"Gentleman!" said Somers, with curling lip; "I applied it to a rebel and a traitor." "In the present instance it is mutiny. I am your superior officer." "You are out of place; you don't belong here." "Your place is on the quarter deck of the Ben Nevis; and perhaps it will be when she goes into commission as a Confederate cruiser." "Never!" exclaimed Somers, with energy. "My dear Mr. Somers, be prudent. Some of the officers might hear you." "I don't care if they all hear me." "You talk and act like a boy, Somers. I beg you to consider that your neck and mine are in the same noose. If I hang, you hang with me." Somers groaned, for he could not see where his vindication was to come from. "You seem to understand your situation, and at the same time you appear to be quite willing to throw yourself into the fire. Let me call your attention to the fact that fire will burn." "Better burn or hang, than be a traitor." "Be reasonable, Somers. I do not propose to ask anything of you which will compromise your position in the navy; but I repeat, you are mine." "I don't understand you." "I have told you my secret. You know that I am in the Confederate service; that I have fitted out a vessel to cruise for Yankee ships. I am willing you should know this, for you dare not violate my confidence." "Perhaps I dare." "If you do, you are a dead man." "Will you kill me?" "If necessary." "I have usually been able to defend myself," replied Somers, with dignity. "I am not an assassin. A court martial will do all I wish done if you are not prudent and devoted, as you should be. The Confederate oath of allegiance signed by you is good testimony." "I didn't sign it. The signature is a forgery." "My dear fellow, what possible difference does that make? It is well done--is it not?" "Perhaps it is. Where did you get it?" "Langdon gave it to me." "Did he sign my name to it?" "Possibly; but even grant that I did it myself--what then?" "You are a greater villain than I ever gave Coles the credit of being." "Thank you!" "Where is Langdon now?" "In New York--where he can be reached if you make it necessary to convene a court martial." "Is he a naval officer?" "Yes; he has been a Confederate agent in London for the past two years. Since the English have become a little particular about letting steamers out for the Confederates, he buys them on this side." "What do you want of me, Mr.--Pillgrim? if that is your name?" "That is my name. I don't want much of you." "What?" "I am not ready to tell you until you are in a proper frame of mind. You are rather childish to-night. After you have thought the matter over, you will be a man, and be reasonable. Let me see: Garboard has the forenoon watch to-morrow, and we shall both be off duty after general quarters. If you please, I will meet you at that time."