Jack Somers promptly concluded that the light meant something, and that it was some kind of a signal for the cotton-steamer. As the man who carried it could not possibly have seen the cutter, the meaning of the light was easily read. The signal-man had, of course, been instructed to show the light if there was nothing to interfere with the passage of the cotton-boat. Our hero saw that this was delicate business to manage, and he was very much afraid that Mr. Dickey would spoil everything by his self-sufficiency. He had a suggestion; but he hardly dared to offer it, lest it should be rejected; but there was no time to spare; for the cutter was now passing the bayou. Creeping aft between the oarsmen, he touched his cap in the darkness, and “begged his honor’s pardon; but there was a light on the bank.” “What of it?” demanded Mr. Dickey. “Here’s the place, your honor,” added Jack in a whisper. “There is a man with a light on the bank. If your honor will please to order the men to lie on their oars.” Mr. Dickey did give the order; for he had been submissively addressed as “your honor”; and nothing more than that could possibly be expected of a quartermaster. Jack then explained the probable meaning of the light, and hinted, in a very respectful but roundabout way, that the man who carried it must be disposed of before the boat entered the bayou. He did not say this in so many words; and, happily, Mr. Dickey did not take offense at the suggestion. “We will pull over to the other side and land a couple of men, who can silence him, and keep the signal flying,” said Mr. Dickey, who fully believed that he had given utterance to an original idea, so carefully had Jack worded his hint. The boat dropped down stream about half a mile, and then crossed over. Jack begged permission to be one of the two men who were to execute the important duty of capturing the signal-man; adding that it would enable him to verify some of the information he had obtained on shore. Mr. Dickey was graciously pleased to grant his request, for the reason stated; and, when a signal for the boat to approach had been agreed upon, he landed with his companion. “Have you got your pipe with you, Raymond?” asked Jack as they touched the bank. “Of course I’ve got my pipe. D’ye want to smoke, Jack?” “No, I never smoke.” And Jack proceeded to explain his plan to his shipmate. A fifteen-minutes’ walk brought them to the junction of the bayou with the main river, where they found the signal-man. “Has that boat come down yet?” demanded Jack, pointing up the bayou. “What boat?” replied the man. “That cotton-boat; we are going up in her.” “She hain’t come down yet. Why don’t you go up where she is, if you are goin’ in her?” “Didn’t know where to find her. Come along, Raymond: we shall find her now easy enough,” added Jack as he moved off. “Avast a minute till I light my pipe by this ’ere lantern,” replied Raymond as he had been instructed: “Lend us your glim a moment.”