Twelve of the men were ordered to drag the gun down to the water, while six more marched the prisoners in the same direction. The latter were disarmed, and the ammunition for the field-piece thrown into the water. Four men, doubly armed, were detailed to guard the rebels; the assistant-surgeon was sent on shore to dress the wounds of the injured men; and the rest of the party returned to their places in the boats. As soon as Mr. Granger had given his orders for the disposition of the prisoners and the wounded,--for he did not deem it advisable to encumber the boats with them in the more difficult and dangerous work yet to be performed by the expedition,--he returned to the first cutter. He had carefully watched the movements of the Wizard during these exciting moments. She was now sweeping round the south end of the island. Mr. Granger had now a double duty to perform in protecting his party, and preventing the recapture of his prisoners on shore. There was apparently no opportunity for the practice of strategy; and it looked very much like a hand-to-hand fight for the possession of the steamer. The cool lieutenant in command gave his orders to Mr. McBride and the master’s mate in charge of the third cutter, and in a few energetic words informed the men what he intended to do, and urged them to do their duty as American seamen. His address was received with a lusty cheer, and the boats were ordered to cast off. The steamer continued on her course towards the place where the cutters had landed; her people probably being not yet fully aware of the extent of the catastrophe which had overtaken their auxiliary force on shore. “Give way, my lads!” said Mr. Granger, when the boats had shoved off; and on they dashed towards the Wizard, which was now only a few rods distant. Twelve men from each boat were ordered to act as boarders, and the guns in the bows were in readiness to open on the steamer. At the right time, the command was given to fire, and the howitzers sent their charges of grape into the Wizard. Before the people in the boats could ascertain the effect of the shot, the steamer returned the fire with solid shot. The ball struck the second cutter on the quarter; glancing off, however, so as to inflict but little damage. “Give way lively, my lads!” shouted Mr. Granger. “Now, my baby, don’t you let ’em hurt you,” said Tom Longstone. “We shall be aboard of ’em in half a minute more.” “I’ll do my duty, Tom. If anything happens to me, you will ask Mr. Bankhead to write to my mother, won’t you?” “Sartin, my lad; but you mustn’t let ’em hurt you, my little infant. Keep your cutlash flying; and have your pistol handy for use, if you git in a tight place.” “Steady! Lie on your oars!” said Mr. Granger, whose boat was a little in advance of the others.