The nerves of the latter were not remarkably steady, and as he stepped on board the schooner, he neglected to take the painter with him; and the consequence was, that the boat went adrift.

It is good generalship to keep the line of retreat open; and Fred's neglect had deprived them of all means of retiring from the scene of action.

The only alternative was to fight their way through, and find safety in success.
To Tom's reply, that the party were Massachusetts soldiers, the rebel who had acted as spokesman for the crew, uttered a volley of oaths, expressive of his indignation and disgust at the sudden check which had been given to their prosperous voyage.
"Surrender!" repeated Tom, in energetic tones.
Two of the rebels at the stern discharged their pistols in answer to the summons--a piece of impudence which our Massachusetts soldiers could not tolerate; and they returned the fire.

The secessionists evidently carried revolvers; and a turn of the barrel enabled them to fire a second volley, which the soldiers were unable to do, for they had no time to load their guns.
"O!" groaned Fred, as he sunk down upon the half-deck.

"I'm hit." "We can't stand this, Hapgood," said Tom, fiercely, as he leaped into the midst of the party in the standing room.