Who are all those men in the boat with you, Gilder ?" "They belong to the water guard," replied Christy, at a venture, and he thought that would describe them as well as any terms at his command.
"They expected you to go out by the main channel to-night." "No lie in that," chuckled Flint.
"I wish they would come on board of the Teaser and help me out, for my men won't work." "How many men have you ?" asked the lieutenant.
"Just fifteen; the rest of my crew were to come on board at midnight, half an hour before high tide.

But the men I have with me won't work, and I shall not be ready for them, I am afraid." "What is the reason they won't work ?" "They say they shipped to fight the Yankees, and they are not going to do such work as lighting up the steamer." "Perhaps we can bring them to their senses," said Christy, as he ordered Beeks to give way again.
A few strokes of the oars enabled the officers in the stern sheets to obtain a full view of the Teaser, and she looked like a trim little steamer of about two hundred tons.

She was rather long, and she had a very sharp bow.

The reports gave her the reputation of being a very fast sailer.
"Let every man have his arms in order," said Christy impressively, in a low tone.

"Give way with a will, and when you unship your oars have your weapons ready, though I hardly think you will have to use them at present." As the boat dashed towards the little steamer, the sounds of an altercation came over the water.