Under the lee of one of the islands which rose higher above the water than the others, the men were ordered to lie on their oars. The fort still kept banging away at the island behind which the boats had first taken refuge. The steamer, which was a small river-boat, drawing no more water than the first cutter, came puffing across the bay, like a man with the asthma, towards the first island. She was a slow affair, and it took her some time to come within hailing distance of the expedition. As she approached the man-of-war’s boats, the fort, out of regard for her safety, ceased firing; which might have been done half an hour before, so far as any injury to the cutters was concerned. “I tell you, Tom Longstone, we are booked for a rebel prison, as sure as you was born,” said Grummet. “Stopper your jaw!” replied Tom impatiently. “What are your officers for, if they are going for to send you to a rebel prison?” “Don’t you see that old snorter astern of us, Tom? Are you goin’ for to run away from a steamboat?” “We aren’t goin’ for to run away from anything that shows a rebel rag at its peak,--mind that, you old croaker!” added Tom. “You aren’t afraid, are you, Jack?” continued he, putting his arm around his _protégé_, and hugging him like a baby. “Of course I’m not afraid; only--only”-- “What, my bleating little lamb?” “I wish the fun would commence.” “See that, Tom!” continued the sheet-anchor man. “D’ye see that gun on the t’gallant fo’castle? She is swinging it round.” “Let her swing it round,” snarled Tom. “Now batten down your jaw-port and don’t groan any more.” At this moment, an order was heard for the men to give way; and, before the gun of the steamer was ready, the boats had doubled the island, and the men were lying upon their oars, with the high land between them and the steamer. “See that!” said Tom triumphantly. “Mr. Granger knows all about it.” “Perhaps he do,” replied Grummet doubtfully, as a shot from the steamer whizzed harmlessly over their heads. CHAPTER XIV. JACK ON THE LOOKOUT. The armament of the rebel steamer consisted of two guns, placed on the main-deck, forward of the boilers. The hull set so low in the water, that, while the island lay between the steamer and the boats of the expedition, she was powerless to do them any injury. Those in the first cutter could see the smoke-stack of the Wizard--which was the name of the steamer--over the island, while the crew of the latter could not even determine the position of the boats. The battle--if the affair could be dignified by such a title--promised to be nothing but a game of hide-and-seek; for, when the Wizard moved, the boats dodged round the island, so as to escape her fire. It was “pull,” and “lie on your oars,” for half an hour. The rebel battery on shore could not interfere with the game, lest the steamer should suffer from its fire.