certainly have
identified him.

Christy's bed was just behind them, when they had seated themselves; and
he dropped down on his blanket, rolled it about him as well as he could,
and then pretended to be asleep, as Percy was still, in spite of the
noise of the escaping steam on board of the boat.

"What have you done with your men, Captain Pecklar?" asked the major.

"I have just told you that the steamer had changed her position,"
replied the captain.

"I did not understand you," returned the major. "Do you mean that she
has left the wharf?"

"I do: she was out at least two miles from the shore," added Captain
Pecklar.

"Two miles from the shore!" exclaimed Major Pierson. "What does that
mean?"

"I don't know, sir. Lieutenant Dallberg did not know what to make of it;
and he decided to take his two men to the shore, and investigate the
matter. He directed me to report this to you."

"But when did the Bellevite leave the wharf?" asked the major, evidently
very much puzzled at what he regarded as the singular conduct of the
owner of the steamer.

"I don't know, sir. It was after ten o'clock in the evening when we
first saw her out in the bay."

"Was she at anchor?"

"I think not. I was ordered not to go very near her, and I could not
tell."

"Do you know whether or not Captain Passford is on board of her?"

"Of course I do not. In fact, I know nothing at all about her, except
that she has left the wharf and come out into the bay. I think I heard
her screw in motion, though I am not sure; and that makes me think that
she is not at anchor. Mr. Dallberg thought he ought to go on shore,
visit Colonel Passford, and obtain further information if he could."

The major ordered the captain to embark the party at once.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE MORNING TRIP OF THE LEOPARD

If Major Pierson had had any curiosity at all in regard to the person
captured by the soldiers with his brother, he appeared to have forgotten
all about him. He took no notice of him after he left his bed of hay,
but then he was evidently very much disturbed by the fact that the
Bellevite had left the wharf.

Christy Passford was quite as much astonished as the major when he
learned that the steamer had left her berth at the wharf, and he was
utterly unable to account for the change of position. The movement had
been made since he left his uncle's mansion; for at that time the two
brothers were still in the library, and he had no knowle