Brave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter Deck: A Story of the Great Rebellion

by Oliver Optic

  CHAPTER XIX.

  THE BOAT EXPEDITION.

  At general quarters, on the following day, Somers looked somewhatcare-worn. It was midnight when he had worked out the solution of thecipher, and at this hour he had been called to take the mid watch. Butthere was no happier or more exultant man in the fleet. His conquestover the cabalistic letter had confirmed his theory. The Ben Lomond wasnot a myth, and she was at Mobile. Pillgrim had expressed a desire tosee Somers again, and there was a fair prospect that he might yet beable to do so.

  The important event of this day was the dinner with "Brave Old Salt."But the letter and the dinner seemed to be inseparably connected. Somershad given the translation to the first lieutenant, who, to the chagrinand mortification of the persevering student, did not appear to attachmuch importance to the letter.

  "If the Tallapoosa, or Ben Lomond, is in the bay, we shall soon haveher," said Mr. Hackleford, "for we are going to make the attack on theforts within a few days."

  "The attack may fail, and thus afford an opportunity for the cruiser tocome out," suggested Somers.

  "Fail?"

  The third lieutenant of the Chatauqua stood abashed before the look ofhis superior. He did not believe that any attack made by AdmiralFarragut could fail, but it was possible for the Confederate steamer torun the blockade, as hundreds had done before her, especially as shecould steam sixteen knots.

  "I don't think the attack will fail, sir; but even a victory mightafford the Ben Lomond a chance to run out."

  "I don't think there is much chance; but Captain Cascabel has yoursolution of the letter under consideration. Perhaps the admiral may havesomething to say about it."

  Somers was not satisfied with the reception given to his revelation. Hehad already formed a plan for ascertaining where the Ben Lomond was, butthe cool manner in which his communication was received prevented himfrom even mentioning it.

  In the afternoon, the captain's gig came up to the accommodation ladder,and the commander, attended by Somers, seated himself in thestern-sheets. Captain Cascabel was received with due honors on thequarter deck of the Hartford, where the gallant admiral was walking atthe time.

  When his superior had been welcomed with dignified cordiality, CaptainCascabel introduced Somers. The admiral bowed, smiled pleasantly, anddid not look patronizingly upon the young officer, as he might have beenpardoned for doing. As he stood there on the quarter deck of theflag-ship, he was full of genuine dignity and true manliness--a noblerepresentative of the American naval commander. He was of mediumstature, well formed, and of elegant proportions. He seemed to be madeof nerves and muscles, and when he moved there was an elastic spring tohis frame, which impressed the observer with the idea of energy andvigor. He did not appear to stand on the deck, but to be poisedindependently in the air, resting on the planks beneath him more becauseit was the fashion to do so, than because he had any need of suchsupport.

  Somers removed his cap, made his best bow, and blushed like a summerrose. He was deeply impressed by the glance of the admiral, and theatmosphere around him seemed to be full of the man at whom he gazed inreverent admiration.

  "Mr. Somers, I am happy to see you," said the admiral, in a tone sogentle and affable that it seemed to remove the "curse" of greatness farfrom him. "I have heard of you before, and I doubt not we shall be ableto make you very useful to your country."

  "Thank you, sir," replied Somers, not daring to say any more, and withthe feeling of his childhood, that "boys ought to be seen, not heard."

  The admiral, with this judicious commendation, turned to CaptainCascabel, and opened conversation with him, evidently determined not tospoil the young man by taking too much notice of him. Somers was soon athome with the officers of the Hartford, and behaved himself withbecoming modesty and discretion. He dined with the admiral, severalother officers of distinction being present. The conversation at thetable, singularly enough, it may appear to our readers, did not relateto the war, or even to the navy. These topics appeared to be carefullyexcluded, though the reserve on this occasion was probably accidental.

  Somers found sufficient pleasure in looking at and listening to theadmiral, and the other distinguished officers, though he was notignored, being kindly encouraged, by an occasional question, to use hisvoice. But he was not forward, and his very nature prevented him fromindulging in any of that impudent familiarity which is so offensive toelderly men, especially if they occupy high positions.

  After dinner, a matter of business came up, and it soon appeared thatCaptain Cascabel had given the admiral all the particulars relating tothe Ben Lomond, including the letter in cipher, which Somers hadinterpreted. The conversation took place in private, with only the threepersons present who were most intimately concerned. The letter wasexhibited, and its solution explained.

  "Mr. Somers, what is your plan? I am informed that you have one," saidthe admiral.

  "I have one, sir, but I hardly hope it will merit your approbation,"replied the third lieutenant of the Chatauqua.

  "We will hear it, if you please. By the way, our picket boats reportthat a steamer came down the bay this morning, and moored inside theMiddle Ground. It may be the one mentioned in your letter--theTallapoosa."

  "Probably it is, sir. She can now only be waiting the arrival ofLieutenant Pillgrim, who is to command her."

  "We must capture that man. State your plan, Mr. Somers."

  The young officer, with no little trepidation, related the particularsof the method he had considered for the capture of the Ben Lomond.

  "Very daring and impudent, Mr. Somers," said the admiral, as he glancedwith a meaning smile at Captain Cascabel.

  "Mr. Somers's _forte_ is daring and impudence. But his scheme, besidesbeing based on mere theory, is absolutely fool-hardy," added thecaptain, throwing a whole bucket of cold water on the young officer'sprospects.

  "I do not wholly agree with you, captain. By the report of the picketboats, there is certainly a sea-going steamer in the bay. That, in ameasure, confirms Mr. Somers's theory. Now, if the vessel is there, theyoung man may bring her out if he has the ability to do so."

  "What force do you require, Mr. Somers?"

  "The first cutter of the Chatauqua, and twenty-four men."

  "You shall have them, Mr. Somers," said the admiral. "Instead of thefirst cutter, I suggest a whale-boat, which will not be much more thanhalf as heavy."

  "That would be better, sir," replied Somers, hardly able to conceal thejoy and exultation he felt at the prospect of being permitted to carryout his plan.

  "Captain, you will permit Mr. Somers to pick his men, and afford himevery facility for the execution of his purpose."

  "I will, with pleasure, sir."

  "When do you wish to begin, Mr. Somers?" asked the admiral.

  "To-night, sir."

  "Very well. The monitors haven't arrived, captain, and it may be afortnight before we make the attack on the forts. The steamer may runout in a fog or storm before that time, and I think we do well toprevent another Tuscaloosa from preying on the commerce of the country."

  "Undoubtedly, sir, if we can."

  "Mr. Somers's scheme may possibly succeed, though I do not think hischances of cutting out the steamer are very encouraging."

  "I am afraid not, admiral," answered Captain Cascabel, incredulously.

  "Mr. Somers, your reputation would be seriously damaged by the failureof your enterprise. Your officers would be more unwilling to trust youthan they are now if you should meet with a disaster."

  "I could not complain. I do not intend to meet with any disaster. If Ido nothing better, I shall bring my men back with me."

  The admiral laughed, and seemed to be pleased with this confidence,while Captain Cascabel shook his head.

  "Mr. Somers, the risk is very great. You and your men may be prisonersin Fort Morgan within twenty-four hours. A failure would damage, if notruin you. Are you still ready to undertake the work?" asked the admiral.

  "I am, sir."

/>   "Remember that everything depends upon yourself. My best wishes for yoursuccess go with you."

  Somers needed no better inspiration, and his frame seemed to jerk andspring like that of Brave Old Salt, when he realized that he wasactually to undertake his cherished purpose.

  The gig pulled back to the Chatauqua, and Somers immediately commencedhis preparations. The cordial indorsement of the admiral was enough tosilence all opposition, and to "put a stopper on the jaw-tackle of allcroakers." He was earnestly seconded by the captain and his officers. Ina short time a light whale-boat was towed up, and made fast to the boom.

  Somers's first duty was to select his crew. He was to engage in adesperate enterprise, and everything must depend upon the skill andbravery, as well as the silence and discretion, of his force. The firstperson selected was the boatswain, Tom Longstone, who, being betteracquainted with the qualities of the seamen, was intrusted with theselection of the boat's crew. Just as soon as it was discovered thatsome daring enterprise was to be undertaken by the third lieutenant, hewas beset by eager applicants for a place in the boat. Acting ensigns,masters' mates, midshipmen, indeed, all the officers below Somers inrank, begged to be appointed.

  The young commander of the expedition was prudent and cautious, and heaccepted the services of none. Tom Longstone was the only officer toaccompany him. The boatswain would obey his orders without asking anyquestions, or bothering him with any advice.

  "There, Mr. Somers, I have picked out the twenty-four best men in theship--men that will work, fight, and hold their tongues," said BoatswainLongstone, when he had executed the important trust committed to him.

  "Thank you, boatswain. What do you think of the weather?"

  "It's going to be a nasty night."

  "So much the better. Let every man take his pea-jacket; apply to thearmorer for revolvers and cutlasses for each of them."

  "A howitzer, Mr. Somers?"

  "No; we must go as light as possible," replied Somers, as he proceededto instruct the boatswain in regard to certain "slings" and otherrigging that would be wanted.

  Boatswain Longstone did not ask a single question about the nature orobject of the enterprise; and with the exception of the admiral, and thecaptain and first lieutenant of the Chatauqua, not a man in the fleetbesides Somers knew "what was up." It was necessary to conduct theenterprise with the utmost caution and secrecy.

  The boatswain's predictions in regard to the weather proved to beentirely correct, for at eight bells, when the first watch was set, itwas dark, foggy, and rainy. Somers had calculated upon this weather,when he had so promptly chosen the time for his venture. It was just thenight for a difficult and dangerous enterprise, and the fog and thedarkness were its best friends. While the boatswain was carrying out theorders given him, Somers had been engaged at the desk in his state-room,preparing for use certain papers, including his commander's commissionin the Confederate navy, and his letter of instructions, intended forthe Ben Nevis, or Louisiana. With his knife he scratched, and with hispen he wrote, until the documents suited his present purpose; and theywere placed in his pocket.

  At two bells--nine o'clock in the evening--while the rain poured down intorrents, Somers embarked with his force, consisting of Tom Longstoneand twenty-four as athletic and resolute fellows as ever pulled an oaror handled a cutlass. The whale-boat was crowded, though it was of thelargest size, being thirty feet in length. The oars were carefullymuffled, and the seamen were so disposed that the oarsmen could berelieved without noise.

  Wrapping his overcoat closely around him, Somers seated himself in thestern-sheets of the whale-boat, with the boatswain at his side. Thoughprofoundly impressed by the magnitude and danger of the work in which hewas engaged, he could not help thinking of the changes which hadcheckered his lot, since, two years before, he had sat in the firstcutter of the Harrisburg, as an ordinary seaman. Now he was a master,and in command of the expedition. Tom Longstone had been with him then;he was with him now. In low tones, they talked of that eventful night,and of the changes which had occurred since that time.

  Somers was grateful for his advancement, and thanked God that he hadbeen enabled to perform his duty so as to merit the favor of hissuperiors. And in the depths of his heart he asked God to bless hispresent exertions for the good of his country. He leaned on the GoodFather even in this exciting hour, and his religious faith was thestrength of his arm.