While the Ben Nevis was making her way towards the Chatauqua, Somers paced the deck, thinking of the great event which had just transpired. The captain of the Ben Nevis, sullen and discontented, stood by the quartermaster at the wheel. He had attempted to enter the state-room of the wounded officer, but the seamen in charge of the prisoner had been instructed to exclude him, and they carefully obeyed their orders. The men of the first and second cutters were silent and troubled. Perhaps they fully sympathized with Somers, and dreaded the consequence of the decisive deed he had performed. However the petty officers and seamen felt, it is quite certain that Boatswain Longstone could hardly keep from weeping when he thought of the punishment which might be in store for his young friend. He was in charge of the lookouts forward, and when the Chatauqua was sighted, he went aft to report to Somers. "Very well; we shall soon see the end of this business," said the young officer. "I would like to see you safe through it," added the boatswain, in tones of unaffected sympathy. "What's the matter, Tom?" asked Somers. "I feel worse to-night than I have before for twenty odd years," groaned Tom. "Why so?" "I'm afraid this is bad business. It's no little thing to fire a pistol at your superior officer." "I told you what he was." "I know you said he was a traitor; but it don't do for an officer in the navy to take the law into his own hands." "This steamer makes sixteen knots an hour, they say," said Somers, with a smile. The boatswain looked at him, and wondered what this had to do with shooting the second lieutenant. "She was going to run the blockade," continued Somers. "No doubt of that." "Then they intended to fit her out as a Confederate cruiser." "Perhaps they did, Mr. Somers; you know best." "Mr. Pillgrim did not intend to capture her." "He did not, sartinly." "Suppose I had permitted this vessel to go on her way, to run the blockade, which she could have done as easily as a hundred others have done the same thing, at the same place, and then come out as a man-of-war." "But Mr. Pillgrim was your superior officer, and he was responsible, not you." "I carried out my orders to the letter, Tom." "Did you?" "To the letter, I said." "Were you ordered to shoot Mr. Pillgrim?" "Yes, if necessary." "Thank'ee, Mr. Somers. You have taken a weight heavier than the best bower off my stomach. I'd rather be where Jonah was--in the whale's belly--than see any harm come to you. I feel better now." "You shall know all about it, Tom, in a few days, or perhaps a few hours." "I'm satisfied, Mr. Somers. Shiver my kevel-heads, but I ought to have been satisfied with anything you do." By this time the steamer came up with the Chatauqua, and both vessels stopped their engines, as the Ben Nevis rounded to under the stern of the man-of-war. "Chatauqua, ahoy!" shouted Somers. "On board the prize!" replied the officer of the deck.