“So you got off, Somers!” said Mr. Dickey with a degree of condescension which was indeed quite remarkable. “Yes, sir: I stowed myself away in a dark place till night, and then came off.” “Have you seen Mr. Hayswell?” “No, sir: he was taken, and they have sent him off somewhere. If you please, sir, I would like to see the captain about something of great importance.” “The captain! I’m acting first-lieutenant of this ship; and you are aware that all communications must pass through me,” added Mr. Dickey with sublime importance. “I beg your honor’s pardon,” added Jack with a clever stroke of policy. “There’s something to be done right off; and I only wanted to save time.” “State your business to me at once, then,” continued the acting first-lieutenant of the Middy. Fortunately, however, Mr. Dickey’s high flight was disturbed by the appearance of Captain Bankhead himself, who at once recognized Jack, dark as it was. “Somers!” exclaimed he, greatly astonished. “Come on board, sir,” answered Jack, touching his cap. “But you were captured?” “No, sir: not quite. I came very near it.” “Come into the wheel-house, and tell me all about it,” added Captain Bankhead, leading the way. Jack told his story as rapidly as possible, including that part relating to the cotton-steamer. The latter portion of the narrative was particularly interesting to Captain Bankhead, who was much dispirited by the loss of his first-lieutenant and five men; for it now appeared that one had been killed in the boat. The capture of the steamer, laden with cotton, would heal his wounded pride, and enable him to return to the fleet with flying colors. Mr. Dickey was called in; and Jack stated with great care all the particulars in relation to the cotton-steamer. The captain proposed at once to get up his anchor, and hasten to the mouth of the bayou where the boat was concealed. “I beg your honor’s pardon,” interposed Jack very reverently; “but the battery is on duty somewhere about here, and men are watching the steamer from the earthwork.” “Very good, Jack,” said the captain with a smile. “You are right. If you have any suggestions to make, I will hear them; for I find you have got a long head for so small a body.” “I think the first cutter, with a howitzer and twenty men, would do the business in first-rate style,” replied Jack. “But, Somers, you must be used up after such a hard day’s work.” “Not at all, sir: I am as fresh as though I had just come out of my hammock.” “Because you must go in the boat, if we conclude to take the steamer in that manner.” “I am ready, sir.” “Mr. Dickey, clear away the first cutter, and have a howitzer ready for her!” added the captain.