approach of the runaway steamer.

"All on deck, sir, except Ben Bowman," returned the mate, as soon as he
had given the call.

The second engineer had returned to the point to observe and report
upon the movements of the Islander. He informed me that the steamer
seemed to be making the shortest course the bends of the stream would
permit, and she was headed for the point behind which the Sylvania was
concealed.

I had arranged my plan of operations. Our steamer was headed up the
stream, and held by a single hawser leading to the bowsprit-bitts. We
had passed the rope around the tree, and made the end fast on board, so
that we could let go without any one going on shore to do so. The
strong current of the river would carry the steamer's head away from
the shore, and we had only to dart out alongside the Islander, and make
fast to her. We had rigged out our fenders, so that neither steamer was
likely to be damaged by a collision.

Ben Bowman and Buck Lingley were to carry a line on board of the prize,
and make fast the instant we came alongside of her. Colonel Shepard was
to get on board of the Islander as quick as he could, and give his
orders to Captain Blastblow. I did not apprehend any difficulty in
carrying out the programme. I was confident that the captain of the
runaway vessel would respect the orders of his owner. We had banked our
fires in the morning, so that the noise of escaping steam need not warn
the Islander of the presence of another steamer. As soon as Ben
reported the runaway within four miles, Moses Brickland had caused the
fires to be replenished, and he calculated upon having a full head of
steam when we were ready to run out from our hiding-place.

In about half an hour from the time the Islander was discovered, Ben
Bowman came on board. We could hear the clang of her screw by this
time. I stationed Ben at the hawser, and directed him to let go and
haul in the rope as quickly as possible when I gave the word. Buck
Lingley and Landy Perkins were to help him make quick work of it.
Captain Cayo was stationed where he could make a sure thing of the
capture of Cornwood as soon as he leaped on board.

Nearer and nearer came the Islander to the point. As soon as she showed
her bowsprit beyond it, I was to give the word to cast off. I could see
nothing to prevent the success of the elaborate plan we had made, and I
was satisfied that Colonel Shepard would be in possession of his
steam-yacht within f