“No, sir: I only wanted to get that steamer out, and take her down to New Orleans. You haven’t any pilot on board now, cap’n; and, if you will only trust me, I’ll take the Kenshaw down for you, and prove that I’m a true man.” “Very well: I will trust you,” replied Captain Bankhead. “You will find that I’m all right.” The pilot’s irons were taken off, and he was ordered into the boat. Mr. Dickey was appointed to the command of the Kenshaw as prize-master, and Jack was to go in her as wheelman. Captain Bankhead accompanied the party to the steamer; and, on boarding her, proceeded at once to the wheel-house, followed by Lunsley. Two marines, armed with muskets and pistols, were placed in the apartment. “Somers,” said the captain, “you will remain at the wheel during the passage down. The pilot will give you steering directions. If the boat gets aground, you will immediately order the marines to shoot him!” “Ay, ay, sir,” replied Jack. “You needn’t take all that trouble, cap’n. I shall do my duty, honor bright,” added Lunsley. “You have a strong inducement for doing it,” answered the captain as he left the wheel-house. Mr. Dickey gave his orders, and the great furnaces of the Kenshaw blazed with renewed vigor. The fasts were cast off, and the steamer commenced her downward trip to New Orleans. The Middy kept close astern of her, with her guns shotted in readiness to defend her in case of an attack. Jack Somers kept his station at the wheel-house for seven long hours, his breakfast and dinner being brought up to him. Lunsley said very little on the passage. He was apparently studying his chances to escape from the strong grip which held him in abeyance: but there sat the marines, pistol in hand, during the entire trip; and certain death was the penalty of even a suspicion of treachery. At one o’clock, the Kenshaw made her landing at the Levee in New Orleans. The pilot was immediately delivered over to General Butler for safe keeping; and Jack, who had not slept a wink during the preceding night, appropriated the captain’s stateroom to his own use, and turned in. CHAPTER XXVI. THE UNION REFUGEES. A four-hours’ nap renovated Jack’s exhausted frame; and he was ready to take another job of piloting, if one had presented. Towards evening, Captain Bankhead visited the prize; and one of the boat’s crew handed Jack a letter from home. It was a joyous missive; for it contained the intelligence of his father’s escape from the rebels, and his return to Pinchbrook. On the last page were a few lines written in the well-known heavy hand of Captain Somers, in which he encouraged his son to do his duty to the country faithfully, and to stand by the old flag to the last. The old gentleman declared his intention of going into the navy in some capacity, as soon as he had recovered from the effects of his campaign in Virginia.