said the major.

Christy made no reply, but went to the wheel, and rang the bell to go
ahead. Heading the Leopard for the Bellevite, he gave himself up to a
consideration of the situation. Major Pierson immediately left the
pilot-house, and did not return. No stipulations of any kind had been
made, and no terms had been imposed upon Christy. All that he desired
was that his father should see him, and know where he was.

No one but himself on board could handle the steamer; and he could not
be sent out of the pilot-house, or concealed so that he should not be
seen. On the other hand, it did not seem to him that the officer could
do any thing towards capturing the Bellevite. The major desired to
ascertain what force she had, and had asked some questions calculated
to throw light on the subject.

If the steamer had come into the bay on a peaceful errand, as Christy
insisted that she had, the major might easily believe that she was not
armed, and that she had only men enough to man her. But Christy could
not tell what his captor was thinking about, and he could not yet
enlarge his plans for the future; but he was very certain in his own
mind, that he should not let pass any opportunity to escape, even at
great risk, from his present situation.

As the Leopard went off on her course, considerably shaken by the fresh
breeze which had stirred up a smart sea, the acting captain of the tug
saw that all the men who had been on the forecastle had disappeared,
with a single exception. The major was not to be seen, and doubtless
he was taking care of the sick captain, or arranging his plan for the
interview with the people of the Bellevite. In a few minutes more, this
last man disappeared, and Percy Pierson took his place on the
forecastle.

"So you are a Yank, are you, Mr. Pierson?" said he of that name, looking
up to the window at which Christy stood.

"Whatever I am, I am in command of a Confederate steamer," replied
Christy, laughing. "What is your brother doing, Mr. Percy?"

"I am sure I don't know: he is only talking to the men," answered the
young man, who had evidently been put there to act as a lookout.

At that moment a voice was heard from farther aft, and Percy went
towards the stern of the boat. A few minutes later he ascended to the
pilot-house. On the sofa abaft the wheel was Lieutenant Dallberg, where
he had dropped asleep as he finished his report of what he had learned
on shore.

"Mr. Dallberg!" shouted