“Shoot them, Somers!” said Mr. McBride, fearful that Jack might attempt to compromise the matter. “Ay, ay, sir!” replied our sailor-boy, lying down upon his stomach, and creeping forward, with his revolver in his hand. The lieutenant then approached the wheel-house with the marine, ready to take advantage of the panic which the other movement might occasion; though they did not show themselves to the enemy. Jack had now reached a point where he could see the rebels; for, as the reader remembers, the roof of the wheel-house had been blown off by the shot from the battery on shore. The two men were crouching behind the door, pistols in hand, ready to repel an assault in that direction. Jack took deliberate aim at the man who had one hand on the wheel, and fired. The wretch uttered an oath, and let go his hold, which caused the wheel to roll over; for the steamer was in the act of coming about. His companion, dismayed by this unexpected assault, turned to see whence it came, and to be in readiness to repel it. As he did so, Mr. McBride fired his pistol, but missed his aim. The rebel, finding himself attacked in front and in flank, and not knowing from what direction the next assault might come, crouched down in the corner of the wheel-house, and cried for “quarter.” Jack Somers then dropped into the apartment from the broken roof, and grasped the wheel, while Mr. McBride and the marine seized the discomfited rebel. Mr. Deane, who had been thrust into the pilot’s stateroom for safe keeping, was called out; and the Middy, which had nearly run into the bank of the river during the affray, was again headed down stream. The steamer was now a “house divided against itself,” having a Union pilot and a rebel engineer. The latter soon manifested his opposition to the dominant power in the wheel-house by stopping the engine. Mr. McBride, after the wounded rebel and the wounded marine had been placed in the pilot’s room, left the hurricane-deck to report to the captain on the quarter. While these events were transpiring, Captain Bankhead had been parleying with Dunnett, endeavoring to prevent the scene of bloodshed which must follow more decided operations. When the rebel engineer stopped the engine at a signal from the chief conspirator, it was plain that no further temporizing must be allowed. “I give you two minutes to surrender!” said the captain sternly. “At the end of that time, we shall fire upon you!” “And blow your boat all to pieces!” sneered Dunnett, who evidently did not believe Captain Bankhead would put his threat into execution, except in self-defence. “Whatever happens, we shall fire!” said the captain, taking out his watch. Dunnett waited with compressed lips and glaring eyes until the captain announced that the time had nearly expired. “Lie down, boys!” shouted the rebel leader; and, suiting the action to the words, he threw himself flat upon the deck, and the others followed his example.