Coles now told his story in a straightforward, direct manner, and Somers made memoranda on the back of a letter of the principal facts in the statement. The arch conspirator had just purchased a fine iron side-wheel steamer, captured on the blockade, called the Ben Nevis. She was about four hundred tons burden, and under favorable circumstances had often made sixteen knots an hour. It had already been announced in the newspapers that the Ben Nevis would run regularly between New York and St. John. Coles intended to clear her properly for her destined port, where she could, by an arrangement already made, be supplied with guns, ammunition, and a crew. She was to clear regularly for New York, but instead of proceeding there was to commence her piratical course on the ocean. This was the plan of the worthy Mr. Coles, which Langdon permitted him to develop without a single interruption. But the prudent, or rather critical, confederate raised many objections, which were discussed at great length--so great that Somers, possessed of the principal facts, would have left the room, if the door had not been locked, and escaped from the house, so as to avoid the possibility of being discovered. The wounded sailor could be attended to on the following day. "But one thing we lack," continued Coles, after he had removed all the objections of his companion. "More than one, I fear," said the doubtful Langdon. "Well, one thing more than all others." "What is that?" "A naval officer to command her." "There are plenty of them." "No doubt of it; but they are not the kind I want. I need a man who will play into my hand, as well as grind up the Yankees. I have no idea of burning all the property captured by my vessel." "Why don't you take command yourself?" "I have other business to do." "There are scores of Confederate naval officers in Canada and New Brunswick," suggested Langdon. "I know them all, and I wouldn't trust them to command a mud-scow. In a word, Langdon, I want this Somers, and I must have him." "But he is a northern Yankee. He would sooner cut his own throat than engage in such an enterprise." "Thank you for that," said Somers to himself. "If you had known me all my lifetime, you couldn't have said a better or a truer thing of me." "I know he is actually reeking with what he calls loyalty. He will be a hard subject, but I think he can be brought over." "Perhaps he can." "It must be done; that is the view we must take of the matter." "It will be easier to believe it than to do it." "This is to be your share of the enterprise." "Mine?" "Yes." "Well, I think you have given me the biggest job in the work." "It can be done," said Coles, confidently. "Somers is a mere boy in years, though he is smarter and knows more than any man in the navy in the prime of life." "I'm afraid he is too smart, and knows too much to be caught in such a scrape."