CHAPTER XIX.
THE SKIPPER OF THE SLOOP MAGNOLIA "You were very unwise to order these men to fire upon the boat," said the dignified gentleman, addressing the man on the forecastle of the Magnolia; "it was a great mistake, Captain Flanger." "That's so!" exclaimed Mr.Pennant, feeling of his left arm as he spoke; for he had been wounded there, though the injury had not for a moment abated his energy.
"I did not mean to allow the sloop to be captured by a boat load of men like that," replied Captain Flanger; "and if our men had used their bayonets we should have been all right.

I told them to fix their bayonets, but they paid no attention to me." "It was a great mistake," repeated the dignified gentleman, shaking his head.
Mr.Pennant had time now to look over the craft he had captured, and the men on board of her.

It was simply a large sailboat, and those on board of her wore plain clothes.

They did not appear to be soldiers or sailors, though there was a number of bayonets scattered about the standing room.

The seamen from the cutter had leaped on board of the sloop, with cutlasses in their belts; but there was not space enough to permit the use of the weapon, and they had seized each of the men by the collar and put a pistol to his head.
"How many men have you on board, Captain Flanger ?" demanded the third lieutenant, still standing up in the boat abreast of the person he addressed.
"Count them for yourself!" exclaimed Captain Flanger in brutal tones.
"All right: I will count you first," added Mr.Pennant, as he reached over and seized the leader of the party by the collar with his right hand.
[Illustration: Colonel Homer Passford Visits the Bronx .-- Page 219.] Flanger attempted to shake off his grasp, but the lieutenant was a very powerful man, and he dragged him into the boat in the twinkling of an eye.