The third cutter reached the place where the party had landed. Mr. Granger’s boat was there in charge of four men. The cockswain reported that the soldiers had been beaten off, and that the rest of the crew had gone upon shore again; where, or for what, he could not answer. Mr. Light, the master’s mate, with most of his men, landed at once, and hastened towards the road to find them. They had proceeded but a short distance before they met the party returning to the boat. “Why are you here, Mr. Light?” demanded Mr. Granger. “We heard you were in trouble; and Mr. McBride sent me up to render assistance, if any were needed.” “We are all right now, though we have had two men killed, three wounded, and one captured. Young Somers was taken prisoner.” “I beg pardon, your honor,” said Jack, stepping forward and touching his hat: “that’s a mistake!” “Somers!” exclaimed Mr. Granger. “My darling!” exclaimed Tom Longstone, springing forward, and throwing his arms around him. “Hurrah!” shouted the men, with whom Jack was a great favorite. “How’s this, Somers?” asked Mr. Granger, whose pleasant smile indicated the satisfaction which Jack’s reappearance afforded him. “I thought you were taken by the rebels.” “No, sir; I wasn’t taken. I took the rebel who was sent to capture me.” “How was that?” “He ordered me to drop my cutlass; and I ordered him to drop his musket. As I had a loaded pistol in my hand, he had the worst of it. I picked up the gun, and loaded it. Then I told him to run up to the hotel yonder, or I would shoot him. He did so; and that’s the last I saw of him. Here is the musket, sir.” “Why didn’t you come down to the boat then?” “Because the rebels were between you and me, sir. I was afraid I couldn’t whip the whole of them: so I ran down to the fort.” “Bravo, Somers!” said Mr. Granger, laughing at the manner the story was told, no less than at the story itself. The commander of the expedition then ordered the dead and the wounded men to be conveyed to the first cutter; and the boats returned to the steamer. The men were sad for the loss of their companions, and little was said on the passage. On their arrival at the point, all the brave fellows who had fallen during the day were reverently committed to the earth, prayers being said by Mr. Granger; while all who could be spared stood uncovered around the grave. The work for the day was finished. The ram had been destroyed, an armed steamer captured, and some valuable information had been obtained by Mr. Granger. The result was entirely satisfactory to all, except old Grummet; and the expedition started on its return to the ship. The boats were all towed astern of the steamer, and the men had nothing to do but to talk over the events of the day.