the seeming inconsistency.

The capture of this boat involved the necessity of returning to the
nearest steamer in the river to dispose of the prisoners. On the way
back, Somers and De Banyan conversed with the rebels on general topics;
for the latter refused to say anything which could be of service to their
enemy. After the captives had been delivered on board the steamer, our
party decided to take the boat which had been captured, instead of the
one they had brought from the landing; for there were some peculiarities
in its construction, which made it a safer conveyance in rebel waters
than the other, the approach of which would excite suspicion if seen.

Again they pulled down the river, and passed the point from beyond which
the rebel boat had approached them. The shore was probably lined with
pickets; and the wisdom of exchanging the boats was now more apparent to
them than before. Somers steered into a little inlet or bay beyond the
point, and at the head of it found a creek flowing into the river. It was
wide and deep at the outlet; and he decided to ascend it.

"How was it, Andy?" said a voice from the shore, after the boat had
advanced a few rods up the creek.

"All right!" replied Somers at a venture; though he was somewhat startled
by the question.

"Have the Yankees any picket boats out?" demanded the man on shore.

"Haven't seen any."

"How far up have you been?"

"About two miles," answered Somers, continually coughing to account for
any change in his voice which might be apparent to his friend on shore.

"The fire-steamer is all ready," added the voice; "and it is about time
to go to work."

"The fire-steamer!" exclaimed Somers in a low tone.

"They are going to burn the vessels in the river," added De Banyan.

"What shall we do?"

"We must stop their fun at all hazards," replied the valiant captain
promptly.

"What are you stopping there for, Andy? Why don't you pull up the creek?"
continued the man on shore.

"My name isn't Andy," said Somers; "and I don't fully understand this
business."

"Who are you, then?" replied the rebel. "What has become of Andy?"

"He has got another job, and sent me to do this one," answered Somers,
whose ready wit had adopted a plan to defeat the purpose of the enemy.

"Who are you?"

"Tom Leathers. Andy sent me up to attend to this matter. Where is the
fire-steamer?"

"About half a mile farther up the creek. But where is Andy?"

"Some general sent