The article was furnished; and Tom wrapped up his wound, and then seemed to forget all about it. “The steamer is ours!” said Mr. Granger, after the last soldier and deck-hand had been secured. “Hurrah!” yelled the blue-jackets; and the cry was taken up by the men in the boats, who had not been permitted to have an active part in the encounter. CHAPTER XVI. THE SHORE BATTERY. The engineer of the Wizard had stopped her when the combat commenced; for she was headed directly for the shore. During the fight, she had drifted up within a few feet of the island. Among the volunteers in the second cutter was one of the third assistant-engineers, to whom the charge of the machinery was immediately committed. The negro firemen of the steamer were not sorry for the change which had taken place in the ownership of the craft; and all of them, having no love for the rebel Confederacy, promptly offered to continue their labors in the firing department. The intense exertions and excitement of the men had fatigued them very much; and, when the struggle was ended, they sat down wherever they could find a place to rest themselves and recover their breath. The men in the boats attended to the wounded of both parties. The first cutter brought off the assistant-surgeon from the island, and everything was done that their condition required. The sufferers were placed in the cabin, and included five sailors and eight rebels. Of the boats’ crews, only one had been killed; and the bodies of three of the enemy lay upon the forward-deck of the Wizard. “Somers, you did me a good turn in the action, which I shall not soon forget,” said Mr. Granger, when the excitement had subsided. Jack touched his cap, blushed, and stammered out that he hoped he had done his duty. He had tried to do the best he could. “You have done nobly, my lad; and I shall have a good report of you for the captain, and a gentleman in the wardroom, who has a strong interest in your welfare.” “Thank you, sir!” replied Jack, blushing more deeply as he touched his cap again. “The men all did well,--behaved admirably; but no one better than yourself, my lad,” said he, turning to the seamen, who were seated in little groups on the deck of the steamer. “Our real work hasn’t commenced yet.” “Hurrah!” shouted the blue-jackets, jumping to their feet, and displaying their readiness to engage the enemy wherever occasion might require. “We came off to do a certain work; and we should have done it before this time, if this steamer hadn’t come athwart our hawse. But I intend to do it before we return to the ship.” “Hurrah!” repeated the blue-jackets. “I perceive you are all ready to stand by me, and see it through.” “Ay, ay, sir!” responded the men in prompt and hearty tones. “Then we will go to work at once.”