As soon as the steamer came close, Rivers gave orders for the leading canoe, in which he was, to drop behind, so that he might speak to the captain, and as the steamer forged up beside them the canoes got full way on, to give a chance for the steamer to pick them up. "Ahoy, there!" shouted Rivers as soon as the little vessel was within hailing distance. The captain of the vessel picked up his speaking trumpet. "Well, what's the trouble, what do you want?" he roared back. "Going up to Fort Hamlin. Take us on board." "Can't stop," the captain shouted, "this is a government boat." "So is this," replied Rivers, a little nettled, "slow up and take us on board." Now, as it chanced, the skipper was a choleric little man with a very quick temper, which had not been improved on the trip by the presence of a party of tourists, who had been grumbling at everything American all the way up the river. So he was anxious to magnify the importance of his post and not be at the beck and call of every tramp on the river. Irritated, therefore, he shouted back: "Get to Fort Hamlin the best way you can, I can't spare any time." By this time Rivers was warming up, and he did not want to be discomfited before his party, so he yelled back in an authoritative voice: "Do as you're told and stop that vessel! I want to go on board." "Oh, you do, do you," sneered the skipper, "then you can want," and he rang the telegraph for full speed ahead. Rivers was ready with a retort, but Bulson, who on occasion could become furiously angry, suddenly blazed, and picking up a rifle that lay on the boat, he fired across the bows of the steamer as she forged up to the leading canoe. The captain picked up his speaking trumpet again. "What in Creation do you think you are doing?" he roared, with all his force. "This is a United States mail boat," and he pointed to the mail flag flying at the stern. Bulson made no reply other than sending another shot across the steamer's bows. Then if any man was wild it was that captain. That a government ship, flying a government flag, should be fired on in American waters by a party of tramps in two battered canoes! And that those tourists should have seen it! He fairly danced with rage. It was too much for flesh and blood to stand. He swung the ship round sharply, volleying invectives as he did so, and vowing by all his gods that he would put every member of the party in irons until they reached port, and then would see them in jail for treason. And the more he fulminated, the more the tourists chaffed him, until when the boats sheered alongside, he was purple in the face with temper. "What do you mean, sir," he began, stuttering in his speech; "what do you mean by firing across our bows, sir? Are you aware that this is treasonable conduct, sir? It is infamous, sir, treasonable and infamous! Thirty years have I worn the uniform of the service, sir, and I have never even heard of such insolent and high-handed conduct.