He dropped down by the side of his plank until he was quite close, and then, raising himself upon it again, he shouted with all his voice: "Ship ahoy!" He did not know whether that was the customary method of hailing on the Mississippi, but it was a memory from his nautical reading, and so he shouted a second and yet a third time at the top of his voice: "Ship ahoy!" Figures bearing rifles appeared at the side, and a rough voice demanded in language highly unparliamentary who was there and what he, she or it wanted.
Dick was in a genial mood.

He had escaped with an ease that surprised him, and the warmth of the water in which he was immersed had saved him from cramp or chill.

The spirit of recklessness seized him again.

He threw himself astride his plank, and called out: "A detachment of the army of the United States escaped from captivity in Vicksburg, and wishing to rejoin it.

It's infantry, not marines, and it needs land." "Then advance infantry and give the countersign." "Grant and Victory," replied Dick in a loud, clear voice.
A laugh came from the steamer, and the rough voice said again: "Let the detachment advance again, and holding up its hands, show itself." Dick paddled closer and, steadying himself as well as he could, threw up his hands.