As soon as the Ben Nevis discovered the nearest boat, she sheered off, though, as the first cutter had no howitzer, she could have everything her own way. Somers kept the second cutter just out of hail of the other boat; and carefully watched the operations of the second lieutenant. The steamer sheered off just enough to avoid the boat; but presently she resumed her course, as if, making twelve knots, she had nothing to fear from an enemy with oars only to urge her forward. It would be impossible for the first cutter to board her at full speed, and she seemed disposed to run the risk of a shot or two rather than expose herself to falling into any other trap which the man-of-war might have set for her. The Ben Nevis dashed on, therefore, in a direction which placed the first cutter on her starboard bow, when Mr. Pillgrim hailed her, and ordered her to heave to, accompanying the command with a peculiar wave of his cap in the air, which was thrice repeated, very much to the astonishment, no doubt, of the loyal blue-jackets in the boat with him. "Topple my timber-heads! What does all that mean?" exclaimed Boatswain Longstone, who, by the especial request of the fourth lieutenant, had a place in the stern-sheets of the second cutter. "Wait, and you will see," replied Mr. Somers. The Ben Nevis at once stopped her wheels, and the first cutter pulled towards her. "That beats me!" ejaculated the boatswain. "What did she stop for?" "Probably her captain thinks that is his best course," replied Somers, who knew very well why she had stopped. The commander of the blockade-runner evidently recognized the voice and the signal of Pillgrim, and, like an obedient servant, was willing to shift the responsibility of the occasion on his owner and employer. Honest Tom Longstone was sorely perplexed by the movement of the steamer and the conduct of the second lieutenant of the Chatauqua, for a suspicion of foul play on the part of one of his officers could not have entered his loyal heart. The first cutter touched the side of the Ben Nevis, and Mr. Pillgrim went up the accommodation ladder. "Clear away the howitzer!" said Somers. The boatswain looked at him as though he had been mad. "Man the howitzer!" The gun was loaded with a solid shot, and made ready for instant use. "Now give way, boatswain," continued Somers; and the second cutter dashed swiftly over the long billows towards the Ben Nevis. "Are you going to use that gun?" asked Tom Longstone, in a low tone. "If necessary." "But Mr. Pillgrim has the steamer. He has boarded her." "We will wait and see," answered Somers, evasively; for it was expected and intended that the second lieutenant should "hang himself," on this interesting occasion. Before the second cutter could reach the steamer, Mr. Pillgrim had completed his examination on board of her, and descended to his boat. As he gave the order for the cutter to shove off, Somers's boat shot in alongside of her.