"She is all right, Mr. Somers," said the second lieutenant. "All right?" exclaimed Somers; and, in spite of himself, he actually trembled with emotion, being conscious that a very trying scene was before him--one which would require all his skill and all his energy. "I say she is all right, Mr. Somers," repeated Pillgrim, sharply, for he did not appear to like the tone and manner of the fourth lieutenant. "What is she?" "She is an American steamer from Baltimore, bound to Havana." "What is she doing in here, then?" demanded Somers. "That's her affair. Don't you see the American flag at her peak?" "What is her name?" "The Ben Nevis," replied Pillgrim, with the most expressive emphasis. "Sheer off, and return to the ship." "I think she is a blockade-runner." "Do you, indeed?" sneered the traitor. "I am satisfied she is." "I have boarded her, and my report will be final in this matter." "My orders were to board her," said Somers. "Your orders?" "Yes, sir." "I am your superior officer." "You are, Mr. Pillgrim." "Of course your orders were intended to be carried out, in case you happened to come up with the steamer before I did." "I was ordered to board her, Mr. Pillgrim, and I feel compelled to obey," replied Somers, with firmness, though he still trembled with emotion. "Steady, Mr. Somers; be careful," said Tom Longstone, bewildered by this conflict of authority--a circumstance he had not before observed in his long career in the navy. "He is your superior officer." "I know what I am about, Tom," whispered Somers, compassionating the misery his apparently mutinous actions must cause his honest friend. "If you do, go ahead, my darling." "Mr. Somers, I order you to return to the ship," said Mr. Pillgrim, sternly. "I must obey the captain's orders, and board this steamer." "You mistake your orders, and I insist that you obey me." "You will excuse me if I disregard your command; and I will be answerable to the captain for my conduct." "The captain is not here; I am your superior officer. Disobey me at your peril!" continued Pillgrim, in savage tones. "Is it all right?" shouted the captain of the Ben Nevis, who was standing on the starboard paddle-box of the steamer. "Ay, ay; all right. Start your wheels!" replied Pillgrim. "Captain, if you move a wheel, I will fire into you!" added Somers; and the captain of the howitzer stood, with the lock-string in his hand, ready to execute the order when it should be given. The commander of the Ben Nevis looked down upon the second cutter's gun, pointing into the hull of his vessel, so that the twenty-four pound shot would pass through her engine-room. He did not give the order to start the wheels. Pillgrim was disconcerted: he was foiled in his scheme. By this time he realized that the fourth lieutenant of the Chatauqua was not the willing, timid tool he had taken him to be.