
"It is, sir; but the pilot knows exactly where every one of them is located. We are in no danger from them; but they will blow the Yankee fleet sky high when they attempt to come up, as they probably will in a short time."
"There will be fun here in a few days," added Mr. Swayne, rubbing his hands with delight, as he contemplated the destruction of the naval force gathered on the other side of the bar for the demonstration.
"The admiral down there is no joker," suggested Somers. "He won't feel his way, and then back out."
"It would be better for him if he did. Admiral Buchanan is his equal in every respect. With his ram he will stave in every wooden ship in the fleet. His monitors will be blown up on the torpedoes."
"I hope the affair will come out right," said Somers, rather indefinitely.
"It will; you may depend upon it, captain. Whoever is here when the thing is done will see the greatest smash-up that has happened since the war began."
"I hope so," replied Somers. "But suppose Admiral Farragut should run by the forts."