In a few moments the
paddles of the steamer stopped, and at the same instant a gun was fired.

"Highly honored, kind sir," said Captain Corbet, with a grin.

"What's the matter?" asked Bart.

"Matter? Why that thar steamer feels kine o' interested in us, an that
thar gun means, HEAVE TO."

"Are you going to heave to?"

"Nary heave."

"Why not?"

"Can't come it no how; cos why, I'm hove to, with the anchor hard and
fast, ony they can't see that we're anchored."

Suddenly a cry came over the water from a man on the quarter-deck.

"Ship aho-o-o-o-o-oy!"

"Hel-lo-o-o-o-o!"

Such was the informal reply of Captain Corbet.

"Heave to-o-o-o, till I send a boat aboard."

"Hoo-r-a-a-a-a-ay!"

Such was again Captain Corbet's cheerful and informal answer.

"Wal! wal wal!" he exclaimed, "it does beat my grandmother--they're
goin to send a boat aboard."

"What for?"

Captain Corbet grinned, and shook his head, and chuckled very
vehemently, but said nothing. He appeared to be excessively amused
with his own thoughts. The boys looked at the steamer, and then at
Captain Corbet, in some wonder; but as he said nothing, they were
silent, and waited to see what was going to happen. Meanwhile Solomon,
roused from some mysterious culinary duties by the report of the gun,
had scrambled upon the deck, and stood with the others looking out over
the water at the steamer.

In a few moments the steamer's boat was launched, and a half dozen
sailors got in, followed by an officer. Then they put off, and rowed
with vigorous strokes towards the schooner.

Captain Corbet watched the boat for some time in silence.

"Cur'ouser an cur'ouser," he said, at length. "I've knowed the time,
boys, when sech an incident as this, on the briny deep, would have
fairly keeled me over, an made me moot, an riz every har o' my head;
but look at me now. Do I tremble? do I shake? Here, feel my pulse."

Phil, who stood nearest, put his finger on the outstretched wrist of
the captain.

"Doos it beat?"

"No," said Phil.

"Course it beats; but then it ony beats nateral. You ain't feelin the
right spot--the humane pulse not bein sitooated on the BACK of the
hand," he added mildly, "but here;" and he removed Phil's inexperienced
finger to the place where the pulse lies. "Thar, now," he added, "as
that pulse beats now, even so it beat a half hour ago, before that thar
steamer hev in sight. Why, boys, I've knowed the time when this human