Langdon obeyed in dogged silence. No doubt he much wondered who the rough fellow was that subjected him to this summary treatment. But the salutary hint about irons seemed to satisfy him, and when he had gone into his room, the door was closed, and a seaman placed before it. Longstone returned to the deck, touched his cap politely to Somers, and reported his orders executed. "Mr. Swayne, you will call all hands," said the new commander of the Tallapoosa, when his dangerous first lieutenant had been secured. The boatswain of the steamer piped all hands, among whom the seamen from the Chatauqua mingled, and made themselves entirely at home. "Mr. Swayne, will you do me the favor to read my commission to the crew," said Somers, handing him the document which he had carefully "tinkered" to suit the present occasion. Tom Longstone held the lantern, and the acting first lieutenant promptly complied with the request of the assumed commander. The document proclaimed that John Pillgrim was duly invested with authority as a commander in the Confederate navy, and was duly signed by "S. R. Mallory," though whether that distinguished rebel functionary had actually issued the paper or not, Somers was himself as ignorant as the others who listened to the reading. From his orders Somers then read enough to satisfy any who might be in doubt of his appointment to the Tallapoosa, which name he had substituted for that of Ben Nevis, as it read on the original document, given him by Langdon, _alias_ Lieutenant Wynkoop. "Are you satisfied, Mr. Swayne?" asked the commander, when he had finished the document. "Entirely so, Captain Pillgrim," replied the first lieutenant. If he had not been satisfied, probably he would have been put under arrest as summarily as his superior had been a few moments before. With such an energetic captain, it was lucky for him he was satisfied! Perhaps Mr. Swayne was duly and properly impressed by the decided character of his commander, and deemed it prudent to raise no objections. "Are you satisfied, gentlemen?" asked Somers, turning to the little group of officers. Fortunately for them, and perhaps for Somers too, they were also satisfied. "My lads," continued the courteous but decisive captain, "you have listened to my commission, and you have listened to my orders." Somers paused, and the two first-class firemen from the Chatauqua started a demonstration of applause which was a complete success. "My lads, I am going out to take a look at the Yankee fleet, to-night," he proceeded. Applause. "I am a fighting man." More applause. "That Yankee fleet will not stop me!" added Somers, with enthusiasm. "That's so!" shouted one of the first-class firemen, who had a high appreciation of a good joke; and his remark was followed by a storm of applause. "I repeat, my lads, the Yankee fleet will not stop me. I shall pay my respects to the Yankee admiral down there before the sun rises." Tumultuous applause.