“March them down, Dick Bayard,” howled Waddie, as Forbush emphasized his determination by a fierce twist at the neck of his victim. “In single file,” added the engineer. “Single file, Dick!” repeated Waddie. “Single file--forward, march!” said Captain Dick Bayard, who was plainly disgusted with the proceedings. The column of valiant warriors, grand even in their misfortunes, descended the ladder on the port side, and stepped on shore. They looked as sheepish as the lambs on the neighboring hills; but they were full of bottled-up rage, and as soon as Waddie was out of trouble, it was probable that something would be done. “Now let me go!” snapped Waddie, when the last of the file had left the boat. “Not yet, Feathers,” replied Forbush, as he glanced at the two companies on the pier. “Order your troops to march up to the grove on the shore.” “What for?” groaned Waddie. “Good soldiers never ask questions,” laughed the engineer, as he twisted the major’s collar again. Waddie gave the order as he was required, and Dick Bayard, who appeared to be on the watch for a chance to redeem the fortunes of the day, doggedly led the battalion away from the steamer. “Now it is all right, Feathers,” said Forbush. “Next time, when you want a steamer, you had better apply at the captain’s office.” “I didn’t want your old steamer,” snarled the gallant major. “What did you take her for, then?” “Because you were going to run down our boats. I heard Tommy Toppleton tell the captain to do so.” “Why didn’t you get out of the way?” “We never get out of the way for Toppleton humbugs,” sneered Waddie. “You haven’t seen the end of this.” “We shall probably see the end of it together. Here is your cheese knife, Feathers; but behave yourself, or you haven’t seen the worst of it yet. Mind that, Feathers!” Waddie took his sword, and looked daggers; but he dared not use any, or even the weapon he held in his hand. Sullenly, he walked across the deck to the pier. He wanted to do something, but he was prudent when his own person was in peril. “Cast off the fasts, Moses,” said Forbush, as he hastened to the engine-room. “Come down here!” shouted Major Waddie to his forces in the grove. “Come! Double quick!” I do not know what the valiant major intended to do next; but probably, if his forces had not been sent to the grove by the forethought of the engineer, he would have ordered an assault upon the Middleport, and endeavored to recapture her. He would have directed his troops to charge upon anything, so long as he could keep behind them, and make good his own escape in case of disaster. He was reckless enough to do anything; but as soon as the fasts were cast off, Captain Underwood rang to back her, and the boat was clear of the pier long before Waddie could bring up his forces. “We are well out of that,” said the captain, as he rang to go ahead. “Now you can let our boys out of the cabin.”