“You’ll put it out.” “No, I won’t.” The signal-man permitted him to take the lantern: whereupon Jack sprang upon him, and bore him to the ground. The movement was so sudden, that he had no chance to resist. Raymond came to Jack’s assistance; placing his pistol at the fellow’s temple, which caused him to beg for his life. With a rope which had been brought for the purpose they tied him hand and foot, and fastened him to a tree. Jack assured the unfortunate rebel that he should not be harmed, if he made no noise; but he instructed Raymond to shoot him if he opened his mouth or attempted to escape. Our hero then took the lantern, and waved it three times,--which was the signal for the boat to advance; then giving it to his companion, who was to remain, he hastened down to the water to board the cutter as she entered the bayou. CHAPTER XXV. THE CAPTURE OF THE KENSHAW. Jack Somers sat down on a log at the mouth of the bayou to await the arrival of the cutter. He was entirely satisfied with what had been done thus far, and everything was certainly working right; but he would have felt much safer in regard to the future if such a man as Mr. Granger had been in command of the expedition. Mr. Dickey was no older than himself, and had a higher respect for his own personal dignity than for anything else. And indiscretion might ruin the whole affair, and return the party to the Middy empty-handed and crest-fallen. Jack hoped for the best; and, when the boat appeared, he jumped on board, and reported to Mr. Dickey the success of his mission. “Very well, Somers. You have behaved yourself with great gallantry, and I shall take occasion to report your good conduct to the captain,” replied Mr. Dickey. “Thank your honor,” added Jack, removing his cap, though he could not help laughing in his sleeve at the magnificent bearing of the young officer. “It is a great satisfaction to an officer to have men upon whom he can rely, when difficulty and dangerous service is to be performed,” continued Mr. Dickey, addressing the engineer. “Yes, sir,” responded that officer,--a man of forty, who had seen more service before Mr. Dickey was born than the latter had ever performed. Jack Somers resumed his position in the bow of the boat, on the lookout now for the cotton-steamer. After the expedition had proceeded a couple of miles or more, a second lantern was discovered on shore, which was evidently another signal for the pilot. Jack reported the fact to Mr. Dickey; and that gentleman was by this time so well trained, that he knew exactly what to do. Our hero and another man were ordered to land, and secure the signal-man. The work was accomplished, and the lantern hung upon a branch of a tree; for Jack concluded that another man could not be spared for such inactivity as simply holding a lantern.